So what the heck is Ash Wednesday!?

So... What is it!?  


- "Not positive but I know you're supposed to eat fish on Fridays"


- "It's a time where you pray and fast all day for over a month"


- "Seems like an out of date ritual for Catholics"


- "A specific time to focus on what's most important to you"


- "Is that the day after Mardi-Gras starts!?"

Ask five people and you might very well get five different responses on 'What is Ash Wednesday'.  Though many folks have differing opinions and experiences in regards to this day most view (religious or not) as something special.  I thought, since it only happens once a year and it just so happens I typically blog on Wednesdays, I'd take today to break it down and even give some fun ideas for families!!  I also realize that many in different Protestant denominations just have no clue about just how significant this time can be to any follow of Christ.

Ash Wednesday (according to Wikipedia):

"Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar, directly following Shrove Tuesday... According to the gospels, Jesus Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting or abstinence... Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes (formally called The Imposition of Ashes) on the foreheads of adherents as a celebration and reminder of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday."

*In short... Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a 40-day fast, where we give up something to focus on the upcoming resurrection celebration (Easter)!

As a youthworker over the past ten years one of the most important jobs I felt I had was to teach students "the Why" we believe what we believe.  Ash Wednesday has some cool history to it from burning the palm leaves from palm sunday to create ash to an intentional time of fasting, just like Jesus! Why wouldn't all followers take this season (40 Days) spending a little more intentional time with our Savior.  

Last night during dinner my kids and I (Court had a "girls night" whatever that means :)) were able to discuss "Fat Tuesday" and that the more important thing was Ash Wednesday starting today.  I asked if there was anything they felt they could and would like to give up to be closer to God.  To my surprise each thought very intentionally and two of them came up with some incredible sacrifices.  Jackson said to "not be lazy... this month I will get up off the couch and do some burpees with you" (Yeah, I've been FINALLY working out again).  Creighton said she would like to give up her dolls.  Though I will probably talk her into something else I was touched by her thoughfulness that "I talk to them more than God."  And finally the cherry on top, Charleigh said "I wodt thenk abot Mi--- Mouse." Me: "YOU'RE NOT GOING TO THINK ABOUT MICKEY MOUSE!?" (Knowing this would be a HUGE deal).  Charleigh: "No Dad... Not thenk abot MiNNIE Mouse."  So there you go...  If you're wondering about mine, I'm committing to being spiritually AND physically healthy (consistent reading, prayer, exercise and eating right, I'm sure there will be more to come on this).  

How about you?  What will you and  your family be doing this holy season!?


4 Questions to Ask Yourself
 as you get started (taken from Rachel Evens)

1. When I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning, how will I be different?

2. Is there a habit or sin in my life that repeatedly gets in the way of loving God with my whole heart or loving my neighbor as myself? How do I address that habit over the next 40 days?

3. Is there anyone in my life from whom I need to ask forgiveness or pursue reconciliation?
4. Begin my Lenten fast with asking God what He wants me to "pick up" from Him, and that will help me discern what I should "put down" for Him
.

Some practical ideas for you and/or your family:


• Family Activities for the Forty Days of Lent
• 40 Ideas to Keep it Holy during Lent
• Creative Family Ideas for Lent

• Here's some 'Adding' ideas: 
• Tutoring a child at the school
• Giving food to a shelter
• Praying 3-5 specific times each day
• Reading through one or two gospels 
• Walking by yourself or with your family

• Here's a couple books with a 40-Day focus
• A Place at the Table
• 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed
• The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life

A Protestant Passover

The sun had just set on the 15th day of Nisan and the reading of the Haggadah at the Seder table had begun... If you are like me, you either already stopped reading this or mumbled through that entire first sentence.  My hope is that this is not your first post to read on the topic of the Passover Seder given that Matt andSankie both shared their Holiday Faith Talks earlier this week.  Our family also sat down to share in this over 2,500 year old tradition and would love to share some of our thoughts from our experience.

