Here or Heaven?

I realize that it has been a pretty long time since I got on here. I would love to say that its been because that I have just been too busy. But, more honestly, its because I have been too lazy. I haven't really had anything hit me or anything that I felt led to talk about. But, I am back today with some thoughts on the current chapter that our small group is discussing tonight, chapter 7.

I will get to the thoughts on the book first and then I have something else I want to share. The really challenging part of this week's chapter is the idea of longing more for heaven than for our life that we have now. We have it good in America. There is pretty much anything that you could want within driving distance. And we all have abilities to get there. When Chan asks, are we living in a way that shows that our hope, our desire is not for this life but the next, we have to ask ourselves if that's true. In the video for this chapter, the question is posed this way. Do you long for Jesus to come back today? If you could have the choice, would that be what you want? I had to stop and think about it. Yes, I desire to love God and strive to show that love. I want to learn more about Jesus and hopefully in doing so model my life in a way that reflects His character. But, are there things in this life that I want to do before Jesus comes? Would I feel like I missed something if Jesus was to come today? I reluctantly answer yes to those questions. I guess that's part of our human nature, but its also something that we have to surrender to God. Its not something to be beat up over, but a need to bring before the Father and allow Him to minister to that lack of love.

I am not saying that I don't plan. I have to. I have to plan on things that will happen until Jesus comes back. However, I don't have to desire them more. I think that the line there is a very thin one to walk. Maybe its part of the reason that we HAVE to ask for God's guidance on a daily basis. Its impossible for us to try and tackle it ourselves. These are just me working through my thoughts on this chapter and I might not ever get it right. But, I am willing to share those with you.

Now, on to something I wanted to share about the last post that I wrote. I prayed with my wife over the areas that I have been feeling like I am disappointed with God. I didn't hold back either. If I felt scared, I said I was scared. If I felt hurt, I said I was hurt. I know that might sound like it just makes sense, but I definitely have been putting on a face of "ok-ness" before God for a long time. I don't know if I have ever felt so good about something that I have no control over in a long time. I know that nothing about the situation has changed but I have a little. Andy Stanley said this about prayer, "Prayer isn't about changing God, its about changing you." I can say that honest, open, prayer with God does change you. You feel like He really cares and is listening, or at least I did. So, if there is an area that you feel like God has been silent on in your life. Just tell Him how you are feeling there. Especially if you haven't ever prayed how you feel to God before. Let Him do what He longs to do, care and love on us. Its hard sometimes, but its so worth it.

It's my perogative

I have decided that I don't like the way that my post about my journey till here sounded. I might work on it for a future post, but I won't be doing it for right now. I wanted to talk about a few things that are more actively going on.

I finally got around to watching Andy Stanley's first sermon from the current series "He still* has the whole world in His hands". I think that its a perfectly apt series with all the worries that we are bombarded with on a daily basis. I had started it once before, but due to work or other distractions, I didn't focus enough on it to really get anything out of it. So, I watched it again today. There were a couple things that just really spoke to me. One was where Stanley was talking about how our favorite bible stories are times when the people involved weren't sure how things would work out, but still held onto the belief that God would come through. While that might not completely address our situations today, it gives us the hope that we need. This led to the phrase or sentence that Stanley said that just resonated was this: When the world is uncertain, God is certain.

God is always there, always working and always meeting the needs of His plan. He knows what we need, He knows what we desire, and He can meet or provide as we need. How often do we forget about these simple truths? We want God to show up on OUR time and with OUR way of dealing with the situation. We aren't God though. We aren't in any more control of anything than we ever were.

Now, I am personally thinking about some stuff. My wife and I have been asked to lead a Financial Peace class for another church. Its a little scary. I am honored because I have seen how God can work when you are willing to let Him in your financial life. But then I think about how we still aren't debt free. We have just one more debt. Granted, God has helped us or should I say, led us, to pay off almost 13,000 dollars in debt in about 14 months, but does that in any way qualify us to teach a class that we are still learning about? I guess the real answer is that we are never qualified to do anything for God, but we can be willing and let Him use us. I don't want to be stubborn and hold back from something that God could use, but I guess I doubt myself. That really is what it comes down to when we are dealing with something that we think God wants us to do. We think of a million different reasons that God would do better to pick some one else or if it was just a little later, when we are a bit more ready. Seldom do we just think, well, if God has asked me, I can do it.

