I like thinking that I can just make up new words, and that they’ll make sense to everyone else.  Albeit this is an unrealistic expectation, I long for these new words to crop up in everyday conversation, someday making it into the official ranks of the dictionary.

My latest word is ‘recommunity’.  Let the reader beware- I have chosen to genetically splice three words together to create my Franken-word;  Recovered Common Unity.  Early in the first century when Jesus and his first followers began worshiping Him, a unique kind of community was evolving from Jewish-Roman-Greek culture.  People regardless of wealth or family status were laying aside their differences and choosing to identify as a group of Jesus-followers.  Their strongest friendships were centered around Jesus’ teaching and way of life.  Their personal goals were subjected to the needs of their friends, and the mission of Jesus in their communities.

Bottom line- this kind of unity around Jesus, and around the mission of Jesus, defined every aspect of their lives.  Onlookers described them as ‘foolish’ and ‘strange’, not being able to understand why they would dedicate themselves to ’loving unlovable people’ and sharing the ministry that Jesus left behind.  With boldness and compassion, they shared the simple truths of the gospel in the middle of their everyday relationships.  Not only in the New Testament, but also in other historical documents, we can easily see why the political leaders of the 1st century were a bit taken back when these Jesus-followers were so uniquely different, yet winning the hearts of many that wanted a different way of life.

In our modern world, much is said about ‘unity’, ‘community’, and the ways to acheive it.  Little is said about what disunifies the human race and what kinds of things destroy community.  If we are completely  honest, all of us have been born with a ingrained sense to ‘get what you want, and when you want it’.  We are driven to be successful, more wealthy, well-liked by all, respectable citizens.  We want our names on the donation plaque, honor role, and the ’10 best’ lists.  In doing so, we enjoy separating ourselves from the names that arent respectable, less successful or wealthy, or that don’t really benefit us in the long run.  Truly, we’re born into sin and continue to choose it.

Our only hope is ‘recommunity’.  At the core of Jesus and His teachings, is an offer to change from the self-focused world we live in.  Being honest about our own sinful condition, Jesus offers us a chance to ‘repent and believe, for the Kingdom is at hand.’ Mark 1:15.  For Jesus, believing in the message is just the beginning- a daily awareness of His Kingdom and trust in our King, is our only hope to ‘recover common unity’.  Instead of daily fear, depression, and broken relationships, in the gospel message we are offered mercy, forgiveness, true joy that goes beyond any of life’s situations, and relationships that are defined by the greater purposes of God through His Son Jesus.

This is what the church was and is designed to be.  A community of Jesus-followers who are passionately committed to Jesus, one another, and the community in which they carry out His mission.  Is it possible to ‘recover’ this ‘common-unity’?  Can the modern church, especially in America, recover their true beauty and realize their cherished place as the apple of God’s eye?  When the New Testament speaks of the local church as the ‘bride’ of Jesus, what image comes to your mind?  Just as my love for my wife Anna is renewed and restored every day, could we look on the church as a beautiful, extremely gifted, and full of power and potential?

It is way past due.  Today, I am making it my commitment to recover common unity around the Word of God, and the God-Man Jesus Christ.  He is our only hope to rescue the mission of the church, as we come to His Word for direction and rely on His Holy Spirit for guidance.  Each of us must take a serious look at the things in our schedules, and honestly assess whether or not we truly have this kind of community around the mission of Jesus.  Do my best friends ever talk about Jesus or His mission?  Do my closest peers share with me the goal of being more like Jesus and sharing His message with others?  How can I find a true community of believing friends in my town?

Sunday nights 6:30-7:30pm, at Alexandria Technical Community College, we will be inviting friends to consider this ‘recommunity’.  Most young people and younger families that have never experienced these kinds of real relationships, will gather in an informal and friendly environment to hear the Word of God and meaningfully connect with each other.  Sitting at tables, sharing coffee and snacks, discussing Jesus and His teaching, people will be both loved and challenged to follow Jesus with the same passion of the early church.

Before we speak too  highly of the church, let us be clear.  Even the first century followers of Jesus had their issues.  Conflicts were common and feelings were hurt.  People have always been the same.  However, when these conflicts were addressed by loving and truthful leaders in the church, the lies of the enemy were exposed and people were given the opportunity to reconcile.  Whatever problems or difficulties arise, from within the church or outside it, followers of Jesus are committed to responding to His truth and grace in relationships- not abandoning people as soon as times get tough.

