It is sometimes scary to know that God is in control and I am not. As our team prepares for the mission field, I am constantly reminded that I am not in control. I do not know the future. I do not know all about the Bible, theology, mission strategies, evangelism, or Spanish. I do not know who my supporting church will be. I simply do not know. Thankfully, we serve a God who doesn’t ask us to always know; God asks us to follow in faith. So that is what I am going to try to do.
Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain…
That’s right, I am going to Oklahoma today. Lee Fletcher and I are going to Oklahoma Christian University in Edmund, OK for the World Missions Workshop. The only trick is that we are leaving this morning (ETD – 6:00 am) and coming back tonight (ETA – 11:00 pm). Please pray for our safety, the relationships that we hope to make with other missionaries, and our time together. God bless you all!
Fund-Raising
Continuing to travel the path that leads to long-term mission support. Thus far the path has consisted of one victory, with the A&M Church of Christ supporting our team for our year of training. The path ahead consists of looking for churches that are willing and able to support me for the next ten(ish) years. Three of the couples on my team are at the same point on the path. Please pray for our efforts! You could even make comments mentioning churches that might be interested. God bless you all!
Ancient Greek Traditions
Currently, I am training for my second marathon (26.2 miles, for those who might be wondering how long a marathon is). Pray for me…especially my knees 
Vulnerability…the power of weakness
We live in a society that promotes strength and power. In general, Americans value a strong military, prestigious jobs, and muscular figures. We want to be in control, or at least appear that we have it all together. Unfortunately, this tendency even creeps into our lives of faith. The one community that should be filled with confession, honesty, and transparency often looks more like a masquerade in which everyone wears their “I’ve got it all together” mask.
Thankfully, though, many people have a small group of family and friends with whom they can let down their barriers, exposing their true self, filled with both good and bad, strong and weak, confident and fearful, saint and sinner. I myself have been blessed with a wonderful family and tremendous friends, both of whom have seen me at my best and worst (Clee, do you remember Junior High? Jeff, do you remember Sunny Glen? Jenni, do you remember Lima? I could go on…). These people still love me after seeing my short-comings. In fact, I would argue that they might love me more after seeing my ugly side. They have seen my true self, warts and all.
This past weekend our team was able to “let down our masks” a little bit more as we shared in times of personal reflection, confession, and growth. We were able to practice the wonderful, yet so very scary, art of vulnerability. Do you have someone with whom you can let down all barriers and just be yourself? If you don’t, I would strongly recommend that you begin practicing this oh so un-American art.
When the past catches up with the present
My home for the last week has been College Station, Texas, during which our team spent time training and thanking the A&M Church of Christ for their generous support (they are supporting us for our year of training). Since College Station was my undergraduate home for too long (5 1/2 years), it is a place that is dear to my heart. Many memories and friendships were forged during those wonderful years, and my time in Aggieland has changed me forever. This past week has been filled with opportunities to renew many of those dear friendships, and I have been blessed. Times with these long-time friends were filled with laughter, kindness, reflection, comfort, and love.
Often, I forget how much my current actions will influence my future. This week, though, was a reminder of the continuity of our lives. How I choose to treat people today will affect my friendships of the future. My intentional spirituality (or lack there of) in the present will have implications for my future relationship with God. What I am involved with now will help shape the course of my life for years to come. This week I received the blessings of friendships that we cultivated years ago, and, as usual, my friends treated me better than I deserve. It can be so wonderful when your past catches up with you, and this week was definitely wonderful!
A Happy Homecoming
Two weeks ago (I know, I am not very prompt), my brother came home from a six-month tour in Iraq. He arrived in the Los Angeles area, where his whole family was waiting for him. We subsequently spent three days in beautiful San Diego, celebrating his return and enjoying our first time together with the entire family in nearly two years. We went to Sea World, Legoland, and the beach, all the while enjoying the perfect Southern California weather. After we were all thoroughly worn out, we all headed home with several wonderful new memories under our belts. We are thankful that Steven is back safely , but we are also mindful for those that still have loved ones who are fighting in foreign countries. We continue to pray for peace…
Family photo @ Legoland
They call me the fireman, that’s my name…