Each Monday night is Berg Family Fun Night in our home and when thinking about this particular night several weeks back we were so excited to learn that Monday, April 14th at Sunset was the first day of the traditional passover celebration.  Though for most of my life I have been a conservative protestant, I have always enjoyed learning about other denominations like Catholicism (Read my post on Ash Wednesday) and was very excited to grow in my knowledge of another world religion (Judaism) this week.  The meal begins with washing of hands but the preparation began far earlier this time.  A couple days before, I had gone to Walmart to pick-up some essentials to our evening only to learn that you not only cannot purchase lamb at Walmart but might not want to either.  So off to Sprouts to find a "traditional" looking rack of lamb I had seen in all the cool pictures.  Upon arrival, we found that there was already a "Passover" table set-up for all the folks looking to get in and get out this season.  Having been around church for many years and personally never hearing of ANYONE celebrating the Passover Seder, I was shocked that there was enough demand for these items that the store created a special display at the front.  It was also at this time I realized how close I was cutting it, "You know you have to have this all prepared before sunset today" I was informed by an elder lady passing by in her cart.  As I continued to google product names and looking for more specific lists to find all my items I was slammed with the volume of detail for each "necessity" yet the amount of substitutes that were acceptable.  I have to admit, when I left I was feeling pretty excited about our purchases but semi-scared the kosher police were going to jump out of the bushes and mock us... I assume that is what they do!?

I'd like to say the meal preparation was the easy part but finding the materials was just the start.  Who knew lamb was so meticulous... Probably a lot of you!  I also found out that horseradish not only looks terrible, much like a cow heart, but when it is raw, tastes even worse than it looks.  Please enjoy the series of pictures in regards to horseradish below:

Time came, and as we prepared a place in our living room to sit and recline, the sun began to set.  We invited the kids to the room and began with the ceremonial hand washing.  I'd like to say the next hour was full of reverence, focus and growth and though some of that happened it was the kids excitement that was the most surprising.  Each time we celebrated with another glass of wine (FOUR GLASSES of sparkling grape juice) the kids could not have been more pumped, which was a beautiful picture of exactly the attitudes we are to have in hearing the gospel message of God (which is the ultimate purpose of the Passover celebration today).  

I'm not sure what my favorite piece of the evening was but I know it's wednesday and our kids still remember the reason for the sweet and bitter taste of the parsley and fruit-nut mix and the literal blood on the tray that came from the lamb.  Here are all of the typical pieces to a Passover Seder:

• Charoset: a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon that represents the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to make bricks.
• Zeroah (Lamb): often a shank-bone and commemorates the paschal sacrifice made the night the Hebrews fled Egypt, also symbolizing the outstretched arm of God. 
• Karpas: usually parsley, and represents the freshness of spring and growth for the Hebrews.
• Chazeret: is another bitter herb, most often the root of romaine lettuce.  
• Maror: is often a horseradish root that has been grated or blended and can literally bring tears to your eyes which is the bitterness of slavery the Hebrews endured for hundreds of years.
• Baytsah (Roasted Egg): signifying springtime and renewal but also stands in the place of one of the sacrificial offerings since the Jewish temple has been torn down to this day. 
• Matzah: stack of three pieces of unleavened bread.  The bread is a real example of the lack of time the Hebrews had when God told them to "go" out of Egypt (Sometimes you hide a smaller fourth piece to represent the struggles the Jews continue to face).
• Salt Water: to symbolize the tears and sweat of the Hebrew slaves (Often also paradoxically is a symbol of purity and the sea that brought salvation from the Egyptian army.
• Wine: Four glasses representing the four biblical promises of redemption from God.  And today the spilled blood of Christ which we observe with the Lord's Supper.
• Hand Washing: to clean yourself before embarking on a holy meal.  Christ later takes it a step further in washing His disciples feet at their Passover Seder.

As Protestants we often move past tradition and ceremonies, willing to simply settle for symbolism once a quarter.  But we can learn so much from these times.  Only 30% of us are auditory learners, meaning most folks are visual and tactile-kinesthetic learners.  What can you do this week for not only your kids to learn something new but even you!?  I know how difficult it is to find time to spend with your family and to find more to prepare something like this is pretty much impossible.  However, I personally will never forget this Berg Family Fun Night and I have a feeling it will be something we do again next year.  We would love to hear your stories of this Holiday season. 

