Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Being held back


Have you ever had the notion to just jump into a car and take off? Take off to nowhere? Somewhere? You know, just get in the car and drive! Go in a different direction than you've ever gone?

I think our lives are a pretty good reflection of M. Night Shyamalan's movie, "The Village". In the movie there is a "settlement" of people that have their own culture and own things holding them back. There is the fear of certain colors and a boundary line that no one can cross. The younger people fall in line and do as they're told, they don't know any different. However, you come to find out that this village is tucked away in some national park where a few families were trying to create a utopia. It reminds me a lot of our world. There are fears of certain things that are ingrained into you from childhood. Some rational, others are just boundaries set up by those who either fear something or are trying to have control over a situation.

Heres my point: I am wondering what is holding me back. What fears do I have that are legitimate fears and what things are just someone trying to control me or my emotions? Why is it that, if you looked at a map of our daily lives, there are worn out paths leading and going to the same things rather than veering off onto some new adventure? What holds you back? What keeps you from dreaming? What have you been taught that you really don't understand?

May God allow us to get in the seat next to Him and venture on new roads. May we not be found on the same, worn-out muddy trails when He has a bigger "more abundant life" for us to lead! Jump the fence, start the car, take a step..."push the pedal down, watch the world fly by us..."

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Weekly reflections



10. I love the Olympics. I have thoroughly enjoyed them. That Phelps kid is amazing.

9. God is very fond of me and wants the best for me.

8. I hate wearing a cast. I hate it mostly for the attention and all the tape I've had to yank off my arm! Casts smell funny too...

7. Worrying gets you absolutely nowhere.

6. Family is so important and as a pastor, I don't have the luxury of spending time or being close to my family and that makes me sad.

5. When I become a father, I want to "be there" in as many moments and times when my kids need me.

4. Find good friends and appreciate them...no matter what.

3. I think marriage, at least for me, is getting better every year. The first couple of years are difficult, trying to find a groove. But once you find it, man the joy and love that exists. I love my wife.

2. Do you ever think about living in another area of the country and wonder what it would just feel like?

1. Things change. They never stay the same. They never stay the way you left them. So...enjoy the good things you have now...they'll soon change. Learn to live with the not-so-good things....they'll soon change.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Pulse Fest 08

what a day! It was fun and great to be able to spend time with the Speds. I miss these guys...

Casting Crowns were amazing...a lot of great words were spoken into my heart this day.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Green grass


I have this bad habit. I only do it so often but when I do, it drags me down for a few hours. No one else is usually around so I have to deal with it by myself. What is it you say? It is BLOG READING!!!

You see, other peoples lives seem so much cooler, more fulfilling, more _________ you fill in the blank and I have probably passed that blogmotion once or twice.

Thats life sometimes. There are times when things are great and good things are happening to you. The thing is, most of the time we miss those things. I start wishing or looking down the road and fail to live fully in the now. When I was younger I wanted to go to college, I did. But when I was there I just wanted to get a job and on and on it goes. I think the grass will always seem a little bit greener somewhere else for a few reasons:

1. We haven't got there yet to walk on it and make it brown!

2. Often times we never look at the "grass" that we're on to see how green it is. We are always looking off into the fields next to ours to even notice where we are.

3. Your eyes see things differently than any other person in the world. Maybe you see green differently than the guy next to you. Just as long as we have God's Spirit helping us to view things through His eyes and stay in Him, He will "make us lie down in GREEN pastures!"

4. Finally, sometimes the grass just is greener. Plain and simple. Maybe it's time to go graze in a new patch. But leaving just to leave is like a Raccoon. We went and picked corn last week and the 'Coons got into the corn. The thing is that they would only take a bite or two from each ear and then move on. Seriously though, leaving just to go somewhere new or just to leave is rarely the answer.

May you come to appreciate the grass you are in right now. May God lead you to get some nice grass stains wherever it is that you are! He is very fond of you!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Fantasy Football


Hey...I just wanted to invite anyone likes to play fantasy football to a league on Yahoo.com. Sign up soon so we can get the draft done and over with. Here's the info:

fantasy football time...

yahoo
league id #: 337697
password: football
the draft is tues. the 19th
@ 7pm

Friday, August 08, 2008

Update from Jellyland 8.8.08

hey all...

here are some updates:

  • I fell and broke my hand at family camp! I'm in a cast and typing has become a hunt and peck event.
  • Sarah found out (finally!) that there is something wrong with her...thyroid.
  • I picked corn yesterday for the first time ever!
  • I have some peppers growing for the first time ever!
  • I have been reading a book called "The Shack" and it has deeply affected my view of God and how he views me and loves me. It is amazing. If you've ever struggled with doubts or felt like God was distant, read this book. It's by William P. Young. Amazing!!!
  • The Olympics start tonight. I'm really excited.
  • I'm excited to spend some time with friends next weekend at Pulse Fest. It's a free concert with Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, Skillet and Mandisa.
  • I'm also excited about being able to preach at my dad's church next sunday morning. It feels like one of them full circle kind of things.
  • I found out that corn on the cob cooked in its husk is amazing on th grill!
Know today that God is especially fond of you and loves you deeply!