Because It's Leap Day!

I'm writing this post for ONE reason, and ONE reason only .... because it's LEAP Day!! I want my blog to be able to have something dated February 29. It's not gonna happen for another FOUR years .... and FOUR years ago, blogs weren't really even around. They were around, but not really.

Anyway, HAPPY LEAP DAY! Only 299 Days Till Christmas!! We're under 300 babay!!

Ministry Friendships, Part 2

This is the "Part 2" of the post I linked to Thursday.

I again say ...

• If you attend NewHeart and I am your Pastor, understand my heart wants the best for you, always!
• If you are a Pastor, take it to heart, don't throw out the baby with the bath water, don't give up hope, and get what you agree with in front of your congregation.
• If you attend another church, send this to your Pastor.
• If you don't attend church at all, keep this handy for when you do, and then send it to your Pastor ;^)

Read Part 2 here. To go back and read Part 1, go here.

Better Week & Good Friends

Well, this has been a better week. You can read my last post to catch what I mean. Pete & Cathy are both doing better this week. You can go here and click on either of their names to get an update on what they are dealing with.

I have been very involved in both of these circumstances, but especially with Pete. He and I go way back. We have what I consider THE most unique friendship story I've ever heard. I'm not bragging, really, it is just downright a God-thing.

We were good friends for many years. We met when I first started in ministry and then he and his wife eventually were our first real Youth Team Members. He eventually became our Junior High Director.

Four years ago, we had a painful falling out. Six MONTHS ago, after four years of painful separation, we got back together. (I don't mean to make it sound romantic, but it's the best way to say it.)

Now, he is on his back by doctor's orders, recuperating and healing from a SERIOUS complication from knee replacement surgery that has nothing to do with his knee. God divinely gave us our friendship back, stronger and deeper than it ever was.

I've been walking with him through multiple surgeries and, over the last week, intensely painful wound dressing changes. Not to sound morbid, but that's a powerfully bonding experience!

Now .... ministry does weird things to friendships. Sometimes, it doesn't even really allow for them between certain people. Painful, but honest, and true.

Today, I read a post by a fellow Pastor who I highly respect ... Craig Groeschel. Don't know him personally, but I love his thinking and writing.

He is writing a series of posts about Ministry Friendships, and today's is one I want you to read.

• If you attend NewHeart and I am your Pastor, understand my heart wants the best for you, always!
• If you are a Pastor, take it to heart, don't throw out the baby with the bath water, don't give up hope, and get what you agree with in front of your congregation.
• If you attend another church, send this to your Pastor.
• If you don't attend church at all, keep this handy for when you do, and then send it to your Pastor ;^)

Read it here.

Long Week

Haven't posted much lately, just because I haven't had time or energy. I'm doing OK, really. Just had a couple of friend hospital emergencies.

One is a good friend who had complications from a bilateral knee replacement surgery done right after Christmas. Something called "compartment syndrome" has left an open wound on his leg from his knee clear down to his ankle. This week, he lost his shin muscle and several tendons to the damage it has done. It's pretty gnarly and extremely painful for him. We've been on this hard journey together.

Then, another friend who attends our church, who is a 10+ year survivor of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, was diagnosed this week with Small Cell Lung Cancer. This is a shock to all around her. She's the picture of health in diet and exercise.

Doesn't get any more clear than this .... when the nurse walked in with a bag to hang on the IV pole of her 2nd chemotherapy drug, she brought it in wearing THICK latex gloves (not just the thin ones you see in every doctor's office and hospital) and a plastic apron! How's that for making a statements about what they're depositing into your body?

All that and more has made for a long week, and my blogging has taken a hit for it. I'll be back more regularly soon!

Have You Voted Yet?

Just a reminder! Not asking WHO you voted for, just IF you have voted.

Uganda About To Get Some Bloggers Love!!

A blogger friend of mine, Anne Jackson, who writes FlowerDust.net, is headed to Uganda next week. She is doing a very unique trip with 9 other bloggers from arouns the country. As I understand it, some of them have not even met each other personally. One of them asked the question, "What could 10 bloggers do if they put their hearts and hands where their mouth is?". And, this is what they're doing.

I think it's outrageously cool, and I want you to follow Anne and the group on their exploits with me. You can do it by clicking on this picture, or the one on the right column, throughout the length of their trip. It will help make a difference!

Carrie Underwood Gets Some Help

As if Carrie needed any help, she gets some anyway. Watch out world! Enjoy a chuckle!

Kudos to Todd at MMI

Super Bowl Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Along with untold millions of others, I am on my couch this afternoon watching the pre-game festivities for the Super Bowl. Right now, as I type, I am watching the reading of the Declaration of Independence by a number of members, past and present, of the NFL family. It is quite moving!

It has included people like Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts' Coach, whose son committed suicide a couple of years ago) and Marie Tillman (wife of Pat Tillman, who gave up his NFL career to serve in Afghanistan and was killed there). It gave me goose bumps! Anyone else?

UPDATE: Here is the video ...

Bummer Weekend

The Kuzma home has been invaded! It's not alien, I don't think anyways. It is strange though!

Colleen was down all week with a nasty sinus infection. Thursday night, both boys complained of flu symptoms. Friday morning, I started the day with laryngitis, hopeful that's all it would be.

Friday afternoon, I took the boys to the doctor, right when my symptoms got worse. They had antibiotics, I didn't. So we've all been fighting fevers, chills, sweats, coughs, phlegm ... you name it.

Thanks to John Cox for preaching for me this weekend at a moment's notice!!! Called him on Friday afternoon and so glad he was available.