Free Pizza

Patience does pay off. I was sitting in my favorite pizza place (Brooklyn Pie Company) waiting to order on slice of pizza for lunch but the one employee was on the phone taking an order, forever. Thought of leaving but I stayed. I wasn't in a big hurry. After he got done he felt bad and gave me 2 free pieces of pizza. They were incredible, as always. I got help though, I was watching this video.

Thought I should be a light for my faith and the God I run to.

Mystery in the Making

Eli Young Band had one of their CD's on sale on Amazon for 99 cents so I bought it. Or the rest of it I already had a few songs. Love the CD. One song stuck out to me called Mystery in the Making. Maybe because I feel like a lot spiritually has gotten to mundane and I need to embrace a new approach. Not new beliefs just a different methods to approach express my belief. Not be afraid to make hard decisions even if peace will be disturbed for the mystery of what might happen. I put the lyrics below and the CD on the sidebar.

The night time air's like a baptism
And the way I'm feeling right now is strange
I think it's time to make some changes
'Cause right now my outlook has changed

I feel like a dance that's lost it's rhythm
A compass that can't fine it's way
But there's a headlight shinning clearly
Down a gravel road just off the interstate

Chorus:
Take away the mundane
Calling on a new campaign
Starting over now has got a real good ring
And under this circumstance
It's giving me a second chance
Gonna trade a little peace for the suspense
I'll let it fall wherever it'll take me
I love a mystery in the making

Perkins

I am loving my time at home there is just something about being with family. I know the week will fly by so I am trying to soak up the moments. It is good to get away and recharge my batteries and I think I will return to work with more energy because of my time here. We are going all the time to spend time with family and friends but I am really praying for my spirit to connect with God in all we do this week. Reminds me of a quote out my favorite book "Wild Goose Chase"

God seems to be far less concerned with where I’m going than with who I’m becoming.

I want learn the lessons God wants to teach me this week.

Uncommon

“Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man.
I’m looking for uncommon people.”

I am reading Tony Dungy old book and ran across this quote from his football coach at Minnesota University. It was good because I really desire to live successful life. Not really when it comes to money or power but in areas of family and faith. Like a marriage that lasts, children of charcter, and life of descions based on my faith in an all powerful God. and It inspired me to try to break free of basing my life on other people expectations and patterns to something new and uncommon. I hope at the end of life I can say my life was uncommon and different inspired by a more Holy source.

Do it again Daddy

I love this video! Missed when he was really cracking up but we couldn't get the camera in time. Also, excuse the ending he really likes to hit now when he gets excited.

Egg Hunt

Not sure what eggs really have to do with Easter but it sure was fun watching Tripp hunt them down. Here is just a sample of what took place.

God's Support

Love this verse I ran into and it was perfect timing. Really focusing on getting my soul right before God. Not that things are bad just getting some open eyes to the pride in my life. I love that God longs to give strong support to those people seeking Him. I really desire my life to count, not for myself, but so God will be known in new places. Good reminder that God is watching every second not to condemn us but to strengthen us.

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

It's another Boy!

I am so pumped about another son. With the joy comes mixed emotions because I do get sad about not being close to home so my family can see my boys grow. Maybe, that will happen soon but maybe it won't. I am trying to rest in whatever life my hold. I know that going home it is never the same and not as good as your remember it. I love thinking back to growing up on a farm, running through the woods, and playing sports with my brother. I know that the joy I remember it with will likely not be present in those same places anymore. At least not in the same way. I love this quote:

"Nostalgia is the greatest enemy of the present."..........Matt Chandler

Dreaming of returning home will always rip the joy out of the present and stop you from becoming fully you. I call to God to return us to family one day but right now I will focus on becoming all I should be in this place at this time.

Prodigal God

Just finished a book this week called "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller it was a great book. It open my eyes to the fullness of the story Jesus told about the famous parable of the prodigal son. My favorite line in the whole book was about the difference between religion and the Gospel.

Religion- I obey and therefore the accepted by God
The Gospel- I am accepted by God through Jesus and therefore I obey

I needed to hear that because often I find myself working to earn God's love. Martin Luther said our default mode is religion so we have to remind ourselves often that God loves us. Out of embracing His love we are empowered to live. You should read it. Amazing book.

Tired

I just had some of the craziest weeks lately. I finished preaching this morning about communion and how being so familiar with it we can lose the meaning of why we do it. Mark Twain said that this love for the Mississippi river, which inspired so much of his poetry, he studied every area of the river. One morning to wake up will no feelings or poetry for the river he once loved. He said he loved the love right out of it. We do that with communion. Often times in our routines of the Christian faith we can get some familiar with actions we love the love right out of them. Didn't think it was the best sermon I ever preached but know God used it in some lives. Have to go, I am so ready to rest but thankful to have the time to write down my thoughts. Later