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Home Buying Journey Pt. 4
We got it! Yeah baby we got it!
So much work but I do not care. Thanks to those of you who have been praying with us in this process.
Much needed Reminder!
Again for the thousandth time, something has gotten off the path… and then I reread this little diddy:
A quote from Reaching Out, by Henri Nouwen:
How do we know that we are not deluding ourselves, that we are not selecting those words that best fit our passions, that we are not just listening to the voice of our own imagination?…Who can determine if [our] feelings and insights are leading [us] in the right direction?
Our God is greater than our own heart and mind, and too easily we are tempted to make our heart’s desires and our mind’s speculations into the will of God. Therefore, we need a guide, a director, a counselor who helps us to distinguish between the voice of God and all other voices coming from our own confusion or from dark powers far beyond our control.
We need someone who encourages us when we are tempted to give it all up, to forget it all, to just walk away in despair. We need someone who discourages us when we move too rashly in unclear directions or hurry proudly to a nebulous goal. We need someone who can suggest to us when to read and when to be silent, which words to reflect upon and what to do when silence creates much fear and little peace.
Simple, reflective, and just a good reminder.
It’s been a while!
It has been a while since my last blog. To be honest I just haven’t felt very inspired. I have a bunch of unfinished blogs to be posted but can’t seem to finishem out… So hopefully I can get to it in the next couple of days. AYE!
Real Community
I just read a really cool article at Building Church Leaders website. It talked about what kind of groundwork that is needed for real/authentic community.
I have never been one to fully extend outside of my comfort zone but I remember when I was working as a Youth Director at a church in Bellflower, California , we would have a friday night service for the community. At this service we would invite them to come and listen to a message and then walk through our food closet. Most of them, to be honest, just wanted the food. To sit through a small service was nothing. But I do remember, each time, when someones life was touched. How did I know? Well they showed up on Sunday in the best clothes that they had. “How amazing”, I thought to myself. These people want more; More hope, more love, more…God.
It’s never just about serving the poor/homeless, the needy, the disenfranchised. It’s about inviting them into the community. I think we have the ability to do amazing things if we but break down our walls. We say we want to be branches or Jesus’ hands extended but we never are willing to lead people in. We keep our hands extended and thats as far it goes. Its funny to think that Salvation/Redemption is just an arms lenght away. (Crazy thought)
It challenges me to be more authentic and to share my story/God story.
How might we be able to more effective in reaching out our arms to the community?
How might we bring all people into right community?
We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race.
- Cicero
Bands I like!
Its tueday again which means another day of Music/Bands I like!
For today I wanted to share with you a old time favorite: The Promise Ring
When I first started getting into them, their music was usually classified as emo, but their later albums could be described more accurately as indie pop. The band was started in 1995 as a side project but quickly grew into a fan favorite.
If you are fans of bands like: Jimmy Eat World, Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil, Sunny Day Real Estate, Death Cab for Cutie then you just might like The Promise Ring (They broke up in early 2000’s)
The Promise Ring – Why Did We Ever Meet?
The Promise Ring – Emergency Emergency
The Promise Ring – Become One Anything One Time
Enjoy!
Monday’s Scattered thoughts!
For today’s Scattered thoughts I wanted to share with you my fear of perception.
Perceptions have molded me, well most of me.
They have streched and confined me to be… whatever I felt they wanted me to be.
The problem is not in the changing, but in the end result.
Who am I? Who am I becoming? For whom am I becoming?
Interesting isn’t it? To think you have control but you just give it away
Give it away to your thoughts of what others think.
There are things you cannot control… I don’t care how hard you try
So where do I/we begin?
Simply, with me.
That is where change comes first.
Michael Jackson said it right I suppose.
oh silly man in the mirror! You don’t even know.
….
More to come
enjoy!
Some Q time with the wifey
I love my wife! She is everything that I am not. Driven, Great Multi-tasker, ability to think and see things that I can’t, and a great cook. But with all those things said, it doesn’t speak the volumes of what she has done in my life.
So today we decided to play hooky from church to spend some ”Q” time together. To be honest we really haven’t made much of this time so is due.
We have talked about starting a date night once a week or trying to make an overnight trips somewhere about once every three weeks or a month. We will see how it goes. We want it to be free flowing, nothing forced. Something that gives us some spontaneity and fun memories.
What is quality time look like with your significant other?
What do you find most rewarding?
Low Morale: Creep
My wife sent me to this website http://www.lowmorale.co.uk/. You have to check it out! Here is one of the videos.
Hope you enjoy!
Monday’s Scattered Thoughts
For this week I am just going to post up some old writing that I was reading this weekend. Hope you enjoy.
BOLD I WOULD BE:
Waking before dawn would be too bold for me.
To experience a full day of what might seem enjoyable.
Yet there is always this unwanted experience that never happens.
I am convinced otherwise, in anticipation for the unexpected;
Bold I would be
It demands so much more than I feel I can offer
It causes one inspire in the most desperate of times
Even if that causes me to expire
Shivers of brisk winds spread the words of my breath
And it dangles above me, flaunting its furrowed brow
Ah yes to be bold indeed would be like reading a book you wrote that hasn’t even been finished yet. The irony of being bold is that most often then not it comes in the most naked of times.
Bold I would continue to be.
Like a child who continues to be bullied for every last cent, and still he freely gives as it is taken from him.
Hail beats furiously upon those who never take cover and never prepare. Hollow are the souls of those who fill their lives with premature pleasures.
Bold I would be
if I could only see past… me
This is really random. I know!
Monday’s Scattered Thoughts
For today’s Scattered Thoughts I thought I would be a little more random, hence the word “Scattered”.
Jami and I are finally serious about finding a house/condo to buy. With a very steep decline in prices for home we are so excited to begin our search for home to make our own. Now keep in mind we have had some great places to live and some not so grand. I would prefer a condo for now. It’s cheaper, they’re newer, and some offer some really cool amenities (Park, Swimming Pool, Gym). ON the down side, everyone is so close to one another, so no privacy, their may be people below/above you, I want to be able to bust out some music/or play guitar). I want a house but am hesitant because they are older (the ones in our price range), need upgrades stat, and can be more to maintain. I don’t know I’m excited but very wary.
I’d love any input.
Also I have been thinking a lot about going back to school. To pursue what? I am torn at the moment. While my passion is to get my M.DIV (Master of Divinity). I also want to go back and get my Masters in Psychology: Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy. I am torn because I don’t feel any strong pull in one direction. What am I passionate about? I am passionate about God and serving him, that’s about as general as I can get right I suppose. I feel more understanding will come as I submerge myself in reflection/silence & solitude as well as in service through the local church. So I wait. For an opportunity to present itself/ as well as searching/researching my options and where they can lead.
How did YOU know what you were called to do?
