Do you love your mommy? daddy? Jesus?

Lately Zeke has been responding a lot to our voices and laughing and interacting with us when we talk to him.  Karen does this thing with Zeke whenever he is calm that really gets him riled up.  She asks "do you love your mommy? daddy? Jesus?"  I know this sounds like three simple questions but actually they are questions that I hope Zeke takes to heart for the rest of his life.  I hope that he grows up loving his mom and dad, but more than anything I hope that he grows up loving Jesus.  Check out this clip...

Last week Karen and I went on vacation to what is currently my favorite place in the world - Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia.  It is the same place that we got engaged at just over a year ago.  This vacation was special because it was our last vacation together as just the two of us.  The next vacation we take will involve a little one.  So we thought we would share some pics and vids of our vaca in the mountains. Enjoy...

Karen and I on top of the Twin Pinnacle overlook.

This is probably the coolest picture of me ever taken, mainly because of the walking stick.

Nothin beats a good ol kiss on the cheek!

We hiked to the top of an overlook on our last night to watch the sunset and got some neat pictures.  I think this one is funny because Karen's belly is almost as big as the sun.

Together we picked 6 quarts of blueberries...which probably won't last us very long, especially since we eat them every day.  Karen loves making blueberry pancakes and waffles and I love blueberries on my cereal.

We spent about an hour enjoying the view on our last night...most of it was spent kissing though. :)

We were also thinking of all our family and friends so we took some videos for you guys...i will try to get those on by later tonight, but no promises.

shalom

Welcome to our home

Here is a video of our home with a newly furnished baby room.  We hope you enjoy.




...there might also be a hint as to what the name of the baby is, see if you can pick up on it! but don't tell anyone

My Ordination

You can now refer to me as Reverend Jordan Gardner. Last Sunday I was finally ordained. It took me 13 years of being a Christian, a college degree in Christian Ministries, one year with my local license, one year with my council license, and countless hours of writing, reading and studying...but I finally did it. I must say that this was one of the most special days of my life. Here are some reasons why:

1) The laying on of hands. In Acts 6 a group of four men were chosen for a specific task. They were brought to the apostles and "the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them" (6:6). Later in Acts 13 we see Saul (Paul) and Barnabas commissioned in the same way. The Holy Spirit said to set these men apart to do God's work. Verse 3 of chapter 13 says "after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Until my ordination service I had no idea how powerful and sacred of a moment this was. I will never forget the feeling that came over me as I knelt on the altar and received the blessing of the Holy Spirit through the praying and laying of hands on me.

2) My family supported me. I know that not all my family could make it, and some of the dearest people in the world to me were not there, but to walk across the stage and receive ordination and then turn to see my family's smiling faces was truly a blessing. My In-Laws even came in for the special day (which means a whole lot more to me than they could ever know).

3) Karen was ordained too. In my opinion I was not the only one ordained last Sunday. Karen was ordained with me. Nothing I have done, am doing, or will ever do can be done without my life partner. Karen, Myself, and our son (even though not out of the womb) were ordained as a family to do the work of God.

4) It is only the beginning. I think the most exciting thing about being ordained is the life of service that now lays before me. I can't imagine what God has in store for my family.

So please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we are set out into the exciting world and scary abyss of pastoral ministry.

The World Race

If you are not aware of this organization called the World Race I want to make you aware of what is going on around the World (you should check it out)! My dear friend Bethany was searching last year for "something more". She knew God and knew she was a Christian but realized that God wanted to come alive more in her life and she was not exactly sure how. Being in a Christian College atmosphere (much like the real world in the sense that Christianity is easy) we learned that being a true follower with the heart of Christ is a constant struggle. It is easy to find ourselves living our lives as "comfortable Christians". Here in our world...calling yourself a Christian is easy. Hardly ever questioned what that may mean, or what it truly means to you, as long as you say it...most of the time people believe it.

Bethany wanted to experience exactly what she was telling others. Her heart was broken before God, we prayed so many nights for a call over her life to surrender to Him. Human-trafficking was a big topic on campus and went to a few different meetings about different organizations. This may be where Bethany's heart for people began to consume her life.

She got online and almost every day would show me a new post from the people on the World Race. I could see her heart through her eyes...the tears that fell because of the pictures of the broken people coming to Christ made her realize God was calling her to surrender everything...her family, her future career as a nurse, her financial situations, her friendships, everything... to experience and share God in such radical ways.

Her love for people and her obedience to God is not short of a daily encouragement. Some people may say that she is risking so much as she walks around with diseased people, talks to drunk men coming out of bars in search of prostitutes, and proclaims the Word in places that you and I may be scared to speak a single word. But I believe that she is risking nothing! The risk would be to have stayed and not obeyed. Not everyone's call is to go to other countries but we need to find what makes Him come Alive in our own lives! Don't be satisfied calling yourself a Christian. I believe it is when you are fighting to live for Him... you are truly seeking and living a life in Him. And it is beautiful.

KRG

If you want to read some of Bethany's Blog posts, click on the Link. You will surely be blessed and encouraged.

http://bethanybrueggen.theworldrace.org/

OH BABY!!!

