Looking Around the Trash Pile

I take out the trash every two or three days at the house. Except when Julie prepares a chicken dish, then I take it out the very next day, because raw chicken smells very bad after a while. You know that smell. It is putrid and suffocating. I wonder what the tomb smelled like when the ladies went to put the spices on Jesus. He was not there, but was there a lingering smell of decay or was the smell whisked away in the Resurrection? I just wonder?
A little further on in this same passage, I just love what the angel speaks to the ladies; "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" I think that they must have been taken a back to say the least and wondering what must have happened. They expected to find the body of Jesus in the tomb but He was nowhere to be found. He is alive... they said, just like He told you!
What a strong reminder that in my life that the life that Jesus offers in not where I often look for it. I must let Him lead me to the life that is only found in him. I look too many times in the wrong places, only to find that I am not satisfied in the end.

Looking Around the Trash Pile
Longing for Life
Haunted by Emptiness
Surprised by Grace
Filled with the Eternal

Lord lead me to the path daily that leads to life. I want to experience the life you offer even it takes me down a path that I am unfamiliar with or that I don't naturally consider. Jesus I need you and long for you!
This is my prayer... is it yours?

the normal routine of life

In Luke 22:39 we are told that Jesus goes out to pray on the Mount of Olives. We are told that this happens "as usual". I think that this is significant because Jesus is going to the cross and he goes out to commune with the Father as he normally does. Jesus found the strength to go to the cross during his usual communal moments.
All of this speaks to me for it is out of the normal routine of life that the craziness of life takes hold of us. We are completely caught off guard when we arise to shower and feel that lump that was not there before or we the phone call come as the unexpected has happened to a loved one. The job promotions comes on Friday and over the weekend you realize that you must move and uproot your family.
Regardless of the challenging events that happen in our lives, many of them arise during the normal routine of life. As Jesus found his strength during usual time with the Father, I too am encouraged to make sure that I find my way to the Father so that I am not at a loss when life goes into a spin... I want to experience the intimacy of the Father when life goes up or down.
May we each find our way to Father's side and deepen our walk with Him daily...

Hola from Santiago, Domincan Republic

I traveled yesterday to the Dominican Republic. The day was long but I had a fine day. No problems with connections and thankfully no delays. It was so good to see Trey and Laura and their kids; Olivia and Grady.
I will checking out the city of Santiago for our college mission trip in March. We will have twelve on our team and we will work to help their mission efforts here in the city. I am excited about just being able to see the area that we will be working in.
I have a couple of prayer request:
Pray for me as I finish up pre-site.
Pray for our team as we prepare and plan for the next few weeks.

On the Go...

This afternoon Julie and I are going on the marriage retreat on St. Simons Island. We are so excited about the trip and just really believe that it will be a meaning time for us. Being able to get away for some much need R&R is really challenging right now. I am really praying that Julie and I will have a significant experience this weekend. I know that this is the right thing to do. I am so very grateful to be able to be a part of the retreat.

On Sunday I leave in the late afternoon for Jacksonville. I will fly out for the Dominican Republic on Monday for a pre-site trip for our Spring Break mission trip in March. I will be down there for two and half days just checking out the situation. I am excited about the trip and know that it will be beneficial. I look forward to returning with a good update near the end of next week.

Until then... GO GIANTS!!!

SNL - Sunday Night @ Legends

We began a new ministry opportunity last night. Legends has long been a university hangout near GSU. Our ministry is beginning a worship service there that will be strategically positioned to reach students and young adults that are not currently a part of any Christian ministry. We are praying the evening will grow as we continue meeting throughout the semester.
As we go along I will give updates and provide other thoughts on our plan and purpose.

SNL meets each Sunday night at 7 in the Legends building across from the RAC. Except this week due a previously scheduled event.

Wow

It has been quite a while sense I have been able to write. The last few days have been a blur... I need a nap... I need to slow down and it is only the third week of January... I do not want to be controlled by schedule, rather I want to live at peace with my comings and going...



I Need to Rest



I long For Space



If I could Just Press Pause



To Feel the Breath of Heaven



To Sense the Gaze of the Father



To Acknowledge My Need



Oh Great God



Deliver me... Deliver me

From myself

Here It Comes

I wish that God would tell me every time I was about to a left hook from life. I mean it would be so much easier if we were told what when life was going to take our pants and pull them to our ankles, but it does not always happen this way.
No, I learned this year that it rarely, if ever happens this way. No, we don't get the "notice" in the prayer box, we are left to walk through it as it happens. I believe that this is why we have faith and believe in the idea that God is in control and He will walk with us as we deal with junk that hits the wall of our life.
God takes the ugly portrait from our cellar and puts on His mantle and makes it a masterpiece. How many of us if we took all the ingredients for a cake would enjoy each of them by itself... not a chance... baking soda does not taste good nor do cloves... but when you mix the ingredients together the tastes is amazing...
I believe that this is how it is in life. God takes all the experiences that we have and makes a beautiful life as we look to Him and trust that he really is the author and perfecter of our faith.
Praise be the Lord!