May we take the time to remember... May we remember God's provision for each step of our lives... May we remember the cross this weekend... May we remember why we first fell in love with Jesus... May we remember to teach our kids the values we have and where they came from... May we remember to include the Spirit in our homes, lives and future... May we remember the importance of the Church... May we remember!!

**Follow Jeff, also known as "surgeberg" on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram   

Who doesn't like treats?

My morning started like a lot of mornings recently… A mixture of early alarm clocks, cranky kiddos and a couple moments to catch up on correspondence.  Because of the "hustle and bustle" of morning prep and deadlines it's hard to take the time for a good morning meal but instead a quick breakfast bar running out the door.  Can you relate?  If you don't relate, give us a break, we're a bunch of night owls trying to accommodate the rest of you morning folks!!

But literally this morning (like minutes ago) I walked into the kitchen to see this:

Me: "Charleigh why are you giving Carly a treat?"
Charleigh: "Because she likes them"
Me: "Baby, we can't give her a treat just because she likes them"
Charleigh: "Why not?"
Me: "Because she can't always have treats, she needs something more nutritious"
Charleigh: "What's 'new-trish-ish'?"
Me: "Something more than just a treat" (Yes, I should have done a better job here)
Charleigh: "So two treats?"
Me: "We're late for school…"

As we left for school I realized how often I have been blowing it.  Not just with breakfast, that's the obvious, but spending time with God.  Lately I have been lucky to just get up and get everyone out the door without dying, if we're on-time God provided another miracle.  Typically I wake-up and take a moment and expect a "treat" from God.  I open my e-mails and read my devotional verse from Operation World or YouVersion all the while thinking this is enough to get me through my day.  And to be honest, it has!  Or at least I'm still alive this wednesday morning.  But what would it look like if I had taken the time to actually get a 'new-trish-ish' meal from His Word and not just a treat?  How much better would I have been to approach my cranky kiddos, the "bad drivers" while taking the kids to school, even in my responses via e-mails & texts (not even mentioning that they could ultimately wait until the kids are off)?

My hope this morning wasn't to judge or call you out… Hopefully encourage you with a little life lesson (Faith Moment) Jesus blessed me with this morning through my little girl (and dog)!!

This is what I read shortly there after (take some time and read the whole chapter for a more nutritious meal… Proverbs 2 (verses 1-6) says: "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Matthew 5:3

I came across a PBS news segment a few weeks back that was covering some "controversial" results from research done by Paul Piff at the University of California, Berkeley.  Since then, I have been chewing on it thinking not only about the results of his studies but how it strongly correlates into our spiritual lives.

Here's a link to the video (Money on the Mind) but if you don't have 10 minutes let me recap you real quick.  With over thirty different types of studies and thousands of participates, they feel the results are very conclusive that "rich" people feel more entitled to their wealth and that they help others (physically, mentally, charitably, etc) less than the "average joe".

Studies range from watching to see what different cars in an intersection would do ("luxury cars (porsche, mercedes, etc.) were 3 to 4 times more likely to break the law than 'regular' cars") to playing a "rigged" game of Monopoly (where one player, picked at random, was allowed to play with normal rules while the other had everything cut in half: half the start money, one dice to roll, collecting $100 when passing go, etc.).  After the rigged game of Monopoly, decided only by a coin toss, they asked the "rich" player in the game how much they deserved to win the game, the researchers found that "they were entitled... the rich person felt like they deserved and earned the win."

I mean... wow!!  For some reason this connected hard to my heart.  I didn't really care if the study was making a social status argument or adding fuel to the fire of the economic divide in our country.  I took it personally, I thought about my own salary and the fact that I often feel I have "earned it" working long hours or occasionally doing things I really dislike doing.  Then I thought about my kids and the way they often take for-granted dinner that Courtney works so hard on each night or that they "need" some apples and water at their bedside each night.  I thought about all the luxuries we have in the United States compared to our friends in Haiti.  I remembered a message I once heard where the speaker said: "if you have ever rode in a plane, have two cars and a savings account you are in the top 7% of the wealthiest folks in the world."  In fact, I found this website the other day that actually shows you were you are in the context of the rest of the world financially (Check it out, click here).

