Why Do We Have Leap Year?

Have you ever wondered why we have leap year? Take a look at this awesome video!

Take a look at this ministry, called “Leap Forward” (Sponsored by Hope International) that is trying to make the most out of this “extra day.” It’s a pretty cool video and their ministry was recently featured in USA Today.

Special Leap-Year Birthday “Shout—Out” to my friend Harry Pettyjohn!

40 Days of Lint?

Linsanity! After last nights win over the Dallis Mavericks I am suggesting that we change the 40 (46) days preceding Easter from Lent—to Lint. Anyone with me? If you are going to participate in “Lint” this year here are a few things you have to give up for the next 40 days—starting on Wednesday.

1. Riding the bench

2. Loosing

3. Sleeping on your brother’s couch

4. And—most importantly— you must not use Lin’s name in vain. If I hear one more play (Linism) on this kid’s name— I may have to give up watching Sports Center for the next 40 days. Although, you have to admit, “You can’t Lin-it unless you’re Lin-it.” is pretty darn clever. (do you have a favorite?)

Ok, this post is probably way too far gone to talk about something serious—but here it goes.

With Ash Wednesday only a few days away— I wanted to let you know what my friends at Blood: Water Mission (started by the band Jars of Clay) are doing, and to challenge you to join me, in the 40 Days of Water Campaign,  from February 22nd to April 7th.

Typically during the Lenten season we spend 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, preparing our hearts for Holy Week and Easter. This year for lent I have decided to do something good, at the same time, for the people of Uganda. Please take a minute to watch this quick video and read my challenge below.

Yep—you heard me right! I am giving up coffee, and all other drinks, other than water, from Ash Wednesday until Easter morning, and I am asking for your support in one of 2 ways.

1. Join me. Why not take the 40 day water challenge with me? You can sign up with Blood: Water Mission here. If I can do it… you can do it!

2. Sponsor me. If you support what I am doing tell me in the comment section below that you will make a contribution, directly to Blood: Water Mission, for every day that I participate in the 40 Day Water Challenge. Maybe you can sponsor me for .25 cents a day? What about a dollar a day? Whatever it is—at the end of the 40 days you can make your donations directly to Blood: Water Mission here.

Thanks, What do you say?

When you have six children there are going to be a few battles that you will fight everyday, and sharing is one of them. Around my household it’s usually food, toys, food, TV, food, games, food, books, food, friends, food, clothes— did I mention food? Sharing, or being more generous, is something that we get better with as we get older—at least I am hoping that’s true.

Yet, as followers of Jesus, for the most part, we (myself included) are not very good at sharing—sharing our hope in Christ with others.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Scripture is pretty clear that we should be willing, and prepared, to share the hope that we have in Christ with anyone who asks, and to do that with love and respect. Yet, many of us break into cold sweats with the thought of sharing our faith with someone at work or school. We have fears of being asked theological questions that we can’t answer, seeming judgmental, or appearing to put our hope, in the opinion of some, in superstition and myth—so we just keep our faith to ourselves.

But, I would never let my kids get away with those reason to NOT to share at home.

I would never let my kids get away with these arguments…

Well, Dad, this cookie is really a personal cookie and I don’t want to offend anyone with it. I mean, what if they are allergic to chocolate chip?

or,

I really don’t know how to share this cookie, and what if they say no?

or

yeah, but what if they ask me questions about my cookie that I don’t know how to answer them?

I know that these are facetious questions to make a point, but consider these follow up questions. When we don’t share what God has done for us, through Jesus, are we being selfish?  Does the personal risk/cost of sharing outweigh the benefit to the person that you might be sharing with?

What about you? Do you have fears about sharing your faith? When is it challenging? When is it easy? Is it our responsibility? Why does God choose to use us to share the message of Grace through faith?