We were having breakfast in our home with some good friends yesterday. They are outstanding folks who we admire greatly. Plus he sings in a band. And that’s cool.

In the middle of serving Korean Chicken and Jalapeño Waffles, J-man walked up to me and gave me my 37 year old Winnie the Pooh Bear.

Barely hanging onto his eyeballs and left leg,that raggedy old thing warmed my soul.

Or maybe it was the way that J gave it to me and the look of deep, deep care in his eyes.

You see we tend to throw old things away. Sometimes that is good. Other times, we should hang on to the raggedy.

Rags have something to offer us when they are offered with care.

As I’ve been thinking about fundraising this week, I think it’s important to note that rags are ok. They can even be good.

Oftentimes, as we look to grow our business, ministry or even friendships, we tend to look for the bright, shiny and clean.

The rag tag bunches of people get overlooked. You get overlooked. I get overlooked. 

I love how Jesus surrounded himself with a Rag/Tag and Diverse bunch of supporters.

There were plenty of mental health/spiritual issues, anonymous donors, questionable people, enemies.

Jesus is in the business of esteeming people and give them a role in his work! What an incredible example for those of us in ministry.

May we break the mold as we think about potential customers, friends or donors.

There are people that you have never thought of that need a relationship with you – and you with them.

You need them.

They need you.

We need we.

Whether you are a friend, a neighbor, a fundraiser or a business person, take ten minutes to scroll through your contacts on your phone and ask yourself – “Who needs to be involved with what I’m up to today?”

How could that bring a new season of life?

How could their presence bring vibrancy to our company, cause or purpose?

How can you insert vibrant life to them?

Bring your rags and I’ll bring mine.

Let’s look at each other with care, share story and watch God do something with our tiny little and extremely important lives. Together.

Kevin

PS – Let me know if you want the Korean Chicken and Jalapeño Waffle recipe. They are silly tasty.

 

There is much to glean from the story and experience of others.

I remember my grandfather and grandmother on my mom’s side of the family recounting stories of the Netherlands and WWII. These stories have impacted how I think about family. They bring reality to an attitude of thankfulness.

Funny stories that we share around the dinner table remind us of the good times in the past and the great memories to come.

Story shapes us. They molds us. Stories makes us who we. Story guides us and creates pieces of our identities.

As a handful of you are aware, I’ve entered a new chapter in my story.

Sarah and I took a year to decide to enter this chapter. With a bit of fear and excitement all mixed together.

I find myself in a library today, entering a new season of study at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI.

Why? Because my story is still unfolding, being shaped, tracing it’s course.

Kind of like a river. Kind of like your story.

My first learning unit in the Doctorate of Ministry program is all about learning the “Art of Hearing” as presented by Rubin and Rubin.

I will be investigating the oral tradition, history and theology of fundraising in YL and the impact on methodologies practiced today.

Interviewing the likes of Jeff Munroe, Jack Fortin, Janie Sutherland, Bob Mitchell, Arnie Jacobs, Ted Johnson, and many other fine folks.

And it pumps me up!

We have a rich history in YL. One full of great stories that have shaped our mission to kids. A story that has changed the course of lives of staff people, donors, committee members and leaders alike.

This story longs to be told. I’m going to work hard to tell it. 

So yes, on most Friday’s over the course of the next few years, I will be documenting my journey in this program on the blog.

Don’t worry – other days will still have funny stories of our family and the antics that play out in our everyday lives.

My hope is that the telling of story will help you (and me!) value the course that the Lord has brought each of us on, and continues to wind out before us.

Your story is valuable. I’m excited to hear more about it.

Kevin

For the record, Sarah is an expert at grass cutting. And I am at grocery shopping. We take seriously our gifts and this whole “one flesh” thing.

Also, as of the last 28 months, we live in the western edge of the EST.

So, even in May, it stays light really late at night.

8:28 pm type of late. Even when it’s been dark in NYC for a good 99 minutes.

(Wait until June 21 – the kids won’t want to go to bed until 10:39pm. And it’s AWESOME!)

Also – we are having shin dig at our house this weekend.

So sorry if you haven’t heard about it. We tried really hard to invite you and to gather email addresses. (Email is so archaic).

Sarah started cutting the grass yesterday afternoon.

And I finished it tonight. @ 9:49PM.

Our  yard is a mess. Like, I had to decide to not mow portions of it this evening because there were small mouth bass and tadpoles swimming in the yard.

The muddy footprints throughout the grass? Those belong to ME. Not the B.F.G.

We kinda forgot that we don’t live in CA anymore – where it is 85 degrees the first weekend of May.

So why not invite 200 people over? It’ll be cool!

And then 88 people say “YES!” –  with rain in the forecast.

