Wow!! The date is drawing near...

It doesn't seem that long ago that Pam and I were thinking through the possibility of moving to Fargo to plant churches with our best friends, John and Abby. Now we are less than 4 week from it becoming a reality. Though I am very excited about what is in store for us and anxious about the work we will be doing in Fargo, nervousness has really began to set in.

Pam gave her two week notice at work today, which was a big step toward Fargo for us. After she left for work this morning a wave of emotion swept over me. The hugeness of what we are about to embark on started to really sink in. We are moving to a city we love, but is totally new to us. We are leaving a comfortable life, with good jobs, going to a place where we are not real sure where we are going to work, and really how our life is going to look. It kind of made me sick to think about.

So I do what I always do when I am overcome by emotion, I started reading the bible. In the process of planning and talking about planting churches in Fargo Jeremiah 29:4-13 has been a source of vision and inspiration for us. Much of what we desire to see happen in Fargo is found in the first few verses. Our vision is to see community built in Fargo that seeks the "welfare of the city."

But this morning the famous words of verse 11 really gave me a lot of peace and encouragement.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. "

Even though I can't tell you what it's going to look like or the detail of jobs, money, and other such detail, we really believe God knows what is going to happen and His plan is not for evil but for our welfare.

I know doubt and fear are going to continue to show up as we move closer to our move, but I rest on Jeremiah 29:11 and look forward to our hope and future.

What's up in here!

My goodness peoples, has it ever been a crazy 6 weeks. Blizzard, winter storm, two mothers visit, a historic flood, the birth of our daughter, got a new place, moving from the old one to the new one, and now unpacking and waiting on the next flood crest and getting back to planting Mission Fargo.

We are enjoying our sweet daughter Julia so so much and also our new place.

It has been so overwhelming lately being apart of something as daunting as fighting a flood. Something I am so reminded of is the power of God. Something like an every widening and strong flowing river is scary and so powerful, but chew on this; God made that, not only did God make that he also wills it. WOW that is a powerful God, and I am so glad i worship this powerful God.

Another thing from the flood that floors me is a word that we at Mission Fargo hold so near and dear and that is community. The city and surrounding areas lived community. People that had no vested interest in the Red here in Fargo came and gave their all to fight for peoples homes. People that had already lost so much were in the middle of large piles of sand filling bags when they could be wallowing in self pity, but instead they are in there fighting for people they didn't know and might not ever meet.

I worked along side people from many different social strata, all for one common goal. When I was on the dikes I was in a super ritzy part of town. These homes were huge and beautiful and to be honest way out of my league. These kind people who we were there to help showered us with drinks, food, use of the homes etc. In many other times of life I would not have crossed paths with them, but they were there with us loving on all of us and thanking us for our hard work.

Friends this is why we are starting Churches here. We want to build a Christ centered community in the city to love the city. Not for our own selfish gain, but because Christ is so wonderful and his grace so lovely that it compels us to pass this along and create a city within the city.

Radio Debut

I mentioned last week that my father-in-laws new radio show in Jacksonville, FL would soon be hitting the airwaves as well as the webstream waves (or however you would say that). Well that day is tomorrow.

For those interested in hearing our radio debut go here and click on the "Listen Online" button. For those in the eastern time zone it starts at 11pm and those in the central time zone it starts at 10pm.

I am super excited about working with my father-in-law on this and I really think you will enjoy it if you choose to stay up a little late and listen.

Here is a flyer to check out: