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Today is Bethany’s birthday. I’m incredibly lucky to have her in my life. Since it’s her 30th, I thought I’d write out 30 things I love about her.

1. Her smile
2. Her sense of humor
3. Her green eyes
4. Her strong personality
5. Her determination
6. Her love for people
7. Her amazing sandwich making skills
8. Her thriftiness
9. Her capacity for giving
10. Her perspective
11. Her relationship with God
12. Her passion for students
13. Her insane cleanliness
14. Her ability to work with students
15. The fact that she thinks she can dance
16. The way her hand fits in mine
17. When she says “I’m taller than you now” (when wearing chunky shoes) and she’s still inches shorter than me
18. That she is a wonderful mother to Parker and Kent
19. That she’s a better blogger than me
20. Her ability to articulate herself
21. When she “rocks out” with the boys in the kitchen to 80s music
22. When she “listens” to me talk about things that she has no real interest in
23. That she’s trustworthy
24. That she’s the same person in private as she is in public
25. Her style
26. Her creativity
27. The fact that she’s a hottie
28. Her passion to know God and to make Him known
29. That she’s my best friend
30. That I’m going to be with her forever

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Looking for ways to save money? Try unplugging some of your common appliances as this video explains.

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I’m headed down to Springfield today and tomorrow for IYCM’s Momentum Convention. I’m looking for to hanging out with students, seeing friends from around the state and, mostly importantly, seeing students challenged in their faith.

Here’s a lineup of this year’s guests:

• Guest speaker: Robert Madu
• Worship band: Pocket Full of Rocks
• Comedian: Scott Gregory
• Friday night concert with After Edmund, Addison Road, and Building 429.

It’s going to be a great (though probably exhausting) weekend.
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I did some yard work today while Bethany was out with Kent for most of the afternoon. I finally edged the lawn along part of the sidewalk in front of our house. I don’t think it’s been done since the house was built 30+ years ago. There were places where grass was growing 4 inches over the sidewalk. Brutal. I’d like to think I’ll get to the other side of the driveway, but my back needs to recover a bit first.

I also busted out the leaf blower. Part of me wants to wait until all of the leaves have fallen and the other part of me can’t stand the blanket of brown and orange that threatens to ruin my lawn. But it was a perfect day for Parker to play outside, so I made a large pile for Parker to jump in. He had a blast.

Here are some pics from the day and you can see more here.

From Fall 2008

From Fall 2008

From Fall 2008

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(The picture doesn’t really have any relevance to the post, I just thought it was clever.)

Last night in youth service I spoke from Romans 8:9-15. Verse 13 says, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live….”

I’ve recently started listening to Francis Chan and he referenced this passage in one of his sermons. He talks about how this is violent language. That Paul is talking about brutal, life or death stakes. Something must die: either you or your sin. There’s no middle ground.

So this leaves us with two kinds of people: those who are killing their sin and those who are being killed by their sin.

Those who kill their sin do so because the Spirit of God (vs 10) is living inside of them. Just think about that. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells inside those who follow Him (vs. 11). That’s power! With the Spirit of the living God in me, there’s no room for fear or anemic Christian life. I can walk victorious and confident knowing my standing and relationship with God is secure (vs. 15).

Unfortunately, many believers settle for a faith that involves struggle and ultimately a slow “killing” from their sin. We falsely believe that the struggle can’t be overcome and God’s Spirit (though able to raise Christ from the dead) isn’t powerful enough to help us through our problems. But then, if that’s the case, is the Spirit really in us (vs. 9)?

Kill or be killed. Which are you?

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