Books Read in 2011

2011 was quite a year for me and my family.  We began the year in Uganda and are now finishing it back in Uganda.  In between we travelled to the States with Nico and Levi was born.  Here are the books that I read during 2011.

Every Man's Marriage by Steve Arterburn & Fred Stoeker

Shepherding A Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Born To Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race by Christopher McDougall

Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen

Stepping Up: A Call To Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey

The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling

JESUS Redeems & Restores!

Live Life to the Full!

I came across this statement yesterday and I have been mulling it over in my mind and heart.

"The glory of God is man fully alive." 
-St. Iranaeus

deliverance from self

"It is the sinner basking in the full light of God's redeeming love...in the experience of the indwelling Divine compassion of Christ, who cannot but be humble. Not to be occupied with your sin, but to be fully occupied with Jesus brings deliverance from self."

- Andrew Murray

know myself

"Let me know myself
                      and know You,
and desire nothing
                      save only You.

-prayer of St. Augustine

my prayer for this evening

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
- Prayer of St. Augustine

4 weeks of radical change

Four weeks ago today (25 June) my beautiful wife gave birth to our son, Levi Marako. It is a day that I will never forget and quite frankly, will never be able to adequately put into words all that was racing through my mind and emotions that day. Pulling into the parking lot at the hospital, walking in the emergency doors, and checking in at the desk was all so surreal. I knew what the next step to all of that was, but it never fully and completely entered my mind until 13:01 on the 25 of June. As I watched Levi take his first breath and Rachel catching hers, a smile like I've never had before was etched on my face. It was a smile of complete happiness, wonder, awe, and "o my gosh, this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" I am now four weeks in to being a father of two and I still sometimes can hardly believe it. I am so overwhelmingly blessed by these two boys who are now under my nurture and shepherding. I am also so greatly overwhelmed by my beautiful bride who is constantly showing me love, patience, and Christlikeness in so many ways. My family is growing and my prayer is that my faith and own intimacy with Jesus will grow as I seek to lead them all in the grace of our Lord.

 The most amazing moment of my life: 13:01 on 25 June 2011

 Levi Marako Kolb 

 (Marako is Ateso for Mark)

 Welcome home Levi

 Gazing at his beautiful Mommy

 Nico and his new little brother.  Nico is a good brother but is still working on gentleness with his touching :)

 Daddy's little guy is not happy

The Kolb Family in 2011

GOD is our Refuge

Jesus is Alive

I know that Easter is almost a week past but the TRUTH still remains: JESUS IS ALIVE!!!

to the quarters the Spurs march

Last night saw Tottenham Hotspur hang on to the 1-0 aggregate as they drew with AC Milan 0-0 at White Hart Lane. Basically being outplayed for most of the 1st half, the scoreline still read zeros but it made for a much nerve-racking 2nd half. The Spurs defense held strong and the result was another GLORY GLORY night at the LANE, plus a trip to the quarterfinals of Europes Elite competition: The Champions League.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Chasing

I need to constantly ask myself, "what is it that I am chasing?" If the answer is anything but Jesus, it is out of focus.

MY RIB IS THE BEST PART OF ME

Two to three times a week Rachel goes to a children's home where she tutors two of the boys there. She is gone for about 2 hours during those mornings and it allows Nico and I to spend some good time together. One of the things that we like to do is to blare Christian hip-hop from the speakers. Nico loves it and he is so cute when he dances to it. This song has become one of our favorites to listen (and dance:) to together. I love it because I want my son to grow up with the knowledge that his dad is madly in love with his mom. So Rachel, this is a shout-out from your boys.

"GIRL I LOVE YOU CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO LIVE TO MAKE YOU SMILE..."