Our family was able to eat lunch and spend some time together as they made their way to the St. Louis area. As they talked about the days they had planned and the people they looked forward to seeing, the memory of friends rushed through my brain and heart. I had a friend once tell me, “If you go through life with one person you can truly call a friend, you could be the most fortunate person on the planet.” Not only have my parents been blessed with wonderful friends over the years, but so have Tiffany and I. People who have loved us in spite of ourselves. Looked past our faults. Forgiven accidental (and at times intentional) wrongs done. Have walked to the mountaintops, and traveled to the valleys with us. Have celebrated our lives, marriage, kids, and the various stages we have experienced separately and together.
The appreciation I had for my parents growing up in the area of relationship building was great-but it has grown to even new heights as the years have passed. They truly modeled what it meant to not only initiate friendship, but to accept it as well. I will be forever grateful of the way they modeled loving God, and loving people. In a couple of weeks, the Bible study will take us to Matthew 22:34-40, which includes some of my favorite verses of all time. Jesus instructed to love God first and love people second-and to have no reservation in doing so. If those of us who call ourselves Christians really lived out those verses-if we loved God with our all, and people more than ourselves-our lives, relationships, and world would look like nothing we (or any other generation for that matter) has ever seen. It would be amazing!
Having the opportunity to spend part of the day with my parents a couple of days before the national celebration of Fathers was meaningful. Having the opportunity to spend Father’s Day with Tiff, Tirin, and Ethan was absolutely amazing. Tirin drew a picture (below) that expressed her heart, and I believe expresses the heart of our family towards God, each other, and for those we have a relationship with. We need to continue striving in the area of loving with our all-God first, and people second. My friend was right-a person who goes through life with one good friend has accomplished much. A person who goes through life with more than one could be most fortunate person on the planet. If you know Christ personally, he is your friend forever-and you have gained the best friend possible, and are the most fortunate person on the planet. If you have one friend beyond Him-who loves you for a lifetime in spite of yourself-you have been given a gift directly from God that is worth celebrating and cherishing. You have good people around you-you can probaly name who they are as easily as Tirin could in her Ray family portrait below.

Sustaining relationships is challenging, and in many respects it would be easier to invest the minimal time and energy required to foster acquaintances. Instead, those pictured below are following the route of building lifelong friendships. They have decided that easier is not equal to, in any sense of the word, better. In choosing “easier”, the opportunities to share the joys, sorrows, and the everything in betweens of life that we are intended to with others who are striving to love Jesus and people with their all would be missed.

I Thessalonians 2:8 says: “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (ESV)

I cannot imagine what this life would be like without the people who have become and are becoming dear to us-true gifts from God as we share our lives. Whose hearts will be sown in with ours over the course of the next year? Is the number of those whom you hold dear growing or shrinking? How are you offering to others the verse above? Community is waiting for you-take the opportunity to share in the gospel of God and your very selves. Living in isolation is for…the birds (though they, too, fly in flocks-so in many respects that age-old phrase doesn’t make any sense!).

Chris White, a friend from my college days at Southwest Baptist University, also attended the conference. It was great to spend quality time catching up with him, and attending portions of the conference together. (pictured below)

Several speakers addressed the audience in general sessions. My personal favorites included hearing messages from two of my ministry heroes: Doug Fields and John Ortberg. They are both able to phrase things in such a way that go directly to my heart and challenge the core of who I am in Christ and in the lives of the people around me.

The one-liners that stick out the most are as follows:

“The only place I am not replaceable is with my family. There is only one dad who can shepherd the heart of his kids and his wife.” (Doug Fields-pictured below with JWes and I)

“One of the best gifts I can give someone is to not have an agenda for them.” (Ortberg)
“The spiritual image of a leader is not one of a CEO. It is a being a good father, a good mother, a good spouse. A good leader focuses on their own family.” (Doug Fields)

“Rivers of living water are available to me right now. Everything else works out-not necessarily like I want it to, but I want to be the man God wants me to be in this moment and in the next.” (Ortberg)

“When you are home, serve ice cream (the idea is making the environment more fun). Spend more time planning fun for your family than in any other place. Hold your kids more than your cell phone. Be busier with fun in your home than answering email or spending time on the computer. Date your wife. Focus on your family.” (Doug Fields)

“Disciples of Jesus are hand-crafted, not mass-produced.” (John Ortberg)

Bonus Pic: I will not steal JWes’ thunder if he blogs about it, but do you remember the group Run DMC? Run of the pair came into a relationship with Christ a few years ago, and is currently serving as a pastor. He was interviewed in a general session, and afterwards was available to sign his book and take pictures with folks. When JWes and I approached him, I asked: “Are we going to smile or be serious in the picture?” He replied: “Serious, it is always serious.” After laughing, he put on the serious pose, and JWes and I followed suit.

