What a Great Day

This is one of those weeks that I am left really encouraged and really upbeat. In fact the whole month of August has been great.
Today we had a young guy come to church who literally in the middle of a "transition." He was running away from his home. Tough situation, I talked to him for a long time. At this point I don't know how we can help, but I told him "we are here for you" Wish I could do more.
What is even more impressive to me is the person who saw this person at a gas station playing his guitar and offer him a ride to where he was going (about an hour away) if he would come to church. He said "sure." Wow! So many things about that whole situation make me so proud of Bakerstown Alliance.
I got to say something fun today. I said "I love how much Bakerstown Alliance suffers." Seems funny huh? But it is all because of how much love for God and love for others that causes the suffering. Call it good suffering if you will.
My marathon is a couple of weeks away. I have to finish the race now. I have too much riding on it. A lot of people have taken me up on the "Running for Church Plant" challenge. Wow! Good stuff. However, I will remind you that there still is time to join this quest, just shoot me an email and I can explain further if you needed. dan_borchert@yahoo.com.
Attendance has been great the whole month. Today was a holiday weekend and it still was pretty good. God is blowing my mind at how He is doing this. Again -- I am excited!
I am watching the Nascar race, getting ready for bed, and running a mere 12 miles tomorrow morning.
I'm out!

It Is Official

I just registered for the Erie Marathon. You have to understand my thinking. I hate to spend money. Therefore I would not allow myself to register until I ran 20 miles (my longest run in my training schedule). But now I am registered. Now it is official. So remember if you want to encourage me and help complete the great commission by planting churches, please contact me.

The Wisdom of a Three Year Old

Conversation at dinner time:

Me: Isaiah, finish your carrots, and then you can have a cookie.
Isaiah: Dad, my belly is full.
Me: Oh that is ok, but no cookie then.
Isaiah: Well, there is room in the back. But food doesn't go in the back. The back is only for ice cream and cookies.

Heather and I must have laughed for five minutes over that one!

Wow! He is three years old and figured out how the human body works. He hit the nail on the head: You can be full ,but that secret compartment (which thanks to Isaiah I now know is in the back) still has room. Genius!

Call the Calvary

Today I received a prayer request. This is not an unusual thing. It happens quite frequently. As I have mentioned before we use a system called One Call Now. Now what happens is I call a 1-800 number, punch in a bunch of numbers, record the message, punch a few more numbers and it starts calling.
Since we have been using this system for a year, I generally know about how long it will take before it starts calling people (less then 1 minute!). After you are done with everything it says good bye and you hang up.
I was just sitting there, getting ready to move on to the next task, when I started to envision everyone's phones starting to ring. It was neat. I heard the sound of a bunch of phones ringing in my head. I thought about it for a little longer and realized that the Calvary had been called. I got the picture of this army of misfits being assembled and doing battle.
The whole concept just got me really excited today. So I had to share with all of you :)

Lifetime Warranty

You must keep something in mind; Our low mileage car has a 195,000 miles on it. Our high millage car has 240,000 miles on it. So both cars are not exactly "new."

Our van (the one with 240,000 miles) has a oil leak. It has had an oil leak since we bought it. Now the problem is that it leaks right on to the alternator. Apparently oil and alternators don't mix very well. The first time the alternator went, I had it rebuilt, trying to save a little money. The guy did a great job. It worked wonderfully. But he told me the day I picked it up "if you don't fix that leak it will break again."

Now keep in mind it has 240,000 and fixing the leak would be expensive/a pain. But of course you don't want to fix the same problem over and over.

So this time we got a new alternator. Get this: It has a lifetime warranty! That means, if it breaks again (or should I say when) they replace it.

Seems like a good deal huh?

Not even as close to the deal we have with Jesus. When we break, He fixes us. Time and time again, we break, Jesus fixes us. Jesus is the "unlimited warranty"

Running and Planting Churches

As you probably have been reading (and if you haven't feel free to read the archives) that I am training for a marathon. I will be running the Erie marathon on Sept. 14th. But there is an opportunity for you.
I am looking for people to sponsor me on a per mile basis. So if you would like to sponsor me at $100 a mile (or whatever amount you can do) X 26 miles = $2600. Now if I only make it 20 miles you only owe $2000.
All donations will go to Western Pennsylvania District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church Planting Fund. The purpose of this fund is to plant churches to reach people for Christ.
What is better then that?
If you are interested is sponsoring me, please contact me at dan_borchert@yahoo.com. I will give you the rest of the details.

Just How Far Did I Run Today?

Gee. I am glad you asked. I did not run 3 or 4 or 5 miles. I did not run 10 or 11 or 12. I did not even run 15 or 16 or 17. I ran 20! 20 miles! Wow. That is a long time. It took me about 4:25 to do the whole thing. Now here is even the more amazing part. I was done by 10:15. You ask how is that possible? Do the math. I started running at 5:50 this morning. That was early. The first 5 miles it was still dark.

20 miles. That is a long way. I am proud of the accomplishment, but I am not "feeling good" about it. I feel it, everywhere!

Why I love Bakerstown Alliance Part 423345

This is normally the post where I do a bunch of bullet points, but I just don't feel like doing it that way tonight.
If you asked me how today went I would tell you "really well for as bad as it was." Now that doesn't make sense. Let me explain. I get really annoyed when there are technological problems. Today the one microphone was not working. I had to replace it during a song. Just don't like there to be that distraction. But we got over it, and we moved on. Talked about a lot of stuff that did not make people comfortable. That is ok. I like doing that. But why I love Bakerstown Alliance: It was the love for others that I saw today. Lots of people sticking around and talking/sharing/praying with each other. That impresses me so much. I love that.
Something a little odd: August attendance has been great! Wow! That is amazingly good.
All and all, a good day. Good night!

Ballet and Nascar...yeah I like them both

You all know that I am a huge sports fan. This is the Nascar Bristol night race weekend. That has me excited. It is almost Steeler season -- excited about that too. The Olympics have been great to watch. So what did I do tonight? I went to see the ballet. Men, stop your whining. You need to broaden your interests.
The Pittsburgh Ballet Company put on a FREE performance at Hartwood Acres tonight. It was a wonderful night. We sat in our lawn chairs just enjoying the atmosphere and the dancing. Relaxing, enjoying, and fun outing.
Sure I love sports. I have my man card. But I also enjoy the symphony, theater, ballet, and just about any other cultural experience. So quit your whining, quit your fussing, and enjoy the show.

But What Did I Do?

I want to ask that question more and more. Let me explain what I am thinking. So many times I will have people say thanks. Of course we all could use a little more thanks. But I want to get the point where I am more and more dependant on God to the point where when someone says thanks, I can say "But what did I do?" By saying that, I would be giving the person who deserves the credit, the credit; That would be God!

Adventures with a ceiling fan

The light bulb in our ceiling fan had been flickering on and off for the last day or so. Today it totally stopped working. So when I got home from church this afternoon, I started taking it all apart figuring a wire was loose. Well I took it all apart, took the wire nut off, put the wire nut back on, tried it again...nothing. Arghish. I am thinking in my head..is it the switch? Is it the socket? So I decided I would check the socket, remove the globe, take out the light bulb, look at light bulb. Guess what? The light bulb was burned out. Arghish. All that work for a light bulb.

So that got me thinking...what is the most effective form of reaching for people Christ? It is someone telling someone else about what Christ has done for them. We spend most of our time and energy focused on things that are not the obvious choice (i.e. taking apart the whole fan before you check the light bulb). I promise you that any church will allow you to tell anyone you want about the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. It is efficient, effective, and well inexpensive.

Your friend you have that really needs to know Christ, maybe you don't need Billy Graham to have a tent revival in your back yard. Maybe you just need to tell him or her.

Why Bakerstown Alliance is so much fun

It is so fun because they allow me to be me. I know I am odd. I know I do things that are just not normal. But here is the more amazing part: They not only allow me to do weird things, but respond to my weirdness.
On Sunday the message came down to two questions:
#1 Do I value God enough?
#2 Do I value myself enough?
In order to show this visually, I handed everyone a paper plate. Then I held up a china plate. Obviously God should be fine china, and if He thought enough of us to send His Son, then we, too, are fine china.
I asked them to write on the paper plate if they were struggling with one or both of those questions. I was blown away at the responses. I was blown away at God working through me and in people's lives.
Having people grow closer to Christ, yeah that gets me excited, and that is a lot of fun!

Sleep...I Need Sleep

These Olympics are great. I love them. The problem is that I love them too much. Every night I find myself staying up way too late. I know I can find out the results when I get up in the morning, but for some reason I just can't make myself go to bed. I will admit, I love watching the Olympics. Maybe this is why they are only once every 4 years. Maybe it is so that I don't lose too much sleep :)

You got enough... trust me

Craig Groeschel said, "We have every resource we need to reach the people God has called us to reach today."
Wow, re-read those words. I will give you a second.
I love at quote. I wonder how much time we spend talking about what we don't have? I wonder how many opportunities we miss because we are too focused on what we don't have.
God will give us what we need to reach those who He has called us to reach today. I think when you have that in mind, you start wondering: "Who is it that God wants me to reach today?" rather than "Oh we don't have enough to do that."
Now go read those words by Craig one more time. I'll wait again :)
Now go reach the people has called you to reach today.

Giving...Some Good Stuff to Ponder

I am young. I was not around during the great depression. My parents were not around during the great depression. My grandparents were. I have also talked to a great number of people who survived the great depression. They are very interesting. They have a totally different mindset. They will save stuff that I would never think about saving. It is just fascinating to me to see how they been affected by the great depression.

Now the great depression was tough on a lot of people. Everything I read, everyone I talked to, all say that times were tough. I believe they were tough. I believe that things were difficult. I believe people had to do a lot "creative spending" to make ends meet.

Here is the interesting part to me: During the great depression people were giving 3% of their income to Christian/Charitable causes. Today, people are giving less then 2-3% of their income.
That is tough for me to swallow. I know gas prices are ridiculous. I know that maybe this is not the "strongest" economy right now. But I have to think that that hardships that we are facing today is nothing compared to the great depression.

My best guess, is like most things, it comes down to priorities. Rather then try and blast the society that we are living in, I encourage you to ask the same questions that I am asking to myself.

• Am I honoring God with my giving?
• Am I honoring God with my spending?
• Am I trusting God to meet all my needs?
• Am I remembering who owns all the resources in the world? (hint a 3 letter word, starts with G)
• Am I giving out of guilt, or am I giving out of my love for God?

Hard questions to honestly answer, I know that. But wrestle with those questions personally. To pin it on society as a whole is trying to get out of dealing with the issues. I know that because I have tried to do it :)

Weekend Thoughts

What an incredible weekend. So much happened. Let me tell you some of the highlights:

• Got to see Heather's grandma on Saturday. It was a blast, and the food was wonderful


• Richland Community Day happened without Bakerstown Alliance this year. The cost/reward factor was just not there anymore


• The Olympics are going to make me very tired. I just can't stop watching them at night :)


• Sunday was nice, it wasn't too hot. Now don't worry, I still sweated like crazy


• Felt there was a good vibe on Sunday, liked it


• Bob Keener shared about his cancer treatments, wow that guy is amazing. He trusts God for everything. You have to love that


• Then for the highlight of the weekend -- We had a baptism party!


• 5 People got baptized


• I asked them all "why do you want baptized?" Those answers were priceless -- they were raw, real, and much better said than I could have ever said myself.


• 5 people! wow!


• Then we had food -- not just any food. But lots (aka I ate too much) of good food


• It was great


• 8 Wins for Kyle Bush...that is impressive


• Did you see the 4X100 relay? I was trying to go to bed, and next thing you know I am sitting up yelling at the TV and then celebrating, it was great


• Got up at 6:45 a.m.


• Why? To run of course. But not just 1 mile or 2 miles or 3 miles, or even 11 miles or 12 miles or 13 miles. I ran 18! wow! Felt good! Did not walk at all!


• Next week I think I am only scheduled to run 12 miles, nice break.


• My wife is the greatest person in the world.

Angel food...It is so worth it!

A couple of months after a friends suggested it, we tried Angel Food. Great concept. You basically order food two weeks in advance and for $30 you get about $60 worth of food. It is overstocked food from places like Sam's Club. There are also a bunch of "special offers." In June we got a grill pack and put it in the freezer. Today we got out the T-bone steaks, thawed them, marinated them, and later cooked them. Wow! I have never had steak that was that tender or that juicy. Wow! I am still thinking about it now.
Another cool part about the deal is you get a variety of food. A lot of stuff is stuff you probably would never buy. So it adds variety to your cooking, which in my mind is always good.
I will encourage you to give it a shot. http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Lawn Mowing and Pursuing God Ordained Dreams

So you look at the title and you think what is Dan up to now. Let me explain:
It all started on Monday. I blogged about my frustrating day. One of the frustrating events was with my lawnmower. Let me tell you what it took to get my grass mowed this week.
It started on Sunday. I had to replace the blades. That took a lot of effort. They did not want to come off for anything. Finally I got them off and the new ones on. Then I put the mower deck back on the riding lawn mower, went to start it and... nothing. So I looked around at it, found that it was a loose wire and decided to fix it tomorrow. So I fixed that problem.

On Monday I started the lawn mower, then started the mower deck. The new blades were hitting the deck (due to a previous "incident") so I had to pound that out. Finally I got it going again, and broke the belt. Trip to Lowe's, new belt, ok I am going again. Then I hit something and broke a piece that I needed to special order.

On Thursday the part was delivered, and I put it on. Wow I was actually mowing again. Then I ran out of gas. Run to the gas station, get gas, run back, put it in the lawn mower, start mowing again. Then something went wrong with that mower. It quit running. So I fixed it on Friday and finally was able to finish mowing.
So I look outside and I see the grass is mowed. And I am happy.
So now what does all of that have to do with pursuing God-ordained dreams? Well those God-ordained dreams are not going to occur without road blocks, obstacles, and set backs. Just because it is tough, or full of challenges, doesn't mean it is time to bail out.
Finish the job. Follow the dream.

My cool surprise last night

As I was sitting at home yesterday afternoon, taking a nap, and thinking about watching the olympics opening ceremony and Steelers preseason game, I got a phone call. And this was one of those cool phone calls. It was Beth and Jamie calling to tell me that they had 2 extra tickets to the musical West Side Story. Cool. So I called my mom and asked if she could watch two little cuties, and she said she could. The next thing you know Heather and I are out the door. It was really nice to get the opportunity to go out on a "date."

Ouch! That hurt!

What hurt? My whole body from my run today. For some unknown (to anyone with a brain) reason, I thought it would be good to run 15 miles today? Why? Why would I think that?
But in all seriousness, I made it, which was the goal for today. I think honestly, this whole marathon thing is probably the hardest thing I have ever done, physically speaking. Man it just tears you up and spits you out. I still hope to do the Erie Marathon on September 14th. Got a couple more killer long runs (a 17 mile and a 20 mile) in the next couple of weeks. After that, it is the grand daddy of them all, the Marathon.
I have set a couple of goals:

• Baseline Goal = FINISH
• Realistic Gaol = 6 Hours
• BHAG (Big Harry audacious Goal) = 5.5 Hours

So that is what I am working toward. On one hand I am really excited. On the other hand I am truly petrified (and no I am not talking about everyone's favorite Christian rock band from the 80's/90's)

The Update on My Frustrating Day

I did go to bed early last night. And by the time I woke up, things appeared not that much different. I started trying to get the water back to normal. I thought that I could basically flip a switch and it would work. Well it wasn't that simple. But I kept at it, and figured it out in about 45 minutes. Now my wife could verify this for you, but my day does not begin until I get a shower. So I got the water working, and took a shower. Suddenly the world was right.
So I began to tackle today's tasks. No problem. I am sitting here smiling, happy, and enjoying life once again.
God is big enough to pull you through any "arghish" (I think that word might stick around for a while) situations you might have. God is the God of rest -- boy did I need that. God is the God of hope -- He gave it to me. God is God!

My Frustrating Day

Argh! The word of the day. Argh and double argh. I still don't think those words are enough to express the full arghness of the day. Let me tell you why it was so arghish.
First I got up early to go for a long run. I was planning on running 15 miles. I made it five miles and my feet were really hurting. I got a blister last week so I knew there was already a problem. So I stopped to check it out. It was bleeding through my band aid and through my sock. So I stopped running. Now I am trying to decide if I can run through the pain and get back on schedule. If that was the only thing it would have been an ok day.

My tractor is on my bad list. Last night I changed the blades (it took me and my dad to loosen the one bolt). Put the deck back on the mower, went to start it and... nothing. Realized there was a bad wire. It was too late last night. So when I got home from running this morning, I started working on the tractor again. I got it to start! Then I engaged the blades on the mower deck. Sure enough, from a previous "incident" the deck was bent and once again I had to pound the deck out so the blades did not hit it. Argh. Finally got it all cleared, then started mowing again. Made it 50 feet and broke the belt. Are you kidding me? Drove to Lowe's, got another belt, put it on, everything was going great. Well that was for 50 feet. I hit something and broke part of the deck. Course I could not find this piece anywhere nearby so I had to order it. Should be here by Thursday. By that time my grass should be about as high as Samuel.

About a month ago we bought a new ceiling fan for our TV room. I decided to do that project since I couldn't mow. "At least I will be able to something productive." Good news - it is now up and working! Bad news -- while I was taking the old one down, I shattered the old globe all over the floor were the boys play most often. Argh!

Our upstairs toilet has been acting up lately. It won't stop running after it's flushed. So naturally it was running for a long time. If you have city water this means a big bill. If, like us, you have a well, it means that you have no water. Argh!

So at this point I totally had it. But it is garbage night. So I start collecting all the garbage, and I get to the litter box. I was out of litter. Argh. That meant for the 5th time today (I added it up) we had to go to route 8. Argh

So at this point it is 9:06 pm. I have decided that I am going to bed early tonight. I've had it. Enough is enough. I am going to bed.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Good night!

P.S. The picture I tried to attach to this post wouldn't load due to "an internal error." Figures.

Oops forgot that one

This weekend we were able to take a quick trip out to Lancaster. Sometimes, you can get away for 32 hours or so of relaxing. We got to see some friends we had not seen in a long time. We also got to ride the Strasburg Railroad. Isaiah loves trains.

The funny part was at lunch before we left (based on plenty of previous legendary "events") Heather prayed that we would "get there safely in our own vehicle and get home safely in our own vehicle in one one piece." That happened! So all is good right? Well a couple of miles from our destination the car started to shake pretty bad. Turned out to be that one of the tires "bubbled". So we had to get new tires (the other ones were bald anyways). So just a little lesson. Make sure you're specific on what you pray for :)