It's been a million years since I last posted, but I felt challenged to do so today. I'm undergoing a few changes.
1. getting Married, yeah! I'm nervous excited, and amazed that she wants to marry me. She is a truly amazing woman and I'm looking forward to start life together. God has used this woman to sharpen me, and make me a better man. She has an amazing servants heart and loves deeply.
2. Changing careers, I feel God strongly calling me back to the teaching profession. I believe that the public (or private) school is my mission field. He can put me where he wants to, I want to be used.
3. Moving from my home, hometown, back to the city, the urban jungle, and knowing that God will bless it. My intentions are to support family and friends in Indianapolis, and rely on their support. I will miss southern Indiana very much.
More will be on the way and maybe some pictures too.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
jerks and wimps
Sometimes I feel like a wimp. Remember the scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off where Cameron was in the car, that's happened to me before. God please give me boldness to take a stand for you where I need to the most.
jerks and wimps
When did we turn into wimps? Take a quick jaunt through the New Testament and you'll see a different breed of believer. Most Christians then weren't ...
When did we turn into wimps? Take a quick jaunt through the New Testament and you'll see a different breed of believer. Most Christians then weren't ...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
today's rant
A buddy is really hurting. It drives me crazy. I have so much support in ministry and I feel like I'm not up to snuff, but he has been going at it for a long time with no support from the majority of his church family. So my heart is going out to him. I hope that you will pray for him as I will too.
Paul and Silas were completely wronged in acts 16, I've been rereading this passage this week trying to let it soak in that there are those who are struggling for the cause of Christ. And it just reminds me of the crazy fact that Christians are challenged more than any other group of people to not despair. We don't despair, because we are filled the this crazy hope that we're not alone in our struggle against anything.
It's crazy, I know. But, I know my friend will be alright no matter if he decides to stay or go. I am filled with hope that people (close people I love) will not turn their backs on God because they get caught up in petty differences about where to worship. That people who don't know it will realize that salvation is a gift, it can't be earned. I'm filled with hope that I'll be able to grow and better represent Christ to other people. I have a helpless feeling all the time that I am not doing anything to impact the world for Christ. But it doesn't diminish my hope. Writing this increases my hope. My prayer for you today is the same one that the disciples prayed. Pray it for me too: "Lord, increase our faith."
Paul and Silas were completely wronged in acts 16, I've been rereading this passage this week trying to let it soak in that there are those who are struggling for the cause of Christ. And it just reminds me of the crazy fact that Christians are challenged more than any other group of people to not despair. We don't despair, because we are filled the this crazy hope that we're not alone in our struggle against anything.
It's crazy, I know. But, I know my friend will be alright no matter if he decides to stay or go. I am filled with hope that people (close people I love) will not turn their backs on God because they get caught up in petty differences about where to worship. That people who don't know it will realize that salvation is a gift, it can't be earned. I'm filled with hope that I'll be able to grow and better represent Christ to other people. I have a helpless feeling all the time that I am not doing anything to impact the world for Christ. But it doesn't diminish my hope. Writing this increases my hope. My prayer for you today is the same one that the disciples prayed. Pray it for me too: "Lord, increase our faith."
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
My friend Bob
To put it simply, my friend Bob rocks. When I met him a few years ago, I didn’t know what to think about him. It was clear to me from the start that he had to be pretty smart. He had hospital scrubs on and I figured he was a surgeon or something.
Not until after Hurricane Katrina hit did I get an inkling of what Bob was like (Respiratory Therapist, Husband, Father of 3 great kids, rock n roll drummer, Author, Volunteer Fireman, Jesus Freak, Preacher in training, and he makes a heck of a pizza). I knew that he had made several trips down to the region, as he is pretty fearless. Right after the storm he was there, on his own, going into devastated neighborhoods where firefighters wouldn’t go. One of his favorite things to do is to live out of his backpack.
He made the paper, though he probably didn’t want the publicity. One of his favorite sayings is “The front page is the best advertising.” It’s pretty clear to me that Bob doesn’t advertise for himself. He’s just in love with Jesus. Jesus said that the man with the greater debt would love God more. That’s absolutely true in Bob’s case, ask him why.
Just a couple of weeks ago Bob took me on a trip that I won’t forget. We went to Ground Zero in Manhattan. He was there 6 years ago after 9/11 and has been back every year save one. He snuck onto a boat to get to the towers on Sept. 12th, 2001 He spent the next week working the scene. We walked around Manhattan till our feet hurt seeing the sights and talking to people. Most importantly we paid our respects, listened to almost all 3000 names. I stood in awe of some of New York’s bravest: FDNY and NYPD. Bob was talking to a lady who lost a family member in the attack. She told him that she realized the first responders did all they could do. Those were words he’d waited six years to hear.