So, instead of hearing where I was, you are hearing where I am today. It will be good to look back at my past and give you a bit more information about me, but that will have to wait. Instead, I am thankful to have a reminder that when we are uncertain about a situation, God is still in control.

Rants and Session

I am back in the middle of session. In case you didn't know and I don't know why you would, but I work for a part of the legislative branch of Kentucky. Last week, they came back to go into session and enjoy the creating of bills and debating over what we should do about our budget problems. In fact, as I type, they are having a press conference talking about them changing the days that they meet in order to tackle some issues. Fun times. I have always been sort of a geek in regards to politics and watching this stuff anyway. So, there is at least some part of me that still enjoys the back and forth and good debate that happens during a session. Some of the most enjoyable parts are when they are on the floor of a chamber of the legislature and trying to not really insult another member but still insult them. Those poorly veiled insults are often some of the most funny things that happens during a legislative day.

I realized that I just told you that for no particular reason beyond that is part of the reason that I have really wrote on here. Yeah, I am using work as an excuse, but it really hasn't been a big hindrance. No, the major obstacle to me writing is my lack of reading or even studying more than watching a couple Andy Stanley messages. This is where I get all confessional. I haven't take the time to sit and just read since the storms hit around here. I guess when I got out of the habit due to being someplace else, I found it easier to just keep that up. I won't beat myself up about it due to the fact that I don't think that God would want me to. I have a new chance each day to be more committed to following him and have my heart desire my life to be more like His. So, I am just going to do better. This will start with a conscious effort to set aside time at night to read and just sit in God's presence.

Ok, seriousness aside for a few. I don't think that this will spark any real thoughts but if it does in you, great. I have mentioned my love of How I met your Mother on here before and even placed links for others to enjoy as well. I went on this site Imeem and they allow you to create play lists and listen to music for free. So, I found a list of music from the show and created a HIMYM play list. And for the past few minutes I have been listening to it. One of the songs that I am just amazed by is Otis Redding's "Coffee and Cigarettes". I don't know why, but it is just a masterful song full of emotion and a beautiful melody. I am sure that I have heard it many times before but just recently I was taken with the song. How is it that we often forget how good something is? Ok, I just happened to come upon something serious. Its what my main thoughts have been lately, about how we forget about how good we have it and how great God is to us. Sorry to juke you with a serious thought there.

I hope that today's post will allow me to be accountable to myself about taking time away from the TV and instead spending it in thought and reflection in the evenings. Have a great weekend, till next week.

Speaking of Taking time to be Thankful

How is it that God allows us more time to think about the things that draw us to Him? Just this week, I was talking about how I don't take the time to notice the small things in life, like a light switch, and what happens? Power goes out. It really is a simple act that we do on a normal basis, flipping a light switch, that becomes so important when we can't. I am thankful for those things and I was happy to have a couple days to think about it.

Actually, I haven't really had to do without power. I have been blessed with parents (in-laws) who are willing and wanting to spend time with us. They opened their home and thats where we have been staying. I know that I am lucky. I have been praying for others who haven't had some one to turn to or some where to go. Also, more than anyone, I am thankful for the workers who have been out in the cold and mess working to get things running back to normal again. They are so often forgotten even when they are putting in long hours to give back to us the things that we often take for granted.

Maybe that is a good thing to come out of all this, we do get the opportunity to recognize how blessed we are. We want to think of ourselves as lacking when we look to others who have more, but in reality, we have so much. I have been watching the series Balanced by Andy Stanley and thats one of the things this past week's segment was about. We have so much extra that we take for granted.

While I am happy that I have power, I know that plenty of people around this state still don't. I pray that they get it soon and that until then God continues to guard them. I ask that you would do the same.

Be back next week with some of the things that I have struggled with.

A late start to the new year

Yeah, I realize that I haven't put anything on here in a long time. Mainly that is due to my laziness and lack of imagination. Lately I have been choosing to be entertained or informed rather than informing or entertaining. Thats ok and I have been enriched from it. So, here is a short explanation of things that are currently taking up my time.

I finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Its an amazing book that really has challenged my thoughts and actions. Over at SCL's other site The Prodigal John, he is having a weekly discussion of it. If you want to know more about the book, go read some of the topics that are speaking to people. It might give you a better idea of whats going on. I won't go into any real details right now, but might try and devote an entry talking about things that really hit me hard.

I have also been reading How to read the Bible for all its worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. I have enjoyed the breakdown that these two professors use. They do a good job of trying to make something sort of daunting much more accessible to everyone. I haven't finished it but have already noticed a difference in the way I look at a passage of scripture now.

Those are the main books that have taken up my time (a couple fantasy baseball stuff as well, but I won't bore you). The other main thing that I have been thinking about is Driscoll's sermon series "The Peasant Princess". It deals with Song of Solomon/Songs. There is such great truth in his teachings of this scripture. I always find myself pondering over the things that each lesson tells. I have been watching them with my wife and its great. While I would say that there isn't a whole lot about our marriage that isn't practicing these principles, I know that there is still a lot to learn. I enjoy the fact that a proactive stance now on things we haven't foreseen, may allow us to avoid too many problems later.

Also, I have been watching Andy Stanley's series "Balanced" about finances. Its funny and informative, just like pretty much all his series, but its also made me think about our possessions in a different way. I understand that nothing is really mine, and to illustrate that Stanley asks if you were to borrow some one's vehicle, what percentage would they expect you to take care of? Obviously, its the whole thing, not just 10%. Now, the challenge is not this, but the idea that Stanley said that he won't buy a new item (toy, gadget, etc) if he wouldn't allow some one to borrow it. Can I honestly say that? I don't know. But, I would like to be that way. I don't want my goal to be to gain things, but rather to be a loving giver. Which leads to the thoughts that Crazy Love brings about. So, I guess I will have to talk about that soon.

So, that's whats going on with me. I will try not to let another month plus go by without spending some time sharing what God is laying on my heart and showing me through His teachings.

Joash Sunday

I had never heard of the whole "Joash chest" thing until I came to my current church. I didn't really know what to expect with it either. The biblical story is recounted in 2 Kings 12: 1-16 and thus I give you the link if you want to check it out. I don't know if I had even read that before I started at this church. Yesterday was our Joash Sunday, and it also coincided with The Lord's Supper. Both events are very special and very powerful. But, combining them made it an amazing service.

First, I am constantly amazed by God's use of music to evoke our hearts. I am thankful that Drew is willing to listen to God's direction when leading the congregation. God's truths are flowing through the words we sing and soaking into our minds. We are invited not just to sing them, but to think on them and allow them to be our praise. Of course, I love music period. I don't listen as much as I used to, but it still stirs up great emotions and feelings inside of me. Then again, I think thats part of being human. A song can evoke a memory. The songs chosen at a wedding are almost always something personal to the bride and groom. Its because they mean something. When we sing at church, we are to think about the words we speak and let the memory of God's faithfulness wash over us.

Thats what was going on with me yesterday. I thought of my life and how I am so thankful to be able to sing words of love and adoration to God. It really kicked off my heart's desire to give anything that I could give back. And I don't mean just monetarily. God desires so much more than my money, He desires me. That is beyond humbling. But it also empowering. It gives me reason to pray not just some form prayer, but a prayer that lays out all that I think, even though He knows it, and all that I desire, even though He knows that too, in order to leave myself bare before Him so that I can give Him all of me.

Second, we did the whole Joash thing, where we gave whatever we felt led to give. For me and my wife, it wasn't much, but it was more than we were able to last year, which was nothing. However the gift isn't really what I wanted to talk about. During this part of the service, our pastor invited people to just go up and give their gift as the praise team sang and played. He also encouraged us to love on one another. I think that this might have been the most joyful giving session that I have ever experienced. I am not saying that when I tithe I don't do it joyfully. I am just saying that the added enjoyment of hugs and words of encouragement were very welcomed. It made it more about the people you were with than about tithing. I know that its probably impractical to do this every Sunday and eventually it would lose its charm, but for a kick off for a season of thanks, it was very good.

Then we did the Lord's Supper. I always enjoy doing this at this church. I was raised very Baptist where you were quiet and somber during the Lord's Supper. Even at the end when they would say, and they left joyfully singing or whatever, it didn't seem that way. Thats why I enjoy it here. We joyfully sing during. As things are being passed out, we are singing about how thankful we are to Jesus and praising God for His gift. I am sure that a lot of other churches do this, but this is really my first experience with a joyful Lord's Supper every time.