Authentic ‘recommunity’ can never be accomplished simply by getting people into a room together.  We will be together on Sunday nights primarily to respond to God and His Word, and secondarily to reflect His character to one another in relationships.  We are praying that the Gospel, and the Word of God, would change our hearts to be more like Jesus.  When this happens in a setting of God-centered worship, we are able to reflect Jesus to the friends around us and experience relationships that our authentically encouraging.  What does ‘recommuity’ look like on a typical Sunday night?  As things are always flexible, more or less we will…

6:30pm- Gather over drinks and snacks around cafe tables

6:40pm- Offer people the freedom to come before God in worship

6:50pm- Teach people a timeless and practical truth of God’s Word, through the Gospel message.

7:00pm- Talk and share over small tables about a meaningul question, applicable to the message.

7:10pm- Present a biblical and clear ‘way of life’ for all of us to strive for, stemming from the message.

7:20pm- Discuss key action steps that any person could take to follow Jesus, based on the message.

7:25pm- Responding to God as a community of believers, through worship, prayer, or thanksgiving.

7:30pm- Encouraging people to ‘go and make disciples’ in their everyday lives, learning and growing together.

Our hope is to ‘recover’ the relational and disciple-making core function of the local church, especially focusing on the 16-35 age demographic that has largely ‘checked out of church’.  Could it be that the world has just been waiting for a new word to describe how they really feel?  Could it be that ‘recommunity’ would be a word that flies from the lips of new and old followers of Jesus?  Could it be one day we see recommunity be listed between recollection and reconnaissance?

As you can tell, Im not really that passionate about those kinds of things?  What would thrill my heart would be to see every follower of Jesus recover their personal privilege of bringing Jesus into their every day relationships, and inviting those friends into the every day community of the church that Jesus longs to use for His glory.  Let’s turn from our selfish versions of ‘church’ and ‘Christianity’, and recover why Jesus is so passionate about His bride, the church, and His unique mission for her on planet earth.  Let’s commit to ‘recommunity’.

Marginalized…shrugged off…left to fend for yourself.  85% of the people of my own county in small town Minnesota are ‘disenfranchised’.  These forgotten lives are caught in a wandering sea of half-truth and mixed messages.  The TV says you just need the fast car, or the beautiful girl.  If you don’t have them, then work out more or shove someone out of the way to get the better job.  Our town prides itself in the lake home, the big boat, the 2.5 kids that are sports prodigies..if you don’t have any of the three, everyone seems to question what you really have to offer.  It’s funny that even though many do follow our culture’s advice, when they are honest they admit that this too is a shallow approach to life, or ‘disenfranchised’.  And when you ask, these 85% have given up on figuring out ‘church’ or ‘following Jesus’…too much confusion, not enough explanation.

Tons of adults and students I talk to feel like they are tired of the routine of life, void of real relationships they can trust, clueless as to God’s purposes in the world, or where to go even to find those purposes to live by.  Most, if they are honest, have the viewpoint of Orson Welles, “We’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we’re not alone.”

Why is it that we have more social websites than ever to keep us ‘connected’ with each other, yet when it comes down to it, this year we still have yet to have a meaningful conversation with a trusted friend (more than 5 minutes in passing)?  And if we are gifted enough to have a trusted friend, why can’t we find the time to do something special for that friend to show them we care?  What does that say about our self pre-occupation about our own lives?

And I’m in the same boat.  I am way too self-preoccupied with my own life.  Do I need to actually schedule in time to do something out of the ordinary for someone I care about?  These last months, my personal passion has been to encourage the ‘disenfranchised’ to a life much different than they know.  My wife, Anna, and I have been trying to make changes in our lives to be more intentional with relationships, writing down the things you want to say to someone, praying for the things you really want to see God do (not just thanking Him for the same things over and over).  Yes, we are grateful….we tell Him every day we are.  But we know God has amazing plans for people that trust in His Son Jesus, and God the Father delights in using His children to reach the ‘disenfranchised’.