Like stated above, I'm not really concerned on whether you agree with the "politics" of what the study reveals or if that quote about wealth is 100% accurate or the hidden agenda of the website I linked.  I want to know if you can connect with some of the questions raised by the study?  But I'd also like to take it into a totally different focus than money.  What if we think about the same study but apply it to our spiritual lives.  Have you ever felt entitled to your faith, like you deserved the salvation you now possess?  Are you taking for granted the grace and mercy God has show you in your own life?  Do you see yourself as better than others because you know "the truth"?

It is my experience, both personally and talking with lots of folks over the years that something happens to us over time when we have a wealth of "spiritualness" in our lives.  We start thinking we deserve it, we start treating those outside our circle as 'broken' and ourselves as 'fixed', we start acting like we know the truth and they are 'lost'.  Though some of the points I just mentioned may be theologically accurate, I wonder what those "poor in spirit" see when they look at our lives.  I wonder how our relationship with God is when it's just the two of you late at night.  I've noticed in my own life, I often shift to a "me" focus.  From the fact that God chose me, that Jesus died for me, that the Spirit gives me strength; to I save myself, I made it possible to enter heaven and I beat sin.  FYI: I'm not trying to get into a Calvinism conversation, just asking 'how you are doing'?

How are you doing with loving others more than yourself (not because you're better than them but because God first loved us)?  How are you doing with sharing your faith(not because you know more than others but because Jesus commanded us to share)?  How are you doing with being in awe of God (not because you're more spiritually enlightened but because the Spirit has led you to His greatness)?

May we be more 'Jesus focused' and less 'us focused' this week.  May we be thankful for the gifts you continue to pour out on us.  May we never take for granted the sacrifice You made and calling us to your family.  May we never look down on others no matter the circumstance.  May we never treat others poorly because they are different.  May we love others because you first loved us.  May we be 'needy' in Spirit each day and grateful when you fill us up!! 

P.S. I'm the 29,805,011th richest person in the world... Though that doesn't seem so good, I'm reminded there's 7+ Billion folks in the world (I am "blessed to be a blessing")!!

An old tradition with a new spin...

I'm not sure about your family but mine loves the movies.  In fact, many of my close friends know that the Academy Awards are as big a deal in my family as most folks treat the Super Bowl.  Case in point: my mom and oldest sister get together each year and watch all the 'best picture nominations' the night before the "Oscars"... I told you it was a big deal!!  Needless to say I was way pumped when during our first Thanksgiving with Courtney's family I heard about one of their biggest "Little Traditions": Going to the movies Thanksgiving Day!!  Since we have a large family we are typically nailed down to a family film and most of the time I've been able to steer us in a positive direction.  Thus, I'm assuming tomorrow we are going to Disney's 'Frozen' (which opened today)... And I have a plan to take it up a notch!!

So here's what I was thinking and where this ties into the point of this blog.  Over the last several weeks I have been spending time with over a dozen families and discussing the different hopes and dreams of the New Beginnings' Faith Map.  One of these steps is called theFaith Talk.  This is where you as a family set a goal to meet for just a couple handful of minutes each week.  In this time you shoot to be intentional in talking about the Bible and asking questions to engage your family.  What I've personally seen recently is how easy this can be when you have kids in elementary school (See some examples of "Berg Family Fun Nights" click here) and how much more challenging it becomes when they become teenagers.  One of the tools we've been equipping parents with recently is a combination of reviews from Plugged-In and The Source for Parents of new and upcoming movies.  One of the coolest things even most recently by Plugged-In has be a specific resource they call "Movie Nights" which is a catalogue of movies with detailed reviews AND not only great discussion questions but biblical teaching points tied to the movie.  Just to give you an example I attached a great one from 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (not a new movie but it is dynamite).