This week is a week of Thanksgiving, its celebrated on Thursday in case you didn't realize. I get to have 2 days off, which is nice. It also means that I might not be back on here to post anything. I did want to end this with a thought from a book that I am reading. Its called Waiter Rant, and thats the blog the guy writes. Its just his observations as a waiter and the stories that he encounters. However, there is one that I have been thinking of since he told it. I won't go into all the details, but it was basically about an incident where he was questioning the humanity of some people. He starts reflecting on our selfishness as a society. That we often are caught up in our own world and forget to look at others around us or at the very least have any compassion for their own trials. As a Christian, thats supposed to be our first priority. Even Jesus states that he wasn't here to do his will but the Father's will and thats about service others. Its a convicting thought. Its a challenging thought. But its one that has to be revisited from time to time. We need to be reminded that its not about what I want from God, but what God wants to do through me, if I allow Him to. And thats going to take the form of serving others.

I have no clue how to really end this because mainly I am stuck thinking about that last part myself. I have no resolution to speak of besides that He is working on it.

I can't, but You can

I have finally finished Stanley's book, Louder than Words, and it was better than I thought it would be. To be a little confessional, I started it once before but wasn't completely sold on reading it. I sort of muddled through about 70 pages of it and then sat it aside to tackle something more "flashy", I guess. It was for Desire that I kept harping on for a while here. But, I decided that I wasn't going to try and read anything else before I finished this book. It was better than I expected. It did start slower than I though but that was because Stanley was slowly building a foundation to set his idea on.

I am not going to go into the whole book, but mainly am focusing on where Stanley suggests that we start with this idea of changing our life to a life of character. To start on this journey, you have to realize that if you try and do it by yourself that you will fail. Depending on your resolve, you might last longer than others, but you are relying on yourself rather than God. One of the more poignant things that Stanley hits on is the idea that when we accept the gift of salvation, we have to realize that it is totally God's power to save us, nothing that we do. The question then is why do we think that we can then change our daily life without God? Instead, we focus on doing good things. The problem is that Paul in Romans doesn't say to be transformed by rededicating your life, nor by making promises to God, or feeling extra sorry, or praying really long prayers, or filing out a card and joining a church. These are the things that we try and do. Instead it says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)"

The renewing is a process that produces character like God. This verse tells us that our transformation does not hinge on the depth of our commitment alone. Our commitment may wane back and forth. There are times in our life when we know that all that we want to do is follow whatever God has for us, but there are times that we aren't as eager to even talk to God, let alone find out what He wants us to do. Christianity is not an event but a process. Through renewal the wisdom and truth of God become the foundation of our thinking and eventually our behavior.

Stanley breaks it down to two approaches, the religious and the relational. The religious approach is very attractive because in our minds it makes sense. The bible calls the whole "earn your way" faith as walking according to the flesh. You are doing what feels right to you. What feels right to you changes from day to day, but God doesn't change. Thus, we look at the relational approach. Our life as a Christian is about our relationship. Everything that God does is in order to draw you into His love. Thus, God never intended for us to shift out of the "I can't, You can" way of thinking that was intricate for us to accept salvation. That is supposed to be the perspective that we maintain throughout our Christian experience. We don't have the power to save ourselves, nor do we have the power to save ourselves from our daily encounters with the power of sin.

Now I think its pretty obvious that most of that above isn't from me. Its me borrowing heavily from Stanley to get the idea across. But, I said all that to get to this point. Once you realize that you can't do it alone, Stanley offers a "baby step". I decided to start here myself. When I am doing my morning reading and praying, I envision what I think will go on during the day. Its not that hard, most of us have days that are very predictable. We know where we will or won't be tempted. As you see the areas that you struggle in, pray to God "I can't; You can". I like this idea. We claim the dependency that we have for God even before it starts. This whole Christian life thing is not God saving us and then setting us about to try our best. Thats why He gave us part of Himself to help direct our paths. Why wouldn't we use it?

This was just one of the areas that I am starting in. There are others about using scriptural truth to combat lies that come up in our daily lives. I will be working on that as well, but this is the first "baby step".

