The Reynolds Fam

Inspiring!

2008-07-05T12:33:00.001-07:00

At 41, she has done what most would have termed impossible since retiring (for the second time, no less) after the 2000 games: bear a child, get diagnosed with asthma, go through recent knee and shoulder surgeries, and arrive at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials posting faster times than in her mid-20s. Yet, when she touched a wall in the 100-meter freestyle Friday night, she squinted at digits that seemed downright impossible. Torres qualified for the Olympic team by edging out a 25-year-old Natalie Coughlin by five one hundredths of a second – 53.78 to 53.83 – in an event in which Coughlin holds the American record.

E.R. discovers the flaw of inclusive spirituality

2008-03-03T13:15:00.001-08:00

TheReynoldsFam has moved!

2007-07-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Click here and check it out: reynoldsfam.wordpress.com!

2007-06-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

I realize it has been a while since there has been anything very meaningful here. I miss posting what is going on and honestly the very brief times we have had between illnesses this Spring have been very full. Right now the girls and Spencer are all over at Kate's swimming, Gene is in our pool, Sam is watching TV, Jenn is spending the weekend with friends, and Eric is working, so I have some time to write. Later today we will begin a time of "leadership seminar" with some friends of ours who have agreed to come and meet with us for a time. So, for those of you who check in here so that you know how to pray for us, and for those of you who are just checking to see how the adventure of Kingdom living in Madison is going, here it is - in not a very creative format:

We are very grateful for the financial provision that has come our way. We live on what God provides every month - we don't always know what that is going to be. God is faithful. God is good, in times of need and in times of plenty. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn how God works in this way and for the opportunity our kids have for this as well. We look forward to the day that they are looking back and can see that as well.

This summer Gene is speaking every week - somewhere. He won't let us name the "tour" but if we could, I would call it "Mind the Gap". We had this word spoken into our lives recently by some friends, God has us learning this. Authenticity - the gap between the public persona, the image we put forth and the reality of ourselves has got to get smaller every day. so that we don't live lives that are confusing to those around us - our kids, our families, our friends...ourselves. He kicked off the summer with a couple weeks at Fatih Community Church in New Richmond, WI. This is a church that was started 10 years ago - at the same time we were in La Crosse - by some very good friends of ours. The abover pic was taken at one of Sam's favoritie places, Pete's Pizza in New Richmond. It is linked to a memory of his first trip with Dad...and the pizza is good too!

During the week, Gene continues to write music and experience some of the ups and downs of the music industry. We are hopeful and continue to pray that the gift God has given him for music will one day be a significant part of funding this mission. We think that would be fun.

Our soccer season ended and the boys got out of school on June 15th. They spent the first part of their vacation with Mema and Pepa riding horses, swimming, playing with their cousins and staying up late.They love visiting family!

After the last post, the sailing adventure. Jenn M. and I attended our first class - "ground school" for sailing. Madison has a sailing club / social club on the UW campus. We are making plans to join the club, take sailing lessons and expand our social network onto the campus of UW. Besides sailing being a personal dream of mine (at least before I've ever tried it) I believe that this may be something that God is leading us to for a bigger purpose.

We have had illness in our home since Feb. Juli is still undergoing treatement, along with trying to solve the mystery of what it is we are actually dealing with. It was thought to be a pneumonia, but now not as certain.

The Nobrega family (4) now have been living with us for two weeks. Jenn M. for 6 weeks. We are doing well, the transition has probaby been easier for us than for them. Nobrega's wlll live here until their home in La Crosse sells. It actually is really fun all being in the same house together.

We tried a new gum: ORBIT. What's up with the last 4 pieces of the pack sticking to the corners of the pack?! I'm going back to Trident. Besides, Trident is made with Xylitol too - good for the teeth.

Juli is still pursuing a Bachelors in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute and working at the Surgery Center.

The pool is up and ready for a summer of neighborhood parties!

The Salsa Garden is planted (thanks Analisa!), and we hope to be able to make fresh Salsa and Pesto (thanks for the recipe, Gayle) soon!

We are beginning a new summer schedule including Sunday night prayer/worship gatherings, Monday night team meetings, Wed. night teaching times and Friday night parties. (Along with a community book club starting, sailing lessons, food pantry participation...) So, our team is busy...we appreciate your prayers - for our connectedness with God and one another. We are trusting the Holy Spirit and seeking His guidance diligently.

I'm a sailor!! I'm sailing!! I'm in a boat, and I'm sailing!! Ahoy!

2007-06-09T16:43:00.001-07:00

One of the things on my list of "things to do before I'm 40" was to sail. Today we went sailing! ...
We (Gene, Jenn, Sam and Spence, who actually only stayed in the boat for a matter of seconds before joining me on the shore to take pictures), warmed up by taking a canoe out for a bit. The boys did some rock wall climbing and then we took to the water on the "Knotty Rascal" a cruising keel boat.

Keep Sailing!

2007-05-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

We have had a very eventful couple weeks. Juli is finishing up two classes (correspondence classes through Moody Bible Institute). Jenn moved in with us. We started a new diet for Spencer in an effort to get his asthma under control. Gene continues to navigate the ups and downs of his song writing career. Sam and Spencer are full into their soccer seasons. The Nobrega's are making plans to move in here as well, until they are able to sell their home. This past weekend a good friend of ours passed away...

So instead of our own article for theReynoldsFam I want to share with you a blog of a friend of ours...Mirage. Check it out, comment, send a little encouragement in the direction of a gal who encourages us and inspires us with her desire to follow Jesus in caring for the poor, taking in the little children, giving a cup of cold water in His name.

again, click here: Mirage

2007-05-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

A Send off in La Crosse....

Many friends gathered around the Nobrega family and Jenn to pray blessings over them as they begin their new adventures. It was truly beautiful to hear story after story of times that God has used this community to change their lives!

Welcome to Madison!

2007-05-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

This is the Nobrega family, Eric and Becky, Paige and Chelsea. They are a part of the church planting team here in Madison and have been traveling from La Crosse to join us for our introductory gatherings for the past several months. During this time, they have been in transition. They have begun saying their good-byes to the community at Cornerstone Church and their home-town. They have secured jobs in Madison, put their house on the market, begun the transition from public school to home school for both girls. So, you can imagine that as they facing much change they also are growing in their dependence on God - and the people of God to be holding them in prayer.

So, would you pray? Would you pray for the Nobrega family, that as they say yes to the call to be missionaries in Madison they would know the SHALOM of their God. The peace that only comes from Him who makes everything right and beautiful. They are bravely setting out on an adventure, trusting their God to lead them every step of the way. Let's pray!

Their house in La Crosse has not sold yet and this is a huge matter of prayer. If you are praying and want to send a word of encouragement you may send a note via email by clicking here.

2007-05-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

What do you have in your cupboard for those times when you are needing to make something for dinner and haven't been to the grocery store in a while?

Gene has been sick all week and we haven't been to the grocery store. Last time I went was before our vacation to Cincinnati over Spring Break. On my way out the door to shop for "travel food", Gene who was making fun of my mission to cut down on our food budget for this vacation by threatening PB&J for every meal says, "Hey, you might want to get some SPAM!" I got peanuts and candy for the ball game, other various snacks and yes, bread and PB&J (the generic goober stuff with the peanut butter and jelly together). Of course, I got a can of SPAM. We went on our trip, enjoyed our snacks and saved money by not eating out...and came home with a can of SPAM.

So tonight, too sick and tired to do anything else...we had SPAM! (Really sad is that it wasn't even the "real" thing.)

Sam loved it!

there is something new under the sun...you just have to be looking in the right places...

2007-04-28T20:50:00.001-07:00

"There is nothing new under the sun" is a quote from the book of Ecclesiastes. Like many other quotes isolated and lifted from a Biblical text, I don't think it can be treated as if it were a true statement. When things are right with me, I have my hope set on something new every day.

Today, was a day that I need to know that God's mercies are new every morning. That God is always creating something new. That new life is possible, new creation is possible. After a not so great week full of doctor's appointments, work, illness, rain... I was feeling discouraged and a bit lonely. In a reflective, self-examining state I headed out into an amazingly beautiful sunny Spring day. The boys had soccer games, both at the same time and different places. So, Spencer and I headed off to one soccer game, Sam and Gene to another.

Now, I'm fairly new at the "soccer mom" thing. At this age level the Madison league is not set up to be aggressive and competitive. Skill and drills are not the focus, the focus is fun. Yet, apart from being taught positions, for 7 year olds, soccer becomes a moving huddle of competitors running up and down a field trying to steal and kick a ball. (At the end of the game, although not a single goal has been recorded, these kids know the score, they know who won!) I've been thinking about this all day and I have yet to see any way that this is not going to become a contact sport.

Today, the teams were doing a bit of trash talking on the field (also discouraged). "Hey dumb-head!" is what Spencer tells me the kid said right before he pushed him down. The coach on the other team removed Spencer from the game - as it should be. Unsportsmanlike conduct should be disciplined. That, however, was not the end of it...I sat in my lawn chair, Spencer on my lap, stunned as a small group of parents formed a semi-circle in front of us and proceeded to launch their attack. A mom, that I had never met, who did not even know Spencer's name, shook her finger in my face and waved her arms around in the air to declare that it was because of "him" that their team members were crying on the sidelines. I was, while it may seem unlikely, speechless at this somewhat ironic outburst. I'm learning now that the sidelines of a soccer field may be just as dangerous of a place as on the field!

Conflict is not something I usually shy away from, but on the soccer field - well, that's different. I do know better than to enter into a battle with parents who are defending their young. I honestly am at a loss for what to do in these situations. I can't defend the actions of my child, he was wrong. Yet, I feel the need to protect him from attack that is uncalled for, by people who are unauthorized to do so. So, I said very little. I allowed Spencer to play again at his coach's request and I waited until we got to the car to talk to Spencer. I must be getting better over the years at this because I did not cry all the way home!

I pray that I did the right thing and I pray that I honored God in my response. (It would have gotten ugly I'm sure if I hadn't immediately began pleading with my Counselor to help me respond.) Nevertheless, I was in need of a "reset". On days like these, I pray for mercy. I pray for perspective, I pray that God will bring me word of His unfailing love. Then I watch. I listen for a word from Him. I open myself up for something new under the sun.

And here it is....my day was reset, refreshed by an impromptu party with the neighborhood kids. They opened a worm orphanage in our back yard. When they were done caring for all the worms, we took a trip to Culvers for ice cream. God showed His love in a new way - speaking through kids, worms and ice cream mustaches!

Bonus: While looking for a place to plant my lavender, I also discovered that the chocolate mint I planted last year too close to the pool, is back! (I closed out last season thinking that even the mint was gone forever.)

this made us smile this week...

2007-04-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

...our friend Sabastian sent us a smile and we decided to share it with you!

"dot-to-dot" church

2007-04-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

some of the faces that represent this new community...

I have mentioned before that one of our most FAQ is understanably, "How's the church going?" We have many friends and family members investing their resources of time and funds in supporting us as we plant this new church in Madison. We appreciate it more than you know. It has been slow going, frustrating at times. We know from experience that if we are patient we will begin to understand what God is doing. We also know that God is almost never on the same time line as we are - or perhaps I should say that the other way around. Anyway...we are in a process of "drawing the dots" that we are hopeful to one day see connecting to form a more complete picture.

Below is an article containing some of the thoughts that are shaping the way we are doing things here in Madison. As we seek to discern what this community, this church, is to "look like", we are drawn to a more simple way. We know and love many who order their lives around churches that are highly organized, defined, programmed and strive for growth in numbers in an effort to impact their community for Jesus. We don't doubt that God uses these churches, these leaders, to change lives. We have lived in that world for the first 15 years of our "vocational ministry". We, for some time now, have experienced God giving us a different view of our world and how the church lives in the midst of it all - dot. We see a very real shift in our culture and the relationship between those who go to church and those who don't. As we interact with mostly those who do not -dot- we sense that it is not God that they cannot accept or trust, it is the institution of church that they don't trust. (That's what they tell us.) We have lived in Madison long enough to meet many wonderful, amazing people who love their community, love their children, care for their environment...but have given up on the church being worth their time. We think that God, who loves this city more than we do, wants to introduce them to life in the Kingdom - outside of "organized religion". We don't have all the answers. We do know that this weekend -dot- we had a great time with our friends and neighbors, and it felt that we were "on track" with our focus on moving toward a growing network of "neighborhood" or "house" churches. Dot to dot.

LEADING THE MISSIONAL CHURCH: The Shape Of The Church
by INAGRACE T. DIETTERICH

We live in times of great social and ecclesial change. Our world is marked...with a radical plurality and ambiguity. These are turbulent times that affect us all as we witness the old breaking down and the new breaking through. This is not a time to foreclose experimentation, risk, alternative possibilities. Rather, we need to allow community to evoke a wide range of ecclesial expressions. I have a hope that the commitment, skill, and art required for people to create new beginnings and new communal bonds will release significant social energy and imagination.[1]

Being faithful to a living and dynamic God who is actively present in the midst of changing historical situations—“Behold, I am doing a new thing” (Isa. 43:19)—requires that the church itself must be adventurous and open to change. Just as new wine bursts old wineskins (Lk. 5:37-38), so the ever new gospel of Jesus Christ will continually disrupt the established shape—traditions, structures, patterns—of church life and ministry. Thus within different historical and cultural contexts, the unchanging truth of God’s grace and mercy will be expressed through different and provisional organizational arrangements.

