Today and tomorrow is the re-grand opening of my store at work. This week I've ended with just over 42 hours. My manager will likely hit 65 before it's all over. It's been a tough week. I probably spoke too much at times and kept my mouth shut when I should have spoken up at other times. There were just "too many chiefs and not enough indians" in that place. Either way, after tomorrow it will all be over and I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful that I've almost fully recovered from the cold that began this week.
Today was supposed to be the day Moody called back with a housing answer, yet I got no call. I'll call them Monday morning. Through that and this past week, I feel at peace still. I rest with God. I have a final next week... may I rest with Him then as well. I've asked for less hours at work because of it.
I'm not sure what else to talk about. I can only say I have what seems to be an inexpressable desire to praise God and lift Him up at this time. I can echo with Jeremy Camp... "Give Me Jesus." I can "sing alleluia" with Jennifer Knapp. I can only wonder and marvel at what God has for me in the coming months. Where will I be? I ponder... if He keeps me here, I can save more money and if He takes me to Chicago, it will be more of a test of faith. I only hope that whatever course I'm placed upon, that I may make my life a prayer to Him.
My mind occasionally still wonders where I will be in 4 years or so. I look at the lives of those I once loved moving on and I smile at times shared... good and bad. I smile at the things that God brings us to grow us, mold us, shape us, mature us, test us, and refine the wandering hearts of His children. I can appreciate subtle sanctification. I can appreciate the fact that sometimes... for some of us... the only way to learn how to make good decisions is to have made bad ones. What else can we do but recognize we're precious and beloved, yet still pieces on His chessboard. I'm ok with that, because if I were King... my kingdom would have forsaken me long ago.
I am nothing before Him. I am small. I am but a servant. I pray that I will never forget this. I want to be His hands. I want to be His feet. I must go where He sends me.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Goodbye to My Grandfather
This past Wednesday just after 4pm, my grandfather passed away at the hospital. I expected that it would come any time. My dad wasn't ready for it but he handled it well. As far as I knew, my grandpa was not saved. Of course the final determination of that is between he and God. I don't know what happened in his heart at the hospital there in those last few moments. It would be nice to see him in heaven. I only continue to pray and you may pray with me that God uses this to remind my family and especially my father of their own mortality that they may be drawn to Christ in surrendered faith. My grandpa asked not to have a funeral, but only that his ashes were mixed with those of his wife.
My grandpa had lived quite a life... in the military, was in at least one major war, and started a thriving family business that is still run by his three sons today. He believed strongly in saving money from his earnings and I won't forget that. Once he found a wallet and drove it to the owners' home to return it to him. The owner was about to give him money in return. He stopped him and said, 'just do the same thing for the next person whose wallet you find (paraphrased)."
It's kinda difficult coming here nextdoor to use the computer as I do each day seeing all of his things almost still exactly in place as he left them as if he were returning. I hope to set aside some time in the coming weeks to clean the house a bit. We have a lot to do as a family in the months to come. We will eventually move into his home (as it is payed for) and sell our home. We'll also likely be selling two of our vehicles. Is anyone in need of a car?
This will be a unique Christmas for sure.
Moody should also be calling me this coming Friday with an update on housing. You can pray about that if you desire.
The Jehovah's Witnesses didn't return today. I'll have to remain ready to speak with them when they do return. Please pray that I have continued opportunities to share the truth of Scripture with them and get them thinking.
My grandpa had lived quite a life... in the military, was in at least one major war, and started a thriving family business that is still run by his three sons today. He believed strongly in saving money from his earnings and I won't forget that. Once he found a wallet and drove it to the owners' home to return it to him. The owner was about to give him money in return. He stopped him and said, 'just do the same thing for the next person whose wallet you find (paraphrased)."
It's kinda difficult coming here nextdoor to use the computer as I do each day seeing all of his things almost still exactly in place as he left them as if he were returning. I hope to set aside some time in the coming weeks to clean the house a bit. We have a lot to do as a family in the months to come. We will eventually move into his home (as it is payed for) and sell our home. We'll also likely be selling two of our vehicles. Is anyone in need of a car?
This will be a unique Christmas for sure.
Moody should also be calling me this coming Friday with an update on housing. You can pray about that if you desire.
The Jehovah's Witnesses didn't return today. I'll have to remain ready to speak with them when they do return. Please pray that I have continued opportunities to share the truth of Scripture with them and get them thinking.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mood Ring, oh Mood Ring...