We are each so grateful to be able to attend events that provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, and we look forward to putting into practice what we have learned in the days ahead.

Wednesday morning, Dave McKibben (a good friend from Joplin, MO) was in town and came by to visit for a while. It was then off to mowing, picking up the kids from school, and packing for Virginia Beach.

On Thursday morning, Lindsay McEver (a friend of ours) came to the house in the early am, and Tiff and I hugged/kissed the kids and headed to the airport. Jen Zittle met us at the airport in the late afternoon, and we were in the van driving to the leader’s dinner for their first Disciple Now at Texas Roadhouse. There, we were reunited with Tim (he and Jen are friends back from seminary days in Texas -1999), Sammy Nuckolls and Opie (Steve) Thomas (friends from Centrifuge about 6 years back), and Jeff and Tammy Brocaille (our former Worship Pastor at Westside Church in Omaha). We had great visits with all, and enjoyed making some new friends that night. After Jeff and Tammy drove and dropped us at the hotel for Thursday night, Fred and Tammy (Tiff’s sister/brother-in-law) met us and spent a couple of hours. It was a blast to catch up with them before we were fully engaged in the weekend.

Friday morning, Tiffany and I walked on the beach and saw dolphins in the ocean about 50 feet from us-it was amazing! We were then picked-up and taken to a leader’s lunch and full-day of prep for DNow. Friday night we met the students in our homes, got to see Jeff/Tammy and all of their kids (they all look way different-2 ½ years brings a lot of change!) and were able to see a lot of the folks we have met on past trips. It was a privilege to spend time with the four guys in my home, and the same was true for Tiff with the six girls in hers.

After a great finish to the weekend in worship on Sunday morning, Fred/Tammy/Josh/Jordan took us to lunch at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant. Fred and Tammy then took us to the airport, where Tim and Jen came for our final sendoff. Sunday night we got home about 10:30, and finally crawled in bed around 11:15 or so. The next morning, we had a great time seeing our kids, and here we are-off and running for another week.

Other highlights from our trip:
1)Being able to spend time with the good friends mentioned above, to once again see what God is doing in and through Tim and Jen at Kempsville, and to have the opportunity to be led in worship by Opie and Sammy/get some hang time with them. They provided solid reminders of God’s working in the past and present, and once again brought about an added appreciation for them as friends.

2)Caleb Brocaille (now a senior-former student in Omaha) came to the house with my guys on Friday night, and spent about 2 ½ hours with us in Q&A and sharing his testimony, heart, and giving words of encouragement to the guys. It was a very meaningful time. The entire weekend with the guys in my group was special, and reconnecting with adults who continue to pour out their lives to students.

3)One of the built-in challenges for Saturday’s competition was to go to the mall, ask folks there if they had a Bible, and when we found one who didn’t, to offer them the Bible/study guide that accompanied it, and ask if we can pray for them. Ben (one of the guys in my group) found a lady in her mid-thirties who had asked Jesus into her heart about 4 weeks ago. We were able to spend a couple of minutes with her, pray for her, and pray for with her mom (already a believer as well) for her husband who is struggling with some issues. For me, that was one of the key highlights of the day. The boldness displayed by the guys in my group and their love and compassion for those around them was extremely challenging.

The focus of the weekend was the importance of God’s Word in our lives, and all of the Bible studies revolved around having a deeper personal devotion to our King. Tiffany and I are grateful for the time of ministering together, and I look forward to seeing all that God has in store for those at Kempsville Baptist in the days and years ahead!

