« January 2005 | Main | March 2005 »
February 25, 2005
Feb Newsletter
We don't have enough money for stamps this month so not everyone is going to get a paper newsletter. I will be email it out and posting it here.
The Rock – Update by Paul
The semester has run on without us while we’ve been support raising, as has the Rock’s Friday night production. We have seen good numbers attending our series on Upside Down Jesus. We have hit specific topics like life in death, love and dating (a huge subject among the generally heart-sick college students), and serving. These topics have spawned numerous formal and informal discussions with students who are curious about the deeper implications of Christ’s teachings. +
Valentine’s Day – Honor Banquet by Paul
February brings up the Rock’s annual Valentine’s Day Banquet. Every year the men band together to serve and honor the women as their sisters in Christ. This time is so radically different than what the secular world has to offer. The women are treated as sisters following 1st Timothy, instead of being preyed upon, as they would be in the world. We work hard to convey to them that they are valuable to us for so much more than their charm or physical appearance. +
My Lifegroup by Christie
Since coming to Ames approximately nine months ago, I have had the privilege of getting to know some amazing young women. One factor that has aided me in this process is joining a Lifegroup, which is a group of six women including myself that meets once a week for about an hour and a half. What we do during that time varies; sometimes we study the Bible or share what we are struggling with and learning from God.
One focus of our group is to serve and encourage other people. I was the recipient of this treatment a few weeks ago when we arrived home after a week in Chicago. My wonderful sisters in Christ had decorated every room in our house with encouraging verses on colorful cards. What a great way to be welcomed back! The friendships I have built in this Lifegroup are a major reason why I am able to think of Ames, IA, as home. +
Quick News and Prayer Requests
Spring break (March 12th-20th) will bring us and about 30 students to Chicago to lay the groundwork for the S.A.L.T. (Spiritual And Life Training) program this summer. Pray for a strong turnout and lots of hard work. :)
Please continue to pray for our marriage that God would continue to build it on a strong foundation and fill it with love.
Pray for our support raising as we head back to Medford and Chicago. We also have a trip planned up to the Minneapolis area. We just need a few more monthly partners to finish. +
Posted by paul at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
Off to the Races
Thanks for hanging with me. We are off to Wisconsin now for more support raising. Again, please pray that God blesses.
Posted by paul at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
February 18, 2005
More Faces of Kleinke
Well, Pat emailed this to me and suggested that I add it so here goes:
I apologize in advance to Matt for putting an animated gif on this site. It's Pat's fault.
Posted by paul at 11:50 AM | Comments (6)
February 17, 2005
The Many Faces of Kleinke
Our friend Brandon Kleinke usually is behind the camera instead of in front of it so I thought it would be a fitting tribute to our fair photographer to do a sort of collage... In this interest I am proud to present to you: "THE MANY FACES of KLEINKE"
The Man, The Tie, The Jacket and the Pepsi
I heard he choreographed this dance.
Ok now I need captions. ??
Posted by paul at 02:21 PM | Comments (4)
February 14, 2005
Do you love me?
Have you heard this question on this special day? It seems so cold so distant. “Do you love me” just seems like it should be said in spite and scorn or in desperation and anxiety. How do you take a question like that? If you do really truly love then what follows should be the declaration the pronouncement of your affection and commitment. But what if you just learned what love was? Would the question then give you pause?
Lounging around the fire after a big breakfast everyone was getting sleepy. It had been a long dark wet night and with warm food in their stomach’s sleep seemed to be the logical next step but, they just laid around enjoying warmth of the fire and the early morning sun. The conversation lulled and the laughing subsided into a comfortable silence when Jesus turned and looked at Peter and asked that question. Peter was half asleep and the answer seemed obvious to him. "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." But Jesus was talking about a different kind of love. He had given the world a fresh look at what love truly was and now the question carried so much more weight then it would have earlier. He needed to prove a point, he needed to convince Peter, he needed to explain. So, he commissioned him as a Shepard and asked again “Do you love me?” Peter was a little confused so he turned over and looked at Jesus this time answering more deliberately: "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you." Jesus smiled and again called him to service. But he had to hammer his point home. Peter was so instrumental in his plan, he need to push the envelope. He needed for Peter to feel the sting and realize the reason for his questioning. He had to take these commands with deadly sincerity. So finally he called to him again: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter spun slowly in the soft sand and sat up looking painfully at Jesus. At last he understood. The waves lapped the shore peacefully and sunlight played through the trees dappling the scene with soft patches of light. Peter’s eyes filled with tears. He extended a rough calloused hand and took hold of Jesus shoulder as a single tear followed the crags at the corner of his eye, seeped down his weather beaten face and onto his ragged grizzled beard. His voice cracked in a hoarse whisper: "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you." He said slowly. Jesus slipped his hand alongside Peter’s face and called him once more. He was right... Peter finally knew what love was.
Posted by paul at 11:57 AM | Comments (6)
February 09, 2005
Different Dan and what happened then
Well not only have I now officially met different dan (Dan Benson) but I had the distinct pleasure of sleeping on his hide-a-bed in the living room of his wonderful old house on the second of seven hills in Port Washington. (I think I got that right, correct me Dan, if I am wrong.)
We had a marvelous time with his family both immediate and church and feel like we could always return for increasingly fond memories of rich full relationships.
It was definitely a God appointed time.
Read about us on Dan's blog. (and no I don't think that he is calling us rodents)
We are back in Chicago and will stay until Friday morning.
Posted by paul at 11:04 AM | Comments (2)
February 06, 2005
The Legend
Posted by paul at 10:43 PM | Comments (5)
February 02, 2005
New Cell Phones
Well Christie and I took the plunge and purchased new mobile phones yesterday through Sprint with 7pm nights and weekends WOHOO!
Mine is the Samsung RL-A760 it has the new ReadyLink System (which I am not paying $10 a month for) and a speaker phone. Pretty cool huh?
So now when you call me I will be talking on the Sprint PCS Network intstead of the Verizon Wireless Network.
Christie's is the Samsung PM-A740 it your now standard picture phone and she likes it because it's little and therefore "cute".
Really the whole purpose of getting new plans and new phones is so that we can be cooler then the Heeremas.
Posted by paul at 10:40 AM | Comments (5)
February 01, 2005
Back for Now
I guess this blog has degenerated into simply a quick post "I'm over here" type of info board. Anyway, Christie and I are in Ames but have a trip planned to Chicago for next weekend with a stop off in Port Washington to see Dan Benson. (don't worry Dan we are working on the itinerary right now and I'll email you)
It will be a lot of fun. I just wish that we could be in two places at once.
Posted by paul at 01:22 PM | Comments (2)