For the men out there...
A zealous but somewhat humorous thought entered my mind at work today. I wanted to ask a random female employee the question: "So when the book comes out, may I have a copy?" "What book," they would ask? The book that explains the hows and whys of the actions and decision making in the mind of a woman. I suppose a reasonable response would be that either it would be too large to carry or that the editions would change so often that publishers couldn't keep up.
I say all that not to slam women, but simply to be transparent from a man's perspective... at least how it seems. Often I wonder how almost every time a woman I know makes a major or semi-major decision in life... it leaves my head spinning in confusion. This often without resolution or any significant amount of understanding even months down the road... even if things revert to the way they were before. It's as if there's this secret, hidden, protected, stashed away, double-bolted, nebulous, mysterious, power cell inside the mind of a woman that only opens its vortex just enough to produce a thought and then it closes... never to be investigated or analyzed again... sometimes even by its owner.
I ask myself all the questions... what guides this phenomenon? Did God create them this way so as to always keep us on our toes and in suspense? Does this change as they get older... or do they just learn how to curb it better and men of their age learn more patience? The questions all seem to lead back to the beginning of the maze.
I'm reminded of Reliant K's song "Mood Ring." "...mood ring oh mood ring please tell me will you bring the key... to unlock this mystery.... of girls and their emotions, play it back in slow motion so I may understand the complex infrastructure known as the female mind..."
Usually when this is expressed to a mature woman they laugh in what I think might be a mischieveous joy and delight in the mystery they bring to us. A much deeper question is... do we like it? Yes and no. Through it all I rest in the knowledge that God knew and still knows what He's doing. I almost shudder to think what life would be like if it were easier. It's like how our government was put together... think of the outcome if we didn't have the checks and balances we have..? Either way, the best answer is to rest in the Lord and know that if He made the woman for the man... He made a perfect creation as a suitable "helper." May we always consider the great wisdom and prayerful interest begged by these truths above all our internal ponderings...
"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."
-Proverbs 31:10
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
-Proverbs 31:30
A zealous but somewhat humorous thought entered my mind at work today. I wanted to ask a random female employee the question: "So when the book comes out, may I have a copy?" "What book," they would ask? The book that explains the hows and whys of the actions and decision making in the mind of a woman. I suppose a reasonable response would be that either it would be too large to carry or that the editions would change so often that publishers couldn't keep up.
I say all that not to slam women, but simply to be transparent from a man's perspective... at least how it seems. Often I wonder how almost every time a woman I know makes a major or semi-major decision in life... it leaves my head spinning in confusion. This often without resolution or any significant amount of understanding even months down the road... even if things revert to the way they were before. It's as if there's this secret, hidden, protected, stashed away, double-bolted, nebulous, mysterious, power cell inside the mind of a woman that only opens its vortex just enough to produce a thought and then it closes... never to be investigated or analyzed again... sometimes even by its owner.
I ask myself all the questions... what guides this phenomenon? Did God create them this way so as to always keep us on our toes and in suspense? Does this change as they get older... or do they just learn how to curb it better and men of their age learn more patience? The questions all seem to lead back to the beginning of the maze.
I'm reminded of Reliant K's song "Mood Ring." "...mood ring oh mood ring please tell me will you bring the key... to unlock this mystery.... of girls and their emotions, play it back in slow motion so I may understand the complex infrastructure known as the female mind..."
Usually when this is expressed to a mature woman they laugh in what I think might be a mischieveous joy and delight in the mystery they bring to us. A much deeper question is... do we like it? Yes and no. Through it all I rest in the knowledge that God knew and still knows what He's doing. I almost shudder to think what life would be like if it were easier. It's like how our government was put together... think of the outcome if we didn't have the checks and balances we have..? Either way, the best answer is to rest in the Lord and know that if He made the woman for the man... He made a perfect creation as a suitable "helper." May we always consider the great wisdom and prayerful interest begged by these truths above all our internal ponderings...
"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."
-Proverbs 31:10
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
-Proverbs 31:30
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
A Moody Answer
A lot has happened in the last week. The remodel at work is going well. I think the floors are all done and nice looking with that hard wood look. In not time, we'll have new tables and our Organic section. It's tough enough to run the thing as it is. Hopefully sales go up so we can hire some more help soon.
