I don't know what to write

I don't think I necessarily have writer's block. It's not like a blog requires that much forethought (at least mine). Well, I have been overwhelmed lately with all the abortion laws that have been passing. I believe that over time we will see a shift towards life in this nation. If you haven't heard about Sycloria Williams and what happened to her baby, you really should read about it, but be prepared to be sickened. The link is here. I believe this will even grieve pro-choicers, my prayer is that it does. On the other hand we have this bizarre case with the octuplet mom, who now has a single mother home of fourteen children. Cases like this certainly don't help the pro-life movement. I find myself praying often for our president and believe that to honor God he must change his policies concerning life. I'm also sickened by all the Christians who believe that Obama will become successful at making abortions rare with his stated tactics. I pray that he does make them rare (and not at all), I just think that it's ridiculous to defend that position with what he has done so far and promised to do in the future.

On the home front, my wife is still sick with a sinus infection, and my girls are busy. Especially Emma, she's super busy right now, which I find incredibly cute. Hailey is talking so big right now. Last night Hailey, Emma, and I were at the store to get a Valentine Card for Grace. When I read our final Snoopy card to Hailey she said, "That's the funniest card I've ever seen," with a little laugh. My family's amazing. I can't wait to see our first little boy.

On the heart front, I desperately want people to meet Jesus like I have. I want all of Christ, for all of me. A relationship with Jesus is glorious. Sure I've been disillusioned, frustrated, and angry in my Christian faith, but nothing is better in a life of sin and shame. I love to taste of the pleasure of loving God. Like John Piper, I'd have to say that I'm a Christian hedonist (but I'm not that Calvinist). My greatest joy in life is being overtaken by Jesus. I wish I always felt the pleasure of loving God, but I'm growing in it. I want people to know this incredible God and be free from all that holds them captive.

I've sure loving being a youth pastor lately. More than before. I've always enjoyed it, but God is getting those youth into my heart. They're amazing and it's an honor to raise up warriors in the army of the Lord. They will do great things in their life times. It will be fun to cheer them on!

Rolling in my Buick

My top ten reasons to own and drive a Buick:

10. Almost power everything (this is actually humorous because it's all in slow motion for old people)
9. You can roll baby roll, like a thug with your seat back.
8. Virtually invisible to cops.
7. People trust people that drive Buicks.
6. Breaking the mold (everyone assumes that old people drive em')
5. Trunk space equivilant to a small pick-up (my whole family could sleep back there)
4. You get the chance to connect with elderly in your community (there's like a secret underground old person Buick club I think)
3. You could get in a collision with an armored truck and win.
2. Hood ornament is safe, no one wants to brag about their Buick hoodie they just ripped off.
1. It was free (thanks Grandma :))

New Year's Goals

I have some goals for the new year. I don't know if they line up with the most popular resolutions or anything. For instance, due to my lightening fast metabolism, I don't need a weight loss goal ("they" tell me that will change). I want to keep it simple, something that keeps me focused. Here they are:

1. Read my Bible and pray everyday (at least a half hour and preferably an hour)
2. Have 1 date night a week with my hot wife
3. Have at least one family night a week
4. Excercise three times a week

I have another couple of goals, but I'm keeping one card close to my chest for now. The other is that I want to share Jesus by praying for people and sharing the Gospel just while I'm out and about in everyday life. I want it to be more regular. I've been spotty and I know God's calling me to do it as a lifestyle. It feels weird to put it as an official goal though right now. What's one of yours?

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I just had an awesome week with my family. Christmas time is amazing with two cutie little girls in the house. They got loaded with presents from grandparents, uncles, and aunts. Oh yea, and by their parents too. Emma at 1 years old is just happy with tissue paper pretty much. Hailey on the other hand was into just about everything that she got, especially her new Dora umbrella. We thought she might jab her little second cousin with it, the way she was running around all crazy.