 So this week (and really this month) I have a Holiday Challenge... Will you take 10-20 minutes and have a faith talk with your family (get the aunts, uncles and cousins in on it!!)?  I've given you a really easy way to start this tradition: take something you probably already do, watching movies, and just prep for a couple minutes to discuss what faith principles you saw in the film.

Please comment below if you are committing to The Holiday Challenge: 

Two Faith Talks over the Holidays (Thanksgiving & Christmas)!!

*Also, we as the NBFamily Pastors' have been working on a 15-week Faith Talk series to walk you through the major events of the Bible from cover to cover.  Each 'Week' has a: theme, bible reading (or Action Bible reading), key verse, teaching points, discussion questions, a prayer and an activity to tie it all together!!  So what's your excuse :)  Click herefor those

A Heart for Haiti

On the way home from church a week ago today, I was driving and chatting with the kids about their evening, when out of nowhere, Jackson said, “if I add my first name and the second part of my middle name, my name would be Johnson.”  Seemingly an innocent comment, however, it sent waves down my spine and memory. 

Johnson

You see, in the summer of 2011 I held a little boy that in the depths of my soul I wanted to call my own.  His name? Johnson.  We were in Haiti on our second mission trip near Port au Prince.  We happened upon an orphanage called Thagami. While there, we met Johnson, and that is also where a piece of my heart has remained ever since.  I had fallen in love with Haiti in the spring of 2003 on our first trip there, but I fell in love with it even more and more with each trip we’ve taken since.

“Haiti” is not a foreign word in our home.  Often our children will pray for Haiti, for our sponsor child there, for food and shelter for the people.  There isn’t a day that goes by that Jeff and I aren’t thinking, talking or praying about Haiti and it’s people.  It seems our kids are watching and listening, and imitating... That is Faith Mission!!

Jackson, our oldest, who is eight, has, for quite some, time exhibited the gift of compassion.  I know this is not a natural inherited thing, but most definitely a God-given spiritual gift.  Although he can be rough and tough and loud (and just like his Daddy), he can also be quite sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and to the hearts and stories of others.  I’ve known this for about two years, however, I had not understood the depths of which he grasps the hard things in life until last Wednesday on the way home.

Magda

We had certainly mentioned Johnson to the kids three summers ago and his image pops up on our pictures often.  I don’t think Jackson had remembered his name or his story.  We began talking about this sweet innocent little boy that was around five years old and his sister, who is about six, named Magda. I had reminded them that I loved Johnson and would really love to be able to adopt him someday.  Of course, in their innocence, their probing questions of why, lets do it today, why not, why, why and why some more, only seemed to scrape the wound off my heart for him and open a new one in Jackson’s.

Not understanding how his mom and dad would just drop him off at an orphanage and never return for him, or their lack of food, water and even shelter at times, caused a deep stirring inside of Jackson.  I believe in the depths of my soul, that in that moment (and certainly since) that Jackson could feel Johnson and Magda’s heartache for their mommy and daddy, for security, their loneliness, the hunger and thirst, their everyday agony.  As he literally sobbed for over an hour for two precious souls he’s never laid eyes on, I cried.  I cried sad tears because I too, want desperately to know that those precious faces are loved and cared for and that they know the LOVE of our Creator and that their needs are being met.  I cried because it’s hard for this Mommy to see her son weep in such a real way.  And I cried because I have joy.  I love that God’s gotten a hold of my little man.  I love that he’s gifted him with a gift that isn’t easy to have, but so worth it for the Kingdom. I love that Jackson, too, has a heart for Haiti, and for the suffering around the world.

Market in Port Au Prince

In just a little over eight months, Jackson and Creighton both will be joining us on our trip back to Haiti.  In a selfish way I am nervous, but essentially only really because I know in my heart that the Lord will do unbelievable things in the heart of my son while we are there.  And it might be that one-day my son will dare to live in a far away land serving others in his giftedness.  That day will be a bittersweet moment if that is what God has truly called him to, but I will know that he is exactly where he was meant to be.  For even at the young age of eight, his heart has been opened, his eyes have seen, and he cannot look away and pretend it doesn’t exist.  And neither can I.