While there is no one right or final way to shape the church, this does not mean that shape is incidental or irrelevant. Form and content are intimately bound together—the medium is the message. The structure of the church is a visible and tangible expression of its faith and witness. As God’s redeeming love is “enfleshed” or incarnated in Jesus Christ, so the proclamation of the gospel is incarnated (faithfully or unfaithfully) within the organizational life and practice of the church—the body of Christ within the world.

The church is an intentionally formed social entity engaged in particular practices to accomplish certain goals. As such, the shape of the church will always be influenced by the assumptions, commitments, and demands of the culture within which it engages in ministry. Yet as a people empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church must always seek the organizational form that is “worthy of its calling” (Eph. 4:1). As the missional church organizes its common life and shared ministry within a context of radical plurality and ambiguity, it must say “goodbye” to old and outdated structures and say “hello” to the social energy and imagination that will enable it to take the risk to experiment with alternative ways to shape the church.

To read full article:
LEADING THE MISSIONAL CHURCH: The Shape Of The Church
by INAGRACE T. DIETTERICH

its' almost time to get your easter lily.

2007-03-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

our church plant

2007-03-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

In the early days of planting the church in La Crosse, I purchased a houseplant and named him Phil. He grew slow and steady - with care. One day I remember looking at him and wondering how he got so big, arms stretching out every where. I remember transplanting, pruning, relocating, sometimes problem solving to bring about the optimal health and growth that was desired.

Recently I was at the store and the small starter houseplants caught my eye. Perhaps, we need a church plant for our Madison adventure as well. So, here is Ivy:

Ivy (Hedera species) is a versatile houseplant that can be grown in many different situations. Ivies can be grown in hanging baskets, at the base of other houseplants and in pots of their own. Ivy is often trained on trellis frames or wire topiary forms into various formal or whimsical shapes,
-my personal favorite.

HEIGHT/SPREAD

While most ivies are virtually unlimited in their spread, you can easily keep them pruned to almost any size that you want when grown as houseplants. Small-leafed, slow-growing types are easier to maintain in a small pot. Large leafed, rapid growers such as Algerian ivy are ideal for hanging baskets, where its vigorous growth is an advantage. (Sounds like the Church.)

ORNAMENTAL FEATURES

Ornamental ivies have an amazing range of different foliage types. The leaves of some ivies are as large as a saucer while others have leaves smaller than a dime. Many ivies have leaves edged, splashed or centered with silver, gray-green, white, cream, yellow, chartreuse or gold.

PROBLEMS

In the home, plant diseases are very rarely a problem. Too much or too little water plus insects and mites are the main problems. Root rot usually results from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or overly frequent watering. Mealybugs, mites, aphids, whiteflies and scales are the most common insect pests of ivies grown as houseplants. If the area infested is limited you can prune out those parts of the plant. Periodic washing can help prevent many pest problems. Wash plants by dunking the foliage upside down in a gallon of water to which insecticidal soap has been added. Hold the soil in the pot with a cover of foil or plastic. Maintaining cooler temperatures and high humidity will help prevent some of the most common insect pests, but the plant will grow more slowly. Some people develop a skin rash as a result of contact with the plant sap. (I know people who develop rashes when in contact with the church - well, at least they seem to think that's what will happen.) Wear gloves (respect the response, be a bit more careful and nurturing) when pruning ivies if you know that you have this reaction.

CULTURE

Most cultivars of ivy grow best in THE bright light...don't we all!

tell us what you think...

2007-03-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

...this site or ReynoldsFam? Which do you prefer?

I am a member of the Jodi Picoult fan club.

2007-03-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

This is the second fan club I have joined this week. (This may be a topic on it's own for another day...) Much of my reading had been spent in the "nonfiction world". That is until one day in Pre-Op at the Madison Surgery Center the nurses had some time to discuss what they have been reading. It was then that Marlene handed me My Sister's Keeper. Next thing I know I'm sitting in my car in the middle of winter, unaware that I was going to be late for the conference I was attending, completely absorbed in the final pages of my first experience with Jodi Picoult. Just as promised by others who have read this book, the ending was unbelievable.

This week, Jodi happened to be passing through Madison. So, a few of her friends and a few of mine got together over at Barnes and Noble. Becky, who was driving from La Crosse to be there that night, is someone who will drive for 3-4 hours to see one of her favorite authors. She is the one who made me aware that Jodi was going to be in town... it was great to catch some of her enthusiasm for literature and the artists who bring us these works. (if you want to see some of the pictures she took...Becky's slide show.)

This week I read Nineteen Minutes and The Tenth Circle. I am enjoying exploring the topics that Jodi explores in her novels - there is mystery and romance, life and death, suffering and joy, a wrestling with ethics, a searching for redemption, and all that is common to the human story. I love that because Jodi writes, we talk about things that just may not come up otherwise. It's fabulous!

Check out some of her work: Jodi Picoult

The first fan club I joined this week may also be one that you would be interested in: gene reynolds Really, he has a fan club!

Vote today for your favorite artist!

2007-03-03T16:58:00.000-08:00

Want to be part of something big? Gene's song, Wholly Yours is a finalist in a faith-based song contest. You can be part of taking Wholly Yours to the top!

To vote, go to: American Idol Underground You will need to create a user account before you are allowed to vote. Once that is complete (it only takes a minute) go to competitions, search for "Faith Based" competitions...find Gene and vote!

Another thing to know - YOU CAN VOTE EVERY DAY! Yes, that's right - every day! Let's get Gene this win!

Gene celebrates his 41st birthday!

2007-02-28T07:19:00.000-08:00

(Spencer is trying to claim that we should be having a party for him too. It is his 1/2 birthday!)

2007-02-26T18:08:00.000-08:00

A friend from work and I are in dialogue about this, among other evidences -or lack of- for the claims of Christianity. Archaeological findings, while fascinating, are not always conclusive. They provide evidence of existence, pieces of cultural clues. They do not tell us of the life. Dinosaurs for example, while my kids would not believe it if I told them -their books tell them differently- we are still using our imaginations to fill in the blanks. So, does all this matter to you? to your faith? or is it just fun to think if we keep going we may put the whole puzzle together? What do you think?

Has the tomb of Jesus Christ been found?

Since the 1970s, hundreds of tombs and thousands of ossuaries (limestone bone boxes) have been discovered in the Jerusalem area. These ossuaries served as coffins in first-century Jerusalem.

One of these tombs was found to contain ten ossuaries. Six of the ossuaries in this tomb have inscriptions on them. As it turns out, every inscription in this particular tomb relates to the Gospels.

Premieres Sun, March 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT- Discovery Channel

This is one of the statements taken from an interview with James Cameron:
Now in respect with the resurrection, and Simcha can speak to this as well, neither one of us are theologians, but certainly we’ve been dealing with biblical scholars, biblical archaeologists, and so on, so we have a passing knowledge in that area. The resurrection itself is not challenged. Jesus may well have risen. And having risen, according to the scriptures, walked the earth, for an additional 40 days, appeared in corporeal form and spiritual manifestations, including a child, and including someone that his disciples didn’t recognize at first and things like that. And then ultimately ascended to heaven.Where you get stuck is the physical ascension to heaven, taking his bones and body with him to heaven, instead of leaving them behind on earth. Many Christians don’t take that literally, some do. -James Cameron

So, what about you? What do you do with this?

for full interview click here: Cameron: Jesus tomb film is a ‘detective story’

and if you really want to dig in before seeing the documentary:

Claims about Jesus’ ‘lost tomb’ stir up tempest

Ancient tomb may contain Jesus’ family

Filmmaker resurrects Jesus tomb debate

Quarantine or Snowed-In...depend on how you look at it.

2007-02-25T05:53:00.000-08:00

Winter Storm is right! Spencer has been sick all week, missing a whole week of school. Gene stayed home with him as he was ill as well. Yesterday, after 3 days of fever I thought I should go get chest xrays and a throat culture. By the time I was seen - everyone else in Madison had the same idea - the snow had started again. I had already taken a hard hit sliding into a median on the way to the clinic and I had hoped to make it home before the storm started again. Walgreen's was the only pharmacy open - so everyone was there. I waited so long that I ended up shopping - I came home with pneumonia, vitamins, fish oil, antibiotics and an O Magazine.

Then Sam woke up this a.m with a fever... So while these snow days are meant for playing in the snow and just hanging out with the family - no responsibilities. Play games, eat chili... for us this one has been spent indoors, sleeping, coughing, searching for the kleenex, refilling water bottles.... and Gene shoveling - A LOT!

So, back to the waiting room. As I sat in the waiting room I had a lot of time to read, catch up on a podcast message - one from Erwin McManus and one from Rob Bell. As I "devoted myself to the apostles teaching", I stared at the fish tank. Tropical fish are amazing. Whoever thought that fish tanks in waiting rooms was a good idea, was very right. These fish remind me of the blessings of God and how the blessings I am surrounded with have outnumbered any of the trials.

So, this weekend is redeemed by tropical fish, a fantastic family, a creative Spencer, a very sweet- despite -his-illness Sam, a wonderful husband who is taking care of all of us, talking to my mom til my phone goes dead, watching the neighborhood snowball fights as they try to shovel, and chatting with friends on gmail! God is good!

now, we'll watch the Oscars together (Ellen is hilarious!) ... how did you spend the weekend?

what a weekend!

2007-02-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

This Saturday our team was joined by the youth group from Bethel Baptist in Janesville and our friends from Bible Baptist in Mauston in prayer walking the Northside neighborhoods of Madison. It was fantastic! Thanks to these friends who joined us - working together we cover much more territory than we would have been able to do alone!Gene preps the group before going out.

Sam and Chelsea

Becky, Paige, Spencer and KateThis was the picture taken when Jenn, Kate and Juli returned at 3p.m. after being out in the subzero temps, trudging through the snow, up and down hills -well, actually those driveways seem more like mountains after awhile. Door to door, house to house - legs cramping, blisters forming - all for Jesus! Anyone want to sign up for next time?!

Seriously, it was a great day. We had great weather (for February in WI). It is fun imagining what God is doing in the lives of our neighbors. It was really fun to get to pray blessings on them, many of whom we may never get to meet, and know that God was there with us -forming us, softening hearts, loving His children, advancing His kingdom.

and the next day...

"Now, that's my kind of church!"

That's one of the comment that we received when we shared with someone that we are meeting monthly right now as we continue to build our team. It was a great morning, making coffee, setting up the room, the tech. stuff... just like old times!

Everyone, young and old pitched in. The kids did a great job of setting up the "centerpieces" and making signs . Our kids - Sam and Spencer, Chelsea and Paige- have really been fabulous. They have participated all along the way and they continue to contribute in our worship times and in prayers. It's fun to watch them grow in love for God and His church. It is amazing to see them actively serving and discovering the spiritual gifts and grow in understanding of how they can make a difference in the Kingdom!

behind the computer...just like old times
( A big thanks to Andrew, a student at YWAM, for his assistance with the tech. stuff - he made the process simple, quick and fun - a true blessing to this technical arts department!
Thanks Andrew!)

...anticipation....hospitality...teamwork...

Thanks to all of you who prayed for us. The service went very well. We were again joined by a group from Janesville as well as the team from a new church plant in Stoughton, Watershed. What makes setting up chairs in the morning fun is imagining who may sit in them, whose life may be altered by Jesus today...and this morning, just about every chair was full.

We have had a great time this weekend. As we close this day we as a team are encouraged and excited about what's in store for the new community that God is birthing on the Northside of Madison. It's only the beginning!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-13T05:44:00.000-08:00

This week is Valentine's Day and this - as it is for many - is a big deal. Spencer's project this week was making Valentine bookmarks for all of his friends (all 19 of them)!
The artwork below was inspired by the art of Eric Carle, Spencer's (and Juli's now too) favorite illustrator. Here are some of the masterpieces that will be distributed at the
"100th Day of School / Friendship Day Party"!

We made one for you too...Happy Valentine's day from theReynoldsFam!

Yes, Spencer is the artist here. He has a very good assistant who enjoys setting up the work space, cleaning up the paint and getting her fingers in the glue.
(The fun of peeling glue off the fingers...love that!)

if it will take a miracle, then a miracle it will be.

2007-02-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:21,22)

For the past 18 months "theReynoldsFam" has been settling into a new city, a new neighborhood, a new school, new job... We said when we moved to Madison that we would be patient and take the first year simply to live here and get to know the community. (We hit the ground running in La Crosse and have learned much about missions since then.) Madison is a city that is broken up into smaller neighborhoods, sectioned off by an isthmus there are 5 areas that are marked by very different characteristics. Much like any city, there is the "East side" the "West Side", the "North side" the "South side" and the "Downtown". These areas, while part of the same city, are very different. In Madison the biggest variance is between the East and West side. We live on the North side. We chose this area because after interviewing Madison natives, we learned that this is probably the place where the boundaries between the various ethnic and socio-economic background are the most blurred.

"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

We dream of seeing a community of faith that is made up of rich and poor, black, brown and white all living the Kingdom life together. We felt we were positioning ourselves in a neighborhood that would be receptive to that. That is where the "mountain moving" comes in, I suppose. It has been suggested to us that it cannot be done or at least that it will take a miracle.

We are in a process of discerning what God is doing to draw people, how we can follow the Holy Spirit in His desire to bring abundant life to our friends here. We have personal preferences, we have ideals, we think we know how it should look. Ultimately we want to look a bit like the church in Acts 2, who had all things in common and devoted themselves to the Word of God, who prayed and were in awe of God. We want to be a community simply discovering together how to love God more and love each other better. We desire to be free of the barriers that seem to distract people outside the church, things that weigh down the church - money, bureaucracy, hierarchy for example. (Another dream of ours about which we here it will take a miracle.)

