Being There

Went to KU last night.

It was part of an annual pilgrimage to visit the foundation of the game of basketball. Kansas started it, sustains it, and may just take it to the top...again.

Honestly, they didn't look like the number one team in the nation last night. It was still fun to be there with AJ and thousands of the Jayhawk faithful to cheer them on and enjoy the experience.

It's always good to be back home in Allen. Everyone needs to experience it at least once...once a year that is.

Old Habits are in for New Year

Every time the New Year rolls around we all have a tendency to think about new goals, new diets, new workouts, and new disciplines. It’s part of the post holiday recovery process. We think about doing something new that we should have been doing all along.

As I was studying the Gospel of Matthew today, it was good to take a peek at Joseph’s life. He was the type of guy that didn’t need a New Year to jump start his follow through. He had a habit of not waiting to do the right thing when God prompted.

We don’t hear much about him. He doesn’t get the press that Mary does when it comes to all of the Christmas story stuff. But he plays an important role in the ushering in of our King. He follows through every time he is instructed.

Listen to this: “And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him…” Matthew 1:24
“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night and left for Egypt…” Matthew 2:14
“So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.” Matthew 2:21

How about that for follow through? An angel would show up with a message or he would have a dream with God speaking and without hesitation, he is taking action. Without his immediate obedience, we might not celebrate Christmas the way we do today.

So how is your follow through when God grabs your attention? Do you jump up and go for it, or do you put it off for a little later or the next day? If Joseph had delayed, Jesus could have been executed via Herod’s command along with all of the other young babies in that region. I am so thankful for that he did follow through…immediately.

How about this year, resolving to act immediately in response to God’s instruction in your life. You read it in His Word, you follow through on it. You get convicted and need to ask forgiveness, go do it…immediately. You see someone who needs your help, lend a hand. When parents or a boss ask you to do something, get it done…as soon as they ask.

We don’t need to a new year to remind us to follow through, we need only to look at Joseph and follow his example of obedience. He stopped long enough to listen and then respond.

That’s where I want to be every day.

Wandering from the Wonderful

If you haven’t sat down to watch a quality movie in a while, grab “It’s a Wonderful life” and prepare to be challenged.

Every year, part of our Christmas traditions includes a Christmas eve church service, followed up by some Chinese food (don’t ask how that all got started), and then pulling up in front of the fireplace while we watch “It’s a Wonderful life.”

Jimmy Stewart’s performance as George Bailey coupled with the world’s best movie plot somehow always seems to put it all in perspective for me. After almost three hours of that old black and white film, I climb the stairs and drop into bed, emotional drained.

Maybe it’s because I can identify with Harry Bailey (George’s father). He reminds me so much of my own dad: selfless, giving, others centered, and basically sacrificing his whole life to help a few people in his small town have a better life (the sign on his wall behind his desk reminds me of one of life’s more important principles….You can only take with you that which you give away). So true.

Then again, it might be the miracle of all of George’s friends coming to the rescue at the end of the film after Uncle Billy inadvertently misplaces thousands of dollars. It’s the law of reaping what you sown It’s also the principle of how God uses ordinary people to accomplish modern day miracles. There’s some good theology in this movie.

George was a dreamer. George had plans. More than once, George gave up the rights to what “he was going to do” in order to help others (Humm….where have I heard that one before?).

In the end, he was able to see how significant his life truly was. At times, he thought he hadn’t done much. He wondered about what life could have been had he got outside the city limits of Bedford Falls. He even thought he might be more valuable dead than alive.

As I hit my pillow tonight, I am thankful for the gift of life. I want to make sure that I don’t wander too far from the life that is Wonderful.

Clarence got his wings, George got perspective on his life, and all of his friends had the opportunity to ‘give back” The best part of the film is the final scene where everyone sings, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

God and sinners reconciled….that’s a Wonderful Life.

Party Time

We threw a little party at the Wiebe house last night for all of the Kwest folks who are hangin around Branson. Complete with Christmas trivia, great food, and lot's of fun stuff in a gift exchange, helped us all laugh a lot and have fun.





The big winners of the night had to be the Rapp family. They always seem to do well when it comes to competition. The best part was watching all of their kids get excited about opening lots of gifts and then trading stuff. It was a new concept for them.




It seems like getting engaged was the thing to do this past week. We had lot's of folks start down that road. Travis and Molley have the Kanakuk buidling buzzing while Lauren, McKenna, and Sarah Bishop have kept the K Institute folks all talking. What happened to that January 1 rule?




One side benefit was that it was great to have Jake (our new golden retriver) catch up on some of his socialization skills. He loved being around everyone.


By thw way, Lindsay drew the most interesting reindeer of the evening. It did pay off though. She was rewarded for her art work with extra gifts.

You can't keep a good man down

Everyone has friends.

Some of us are fortunate to have great friends...you know the kind of friendship that is created when you get to do something awesome together or go through a situation that really bonds you together.

Then there are those that have life friendships that span over many years and just can't be explained to others how much you value and appreciate that person.

Allen Befort could probably use a few prayers this week. I know he will mad that I asked, but I'd love it if you could pray for him.

He picked up mono, a busted spleen, a couple of trips to the hospital, and after some time in ICU, he is out and feeling a little better...sort of. Just another typical week for Befort. He seems to always be doing those kind of things.

Pray for him. I know he is a friend to so many of the Kwest gang, and to me.

I'm sure I am way behind communication by now. I know Allen has plenty of followers via his twitter stuff. Regardless, I wanted to let you know that he could use our prayers this week.

Thanks for your friendship to him, and to me.