Control

One of the things that got brought up last week in our bible study was the idea of control. I didn't spend a lot of time with them talking about it, but thought it was an interesting topic for me to let my mind wander with over here. The exercise started when Stanley was talking about the times that God tells us "no" to something we ask. This may mean when you are suffering with an illness that you aren't healed, if you are in need of a job, you don't get it immediately, etc. It might not make sense to us, but we have to believe that God will still provide. That we have to surrender our control over the situation and allow God to work through it. The automatic response is for us to get upset and claim that we don't want to serve a God that lets young fathers die, or doesn't give us a job to work and provide money for our family. Both are valid complaints, but Stanley than offered the option for us to work it out. He asked that you go home and write out what type of God you want. The next thing that he said sort of made me stop. Stanley said, that what we "want" is for us to be God or at the very least to have God think like we do. Just think about that for a moment, we have our ideas of what is right and wrong and we want to have God agree with us.

But thankfully we don't have a God who thinks like we do. We instead have a God who can empathize with our hurts and fears and loves us so much that He freely gives us His grace (the power to endure) to get through those times that don't make sense to us. We have a Lord who loves us so much that He desires us to call him father and have that intimate of a relationship with Him. The thing that it all made me start thinking about is that in order to do that we have to give up a lot of control, or at least or illusion of control. We have this strong desire to work everything out ourselves. We think that if we can just do this or just do that, everything will work out. This isn't to say that we sit around and just wait for God to do everything, but we allow Him to do what He needs to do and understand that if we don't understand, thats ok as well.

As I have been reading Proverbs, I have noticed lately that Solomon has included at least one verse over the past couple chapters that deals with God's path or plan for our lives. My favorite of these is this one, Proverbs 20:24, "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" We have this desire to try and understand why God would do something. I personally have asked God "Why" when I knew that even understanding why wouldn't have made it any better. Instead of asking why, I should have been looking for His comfort, His grace.

Stephen Johnson on a couple Wednesday nights ago was talking about a personal experience that he had where God was healing him. Each time that Johnson tried to figure out what was going on, God stopped and told him to just experience it. Of course, being a human, this was done many times during the course of the night. However, the thing that I take for this is that sometimes we have to just sit back and let God work. We have to understand that we might not understand. This goes against everything that we see in this world. Often, we get caught up in trying to control our situations and our realities, when we know that there is very little that we can actually control. So instead of worrying, instead of beating our fists and getting angry, my thoughts are that we should focus on the one who can control everything. We might not understand, but if we try to understand, we might miss the healing.

Character

I started and then stopped a book by Andy Stanley called "Louder than Words". Its about real character and God's definition, not our own. That can be sort of hard to take, since we all claim to know what character is or at least what we want it to be. However, the whole giving up of control and listening to what God says we should do is a bit different.

I just started rereading this book and it really is a "stop and analyze yourself" type experience. We, or at least I, have the tendency to try and rationalize my actions. If I spoke out of anger, well it was because I was upset. I was upset because of what some one else did. What that other person did was unnecessary or in some way belittled me and thus I am justified. Thats how my mind works through those things. It doesn't stop and say, what did I do? That isn't the question to me, its more about what some one else did. Thats the first step, in my exercise, about trying to be a person of character. See, we are called to live a life that is different. God wants people to look at us and see there is a difference than the way that everyone else reacts. If that means that we have to humble ourselves and take responsibility when we don't feel like we are, thats ok. Its not the end of the world.

Here is the personal example. Monday I was doing the mail at work, which is a job that I am asked to do from time to time. I used to get upset when I had to do it, but that was petty and a couple things have happened and I am enjoying it more than I used to. So, I am getting past the anger over being asked to do a job that technically isn't mine. Well, on Monday, I get completely done with the mail when some one calls and says that I didn't pick up their mail and that I would have to get it and take it across to another location. It wasn't unreasonable, and I should have done it. Instead, I decided to get mad and tell them that I had never picked up their mail when I had done the mail in the past and that they should ask some one else to take it to the other location. I look bad in this situation and rightfully so. The past couple days it has been in my mind both because I knew that I had done wrong and that I allowed myself to get upset over nothing. I could only do one thing today, apologize. So, first thing this morning, I went up to the office that I missed and apologized for missing their mail and the way that I handled the situation. She said that it wasn't anything and didn't think anything of it. However, to me this was a question of how I wanted to live my life. Do I want to be the person who gets upset or do I want to be the person who admits their mistakes?