So, since it will take a miracle to get this thing off the ground...we are counting on a miracle. As we do all the stuff we do to prepare - designing newspaper ads, mail pieces, door hangers, preparing a message, music, food, personally inviting everyone we know, one on one discipleship - we are praying! This weekend we will be joined by friends, our team, and some folks from a couple GLBC churces to distribute 1000 door hangers and Prayer Walk our neighborhoods. On Sunday we will be holding our 2nd "Preview". This is a gathering of which our goal is to worship together and welcome a couple new families into this new adventure. Honestly, having done 2 prior public meetings here in Madison, having planted a church before, we know it will take a miracle, and by definition we would have it no other way.

So we are praying for a miracle.

If you would like to pray "on site" with us you could experiment with a "virtual prayer walk". Google maps satellite offers the opportunity to actually view the houses represented in the neighborhood we will be walking on Saturday. It's probably warmer this way. Let us know if you are able to take a few minutes and pray blessings on these neighborhoods, homes, families, individuals. Just click here on the Map and off you go!

fate or coincedence?

2007-02-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

Is it true that there are only a few degrees of separation between us all? You can bet that theReynoldsFam will be watching! (well, 1/2 of the fam will be watching, the other 1/2 will be in bed sleeping!) We have made this a community event - all of the Northview team will be watching - discovering together how profoundly connected we all are to one another.

Find out how the LOST survivors were connected before they ended up on the Island. For those who may not have watched....check out this site and video, it's not too late to get in on the adventure.... LOST! - a matter of geography, or is it metaphor?

It's Super Bowl Sunday

2007-02-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

It's February and although we see very few comments at this site, I am starting to get emails about our infrequent updates. We have been working, celebrating...and most of my time has been in correspondence with Outreach Marketing - getting an advertising piece together and the Northside News developing an ad (thanks Tim for the help on that one).

We are very excited about the Bears going to the Super Bowl. We are living in Packer Country. Sam was heckled in the mall for wearing his Bears - Grossman - Jersey. He continued on, walking tall. The boys are going all out Bears - very much with Gene's approval. So, the boys are learning how to stand up even when they stand alone. The boys are learning to go against the flow and be better for it. Now, if the Packers were going to the Super Bowl, they may be all out Packer fans...but they aren't. GO BEARS.

We are busy too starting a church in Madison - another endeavor that may make one feel as if they are standing alone. But we stand tall. Why? Because we know that the church - the Kingdom of God incarnate - is hope. It's the restoring of all things. It is that which we all search for - whether acknowledged or not. It is love and peace, it is all people no matter what their background, social status, ethnicity...can live together, eat together, be together. Jesus showed us a Kingdom that knew no preference or prejudice. All are welcome at the table of the Kingdom. Abundant life is offered to all. So, we stand tall, walk on...anticipating victory.

they did it!

2007-01-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

Hitting a 49-yard field goal in OT to win a playoff game? Pretty impressive. Doing it at windy Soldier Field? Impressive doesn't begin to describe it. But that's what Robbie Gould did to send the Bears to the NFC title game with a 27-24 win.

- time for victory party pictures!

GO BEARS! GO FANS!

2007-01-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

If a winter storm had to deter us from our trip back to the QCA, what makes it worth it is getting to watch the Bears game as a family. Gene is shouting and jumping up and down, Spencer recreating every play, every football move with a nerf football, Sam inventing never-seen-before victory dances.... I am writing before the end of the game, I hope this is a win, I look forward to the victory phone calls after the game. If not, it sure is fun "calling for" the BEARS!

FORWARD!

2007-01-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

This morning, I crawled out of bed, went downstairs and joined Sam on the couch. Immediately Sam noticed some impaired mobility of my right arm and questioned if my arm could possibly be as sore as his. As we were comparing our aches and pains that are the result from a weekend of competitive play, I was reminded of our journey 2006 to 2007. Aches and pains ... promises of a future and a hope.

FORWARD!

If we were to do a FAQ section on our web site, without a doubt the most frequently asked question - understandably - is "How's the church going?". In response to that question our answers vary, often depending on the day. This is not our first experience with starting a church as a "pioneer" work. Many churches today are started in a "parent church" situation - this is ideal. In Madison, as it was in La Crosse, this was not an option. So, somebody has to go first why not us? That would be enough of an adventure but actually we are not the first to attempt to start a church here. As in La Crosse, Madison has seen a number of attempts to begin a church that did not pan out long term. We do not call these attempts failures - we would refer to them as "reconnaissance missions" - nevertheless there are no churches here that are in for resourcing a new church plant. There are many great churches in Madison. There is always room for another.

Over the past year, and we will continue, we have been making an effort to develop relationship with the other churches in the area. We have been serving at two of the church plants in the area, we have met with leaders and even been introduced and allowed to entertain questions from the attenders who may know someone on the Northside who may be interested in a new church. We have developed an ongoing "online spritual conversation" that our friends here are reading (En Gedi). We have held two informational meetings, advertised in the local newspaper and online news. Over this year we have been getting to know business leaders, community leaders, food pantry directors...neighbors, parents... We will continue to focus on our relationships with all the gifted, fascinating, wonderful people we have gotten to know. We learn so much about our God when our focus is on just getting to know the people of Madison. God has called us here to follow Jesus - to fulfill the mission given - to go and make disciples. Jesus set an example by loving, living and walking with people who were open to, or even curious about who He is.

This past weekend was our second weekend retreat with our entire team together. We are planning to meet monthly up until June when they make the big move. These weekends are primarily focused on praying together and building our relationships with one another. This weekend we spent time in prayer and worship, we toured the Capital, took on some brainstorming exercises, enjoyed some Jamba Juice... We prayed together, Gene led us in times of worship in song, Jenn led us in worship in play. It was during these times that we developed our competitive edge, our drive to push ourselves beyond our comfort levels. We exercised our sportsmanship and willingness to stick it out when things get tough. It was this playing tennis, bowling, boxing and baseball that gave us the aches and pains this morning. It also brought an idea for opportunity for gathering people together - and all we need is a Wii and a couple wii Remotes! (People ask us all of the time to let them know what we need...)

This year we have plans for more "preview" services, adding weekly in home Bible Studies...Wii tournaments, "Office" parties... discovering a creative point of contact with our community - a way to serve on an ongoing basis. In June of 2007, a new team will assemble. Selling their homes, taking on salary cuts, leaving a fantastic church where they are loved, encouraged, supported...answering a call to a mission that promises only to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit wherever He leads. We are unable to provide our friends any more than what we count on ourselves - God is faithful, God is good, God desires to save all people, He will fund His will, He is enough.

Please continue to pray for the Nobrega's and Jenn as they continue to serve at Cornerstone, seek to sell their home and find another, as they search for jobs in Madison and all the detail of the transition.

So, how's the church? Moving FORWARD! Falling in love with the people God has called us to live our lives with and for. Growing in commitment to the mission. Willing to give up what is known for what the Kingdom brings as it crashes into Madison. "His Kingdom come, His will be done - on earth, as it is in Heaven"!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2006-12-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

...a Christmas Card!

We are enjoying two weeks off school - a little break for the boys! We were home - the the Quad Cities - for Christmas and then back to Madison! We are playing hard - a lot of football with the weather being nice....Pac Man (my Christmas present)...Sam is jamming on his new guitar...Spencer has completed many art projects already and is updating his blog on regular basis! Gene has been ill and is just now beginning to feel well - but has not abandoned his "garage". He heard from the artist who is recording Wholly Yours - his newly published worship song. We are waiting to hear it!

We are looking forward to a New Year and all that it will hold. We will kick off the New Year with a weekend with our team (Jan.6-7). We are making plans for more preview services and beginning weekly in home gatherings again.

Happy New Year! Shalom!

A time to celebrate rededication...to anticipate...A time to celebrate rededication...to anticipate...

2006-12-17T06:12:00.000-08:00

This week the boys have been learning about the holidays celebrated by people of other cultures. Then, while wrapping gifts at the Mall with our PTO, I met Candi. She is Jewish and was very excited to share with me how the Dreidel game works. We had been playing according to Spencer's rules and it seemed to me that, no matter how the Dreidel landed, I lost pennies. So, some of my competitive nature had kicked in and I was ready to learn how to play this game correctly - giving me a shot at victory!

Candi shared with me some of the history, some of her story and what I caught, beyond the facts, was her excitement. So, this morning while Sam and Gene are at Living Hope Church in Verona where Gene is leading worship, Spencer and I are preparing an advent worship time for our family - working in some of the Hanukkah tradition. We don't have a menorah so we will improvise using our Christmas candle and the Advent wreath we made. We also will be playing the Dreidel game - which Spencer is preparing as I write.

The dreidel (a four-sided spinning top) has four sides, each engraved with a different Hebrew letter , forming an acronym for the the Hebrew words, נס גדול היה שם, Nes Gadol Haya Sham—"A great miracle happened there".

So since we are living a life that hopes for the miraculous - counting on it actually, I am ready to celebrate the miracles of God that shout down through history..."I AM!"

The holiday was called Hanukkah meaning "dedication" because it marks the re-dedication of the Temple after its desecration under Antiochus IV. Spiritually, Hanukkah commemorates the Miracle of the Oil. According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days - which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate new oil. Wikipedia

UPDATE: In the time it took me clean up after our dreidel game and communion (he broke up crackers for communion and then what was left was used for the game of miracle celebration)...spencer posted an entry on spencerlanium.com and made a menorrah, so we do have a menorrah now...

better watch out...better not pout!

2006-12-16T11:15:00.000-08:00

If there is a Santa, this has got to be him. right?

2006-12-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

This week Sam asked us why that it's o.k. to talk about Jesus at school at Christmas time, but not the rest of the year. He has noticed there is much mention of Jesus - at school, on TV, in stores - this time of year. Sam says, "It's cool, I just wish everybody would talk about Jesus the rest of the year too, it doesn't make sense."

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Attorney Dave Brown holds a Bible study group at his California firm and finds the weekly meetings grapple with everyday workplace quandaries as often as they look at religious issues.

"It's not just the Bible. A lot of the books we study are just about being a good person and just being human and understanding how to relate to people," he said. "It gives you a forum to talk."

The growth of diversity in the workplace, along with the influence of religion in America, has brought faith -- once as taboo in the office as talk of sex and politics -- to the job, experts say.

"Work is invading people's personal lives, so people are bringing more of their personal lives to the workplace," said Paula Brantner, director of Workplace Fairness, a Washington, D.C.-based group that promotes employee rights.

Read the entire article: Religion finds firm footing in some offices

a wise church planter once said...

2006-12-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Gene and I found a dog that we could agree on. We are thinking of calling him Simon - any name suggestions? Krypto the Super Dog was another thought!

We already have a hermit crab, a fish and leopard gecko (a foster pet). These were meant to be pets that were low maintenance enough for the boys to care for. They also were somewhat compensation for the move away from all our friends and family. Well, one year later, guess who cares for these pets. So, several months ago - inspired by another church planter- I began thinking that maybe I should have a dog. I decided that if I was going to be caring for pets, I should have a pet that I would enjoy - a cute littel dog like a schnauzer, yorkie, westie.... Gene isn't with me on this, the boys go back and forth. Honestly, I know that dogs are an expense that I would rather not take on and well, they do limit our world travels! :-D This dog, is just right for us now I think. So, Danny is this what you meant when you said "every church planter should have a dog"?!

Hip Hop Holiday kick off!

2006-12-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week one of our friends, Jeanette, gave us a CD of a group that was going to be performing at the Overture. After listening to the CD we decided we had to meet this group. So, today theReynoldsfam went to the Overture Center -Kids in the Rotunda- to see the FigureHeads> This hip hop group performs in an effort to connect kids to their community. The songs we heard today were all about the real life of every kid. It was really fun! (Thanks Jeanette!)

Sam's favorite song was "Born for a Reason". Spencer's favorite was "Sky Writer". You can hear both of them (and more) here:

KiddoBlaster 2.0 - Listen to the FigureHeads!.

To all parents who ever been at a loss for how to manage those energy surges that your kids may have...got ants in your pants?...check out "Wall Pusher"!

oh, and Spencer want to remind you to keep checking his blog too...spencerlanium.com.

it's a theme...

2006-11-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

Today after publishing the previous entry, I made my rounds on the blogs of others and found this...

...at the end of our lives, we’ll regret opportunities missed a lot more than mistakes made.

That conviction is backed up by the research of two Cornell sociologists, Tom Gilovich and Vicki Medvec. According to their study, time is a key factor in what we regret. Over the short-term, we tend to regret our actions. But over the long-haul, we tend to regret inactions. Their study found that over the course of an average week, action regrets outnumber inaction regrets 53% to 47%. But when people look at their lives as a whole, inaction regrets outnumber action regrets 84% to 16%...

...Does it bother anyone else that the church is known more for what we’re against than what we’re for? We can do better than that can’t we? Instead of pointing our finger at what’s wrong with culture, the church needs to offer better alternatives. We need to make better movies and better music. We need to write better books. We need to start better schools and better businesses.

In the words of Michelangelo, we need to criticize by creating.

I have a core conviction that drives my ministry: there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet. That is what gets me up early and keeps me up late. I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be doing church. Podcasting is e-vangelism at the speed of light. Blogging is digital discipleship without borders. Our generation has an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission if we simply redeem technology and use it to serve God’s purposes.