I got my letter in from Moody. I came home to find the letter opened and sitting on my doorknob. My dad opened it because he "had an investment in it too." I pulled out the letter to see that it was short. That usually means an "I'm sorry." They said I'm the student they want, but their space is limited. I've been put on the waiting list. They didn't tell me where I am on the waiting list or how big it is, just that they would call December 7th with a status on housing. Realistically, I think they could call anywhere from that time to early January. So now we're onto the next date to wait for. I'll continue delighting myself in Him, praying, and seeking His will.
Last Sunday the pastor handed me a letter as well. The letter asked me to be a Deacon. I was surprised to say the least. When there was talk of appointing leadership... the thought crossed my mind, but I quickly assumed that I was too new for something like that. I began to pray that night and the more I thought through it and prayed about it, there seemed to be overwhelming confirmation. I still have much to learn in the areas of pastoral care and humility, but it seems God has given this opportunity for a reason. Have I come to a place in my walk where I can do this witht he right spirit and motive? As I thought through that question, I remembered that by definition.. it's a lowly servant's role. That was a humbling thought in itself. May God keep me humble in the months to come as I continue to seek God.
Last Saturday we had the CSM evangelism weekend. Johnny and Christina were the only ones that came of the group to whom I spoke, but that was 1 more than we usually have. Christina sang for us as we handed out tracts, we had some good conversations, and the gospel was preached. I notice that since we've had amplification, I'm more conversational when I "preach." It's kinda difficult to call it preaching. It sounds more like when I'm teaching. Near the end of the conversation, a guy stopped who was VERY philosophical. SO much so that he broke down everything that I said to the point that the discussion got somewhat tiresome. He even named a philosopher he followed, while I can't remember it. That convo was interrupted by a girl I went to college with named Ashley who was an Atheist. She had 2 friends with her and they asked about the good person test. I was able to share with them. She unintentionally brought them to hear the gospel. I didn't know Atheist missionaries existed until that night.
Jerome the JW also came back out. Sopeaking of JW's, I had some come to my door last Saturday morning as well. I took them through an illustration that showed they had no assurance of eternity with God. They ultimately didn't have an asnwer. I gave them my email and they said they might be back next weekend. I'm gonna try and read some of their literature tomorrow to have somethign to further discuss. I was kinda nervous in our discussion, because I totally didn't expect them and somehow it was harder because they weren't on "my turf" downtown. For some reason I get uneasy around cults though because I worry that I don't know enough about them to discuss things with them. Please pray for a clear head if they return and that God would use what was said for His glory.
Travis and I also went witnessing today at the UNT campus. We got a pretty good crowd and had many questions asked. When the first guy came up to ask questions, I nearly froze. He seemed to only wanna stir up the crowd though. I can take people when they're wildly angry, but it gets more difficult when I try to think through the thorough questions people ask. I eventually got his email to answer one of his questions. He turned out to be very Hindu in his thinking. He said he was a Christian and then "began to think." He actually pinched a peice of grass, held it to my face, and said it was god. I asked if he could worship it and he said yes.
One guy even had canonicity questions and for some reason almost all the information left my brain when he asked!!! Maybe I should restrict questions to email only unless I'm totally confident in asnwering them. For now though I need to get some reading done for class...
I got my letter in from Moody. I came home to find the letter opened and sitting on my doorknob. My dad opened it because he "had an investment in it too." I pulled out the letter to see that it was short. That usually means an "I'm sorry." They said I'm the student they want, but their space is limited. I've been put on the waiting list. They didn't tell me where I am on the waiting list or how big it is, just that they would call December 7th with a status on housing. Realistically, I think they could call anywhere from that time to early January. So now we're onto the next date to wait for. I'll continue delighting myself in Him, praying, and seeking His will.
Last Sunday the pastor handed me a letter as well. The letter asked me to be a Deacon. I was surprised to say the least. When there was talk of appointing leadership... the thought crossed my mind, but I quickly assumed that I was too new for something like that. I began to pray that night and the more I thought through it and prayed about it, there seemed to be overwhelming confirmation. I still have much to learn in the areas of pastoral care and humility, but it seems God has given this opportunity for a reason. Have I come to a place in my walk where I can do this witht he right spirit and motive? As I thought through that question, I remembered that by definition.. it's a lowly servant's role. That was a humbling thought in itself. May God keep me humble in the months to come as I continue to seek God.
