Broken Bow

Well... its been a week since my dad and I got back from Broken Bow. We had a blast hanging out and havin some father/son time!! Wish I was still there... but on the other hand, I don't miss the tent camping in 24 degree weather. That...was not much fun because I did not go prepared for it to be that cold...lol.

Was great to get in the river and catch some fish on the ole' fly rod. Took out our kick boats and spent time floating down the river =) Good times and I will never forget this trip.

Braelynn at 15wks

Ok... here is a pic of Braelynn at 15 weeks. As of today she's at 17 weeks 3 days, so this pic is a little dated, but it's the most recent I have.

I love her so much! =)

IT'S A GIRL...!!!!!

So... we found out that we are having a GIRL...! I'm so excited and can't wait until April gets here. Just a few more months

Braelynn Shae Henry... mom and dad can't wait til you get here =)

Emunah....אמונה

This week I've been stuck on the actions and heart of the Woman who "Touched Jesus" in Mark 5. Before this encounter: she tried everything in her power to stop the physical pain in her life. Exhausted her finances to doctors and yet still grew worse in her condition. (Will elaborate on the medicine practice back then to understand the context. page 1674 from The Archaeological Study Bible)

Then, she just heard that Jesus was near, so she went in faith believing that if she might just touch his clothes…she would be healed. I find that my heart is still being molded as I read the scriptures and will continue to be molded. Sometimes I get so focused on what it is that I need to be doing in life, that I feel like every other person in the crowd that was touching Jesus just wanting to see what's going to happen next.

Jesus is the Word…right?!?

I think some of those people were probably crowding Jesus too see a show. Do some of us crowd the church in this same way to just hear something from the Word on Sundays? Or, do I come to the Word like the Woman to touched Jesus (the Word) so that it may actually change my life? "Jesus, mold my heart that I may fully rely on you and press on with pi'stis (an active Faith).

This Woman, in Faith, touched him and JESUS KNEW IT. I bet many of those people who were following Jesus were just waiting to see what as going to happen next. In fact, they were crowding him because Jairus came and asked him to come heal his daughter. They were probably touching him because they thought this is going to be cool, he heals people, speaks with authority over the scriptures, teaches in parables, he's about to go do another miracle; but the scriptures do not say anything about the effect on Jesus as all the other people who were touching him. Why didn't power come from Jesus when the others touched him? I believe Jesus knew who had touched him. He was waiting to see if she would come forward with her Faith…and she did! Because she acted on her Faith, Jesus healed her.

I have spent so much of my mental, physical, financial energy trying to make everything right in my life, but sometimes I find myself only getting worse. How many of us are in that boat?

The word "faith", translated from the Greek πιστις (pi'stis), and Hebrew אמונה (emunah) was primarily used in the New Testament with the perfect tense and translates as a noun-verb hybrid; which is not adequately conveyed by the English noun. Pi'stis in the New Testament context is a physical action, based upon a mental belief and sustained with confidence. Belief, in this context is non-synonymous with faith because, belief primarily conveys the mental action, thought of confidence, trust, and/or firm persuasion, not the physical act. Depending on the context, the Greek and Hebrew word may also be understood to mean faithfulness or fidelity (cf. 1 Thess 3:7; Titus 2:10).
Again…the Hebrew word for faith is אמונה… emunah - and is an action oriented word meaning "support". This is important because the Western concept of faith places the action on the one you have faith in, such as "faith in God". But, the Hebrew word אמונה emunah places the action on the one who "carries out their Faith". It is not knowing that God will act, but rather I will do what I can to “carry out my Faith” in God.

I learn and grow from experience. Sometimes I have to physically do something to have something I learn stick with me. When Im in training for something, its one thing to tell me how to do it, but let me get hands on and I'm going to get it quicker and I wont forget it.
Write אמונה on pulp paper with your finger (using theatre makeup.) This will relate the "touch / motion" aspect of our Faith and writing the word. This is going to take physical action on your part. Putting our faith into motion is going to "help the helpless" We cant always see faith, but physically writing it here in Hebrew with your fingers, making it come to life with YOUR touch, will give the illustration of touching in faith and seeing/committing to put it into action.


When done explain this:
Everyone’s word אמונה is going to look slightly different. This shows the same for each of ours physical action of “carrying out our Faith”. Mine is not going to look exactly the same as yours; there is no cookie cutter way to carry out your Faith. The message will be the same, but the action will be yours. Where is God calling you today? How will you “help the helpless”? How will we as a church “carry out our Faith”?

Time gets away

wow...cant believe a month has gone by since i've posted here. well, i have a pic of race car here at 11 weeks 4 days and 5.2cm. if you look close, you can see race car waving!!! everyone say HI to race car!!!

so excited about the baby. cant wait to find out if its going to be a boy or girl.

wheew..!

burned an image

Hey you… wanted to see if you’d be interested in going to Leadnow 08 with me and a few other peeps? You can check it out by clicking here. It’s a conference targeted for leaders of 20 & 30 somethings. They have some really influential leaders speaking this year and it’s always been such a mind-blowing experience. The sole purpose of this event is to equip Leaders with resources to help point/lead people in the direction to put their Faith into action. There’s even a portion of the event, Fusion, which is totally for those seeking direction in their life. “God’s placed me here on this Earth to do more than just exist…so where do I go from here?” Fusion is that avenue. They expose your God given talents, passions and desires of the heart and unleash you to GO! After all… that’s what we are all supposed to do…RIGHT?!?!?

There’s so many times I run into people who are followers of Christ sitting in the mundane because they just don’t know how to put their Faith into action. They think because they are not a preacher, teacher or worship leader… that there is no place for them in the church. Or they don’t have the schooling to lead out and share the Gospel.

My heart hurts for our generation to see this constant struggle. We are so busy trying to finish school, start families, maintain that job that keeps us afloat, and trying to balance healthy relationships with the busy lifestyle. By the time we are in our mid 20’s, church is usually an afterthought. I mean, come one… we can get all the preaching, teaching we want by just searching the web. We even have ministry organizations that sell great quality resources to where you just pop in a DVD and have bible study right there. (not saying that any of this is bad) But the mindset I can see is “So, why go to church? Why spend the effort trying to establish a relationship with someone at church that just puts on his or her “Sunday Best” for all to see.” We have so many talents and gifts, but struggle with using them for the glory of Christ. I had an interesting job that allowed me to spend a full year calling churches all across the US trying to get connected with young adult leaders. INSANE to see and hear the VOID of 20 & 30 somethings in the church! I heard a pastor once say “we don’t even try to reach that generation…they don’t tithe”. That crushed me! I heard the struggles and felt the heaviness in their ministry. So… how do we effectively reach and unleash Young Adults to put their Faith into action?

That question has burned an image in my brain these past few years. Being that I’m 25 and most of my friends are this generation…it’s an everyday reminder. My wife and I talk about it all the time. Why is there such a struggle… what’s going on…why are so many disengaged from the church that should be bringing hope, peace, love, and direction by encouragement to this generation. Are we okay with this? Are we content with the void or are we so frustrated that we give up?

Come with me to Leadnow / Fusion. I want to learn and grow with you.

It’s November 13-15th. But there’s also the Fusion event, which is Friday night and Saturday. (you wouldn’t even have to miss work)