But we need to stop doing ministry out of memory and start doing ministry out of imagination. We need to stop repeating the past and start creating the future. We need to stop being so afraid of doing something wrong that we don’t do anything right.

Read the full article: Inaction Regrets: Go Jump off a Cliff by Mark Batterson

for you who enjoy a good spy story...God's Smuggler

2006-11-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we just have to be brave and follow what we are called to do - no matter the voices of "reason" and sometimes oppostion. Although it's a bit dangerous, I've been reading the stories of missionaries. I am very encouraged by their lives - even their "failures" are inspiring many times. I suppose much like the stories we read in the Scriptures - people of faith and failure. What I see though is that God accomplishes His purpose even when it appears that we are not up to the task.

We are not given a Spirit of fear and timidity! I tell that to the boys all of the time. I like to hear myself say it. I love Jesus, he was so full of subversive intentions! I love to learn of others who act just like him. There are a million reasons why what Brother Andrew did would not be acceptable to many in the church today. He had a family, he wasn't making any money, what about the church back home... He knew he could not afford to spend the only life he had safely.

Forty years ago, God spoke to a young Dutch missionary with the words, "Strengthen what remains and is on the point of death" (Revelation 3:2). From that very day in 1955, Brother Andrew believed that no doors could be closed. No borders, no barriers, no armies could withstand the power of prayer...and no power on earth could ever chain God's Word.

Often Brother Andrew's trips were miraculously guided and protected. As one ruthless border guard looked over the boxes of Bibles in his car, Andrew prayed, "Father, You have made blind eyes to see -- now I ask you to make seeing eyes blind." The guard then simply waved Andrew through the border crossing as if he had seen nothing!

"I'm not brave. I'm often scared stiff. I drive my car to the Iron Curtain border in the past and I have not the guts to go on. So I pull back ten miles, find a small hotel, I begin to pray and fast until I have the courage, or the liberty or the boldness to go in and that always works. But I would not go if my heart is beating with fear."

"I'm not a smuggler, I'm a missionary. I have chosen to be obedient and not turn away from danger. So when government says, 'No!', I said, 'wait a minute', God said, 'Go!', so I didn't listen to the 'No!'"

(Brother Andrew, The Calling)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

We are home - in the Quad Cities - for thanksgiving. Here, there are more people here than what we have time for seeing...
We will visit with some family, but won't even get to see them all. We will see some of our friends. As I consider it all, I suppose this is a great problem to have. So we are thankful for the many people in our lives that we get to love and keep in prayer.

...off to Benigans to meet Gene's sisters who have been shopping since 5a.m.!

we're reminded of the journey and all who we travel with...

2006-11-14T23:22:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we spent a couple days celebrating this journey we're on...celebrating Sam's birthday...celebrating friendship. It was really fun. The weekend began with picking the boys up from school early on Friday and spending the rest of the daylight navigating our way through Rockford to Chicago traffic. How many different ways can you answer "Are we almost there?" Conor, one of Sam's friends, made the trek with us and that made it more enjoyable for the boys too.

First stop, Living Water Church in Bolingbrook and the home of some of our very best friends. Living Water recently completed a gorgeous new facility and this was the weekend to dedicate the buidling and celebrate all that God had done to make this thing happen. It is spectacular, and the stories of lives that have come together, paths that have crossed, sacrifices made...beautiful.

The weekend was a bit like "This is Your Life." Not only a beautiful time of seeing all the people in the lives of our friends, those who we know by name only and those we have met at one time or other over the past 17 or so years. It was also a time of getting to connect with people that we have served along side over the years...people who at one time, some going back 15 years, God had crossed our paths. Much has changed for all of us, and yet we still gather having one thing in common - our God who has over the years continued to work in us to accomplish His purpose. No matter what time passes, that one thing remains the same, we are forever on the journey together!

There is truly nothing like the Kingdom, nothing like the Church when it is living according to God's design.

Here are a couple pics...

On Saturday we celebrated Sam's 8th birthday. The day was full of music, Sam and Conor proudly sporting their Packers jerseys, jamming to Eye of the Tiger and Begin the Begin by R.E.M. ... the entire restaurant singing "Happy Birthday" at Jim's command.... another great day with friends.

(In case you have watched the slideshow, there was a "girls time out" tacked onto the end of this weekend - which seemed to take on some kind of chocolate theme!)

expanding their horizons...

2006-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

The boys now both have blogs...spencerlanium.com and sam i am - and Amazon wish lists. Everything is about ".com" to Spencer. He put a laptop on his wishlist!

Sam has discovered a love of music - standing in Borders for over an hour scanning various CD's and listening to R.E.M. and the music of Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise! He also discovered the music of Kd Lang - there's a fun kid story there we'll have to share sometime! Because of Sam, I may just finally get to listen to Coldplay!

Field Trips!

2006-10-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch with Spencer's 1st Grade class...hay rack ride, animals, pumpkins, and the "screaming silo"! Then it was hiking...climbing...discovering... through the woods with Sam's 2nd grade class. ...sitting on a 300,000,000 year old sand rock - does it get any better? Well, only when our guide allowed the kids to run through a drainage pipe -a tunnel - to get to the other side of the road, way cool! While we discovered many ways the weather effects the forest, today I learned how to know which way is North from the trees (not that knowing which way is North would help me).

Life on a zip line!

2006-10-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

We are on an adventure! Not necessarily a thrill seeking type adventure although sometimes it seems that way. Not too long ago our church planting coach called our vision/strategy "squirelly" (is that how it's spelled?). Since then we have gained clarity - some. We met with some of our team and the question posed to us was "how radically out of the box are you willing to be?" Well, I'm still hearing those words over and over in my head. Usually I'm on the asking end of that question, not the being asked! It felt good to tell you the truth.

We spent some time this weekend with some very good friend and mentors in Indianapolis. We hadn't seen these people in over 8 years and it didn't seem that it possibly could have been that long. Again, during this time we heard a very clear message - we are not meant for status quo. We have been given "apostleship" gifts for a purpose. We are called to the life of adventure and being led by the Holy Spirit into a land we are not familiar with. Why? Because our Creator is passionately in love with this city. A city that is called liberal because the people here are unafraid to stand up for a cause. The people here are progressive thinkers and are willing to live side by side others who don't agree with them, don't look like them, don't worship like them - and be neighborly nonetheless. So, we can be no different. We are called to bring the freedom, the good news of the Kingdom - the Kingdom is here! It just may not look like anything we are familiar with.

"It's meant to be!"

2006-10-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

"Mark Anderson celebrates as Mike Brown crosses the goal line on a 3-yard fumble return in Monday night's win in Arizona. “It’s meant to be,” guard Ruben Brown shouted as he left the field. “It’s meant to be.”

Trailing the Cardinals 23-3 late in the third quarter Monday night in Arizona, Chicago staged a miraculous comeback, scoring two touchdowns on defense and one on special teams to escape with a stunning 24-23 victory."
(Larry Mayer, chicagobears.com)

"It's meant to be!" - not just for the Bears. This church planting adventure is full of playing hard, occassional fumbles, great runs and many great players. Currently, we are seeing the formation of a spectacular team. We all got to be together this week for the "preview", it was a great time of vision and dreaming, learning and laughing. We began an online discussion that is becoming very meaningful - En Gedi, you are welcome to visit us there. We are excited about what God is doing in our lives and we hope that many will get to experience the joy, the hope, the peace, the power of the Kingdom. His will be done...on earth as it is in Heaven!

"It's meant to be!"

This is a life of worship...

2006-10-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

With a life that contains moments like these...it hardly gets any better.

I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Psalm 145:1-8

This weekend...

2006-10-13T22:40:00.000-07:00

an invitation to a "preview"...

2006-10-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. 4802 Dakota Dr. - Madison.
(at the YWAM Global Missions Center on the corner of Dakota and Wyoming Way).

Northview will host a "Preview" of things to come. We have placed an ad in the Northside news, posted an email to the Northside News group, handed out personal invites to our friends and neighbors...we hope we will see many of you there! (If you haven't gotten yours yet, you are invited!)

We are excited about the forming of a new community of seekers who will DISCOVER TOGETHER what it means to live out a life of faith in the day to day.

Northview Church, Madison WI

The Miracle of Fall

2006-10-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am in awe these day about the season of Fall. As our days get shorter and t-shirts are replaced by sweatshirts, along with warm temperatures chlorophyll disappears. This is what allows the brilliant yellow pigments that have been masked by chlorophyll show up. There is a sugar that increases at this time to, bringing out the reds.

There are so many things that go on when the seasons change. I marvel at the colors, feel the wind sometimes warm sometimes refreshing and cool. I wish that it could last - that winter would not come. I wish - and this is what I say to the crossing gaurd when he comments about the weather - that this could be our winter.

Amazing too is how all of nature prepares adapts as the circumsatnces change. A tree's roots, branches and twigs can endure freezing temperatures, but most leaves are not so tough. On a broadleaf tree -- say a maple or a birch -- the tender thin leaves, made up of cells filled with water sap, will freeze in winter. Any plant tissue unable to live through the winter must be sealed off and shed to ensure the tree's survival.

So for many trees to survive winter, they must let their leaves go. We get to rake! All this reflection brings me to this...

I love...
...the way the leaves on the tree in our front yard fill our living room window with brilliant colors.
...the way the wind blows. That is must for the leaves to take flight.
...playing football in the back yard with the boys.
...walking by homes of neighbors, praying for them and hearing the rustling of the leaves under my feet.
...leaf piles to jump in. I even like raking!
...pumpkins AND fresh flowers at the farmers market.
...pumpkin patches and petting zoos, hayrack rides and carmel apples.
...fire pits and how we smell after sitting around a fire with friends.
...the Bears are winning again!
...yelow, orange, red against the blue sky.
It's fabulous!

"Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light"
-James 1:17

The Miracle of Fall

TONIGHT! where will you be?

2006-10-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the critic reviews:

"The episode was fraktastic."
"jam-packed with thrills, chills, twists and turns aplenty"
"the single most heartbreaking line of dialogue this TV season — ... I have 16 sopping-wet Kleenex to prove it."
"nothing about the episode is predictable, particularly where the Others are concerned."

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and join us for the season premiere of LOST! (on ABC @8)

2006-09-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

Show Me the Way
(click and listen)

They say the sun will rise
every day of my life
I want to know, where is it today
I can't see the light
through the tears in my eyes
Lord, please show me the way.

There are times
When I loose my vision,
As my dreams are slowly
swallowed up by pain.
No matter how I try,
I'm just barely getting by
And Lord, it's so hard to pray

Show me the way,
When my heart is empty
Show me the way,
When I can't see the light.
Show me the way,
Cause I don't know what's inside of me
Show me the way,
and I know it will be alright

Show me the Way.

Show me the way, and I know it'll be alright

Precious Jesus, I'm waiting
for the victory
I'm tired of wondering how
and asking why.
I may be standing, standing, standing
in the valley.
But I know that You hear me
when I cry.

Show me the way...

Show me the way
and I know it will be alright.

Run with perserverance...

2006-09-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

The IronMan Wisconsin was this past weekend in Madison. We went as a family to watch the bike portion of the race pass through Verona and then Sam and I went to State Street to see the finish of the race. Our friends, Jon and Michelle were in town to cheer on Michelle's brother, Peter, who at 7:45p.m was declared "an IronMan!" That was fantastic!

I saw a man just before the finish line, spot his family on the sideline. He slowed down just enough to allow for his two small children to crawl through the gates to join him, one on each side. With their small hands in his, he continued his pursuit of the finish line. It can't be said enough, these are amazing people. Dedicated, disciplined, determined. They perservered through the cold rainy weather this year. Next race will be sweltering hot. Yet they keep moving toward that finish line.

This week church planting is feeling like the IronMan (if you will allow me that despite that I would actually have no idea what that feels like). There are moments of transition when you know one leg of the race is behind you, and it's on to the next. There is hope in the air. There are moments that the hill up ahead just seems to big to be possible.

We have now been in Madison for one year. We said before we arrived that we would take one year to get to know the community. We have met some fantastic people. We love Madison. We love the Northside of Madison. Our neighbors are great. We have made some good friends. We have found a food pantry to serve at regularly and are making new friends there. We have hopes of pulling off some sort of "preview service" but have not been able to find a place for this event, having to postpone once already. We'll keep taking steps forward. This mile is seeming very long. There are other church planters here that we see from time to time, we run along side one another, "keep it up, you're doing great!" Our friends and family are along the route in different places - markers along the way - those who we look for to be cheering "way to go, keep going!" Nothing is easy in this race, but it is a remarkable journey - and like the IronMan, we are in good company.

Back to SCHOOL!

2006-09-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

It was like a big reunion! The kids were excited to see one another, the parents ready to start a new routine. Unlike last year, it was a happy occassion - and we weren't so much "the new kids", it felt great!

My neighbor, Tracy saw her little girl go off to Kindergarten, that was sad. I remember that day and my heart goes out to the Kindergarten parents. For the first year since pre-school - this mom was not in tears! Click here to watch the slide show of the First day of School!

Now Gene is out running errands - because he can now go and actually get things done. We are gearing up for a "Preview / Inroduction" event in October... there are lots of things to do. Summer is over and we are "getting down to business". Summer was a wonderful time of friendships and free time to have fun, but this feels great too!

What are you passionate about?

