Falling down and getting up.

Why does falling down hurt so much? Why does trying to get up seem so impossible? In the walk of a Christ follower the weight and burden from stumbling and trying to get back up from it seems so heavy. In all reality it is a mental/spiritual thing that the enemy has perfected. He knows that we are a people that are more critical of ourselves then anyone else could ever be. In doing so this a self inflicted prison that we keep ourselves in. It is almost a prison with no cell doors, but we just can't seem to believe that we can get free. But the Word says "he who lives in me is free indeed." Easier said than done. Or is it? The simple act of reading the Word, putting on the "armour", giving your day to Christ seems like an impossible mission. Once again, the lie of the enemy.
We have strength in Christ- 1 Timothy 1:12-
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service."
We must think about this daily. Place scriptures throughout your home. Read the Word. Talk to people about Christ. Be available to God. Just DO what you know to do. In James 4 it says if a man knows what he must do and does not do it then he sins. Let that ring out!!!
Be encouraged that God is sovereign and that He will not give you more than you can handle (1 Cor 10:13). Through your testing He will give you strength. He will also give you a way out. You just need to take it. And if you fall, He will be there to pick you up and dust you off with a look of love and compassion rather than disgust and disappointment.
Psalm 22:8-"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." Let this be true of you, because it is true of Him.

I am back!!!

After taking a sabbatical from writing, I have returned. A lot has gone on since I last wrote. Where to begin? Well, I began working out again. Nothing too serious, unless you consider working out five times a week serious. I just got fed up with not looking model-esque anymore. Not that I ever did. I just do weights on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with cardio (running) all five days. My goal is to get to my fighting weight, whatever that is. I have decided to step it up though. I am going to lift weights five time a week. Low weight with high reps. I need to tone it up. I have my TEN year reunion this year. I need to go back and show them how unscrawny I am now.

Besides the workout plan, I have started up school again. Vinyeard Leadership Institute to be more exact. I am about to take my midterm for The Writings (Psalm, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon) and for Vision and Planning. Great stuff. I do feel that I have become a demi-scholar. After this semester I will be a second year student and have only three semesters left. If feels good to be getting this done. I know though that I am not done with education after this. I would like to get my bachelors still. Plus with the new policy that the Navy came out with, I get free tuition up to any state level university. God is good!!!

Oh yeah, the most important thing is that I was introduced as the new multi site campus pastor officially. We will be launching a Vineyard Community Church campus in Norfolk. I am stoked. It is going to be a great opportunity.

Well, now that I am caught up I can relax. I know that there are readers out there. I hope. If you are, then just hit me up with a comment. If not, then continue to enjoy your anonymity.

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Dental Work

So yesterday I had my six month cleaning. In a weird and twisted way I enjoy going to the dentist. Some people are deathly afraid of it, but not me. So anyway, I had done my pre-visit ritual of brushing, flossing, and gargling mouthwash. Bekah pointed out to me, based on my lack of flossing, that when it comes to me and flossing I am like most non church goers: I only floss two times a year like most people only go to church for Easter and Christmas. The funny thing about it is that I haven't had a cavity since I was a little kid. She flosses everyday and she just had a cavity or two in the last couple months. Irony sure is funny.
Anyway.....back to my dental visit. So I was looking forward to it because of my success record in not having cavities. I arrive at the dentist office and wait in the waiting room, obviously. They have this cool fish tank that has a fish in it that seems to be too big for it. It is like a shark/goldfish hybrid. Very cool. They finally call my name. Now this is only the second time that I have been to a civilian dentist since I got out of the Navy so it is still a different world. Everyone is happy and glad that I am there. Quite a difference from the Navy. My dental hygienist is this perky little girl named Megan. I had her last time and wasn't fearful at all.
Things were normal as usual, but Megan was extra talkative this time. Not in an annoying way, but in a way that she required responses while my jaw was wide open. I don't know if they teach the hygienists how to understand complete incoherency in dental hygienist school, but that is all she was getting from me. A lot of uncomfortable half laughs and several unintelligible gag-like tones resonating from the back of my throat. She seemed to understand, so I didn't question it. She told me about her daughter and I tried to tell her about Abigail and Nathan as best and clearly as I could.
After the initial cleaning she got the horrid floss out and began to cut through the soft tissue that hold my teeth in my mouth. Needless to say as I rinsed and spit, flowing red liquid protruded from my mouth. A sign that I should probably floss more. After everything was said and done I was released with my free gifts of floss, travel toothpaste, and a brand new toothbrush with the dentist office's name on it. Oh joy!!! I had hit the mother load. Oh yeah, my gums were throbbing. I guess to remind me that not flossing can result in abuse at your dental cleaning.
So kids, brush your teeth daily and always remember to floss!!!