Bob goes and does, when most people stand around scratching their heads. He encourages me, asks me a million questions, and holds me accountable, for that I am extremely grateful. He is truly a brother in Christ.
Not until after Hurricane Katrina hit did I get an inkling of what Bob was like (Respiratory Therapist, Husband, Father of 3 great kids, rock n roll drummer, Author, Volunteer Fireman, Jesus Freak, Preacher in training, and he makes a heck of a pizza). I knew that he had made several trips down to the region, as he is pretty fearless. Right after the storm he was there, on his own, going into devastated neighborhoods where firefighters wouldn’t go. One of his favorite things to do is to live out of his backpack.
He made the paper, though he probably didn’t want the publicity. One of his favorite sayings is “The front page is the best advertising.” It’s pretty clear to me that Bob doesn’t advertise for himself. He’s just in love with Jesus. Jesus said that the man with the greater debt would love God more. That’s absolutely true in Bob’s case, ask him why.
Just a couple of weeks ago Bob took me on a trip that I won’t forget. We went to Ground Zero in Manhattan. He was there 6 years ago after 9/11 and has been back every year save one. He snuck onto a boat to get to the towers on Sept. 12th, 2001 He spent the next week working the scene. We walked around Manhattan till our feet hurt seeing the sights and talking to people. Most importantly we paid our respects, listened to almost all 3000 names. I stood in awe of some of New York’s bravest: FDNY and NYPD. Bob was talking to a lady who lost a family member in the attack. She told him that she realized the first responders did all they could do. Those were words he’d waited six years to hear.
Bob goes and does, when most people stand around scratching their heads. He encourages me, asks me a million questions, and holds me accountable, for that I am extremely grateful. He is truly a brother in Christ.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
No insignificant people
From a book I've read, just came across it again.
"During the last months of World War II, the British conducted daily bombing raids over Berlin. The bombers would take off from an airstip in England and fly surrounded by smaller fighter planes who job t was to keep German fighters from attacking the bombers, which were easy targets.
One night after a successful bombing raid, as they were heading for the safety of England, the bobmers were attached by a large group of German fighter planes. Somehow, during the dogfight, one bomber found itself flying alone with no protection, and suddenly, a German fighter appeared out of nowhere. The crew of the bomber watched as the German plan moved closer and closer, until finally, it was in range. Thge prepared for the worst and watched helplessly as tracer bullets began spitting from the fighter. Bullets whizzed by them, over and under, until Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Five bullets slammed into the fuselage of the bomber near the gas tank. The crew braced for the explosion, but nothing happened. They could see fuel pouring from the bullet holes, but there was no explosion. Miraculously, they were able to make it back to their base and get safely off the plane.
A few hours after they had landed, one of the mechanics showed up in the crew's barraks. He had found five bullets inside the fuel tanks, crumpled but not exploded. He handed them to the pilot. The pilot carefully opened the shells and to the crew's amazement found each one empty of gunpowder. Inside one was a tiny wad of paper. When he unfolded the paper, he found a note which read, "We are Polish POWs-forced to make bullets in factory. When guards do not look, we do not fill with powder. Is not much, but is best we can do. Please tell family we are alive."
The note was signed by four Polish prosoners of war.*
Since the beginning, God has chosen the tiny over the large: David over Golaith, Gideon and his three hundred over thousands of Midianites, Elijah over the prophets of Baal, one sheep over 99 sheep."
From Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli
* I can back this up.
I'm always interested in comments.
"During the last months of World War II, the British conducted daily bombing raids over Berlin. The bombers would take off from an airstip in England and fly surrounded by smaller fighter planes who job t was to keep German fighters from attacking the bombers, which were easy targets.
One night after a successful bombing raid, as they were heading for the safety of England, the bobmers were attached by a large group of German fighter planes. Somehow, during the dogfight, one bomber found itself flying alone with no protection, and suddenly, a German fighter appeared out of nowhere. The crew of the bomber watched as the German plan moved closer and closer, until finally, it was in range. Thge prepared for the worst and watched helplessly as tracer bullets began spitting from the fighter. Bullets whizzed by them, over and under, until Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Five bullets slammed into the fuselage of the bomber near the gas tank. The crew braced for the explosion, but nothing happened. They could see fuel pouring from the bullet holes, but there was no explosion. Miraculously, they were able to make it back to their base and get safely off the plane.
A few hours after they had landed, one of the mechanics showed up in the crew's barraks. He had found five bullets inside the fuel tanks, crumpled but not exploded. He handed them to the pilot. The pilot carefully opened the shells and to the crew's amazement found each one empty of gunpowder. Inside one was a tiny wad of paper. When he unfolded the paper, he found a note which read, "We are Polish POWs-forced to make bullets in factory. When guards do not look, we do not fill with powder. Is not much, but is best we can do. Please tell family we are alive."