This fall, Anna and I are investing in ‘doing church for the disenfranchised’.  People that are weary of traditional forms of church are welcome.  People that could care less about knowing God or Jesus or the Bible are welcome.  People that have a strong passion to reach out to the hurting, wounded, and marginalized are welcome.  We will be authentic in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and authentic in building a relational community of those wanting to simply be like Jesus and follow Him.

Ive tried countless times to teach my parents how to use the internet and their DVD player.  However, my dad remains content with ’60 minutes’ and the evening news while my mom lives for the hallmark channel tear-jerker.  Why?  Their generation is comfortable with doing things in a certain way, thus avoiding a different way of doing things.  A ‘better way’ or not, the 85% disenfranchised are pleading for ‘different’?  Could it be that different is actually within the story of the first church of Jesus’ first followers?  Explanation for the real Jesus and being like Him are out there, but they are just unsure or leery of the traditional church settings to help them figure it all out.

SO, where do we go from here?  Anna and I have a passion to sit with people and explain our story to them, and help explain God’s story as it has been revealed to us through the scriptures (Old and New Testaments of the Bible).  Isn’t it a lot of fun to explain to someone your new car, or new house, or new girfriend/boyfriend?  In the same way, and much more, we find it thrilling to explain to someone this ‘old, but new’ rediscovered picture of the God of the Bible- the person that created you and I, the person that in Himself includes a ‘trinity’ of persons (Father, Son, and Spirit), the person who sacrificed His own life to pay the punishment of our treachery against Him.  It’s an amazing story!

Some of the ‘disenfranchised’ respond to this explanation, some don’t.  Most don’t.  Not because they are left with major questions- we get through most of them.  We try to explain why we aren’t perfect as followers of Jesus, why God doesn’t just destroy evil from the world, why other followers of Jesus seem depressed and cold towards others who don’t agree with them.  Those are pretty simply questions when we can talk about who God really is, and who mankind is created to be.  Most don’t respond to the claims of Jesus Christ because they love sin rather than God.  The love the pleasures of lust, greed, and pride rather than love, giving, and purity.  They simply love the world too much, and do not want to change.  And that’s OK with me, if we can simply be honest about it.  Let’s not cover that up with a line like ‘I’m already a good person, and that’s why I know I’m going to heaven.’  That’s simply religion without Jesus- the Author and Creator of Heaven.

This fall at Alexandria Technical College on Sunday nights, we intend to have an informal time and space to hear what the disenfranchised are thinking and feeling.  We intend to talk about the real heart of the issues- Who Jesus Christ really is, who we really are, why it all matters to everyday life, etc. (The first century followers of Jesus knew nothing of people who claimed Jesus but lived their lives for themselves) We see students gathered to talk as young adults and be changed by God to become the core of what God is doing in the world.  We see families and couples gathered to encourage one another in parenting, marriages, and work relationships- so that moms, dads, and kids would follow Jesus no matter what the world says or what names their friends assign to them.

If you’d like to know more about this gathering of the ‘disenfranchised’ please contact me.  Even if you want to discuss the post above, Id love to grab a coffee with you if you are even in West Central MN.  I will drive to you and pay for your coffee-  Honest!  It’s time for real conversations that would really change lives- Jesus is most definitely the strongest, fiercest, bravest, and most compassionate One you will ever dare to meet.  And He is ready for us to come to Him in humility and respect.  For starters, read the Gospel of John, and let’s talk today.

Throw a few options for parents in there, a couple of road trips, and a team of dynamic leaders, and all of sudden things sound pretty good right?

Maybe not. None of the above includes 13 yr old boy tears. The most amazing thing I get to do as a student pastor, is what happened last night. The setting: Two large rocks able to be sat upon, a parking lot with a street light, and 10 minutes of conversation with a 13 yr old boy.

A friend of mine came along to an event we hosted- we’ll call him Bob. Bob and I sat out in a dimly lit parking lot for no more than ten minutes, and Bob explained how his parents are in the process of divorcing. Remember, Bob is 13 yrs old and more interested in snowboards than being ‘spiritual’. I didnt think we get very far at all in honestly and authenticity.

To my surprise, Bob starts talking about his parents seperation and the fact that he only sees his mom every other weekend. As Bob explains, he begins to cry, and we are both left a little speechless.