Magda & Courtney

Our kids, your kids, all kids, watch and learn. They see our passion; we can’t hide our hearts—good or bad.  Jeff and I certainly (most definitely) don’t have it all figured out or even close (and please don’t hear that my son is a saint, because he’s most definitely going to need the next ten to twenty years to mature in every area…you know who his father is, right?)  But I love that he’s seen our passion, taken the gifts that God has gifted him with, and is beginning to want to use them. We all have that “power” as parents.

The big question is which of our passions are they going to take away?  Is it the love a sport, a team, an unreached people group, missions, church, scripture, reading, studying, hunting…the list could go on for fifty more pages.  None of those things are in and of themselves bad things, but we must know that they watch, they mimic, they listen. 

Johnson & Courtney

What are you passionate about?  What are your spiritual gifts?  Do you recognize in your children what spiritual gifts that they’ve been given?  Have you realized that God made everyone with unique talents, gifts, experiences, and personalities in order that His word and Name can be spread to every nook and cranny of this whole earth? He doesn’t need another “someone else”; He just needs YOU to be WHO He created you to be.  And your child(ren) to be who He created them to be.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Could it be that God is calling you to serve in a way you’ve never served before?  It doesn’t have to be Haiti, but it’s a great place to start if you and or your family want to serve overseas in a third world country.  It may not be your passion, it definitely won’t be everyone’s.  But I encourage you to find out what you are passionate about, where you are passionate, and go, do, be whatever it is He is calling you to.  The time is now.  There will never be a better time than right now.

Jacob our sponsor son in Neply

If you want more information about going with us to Neply, Haiti May 31-June 7, 2014, please contact me at bergcourtney@yahoo.com.  We are going with an organization calledMyLIFESpeaks for the forth time and currently have about half our spots full.  

We would love to have you join us! You won’t be sorry you said “Yes!”

Two other blog posts about Haiti:

- Live from Haiti (Update from the middle of the week during our last trip)

- Jezi Renmen Ayiyi (Charleigh's prayer for Haiti)

To see pics from the last two New Beginnings trips to Haiti click on the year:

2011, 2012 & 2013

LIVE FROM HAITI!!

We are in Haiti and the internet is spotty and thus I'm going to keep it short but here are five very cool ways the Faith Mission is being lived out and YOU'RE APART OF in Haiti!!

- Seniors who just graduated... Having just gone through our "Rite of Passage" and "Senior Sunday", multiple graduates have given up their week and flown to the poorest nation in the western hemisphere and are now fully engaged in service to the King!!

- John Crater & Susan Mackey (The "patriarchs" of our trip)...  They have been a huge blessing to so many on the trip and in the village!!  Both are proof that your witness and mission are never over, until Jesus returns!!

- Jacob (This is the Berg's sponsored kiddo, Read More Here)... He is someone who's name is said almost nightly in the Berg home at prayers and I know some day the kids will get to meet him in person!!  *Below is a picture from the feeding program we get to pay for so he can eat once a day in Neply!!

- New Beginnings' first international Marriage & Family Conference... This week we are hosting a conference to teach the Biblical view of Marriage and Family here in Neply (Folks from all over, some walking miles, came to be apart of several hours of conversation on Family Ministry!!

- And if those weren't cool enough: Families serving together (The Colley's are all four here serving side-by-side-by-side-by-side)!!  From Gabbi letting girls in the village play with "blan" hair, Victoria hugging every special needs kid, to David & Dana showing couples what mutual respect in marriage can look like, Family ministry is happening at New Beginnings AND AROUND THE WORLD!!

This is the mission of Jesus... This is the Faith Mission!!  Our prayer is that everyone at New Beginnings would:

1. Get a passport & save up $1,000, so you're ready when God calls
2. Begin looking for opportunities to engage the Faith Mission right now
3. Pray about going with us to Haiti in November or next summer!! 

I hope you consider coming to Haiti this November (there are 5 spots still available)... Sign-up by e-mailing Matt Fowler immediately (Matt@NBChurch.info)

Thank you for giving freely and sacrificially so the Gospel of Christ can be shared and Family ministry can be taken to the ends of the Earth!!

