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I taught at the Deep yesterday and God gave me the words to articulate a challenge for the church to participate in justice in our community. I strongly believe that if we can help meet needs with those who are poor and oppressed we'll have a greater opportunity to direct their eyes towards Jesus. If you want to check out this teaching (or any of the other weekly teachings at the Deep) click on the link and go to "Nehemiah 5 with Nathan Beals". http://dev.outofthedeep.com/podcasts p.s. You can download it to itunes - we'll let you know when we are fully set up on itunes and you can subscribe to our podcast.

Hey Everybody, I just wanted to thank you for making my 7th birthday so special! I got lots of great messages and phone calls. I gotta say that being a leap year baby is the best thing ever! You have to wait four years to have an official birthday but when it comes boy is it great! My day was a lot of fun! My grammie came up yesterday for my birthday. Michelle, my grammie and Michelle's parents schemed and threw me a surprise birthday party with cake and punch and hot fudge sauce and spanish peanuts. Yummy! Most importantly lots of the people I love were there. What a great day! Thanks for the love!

I'm sitting here in my living room doing some work while Michelle and my Grammie are making cute little noises while they are taking a nap and I just gotta say that I am thankful for these ladies. That's it.

O God, anxiety // It's all I'm feelin' inside of me // You tell me I should stop and pray // But my thoughts keep blockin the way // You tell me about the peace that's free // The kind that will overwhelm me // O God please capture me // I feel like I've been running for eternity //// Anxiety?! It shouldn't be botherin me // Worrying about things of a future day // Or the fears of of what may come my way // Because I can trust in a God that's sure // And I know my faith's secure // O God I'm givin it all to you // I believe your promises are true // Help me keep comin your way // Your hope will see me through today

Last night we attended, “In Rush”, a gathering to bring unity to local churches. A pastor from Grand Rapids was brought into address us and my thoughts were stirred and my spirit was convicted: I never saw myself as a competitive person until last night. Most of the time I don’t mind loosing a game - I can be rather apathetic to tell you the truth. But my sin was made clear to me last night. Competitiveness runs rampant in the heart of a pastor. We are always trying to put a new notch in our belts whether it be with attendance, programs, flashiness or buildings. It’s a terrible thing to get a bunch of pastors together and watch us try to ‘humbly’ one up the other. It has really crept in as we are trying to build this church, The Deep. I started seeing other churches as competition and began begrudging other pastors for getting in ‘our turf’. I was reminded last night that we are on the same team and to forget that is Satan’s biggest attack on the church. It was nice to be woken up to a spirit of unity among churches that I’ve longed for in the past. Unity is our offense and we can take back what the devil stole from us and trample his kingdom when we unite in the name of Christ. Some thoughts from the pastor: “Going along with Jesus inevitably means getting along with others.” “Anyone who is tearing down Satan's kingdom in Jesus' name is on our side.” If we are to stand united under the authority of Jesus and against the kingdom of Satan. 1. The mission of God is bigger than us. 2. Cooperate other than compete with other Christians. What's my role? Do I hold that role in humility? Am I the cause of any division because of my attitude of exclusivity. 3. We got to remember who the real enemy is. The real enemy is Satan who is trying to divide the body of Christ.

It's so nice to feel settled in Muskegon. I've been in my new home for two weeks now! I've had an opportunity to meet a few of my neighbors. Nice people! My neighbor Larry has been plowing out my driveway for me - what a guy! If you are in the area please don't hesitate to stop by. Sanford St.

May 10th is the big day Michelle and I will be committing to one another before God! We are so excited to start our lives together! The wedding will be in Jenison, Michigan at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church.

Pretty exciting days! I can't believe how God is writing my story. Not many months ago I was in a ruff time of depression - I lost my job and didn't have a home. I was feeling pretty hopeless. And now I can't believe where my life is now. I'm a part of an exciting new ministry and I've met the woman I've been looking for for twenty eight years. I am truly grateful to God! Everyone who has met Michelle has been blown away with how perfect she is for me. I can't believe how perfect we are for each other! I was sold on Michelle when I saw her heart of compassion for others. She has such an amazing desire to love others. She is so natural with people. I've seen so many strangers confide in her and her offer words of hope and encouragement. I've never been with someone that I can laugh with so much! She loves my quirky personality. She gets my cheesy jokes. We can entertain each other for hours. She is a woman that knows all of my junk and still loves me. She helps make me the man I want to be. She serves me. She corrects and challenges me. She loves me like no one has ever loved me before. The Story: December 26th I asked her to marry me and she said yes. My favorite thing since then has been hearing her tell the story! She tells it best but I'll give you a quick version. Michelle had never been to Indianapolis so we headed down there after spending Christmas day with her family. It was a beautiful sunny day! I took her to the Lilly House and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. In the evening we went to the Eagle's Nest on top of the Hyatt. I had a rose waiting for her there and we had a great meal enjoying the view and the awesome food. Afterwards I had a carriage waiting for us and we took an hour long ride around the circle and through historic Indianapolis. About half way through the ride I sang her the song, I Love You for Sentimental Reasons, by Nat King Cole. I gave her a book that I had printed with all of the reasons why I loved her with some of our favorite pictures. By this point, believe it or not, she still had not clue I was going to propose. Through out the day I had been giving her little gifts and I told her I had one more gift. I got down on my knee and asked her to marry me and she said, "Absolutely!" I thought that was a good answer! After drying hear tears she started yelling at every car passing by that she was engaged! It was a very exciting night! Everybody asks if we have set a date. Not yet, but we hope to marry sometime in May. Stay tuned!

So, I'm not a huge fan of Drew Carey hosting the Price Is Right. I will admit he is getting a little more natural at the shoe but I grew up watching Barker and it's hard to see someone else doing it! Today's show was amazing though! One lady had a great day! She bid the exact price and got $500, got one of the matching games right on the first try and got the $10,000 at the wheel!!!!