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!

New Year's Eve

It is kind of hard to believe that 2008 is just around the corner. What are your desires for the new year?
I get quite reflective during this time on the calendar. I really try to consider all that has happened during the last year and how God used it to speak into my life. It is fun, but challenging to say the least...
This past year has seen a lot happen in our lives... Over the next post or two I will share some of what God has allowed me to experience in the past twelve months...

What is the most exciting moment of 2007 for you?

The Forgotten Ways of Christmast No.2

It has been a while since I have written about The Forgotten Ways of Christmas, so here we go again lest you think that I was just going to pick it back up next year.
As I have thought about the Scriptures dealing with the birth of Jesus, I have been struck by the humility of it all. God's way is humble. I have much to learn about this... Jesus comes as Paul says in Philippians 2 "not counting equality with God something to be grasped".
How awesome is this. God is the most humble. Jesus is living out the character of the Father in the Incarnation.
I believe that we all have much to learn about the ways of God. But if I were God, I would have gone to the top of Everest to announce the birth of the Messiah. If I were Jesus I would have wanted to make a GRANDE entrance into this life. But this is not the way of God... No God works in the humility of a vulnerable child.
Lord help us all who are prideful and self-absorbed.
"A man wrapped up in himself makes a small bundle." Ben Franklin

The Great Magnolia State

Julie and I have arrived in Mississippi. We spent the night last night in Oxford, Alabama and then got off early this morning. The trip was good and we ran into something that we have not seen much up in Peach state... RAIN. Bad weather in Meridian derailed us for a while, but we were able to get going again without much delay. It is good to be here in Jackson. We will be Julie's parents for a few days and then up to Louisville to spend a few days with my family.
I am about try out a new French Press coffee maker. I am sure that the home brew will be delightful.