BLeach

One Week Ago...

It was exactly one week ago right now that Leah's water broke. I'm thinking of dumping a bucket of water on her head to celebrate.

 

Following the Holy Spirit

It was a great weekend with Johannes Amritzer at the church!  On Saturday night we gathered with three other churches at Freedom Christian.  Then yesterday Johannes spoke to our church in the morning and spent some time teaching and praying for our leaders last night.  The highlight for me was the one on one time I was able to spend with him during the weekend.  Johannes is always on, which means he's not just ministering when a microphone in his hand.  He poured into me at Starbucks, red lights, and restaraunts!

I've got pages of notes in my moleskine from the weekend.  There's no way I could share all of it on the blog, so here's a little taste from his message to our church yesterday on following the Holy Spirit.

Four Principles:

1.  Don't Grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4.30)

The Holy Spirit's activity in our lives often begins with a check.  If we ignore these corrective or protective checks then we can't expect to continue to hear his voice.

2.  When the Spirit Speaks, Obey Fast

Hesitation makes it more difficult to hear.  The converse is also true.  When we obey, the volume of the Spirit's voice increases.  As followers of Jesus we stand in the Holy Spirit subway station.  When the train comes by, get on it.  If you've missed a few because of distractions or disobedience, watch for the next one.  Because of God's grace it will come.

3.  Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5.16)

Don't run ahead of him or you'll get tired.  Don't fall behind or you'll get lost.  Look for God's grace in your life, and invest your resources there.  The Holy Spirit is a very good dancer.  He'll make you look like a good dancer as well...if you let him lead.  Be careful not to step on his toes!

4.  Let the Holy Spirit Break your Routines...Often!

Take a different route to work.  Eat at a new place.  Shake up your weekly schedule a bit.  And notice what the Holy Spirit is doing around you.

Weekend with God

Looking forward to two special services this weekend with my friend Johannes Amritzer! I met Johannes about four years ago, and he's been inspiring me ever since.

Johannes is the founder of Mission SOS Bible School, which trains missionaries to serve unreached people groups around the world. He is also currently planting a new church in downtown Stockholm. 

Two years ago I had the opportunity to travel with Johannes to Uganda for one of his annual Signs and Wonders Festivals. It was like living the Book of Acts, and about ten churches were planted as a result of the ministry.

Johannes will be in the area preaching tomorrow night and Sunday morning. I'd love for you to join us for one or both of the two services: 

• Saturday, 6.00 pm @ Freedom Christian
• Sunday, 10.30 am @ Church of the King

Hope to see you there!  

The First 56 Hours

The last two and a half days have been packed with unforgettable moments.  Leah and I appreciate all the text messages, blog comments, and Facebook notes.  So encouraging to hear from so many of you!  Most of all, thanks for your prayers!

Now for some random updates:

• Leah's water broke about 4.45 pm on Monday. Contractions started right away. Gabriella Faith Leach was born at 12.21 am on Tuesday.
• Most of our family was at the hospital. Nate and Ashley (Leah's sister and brother-in-law) drove the furthest- from Washington DC. They actually felt impressed to leave at about 3.00 pm Monday, even though Leah's labor hadn't actually started. They ended up driving into the hospital 20 minutes before Leah delivered.  Samantha was texting them in from the delivery room!
• Leah made both of her sisters happy by waiting twenty minutes into Tuesday to deliver. Ashley was able to be there, and Samantha won her office pool (she picked Tuesday:)
• Gabby's birth may have been the most overwhelming thing I've ever seen in my life. When her head emerged, followed by the rest of her little body, I immediately began to cry. A moment I'll never forget.
• Gabby knew my voice!
• Leah's mom was a huge help during the delivery process. She was able to add another level of comfort for Leah. My job was to rhythmically count to ten with each push! Felt like I was spotting someone at the gym without having to do any reps myself.
• My mom and sister were also in the delivery room. Betsy's doctor was on call and actually ended up doing the delivery.
• We declared the week before Gabby was born to be DTWWBATDFA (do things we won't be able to do for awhile). Most of our friends without kids told us to go out alot. Most of our friends with kids told us to sleep.
• Should have listened to our friends with kids:)
• I've been having alot of "conversations" with Gabby. I enjoy these conversations, since she listens well and seems to quietly agree with everything I say.
• So far we've talked about several things, including boys, theology, and sports.
• I started our sports conversations with basketball, for two reasons. First, it's my favorite sport to play, and the Pistons are my life-long favorite team. Second, it's the least controversial since Pittsburgh doesn't have an NBA team.
• I moved from basketball to baseball, since the Pirates aren't good and Leah has given up on them.
• I eased into hockey. I did inform Gabby that the Penguins just finished a good season and won the Stanley Cup. I want to be truthful with her and present a balanced view of things. I then informed her that the Red Wings have won more Stanley Cups, and that the best Penguins players eventually decide to play for the Red Wings for less money.
• I think it's too early still to bring up the Lions. She just looks so fragile and innocent.
• I do keeping reminding her that she's beautiful. I tell her that right now we want her to gain a little weight every week, but that some day she may not like the idea of gaining weight. Then I remind her that even if she does gain some, she will be beautiful because real beauty flows from the inside-out.
• My love for Leah climbs every hour! She was amazing in the delivery room--thanking the nurses and thinking of others in the midst of her own tremendous pain. She was so gracious, beautiful and strong.
• She's an incredible mom. No one has sacrificed more for our little girl. My inconviences don't even come close! Not a single person has asked her to do a single thing for Gabby. It all comes from within her. And she does it with so much joy. I love you baby!

I'm still searching for the words to describe how all of this is impacting my understanding of God. His love is coming alive to me. I've almost memorized every curve in Gabby's face, and when I look at her I can't imagine a single thing that could diminish my love for her. Makes this verse seem so real. The love of our Perfect Father really is wider, deeper, and higher than my imagination can go.

She Share's My Enthusiasm For Shopping

We're Taking Her Home!

I Think She Looks Like Leah

Gabriella Faith Leach

Love Your Kids by Loving Your Wife

Hope you enjoyed a great Father's Day weekend! I admit, I was hoping to welcome Gabriella into the world, but she seems to have a mind of her own:)

I did have opportunity to pray for dad's in our church while reflecting on becoming a father. Just thought I'd share one thought that's been challenging me.

We love our kids best by loving our wives.

Leah and I know it's possible for a marriage to be reduced to the single goal of providing a good life for the kids. The irony is that if we neglect building a great marriage, we're automatically limited in the amount of blessing we can pass on to our kids.

I'll make it even more specific for pastors. Jesus commands us to love our wives like He loves the Church. Interestingly enough, he never commands us to love our churches like He loves the Church.

The Church is His bride--not ours.

As fathers, we all have the privilege of selflessly serving our own brides. As we do, we give our kids something far more valuable than toys, square feet, or a college education.

I can't wait to start putting this into practice any day now! Thanks for your all your emails and calls. We appreciate the prayers!

I Hope I Still Have the Anointing

Yep, I lost the bet.  I was really convinced that Doug Melder would be preaching in a Wing's Jersey.  You just never know.

So this morning I'll be standing before our congregation in a Championship Pens shirt.  I'm just hoping I still have the anointing:)