Last Saturday we had the CSM evangelism weekend. Johnny and Christina were the only ones that came of the group to whom I spoke, but that was 1 more than we usually have. Christina sang for us as we handed out tracts, we had some good conversations, and the gospel was preached. I notice that since we've had amplification, I'm more conversational when I "preach." It's kinda difficult to call it preaching. It sounds more like when I'm teaching. Near the end of the conversation, a guy stopped who was VERY philosophical. SO much so that he broke down everything that I said to the point that the discussion got somewhat tiresome. He even named a philosopher he followed, while I can't remember it. That convo was interrupted by a girl I went to college with named Ashley who was an Atheist. She had 2 friends with her and they asked about the good person test. I was able to share with them. She unintentionally brought them to hear the gospel. I didn't know Atheist missionaries existed until that night.
Jerome the JW also came back out. Sopeaking of JW's, I had some come to my door last Saturday morning as well. I took them through an illustration that showed they had no assurance of eternity with God. They ultimately didn't have an asnwer. I gave them my email and they said they might be back next weekend. I'm gonna try and read some of their literature tomorrow to have somethign to further discuss. I was kinda nervous in our discussion, because I totally didn't expect them and somehow it was harder because they weren't on "my turf" downtown. For some reason I get uneasy around cults though because I worry that I don't know enough about them to discuss things with them. Please pray for a clear head if they return and that God would use what was said for His glory.
Travis and I also went witnessing today at the UNT campus. We got a pretty good crowd and had many questions asked. When the first guy came up to ask questions, I nearly froze. He seemed to only wanna stir up the crowd though. I can take people when they're wildly angry, but it gets more difficult when I try to think through the thorough questions people ask. I eventually got his email to answer one of his questions. He turned out to be very Hindu in his thinking. He said he was a Christian and then "began to think." He actually pinched a peice of grass, held it to my face, and said it was god. I asked if he could worship it and he said yes.
One guy even had canonicity questions and for some reason almost all the information left my brain when he asked!!! Maybe I should restrict questions to email only unless I'm totally confident in asnwering them. For now though I need to get some reading done for class...
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The Dynamic Nature of God's Word
Sir William Ramsay (1851-1939) was a brilliant classical scholar, archaeologist, and Oxford professor who traveled to the Middle East for the purpose of proving the New Testament to be unreliable. With a New Testament in hand, he walked the terrain and engaged in extensive exploration among the antiquities of Asia Minor. He was surprised to find from on-site observation that the New Testament is geographically and historically accurate. This led to his conversion to Christianity. Returning to Britain, he became professor of New Testament at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
C.T. Studd was a nineteenth-century British missionary to the jungles of interior Africa. He preached to headhunters and cannibals. Many tribes were converted, and their glowing testimonies have been written down. Aflame with zeal for Christ, it is obvious that the gospel wrought an extremely radical change in their lives: In ceasing their killing and eating of neighboring tribes, these converts began to dispatch their own missionaires to evangelize them. Because the New Testament is divinely inspired, the power of God works through the gospel, turning sinners into saints and the most defiled into the holiest.
Lee Strobel was a confident Atheist and employee of the Chicago Tribune. His wife became a Christian. This motivated him to set out on a journey and study the major world religions. He flew to various leaders' locations and had lengthy discussions. His quest resulted in the trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior and a slew of books sharing his journey and giving Biblical truth for the thinking mind. (The Case For Christ, The Case For Faith, The Case For a Creator, The Case For Easter, etc.)
C.T. Studd was a nineteenth-century British missionary to the jungles of interior Africa. He preached to headhunters and cannibals. Many tribes were converted, and their glowing testimonies have been written down. Aflame with zeal for Christ, it is obvious that the gospel wrought an extremely radical change in their lives: In ceasing their killing and eating of neighboring tribes, these converts began to dispatch their own missionaires to evangelize them. Because the New Testament is divinely inspired, the power of God works through the gospel, turning sinners into saints and the most defiled into the holiest.
Lee Strobel was a confident Atheist and employee of the Chicago Tribune. His wife became a Christian. This motivated him to set out on a journey and study the major world religions. He flew to various leaders' locations and had lengthy discussions. His quest resulted in the trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior and a slew of books sharing his journey and giving Biblical truth for the thinking mind. (The Case For Christ, The Case For Faith, The Case For a Creator, The Case For Easter, etc.)
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