I don't tell that story for praise, because I could have easily avoided that by taking 10 minutes and walking the mail across the building. Instead, I am learning. And as often is the case when we are learning, we make the wrong decisions and have to do things the hard way. Thankfully, nothing really all that bad happened due to my decision. And I am hopeful that the next time that I am confronted with the same situation or a similar one, I will act like I should, like a person following God's character.

Faith and other thoughts

Last night was our little bible study. It was good. The discussion was actually pretty good. Its not easy to get a group of people to talk about God and what that message meant to them. Last night, though, a couple people spoke up and let it fly. Also, though, I think that the subject was something that was sort of enlightening. It was the second sermon by Andy Stanley in the "Faith, Hope, and Luck" series. In it, he questions what we think faith is and offers this definition:

"Faith is confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will do everything that He has promised to do."

Thats it. The main question that I posed and still rattle around in my brain is how does that change your preconceived ideas? Faith becomes something very simple when you think of it in this light. Its not a force or power that you can wield. Its hope taken one step further, with God's promise guaranteeing it. But this also means, that unless God has promised it, then we can't expect it. We can hope for it, we can pray for it, but its up to God to determine if it will happen. That almost sounds defeatist, but not when you realize that no matter what happens in our situations or in our life, He is still God. He can do anything, He might want to do what we ask, but He also might have another plan that we don't know about. But, our faith rests not on our understanding, but on God's ability to do what He says He will do.

I don't want to muddle that too much, but of course I have other things going on in my head. No, its not about Desire, but there might be a post where I devote some time to talking about that later this week. Instead, I am thinking about music. I love music. I enjoy singing it (in my car, away from others) and I enjoy just listening to it, which I am doing right now. It is such a wonderful thing to enjoy. I thought about this when on Sunday my wife was going to sing a special at my parents church. Well, we had just placed her CD in a case for Weezer. That isn't exactly the most "christian" case to have in church. But, they have some great music. I thought it was sort of funny, but then I thought about how many times we receive something from God in such unintended places. Maybe the artist or the writer or director or whatever didn't mean to reference God, but we see His work or His message displayed. I am thankful for those times and I am sure that pastors are as well, so they have something "cultural relavant" to share at church. I think that more than anything, that it just goes to show that all of creation speaks of God's work. I think that I will have that Desire post later this week and go into this more.

But, for today, thats all I got in me. Take luck!

Weekend's Coming

Its funny that I was thinking about just putting some fun and enjoyable things on here today. Thankfully, Stuff Christians Like gave me fuel to the fire that was going on in my head. I will say that the video at the end of that post made my day a few weeks ago. I hope that you have seen it many times. Actually, it doesn't matter how many times you have seen it, please go and watch it again. Its needed to kick off a good weekend. Have you watched it (again)? Good, now go and check this out. I have to say, when I saw the second video (and I won't spoil it if you are like me and read the rest of a post before checking out links), I was silenced by the awesomeness of God. Yeah, its time like these that I am reminded about how great God's sense of humor is. Thus, I get to talking about pretty much the same thing that SCL mentioned. We, our music minister and myself, shared that video at the end of SCL's post with our pastor and he met it with the laughter it requires. Our music minister then commented that he thinks that the Holy Spirit might inspire stuff like that so that we can laugh about it later. Of course, we aren't laughing at the message, but the cheesiness of the message. I don't know of any Christian who wouldn't think that "Jesus is my friend", but I don't know of many who would say that he is like a "mountie, He always gets his man". But, we could agree that his grace is irresistible.

Alright, I know that a bit of humor and fun is always good and thats what I am about today. I didn't really mention anything since Monday about our little group. We met and it was good. I was very thankful both for who all showed up and for their desire for the subject. It was a good discussion and just a fun time for all, I think. Then again, Andy Stanley is a pretty good speaker and pretty much can tackle any subject and make it interesting. The fun thing is that we are planning on having just a get-together time tomorrow. I am hopeful that pretty much everyone comes out and we get to build bonds with each other. Thats always an important part in getting comfortable to share and talk in a small study group. I think that it will be a good time.