2006-09-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

SYDNEY (AFP) - Aussie wildlife daredevil Steve Irwin has died as he loved living: seeking out the world's most dangerous and exotic creatures in their own domain. Irwin's overflowing passion for animals, reptiles, fish and other creatures -- however deadly they might have been -- was a lifelong affair that made him a household name across the world.

His infectious enthusiasm has made an impact. His passion definately makes an impression. In a tribute on Animal Planet, Steve is shown casting vision and articulating his mission. He knew what he was on this planet for and he gave his life for it. His passion is compelling enough to bring two little boys in our house to consider a life in the wild with the snakes and crocs. He was a hero to Sam and to Spencer. I hope that what they caught was how inspiring is a life lived out of single minded, focused, unbridled, courageous passion for a cause. I hope they see what it is to be so commited to a mission that no fear will be able to hold it back. I hope that they also see how fun life looks when mission is clear and passion is given freedom to live. I hope they consider what they will give their lives to. For today it is the animal kingdom they dream of, but a Kingdom nonetheless.

2006-08-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Sam and Spencer are spending the last part of their summer vacation in the Quad Cities at "MeMa" and "PePa's". (Yes, the boys are spending time with family, riding horses, playing outside... while their parent's watch an entire season of LOST on DVD.)

This is the first time Spence mounted by himself. Notice, he is holding the horse and getting on with no help.

Here is an email we received from Spencer with pics of his latest new adventures:

Hi, Mom and Dad. I hope you have a great time in Madison. I am going to Chuckie Cheese this afternoon for my birthday party. I trotted today by myself for the very first time.

Love,
Spencer

Almost 6!

Oceanic Flight #815 - LOST

2006-08-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

Put this in "the day in the life of a church planter"... 16 episodes of LOST in only THREE days!

A rag tag community on a quest - a con artist, a single father and his estranged son, a Korean man and wife, a pregnant woman/single mom, an unlucky millionaire, a washed-up rockstoar with a drug addiction, an Iraqi soldier, a successful surgeon, a fugitive and a a man who was lame but now walks. Sounds like a community that Jesus would hang with. What's good for Jesus - is good for us!

(The draw back about the rate in which we are taking in this community...we will soon be at the end of season one, with no season two! What kind of parents get their 6 year old Season Two of LOST for his birthday?)

Oceanic Flight 815

Make us one.

2006-08-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to reconcile some things... how affluence and celebrity exists along side hardship and poverty - within the same church (the church universal). How is it that we have mega-churches down the street from the food pantry that struggles to put food on the table?

I know there are many issues that try to justify these things going on in the same place and the same time..."that is their thing, this is ours"...but I just cannot make them jive with my Jesus. I read something that touched a nerve and I didn't know what to do with it. I have been irritable and frustrated about it ever since. Can I ever reconcile this? I don't want to be sad about those who have so much money that they don't know what to do...so they buy stuff, upgrade stuff... I don't think it's right to be irritated by the mention of multi-million dollar facilites and the thousands of dollars that get spent on cruises all in the name of the Kingdom. ...but I do. and maybe I'm just jealous. :-)

Today, Steve Cecil, a church planter here in Madison who is leading the The Journey- spoke about how paralyzing fear can be. Fear of not knowing what to do, of the unknown, of not feeling up to the task, not being capable...of getting out there and looking stupid. I began to wonder if it is feeling paralyzed that is bothering the most.

This week I was in a positon to serve a man who is facing charges for murder. His face was familiar, one who has been in the news for a murder recently committed here in Madison. I was actually surprised that instead of fear, I felt compassion. From a distance - it was so easy to facilitate fear and judgement - to justify why this man does not deserve hope. Up close, he was a man, a man who had no hope, a man who Jesus loves deeply. I realize now that as long as I am at home wrestling with this, reading about it, writing about it... I cannot see where Jesus really stands. It turns out if I pull to the side Jesus is on, I will experience his strength, His passion.

Here's what I read this week, this is what theReynoldsFam dreams about...

..when all is said and done the convincing, life-changing power of the kingdom will be experienced right where the Teacher said it would be - where the lives of his diverse followers are laid down for each other. Perhaps the world will catch glimpses of his reality when:

His efficient ones are inconvenienced by the slow;
the bright ones lavish their valuable time and talents on the ignorant;
those who have much sacrifice for those who do not have enough;
those who normally separated from each other on the basis of IQ, skin tone, age, or earnings place thier lives together intentionally, inseparable, for the sake of their Teacher.

.
(taken from Theirs Is The Kingdom , Robert D. Lupton)

When the meeting was over, the Teacher closed in prayer. "Father, make them one." ...Make them so much a part of eath other that when one hurts, they all feel the pain. Make them inseparable, as loyal to each other as you and I are loyal to one another May their commitment to each other be so deep and visible that there is no doubt their love is not of an earthly kind. "My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." (John 17:11-21)

the underground world...

2006-08-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

Gene has a song that has been entered in a music contest
With 100 nominations by August 31st it moves the second round of the contest. It currently has 40.

If you would look be part of the underground world of music...go to americanidolunderground.com.)

When Gene's name comes up click on it. There will be two songs listed and to the far right you will see: register/nominate this track. Please click the one for *Wholly Yours*. You have to create a user account. When you are done you just click **Nominate this Track** and you are done.

It is a lot easier than it sounds. It will take about 1 minute, unless you listen to the song.

Last week Wholly Yours was the 20th highest rated song out of over 700 in the faith-based category. It is also going to be recorded by a Christian artist named Jim Turner down in Nashville and will be released nationally to Christian radio in the coming months.

Along with Bono...

2006-08-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

A good leader does more than just scale the next mountain. Leaders must cast a vision so compelling others can see it too. Recruit teams. Encourage innovation. Build solid infrastructures. Create a community. Motivate change. Reach down to pull others up. These are the jobs of a leader; taking new ground, not somewhere else, but right where you are.

...we'll be at the Summit!

(click on "Summit" to view the trailer, or here if you want to know more about Bono.)

Day 7. I think the grass is taller.

2006-08-06T19:47:00.000-07:00

Well, that's it. That's what one week in a church planter's life. I can't tell you when it happened but I think the grass is taller. I didn't see it grow, but it did. Amazing how that happens.

It's a very rare and special occassion...

2006-08-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

...that we see Gene in a suit! The wedding was beautiful - fantastic weather! It looked like everyone was having a great time. After sitting quietly through the ceremony, the boys got to get out and dance! They have moves that I knew not of. We had a great time with our friends, Tim and Lisa. ...And the boys slept in this morning! (yes Tim, I know that I should not start a sentence with a conjunction, but if i correct this habit, where does it stop?)

Today is a sort of Sabbath for us. We are enjoying our day. Spencer is blowing up balloons for his birthday party - on Aug. 31! We'll probably will head downtown to the Farmer's Market. Tomorrow morning we'll be at a church in Darlington, WI where Gene will be leading worship in music and teaching.

just for fun, here a few more pics...1. Sam and Spencer exploring. 2. Meet Carrie and Tom...officially married. 3. This is Lisa. "It was nice of them to give us bubbles!"

day 5. TGIF!

2006-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and Juli has a day off of work at the Surgery Center. The day starts around 6 a.m. with email correspondence... breakfast... reading... and around 8a.m. Juli and the boys go for a walk. The course was set for a 2 miles. This was interupted by potty breaks, water breaks- but we get out for some excercise nonetheless. While we were out, Gene went to work on putting the final touches on the wedding message for this evening and making certain that his suit fits (and it does). When we return from our walk. Gene went grocery shopping with the boys and I went to work on a paper dealing with the topic of "John's conviction that Jesus was the Son of God." This paper will complete another course for the pursuit of a degree in Biblical Studies. Once the paper was written, it was sent via email to a couple of friends -who may or may not agree that what is presented is true - for feedback.

After swimming for a bit and getting some sun, we are off to the wedding of Carrie and Tom. We enjoyed dinner with them and their friends and family lastnight. We are looking forward to what this new friendship will bring with it to our lives. We pray for a beautiful night, opportunity to make new friends, that God be honored in all we say and do. We pray that Carrie and Tom will sense the presence of God and that their wedding would exceed thier expectations.

Our application for facility use at the elementary school on Sept. 24 is on the way. Please pray that we will find favor with the school district of Madison. For facilitating community, it would be nice to get to gather in a place that serves the community already. We also see this more as going where people already are...

day 4. thursday.

2006-08-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Glamorous Life...

At 6:20 our day began as Spencer climbed in our bed. At 6:50 Justin, a neighbor boy who we watch on Thursdays, was dropped off by his mom. At 7:45 I downloaded a facilty use form from Madison Metropolitan Schools. At 8:00 I started to make pancakes and Spencer brought the chair over so he could flip them. At 8:30 Juli left for work. At 8:45 I confirmed a appointment with someone from the BGC who is going to be in town on August 16th. At 9:00 I told the boys I needed to do some work downstairs. By 9:14 I was interuppted 5 times by fights over a robot that dances, someone who decided they were hungry (instead of when everyone else ate), a fight over a cowboy hat, a time-out, and now my own frustration. Tonight Juli will be home by 5:15 (hopefully). We will leave immediately to go to the wedding rehearsal and then drive 30 minutes to the rehearsal dinner with two very tired boys. Isn't being a bi-vocational church planter the world's most glamorous job. Now it's quiet upstairs--too quiet. Enjoy your glamorous day too!

Day 3. Wednesday.

2006-08-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

With the sunrise this morning began a brand new day! This - after yesterday - was a very good thing. Juli was at work by 0600. Gene was just getting up with the boys.

I asked God to use me today to show His love to those I met along the way. I'll be honest, it's a challenge to be 100% present with each patient that I meet when there is not much time to spend and there is so much to do in that time. It's easy to focus on the facts - signs, symptoms, procedure, policy, orders...and of course, Right patient, Right Drug and Right Dose! I imagine I am not alone in this. I also know that today I had a better day because I was able to focus on what mattered (unlike yesterday). Real life is where we are living, right now. It doesn't pause while we go to work, do the dishes and laundry...

As a church planters, we're not just committed to starting a church, in the sense of a place for people to go to spend their time, money and energy. We want to be what the church is, what Jesus is. This means that my job isn't just a way to make money so we can do what we really want to do. My job is where God has me to learn to be like Jesus. My place of employment is where I may meet someone who has questions, wonders about who Jesus is, would like to know they are welcome in the Kingdom of God.

An article I read not too long ago, THE INCARNATIONAL LIFE by Jason Zahariades says this,

"Jesus was the incarnation of God. As a real and genuine human being, Jesus fully embodied God. He embodied the will, love, character, and mind of God. Jesus didn’t just do God’s will. He IS God’s will. Jesus didn’t just act lovingly toward people. He IS God’s love. Jesus completely embodied God even when he was asleep, or fixing a meal, or telling a joke. In other words, Jesus completely embodied God even when he wasn’t doing anything."

John tells us that "Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21-22)

I want to know, I need to know what that looks like - at work, at play, at rest, at study, at prayer, at the movies!

O.K., back up for air.... today was a better day.

On the home front... Gene had a house full all day. Sam had a friend from school over, and of course the neighbors. Another treat today was a surprise visit from some friends from La Crosse. Aaron, Geri and Olivia Lewis. Thanks "guys" for stopping by!

Tonight became a family night and then when the boys were in bed, Gene had a chance to re-work a song he's working on and finalize some wedding ceremony plans for this weekend. We have a wedding rehearsal tomorrow night and so our group is not meeting - so we made those phone calls.

The wedding this weekend is that of a couple here in Madison. Gene has been getting to know them over the past couple weeks, I will get to meet them tomorrow. Please pray for us this weekend and for this couple. Pray that their wedding would be beautiful - exceeding their dreams. Pray that they would know the Peace of God - that He would use us to be vehicles of His love and grace.

Day 2. Tuesday.

2006-08-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

It's August 1st! (Spencer wants it to be noted that it's his birthday month.)

This day turned out not to be such a great one. Juli went to work, 7:30-4 in the recovery room at Madison Surgery Center, and had a terrible day - flash back to one year ago when just starting the new job. It wasn't good. Everyone is o.k., no one got hurt and tomorrow is another day. A couple of my friends at work got to see what happens when I'm under pressure for too long. We are better friends for it, I think. :-)

At home, the boys swam, Gene did laundry. It was one of "those" days. Sam, I think is getting sick. He complains of a headache but still wants to go to swim lessons. We pray for his health give him some Ibuprofen and it's off to swim lessons.

The preparations for this weekend's weddng ceremony, Sunday's message and song list, the facility search for 9/24 ... the paper that needs finishing... will all have to wait until tomorrow - again. I did get our ad in the "northside news" submitted!

Day 1. It's Monday!

2006-07-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

Following the observing a Sabbath on Saturday, Gene and Sam travelled to Dodgeville on Sunday a.m. Gene led worship and spoke in both a.m services at Hidden Valley Community Church. Sam went along and learned about Jesus' healing power and tie dyed a shirt. Spencer and Juli hung out, went to McDonalds, shopped at the Farmer's Market, played and read. It was a nice weekend, a busy one for Gene.

Monday:

We began the day by attempting once again to convince the boys that reading is much more fun than any TV show or video game. We read, fed Freddie the Fish and ate breakfast. Juli and Gene then, as a part of a normal routine, check emails for inquiries, responses to invitations... Gene checks his Garage band.