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Peeps Death

So on Easter, Peeps are a childhood favorite. I personally never enjoyed them. So this year Bekah had bought some for Abigail and Nathan. With the ones that were not eaten, Allison Virtue Drew, decided to introduce "Peep-fighting". Now I don't know if it is a felony to do this, so I claim no responsibility in the outcome of said fights. The object of "Peep-fighting" is to mercilessly poke each peep with a toothpick and then face them together (see first photo), you then proceed to stick them into the microwave facing one another. If it weren't wrong enough to empale them with toothpicks you then get enjoyment by nuking them with the intention of them "fighting" one another. As you see by the end picture there is nothing left but death and carnage. So I ask you Peep lovers of the world to unite and stop the senseless killing of the innocent marshmallow treats the children around the enjoy to............eat? Wait a minute what is the difference? Fry those suckers. Nuke em!!! Kill them Peeps!!!!

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Easter

Today is Easter and I am sitting at home with my family, both immediate and extended, and I am reflecting on what Easter really means. I had the privilege of leading the family tradition of the bitter herbs and the Lord's Supper. It was quite an honor and very moving for me. I never really thought about the Old Law and the New Covenant. To see what God had done with His people and then to send His son to fulfill what He had done with His people. But not only did He do it for His chosen people but for all of creation. I love my Father so much and to put Easter into perspective is now something that I have done and it makes me more appreciative of the sacrifice made for me. If you have read the "Father's Love" entry then that, to me, is what I feel it is like for us. Once again the mystery of God's love.

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Love of a Father

The love of a father is something that not everyone trully experiences in their life. I for instance grew up never knowing my biological dad. But this doesn't mean that I could never really know what it means to have the love of a father. I grew up a Christian and was always told about the love of God the Father, but I could never relate. It was just too hard for me. It was not until the birth of my first child Abigail that I could somewhat relate to the love the Lord has for us, but I was still missing the love towards me. In regards to the love that I have for my daughter, I was able to have a little glimpse of how it must be for God towards us. Also I had this thought that I didn't know if I wanted another child because I didn't think that I could love another child like I loved Abigail, but then Nathan came along and was amazingly surprised. It was a different type of love. Not any less or any more than Abigail. Just different. I never really thought anymore about it.

Recently I have been reading the Shack and have come to understand what the Love of the Father looks and feels like. I brought up my children and earlier for the fact that it is similar for how the Lord loves us. He doesn't love any of us more than the other. It is different and unique for each person. For me it takes the pressure off. For me it makes it more valuable. For me it makes it more special. I am not saying that I am completely at a place where I understand or even feel it all of the time, but I know it is there and I know that He loves me. The love of a father is so important, and He wants us to know that He does love us. But don't take my word for it. You must seek and find for yourself!!!

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How many blogs does it take to get to the center of a toostie roll pop?

I find that getting people to read my blog is something next to impossible. I don't know if it is because the lack of promotion or the sheer boredom created by them. I am not starting a pity party, but am making an observation as to why I always stop writing blogs. Maybe this time is different. Maybe if I approach it at a different angle and not use it as a way to get my own personal glory, but rather as an outlet of expression. It is quite therapeutic to get my thoughts out there. I just need to stay dedicated to writing and doing it more. That has always been the reason that I stopped was that I did not make a habit of it. So here is to the future of my blog. May it have a long and prosperous life!!!

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