dave ramsey-town hall of hope

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event! Journey is simulcasting this live event this Thursday, April 23, from 8-9:30 pm. There will be no childcare, however, we will have a movie on in the Kid’s Room for elementary kids. Please note: there will be no mid-week connection this Wednesday, April 22. Hope to see you there!

don't judge a book by its cover

Wow! If you have not seen Susan Boyle, check this out!

next series

The Vow starts this Sunday, April 18. I am very excited to talk about strengthening our marriages. Most would agree that behind our relationship with God, marriage is the most important so we are going to talk about some important vows and how they impact our families.

For better or worse ... to have and to hold, from this day forward ... Wedding vows are more than a declaration of love-they hold the keys for a strong lasting marriage. Whether you hope to get married someday, or you've already tied the knot, discover what these words can mean for the future of your relationship.

Join us this Sunday, and invite someone to The Vow.

what once was lost has now been found

I woke up this morning and my cell was reminding me that I had a voice mail. I checked it and lo and behold, my wallet has been found. Apparently it has been living in a safe for the last 2 weeks. I had called this place and they said they had not seen any wallets. I guess I should have called more than once. I assumed it was long gone and had a new owner so I canceled all of my cards and got new ones, replaced my license, and bought a new wallet.

It is funny because someone asked me last night at church if I had found my wallet. I said, "No, it long gone." My opinion of humanity has changed a bit. What was lost has now been found!

good friday

Today is Good Friday and we celebrate this great event in history. One of the things that has jumped out to me this year is one of the things Jesus said while hanging on the cross. While hanging there, "Jesus cried out, Father, why have you abandoned me?" He felt many things-physical pain, shame, spiritual pain. He also asked the question that so many people ask at some point in their lifetime, WHY? Father, why have you abandoned me? I am all alone here.

In his loneliness, he cries out, why?
Why, Father do I feel so alone?
Why have you abandoned me?
I don’t fully understand.

If you have never asked God why, give it some time. Life happens to all of us, and we live in fallen world where God has given us a free will. Needless to say things happen in this life and we ask the question that Jesus asked, why?

That gives me hope. Jesus can relate to what we experience. He understands the difficulty of questions that don’t have answers.

I can picture Jesus hearing the questions of his kids, and I picture him saying, I know, I know. The one who was alone understands. He can relate.

Sunday is coming ...

something in the water?

Is there something in the water? The Wise's have had a crazy week. It started with me losing or having my wallet stolen (not sure which one-I just know it is gone). Then on Friday, when I was syncing my calendar with my ipod, I accidentally deleted my entire calendar (I am totally dependent on my calendar). Everything gone, no backup! Do you have your calendar backed up? On Friday evening while Patsy and I were shopping at Kohl's, she set her cell phone down when she was trying on a pair of shoes. Guess what? We lost her cell. She went back, and it was gone, and no one had turned it in. What happened to all of the honest people? What a crazy week! Wallet-calendar-phone. Despite the craziness, I am looking forward to celebrating Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in the next week.

frustrated

I am incredibly frustrated right now because my wallet has disappeared. As I was on my way out of the house last night around 8 pm, I went to grab my wallet and it was nowhere to be found. I usually take my wallet, my keys, and my phone out of my pockets as soon as I get home (I hate things in my pockets). However, yesterday I don't remember taking it out. I searched the house and my car--nothing! The only time I used it yesterday was at a coffee shop, called them--nothing! I don't know if I dropped it, left it on the counter, or was pick pocketed in a crowded elevator at the hospital. What I do know is that my wallet is out there somewhere, and that is a very frustrating feeling.

I am trying to think of a spiritual parallel to this, the lost coin? I wonder how frustrated God gets over people who are lost and his kids aren't really looking all that hard. I know that I am diligently searching for my wallet that is lost. Do I search out friends and neighbors this diligently? Do we even know enough lost people to search for them with diligence?

I do not have much focus right now because my wallet is at large. I hope it turns up today somehow.

Very Frustrated ...