Here’s the reality:

Our lives are full. Sometimes we barely fold the laundry (thanks Linda and Candy) or sweep the floor.

We have mud, unfinished rooms, weeds, ugly wallpaper.

But our lives have YOU. That is what makes our living rich. That is why we want to have you over. Mud, Mess and All! YOU!

The fact that we can enter into the messiness together is vital. Our lives are not all put together and neither is your life.

And that’s ok. It might even be good.

So yes! Wear mud boots and laugh as we share a bit of livin’ with one another. This is what makes life real.

So, even when you are cutting the grass in the dark, know that the messy life of togetherness is worth it.

Manicured lawns and decent drainage be darned.

Let’s live some of the muddy, messy life together!

Kevin

 

 

 

 

Imagine this with me: 22 yards of dirt, 10 tons of crushed concrete, 8 yards of sand, leaking well room, dry lock, hammer drill, grass seed, too much raking, a skid steer and a tractor. Two full weekends of working very hard in the front yard with family and friends.

And then this…

A sweet ol’ lady that I’ve never met in the 2+ years of living in this neighborhood strolls down the street past our house and pauses at the end of our driveway to engage in conversation.

“It’s surely going to rain this weekend. That will do wonders for your dandelions.”

So I respond, semi-very kindly, “We sprayed them early this week – so hopefully they will be gone soon.”

(Insert semi-very fake smile)

“That’ll be interesting,” she notes.

I stare. Semi-Very-Kindly.

“You know,” she says, “That dandelions……”

Blah…Blah…Blah… (insert 5th grade science lesson on how weeds propagate)

“Pretty soon the whole neighborhood will be yellow because of you.”

I literally bite the inside of my cheek and say: “We are doing our best around here. One day at a time.”

The sweet lady that I never met. Criticized me. And pissed me off.

“You don’t even know me!” I thought. “I have this, this and Sarah has her business happening. Plus we have great friends and family, and two wonderful little boys and one big boy (man) in our family. We work hard. Multiple jobs, full schedules, and can’t afford to spend more money on our stupid front yard this month.”

Criticism is hard. Even when it comes from strangers. 

Deep breath.

What will we do? When unwanted criticism n  comes our way?

My tendency is defensiveness.

= Not a good tendency.

Can we actually take a deep breath? Listen well and consider that the little ‘ol lady might be onto something?

My hope is that, maybe, we could.

Each of us are doing our best right? 

Kevin

PS – I’m calling Tru Green tomorrow. These dandelions might actually make the whole world yellow if we don’t act soon. 

We live in a time where community = Facebook friends, twitter followers, & Instagram likes.

The problem with this is that… well… “likes” “follows” “hearts” etc do not = real relationships.

So how do we have real relationships that bind people together? Through thick and thin?

What is the amplification of camaraderie?

What is the ROI on togetherness?

What is the value of journeying together?

In order to answer these questions, We must work hard to identify and create common denominators.

What do people have in common? What do they like to do? What are they good at being/accomplishing?

As we answer these questions, we must learn to value serving people.

Can we make regular deposits into their lives?

Whether they are family members, customers or supporters of our ministry, may we never treat people like ATM machines. Only making withdrawals when we need something.

We must value inviting our people into something significant. A new product, story, or way of living.

May we give, and work hard to create real community that lasts.

Kevin

PS – here is a really good story of some folks with common denominators. The very world was changed because of the experiences that they had together.

PSS – If you are a person who relays on others for ministry support, here are some notes for you to peruse.

The road we travel can be a long one. Or sometimes the road is cut way shorter than we expect.

We find ourselves in circumstances that sends us to our knees, throws us off course and discombobulates our sense of self, direction and hope.

Enter the “WHY?” question.

Why this?

Why this?

Why is this happening?

These are all people we know to varying degrees. Donor/Friend, family, esteemed colleague.

You see, sometimes, we feel like lambs among wolves.

That our throats are getting ripped out, that we are bleeding along the way.

The people around us hurt. We hurt.

As a follower of Jesus, this should not be news to me. Though it often takes me by surprise and hurts deeply.

My role, in the middle of these tumultuous stories is:

To make attempts to trust God more than I trust myself.

To be a promoter of peace.

To value long term relationships.

To lean into a policy of thankfulness.

Even when the WHY makes zero sense at all to me.

I’m convinced, if we continue down the road of sorrow and being eaten alive by the pain of this world, that our outcome has the potential to be joy.

Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Kevin

 

 

 

Last week, the Panama Papers made headlines world wide.

Now, the news story is eerily silent.

Like secrets tend to be.

We have a mantra in our family: “We don’t keep secrets.”

Period. None. Over. No secrets.