Seven months later...

Yesterday was the final day of a seven month long experiment that I alluded to several months back (See that post here)!!  My wife brought the idea to my attention over a year ago after getting a new book: "Seven: An experimental mutiny against excess" by Jen Hatmaker*.  Several months later she talked me into going on the journey with her.  The experiment was fairly simple in concept but as we found out very difficult in execution and even harder in meeting the goals.  Let me show you were we landed each month and then, at the end, give you a couple thoughts we learned in the process...

Month 1: Food**

(Above is a few samples of the meals we prepared during the month)

We started strong with our first month being 'Food'... we selected 'Seven' food items we were going to eat ONLY for the rest of the month (30 days).  Court landed on: Chicken, Eggs (yeah, chicken & eggs apparently are two different items) Broccoli, Carrots, Black Beans, Whole Wheat Bread & Apples.  Mine was essentially the same but I swapped Beans & Carrots for Bell Peppers & Potatoes.  We also were aloud small amounts of salt, pepper & olive oil.  Having fasted for extended periods of time I thought this was going to be pretty easy, being allowed to actually have food but you'd be surprised how fast the same food can get in a month.

Month 2: Clothes**
(Above is our entire wardrobe for the month)
Month two brought a whole new perspective on what is necessary in my closet... Clothes.  Courtney & I both selected seven items of clothing to wear ONLY for the next 30 days (we took one exception for a wedding... Hey, it was a rented tux)!!  This was only difficult, for me, on laundry nights... It was cold while waiting for stuff to dry.  Picking items you could work, play and have a nice dinner in was far more difficult than I thought but we made it (we are blessed, some don't have choices).  We literally didn't open our closets the entire month.

Month 3: Possessions 
(Above is one of the boxes of items we took to the BOC)
At this point in the year it was December and I will tell you right off the top... Finding seven items to give away each DAY for a month, during the season of giving was AMAZING!!!  Our family took this month on as a entire unit giving away over 1,000 items.  I don't tell you that in pride but in embarrassment... We were able to give away a ton of clothes, toys, tools, etc. yet STILL have a house that is full.  We were/are blessed with some much "stuff" but our blessings controlled us and we didn't even notice it happened.  All that changes when we start giving your stuff away and seeing how it impacts others.

Month 4: Media

(Above is the screen shot I took of my phone since I deleted all the apps for the month)

This month might have been one of the most eye opening months.  Though I'm aware I'm involved in social media more than the average bear, it was crazy to see how much ALL of our lives have changed in just 10 years!!  Facebook now has accounts designated to over a sixth of the world (over half of anyone with internet capability)... But that wasn't hard, giving up facebook, twitter, etc. for the month, in fact, that was very refreshing.  I had decided I wanted to see if I could go without my cellphone for the month.  It was essentially impossible! From work, to my kids school, to just every day conversations that we have, I realized quickly how much we "need" this new invention that we've really only had in our lives the last ten years.  

Month 5: Spending

(Above is a picture of a very cool app we use called: "Budget Envelopes")

In this month we were allowed to only spend our money in seven locations.  For us: NBC (Tithe), Bills (online), Wal-Mart (Groceries & Other items), QuickTrip (Gas), Jacob (our My Life Speaks sponsored child), Karate/Gymnastics (Kids Activities) & YMCA (Courtney's sanity).  We also decided to buckle down and since we already had a 'zero budget' to really focus on spending this month and see what the max we could save if we need to.  It was refreshing to know what we "have to have" and what we are just so blessed in having, like the YMCA.

 Month 6: Waste
(Above is the screen shot I took of my phone since I deleted all the apps for the month)
In this month we focused on the different aspects of waste management.  For us: Gardening (want to read/see more about our garden, click here), Composting, Conserving energy/water, recycling, driving only one car, shopping thrift (if you have to) and buying local as much as possible.  This month was one of our favorites.  From a little more time together to feeling really good about making the most of what God has already given us each day in creation, such a huge blessing!  

