Quietly Contemplating...

For awhile now I have been meaning to try and make blogging a weekly thing - but like so many possibly feel - I wonder who would want to read this; and why on earth would they spend time reading my thoughts?  

But, alas, this morning - I was hit with the realization that sometimes God gives us stories or words of encouragement, or moments where He uses our stories and thoughts to impact other people, for the good of His Kingdom and the furtherance of His Gospel.  So, far be it from me to not share my stories. 

Lately, I have been on a spiritual mountaintop.  Now, by looking at my life, it would be very hard to see that, as the only change that has come into my life - has been hard and negative.  But, through it all, my Jesus has taught me so much.  I feel like in the last month, I have become a completely different person.  A few months back God began to speak to me, and He asked me to step out of a ministry that I was involved in - and I fought Him on this, bargained with Him, and even gave Him an ultimatum - which never works.  So, after wrestling with this idea, I reluctantly obeyed - stepped out and I am immediately receiving blessing from God, possible direction and a desire to do new and exciting things for the Kingdom of God that I have never even dreamed of before!  I am finding that I have new desires, new passions and a burning desire to be like Moses... drawn into the thick of darkness to be face to face with God!

As I was wrestling about stepping back from a ministry, God took ahold of another area of my life, and totally ripped it apart.  It was by far, one of the hardest, most painful situations I have ever had to walk through; but I know that I serve a risen Savior, a God King, who sits on His throne no matter what my life may look like!  Out of this hard situation, I have been able to stand firm in my faith, be tested on my convictions, hear from God, walk in His Ways, and overcome some serious fear of conflict!  And I can honestly say while it was terrible, gut -wrenching and ended in a loss for me and my family, we praise God that He who took us to it, got us through it!

I guess that is going to be all for now - except to say that if anyone does read this, I pray that you would know that God is bigger than our problems, and even when the world seems to fade away and run to culture and comfort - press into Him, ignore your circumstances, because it is in the thick of darkness, in the midst of confusion and wilderness - that we are able to speak with God face to face!

Drinking from a fire hydrant...

So, I just got back from Advance '09 last night.  I was priveleged to sit and soak up as much as I could from amazing men of God like - J.D. Greear, John Piper, Matt Chandler, Tyler Jones, Dr. Daniel Akin, and my favorite, Mark Driscoll.  It was a powerful weekend, and I am still processing a lot of what I heard, but so far - this is the conclusion I have came to.

My purpose and passion in life, is not my own.  I am not able to say what God is going to do and what I can and should do for God.  I am to be passionate about one thing - Jesus.  If my focus and heart is committed to Him and His Glory, God will take care of the rest.  For far too long now, I have been guilty of a religious heart and attitude.  I have been consumed with proving myself right, and looking intelligent.  No longer will that be my motive or approach to ministry.  My heart, is not my own, and my eyes are to be fixed on Jesus - the author and perfecter of my faith.  The rest is up to him.  My passions are not my own, it is not for me to say what I am going to do for God.  It is for God to assign and give me causality (thank you John Piper).

My aim in life is love - not even a love for people - but a love for Jesus.  If I can fall madly in love with Jesus and the Gospel, the rest will work itself out.

That is where I am at today, who knows what God is going to continue to reveal to me as I pray and decompress from this weekend's drink from a fire hydrant.

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Thoughts....

Trying to figure some things out this morning, and as I have been praying and meditating, it has occurred to me that God really is changing my heart, character and mind.  I can feel the negativity and bitterness leave my soul, and a peace from the Lord replace it.  

Also, Tim challenged us last week to pray that this next Sunday (Pentecost Sunday) we would experience another Pentecost.  I have been earnestly praying for that this week, and I am stoked to see what Sunday brings

Being a single mom...

Micah woke up this morning and has been real fussy and just kinda annoying all day.  I don't know if that makes me a bad daddy to say that, but it is the truth.  We are both feeling the pains of no mommy, for 4 days now.  It has been a lot of fun, we had a great afternoon at the pool yesterday with the Brown family, and we are going to go play at the Library this morning.  

Today is going t be a low key day, as we are both tired and really just trying to survive until tomorrow night, when Katie gets back.  

This week has been an eye opener, I have always said that I appreciate single moms and want to help them out, but I have never done anything.  After a week of being one, I think that every church, civic center, or person who has some time, should come alongside the single mom community and help in anyway possible.  It is so hard to get stuff done, to find time to relax, think, or even do the dishes, is nearly an impossible task.  And I only have 1 child!

Single moms, you amaze me, and I respect you and want to applaud your selflessness and servitude for your children.  You are great heros!

It's been awhile

Totally haven't been blogging in a log time, I think I should start it up again.  

I will try and do a better job, and maybe the more I do it, the easier it will be for me to think outside the box and share what God is teaching me with other people.

IT CAME ONE DAY....

Well, after years of work, sweat and time invested into it, last Thursday I finally graduated from college.

It felt like it took forever, but in the same sense, I can't believe it is over.

This will for sure make me sound like an uber-nerd, but - I miss it already.  I loved school, and I am going to miss the stress, exams, papers and all that accompanied being in school.  The night we got back from the graduation ceremony, I began looking at Master's level course with New Orleans Seminary, but then I remembered, I don't have the money to pay for them and I promised my wonderful wife some time off.

Yesterday we celebrated with some dear friends as they began their life together, Brett and Alyse, congratulations.  On the way home, I remarked to Katie, how awesome it is to go to a wedding where it just makes sense that these people are getting married.  We had a lot of fun, and I am super excited to see where God leads you.

Today, instead of going to service, and having a busy day, we had a Pajama Day at the Tyler casa.  We have literally stayed in our pajamas all day, done nothing but hang out and watch TV, play outside, run around the house, and be a family.  It is the best day I have had in a long time.

Anyway, it's time to go watch the Cowboy's beat up on the Giants (hope, hope, hope...) and spend some time with my wife.