On a more personal note. It was strange last Sunday. My wife and I started going to our church's small groups for women and men respectfully. Well, this past week, I met a guy who is new to our church and to the men's group. Being able to relate to being new, I introduced myself and told him a little about me and all that. I also invited him to our bible study and just generally tried to make sure he felt welcomed. Little to my knowledge, but my wife was doing pretty much the same thing to his wife. It was a very cool moment to talk about it later and realize that we were talking to the same couple, just separated. I don't know if we will become friends or not, but more than anything, I hope that they feel welcomed and part of church. I know how hard that is when you are new. It seems like everyone else is already part of some group of people that are friends and you are on the outside. Even though I have gone to my church for a couple years, many times I feel like that. I will be inside the sanctuary, after a service, and while looking around think that there isn't really anyone I know enough to talk to. But, I also think that is my fault as well, keeping myself from getting close to others and staying on the outside. The easiest place to hide, as a Christian, is in a bigger church. Unfortunately, I took advantage of that for a long time. Now, I am happy to be part of stuff and hopefully help others get involved. I am still working on that whole desire to be close with others thing, but thats good, thats a fruitful endeavor. We will see how that goes.

Sorry to get a little serious on such a whimsical post. Thats ok, its the weekend and time for us to enjoy a couple days off. Maybe God has something for you this weekend, whether it be in a message, or in a song, or just hanging out with some friends. I pray that you will keep yourself open to that and share it with some one who you trust. I will be back on Monday.

Restarting, Sort of

I have to admit that I forgot that I had started this blog. Over the last couple months I have been thinking of starting another blog and when I logged into Blogger, I realized that I had this one. Why start something when you have a perfectly good place already? I can't think of a good reason and thus will just start trying to get motivated to post on here.

I come here on a very important occasion. Its my 1 year anniversary for my marriage. I know that a year isn't a long time, but its noteworthy in the life of a new marriage. Its hard to believe that a year has passed since I stood on stage at church and got married. It has been a wonderful year. Of course, this gives cause for me to look back and make generalizations that later in life I will think are completely crazy or that I have no clue about life. Either way, here goes some thoughts on this past year.

First, I am thankful for my wife who is amazing. She puts up with my silly and often random rants. There are many times that I will get stuck on a topic and just keep going no matter if no one else is laughing because I think its funny. She just sits there and smiles and waits until I am done. Its actually gotten worse because we have the child starter kit, a dog. This gives me another source that I can talk in a different voice and claim its him saying these things to her. Yeah, I do that. But, I acknowledge that her love for me is truly immense to put up with this almost constant annoyance. Its either that she loves me so much or that she loves God so much and has decided that there is some reason He put her with me. Either way I am happy.

The next major thing that I have noticed is my complete amazement at our family and friends. They are great. I know that my personal relationship with my wife is awesome and that has a lot to do with God. But I also know that its because we don't have strife dealing with family or friends. They have done nothing but be supportive to our marriage. Last year before we got married, I got calls and emails from her family members wishing me a Happy Birthday. Its not a big thing, but they made sure to make me feel welcomed.

I am sure that God has many things to teach me about marriage and that I have many more years to look back and see where He has led me to. But today is definitely a great day and I am thankful for every nuance of awesomness that God has given to my marriage.

Before I go and leave for months (not really), I wanted to tell some of the things that God has been doing personally with me. I am a big fan of Andy Stanley's teaching. I usually check out his stuff online when they put the new messages up. The current series about "5 Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith" is really good. Its not a "how-to" list, but rather things that happen to us that when we look back we see how God used them. The last message, Personal Ministry, just floored me. I recommend it. But, the other thing is that my wife and I are leading a bible study based on one of Stanley's message series this fall at our church entitled "Faith, Hope, and Luck". Its about faith, in case you didn't realize that. We had our first meeting but really didn't get into the study. I am so excited about this topic because it means to much to me that I long for others to hear these words. I just don't want to become discouraged due to small numbers. But I guess all small group leaders deal with that to some extent.

I guess that gets me back to posting something. Hopefully that won't be an unlikely event anymore. I also hope to share more about what I am studying. We will see.