Another few minutes pass, and we agree to meet sometine and grab a lunch to talk. Bob’s ride comes to pick him up and I tell him Ill call him soon to get together, before he climbs in the dark suv and closes the door.

So what do I do all day? I have the amazing honor of seeing young men and women realize they are indispensible in Gods plans in the world. Who else gets to develop a certain level of personal trust with a kid he barely knows, so that God could save this kid from a life of pain and problems? And possibly for some greater purpose to help other 13 yr olds?

I know Im naive and overly optimistic, but those 13 yr old tears are one of the best reasons I do what I do. With hope in God’s Word, rooted in God’s character, and promised through God’s Son on the cross…those 13 yr old tears are counted one at a time, and hopefully Bob notices someone is ready to help him through it, even if his parents dont…because thats what I would do, even if it were all day long.

Acts 3 tells us of a family ‘feud’ between Peter, John, and the “men of Israel” who are with them after they heal a lame man.  It was a miracle done in the power of Jesus’ name, and Peter couldnt take the credit but gave the credit right back to Jesus and the faith this man had in Jesus to heal him.  I think Peter and John were going to prayer (verse 1) because they knew they were now to carry on Jesus’ message of forgiveness, but they just werent sure where to begin…they were frustrated guys who couldn’t believe their own countrymen killed Jesus.

Verse 15 reads “You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.”  Isn’t that an incredible statement?  The audience listening must have been stunned.  Yuo can almost hear them saying “Who does Peter think he is casting judgement on us? Jesus was nothing more than a crazy religious guy”.  Peter has the right to get on their case because he is part of their family as the nation of Israel.  He is angry, but justifiably angry.

Let me make my point clear to my Minnesotan family…you killed Jesus too.  Your lying, back-biting, gossiping, cheating, lusting, harsh attitude, lazy attitude, greed, know-it-all pride…all of your sin and my sin has driven the nails through Jesus’ hands and feet and pierced his side.  You kiled Jesus, I killed Jesus…we killed Jesus.  So what’s your response?  Anger?  How dare you, Jeff?  Who does he think he is?

Peter closes his message to his family by pointing to the healed man and says “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom  you see and know is made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Now brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance as did your leaders…Repent then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Minnesotan friends, lets all continue to repent by acknowledging we killed Jesus…your sins demanded His death.  Stop living for the sin in your life and turn to God by trusting in Jesus payment on the cross for you….He longs to forgive you and heal your relationship with Him- no longer strangers but a friend of God, living for Him and His purposes.  Let’s repair these broken family relationships even though we’ve wounded them countless times.  He is ready to bring times of refreshing for you, as you learn to repent and trust Him daily.

Jesus even prayed for his murderers “Father forgive them, they do not know what they do”

He prayed that prayer for you and I.  Will you turn from a life of sin, and trust in Jesus Christ today?

So what’s been the most meaningful thing to me this week?  I was doing some research for student ministry, and I came across an wikipedia article on climbing Mount Everest.  It said that just climbing to the base camp took a average climber 6 days!  Thats just to base camp!  For climbing-illierates, thats already 17,700 ft above sea level (The top of Everest in over 29,000 ft).  How could ‘base camp’ be so high and already so draining?

Most of us, including me, look at the words of Jesus in Luke 2:49-50 and think it’s simply all about where the boy Jesus learned and grew as a young Jew.  When I carefully read what He said to his mom and dad “Didnt you know I had to be in My Father’s house?”, I think Jesus was doing more than ‘learning and growing’.  In my mind, that’s the beginning of a long road for Jesus- the long climb to His ‘base camp’ is simply to be in the same place as His loving Father.

Jesus has to be with His Father, because He knows that ‘real ministry’ would depend on ‘real moments’ between Him and the Father.  This isn’t flooty tooty spiritualism we’re talking about.  Actually being with your dad in his house, simply to enjoy his company.  I love my own dad, Ron.  I love hanging out even though he doesn’t totally get why I follow Jesus.  We go to visit my mom and him, spend time in their home, laugh-eat-rest-play…but somethings missing.

What’s missing is this intimacy (or deep connection) that Jesus experiences with His Father in heaven.  He is completely and totally loved, His Father tells Him this countless times in the NT, reassures Jesus of His love, and Jesus is always affectionate when talking about His Father.  How I long to have that kind of a connection with my sons!  Although it’s an incredible relationship, it’s also very dangerous, time-consuming, and difficult to maintain.