Sometimes we have surprises – like birthdays, gifts, silly adventures.

But. No. Secrets. Ever.

With regard to the Panama Papers, all these people have been living with big secrets…holding tons of financial, political and relational information…

Until they aren’t secrets anymore.

You see, secrets don’t stay secrets forever. 

Until someone (significant) finds out.

Like our spouse, coworker, supervisor or friend.

Then what?

Wow.

May we all live in reality. Never keeping the truth from those we love and those that we do not even know as we attempt to live with honesty and integrity.

Kevin

 

So… this is a new theme in my life.

Pirates.

The long gnarly beards, ships, swords, treasure type of pirates. Think Peter Pan. Not Somalia.

You name it, pirates rule the conversation of our household and car rides these days.

We are on the way to drop off a good friend and say hello to their cows, chickens, kids and his really great wife.

When J-Man asks “Does God love pirates?”

So I ask my great friend, in the passenger seat – “Mr. Curt – what do you think?”

Mr Curt: “Yeah – God Loves pirates. God loves everyone,” he tells him.

Curt knows God and the love and forgiveness of God well.

“But, does he like them and love them?”

Well, now, that’s a really great question my boy…

Yes. Yes – he loves them and he likes them.

“But does he likes what they do when they steal stuff and hurt people on their ships?”

Hmmm… well…

Ok… let me think about this, my 4 year old son. They didn’t really cover this in seminary.

Here we go: God loves and likes everyone. Ever. For all of history and all of the future.  

Sometime we make bad decisions, like not respecting each other, or yelling at each other, or taking stuff that belongs to someone else. Like treasure, ships, toys, hearts and hopes.

God isn’t pumped about that. But he still likes and loves us. Just like the pirates.

Period. End of sentence. Forgiven. Done.

You see, God lives in this place called hopefulness that is filled with a redemptive purpose. That all has been made right. For me, for you, for the pirates. 

Can we breath that in today? In the hope of forgiveness? That all has been made right? That God might actually care about us? About pirates?

We are no different than they – those stinky, rotten pirates.

And yes, God love/likes us. Just like them.

Kevin

 

Napa Wine from our dear friends at Bos Wine and new friends who have family at Perata Vineyards, Salumi, ocean trout, Poke, Sushi Burritos, and of course, Pizza House – an Oak Park favorite.

Sarah and I rounded out a very busy month of travel this past weekend in our old hometown of Sacramento.

Not only did we taste and see great food and wine, we tasted and saw great friendships that filled our souls with thankfulness. 

What a gift to be able to attend & briefly speak at the main fundraiser in our old YL area.

To see friends that have shaped our lives, loved us well, been in the trenches shoulder to shoulder with us for 10 years.

We are beyond grateful for that season of life and the continued friendships. 

Taste and See in this way and our lives will never be the same!

What relationships are you experiencing lately? What time and energy have you put in to maintain those friendships?

May each of us dig deep into ourselves and taste and see the value of friendship, live in the memory of days gone by and celebrate the ever-now together.

Thanks to the City of Sacraments and all of its fine people. We love you, cherish you and miss you.

Kevin

PS – come visit Pure Michigan! We love it here – and you will too. The people are FANTASTIC! And the lakes don’t have sharks, salt water or jelly fish!

 

 

Lukas Graham has an interesting song that is being played on the radio pretty much nonstop the last few weeks. It’s been reverberating in my soul for weeks now.

It tells the story of growing up, the power of sharing stories and his rise to fame.

Then it shifts gears toward the future. “Soon we’ll be 30 years old…”

And then again: “Soon I’ll be sixty years old – I hope my children will come and visit once or twice a month.”

Even though I’m not nearly as young and hip as Lukas (and only mostly infamous), I find myself in the middle of a tension. Much like Lukas writes about.

I have a job that I love, that I spend a lot of time doing, and that brings me life.

I also want my wife and boys to know me. I want to know them. I want to be present. Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

If you talk to my wife, she would say that we do know each other, and we do spend lots of time together. Thankfully, I am learning how to do this better!

If I am honest, sometimes, I overvalue providing for my family financially. My brain whirls with work, even when I am home or on vacation. I want to prove my worth.

I want to be a present neighbor, friend and brother/son/husband. And I’m taking steps (counseling 🙂 to do just that.

Now, I will continue to put my heart and soul into my job.

But I will continue to vow to value my family more than my vocation?

What will the cost be if I don’t make this choose?

We all find ourselves here. And, yes, we have great responsibility to those around us that we should not take lightly.

May we lean into those responsibilities with joy, but never at the expense of having quality and depth of relationships those around us. Especially our spouse and kids.

When I’m 60 years old, I’m hoping my kids come to visit WAY MORE than once or twice a month.

Kevin