Anyways, I could go on about all the funey moments and all the thoughtful giving, but I won't. I just thought that I would say Merry Christmas! I had to get a little out of my system because I need an outlet for my happiness every once and a while.

Great Music, Great Songwriting

There's this indie worship guy that is a great blend of American rock and worship, John Mark McMillan. Go check out his myspace and hear a little of his music. I just downloaded the album on itunes. The whole thing is solid if you dig his style. In my opinion he's of the highest calibur as a lyricist. He strips away the superficial and leaves you with this raw and authentic Jesus encounter.

Honor the King

It's crazy to me how much people have disrespected the leadership of our nation. I'm not excited about a lot of the promises that Obama has made concerning policy, but I am going to honor him. I'll continue to fight against ideologies and policies that dishonor God and bring about destruction, but I can do that and keep my honor for our leader intact (at least that's my goal).

It goes without saying that a lot of people have a hatred for President Bush and in a lot of circles it's "cool" to dishonor him. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:17
"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

Well, most people have probably seen the clip or heard the story about the Iraqi reporter that threw his shoes at President Bush on his farewell trip to Iraq. Two of the articles stated that in Arab culture, throwing your shoes at someone is a sign of great contempt. Thanks reporter obvious, what culture is it an honor to be screamed at and have two shoes hurled at your head? Now to make things totally absurd, people made an on-line video game where you to can throw shoes at President Bush. I'm urging you, show your president some respect and don't go throw cyber shoes at his head. Be counter-culture and open minded, show some honor to the king.

Great Day

Today was family day. Oh baby, it was amazing. We went to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens called D'lights of Christmas. Somebody spent hours making these elaborate light creations. It's a must go this Christmas season. We also went to Bellevue Square and watched their drum presentation which is every night at 7pm. Hailey got in the car and said, "this is the best family ever day!" It was! My family is awesome! My little girls have melted my heart into a thousand pieces and now I have compassion in places that it never used to be.

Practicing Thankfulness

I know that I'm a little late on a Thanksgiving post. But I am endeavoring to practice thankfulness on a regular basis. There's so much negavite news that's bidding for my attention and quite frankly, it can be depressing if you let it be. I am a realist by nature. I don't like to look at things through a naive fairytale lense, so therefore I need to be pretty intentional about looking for the good in things. This is so helpful and gives me a lot more peace in life.

I'm thankful for:
- the blood of Jesus that forgave my sin, washed me clean, and broke my addiction
- my wife: beautiful, godly, childlike faith, joyful, prayerful, incredible mommy
- Hailey: intelligent, funny, inquisitive, large 2 year old vocabulary, compassionate, creative
- Emma: bouncy, giggly, smiley, daddy's girl, cling-on, escape artist, explorer
- Baby: growing each day in mommy's tummy, I like to watch the baby grow
- my job: I love preaching Jesus, encouraging people, teaching the Bible, sharing Jesus with those who need Him, seeing miracles
- friends
- extended family
- God's manifest presence
- my new house

The list could go on. I'm blessed! You're blessed. Take some time to thank God for the good things that you have been blessed with!

Good Flick

My wife, daughter, and I went and saw the new Disney movie, "Bolt." It was hilarious. It was good to actually see a cartoon that was made for children again. But it was funny especially, the pigeons and the little hampster named "Rhino." Let me butcher one line from Rhino (he's doing all the talking):

- Hello?
- Who is it?
- Destiny.
- I've been expecting you.

Post Camp Disorder

I've been home from Teen Camp for one week now and I am finally feeling back in the swing of things. I guess I poured out so much emotionally, physically, and spiritually over that week, that I was just plain pooped out. But it was so worth it. God did incredible things at camp and I plan on posting a few blogs about camp this week. Young people put their faith in Jesus for the first time, were baptised in the Holy Spirit, spoke in new tongues, had lies broken of their life, received prophetic words, and words of knowledge that were accurate. It was totally awesome! More to come...

Welcome To John Michael Hammer

Welcome to my blog, much more to come. Let me know if you visit.