If you’re hiking Mt Everest, and you’re just getting started, you need to climb very slow because your body needs to take time to ‘acclimatize’ to the altitude and decreased levels of oxygen.  Some get so sick during this 6-day hike to base camp, that they never make even the first leg of the climb.  Many are simply unable and unwilling to do the work.  Jesus knew that to humble Himself, become a man like me, experience real temptation, and still obey His dad completely, He needed to do the hard work of being real with His Father-acknowledging His need of God on a daily basis and rejecting His Enemy (Satan) on a daily basis.  Even before Jesus starts ministry, He gets attacked (Lk 4)!

In my own life- every area of my life- I feel like I am just trying to ‘get to base camp’.  Although I’m willing to do the hard work of being close with God- daily repenting of sin and trusting Him to be with me- sometimes it’s all so exhausting and I find myself in need of other ‘climbers’ along the way.  Thank God for good friends on the climb who keep an eye on each other (a good church family is so crucial for the journey!).

So even though I have these roles- husband, dad, friend, pastor…all of these things are what makes my climb so ‘epic’.  Jesus is my ‘Sherpa’, He is my ultimate guide- my Pastor Ron & leaders in my church seeing me through it all are my ‘yaks’ who I know will carry any burden I toss on them (what a great team!).  Fellow climber, let’s be real about where we are, how we all need to come to Jesus with our baggage, and spend time with our Father for climbing directions.

More of that in posts to come…pray that all of us would ‘set our minds on things above’ Col 3:1-3

I have to admit, I dont mind the barf because it means I know hes getting enough of mom’s milk or otherwise he wouldnt be hacking up the extra.

Like our digestion of God’s Word and His plans for us, I want to barf it up onto others (in a pleasant, warming kind of way). I want to be so filled with His Holy Spirit of grace, mercy, truth, compassion, generosity…I want to let it overflow from my life directly splashing onto others.

Minus the gagging sounds of course. Here’s to parenthood and overflowing His goodness and faithfulness into the lives of my wife and kids…

It also gives us time to think about, introspectively, who we really are and who we really have come to be.  Am I truly a cheerful giver?  Do i really have the peace and joy that belief in Christ really provides?  How selfish with my time am I, really?  Do I really love my family, and actually desire to love them sacrificially?  Honest, often times awkward, self examining questions.

In the New Testament, the book of John has a lot to say about examining your life.  John 10:10 Jesus says ‘I have come to give you life, and life to the full’ (paraphrased version).  Knowing Jesus’ heart for our lives, gives me his eyes for how He sees my life…is it truly ‘life to the full’ or richly satisfying?  If we’re honest, we all desire a ‘full life’ but we really want it without Jesus.

I’ll be honest, I want the ‘full life’ but I often equate it with the “American dream” or something like it. My version of ‘full life’ is enough money in the account to be ‘safe’. two quality cars in the garage to be ‘safe’, healthy kids and a healthy wife so everyone is ‘safe’.  Is this really what Jesus meant when he promised us a ‘full life’?

To me, it’s got to be something bigger.  A purpose, a plan, an epic battle for good, truth, righteousness, purity.  Something to make your blood boil and something to fight for if need be.  As I get closer to knowing who Jesus Christ really is, I see His life as a life full of struggle with evil, full of conflict and betrayal and inner struggle with His relationship with His Father.  I see His life full of serving others at a great sacrifice to Himself, training a group of idiotic guys and still loving them the whole time, and then dying for a bunch of clowns like me who would reject him, spit in His face, and even still mock Him today….yet He did it all because this was what ‘full life’ meant to Him.

So then I gaze inwardly to myself again and see how my ‘full life’ is much different than Jesus’ version of  a ‘full life’.  Suffering for doing what is good, serving people that could care less, seeing a few people ‘get it’ but only once in a while.  Caring for people and weeping with them when they struggle.  What can I do to have this kind of ‘full life’?  What can we do to experience the life that’s really worth living, as a follower of Jesus?

So I know look into 2010 with a gratitude for my Father God, and what He has done to provide me His Son and His blood shed for my sin.  His love for me is too incredible to describe here, and it leaves me in wonder of who He really is…how could He be this kind and what could He want with me?