 Month 7: Stress
(Above is the screen shot from my phone of the alarms I have had set all month)
In the final month we focused on honoring the Sabbath and making sacred yet again.  If I could recommend any month more than another, it's this one!  During the last 30 days we committed to reading the Word daily, pray seven times a day for specific purposes at specific times (no matter what we were doing) & clearing our schedules one day a week to just "be" (which is REALLY hard).  Until this month I thought I prayed pretty consistently through my day on a daily basis.  Now I know we really must be intentional to really pray without ceasing.

Though I told you a couple of big take aways in each of the months descriptions let me tell you the two biggest things I learned in the entire process (though God is still revealing things to my heart).

1) Wide and Narrow (Matthew 7:13-14)... I am NOT saying that this is the way to become a Christian nor am I saying this is the "narrow" way.  But what I saw and experienced during the experiment was a dramatic difference in commitment and even a brushing off on the idea of taking on a challenge like this.  Many started the journey with us and many scoffed at the idea but very few finished.  Though many had great reasons for bowing out (health, timing, etc.) or not starting (not feeling led, knowing they wouldn't finish if started, etc.) it was still a great example of the greater Gospel... Few find it, few believe it, few allow it to take over our lives and become 100% Jesus!!

2) The Spirit of the Law (Matthew 5:19-20)... It was amazing how quickly I became Pharisaical!!  Yes, sinful!!  My heart, mind and even spirit it seemed to so easily say: "look at what you're doing compared to others" or "you have done so much, you deserve a break".  The Gospel is NOT about judging others (God has that part taken care of) or even comparing ourselves to others.  The Gospel is NOT ever being good enough, we're not and won't be, that's why it's AMAZING Grace.  I so quickly found myself confident in my praying seven times a day but skipping my reading of His Word and calling that fair (though I committed to both).

My prayer for today's post is simple... Will you pray for my wicked heart?  Will you join me in believing the Gospel so much that all we can be is the Gospel to everyone else around us?  Will you be encouraged today to jump in and be 100% Jesus... You're not good enough but He is!!!
We must BE-lieve (Faith Walk) if we want to see our kids (Faith Talk), their friends and our community (Faith Mission) completely transformed into the Kingdom of Heaven... That's the plan (Faith Map)!! 

*No... You do not need to read the book to do an experiment, I didn't.  However, my wife tells me the stories are hilarious and provided some much need encouragement during the process!!
**Click on the word and go to Courtney's blog to read more about those months specific.

Jezi Renmen Ayiti

A few nights ago during our bedtime prayers Charleigh prayed: "Fathder, Peas be width Haiti hep him to find a forever home and gives him food to eat".  Though it might not be a 'perfect' prayer... it was a very sweet moment to realize Charleigh (and for that matter all of our kids) is beginning to catch the Faith Mission vision!!  

Courtney and I have been going to Haiti together for over 10 years now.  Though we have gone with several different groups with many different purposes/focuses, the goal is always the same: Love.  What I have come to realize over the many trips is that no matter how crazy life gets, all of this world is really pretty simple: Love God, Love People!! 

Next month Court & I will be leading our second group from New Beginnings to the village of Neply in Leogane.  If you want to see pictures and periodic updates (from this trip and others) make sure you are following me on Twitter (surgeberg) or search the hashtag: #NBHaiti 

Though the May 2013 trip is full, there are several spots open for the November 2013 trip.  
If interested please attend the brief information meeting THIS SUNDAY (April 28th) after second service!!  

2003

2011*

2012*

2013

*Want to see more pictures from those trips... Click on the picture or the date!!

Haiti Mission Opportunity

November 2nd - 9th

If you are interested in joining the missions team going to Haiti November 2nd - 9th, there will be a short informational meeting on Sunday April 28th immediately following the 2nd service.  There will NOT be childcare or a meal provided (we said it was brief :)).  For more information, contact Matt Fowler (matt@nbchurch.info).

Want to meet the kids we will be loving on or read a little more about the organization we have partnered with?  Click on the graphic below: My Life Speaks

Jezi Renmen Ayiti = Jesus Loves Haiti