By 8:45a.m. Gene was out mowing the lawn. (we'll see how fast the grass grows while we are at this.) Juli and the boys were doing some much needed house cleaning. Once done with these chores and a trip to the grocery store, it was time for a weekly strategy and month end goal setting talk. We set our course for the month of August and September. We will begin a blog for spriitual growth conversations, declare our house "open" and specifically on Thursday nights, and set aside a Sunday afternoon time for those in our community to come for a time of prayer and worship. We will try this out and see where it leads, while plannning for our first public meeting (a preview) on Sun. Sept. 24.

At noon, following some prep. time, the door bell rings. It's the Hawley family. Lance, Laura, Clay, Sage and Lydia are here for a visit and lunch. They are church planting in the Atwood neighborhood here in Madison, leading the Christan community, Emmaus. We are excited to meet new friends that we consider partners in the Kingdom, with whom we share a similar calling. While we are speaking of the Hawley family, please pray for them as they just received notice that their financial support has been discontinued. Lance is looking for a job and trusting God with what He would have Him do.

The Hawleys left about 2:30 or so and the Reynolds Fam, joined by Bailey from across the street jumped in the pool! Much encouraged, now refreshed.

After a quick dip in the pool, Gene had some catching up to do - exchanging emails with his songwriting partners in Nashville. He is in the process of producing a demo, and gotta check the garage... The phone rings, it's someone from the church in Darlington wanting to make plans for the weekend. Gene gets to planning another weekend service. While the boys are playing, Juli catches up on some reading, some correspondence for a writing project and works on a blog entry for Just Between Us Magazine.

At 4:30, the phone rings. It's Lisa. Her and the boys, Jack and James are on their way over to join us for a swim. We had some catching up to do after a couple of trips out of town and not seeing much of one another since vacation began. It was good to have the time before dinner to chat - and swim. Kate arrived after 5 sometime, Jeff arrived after biking home from work and we enjoyed a meal together. The boys played, the grown ups talked.

Kate and I shared with Lisa our plan to begin a physical training of some sort tomorrow. And now we have a trainer. Lisa, Kate and I have set our goals and commited to one another to do this. Stay tuned for more on that...

Our day closes having spent time working, playing and sharing meals, goals and dreams with friends. The boys are in bed now, Gene is downstairs on the computer, I'm upstairs.... we are thanking God for our day and praying that He will give us the wisdom, the spiritual insights, the favor, the courage, the opportunity to be part of what He is doing in Madison. May we live our lives in such a way that God is honored and our friends will all enjoy the Peace and the Life of the Kingdom of God!

A week in the life of a church planter...

2006-07-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

This week we will attempt to tell the story of church planting. This will be a daily journal.... the thoughts, the plans, the day to day of church planting. This will be interesting - for us anyway. We are asked what we do, how it's going...everywhere we go. The answer to the question "How's the church going?" is slightly different every time it's asked. I think after this week, we'll all understand why. It's a bit like watching grass grow...it would be unreasonable to sit and watch, millimeter by millimeter... it would be barely noticeable, if at all. Yet, at the end of a week, the grass is taller and needs attending to. Seeing the growth, we proclaim, "That's amazing!"

Proverbs 16:9... one flat sheet and two packs of bubble gum

2006-07-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

A couple years before we moved from La Crosse, our very good friends hosted a couple weekends - one for the guys and one for the gals - at their cabin up North. This weekend has since become an annual event.

In June, the guys take time off work, leave all their cares behind to travel together up North to stay for a weekend in a cabin. As you may - or may not- be able to imagine, this is a weekend packed full of "guy kind of fun". They fish, golf, cook over open fires... They don't take showers or change undergarments - or so we're told. Although, if all senses are intact, it's a tale that needs no telling. The kind of camaraderie that only a man can appreciate.

In July the gals travel North...exchanging the demands of day to day life for relaxing by the water, shopping, CHOCOLATE, and girly salads. We stay up late talking and playing games, we sleep in...and do nothing that we don't want to do. It's fabulous.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

This is a word of wisdom that I have hidden in my heart - so I won't forget. I have set my course...to follow Jesus and do the best I can to figure out what that means to my every day. So, if I have my course set in the right direction, I can trust God with ordering my steps (which to me seems to be the more difficult thing). I love this. I love that God will determine my steps. Every day, I only need to draw close and trust. I may not be able to see where I will end up, but I stay the course.

Our adventure this year was like that. with the sale of the Sikora cabin, our trip took on many new steps. Earlier in the year the course was set - we were going on this weekend, we were not certain of where we would end up, but our course was set. Just as it happens in life, the weekend developed one step at a time. Cindy, being very creative, decided it would be fun for us all to be surprised. With our blessing, she made reservations not revealing where and the mystery began. The mystery grew more curious when we received a packing list that consisted of one flat sheet and two packs of bubble gum. (Were we going to some strange Toga party?)

Along the way there were times that I could have said no to the trip. There were obstacles to overcome. Even the week of the trip, I found myself considering changing courses. Apprehension over what I would experience along with what the trip would cost was causing me to give the trip second thoughts. I wasn't always able to see the gain, what I would miss if I got off course.

I stayed the course, and joined my friends on this adventure - with one flat sheet and two packs of bubble gum. Do you ever find that the steps taken along the way seem not to have the potential for greatness that you hope for? There are times when steps seem senseless, a bit off course even.

The course was set, the steps being determined one at a time and... I found myself on an adventure that I may have been too cautious to plan if it was I who determined the steps.

I am grateful I stayed the course. As it is in this life of following Jesus, the steps ahead do not always make sense. There is almost always a cost. Sometimes the steps are painful. It is tempting to change courses. Here is a picture that illustrates the adventure of following Jesus in so many ways....

Stay the course. Live the adventure. (click to view show)

This is the life...

2006-07-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Earlier today Gene was getting ready to head out to a two day LEAD team meeting -a group of pastors and church planters that gather to Lead -Encourage- Acheive- Dream - where he serves as Head Coach. I was planning to run out and get new goggles for the boys in hopes that we can use up less Visine by using better goggles... After that, I had plans that the boys and I would spend the day together doing a couple of the things that Gene doesn't enjoy doing - hanging out at the book store, sharing a smoothie, reading and acting out books... I had big expectations for this day. And then I heard hooting outside the door, that's right "hooting". HOOT! HOOT! HOOT!

I opened the door and there stood Bailey and Spencer from next door. As I opened the door the two boys ran past me and up to Sam's room. Within the next few seconds all four boys were out by the pool, in their swim suits, waiting for me to give the o.k. But, what about our trip to the book store? What about my agenda? my plans!? I admit it, I was kinda miffed. (I looked it up, it is a real word.)

As I sat on the deck with my laptop, ready to do some research and writing, I found myself smiling at the fun interactions...the game of "MARCO - POLO". I decided that I would join in the fun and get out the hose. The time turned into great fun and I am reminded of the things that are truly worth my time. The only things eternal being people and God... I have the opportunity today to be a part of the lives of my boys and two of our new friends. So what if it is swimming and playing in the backyard instead of ahe bookstore and sprinkler park. (so what am I doing here writing about it...?)

Enjoy the Game!

2006-07-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

World Cup Soccer 2006

Sam and Spencer play soccer and I must say that it has been a most enjoyable sport to watch. I don't understand soccer so I'm not all into what they are or aren't doing correctly, I can just enjoy watching the kids out there having a blast. The joy of kicking the ball, passing to one another and moving toward a goal.

With the world cup going on right now, we're enjoying watching the pros. They are truly amazing in the way they are able to move the ball - the athletic ability is truly astounding.

I'm intrigued by the game of soccer. I am also intrigued by the comments that follow many of the soccer clip videos...

"people that don't understand that soccer is about more than just goals... understand that it takes a lot of skill and even 0-0 games can be exciting if the right teams are playing...."

"....The Americans are, in a whole, people that demand instant gratification. That is why all their sports require somebody scoring at least every 5 minutes ..., and lots of commercials! 30 seconds of play interrupted with 2 minutes of commercials."

These two comments and many like them, made me think. We really are very accustomed to instant gratification - we notice if it is not there. We want what we want and we don't want to wait. We want results, something to show for our efforts. We hope to be able to point to something and say "that is what I did today". (and maybe I shouldn't be throwing the word "we" around so much.)

As a disciple of Christ, on a journey, I often will get to the end of the day and have a sense that I have been running up and down a field, never scoring, never getting to the goal - and that is not always o.k. with me. So I'm challenged...

"He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret..." (Psalm 37:6-8)

Jesus is all about accepting us where we are, lovingly leading, and gently restoring us to the Kingdom. He lived and died and lives for us to know peace with our Creator, God. He does not demand that anyone come. He invites and then waits. He patiently, yet with great passion and devotion, works the ball down the field - passing, settling - bringing joy to the game. I am a player. I am part of a team (a good one too)! The things I would like to see accomplished...the Christian community I would like to see take shape...they are not the goal. They are what happens when you play a great game.

Who's watching the World Cup?

glorious

2006-07-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

Rythym and Booms was worth the anticipation, we were not disappointed! We hiked throught LakeView Woods to get there - that was fun. What was better was the hike back after the show, in the dark. Aunt Sher had treated the boys to flashing swords so it was a walk through the wood with many others, lit by flashing blue swords. GREAT FUN!

Have you ever looked around at a large fireworks display? Kids with glowing sticks, swords, balls...flashing buttons. Everyone - hundreds of people - on common grounds, out in an open field, all looking in the same direction. The flashes of fireworks light up the faces, illuminating the smiles, the amazement, the pleasure. At one point I heard Tery, my brother-in-law, comment "Look at all the people, look." I knew he saw it too. For a moment out on the hill overlooking Madison, we were reminded that we are connected. (Maybe you have never reflected this deeply into a fireworks display.) Oh, I also heard comments about the smoke and pollution, the trash that would be left behind by the crowd. That kinda just goes along with the whole humanity thing. That trash is after all why we need the display of glory.

I prayed a prayer for Madison tonight as I looked out over the crowd. I pray that God will use us to display His glory in an amazing way. That God's glory would light up the faces of the many people who are looking to see Him. I pray that God will use His church to lead people to the common ground of the Cross, that we may leave the trash behind and experience the Kingdom that Jesus brings. That we would live the life that was intended for us - for His glory.

Some of you are going to want to come for next year's fireworks display now aren't you?

RYTHYM AND BOOMS

2006-07-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Sat. July 1st: the big day! RYTHYM AND BOOMS: The door bell rang about 30 minutes ago, our neighbor, Joe was paying us a visit to express empathy as well as extend an invitiation to join in the fun. He opened with "Hey there, I just wanted you to know that we will completely understand if there is a FOR SALE sign in your yard tomorrow morning!"

You see, our quiet Northside neighborhood has turned into a block party. There is music blaring, fireworks going off, grills fired up in the front yards.... We are just up the hill from Warner Park, which is home to the Rythym and Booms - Madison's annual fireworks extravaganza. Rivaling that, we are right across the street from Jon and Sara - who hold their own annual event, also run by volunteers, choreographed to music... They have been joined by others this year and I have to say, I am pumped up. (this probably will be the case until 3a.m. and it is still going on...as promised!) Gene and I are already planning what we will do to join the fun next year!

Well, Kate and Krista are here - so theReynoldsFam party is getting underway...TO BE CONTINUED...

Rhythm & Booms is Madison, Wisconsin's premier Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display. As the "largest fireworks display in the Midwest", it easily surpasses other fireworks events in Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee because of the length of the show (approximately 35 minutes), the number of shells fired (15,000) during the show, and the size of its annual budget. It is the largest single-day event in Wisconsin.

THE NEXT DAY...

While storm clouds have temporarily threatened the RYTHYM AND BOOMS - which were postponed until tonight - Jon and Sara's party carried on into the night. Turns out that our neighborhood fireworks were the best thing going. (Next to the six sparklers we had to add to the display! Apparently, sparklers loose their color over a year or two they are left to sit in a cabinet. Nonetheless, we got right out there and lit them up!)

So, the suspense is growing. Is Rythym & Booms all that it promises, or is the anticipation of it all just setting us up for a let down?What about the people who paid $25 to park... will they return? Will Jon and Sara and their friends have a second show? How long will we be finding the remains of the firework show in our back yard and sidewalks? Will it rain tonight as promised and then what?????

I like our quiet, friendly neighborhood. I love the excitement of a spontaneous block party. People are fantastic. Many differenct styles, stories, expressions of our Creator. There is energy when people come together, we like to imagine... What if this was our church? This energy, these people...experiencing the grace, the power, the love, the peace of Jesus - together. So Joe, we won't be placing a FOR SALE sign in our yard anytime soon.

theReynoldsFam cross the State lines...

2006-07-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Click here for the family vacation slide show!

See if you can guess who it is taking all the pictures! To make it even more interesting, guess who does not enjoy posing for pictures...

We enjoyed the BGC Annual Conference very much. It's a great opportunity to learn what is going on around the country and around the globe. (If we had been registered for the conference and actually been present, we would have learned more I'm certain. But, after planning our vacation around the conference, we realized that we were not registered. They don't do onsite registration for the kids, so... we just enjoyed our time in the town that is home to Bethel University. We heard that it was great though.)

gushing out of a desert floor...

2006-06-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Near the shores of the Dead Sea, deep in the Judean Wilderness, fresh water gushes out of the desert floor creating an oasis called En Gedi. It was here that David hid from Saul and it is likely one of the places of inspiration for the king-poet, David. The water that brings forth life at En Gedi is a picture of how God meets his children's thirst in the desert.