I look forward to having His continual guidance, those times with my Father where he calmly lets me know when Im off track, or when to encourage me on in something.  I want to listen to His Word and spend time hearing His voice to guide my marriage, my parenting, my pastoring.  I want to have this ‘full life’ that Jesus bled and died to give me.

Im a dad and husband with limited time- “Father, inside the home, what can I do for you to expand your Kingdom?  Jesus, outside the home, how can I serve you to see others come to know You?  Speak directly, quickly, and specifically, and help me to follow you, as you lead.”

Another reason this is a fast post, is because its almost Christmas week.  Fast because our American Christmased culture doesnt give us time to think or reflect on what the incarnation of Jesus really means.   Fast because we need to rush all over town and decorate all over the house.  Fast because we plan work parties for every night of the week…her work party, his work party, her friends party, his friends party (usually playing cards in a cold garage).

But wait, slow down with me for this last sentence of true Christmas cheer.  Jesus, I repent of this American Christmased culture, my selfish desire for more stuff, and ask you what the thief on the cross asked you “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”

If Jesus was fully human (and fully God), then he must have felt SOME kind of woundedness from his parents.  He must have internalized the hurtful comments, or misunderstandings about his ministry.  Even his own brother James is said not to have believed in Jesus until after Jesus’ death and resurrection.  So if his family did wound him (which all families do), then he must have felt the pain in some way.

The reason I ask the question is two fold; 1) If Jesus felt woundedness from his parents, how did he deal with it?  2) Besides the Sunday School answer of “Because He was God”, how was Jesus able to rise above retribution and anger for his family’s problems? (Like I said, every family has their closets.)

My mind immediately goes to Jesus relationship with His Father in heaven.  Before you yawn at this, and begin dozing off, hear me out…Jesus practically and purposefully must have relied on this relationship with His Father God in very real ways during the day- how else could he have gotten through the constant misunderstandings his family mus have had about him?

If you read the gospels, He is constantly taking time to actually listen for the Father’s voice in prayer, during His ministry, and while he is teaching his disciples.  Sometimes he doesnt even wait for the isolated spot on the hillside, he simply speaks and what He hears His Father saying.  This is the kind of intimacy that this blog is dedicated to…real, practical, and personal intimacy with the Father God- letting God father you through all of life.

As ordinary (but specially chosen) human beings, Jesus’ parents were sinful just like any one of us- greed, pride, anger, selfishness, distrust…you name it, they felt it, thought it, and did it.   It is still just as amazing, even though Jesus is fully God, that in his humanity he honored his mom and dad and didnt seek retribution or repayment for their evil deeds against him.  He loved them, and demonstrated extraordinary patience for them.  So much so, Mary was still at the cross when Jesus died.  This could have only come from his intimacy with the Father God, even though he experienced real wounding from his own parents.

Last month I went to a mens conference hosted by John Eldredge of ‘Ransomed Heart Ministries’ in Buena Vista, CO.  We left with a picture of how our own earthly dads treated us, and how we treated them.  My life was filled with retribution and repayment for the wrongs against me.  Some real, and some made up in my mind.  I knew I needed to talk to my dad when I returned from the conference to be able to clear the air, and follow Jesus’ model of reconciliation and restoring those old, broken places in our relationship with my mom and dad.

We had them over for dinner one evening, the week I returned from CO.  The conversation paused for a bit, and the Holy Spirit kicked me in the teeth and said “Jeff, are you going to ‘man up’ or was it all about a stupid conference?”  I set my fork down, swallowed my sense of dignity, and asked my mom and dad if I could share something with them.  They got scared initially and then agreed.  What followed was a free conversation of affirmation, love, encouragement, and hope for a bright future between us, my wife, and my two kids.  We left that conversation with a new freedom in the air, and the ability to express love to one another that hadnt been there before.

I wish I could tell you that my dad said a lot of mushy things, but thats not my dad.  I know he loves me, and he knows I love him.  We’re working on the intimacy of our relationship because it really has never been there before.  Hopefully this small step will lead me to a greater intimacy with my Father God, and eventually influence my parents to become followers of Jesus- who would do anything to see his parents in a love relationship with His Father.