PARK WALK

We recently participated in our small town,s PARKWALK a fundraising event to raise awareness and funds for cancer research in the local hospital. Danielle and I were talking...it just feels like a ton of people get cancer. I remember when I was a kid it felt like elderly or much older people were effected with cancer. but now a days, it feels like anyone can become entrenched in this battle. This PARKWALK meant a lot to Danielle and I, and we are so glad Cindy W. allowed us to come in Steve's and Matt's place. When we arrived and saw all the people walking, the sight made us very emotional. We both felt like crying...which is strange. But as the walk went on, and as we talked with the survivors, family members and friends it was encouraging to hear their stories.

God moves in such dark places. Where hope is hard to find...hard to see...that is where God shows up...and that is what we all need to cling to in this broken world.

Above is a picture of our friend Kelly and her Family. Kelly is a survivor...and a great friend. Her family is very close to us, and we have loved laughing with them!!!

Kelly is not only a survivor...she surrendered her life to Christ, and leaned on Him in her dark time. Her faith challenges mine! Thanks Kelly!!

Also, we praise the Lord for taking Sue home this year. While it was hard for us to say goodbye. We know this battle was long and hard, and going home was such a relief. We love you Lord!! Thanks for the time you gave us with Sue, her faith, love, and passion for you, is still alive.

New Email:::We Are Back up and Running with Email!!!

It is interesting how many people have been sending me emails...it is incredible how my life has changed since that first hotmail email address way back my senior year of high school!! Amazing!!

well here is my new email: pastorfreed@gmail.com

lots of laughs...and tears now adays around the Freed's. We are adjusting and preparing for our move on Sunday, June 4. We are expecting this day to be really hard. Pray for us friends...

and drop us a comment=)

Email Down! AHAAAAAHHHHH

Hey Friends, I know millions of you have...ok thousands....ok hundreds...all right....a couple of you have been trying to email Danielle and I, the last couple of days and our email has been down. Our Church is changing servers and our email is down. We will be back up online very soon...we hope!!! No email is a crazy way to live!! I seriously don't know how we all did it before the internet. Of course feel free to drop us a comment!!

look what we found while we packed!!!

During a recent cleaning out of our storage area Danielle and I discovered two very neat thing about our life...

1. Danielle has a lot of trinkets from years past. We had three large tubs full of little items that had a little story. From a crushed can Christmas decoration to a bunch of crushed pennies, Danielle and I love memories. I guess that is why we like this blog. It causes us to slow down and reflect on the memories God is giving us. When we die, and our kids burry us, they will never say we had a lot of money. But they will say we were rich with memories and friends. Thanks so much for making memories with us Mukwonago. We will forever remember how Mukwonago was the first home in our marriage, the first adventure in ministry and the our first address where we received junk mail.


2. We discovered that John was moonlighting as Batman. more like creepyman.

You won't beleive what we saw!

Church signs always have cleaver things to say, like...."CH__CH, What's Missing? U R" here is one of our favorite church signs!

IN THE HOUSE!!

In our Student Ministries [CrossRoad Ministries] we have small care groups called LIFE GROUPS. Now don’t be mistaken these are not Bible studies or book studies, they are cell groups where students come together to join their lives in deep community. Each LIFE Group is facilitated and led by a LIFE COACH, which Danielle is one. She has a group of 12 girls that show up to our small apartment on Arrowhead Dr. for a LIFE GROUP, and each week is different, sometimes it is creating an intimacy map, or reflecting on a different Fruit of the Spirit [Gal. 5] or tackling life issuse and sharing burdens or victories with each other. Either way, I only catch a glimpse of it, because the group really cares about each other, so they hold tight to the policy what is said in the group stays in the group. However….
This past Monday, Danielle asked me to get the tarp out of the garage because she was going to be doing some tie-dyeing….IN THE HOUSE!!! Let’s just say, I was really nervous but also very proud. You see Danielle is an awesome LIFE Coach. She totally knows what it means to coach students to become the Christians God has created them to be. Here is what our LIFE Coaches committed to be in the lives of students…

Encourage:
___Through healthy adult relationships between students and adult LIFE COACHES we hope to encourage students in their daily spiritual journey from adolescence to early adult hood. Encouraging them in their unique S.H.A.P.E. and personal call on their life.

Empower:
Providing students with the tools to…
___REACH OUT to their friends and family in evangelism and servant leadership.
___REACH IN with specific elements of the Christian LIFE: DO – KNOW -- BE
___REACH UP with a heart of worship in all that we do.

Invest:
___To offer creatively designed programming focused on providing students with opportunities to use their gifts to serve to the Lord in their world.
___To provide literature, web content, and music that will strengthen and excel their spiritual growth.
___To Provide a place specifically designed for their generation to gather together in a family style atmosphere that gives acceptance, comfort, and challenge in their spiritual growth.


Well, our LIFE Groups are going to be something we miss a great deal about CrossRoad Ministries. but the philosophy and desire for deep community is something we will always strive for. And if you were wondering, after the night, Danielle said tie-dyeing in the house, was really scary, and decided it was a once in a life time fun thing to do. But probably would not attempt it again unless it were outdoors!

Subscriptions

Recently I was thinking of getting a subscription to another magazine called HOMILETICS, when I realized, Danielle and I get a ton of magazines. Currently we are getting, GROUP, RELEVANT, RADIANT, CHRISTIANITY TODAY, READERS DIGEST, O [buy it off the shelf], Mental Floss[subscription just ended], OUTREACH, BOOKS AND CULTURE, WESLEYAN LIFE, AND OF COURSE the TRIANGLE. But I have pictured my favorites for you to see. Here is why we get so many magazines...

TOP 10 REASONS TO Subscribe to Magazines!!
1. Easy read: Most articles are quickly written to be quickly read. They quickly get to the point, share the information and leave with a little smarter, in about five minutes.
2. Most Magazine articles are the gold minded from larger books. For example, most of CHRISTIANITY TODAY articles are excerpts from much lager books, that go on and on. but an article is quick and to the point.
3. A Magazine is fun, great pictures, interesting places, and quick humor.
4. Magazines capture current cultural trends faster then a book. A book takes months if not years to be polished and published. A magazine has only one to two months to reprint itself.
5. You can share an article with a friend much easier. For me to photocopy pages in a book would be time consuming, but with a magazine I can copy an article and pass it around to my friends.
6. Magazines are specific and purposeful. When I open OUTREACH magazine, I know what I am going to be reading about.
7. Cheaper then a volume of books. I recently got RELEVANT for my friend Pat for 6 bucks!! you can't beat that!!
8. Who does not love to get cool mail!!!
9. They make great gifts!! and cheap!!
10. They go great in a bathroom.

Bonus Reason: Stay Relevant with the times with current culture magazines

Well just a thought..enjoy your magazine subscriptions!!

BABY GOT BOOK!

I love this VIDEO!! You have to Check this out!! Danielle and I bought the DVD!! You should too!!

NEW HOME

Well Danielle and I were in Indiana this past Thurs, Fri, and Saturday looking for a new home. After searching and seeing EVERY apartment complex in the area we finally decided on Sand Creek Woods Apartment right off 116th street. We really loved the area and the complex offers a community pool, hot tub, indoor half court basketball/volleyball court, and a work out gym. Also each apartment has a garden tub and wood burning fire place. We are so excited about this new home!


Also, Danielle and I will be able to adopt a new family member. A precious little dog. We have been wanting a dog for years, and with a new apartment comes the ability to adopt. We will be sure to share all the pictures with you!! Keep checking into our blog as we will update you our friends and family with our adventure. Our move in date is set for June 4. Continue to pray for our family here in Wisconsin, as we make this transition.

Alan Jackson: Precious Memories

My Good friend Dan W. let me borrow his new Alan Jackson CD! Wow it is awesome!! If you are like me and you grew up with those old camp meeting songs, you will love this one!! I feel like I am back at Victory Camp in Columbus, Ohio! Alan Jackson does an incredible job at capturing that old time sound in the hymns that many of us grew up listening too. Check it out for your self HERE.



Thanks Dan!!!





Also, pray for Dan and I. Today Dan found an opportunity through the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to share the Great News of Jesus Christ. He has been a Boy Scout Troop leader for years, and asked if I could be the speaker at this year's spring retreat. We are praying that God uses our efforts to speak to hearts.

Easter is here!! Celebrate the Great News!!

Here is a picture of our good friend Matt W. enjoying Easter breakfast at the church!! Matt is a good friend who is also apart of CrossRoad Ministries.


We had a great day of Easter. Our day started by being at the church at 6:45 to help set up for breakfast! Also, we had a little petting zoo for children to see baby chickens, bunnies, and rumor has it a goat...but i did not see that. Here is a picture of Danielle and I with some Chicken McNuggets.




The day ended with some guitar playing with Matt and Danielle. Matt is just picking the guitar up and really doing a good job. Danielle on the other hand prefers just to strum, while I do the chords for her=)

To all the Danielle Fans of the World

To all the Danielle Fans of the World here is another Great Picture of Danielle!! We went for a walk at Mukwonago County Park last week, and I snapped this shot of her. She is standing with a beautiful back drop of the rolling hills of Wisconsin. Come visit us before we move back to flat Indiana!!
Today, my Uncle Dale and Aunt Marilyn is coming over on their way back through from a speaking engagement in IOWA! We hope to show them a great time at [ http://www.primequarter.com ] PRIME QUARTER!!!!!
My new Favorite restaurant!!

Easter Prep

Hey Friends, as you know Easter is knocking at the front door, but Palm Sunday was a great day for Danielle and I. Our local church family celebrated the life of Christ through an all church drama. The choir sang, and members of the congregation acted out the diffrent characters in the story of Grace. We even had Pat R. be Jesus. He did a great job!! Here are a few pictures we snaped with our new camera!! Enjoy! What is your church doing for the season? Better yet, what are YOU doing to celebrate Grace?







I love this picture of Jesus at the copier!!! What if Jesus worked in your office!!!





Danielle and I dressed the part. I was John the Baptist and Danielle played a HOT blond Jewish girl...she played her part perfect...except for the Jewish part=)

New FE-115

Danielle and I just purchased a brand spankin new Olympus FE-115 Digital Camera. We are excited! Enjoy our first picture, of course we took of a picture of something cute=)

Hopefully you will see a lot more pictures of where we are currently living, as well as our new destination in Indiana. If you have any great pictures, we would love to see them!! Please send them our way!!

Oh yeah, all of you who love to blog, you have to check you People Fisher. I am currently a founding member, and would love to see you on there!! http://peoplefisher.com/johnfreed --come join me!!

Good night! That paper for my final class is almost done!! I am procrastinating right now!!

Last week of my 1st class

I have just started my last week of my first class of Grad work with Indiana Wesleyan Univerisity. I can't believe I am working to ge my Masters. If only Mr. Chapman from the 6th grade could see me now. I wanted to share something with you from a book I just finished called, "Managing the Non-Profit Organization" it's as good as it sounds. But Peter Drucker does an awesome job in this book, and my professor, Robert Whitesel jotted down a few of his favorite quaotes and I wanted to share them with you. Enjoy, and I hope you can use them to reflect on the management of your life, or ministry. If you ever get a chance to sit down and read a good book, don't pick this one up, it is pretty heady and not very entertaining. But a great resource!






Forum: Epilogue
Date: 03-31-2006 22:07
Author: Whitesel, Robert
Subject My Favorite Drucker Quotes

From Peter Drucker's “Managing the Non-Profit Organization”

“A leader needs to see himself in a position of indebtedness. Leaders are given the gift of leadership by those who choose or agree to follow.” (Drucker, p. 37)

“Even if you have market leadership, non-customers always outnumber customers.” (Drucker, p. 100). Elmer Towns said once: “As long as there is one person in your community who doesn't know Jesus as Savior, your church isn't big enough

“Write down what you expect to happen. Nine months or a year later, compare your expectations to what actually happened.” (Drucker, p. 197)

David Hubbard said, “I think a CEO has two primary areas of service. I have to care for the vice-presidents, whom I supervise…And I have to care for the trustees.” (Drucker, p. 173)

“Paying serious attention to self-development - your own and that of everyone in the organization - is not a luxury for non-profit executives.” (Drucker, p. 189)

Inviting each volunteer to answer two questions twice a year. “What have I learned? What difference to my own life has my [ministry] at the church been making?” (Drucker, p. 190)

Drucker's questions were great. “Where have I made an impact? Where do my clients need me-not just want me? Where have I been wasting their time and mine? Where should I concentrate next year so as not only to give my best but also to get the most out of it?” (p. 191)

Drucker maintains, “Probably the best of the nuts and bolts of self-development is the practice of keeping score on yourself.” (p. 224)

“Write down what you expect to happen. Nine months or a year later, compare your expectations to what actually happened.” (Drucker, p. 197)

“It is always painful for me to see how great the gap is between what I should have done and what I did do.” (p. 224

A letter to the ones we love

Dear Friends,


Almost three years ago, the Lord led us away from a group of people we loved deeply at Daybreak Community church in Lapel, Indiana. We were newly engaged and knew that we needed a full time ministry where the Lord would use us. At that point in our lives he led us right to Our Savior’s Wesleyan church.


For the past three years you have been so wonderful to us. You have showed us love, and given us such great encouragement. We have made many great memories, like the canon on New Years Eve, sledding in the front yard, Ultimate Frisbee in the summers, Winter Rush, Noah’s Ark, and of course youth camp. We have laughed together at Sunday Night Live and LiveWire, and cried together over an open chair. We have grown in our walk with Christ, some still just beginning. Through the years we have committed deeper to one another as a family in LIFE Groups and Sunday night worship. Danielle and I see each of you as brothers and sisters, and have grown to love you so much! God has blessed us with an awesome youth group.


When we first arrived in Mukwonago, we were nervous, lonely and scared. We quickly poured ourselves into ministry and into your lives. We have loved watching you grow up, and have success in your lives and we rejoice in what God is doing in and through you. So as that first year came, we learned how God wanted us to spread the message of Jesus Christ to Mukwonago.


We learned that you love to be honest and real, so we shared Jesus honestly with people, and talked to them about the real impact Jesus can have on a life. Many of us experienced Christ in a fresh way.

We learned that you love to serve the Lord. Through rake and run, soup kitchens in Milwaukee and the missions trip to the dangerous South Chicago, we were able to join in the work of Jesus Christ in places where people were desperate, hurting and in great need. And we loved it! We laughed, cried, and even picked up glass so other kids could play tag.

We learned that you are full of love. We feel so blessed to be a part of your lives. Each one of you has invited us into your life, and offered us trust and a big smile. We needed you, and you allowed us to be your friends. Best friends!

We learned that God’s plan for Mukwonago was much greater than the two of us. We have seen God use you, time after time to bring people to SNL! or LIVEWire! God has used you to start chapel services before wrestling meets, morning prayer groups, or inviting friends to “See you at the Pole”. God used you in incredible ways.


As Danielle and I served in Mukwonago, we began to sense Him building us into the couple He has created us to be. We learned how to work together and how to serve the Lord with one heart and one vision. We know that God has used the students of CRM to develop us, probably more than we have developed them. Through the years we have worked hard to pass on to you, our deep love for Jesus Christ. Our life mission is to tell people of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. We truly hope you have gained this.


However, in the past couple of months we have felt God calling us to another adventure. We are not exactly sure where God is taking us, but we do know that He is calling us to obedience, trust, and readiness. We pass this letter on to you and your friends as a token of love and hopefully a tool of understanding. We would not trade our 3 years in Mukwonago for anything. We love and appreciate all of you and we see clearly many reasons why the Lord led us here 3 years ago. We know clearly that God has a plan and a calling on all of our lives and we have to be open to Him and the plans He has for us. While this may be a hard spot in the plan for all of us, we have to trust God, and be confident that he has this all in his control.


We want you to know that we did not go looking for a new church to serve in. We did not send out resumes, we were in the midst of our everyday ministry here when we received an invitation to explore the possibility of ministering in Fishers, Indiana. We took the invitation, after much prayer, and spent a few days with the people there. After more prayer, we were offered the position there, and we felt deep in our hearts that this was the next step in God’s plan for us. Many of our hearts

desires and personal goals were met in this new position.


We understand that our decisions seem very confusing, and not very concrete. And we understand if you feel very angry with us. But we want you to know that we love you, that this decision was extremely difficult for us. We hate the idea of moving from Mukwonago, and the people we love so much, but at the same time, we must be obedient to God’s calling on our lives. We must be sensitive to the Holy Spirits guidance to new places.


We would love to talk with each of you about this, and hear your hearts. We hope that in the next couple months you would call us, and let us know how you feel. We want to share with you; our hearts, and hopefully this letter will help a little. But we want you to know that this decision is not based on anything that this church or you did not offer us. It is based on a calling God has placed on our life, the same calling that led us here to you.


God is good in all He does. For us to teach that, we must be willing to live that out in every aspect of our life. We teach and talk with you all the time about the plan God has for your life, and at the same time, we are trying to live out God’s plan for John and Danielle. While moving is going to be so hard, we know that our new adventure will be exciting and God centered.




We love you,



“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:3-8

Worship in my life

2 Core Beliefs I have made about Worship

For my personal devotions I have been reading Leviticus and Exodus. Both books are very clear about how God communicates and dwells with His people. Here are a few things I have come to a conclusion about in my own personal life concerning worship.

Less always equals More:
The less of myself in the worship time, weather in music, in the Word, or quietly hiking through the woods, the more I can focus on my Heavenly Father and less on me, the more of Him I will experience and rest in.
As I read Leviticus and Exodus, I am seeing a chosen people who complain and groan about their issues, and give no concern to the work or power God is displaying all around them. Have I done this? Would God’s anger burn against my selfishness? Does this show up in my life? These are all questions I have been asking myself as I read through the scriptures. I can’t help but reflect on what John the Baptist said concerning Jesus, “He must increase I must decrease” John 3:30

God Directs Worship, I only can participate:
The God in the Old Testament is the same God of March 2006. I believe longs to be worshiped; I believe He longs to direct our worship. We participate in the moving of a Holy God when we worship. Worship, is giving worth and ownership of our lives to something. For me, worship is only given to the God the Bible outlines. As I read God’s Word I am worshiping, as I take out the trash, I worship. Worship is not something we step in and out of, it is much greater, much deeper. Worship is a lifestyle, a holy participation of our spirit participating in the work of the Holy Spirit. David describes this as “deep calls to deep” Psalm 42
Do I really live this way? Or do I emotionally, or rationally step in and out of a worship task in my life? If Sunday morning worship is not my style, do I feel like I have not been filled, or have not worshiped? Is it possible that worship is not about what I do, but deeper, to who I am? Or is Worship just as much what I do, and less of who I am right now?

John

Subway Vegi Max in our House

Danielle and I are so happy tonight! We have had a great day, we bought a new TV...paid off our Car...and found our favorite veggie burger at Wal-Mart.



For the past 9 years i have loved Subway's Veggie Max veggie Burger sandwich, which is not found in all parts of the nation. But when we moved to Mukwonago, Wisconsin, i introduced Danielle to them...and she loved them! They are really awesome. So for the past 3 years we have been enjoying these delicious veggie burgers at Subway. Well Danielle was tired of paying the Subway price and she did some research and found that we could buy them at our Wal-mart. They are awesome and a perfectly delicious midnight snack while we watch our new TV!



I recommend running out right now and picking up a pack for the people you love! Yum Yum!



Morning Star Farms Garden Veggie Burger!

Some more Pictures of fun in New Mexico

Here are some more pictures of the adventures we had with our great friends Mike and Tina. They used to live in NM before moving to Wisconsin, and before it got cold and gray, we took a quick trip out west. It was an awesome time!:::Thanks Mike and Tina for a great time! We have to do it again!!! This time Texas!!

Sick, but remembering New Mexico

Danielle and I are really sick this week, and really don't have time to slow down. but we found our CD of pictures from our recent trip to New Mexico and we wanted to share then with you.

Remembering New Mexico!

Danielle and I are both really sick this week! We have stuffed up heads, and horrible sinus headaches. Here are a couple of pictures we have been looking at that reminds us of our vacation out ot New Mexico this past September. It was an awesome trip and hopefully we will be back out there soon!!





Big thanks to our friends, Mike and Tina Cybularz for introducing us to Green Chilis and Balloons=)

STOP! Hammer Time!!!

Yeah we all love him! I even wore his pants in the third grade! Now He is a LINK on my Blog. I am so proud to call him Brother! If you get a chance, swing over and take some hammer time and check out what the coolest rapper in town is doing. For me, I have recently downloarded "Can't Touch This" on Itunes...just to reflect and rap with.

Can't Touch this!
jf

scared, but ready for my new adventure!

well, today I am sitting in Dr. Bob Whitesel's grad class at IWU. I am scared, as I looking at the next 2 years of masters classes. Pray for me! But at the same time i am excited, and motivated. This is the best time in my life to do this!

If you have not considered Indiana Wesleyan University...you are missing out on a great education!

10 Reasons Why I Love Danielle

Well as you all know it is Valentines Day this Tuesday! Are you ready? Danielle and I will be at IWU starting my grad work, so it will not be real romantic. But we are planning on driving down to Indianapolis for Mongolian BBQ, one of our all time favorite places to eat!

So I would like to share with you, 20 Reasons Why I Love Danielle Freed [in no particular order]
1. Her playful attitude. She is always looking for new ways to have fun
2. She is an awesome cook. She can whip up anything!
3. She loves the little things in life...like the snow tonight
4. She is picky, which may be annoying to some, but I find joy in knowing she picked me
5. She is cheap, I have never met anyone who knows how to save a dollar better
6. She loves to watch “Starting Over”
7. She falls asleep in every movie…even at the movie theater
8. She loves to stare at people with me in the mall
9. She knows how to make a Carmel Macchiato with an extra shot, sugar free vanilla, skim milk, 3 splenda, whip cream, extra carmel-dry. And she sounds really cool when she orders it at Starbucks.
10. She loves Diet Coke Black Cherry Vanilla
11. She shares an office with me
12. She plays GameBoy before she goes to bed
13. Her hard drive on her phone is almost filled with pictures
14. She wears retainers when she sleeps…it is so cute to hear her slur her words
15. She still sleeps with a teddy bear and blankie
16. She is my partner in every aspect of ministry
17. She buys me Fat Free Ice Cream
18. She encourages me in my grad work
19. She has a beautiful laugh…it makes everyone smile
20. She lets me hold the remote, but we have to watch her shows.

I just love that girl!

The Diet...or Die trying

Well, I am on a diet. Yeah, I have gained 10lbs give or take 10lbs since I have gotten married, and I really need to loose it. So I have cut out all sugar and going Low Fat. It is tough, but going well. I would like to loose 20lbs by April. Danielle is really healthy, but I am just not good at eating right. Any good advice? Drop me an email.

Snow Boarding with Kate and Sam

Danielle and I have a hobby. It may sound a little weird, but we love it. Because our schedules are so flexible, and we don’t have any children, people always ask us to house sit for them. At first we agreed to the responsibility out of love and friendship. Now, we volunteer because it is always an adventure. One house we love to house sit has a hot tub, and another has a wonderful dog to play with. Every house is different every house sitting is fun!

Danielle and I love people as you know. Sometimes at the mall we just buy a drink and watch them. So interesting, every one different, everyone has a different story. Imagine if you could spend a week living in their house…doesn’t that sound like fun?

This week we are hanging out with our two good friends Samantha and Katie McGinnis, while we are house sitting for their parents. In the morning we see Sam and Kate off to school and then we head to work. In the evening they come home, we have fake family dinner and then they do homework and we all sit by the fire and share stories about the day. It is an awesome time with us to really get to know these girls and see life from their angle. They are really great gals. It is just like playing house, but with a real house, and real kids, and real dogs, and real responsibility. This is fun!

Tonight, Sam and Kate invited Danielle and I to go snow boarding at ALPINE VALLEY SKI RESORT 10 miles from our home. This was our first time snow boarding, but we felt confident going because Sam is an instructor.

Well the night was full of spills and crashing falls. But we figured out the 3 most important elements of snow boarding.

1. Don’t look back, keep your eyes in front of you! You can only go forward, so be aware of where you are going, don’t be concerned about where you have been.
2. Keep your knees bent. You do not use your upper body in snow boarding. All the control is in your legs and stance.
3. Keep yourself centered on the board. If you are ahead or behind on the board, you will fall.

If you’re a youth pastor, you can probably see the topics now. I have already decided to start a series next month called, SNOW BOARDING THROUGH LIFE or the Snowboarders Guide to Life, should be interesting.

Well here are some pictures of our adventure tonight. Danielle has a fat knee from falling, and I almost crushed Sam when she was showing me how to slide slip.

Well tomorrow we are off to LaCross, Wisconsin, where Danielle and I are leading a Youth Event for Sand Lake Wesleyan, should be fun!

If anyone needs us to house sit, just let us know. We are really good at it.

The Shirt

First, let me start by saying thank you to all of you who have called, and emailed your encouragement to Danielle and I. It really has been a huge blessing to know that our friends, and family were there praying for us. Prayer is such a gift from God.

We have been doing a lot of talking with many of Clare’s middle school teachers. They were instructed not to talk about the events of Clare’s suicide, so that left a lot of imagination, and unanswered questions. But the Lord has graciously opened many doors for Danielle and I to minister to people who need to hear about Jesus.

Thank you for joining us in this journey.

Well, on to more issues. Christmas for us this year was hairy. We traveled a ton, and celebrated 5 different Christmas parties. The first being the Freed family Christmas in Detroit during Thanksgiving week, second being with our youth ministry Christmas shing dig, third with the Walls Family Christmas in Lapel, Indiana, the onto Cole Christmas and finally a quiet little time with just Danielle and I. Each one was so special and perfect. We really had a wonderful Christmas.

But the laugh is this, Rosie and Danielle bought me a gag gift. They purchased this rainbow shirt as a joke, and when I opened the package, I really liked it. I don’t think they were expecting this response from me, because Danielle quickly told me, it was for a laugh, and that I was not allowed to wear it!!



But I did, because I really liked it. However, we made a deal, I would wear the rainbow shirt to Sunday Night LIVE! (one of our youth programs) and allow the students to vote if I should keep it or not. Well, the vote was pretty clear, and I no longer wear the rainbow shirt. But I would love to know what your thoughts are of my cool rainbow shirt?

You have style right? You know what is cool?

What do you think? Should I ever wear this shirt again? Should I pull it out of retirement, turn my back on my Wisconsin friends and wife, and wear the rainbow shirt loud and proud?

Either way…I still like it…but probably will not wear it…bummer


For more of what we do, surf over to our ministry site. www.ShowMeCRM.org

Tramatic Time for us

Hey Friends,
Well it has been a long time since my last post. My plan was to post a long Christmas/Thanksgiving/New Years Summary of my life. Much has taken place since my last post. My life has been extremely busy. Danielle and I put more then 60 hours of driving from Detroit, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, and many trips to the Windy City for shopping and site seeing. Chicago is beautiful at Christmas.

Thanksgiving was great with my brothers James and Joseph, and Mom and Dad. It is awesome how God has blessed my parents in the past year. My mom has lost almost 150lbs in almost a year. My father is senior Pastor at First Missionary Church of Clarkston, Michigan. Which is the same town as Kid Rock.

Christmas was great also. Spending time in Indianapolis with Danielles parents and little bro Micah. It is crazy to see your little bro-in-law be 15 years old and tapping 6.2---and I know he isn’t finished growing!!



The many showers of gifts from our families, friends, church family, and youth ministry blessed Danielle and me. We are truly blessed, and look forward to seeing our family again.

At the beginning of January we went to LOGOS5 with a group of student in our youth group worship band. Danielle and I did not offer this trip to our entire youth ministry, because we wanted to invest the time, and energy into a few. So we took 10 students to LOGOS05 and had an awesome time. We were challenge to read God’s Word through in a year.

For me the most challenging time for me at LOGOS5 was the talk my Maralin Lazalo [sp –sorry]. She challenged my heart, and my passion to tell people about Jesus.

While at LOGOS5 I was asked to program a Battle of the Band with IWU. Danielle and I used this as a leadership development project for our students. They did an awesome job setting up the stage, passing out bead necklaces and showing other high school bands where to set up, and what to expect. I was so proud of them, and how much patience they had, and willingness to serve.

I start grad classes in about a month through Indiana Wesleyan University. I am excited about this next educational adventure.

Also, my friend and mentor Chris Conrad has recently moved to Indiana to take a new position at the Wesleyan Church headquarters. So I have been in search for a new mentor. Which is nothing new for me, because since the age of 18, I have had a mentor. Someone who was usually an, older, wiser person who I could rub shoulders with. To learn from them the wisdom and knowledge they have gained through the years. So, when I first came to Wisconsin, Chris adopted me and took me under his wing. Monthly we would try to get together and share our hearts about marriage, ministry, and personal growth.

My father planted a church when I was 12. The drop zone style of church plant was very hard, and difficult for my family. I am grateful for the experience, and much of who I am today, and my passion to tell people about Jesus, is because of that stage. But the idea of church planting has always been a passion of mine, but also a deep fear. Chris, helped me move passed that fear, and tone my vision for church planting. Thank you Chris!

So, since, I was with out a mentor, I began my search again for a new person to learn, experience and gain wisdom from. I found Mark Vincent from Design for Ministry (which can easily be found on the www). Mark’s children have attend our youth ministry for a few years now. Mark and his wife Lori both have done youth ministry, and many different ministry leadership positions. These are two people Danielle and I, would consider heroes. Mark has agreed to meet with me for the next 6 months as I start my grad work, and begin a new step in my method of disciple making.

Danielle is starting her 2nd semester as Children’s director of Our Savior's Wesleyan Church. It has been awesome to see her pour into these kids, and really sink her teeth into a new type of ministry for her, leadership development. We have both grown a ton, in our ministry styles in July. Sharing an office space, and ministry goals has opened so many new doors for marriage growth. We have learned to work together in a deeper way. We really depend on each other a bunch! I really don’t know how to do ministry with out her.

With all this said---I have to tell you the real reason Danielle or I have not posted. As many of you know Danielle not only works for Our Savior’s Wesleyan Church, she also works for our local school district as the LINKS After School program director. Every Wednesday a bus pulls up to the church’s front door and 15-20 7th and 8th grade students unload for an afternoon of hilarious games, relaxing, homework help, and mentoring. I help out too by training, and encouraging the sr. high student mentors. Danielle has had this program for almost 3 years.

Two years ago a young lady in the 7th grade came to the after school program. Her name was Clare. Clare was a bright, talented young lady that displayed a unique ability in art, and design. She would always wear clothes that were not in-style, but were her style. She would always use the church parking lot as her canvas. Danielle and I would supply the side walk chalk. When people were sad or down, she would offer to draw their picture. Which always brightened people’s day.
For three semesters of school Clare came to LINKS. Every Wednesday, she would walk off the bus and into our lives. We laughed together, and often times shared stories about how we each grew up. Clare was always invited to our Youth group, but she could never convince her parents to bring her.

Clare, graduated the 8th grade and went into the 9th grade. Which means she no longer could come to the after school program. Which meant Danielle and I lost touch with her since Sept.

This past Monday night, Clare committed suicide in her brothers bedroom. This was a kick in the gut for Danielle and I. Our hearts have been broken. Many feelings of guilt, and “what if’s” run through our minds. We have not slept a full night yet. Last night we went to the funeral, and today, I did not go to work. We have been living in shock.

However, in the midst of this storm, God has been speaking to us. Through His Word, long times in silent prayer, and talking it out with other believers, Danielle and I are mourning, and being stretched.

For Danielle, it has been a constantly in her thoughts, she has had a really hard time sleeping, and constantly is thinking about the whole situation. For her it is like an ache in her heart. She tries to find relief, but has found she just needs to go through the pain of this loss.

For me, I have gotten boldness out of all of this, as if someone has released a hungry man deep in my soul. I have never had a greater passion or fervor to tell people about Jesus. Every time I meet someone, or have a chance to have meaningful talk with someone, I am driven to tell him or her about things that matter. I want to tell them about Jesus.

I am torn up inside to think that Clare may have come into my church, through an outreach my church had, and I may have not told her about Jesus. Sure I may have been a nice guy, and even driven her home once. But did I ever really come out and challenge her stance in life. Did I tell her about Jesus? Or just play fun games with her, play Christian music, and hand her a flyer with the next great youth event CRM was having? Did I tell her more about my youth ministry than I did Jesus?

Danielle and I have been blessed to have a growing vibrant ministry. Every student we have has been a blessing from God. And we work our tails off weekly to disciple, develop leaders, develop methods of discipleship, and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God has doubled the size of our ministry every year since we have been here. Not because of anything we have done, but because of the huge need this community has. But often times I fall prey to having a heart that cares more about the marketing of youth ministry than I do of the evangelism of Jesus Christ. THIS WHOLE SITUATION HAS BEEN AN AWAKENING.

Tonight, there was a student led candle light vigil at the local park. Danielle, a group of students and myself went. With my candle in hand I asked God for an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. Just someone, who is lost, hungry and hurting. As we arrived their must have been 40-50 student huddled together trying to stay warm on a cold Wisconsin night. As we began to light our candles, Megan, the group organizer asked if I would share. She said, she was not sure what to say, but knew something needed to be said.

Tonight, at Field Park in Mukwonago, I told them about Jesus. I told them that His love is great. I told them that His healing goes deep, and that life doesn’t have to end. I told them of salvation and new birth. I told them nothing about my youth ministry, or about the cool event we are having on Saturday. I just told them about Jesus.

Pray for us friends. We are hurting, hungry, and ready to move from this heartache. God’s been moving and breaking new ground in our hearts. I am not sure exactly for what reason. My prayer for you, is that if you get the chance, and if you don’t get one, make one, but tell someone about Jesus. You may not have them next semester.

The friend we lost

Our Friend Clare at LINKS last year.
We will miss you forever Clare.



Clare is our blond haired Friend sitting in the chair on the far left.

Danielle at home

Here is Danielle in our kitchen cooking holiday goodies.

Christmas Visit from family

It was awesome to have Danielles family here for a few days in the begining of December. I have been meaning to share this picture with you.

Thank you, Gandma and Grandpa Cole, Nancy, Charity, and Rosie for spending a couple days with us! We love it!!

Thanks MOM!

Thanks Mom for the chocolate fountain---Danielle and I love it!!

See more pictures of the CRM Thankgiving PITCH-IN @ www.ShowMeCRM.org

Sir Do you know why I pulled you over?

Friday night, Danielle and I ended a romantic evening in Chicago with a speeding ticket coming home on 41 North. I was going 61 in a 45---so that is $105 less in our checking account. I honestly had no idea I was going over the speed limit. The speed limit when merging onto 41 north from 94 north was 55---I thought I was safe. But I guess the speed limit changes to 45mph as you travle


Needless to say, we will never be taking 41 north to get home.

The Freed Family

God thanks for not giving me a normal functioning family

Thanks God for brothers

Well Danielle and I are in Detroit at my parent’s home in the suburb of Clarkston. My parents live in a really cool place. They live on the same lake as Bob Seger and Kid Rock! Sometimes, they can hear music on the lake from Bob’s house and my mom has bumped into him at Kroger one or twice.

Being home for the Thanksgiving is interesting for me. It is always good to reconnect with my brothers and mom and dad. but it always reminds me of why a man leaves home to cling to his wife. I can appreciate my family, and love them a ton, but I feel good about moving away and starting my own home. It is awesome how that happens so naturally.

Right now I am watching Seinfeld with my brothers, just like old times. I have to admit I do miss them. They are the only guys on the face of the planet who really know what it was like to grow up in this house.

They are the only guys in the world that know how to really tell when dad is mad.
They are the only ones in the world that know where the “silence of the Lamb’s” cardboard cutout is hidden in our house.
They are the only guys that know how Joseph screwed up Christmas morning one year and made mom cry…we will never let him live that down.
No one else in the world knows what it is like to celebrate a FIREFIGHTERS Christmas at Kimball Township Fire Dept.

I love these guys! Thanks God for my great brothers…and thanks for giving us a relationship that is deep and real.

Happy Thanksgiving from the quietest one in the Freed family…no joke!!

Paul COLE!!!

Paul Cole got married today....congrats Paul!!!
Elopping is crazy!!! WOW!!!!! See you at Family Christmas!!!
nothin but love from the Freeds in Wisconsin!!!

Jodi and Paul Cole :::: WOW!!!!!

Blue Print: reflection of Titus 2:12

-And we are instructed to turn from godless living, and sinful pleasures and we should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God.- Titus 2:12

This week a group of men and I that I meet with weekly have committed to tattooing this scripture to our hearts. It is a powerful verse that is really a blue print for how we should respond to life.
I am forced to respond to life, through my behavior. If your attitude is the only thing you can change, the only tool of change is your behavior.
Tuesday night Danielle and I and a bunch of friends went to “THE RAVE” and awesome club here in Milwaukee that features all kinds of concerts through out the year. On Tuesday when we were there, and the only reason we were there was to see RELIANT K and MXPX. This was an awesome concert!! But one thing almost ruined it….

THE RAVE has a main floor and balcony that wraps around the entire perimeter of the room. You can literally look over the shoulder of the artist as they rock out. Not wanting to get caught in the mosh-pit with sweaty teenagers, Danielle and I sat in the upper right side of the room, just behind the shoulder of the bass player. We had a birds eye view of everything!! We could even hear the small talk of the band to each other in between songs. It was as if we were on stage with them. But from the stage…something disturbing was sitting in the front row. That if you were in the crowd or mosh-pit you would have totally missed it, but from Danielle and my seat…we heard every word.

The enemy sat in the front row of this concert. When Reliant K took the stage the 500+ people in the room erupted in praise, except for the 5 people in the front row. They hurled insults, swear words and number of hand gestures that you would not be able to find in a sign language dictionary. For the next hour between songs, this small group of people screamed at the lead singer of RK[reliant K]. At one point, the screaming was so intrusive to the band, the band members actually paused before starting a song…just to grasp their bearings. The enemy was in the front row.

The concert ended, the crowd was pleased, Reliant K had hit a home run for Jesus in their final song, that sang about forgiveness, and grace. But the enemy sat in the front row. No one probably heard them, except for the band, and no one cared, except maybe the band. But I watched in anger, in frustration, in deep hurt, because I could not do anything to protect the band. I could not yell enough praise to them or cheer them on enough to dismantle the enemy in the front row.

Here is wisdom I walked away from this life experience with…….

1. The enemy is always in the front row of our lives. He is Screaming out discouragement, and tearing us down, declaring that we, -F-in suck-, and we will never amount to anything.
2. Though the crowds cheer us on, it only takes a few voices to really change the direction of our hearts. How many times have I listened more to the enemy in the front row, then the crowds the sing a different tune.
3. The enemy is not looking to defeat you, just take your focus off what is important. When our focus is off what is meaningful and lasting, we will destroy ourselves.
4. The only way you can respond is in your behavior, behavior is chosen through your attitude. When the enemy seeks to destroy, and sits in the front row of your life, you have to make a decision. How will you respond?


The ability to Choose is the most beautiful, and most ugly thing God created. Daily I am faced with choices, to honor God in my behavior, or fall prey to the enemy. There is a beautiful spiritual reaction that our lives go through when we choose to live a life of self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God. There is also a very ugly bitter reaction that happens to us spiritually when we live godless lives, and live by our sinful pleasures.

Choice is what makes us human it’s what makes us able to love. Love is more of a choice then a feeling, or emotion. Maybe, when we reach back into our lives, and pull out these elements of self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God that make up a Christ driven life. We really are swimming against the current of the world around us, we are making a choice that goes against the grain of our fall nature. So maybe being a follower of Jesus Christ is more about Holiness then happiness? Hmm…..this is another topic….for another blog…

Ok, now I am ready to tattoo this scripture to my life.

This is Don Freed doing my favorite thing...making steaks on the grill. To this day, I have never tasted a better steak. However, he did have two heart attacks, and today can not eat much steak...but in this picture [july1979] he is loving life.

And if you are wondering...he is smiling...that is my Grandpa...happy.

love you Grandpa Freed!!

Dear Don Freed

Dear Grandpa,
I love you! Thank you for being a man of God, and sharing that with your three boys. I remember as a little boy coming over for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and every night before bed, the whole family would all kneel and pray. I know this was a tradition from your father, which you shared with your family, and then with your grandchildren. That was powerful in my life, and to this day I kneel to pray. Also, every Monday night, I have a Bible study of 30 teenage boys who meet at the church, and I tell them the story of my Grandpa, and how he is a man of God, how he loved his wife Lucy, and their three boys. I tell them about how you are a man of prayer, and conviction. I always tell them of your love for Jesus. So on Monday night with those young men, we all kneel to pray, just like you.
Grandpa, I hope I grow up to be like you. I love you so much, and pray for you often. You have always been a spiritual hero in my life, and many times I have faith in Jesus, because of my grandpa’s faith in Jesus. Thank you for loving Jesus.
Finally, thank you for the nicknames. Pumpkin toes, Hunk of Bologna, and my favorite, JohnBoy. No matter how old I become, I will always be JohnBoy.

I love you Grandpa,

JohnBoy

Danielle and I this summer

Here is a great picture of Danielle and I this past summer at Youth Camp. She is so beautiful!!!

Books I am currently reading:

Ok my hope is to read these books by the end of the year. I have started all of them, but hope to finish all of them by Jan.1

What happens is every 3-4 months I make personal reading goals for myself. The reason I do this, is because i buy lots and lots of books...with dreams of reading them all...then slowly read them...so for the past year I have been setting reading goals for meself...it has helped a ton. here are the books i am reading now....

ENTER THE WORSHIP CIRCLE by Ben Pasley [Relevant Books]
This is a great book...I laugh out loud when he the Author talks about coffee houses, and the art work inside. Very good insights so far in worship, and life style worship. I have always loved the CD's and now the book also.

THINKING FOR CHANGE by John C. Maxwell [Warner Business Books]
I have read all of John's books...and if you have read one...you really have read them all. But I enjoy his illustrations and quick insights...a mile wide and inch deep...but an easy easy read. Very encourageing to me. I enjoy all of John's books because they are fast read, and practical....much like my life.

THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel [Zondervan]
I have been meaning to read this book for a long time. and I am reading another of Lee's books this month, so I thought I would zip through this...but most times with Lee's books...it is a slow walk. He always has great stuff to point out...He has a great way of thinking....and causing you to think.

CONTROLLED CHAOS--Making sense of Junior High Ministry-- by Kurt Johnston
I am reading this book because in our ministry we have just split Jr. High students from the Sr. High students. I am not all that good with Jr. High students. So I am reading this book looking for direction and help...hopefully it will solve all my worlds problems. Kurt is a great youth pastor I have learned a lot from his other books.

THE DISCIPLE-MAKING CHURCH by Bill Hull
I am looking forward to reading this book. mostly because it is my passion. I have never read a book by Bill so this should be good....first two chapters are intence.

INSIDE THE MIND OF UNCHURCHED HARRY AND MARY by Lee Strobel [Willow]
This has been a great book...it is really a look in side the mind of Lee. The feelings he felt as a professional journalist for the Chicago Tribune and his feelings when he first came to church with his wife. He does a great job at painting a picture of the seeker, and the type of greeting they expect from a church. and the type of greeting they need to recieve from a church. I do question this book a tad...the first church and only church he visited as a seeker was Willow Creek, and he was a white collar professional from the City, from a boomer generation....these all play a part in a seekers mind...still waiting to see if he talks abou that.... So far though a must read for anyone who wants to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ....also for anyone who read my last Halloween post...

Chooseing To Cheat by Andy Stanley
A preacher hero to me, Andy writes great stuff...but repeats a ton in a lot of his books. I have read many of his books, and I am getting alot out of this one. I read Andy's "Visionariing" book for desert after a long day at the office....that is a great book, and my dad says this one ranks up there with it. We will see...so far...OK....but the middle is always the filler for Andy's books...he does best in the first 4 and last 4 chapters....especially in an 8 chapter book.


Hope I finish these things...I have 61 days as of today...

3 Main Ingredients to a Successful LIFE

1. Purpose [aka: Direction or Compose]
Having this defined at the front end of your life, will keep you on the path to success. This works in all ways of life. That’s why “PURPOSE Driven LIFE” has been a successful book. Because people have found that when you have purpose, it is like having a compose for your day to day activities; whether that is a meal with friends, or a marriage.
KEY QUESTION: Why are you going in this direction?

2. Goal [aka: Destination]
Having clear goals allows your to track progress in the direction you are going. ALL successful people have goals. What are the goals you have for life? Having clear goals allows you to track where you are going, and how you will get there. Having Goals in life, is like having a map.
KEY QUESTION: What do you want to accomplish?

3. Strategy [aka: Vehicle]
Having a clear strategy for how you will accomplish your goals, which are directed by your purpose, will give you the easiest way to success at what ever you do. Nailing down a strong strategy will give you a vehicle to your goals. Having a strong strategy, will give you confidence and momentum in accomplishing your goals. With out a strategy, you will never accomplish your goals. For many school is the vehicle for accomplishing their life goals. I recommend always linking yourself with a mentor. A good mentor will challenge your strategy, requiring you to really make good choices, and proper steps through life. My ministry is to link people with strong LIFE Coaches...take a look at "MY WORK" under links.
KEY QUESTION: What methods will you take to accomplish your purpose?