I recently heard a preacher refer to this place called En Gedi. (I believe she is one of the teaching staff of Northview in Madison.) For many biblical writers, the oasis of En Gedi provided a picture of the refreshment and encouragement found in God. Several psalmists expressed their need for God as a thirst for water amidst the wilderness of life. (for more on En Gedi... Follow the Rabbi)

This week theReynoldsFam found refreshment and encouragement in God. On days that we are tempted to be discouraged or lonely... when our mission seems like a far off dream, there are friends who bring refreshment much like the water of En Gedi may have been to the weary travelers who in the middle of a dry, hot desert. Travelers glad for a splash of cool water to give them what it takes to press on.

Last week there was a visit from the Zlabeks. No pic cuz I left my camera in the car. These are great friends who have shared with us in great times of mission and vision in the Kingdom of God and in church planting. We also had a visit from Eli and his famiy - the DeWilde family! Stopping on their way home from vacation, Sam and Eli, best friends from Kindergarten had a chance to play. Spending time with this family was a real treat.Today my friend Michelle, along with Cassie and Caitlyn visited. We took the kids to the zoo, spent time laughing, talking and playing. The day went so fast. I feel like I have come across an En Gedi today and I'm now ready to travel further. (and tomorrow, the Sikora family - from La Crosse - is coming over for a cook out!) En Gedi. God is good. I love it that He gives us not what we ask for - a faster journey through the desert, a way around it perhaps... but what we really need instead.
En Gedi.

If I Could Do It All Over Again

2006-06-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said this over the years. Not so much out of regret, but out of the reality that we learn most things in life after the fact. For instance, you should never put brussel sprouts in with a roast just because cabbage tastes good and they both look relatively the same. I think our first apartment still smells from the experience. Have you ever walked into a place and said, “What’s that smell?” It may be someone years earlier thought throwing brussel sprouts in with the roast sounded like a good idea.

Why do I mention this? Because here we are at the beginning of starting a second church in Madison and I know how important it is to make good decisions right from the start. We’ve learned from experience that some of the decisions you make in year one or even from day one will still effect who you are as a church body 5 to 10 years down the road. I could make a list as long as Billy Gibbons beard (that’s what Internet searches are for), but I fear it would only bore you. Please be praying with us that we will make good long-term decisions in the coming days, months, and years as God has graced us with the opportunity to do this again. “There is a way that seems right to a man”, says the writer of Proverbs, and then there is God’s way. We desire the second.

-Geno

2006-06-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Click here to see more of Kindergarten Graduation!

who you lookin at?

2006-06-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today was the K - 1st grade field trip to the zoo. Between the kids and the animals...it is truly fascinating! One trip to the zoo really says it all about the amazing Creator our God is!

2006-06-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

This is a quote from the Washington Post about the idea of House Church...the idea of a network of house churches is becoming increasingly appealing as we get to know Madison...

A growing number of Christians across Washington and around the country are moving to home churches -- both as a way to create personal connections in the age of the megachurch and as a return to the blueprint of the Christian church spelled out in the New Testament, which describes Jesus and the apostles teaching small groups in people's homes.

Estimates vary widely for a movement that is by design informal and decentralized, but the consensus among home-churchers is that they are part of a growing trend.

George Barna, a religion pollster, estimates that since 2000, more than 20 million Americans have begun exploring alternative forms of worship, including home churches, workplace ministries and online faith communities. Barna based that figure on surveys of the religious practices and attitudes of American adults that he has conducted over the past 25 years.

To read the full article:Going to Church by Staying at Home
...a Growing Trend By Michael Alison Chandler and Arianne Aryanpur Washington Post Staff Writers, Sunday, June 4, 2006; Page A12.

And this from a New York Times Article...

"We've gotten so far away from the believers who met in the first three centuries, when they were sharing one another's lives on a daily basis," said Michael Wroblewski, who started a house church in Portsmouth, R.I., where he is a mechanical engineer for the Navy. "You need to be interactive with the other believers, not just staring at the back of someone's head listening to a single pastor speak..

Prof. Nancy T. Ammerman, a sociologist of religion at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, said: "These are for the most part people who want to strip faith down to its bare minimum. They don't want to have to support a big building and staff and insurance policies and advertising campaigns and fixing the roof, because all of that seems to them to be extraneous to what they understand a life of faith to be." (giving instead to charities, to each one who has need...)

To read full article: housechurch.org

Psalm 36...rivers of delight

2006-06-03T21:34:00.000-07:00

Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. How precious is your unfailing love, O God. All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your rivers of delight. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.

(Psalm 36: 5-10 New Living Translation)

2006-05-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

All of Kate's stuff is now in our garage- we have her stuff and her pets...next Friday she will be here too. For those of you who pray for us...pray for Kate as she leaves her home, her friends and her family. She is very excited about what she is moving to, but as you can imagine, it's sad to say "good bye". Kate's parents, Kris and Al (also in the pic) were along for the move. They are also excited-mixed with nervous energy- about the move. It's fun to see parents enjoying catching a glimpse of their daughter becoming who she has been created to be. These are parents that have reason be proud - and they are.

In honor of her move, I will be going through her book box and reading anything fun she has. I've been reading many things that I wouldn't probably have picked on my own. I'm reading what others I know and love are reading. It's fun. Watch our book list. My favorite book this week has been THE DAYS ARE JUST PACKED - Calvin and Hobbes. (This was about what I could handle along side ACLS! -which I passed and is now behind me.) If you have discovered a "must read" of your own, I'd love to hear about it!

Published!

2006-05-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that Gene has been working on his music a lot lately. This time in Madison has been very good for that. You also may know that I've been invited into the world of "ghost writing" and am currently assisting on a book that is soon to be published for church planters. Sam and Spencer have also been cranking out songs and books. I guess you can say that theReynoldsFam has been playing a little game to see who could get published first...

We are thrilled to get to tell you that Gene is officially now a published songwriter. His song "Hold You" (a love song of the country genre) is now in the hands of a publisher - very exciting!

Now, we wait and just see what happens with it...who will sing it...where it will be heard. It's been a fun process.

It's ACLS week! That is what Juli will be doing - studying and then taking the two day class in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. It's a challenge that I'm a bit nervous about. But then I don't like to take basic CPR classes either and I've had to pass that test every year for the past 15. I have test anxiety. When I was in nursing school we had an instructor that every test she would walk from desk to desk with this pleasant, reassuring, hopeful smile on her face. As she passed by each one, she would place a small piece of paper on our desk that read, "My mind is active and alert and I will do well on this test." I've never forgotten that. Now, any time I face a challenge those words run through my head. Of course, Gene has never forgotten my telling him of that ritual and he is quick to recite those words any time test time rolls around....SO, My mind is active and alert and I'm going to do well on this test!

Thank God for Snails!

2006-05-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

Last week we took Sam and Spencer to the Pet store to get a snail that Spencer was promised he could have as a pet. After one full week of caring for Freddie - the betta- he was adding a snail to the fish bowl. The pet store for us is quite an adventure. On this trip, along with getting a snail, the boys and I held the snakes. They did great with them. Gene however... that's another post.

Do you know those moments of life that seem to reach beyond the realm of current reality; or maybe they reach into a reality is in fact more real than what seems to be. Either way, these "this is what it's all about", transcendent moments come as revelations of the soul - in laughter and in tears. These moments cannot be planned, they just happen. A fleeting moment when things make sense. Do you know these moments?

It was what happened a week ago, in the choosing of the snail that ushered in a transcendent moment today. I was inquiring of the pet store staff about how to care for the snail. I wanted to know what the snail eats. What I said was "Is there any specific way we should eat him?" As soon as it came from my mouth, laughter broke out - the girl very wittingly replied, "I guess we have a seafood lover". We thought Sam would not stop laughing! Sam is still laughing about it. At any random moment he recalls the moment and breaks out laughing...and it's not long before we are all laughing.

This week I am impatient. I want to fast forward. I want God to say "GO!" and things just to take off in a visible way. I want to know - what does it look like when some of these things that we sense God is developing come into view. I am excited to see God's plans unfold. I'm anxious... and it's distracting. I'm trying to be calm and patient...

Tonight, I was sitting on the couch just before Sam's bedtime. He was playing the guitar and asking me to sing - whatever comes to mind. I began to sing about his inability to hold back a smile. (Deep inside, I must admit, I just wanted to go back to reading my books and not have to think.) Then it happens...Sam begins to laugh hysterically and then bursts into song "Snails...Snails...Is there any way we should EAT them!...." This song, Sam's laughter, my own laughter, my appreciation for Sam's sense of humor - a fabulous show of God's pleasure- seemed to just suck me into a moment that was more real than the moment before it. I felt the presence of God in the moment. I could see Sam being formed into who he was created to be. I was given the ability all of a sudden to appreciate, to treasure the moment. A moment full of life as it should be.

Who knew a snail could be such a wonderful pet?

welcome jenn!

2006-05-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

On behalf of theReynoldsFam and the Northview Team... Welcome Jenn!

Jenn Macainag will be moving to Madison from La Crosse, WI in the Fall. God has been leading Jenn into the life of a missionary. While in Madison, Jenn will be taking steps towards more global church planting and experiencing what church planting in Madison is. This is a big step on the journey for Jenn, please pray that over the next couple months as she sells her house (maybe even with the same ease we had when we sold the house to her), finds a job in Madison as well as a place to live. We are so excited that we will be joined by our friend.

Jenn has been leading the College ministry at Cornerstone Community Church in La Crosse. She is a treasured part of the community at Cornerstone - pray too that the transition goes smoothly and for the moments marked there to be absolutely wonderful.

Jenn is also an IN/STJ... and our team is was tipping to the ENFP side of things - this gives us a little balance. (MyersBriggs stuff) She is the author of Life As Is / blogspot. (We will share that with you too as soon as she updates.)

2006-05-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

(if you click on the cartoon...you'll be able to see the whole thing)

Not too long ago I was in Borders reading one of my all time favorites Calvin and Hobbes. It had been too long since the last time I spent with Calvin and Hobbes - I was in the mood for a good laugh. All of the sudden it occurs to me...Spencer is Calvin!

I just have to remember how funny Calvin is...

What the river says, that is what I say...

2006-05-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Today I picked up a book that I purchase some time ago. Ya know when you get a book and start reading it and it just doesn't "speak" to you? You put in on the shelf or night stand, it sits there for the time it takes to blend in and go unnoticed day after day. Then, one day you pick it up instead of dusting around it, and wonder, "Did I read this? I don't think I did..." The book gets another chance to speak into your life, and this time it shouts loud enough for you to hear. Do you know those books? I have many.

Today it was a book called Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer. First of all, I like the name Parker. (My favorite of the Hardy Boys was Frank, played by Parker Stevenson.) Second, Parker Palmer, I believe, lives in Madison so we're practically neighbors. Third and best of all, I learned today that Parker Palmer was mentored by one my mentors, Henri Nouwen. Henri is one of my "historic mentors" of course.

ANYWAY, the book opens with a poem that I would have read at Poetry Night if I had known of it sooner. Instead, I was a reflective listener at the Gompers Elementary Poetry Night, participating only to take a few photos as Sam recited his poem about being a guppy...and just diving right in. I was inspired by Sam's poem (which upon request, I could share with you), so, I am diving in...

Ask Me

Some time when the river is ice ask me
mistakes I have made. Ask me whether
what I have done is my life. Others
have come in their slow way into
my thought, and some have tried to help
or to hurt: ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made.

I will listen to what you say.
You and I can turn and look
at the silent river and wait. We know
the current is there, hidden; and there
are comings and goings from miles away
that hold the stillness exactly before us.
What the river says, that is what I say.

William Stafford

2006-05-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

Informational Meetings this week... Monday and Wednesday, at the Lakeview Library. We have invited people from all over the Northside of Madison to come learn more about this new church developing in Madison : Northview.

friends...fun...FISH BOIL!

2006-04-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of our Pastors/Wives retreat in Door County had to be the fish boil. Leith Anderson, is a great speaker and we all benefitted from the wisdom shared. We got to honor Tom and Lori Nebel for their service to the GLBC in church planting, as they move on to a more global ministry with the BGC. It was great connecting and praying with friends. Wine tasting in Door County was fun but the fish boil...well, that's something to blog about. It's not that the fish boil in itself was that entertaining, but that it was Eric's first fish boil. One fantastic thing about Eric Haskins (our friend from "Moody days" who now is lead pastor at Cornerstone in La Crosse) is that just about everything is either completely and totally "WOW" -or completely lame. Watching Eric's response as he observed the traditional Wisconsin fish boil was - really fun!

click here to find out what happened...

Eric's first fish boil

(does anyone know of a better way to post slide shows on the blog site?)

if the above link didn't work, try this one...

Eric's first fish boil

or this.

reaction?

2006-04-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

I found this today ... any thoughts out there on this?

Mark Dever in A Display of God's Glory quotes the interaction of a Japanese businessman with a visiting Australian (as told by Os Guiness),

"Whenever I meet a Buddhist leader, I meet a holy man. Whenever I meet a Christian leader, I meet a manager."

(this from...Bruce Chant, HISMETHOD referring to
Steve McCoy, reformissionary)

Introducing....

2006-04-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

What a thrill...we get to introduce to you our newest team member, Kate Zuccarello. Kate will be joining us here in Madison as a teacher on the Northview team. She is moving from the Quad Cities, her home town, in June. Please pray for Kate as she says "yes" to this expedition of church planting. Kate is the author of Life Proclaims and has been for the past couple years serving on staff at Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island,IL. We met Kate at Heritage as she served on the team there with us in "ALter" - the ministry to the young adults. She has become a good friend to the Reynolds fam (as well as being a fellow blog addict). We are all very glad to have her join us here. She will be starting a new job as a project manager at Epic as well. We appreciate your prayers! GO GOD!

