Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Jesus, Turkey, and Miscellaneous Ramblings...

Jesus. There is no greater name. However, I wonder why I am so quick to forget? Stress, worry, frustration can sneak up so quickly. I am reminded that there is a thief who loves to "steal, kill, and destroy," yet I am too quick to forget the One who came that I might have "life abundantly." (See John 10:10) As I reach the end of another semester of traveling & preaching, pastoring, husband-ing, fathering, and seminary-ing, I am reminded that I can do nothing outside of the grace of Jesus Christ.

However, lately I have been "By the grace of Jesus" and "By the skin of my teeth..." I don't know if that makes sense, and it wasn't meant to be heretical, but whatever... This semester I have been studying Biblical Hebrew, and I am increasingly aware that my expertise will not be in Biblical Linguistics. It just doesn't click. I've overspiritualized it, underspiritualized it, accurately spiritualized it and I am content to know that I know and love some world class linguists, but I am just not like them. However, I have learned how to use some tools that help me understand the text better, so for that I am grateful.

Thanksgiving is upon us once again, here is a quick list of things I am thankful for:


  1. Triune God & His Bible

  2. Steph & Braelyn

  3. Extended Family

  4. Christ Church - all of it and everyone involved

  5. Friends

  6. Laughter

  7. Transform Ministries - The Ministers and the Board of Directors Rock!

  8. Provision

  9. Preaching

  10. Pals (There, I have achieved a good 'ol Baptist Alliteration)

  11. Coffee

  12. TV Series on DVD

  13. Cool weather

  14. Fixed automobile

  15. My MacBook Pro

  16. House, Cars, Etc.

  17. Good Blogs

  18. Bad Blogs that make me grateful for the good blogs.

  19. Movies

  20. Miracles (see http://www.prayforkyle.com/)

One last thought. For seminary, I am also taking Contemporary Evangelism, and part of the curriculum is sharing my faith with 3 non-Christians. I am kind of in a pinch, because on one hand I travel all the time and preach to hundreds of people each semester about Jesus, but this needs to be one on one conversations. So, if any of you reading this do not believe in Jesus and would be willing to let me share with you why I do, please let me know! 1) I would love to share you the greatest thing that ever happened to me. 2) I want to do so with integrity, that is why I am posting this. 3) I think this assignment is a bit silly, but I want to submit to the authorities placed over me...


Okay, one last last thought... Why is it that when I was a teenager I thought that every feeling I experienced = Truth? It seems that this is an ongoing issue with students (and adults). Feelings do not equal truth, however, in our culture it appears that we submit to our feelings, and thus become the sovereign to determine truth. Rather than allowing the Truth to subdue and direct our affections and feelings. Any thoughts?


Monday, November 19, 2007

My Wife Jacked My Blog...

Well, you know that it is time to blog when your wife hijacks your blog and tells you it is time to blog. I guess I was a little surprised because I didn't think many folks read my blog, but I guess I was mistaken.

Today was an interesting day of cleaning out our garage. Now that might sound like a small feat, but the individual who owned the house before us left us many treasures. It literally took us the whole day to clean out the garage, but it does look really nice now. Thanks to my mom for coming out and spending time with Braelyn so that we could clean. Mad props to my boy Blake Quimby for helping us out and hauling numerous loads of junk to the dump...

This fall has been a great season of ministry and I am satisfied with the time I had of ministry on the road. I will spend next month working on new sermon material and discussion questions for D-NOW's next spring. So, things have been great and I am doing well... Blog, Blog, Blog....

Well, that's all I have to say right now. My dear wife coached me that if I would start back to blogging by updating about my life, that I would get into the groove again... So, we'll see what happens...

Cheers!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Casey...I have Kidnapped Your Blog!

Casey,
This is your wife typing.
I have kidnapped your blog and I am making demands!

WRITE A NEW POST!!!!!


I am confident that I'm not the only As You Are Going reader to feel this way!

I love you. :)
Steph