The Simple Joys

Tonight at Master Club (the Wednesday night kids program at Heartland Baptist in Ames) one of the fifth-grade girls who I barely know came up to me and said, “A miracle happened this morning!”

I responded, “What?!”

She said, “My mom was released from prison!”

Me: “That’s so great! I’m glad to hear that!”

Girl: “Yeah, she’s been there for five years!” The glow on her face made that moment the highlight of my day.

Wow…she’s been without her mom since she was in kindergarten or first grade. It reminded me of the “simple” joys of life that I’ve experienced and have yet to experience.

1) I’ve had both of my parents at home my whole life and all my siblings for their entire lives.

2) When I was saved, I was released from a prison to sin.

3) Someday, I will be released from the prison of my mortal body and be given an immortal one.

4) Some of my family members have already been released from the prisons of this life and are waiting in heaven for me, and I’m looking forward to that reunion.

5) Each time someone is saved, they are released from prison for the first time ever in life, and I should be ecstatic!

6) God has made all these things possible, and if I don’t have the same joy that that girl had upon receiving her mother again, shame on me.

Thank you God, for the reminder of your grace in my life tonight, and thank you that this girl received her mom back once again.

Brazil!!!

Well, after 10 summers on staff at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, God is leading me somewhere else this year. If you haven’t guessed already, this summer I am going to Brazil.

God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve Him there for seven weeks alongside Jim and Julie Leonard, long-time family friends. I am excited for this ministry and consider it a privilege to become acquainted with missions work in Northeast Brazil. For many years I have wanted to go on an overseas missions trip, but I just never felt God leading me that direction. Well, this summer He has!

As I pursue future full-time ministry as a pastor and church planter, I believe God will use this trip in my life to increase my awareness for foreign