Brandon Liebe

Very few things about father-hood break my heart like hearing my 2 year old say “I can’t do it.” Now, I realize that many times it is just him being a 2 year old, (he’s in the stage where his answer to most things is “no.”) but everything in me wants to make sure my son knows that he can do anything he puts his mind too. Even more important than his strength is the fact that the bible promises us that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” (Philippians 4:13)

Last night I started to explain this to Brody and started to make him repeat Philippians 4:13 every time he says the phrase “I can’t.”
Continue reading “Yes We Can!” →

My 2 year old is at the stage where he “reads” everything.  I love just sitting there and listening to the stories he makes up from the books he “reads” to me.  The other day Amber and I were in our room getting things put away and situated from our recent move and I stuck my head around the corner to check up on him.  He as sitting at the kitchen table, Amber’s computer open, and was sifting through our pile of mail.  He picked up one of the credit card statements and was studying all the numbers.   In response to my question of what he was doing, he replied, “Reading stories.”  Knowing that he was holding our statement I asked, almost sarcastically, “What’s that one about?”

He answered with, “It’s about Jesus.”

After a quick chuckle with Amber, and letting it resonate a bit I turned to Amber and thought out loud, “I hope our bank statements tell a story about Jesus.”

Now this isn’t a money blog, it’s a priority blog.  I’m asking you to take a look at where you are spending your resources. Continue reading “Priority Check” →

Yes, that title was placed there to grab your attention but I promise it will make sense! Before I start let me say this; Geese are vile animals…

So, this morning I decided to start running in the mornings again.  We have gotten semi-settled in our house here in Appleton and got to bed at a decent time so I set my alarm early and got excited to run on a sunny, unusually warm, early April morning.  Our house is located downtown Appleton and not far from the Fox River, a seemingly perfect place for a beautiful morning jog.  I wake up, run to the corner of my street where it turns to head down to the river (.25 miles – Thank you, NikeId app), and take the turn to head down to the beautiful park running along the Appleton Yacht Club.  Now, mentally, I am hoping you are going exactly where I was going this morning… Sun coming up over the calm river, beautiful docks along a long T-shaped pier… then it caught my attention.

For those of us who grew up near water in the spring up here in the North we know one thing, where there is water, there are geese.  And where there are geese there is an abundant supply of “goose droppings.”  My beautiful morning run went from jogging peacefully along a path that wound along the river, past a perfectly manicured park, piers, and gorgeous boats…  to dodgin’ dookie! Continue reading “Dodgin’ Dookie” →

Like so many others here at Pathways Church, I have committed to reading through the Bible this year using the Life Journal Reading plan developed by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro. In addition to reading he also encourages journaling without trying to journal about everything you read. Instead, capture one thing that God brings to your attention and really observe and apply that one verse or section to your life.

This week the schedule took me through Luke chapter 3. John the Baptist was explaining to the crowd that had gathered what God wanted them to do. After telling people who had 2 coats to share with those who had none, and telling those who had food to share with those who didn’t, he turned to the tax collectors and soldiers who had typically abused their authority. He said something so small but so profound…

“Be content…” (vs. 14) Continue reading ““Be Content”” →

Over the course of the last few months living in Wisconsin, I have been driving to and from the office from Waupaca, about a 45-minute trek each way. Although it is never my favorite hour and a half of the day, the drive has allowed me to listen to podcasts from some great preachers. This week I was listening to one of my favorites as he was guiding his church (like many across the world) through this holiday season. As he said, “We’re going to be opening our Bibles to Luke…” I was sure I knew his exact destination. Everyone references chapter 2 of Luke to read the Christmas story, but on this particular morning, this pastor threw one of the most inspiring curveballs my way that I had ever encountered. He finished his sentence with “… Luke, chapter 10, verse 38.” The story of Mary and Martha? Really? For Christmas? Yet, as he continued, it was absolute perfection! Continue reading “Always in Style” →