While the loss was surprising on the one hand, it was not on the other. An expectation for this team to run through the ranks and win it all has been present throughout the season (and all of the pressure accompanying it). When they have trailed late in games, they have typically been able to dial up the intensity and pull out games (as the 33-3 season record would indicate). However, in the round of 32, they fell short against the Panthers-and the insane 3 pointers that continued to rain down from every spot on the court during the game. While the loss has been difficult for KU fans in general, it cannot be compared with the effects on the coaches and players who experienced the end to this year's run in Oklahoma City firsthand.

Expectations. A season culminating in a championship. The pressure to perform, compete, and thrive. The Jayhawk players have experienced all of the above this season, and we can all relate in one way or another.

How did you enter this week? Did you crawl out of bed on Monday morning with the expectation of anticipated successes, forming new relationships, and drawing closer in your walk with God? Or did the approach lean more towards looming thoughts of  failure, broken relationships, and yet another normal week in relationship with your Savior? Is it possible that many times we not only anticipate a lack of God's power in our lives each day, but in many respects we have come to expect it? And if that is the case, is that what God anticipates...expects...and hopes for us?

Paul wrote in Colossians 1:27 (ESV): "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." If we have a personal relationship with Jesus, He (the hope of glory) lives in us! And that fact alone should bring about an anticipation...an expectation...a hope that has the ability to catapult our lives into a daily approach of "God, what do you have in store for this day? How can I be drawn closer to you? How can I truly be an extension of your love to those around me who know you personally, and to those who don't? How can I truly be your hands and feet today?" If life is approached from that perspective, knowing the hope of glory lives in us, our daily expectations for God to work and move in and through us may be...could be...would be...radically different.

Even on the heels of a Jayhawk loss, we (I) would remember there is a much bigger picture for this world, for this day, for this moment, and in my very approach to it. A basketball season ending loss is one thing. 40 years of loss from this point on without ever winning another game (I realize I am exaggerating) and the years that follow is another. Living without the expectation of God working and through us for a day or short season is one thing. A life characterized by the absence of expectation or anticipation of God moving and working, regardless of the visible results, is another.

Will we consider entering tomorrow with the expectation and anticipation of Jesus in us, the hope of glory, working in and through us, for His glory?

While some cold weather could be considered "good", can a "cold heart" be placed in the same category? I'm not asking about cool hands under pressure (like Cool Hand Luke), or a cool head in most situations (like Bill Self at KU), but a coldness of heart towards the Lord-is that God's desire for our lives?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 When salvation takes place and our relationship with Jesus grows, evidence of a "warming heart" that is formed and developed by the Holy Spirit in us towards God should be evident.

Be encouraged this week! In the midst of the cold weather, keep your warm heart blazing by spending time with the One who who makes once-frigid areas of our lives warm by His transforming might.

Philippians 3:12-14, ESV

1)knowing and obeying Jesus Christ,

2)knowing and displaying godly character,

3)knowing and loving my wife,

4)knowing and loving my children, and

5)knowing my gifts and abilities, so I can work hard and effectively in an area of strength, rather than weakness, contribute effective to the lives of others-and have a little fun at the same time."

Steve Farrar, pg. 42, Point Man.

"Peter was sharp. He kept his distance from Jesus. 'I'll stay close enough to see him,' Peter reasoned. 'But not too close, or I may get caught.'

Good thinking, Peter. Don't get too involved-it might hurt. Don't be too loyal-you might get branded. Don't show too much concern-they'll crucify you, too.

We need more men like you, Peter. Men who keep religion in its place. Men who don't stir the water. Men who reek with mediocrity.

That's the kind of man God needs, yessir. One who knows how to keep his distance: 'Now, I'll pay my dues and I'll come once a week, but..well...you can get carried away, you know.'

Yes, you can get carried away...up a hill to a cross-and killed.

Peter learned a lesson that day-a hard lesson. It is better to have never followed Jesus than to have followed him and denied him.

Mark these words: Follow at a distance and you'll deny the Master. Period. You won't die for a man you can't touch. Period. But stay near to him, in his shadow....You'll die with him, gladly."

Max Lucado, Chapter 3, pp. 9-10, On The Anvil.