ITS A BOY :)

So for those of you who don't know, we found out that Baby G is a boy :) I am now 22 weeks along and my belly is getting bigger and bigger everyday it feels like! Although, Jordan feels like I need to flaunt it more. Yesterday we were walking through Meijer and he told me that I don't flaunt it like I should. He told me I need to try and stick my belly out more (which I don't think that is necessary) and that I should at all times be rubbing my belly with one hand and holding my back with the other. Oh and I didn't mention that I don't waddle like I should be. He showed me how to do all this and I would have to say... he looked exactly like a pregnant woman should look...I really need some work I guess ;)

I find myself in awe everyday knowing that Jordan and I have the privilege to bring a life into this world.I shared with my mother the other day that I am filled with so much joy as I pray for this precious son of mine. This mother's day it was funny to me because most people must not have thought that I was able to celebrate the day yet because I had not had the baby yet! Regardle

ss of any comment made, I celebrated it anyway :) I am already taking care, providing for, loving, and praying for my son...so please tell me how that does not count as being a mother!

Anyways, we have decided to decorate the baby's room in green and brown! Jordan's only request is that the theme be dinosaurs :) Although we are having a hard time finding cute baby dino's to decorate the walls with. All the one's we have found to decorate with are big, scary, and the wall hangings look like this...

...scary right? So if anyone has any suggestions or have seen any cute dinosaur decorations we would love your suggestions!

On a more serious note...We feel so blessed in every area of our lives right now. God has been so apparent in our relationship and in our home. As me and Jordan prepare to be the best parents we can be, we have both made a commitment to be the best we can be for our Lord. Keeping him #1 in our lives is truly the source of this joy and blessings we receive daily. This is the foundation that our lives are built on and that is what makes me know that we are so ready to be parents. But I do ask, would you please continue to pray for us as we journey through these last 4 and a half months of preparation!

The Youth Group

The youth at Circleville First Church are awesome! We recently participated in a event that is held all across the United States called 30 Hour Famine. The youth raised money for this event to sponsor children all around the world who need food, schooling, clothing, and whatever else is necessary to survive. I am so proud of our kids who teamed up with Crossroads Church to raise enough money to sponsor atleast 20 kids for a whole year!

Jordan and I will be taking a group of about 12 youth to an event called the ALIVE Festival. It is a 5 day concert! We will be camping out and having a great time in the end of June heat! (So much fun for a pregnant lady ;) It will be at a state park that will have many activities to get involved in. I am hoping that our youth group will be eager to go hiking, play sand volleyball, swim, and so much more!

We just had game night this past sunday and it was so much fun! What teen would pass up free pizza, video games on the projectors, and tons of games? We had a great turn out. There were over 30 that attended! Alot of them were new too!

I encourage all of you who go to a church and do not have involvement in your youth's lives to take just one teen to invest in. I have seen the way our youth have attached themselves to adults. You could be the role model in their lives...and if you aren't...you might not want to know who could be.

KRG

I've Got the Faith...Now Where are the Deeds?

Martin Luther King Jr. said that life's most persistent and urgent question is:

"What are you doing for others?"

Have you ever read a Bible verse and felt the Holy Spirit kind of slap you on the wrist a little? As I sat in my office today I felt compelled to open up the Bible and just begin reading. I spent about thirty minutes just scanning through verses and books. Then my eyes gazed across James chapter 2 and I read these words...

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

After reading these words I became very convicted. I asked myself the question "How many people have I helped in the last week? month? year?" The truth is, not very many. Sure I help people at church do Bible studies and I help the youth group grow closer to Christ. But I think the deeds that James is talking about here is more than that. I think he is talking about helping the helpless.

James even goes on to say that demons have faith. The fact is that faith without deeds is useless. Now I know prayer is effective, and God answers prayer. But if our works stop at prayer then there is a problem. You see, how good is it to pray for the poor, homeless, and hungry but then to never actually do something about it? Just the other day I passed a man pushing a shopping cart carrying what seemed to be all of his possessions. My heart went out to that man, I felt bad for him. But folks God does not call us to feel bad for people...He calls us to help them.

So my question for you today is the same question that James and MLK knew was so important.

What are you doing for others?

Lord, give us faith that surpasses belief. A faith where we not only believe, but we respond.

This is by far the coolest video I have ever seen

Ultrasound

A few weeks ago Karen and I nervously visited the doctor expecting to get the first view of little baby Gardner.  First, let me say that ultrasounds are amazing.  It is absolutely crazy what is going on in my wife's stomach.  God completely blew my mind when I saw my baby and heard its heart beat.  So we thought we would share this moment of amazement with you.  

So the upside down thing in that black bubble is baby Gardner.  If you look closely you can see little arm and leg buds.  The top picture is the baby's heartbeat, which was really fast at 182 beats per minute, but the doctor said it was OK.  So in another month or so we can find out the sex of the baby...so be sure to stay tuned for more pics and info.

Also, if you think about us please pray for our new family.  Pray for the baby and its development, pray for Karen because she gets sick a lot, and pray for Karen and I as we prepare to be parents.  Thanks ya'all!

JG

Christ Alone...

