Spiritual Resolutions

Greetings Fairy Followers,

We are approaching the beginning of a new year. The time when we wipe the slate clean and start planning our successes for the next year. Many of us make resolutions that include losing weight, being a better friend, pursuing a dream.

I admit that I have something on my list from each of those categories. I also have one on my list in the spiritual category. There are always things we can learn about God and His word. Where is your area of weakness that you want to grow? Do you need to harness your anger? Forgive someone who's harmed you? Memorize a greater portion of scripture?

Once you've picked your goal, here are some tips to reach it:
Put it everywhere: Write your goal on a stack of sticky notes and post them places you will see it regularly. In your calendar, locker, bathroom mirror, nightstand.

Break it into measurable steps: If your goal is to memorize scripture then make a list of the verses you want to learn and set goals for each month.

Keep a record: If your goal is to harness your anger, then write down the instances you've been angry and how you responded. Make a plan for how to respond better the next time and some scripture to help you respond rightly.

Find some resources: Have the library find some books on the topic you are studying. Check out crosswalk.com for verses that relate to your issue and articles about it. Remember that people are resources too and you can talk to your parents, friends and leaders about keeping you accountable to improve.

Here's to a great 2010. Praying for all of you who are headed to Districts.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

Old School Jesus in Job

Greetings Fairy Followers,

It is Christmas time and the hollow logs in the neighborhood are bedecked with blinking fireflies. What a wonderful time of year to be talking about Jesus in all of his incarnations.

Last week we talked about Jesus in Job. Job is a fascinating book of the Bible having the designation of being the very first scripture written down. And when that writer inscribed his inspiration he wrote:

"Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God..."

I know that my Redeemer lives. I know he will stand upon the earth in the end. Wow. Before the tabernacle was toted through the dessert, before the temple was built in Jerusalem, before Sunday morning coffee hour became the standard, Job Knew.

I pray that this season finds you secure in the knowledge of your salvation and your savior. Know that you know, dear followers.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

Greetings Fairy Followers,

Since the great snow of December 8-10 kept us locked up inside the hollow log sipping cocoa from acorn caps, I don't have a new episode of Old School Jesus to bring you.

Instead, our entire pastoral staff had occasion to venture to Green Bay for the Monday night game against the Ravens. Nessie, of course, made the trip and brought back some pictures.

She brought along Pastor Alan and his mom who made sure that Nessie was well outfitted, even if P.A. forgot that the Packer's colors are Green and Gold - Not red and white. Even the Raven fans were accepting of Nessie...before their team got trounced, anyway.

This last picture is of a plaque that hangs at historic Lambeau Field. It is an excerpt from J.F.K's inaugural speech. The final line reads:

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

Do you feel that way about the work of God? Do you feel you are his hands and feet and mouth here on earth? Consider today what job He might have in store for you.

Just a little reminder from J.F.K and Audio A.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

Old School Jesus in Esther

Greetings Fairy Followers,

This week we were treated to guest speaker Emily Dunham bringing us Old School Jesus in Esther. She had her work cut out for her in bringing to us a book that doesn't even mention God's name!

Here's a little video to tell you about the book of Esther in case you aren't familiar.



Jesus was foreshadowed in Esther's preparation to go out and plead for her people with her husband.

1. She had to sacrifice her own wants and desires, just as Jesus had to sacrifice himself for us.
2. She fasted for three days, just as Jesus was in the grave for three days. (Incidentally, if you want to do a study of all 'three day' references in the Bible click here. Very interesting stuff)
3. On the third day she rose and went to see her husband. On the third day Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus had a great adventure in mind for you if you will choose to engage.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

Unholy Alliances

Greetings Fairy Followers,

The B.D.F. of late has become a fan of the TV show "Glee!" I, of course, watch it for the music not for its portrayal of Fox's version of the average American high school.

In said average high school exists one young cheerleader who has gotten pregnant. She tells one boy that he's the father when he really isn't...why? Because he's the good guy, the guy she likes, the guy with a greater chance of supporting her than the baby's father. She's using this child as a chance to attach herself, form an alliance if you will, with the boy. Creating a way for him to have to be with her even if he doesn't love her.

Sounds like average soap opera stuff, right? That's what I thought until someone brought me back to Genesis this week. Chapter 29 describes poor Jacob who winds up married to the sister he doesn't love and working for many more years to earn the sister he does love. Sister #1, knowing she is unloved, begins having children and naming them for her state of mind. By the time she has son #3 she names him Levi (which means 'to attach')and says, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons."

Frequently, we find the person we want to "be attached" to - in romantic relationships, business endeavors, friendships - and then we go ask God to bless the attachment, the alliance, if you will. There are many ways to force someone to be attached to you, but none of them will achieve success without us first being attached to God. Instead of forming an attachment and then asking God to plug on at the end, you need to be attached to God and let him be the bridge that brings you together.

Praying you holy alliances.

Blessings, The B.D.F.