The note was signed by four Polish prosoners of war.*
Since the beginning, God has chosen the tiny over the large: David over Golaith, Gideon and his three hundred over thousands of Midianites, Elijah over the prophets of Baal, one sheep over 99 sheep."
From Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli
* I can back this up.
I'm always interested in comments.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Good morning, I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was filled with running around, trying to keep up with youth and adults alike. I loved getting shot with paintballs by some of the kids, and checking out hot rods with my dad.
Since I’m slowing down on Monday, I’m sitting here trying to get some thoughts in order, I’m trying to develop some spiritual discipline. I thought I had more than I do. And I’m drinking some absolutely great Double Dark Blend coffee from Trader Joe’s, which is making my brain function.
I waiting for something and I don’t know what it is, I guess the only thing I know at this point is that God knows it and I have to be content. Paul says in Acts 17 that “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.” My purpose hasn’t changed, even though lots of other things do. I’m taking comfort in knowing that God is close, I hope you do too! I love you my friends! Grace and peace to you, Josh
Since I’m slowing down on Monday, I’m sitting here trying to get some thoughts in order, I’m trying to develop some spiritual discipline. I thought I had more than I do. And I’m drinking some absolutely great Double Dark Blend coffee from Trader Joe’s, which is making my brain function.
I waiting for something and I don’t know what it is, I guess the only thing I know at this point is that God knows it and I have to be content. Paul says in Acts 17 that “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.” My purpose hasn’t changed, even though lots of other things do. I’m taking comfort in knowing that God is close, I hope you do too! I love you my friends! Grace and peace to you, Josh
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Man of Constant Sorrow
I have been sad so many times. At one time in my life I might say I actually enjoyed being sad. You get attention or sympathy. Anymore, I don’t want attention. I want to live my life, tell other people about Jesus, have a family, build a house, maybe own a restaurant. I know by now that there are no guarantees of longevity or wealth. Lots of times it feels like I’m doing the wrong thing. I’m sitting comfortably watching the world go to hell.
I identify a lot with Isaiah’s words in chap. 53 v. 3. Jesus was a man of sorrows. Why? I can think of two reasons. First of all, people didn’t believe him. They didn’t believe the message, it had to be hard to believe at first. Jesus came in an era where people believed in all kinds of things. Many believed that their national leader was a god. To believe anything else was asking for trouble. He had an offensive message. He said there is only one way to God, Me. He said you on your own aren’t good enough. Who wants to hear that? He completely slapped tradition in the face! This got him further rejected. No wonder he was sad.
I think he’s sad with us, with me, when we don’t step up to the plate. We don’t fully believe. Even after believing for a long time. We believe it once, when we are young, then we get banged up a little and start to doubt it or walk away from Him altogether. I don’t doubt who He was or what He did, I believe in the proof. But I think he is sad that we don’t get out of the boat. We rowing down the river and passing drowning people. We have to jump in the water with them. The U.S. is the 3rd largest mission field in the world. The country that we refer to as a Christian nation, has millions who don’t know the gospel. Why don’t we talk more about the one thing that’s most important. Eternity is a long time, and you can’t change it after it’s been decided. Don’t wait until the last 5 years of your life to think it over. Put your faith and trust in Christ today.
I identify a lot with Isaiah’s words in chap. 53 v. 3. Jesus was a man of sorrows. Why? I can think of two reasons. First of all, people didn’t believe him. They didn’t believe the message, it had to be hard to believe at first. Jesus came in an era where people believed in all kinds of things. Many believed that their national leader was a god. To believe anything else was asking for trouble. He had an offensive message. He said there is only one way to God, Me. He said you on your own aren’t good enough. Who wants to hear that? He completely slapped tradition in the face! This got him further rejected. No wonder he was sad.
I think he’s sad with us, with me, when we don’t step up to the plate. We don’t fully believe. Even after believing for a long time. We believe it once, when we are young, then we get banged up a little and start to doubt it or walk away from Him altogether. I don’t doubt who He was or what He did, I believe in the proof. But I think he is sad that we don’t get out of the boat. We rowing down the river and passing drowning people. We have to jump in the water with them. The U.S. is the 3rd largest mission field in the world. The country that we refer to as a Christian nation, has millions who don’t know the gospel. Why don’t we talk more about the one thing that’s most important. Eternity is a long time, and you can’t change it after it’s been decided. Don’t wait until the last 5 years of your life to think it over. Put your faith and trust in Christ today.
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