Monday, September 28, 2009

Monday Monday

Well today I had the privileged to go with Chloe on her very first field trip. Kristen and I went with her class and the rest of the Palmer center. We had a blast, but all those 2-4 year olds wore me out.

Craig said some great things on Sunday during his sermon Sunday but one of the things that really stuck out was in reference to how children can bring about the happiest moments of your life and also some of the most disappointing moments as well. I know those times will come and I am sure one day Chloe and Elijah will bring about heart ache, but I also know that there is nothing they could ever do to make me stop loving them.

Isn't great that God tells us the same thing. There is nothing we can do to be seperated from his love (Rom 8). We can run away from him, deny him, ignore him, and yet God will always be standing there with arms wide open.

God is truly an amazing God.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Thursday Thoughts

Thursday's for me always seem to be the day I think the most. I guess it is the last office day of the week for me and Wednesday is over (longest day of the week) and I just have time to stop and think.

Today my thoughts seem to be wrapped around the idea of needing to slow down a bit. It has been non-stop crazy for the last few weeks. Lots of youth events, meetings, planning, and family stuff going on. It is so easy for me to just move from one task to the next and never stop to think about myself and where I am heading.

One of my favorite books I have read in the past year is Contemplative Youth Ministry by Mark Yaconelli. The book is surrounded by the idea on how we need to make sure we are filling ourselves first.

Are you someone who fills yourself up first or last? We need to be about filling our spiritual cups up so that we are able to fill those up around us.

That is my Thursday thought.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Intentional Listening

How often during the day do you pause to listen to the things around you? In fact right now what do you hear? Right now in the background I have Pandora music. I am listening to my created status based around the Dave Crowder Band. I have found this to be much better than the normal espn radio I usually listen to.

I have had several quiet nights at home that past few weeks and I have had time to just stop and listen. Of course the weekend was filled with many many football games since Kristen was gone. I have found it peaceful and relaxing to take some time and just listen. Listen to what God is speaking to me, what my heart is saying, what others are saying and even what the world is saying.

It seems these days everyone has something to say about nothing and anything. I believe we live in a culture where what most people want is to be heard.

I guess for me I need to stop talking so much or distracting myself with pointless things and just listen. I believe that when I am doing this I am growing and learning the most. So may this serve as an encouragement to stop, look and listen.

On another note my fantasy teams went 1 and 1 this week. The Colts won, but the Titans loss. The biggest loss this week was ND to Michigan. Irish will bounce back and probably still make some type of BCS bowl (haha).

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Watch It

Well today on the way back from lunch I was listening to ESPN radio and Colin Cowherd was talking about a story that recently hit the press. No this wasn't a story about the latest US Open scores or the upcoming NFL season this was a story about a Conservative Christian republican man from CA who resigned yesterday after reports came out about him talking about his 2 mistresses.

Colin spent the next minute ranting about this man and used the phrase "Christian Conservative" over and over. It was quit irritating and somewhat embarrassing. I felt awful for the bad rep Christians all over the world were getting at that moment.

I want that 2 minute segment to stick with me today and remind me of that challenge I have as a Christian to watch what I say, do, see, act and watch.

1 Peter 2:11-12 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

We must constantly abstain from our sinful nature and realize that people are watching our every moves. I want those around me to praise God because of the way I am living.


In other news I am really stoked about the NFL season. It's my favorite time of the year. Tonight by my side will be chips and queso, pizza rolls and IBC Root Beer.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Back at it

Well I have decided to try and start blogging again. I really liked having a place to ramble a little and maybe complain about some stuff, but more importantly just share what's going on. I hope that as I get back into this I will be better at updating.

I don't have a lot of time today so this is just a post to let anyone out there who might read this that I am still alive.