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2010 Snuck Up On Me!

It seems like just yesterday I was blogging about how I hoped 2009 would be better. And here it is 2010! Aren’t we supposed to riding around on hover boards and beaming from place to place by now? I read that post, and instead of writing a post about my New Year’s Resolutions, I think I can just say “ditto” to that post! But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that an entire year has passed by when I reflect on all that I accomplished in 2009 – it’s actually quite an astonishing list – no wonder I am so exhausted! Survived a heart attack! Survived being struck by lightening!! Hosted the 2nd Yosemite Summit Started a retreat for women: Unbridled Relaunched a completely NEW Kidology.org Oh, and an entirely new ToyBoxTales.com as well Not to mention, a brand new curriculum: DiscipleTown AND two completely free three year curriculums! Attended CPC Nashville & San Diego Published an article in Children’s Ministry Magazine (PDF) Then got a column in CM Magazine and CM Pro Launched the Kids Church Cookbook! Squeaked out a few more podcasts All while moving from Illinois to Colorado! And I wonder why I’m feeling exhausted?! No wonder…

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Bastian Christmas Letter 2009

Here is the Bastian Christmas Letter 2009: Dear Family & Friends, It’s hard to believe, but it was during Christmas last year that I said to Sara, “by this time next year, we won’t be in Illinois.” And here I am, writing to you from Colorado, looking out my window at prairie, cattle & mountains! It was mostly wishful thinking at the time – but a brush with death in April made the idea of moving to Colorado a firm plan! After a big magic show Easter weekend, I felt some chest pain and went to the ER hoping to be told I was fine. Instead, I had a stent put in my heart! That brush with death (and the lightening strike in May) focused my resolve to make what mattered most matter now! I read on a blog a quote by Andy Stanley that I could not get out of my head, “Everyone ends up somewhere, few end up there on purpose.” So here we are – on purpose, loving our new home, in a new setting, and a fresh start in a new place! Sara and Luke seem to be enjoying our new surroundings. Luke loves his new…

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Baby Manny the Reason for the Season

You gotta love those ad lib moments that become memorable and meaningful! At a family advent event I was speaking at this month, my theme was the name Immanuel and the significance of “God with us.” My ever-present helper, Gus from ChildrensMinistryPodcast.com, suggested that maybe Mary and Joseph nickname Jesus “Baby Manny” – short for Immanuel. I’m not so sure about that – but the kids got a kick out of it. While I doubt “Baby Manny” will catch on as a name for the baby in the manger, isn’t it wonderful to be reminded that the awesome and powerful Creator of the universe desires to have a close and intimate, even familiar, relationship with us? I think the Almighty God, who once said we could call him Abba Father, or “Daddy,” wouldn’t mind his son being called “Baby Manny” if it endeared us to Him more. This Christmas, don’t let the hustle and bustle of the season distract you from the Child who cries for your attention. After all, Baby Manny is the Reason for the Season! He is God with Us! (This is the intro to the Kidology Newsletter this week, read the entire newsletter online)

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The Email That Made My Year

I’m in the midst of a REALLY busy week. I don’t have time to blog. I have several deadlines looming, I’m behind on other projects, several events this week to pull me away and put me further behind, and I’m trying to get both caught up and ahead before the holidays arrive so I can be relaxed on focused on family. I’m trying to juggle it all and the last thing need is another thing to do… and then THIS e-mail arrives, and suddenly, nothing else matters… it’s like a giant PAUSE button gets hit. I sit back and am reminded once again, that in the flurry of it all, it is worth it. Here is the e-mail I got today via Facebook, that stopped me in the tracks: Hey, I came across your facebook page and decided to send you a message. You probably don’t remember me but I’m now a senior in high school and when I was in 6th grade a friend brought me on the Arctic Blast winter retreat with her. Basically I remember the second night of the retreat you gave an awesome talk and it was there where I learned who God was and…

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Christmas Lights Guy

I rarely post something I got in an e-mail forward, but I loved this: Here is the text of the e-mail: (source unknown) I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard. It was fun while it lasted Hope you get a kick out of it too! I thought it was pretty creative, but can totally see why the poor guy had to take it down! It’s something I’d do but my wife would make me take it down long before the police would get a chance too! Merry…

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