"People of faith never allow vision to shrink to the level of realtiy."

2006-04-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

Things just don't always turn out as you imagine...and that's probably a good thing. This pic is of the 22-foot lifeboat named the James Caird that Earnest Shackelton sailed 800 milies in after losing his ship, Endurance, to the ice. This is not what they had in mind when they set sail I'm certain.

Church planting is never what you imagine either. It's like that with most things though - marriage, parenting, the new job, owning a home...

While we have not endured what Shackleton and his team endured, we have been exhausted, faced heartache in times of loss, confusion over plans that failed, the discouragement that comes when someone gives up or gets afraid and runs away...the James Caird is not where I like to end up. And yet, on the other hand, if they had not endured what they had, would we know their story - would we hear of the leadership, teamwork and courage that is possible? Would we know the glory?

We celebrate the risen Christ this weekend after reflecting on what He endured for the sake of the Kingdom and eternity. Short sightedness played no part in the life of Jesus. Fear and disappointment did not deter the mission of Christ.

A friend of ours, Tom Nebel, says this about faith, "People of faith never allow vision to shrink to the level of reality."

So, if we have to make the big, beautiful, sturdy ENDURANCE into a 22-foot reconfigured lifeboat, the JAMES CAIRD is o.k. by me. -really.

GO GOD!

If you would like to spend some more time on the topic of fear and faith...here is a message by Dr. Tom Nebel, one of our teaching pastors at Northview. (click here)

Experience...

2006-04-14T04:51:00.000-07:00

An online Laybyrinth

still no update???? man!

2006-04-12T20:29:00.000-07:00

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

2006-04-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

It's raining today - all day. Where is the extra daylight? I wish this pic represented my perspective today.

Now, to close the day, I'll watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie with Sam. When we go to bed, Pa or Laura will have lead the Ingall's family out of another dilema and the world will be as it should be... right? right!

ART! (Although, I don't think I would have had to tell you that.)

2006-03-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Today Spencer and I got out the scissors and the glue, some paint and markers. This is what came of it. We have no opening dates for our show yet... soon I'm sure.

...this being as poetic as i get.

Spencer's interpretation of the secret world of spies. When asked to explain this piece, "There is much secret code there."

taking it on the road...

2006-03-26T22:20:00.000-08:00

"Engaging"..."fun"..."I really enjoyed it"..."it was packed"...moved to tears (the direct quote was actually, "they were crying") ...These were some of the things we heard today after Gene had the opportunity to share some of the more recent songs and stories God has given him.

We have been in a different church many of the weekends over the past several months. The boys are really good about sitting and listening to their dad speak, often telling stories about them. Last weeked Gene sang a couple songs before speaking and the boys enjoyed that so much that I made the comment to Gene, "You should have just kept singing." So, when this weekend we had the opportunity to be at Cornerstone Community Church in La Crosse, that's what he did.

It was a very nice weekend of visiting with friends and catching up and seeing all the new faces at Cornerstone. God is doing great things there. It's really good to see.Spencer and I actually missed service on Sunday. Spencer got sick in the middle of the night and we ended up hanging out at a friends home all day on Sunday. -Thanks Jenn for the visit and Frappacino! Thanks Becky for being so gracious about the puky smelling basement, AND thanks Chelsea and Paige for PaC Man! (They gave me their Gameboy Pac Man!)

moving at the speed of life, we are bound to collide with each other. - CRASH

2006-03-23T19:04:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday night and I am sitting down for another episode of E.R. When I began watching this show I was living in Chicago working at Bosley Medical Group. My career as a nurse had taken me to a place that was all about hair transplantation and "male patter baldness". So, for me this show was my exposure to "real" medicine. Those of you in medical professions will laugh at that but for my friend Lori and me, it was something to look forward to every week. Every week...Carol, Doug, Mark Green, Peter, Hele... would live the lives we could talk about while transplanting hair or removing a somewhat unaffected by the blood and the pain that is represented. I'm all about the drama, the medical jargon, the problem solving, the procedures....(Much the reason Gene does not watch this show with me.)

Recently, Gene and I rented CRASH.For those who have seen it,you will understand that there is not much I can say to explain it. For those who have not seen it...well, you need to see it. (This movie web site became my devotional guide this week, try it out)

Since seeing this movie, it seems that I am constantly confronted with the biases, preconceived notions, insensitivities...the prejudices that I am guilty of. Those things that make up the context in which I see things, people and events.

My day on the job is made up of starting IVs, inserting eye drops that sting, emesis basins, crutches, bloody dressings, screaming children... one patient teased me "so you just go room to room, torturing people?" "I guess that is one way to put it", I replied. I however, had never put it quite that way.

It's hard not to get numb to it. It's my job, going room to room...

Today someone asked me a question that caused me to consider another human relationship dynamic. I had never considered the point of view she suggested and it has me thinking. I can see that I have hardened my heart towards a whole profession of people - to protect myself. Through that lens I view "these people" as arrogant, hot-tempered, inconsiderate, rude - one wrong move on my part could provoke a reaction that will be embarassing and degrading to me - unless they prove to me otherwise. (And then I am surprised enough to come home and tell about it like I discovered some rare treasure.) For this, I am (or I am trying to be) sorry. For every time I did not offer a hand, a smile, an encouraging word to a physician, a medical student, a resident - because I wanted them to ask, assign me some significance, I am sorry (or I know I should be).

What other people have I discriminated against? Who have I witheld acceptance...affirmation...assistance from - for the sake of myself or my reputation? Is this what I learn from Jesus?

I am grateful for this movie, CRASH. It has become a catalyst in revealing my own heart. In the movie we can see behind some of the prejudice into the fear, the misunderstanding, the learned prejudice. The Holy Spirit now is teaching me in my encounters with people...events...stories around me. I am learning to see behind my own actions where there are similar fears, insecurities, ignorance.

I suppose I have to consider again giving up E.R. - is it promoting the desenistization that I am trying to unlearn? Is it promoting the prejudices I have? It's scary how our culture defines us and we don't even realize it. What am I teaching my kids? Will Sam and Spencer learn from me how Jesus sees people? Or, will they learn protect themselves from those they should embrace, ignore those who they could learn from, shun those they should welcome?

What do I learn from Jesus?

check out the track of the day! ...March 21st

2006-03-20T21:43:00.000-08:00

For 24 hours on Tuesday, the 21st of March, 2006 (PST) "Wholly Yours" will be featured on GarageBand.com's Country front page. Check it out! This is fun. CLICK THE LINK ON THE RIGHT...

new glasses...

2006-03-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

Recently I found myself in need of new glasses. I am amazed at the difference being able to see clearly makes. I like to take them up and down, and be amazed at what a properly prescribed lens can do for vision clarity. This event caused me to stop and be amazed at the profession that is optometry.

The Snellen Eye Chart is the standard used in measuring the eye's ability to distinguish detail and shapes (visual acuity). The Chart is made up of a series of letters, numbers or symbols of progressively smaller size, the largest at the top. "Normal" vision is 20/20. A person who can clearly read a one-inch letter at a distance of 20 feet is considered to have normal vision. All measurements obtained from use of the Snellen Chart are a comparison to that standard. Persons who have 20/40 vision, for example, can read at 20 feet what people with normal vision can read at 40 feet.

Visual acuity is the medical term for sharpness of vision. It deals with the sharpness, or discrimination, of central vision, rather than the extent or clarity of peripheral vision.

Today I am wondering, where is our chart for the spirtual vision? Although, I suspect I can be seeing 20/20 and still be missing the clarity of peripheral vision. This is perspective.

What I mean is, I can know what is true, believe that Jesus IS. I can be seeing with a 20/20 vision that God is sovereign and in control and still miss what is right there, in the perepheral. Faith... the confident assurance that what we hope for is so. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. The letters too small for even one with 20/20...but they are there. Just because we cannot make them out, does not mean they are not as clear as those we see.

I want new glasses that will help me see the peripheral ... that can see what God is doing. Who He is drawing to Himself. How He will reveal Himself. I want to see the events of life in hindsight. Yea, glasses like the spy glasses that Sam and Spencer have - with rear view mirrors on the backside edges of the lens so I can't sneak up on them. Glasses that help to see in hindsight, now instead of later.

But then, what fun would that be anyway. Maybe I'll just enjoy the central vision - it's amazing enough as it is.

St. Patricks breastplate (prayer)

2006-03-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

I arise today through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity:
Through belief in the Threeness,
through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today through the strength of heaven;
light of sun, radiance of moon,
splendor of fire, speed of lightning,
swiftness of wind, depth of sea,
stability of earth, firmness of rock,
I arise today through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me from snares of devils,
from temptation of vices,
from everyone who wishes me ill
afar and anear alone and in a multitude.

Christ with me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me, Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity:
Through belief in the Threeness,
through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of Creation.

Reflections on 40.

2006-03-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, the general thought is that when someone turns 40, especially a male, they experience some kind of midlife crisis. I am glad that I am not affected by this old wives tale. If you were here to look in my driveway, you wouldn’t see a red sports car. I didn’t get my ears pierced on the 28th. There are no tattoos of Juli on my arm or anywhere else. In fact, I didn’t even get my hair permed. I’m just the same old boy from the Midwest. Forty hasn’t affected me at all. Or that’s what I keep telling myself. See, there is this one issue. Juli and the boys know exactly what I’m talking about. Not even one more word is necessary for them. So do many of you.

It’s called songwriting. Has this thing I’ve loved to do since I was 12 years old run it’s course? Am I old guy who shoots free throws like Don Nelson (my dad would know what I’m talking about) and thinks plays like Kobe? Am I the old guy that tries to dress like the college students but looks like their father trying to look like them? Am I the pastor who uses illustrations from Happy Days as everyone under 35 daydreams about the next song they will download off of I-Tunes? Am I still amazed at the ability of watching the magic white ball go back and forth during an exhilarating game of Pong and thinks he understands this modern technology? Am I still convinced that CD’s are the last advance of mankind? Or even worse, do I think I can still write relevant songs?

As I flipped through channels the other day there was a Cream reunion concert on PBS. Ask your parents. Better yet, ask your grandparents. Do I look like the drummer and bass player? Will Sam and Spencer have to ask me to please stop embarrassing them someday? Is it time to put the guitar back in he case for the last time, except for the occasional sing along around the campfire? Is it time to give up the unnecessary dream of getting a song published? Who knows?

Yeah, 40 has not affected me at all. I’m still the same old boy from the Midwest. Oh, by the way, if you go to garageband.com,you can listen to the MP3’s of some of the songs I’ve recently recorded.

Thanks! for making the VIRTUAL SURPRISE PARTY a huge success!

2006-02-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

A Virtual Surprise Party

a THANK YOU card from the Reynoldsfam

What Gene has been up to....

2006-02-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Click...Listen....Enjoy...

Worthy

Jesus Is

lessons learned from a "running rebel", a worm, a spider and curious george

2006-02-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

Well today I woke up with random thoughts...why do people not want Jesus? and what can I ever do about it anyway...o.k. today i'll be at the YMCA and I'll meet more people...God please use us show the love you offer...why is that I have been a Christian for all my life and just now learning Johanian terms (I'm studying the gospel of John)...o.k. today is going to bring with it greatness, I know it...maybe...well, we'll just see...I wonder if it's very cold or just kinda cold...I'll probably feel better if I just dust our bedroom - that's something I can control...

Sam started basketball today at the YMCA - March Madness. I love watching kids play basketball. I love watching the kid who looses himself in the task of man to man defence and doesn't even care where the ball actually is. Sam was so excited to get that "jersey" - it's a red screen print t-shirt, but to Sam it's one step closer to following in Michael Jordan's footsteps to North Carolina then on to the NBA. For Sam, it doesn't get any better than this- he's a "Runnin Rebel". Oh, it's not that he has identified basketball as the single passion he will pursue, he just knows no limitations to what is possible - now or when he grows up. Today he announced that he would like to start this church out big and know everyone. He decided he would be the Kid's pastor - "since I'm a kid!" to quote him. And since he is working on being a team player he decided he will delegate some of the things, like reading the big words. I should alert you that he is making plans to recruit assistants.

All this while Spencer and the Rescue Hero team he has assembled is saving the planets from destruction! Spencer even knows how to spell I-M-A-G-i-N-A-S-H-N!

This afternoon we found ourselves in the "kid corner" at Barnes and Noble. Have you ever readDiary of a Worm?It's a great book, it made me laugh. It also has a message about uniqueness, perspective and value, it's just fun. There is alsoDiary of a Spider.Also very good.

THEN as if that was not enough...we went to seeCurious George.What a fun movie. The soundtrack is great too. As we were leaving Spencer asked if he could go down by the screen and dance to the music. I learned something from all of this simple fun...and I said "sure!" and that is what we did. (Well, Gene and I didn't actually dance, someone had to hold the coats.)
So, I end the day back in my adult world of trying to be sure I get enough sleep in between the deadlines, the papers, projects and dusting. But the Running Rebels, the Worm, the Spider and Curious George have become part of my perspective. Today, I will enjoy today and the people who I meet along the way. I will do my best to hear the voice of God and be obedient to what He calls me to. The church is His. My kids are His. I am His.