Something beautiful happened this morning in church, in my heart, and many others around me. The Holy Spirit was surely in the pews at First Church. As we began to sing our worship songs I was filled with so much joy :) (I thought maybe it was because I got to hold Maleah during the service) But I know that it was clearly the Holy Spirit putting the joy in my heart.

When we started singing In Christ Alone I knew the tears would start flowing soon! So I prepared myself and said a prayer for the congregation. I asked God to let the words of that song flood our hearts with praise and speak to us in a new way even after hearing it so many times. And so it did, with hands raised in surrender, with hearts open to Him, I could not imagine that one heart was not tugged by the Spirit. Shouts of Joy came from the back, as people began going forward to kneel at His feet at the altar. I would want to personally thank ever person in church this morning for letting their hearts be captured by our God.

It breaks my heart when I think about what Christ did for us on the cross. To know that every sin was laid on Him and to know that he took that pain for us puts tears in my eyes. But then to know that there is no guilt, no fear, no pain, because of the Power of Christ  is the most comforting feeling. Let these words speak to you as they did to me this morning!


In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand


My heart is filled with praise for The King :)


Let me tell you it didn't stop after the sining. For those of you who don't know, my husband has a gift. His gift is preaching :) I am so glad to be a part of that as his wife. He truly lets the Lord speak to him as he prepares and through him as he delivers! He spoke on the book of Haggi (Tough book to preach on, but its what he felt led to speak). He talked about priorities in our lives, and how we should make God #1. Over our families, over our jobs, over our hobbies, and over all the good things we think we are doing and that we are involved in. I think that it is really easy to say that our #1 priority is God because that is what is expected from Christians. But I can tell you that it is a daily battle to keep this true. My relationship with Jordan is so amazing that sometimes I think it would be hard to say, "Lord, I put you #1 in my life over Jordan." (You have no clue how many times i just hit backspace!) Do I really mean it? YES. I do, but I want to live it. I want to put him before our work in the youth group, my worries about student loans, before my work which I love, before my family, before everything I do and love! 

I challenge you all to look at your priorities in life and make God #1 for real :)

KRG

Back to the Beginning....

For those of you who didn’t know, Jordan is taking masters classes through IWU's new Online Masters of Divinity program! So he will be working hard for the next 3 years while he is in Seminary!!! This created an opportunity to come back to Indiana Wesleyan for a week...back to the beginning of our lives together. As our friend Chris Mieksell puts it...where the magic happened. Jordan has classes from 8:30 am- 5:00pm! Talk about a rough schedule. My schedule is quite easy and quite relaxing though. :) I have gotten up with him, taken him to school, and then I go work out for 2 hours at the Rec. I have spent the rest of my days reading by the fire place at McConn Coffee Shop. This is where I spent countless hours studying and reading for my 4 years at IWU.

So nestled in my comfy fire side chair with a nice raspberry white mocha I found myself completing my first book of the week. The Five Love Languages written by Gary Chapmen. I was given this book as a gift from Jennifer Lee who was my prayer partner at The OAKS Camp! She is an incredible woman, mother, and wife!!! She gave me this book knowing the Lord would use it in my life as I am finding out how I can better love others and how I can be filled with love more!
So getting back to the beginning of things seems to be the theme for the last few days....the author talks about how there is this "falling in love experience" at the beginning of marriage and for most couples it dies out within 2 years. I am wondering if this is the reason Jordan and I have heard so many complaints about marriage. You probably know all the jokes if you have been married or are engaged...you might even say these kinds of things!
ex. "You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into."

"You have only ____ days of freedom left!" (If you’re engaged)

"The ball and chains joke" (I never really caught on to that one)

There are so many more jokes that we have heard that are so awful. Most people might take these lightly and brush them off and hope that they will never feel that way or that it is just normal for life to take that direction. The people who tell the jokes may often end with a...."I'm just playing with you" but to tell you the truth, I doubt they really are "just playing." But maybe these jokes are told because for so many married couples their love has seemed to "die down" and that crazy in-love obsession that they once had has turned into a constant struggle to get back to how they once felt about each other. I wonder if they even know how to try to mend things the right way...the unselfish way! "Love is not about you, its a choice to love. That choice may involve something you hate to do!"

Jordan and I have talked to one another about how we can never let our love for each other get to a point of disappointment and let that fire burn out. Here is the most important lesson I got out of this book...

"We can recognize the falling in-love experience for what it was--a temporary emotional high--and now pursue "real love" with our spouse. That kind of love is emotional in nature but not an obsession. It is a love that unites reason and emotion. It involves an act of the will and requires discipline, and it recognizes the need for personal growth."

To pursue this real love experience for the rest of my life, I have realized it will take effort! Thankfully I read this book now! I have not moved out of that "in-love" obsession yet and have in no way close to letting the fire burn out...but I am happy that I now understand why I see so many unhappy marriages and have gained tools for preventing destruction from happening. I truly believe that this book could revolutionize your marriage or prepare you for a marriage full of "real love". The 5 Love Languages is in my top 10 favorite books, I challange anyone who wants to know how to love better to read this book!!!!

KRG