John Ortberg, Everybody's Normal Til You Get To Know Them, pg. 14

Charles Spurgeon

Acts 2:42: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

"I also learned that saying yes to more always meant saying no to what really is most important in my life: the tending of my heart; my spiritual health; my marriage; my growth; my kids; my personal time. So while ministry busyness is often worn as a badge of honor, unfortunately, behind that badge we'll typically find a damaged spiritual life, a damaged family, and a damaged career." Doug Fields, What Matters Most (pp. 19-21)

Last week I had a "flash from the past" via blog from a friend about the SBU Bobsled Team (of which I was a part). The blog is, in many ways, hysterical (probably more so for me than anyone else). I have included the link below, and if you have time to read it, you may get a good laugh from it. If nothing else, the pictures will bring the question, "who is that guy?". Have a blessed week, and I hope you enjoy it!

http://broray.blogspot.com/2009/04/sbu-bobsled-team.html

What encourages me even more is the future focus. Looking forward, but Lance and Mike are excited about opportunities to continue leading teams, holding new training opportunities, and intentionally sharing their faith in this community. It is not too late to be a part! If you have interest, please contact either Lance or Mike, and JUMP IN! God is doing a mighty work, and you have an amazing opportunity to be a part!

We are soon to be off-and-running with the Big Dance today! I have filled out my 6 brackets, and am looking forward to watching all of the games over the next couple of days. It will be hard to be last year's run with KU taking the crown, but I am cautiously optimistic for this year (if that is possible). We'll see how today goes vs. North Dakota State. According to Seth Davis on CBS, this is the worst case scenario and worst possible draw for the Jayhawks-so we'll see. I would like to say that I have picked them to go all the way in every bracket, but to be honest I haven't (as I did last year). It should be fun.

Short, but sweet. The games begin soon, so...enjoy watching! On Monday we'll know the Sweet 16 pairings, and I will look forward to writing more then!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. First for the Jews, then for the Gentiles." Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

"For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (vv. 7-9, ESV)

As we continue to press forward in the days ahead, we will all be challenged to continually walk with our Savior on a moment-by-moment, day-by-day basis, with His transforming our hearts, minds, and lives to be more like Himself. What a work God is doing! And what a joy to be a part of the lives of those He is changing.

            Alan and Debbie Foster    "AFos"

     Jonathan and Aimee Wiggins    "JWiggy"

        Nick and Jill Bluel    "Niko"

The last excerpt from One Incredible Moment by Max Lucado, entitled "Seeking The Savior".

"Simeon (said), 'Can I stay alive until I see him?' The Magi (said), 'Saddle up the camels. We aren't stopping until we find him.' The shepherds (said), 'Let's go...Let's see.'...

They wanted the Savior. They wanted to see Jesus. They were earnest in their search. One translation renders Hebrews 11:6: 'God...rewards those who earnestly seek him' (NIV).

Another reads, 'God rewards those who search for him' (Phillips).

And another: 'God...rewards those who sincerely look for him' (TLB).

I like the King James translation: 'He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him'.

Diligently--what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this book be but one of dozens you read about Jesus and this hour be but one of hundreds in which you seek him. Step away from the puny pursuits of possessions and positions, and seek your king.

Don't be satisfied with angels. Don't be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did...Risk whatever it takes to see Christ.

God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for the lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself." Just Like Jesus

One month ago, Tirin broke her leg at school. While the initial few days were tiring for her and difficult in many respects, the at-that-time cast (which extended from the bottom of her foot to her hip) will, in two days, become a walking cast. In four weeks, if all goes well, the cast will be gone, and she will be running and having a blast with her friends, with only a distant memory of a cast that, at times, felt so heavy.

The older we get, the more quickly time flies. And all of us have "casts" of some sort. Things we need to shed in the coming year. For some of us (and yes I AM DEFINITELY including myself), a few pounds need to go. For others of us (and once again I am in the mix), some of the debt needs to go. For others of us (and, making the trifecta, once again included), shaking some of the spiritual cobwebs loose will be an important part of our new year. And there is no better time to start than now!

With the challenge on the horizon at BVBC to read through the Word in 2009, I encourage all of us to go after it with gusto, and continue to pursue it all year long. You are a special part of this church family, and of the body of Christ at large. I pray that 2009 is way beyond happy for you and yours, and is filled with His love and joy more than ever before (with broken casts filling the roadsides for all of us). Joyous New Year!