"Because I know you"

My wife is a wonderful person and very godly influence over my life. We were talking yesterday about how scripture points us to the character of God through examples, teachings and the historical development of His relationship with His people. Though it may be difficult to understand what God wants from us in all situations the point is to learn a character that can guide us through the whole of life. To break the Word into fragments to prove points and defend positions we had before we even read the text is both dangerous and idolatrous. The most important thing is loving God and others, around these two things God has operated with us through time. My wife said something like this; "though we have not seen each other in all situations and know how each one will act in those given situations as time passes, and we know each other more, we learn what turns the other on or off and what makes them happy, excited, etc." Same with God. We come to know Him as we come into a deeper relationship with Him. It is cyclical. We know Him, we know what He wants, we know Him and on it goes. Get to know the Lord of the Word and living the Word will fall into place.

Encouraged!

The last weeks Jennifer and I have been thinking about future. What we would do, where we would like to do it etc. I get very frustrated with systems that bow to the whim of the loudest and most obnoxious voice. I had mentioned earlier that I was thinking about taking a job offer in Amarillo while Jennifer finishes school. During this time I would do some more grad school and work toward teaching at the collegiate level, which is Jennifer's plan right now. I guess if I am honest I don't think I do a very good job at being a minister. Much of what I say about the system and those things that bother me stem from my own insecurity about what I do. I just didn't think that preaching was what I needed to do. But today was a day that I will never forget. Fridays are kinda lazy for me. I mess around the house, work on Sunday's sermon a little bit, pick the High School kids up for lunch and eat with them and then just hang out with my wife. I came early today and one of the women in the kitchen encouraged me to keep doing what I am doing. I don't think she knows how much it meant to have someone notice. I walked out of the room and through my tears thanked God for making it clear. I am not digging for anything here I just want to say that I really appreciate encouragement, and I hope that I will learn to encourage others, God knows we all need it.

13You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. (CEV)

Routine

Today is the beginning of a schedule, and I like that. Jennifer has gone back to school to do her MS in Math. She will teach a few undergrad classes and take nine hours. She should be done in two years. I am so proud of her and I know that in the long run this will prove beneficial. I am ready to have kids but when we look at our long term goals that may not be the best thing right now, and that is fine. At least she is still young. I mention this to say that I am glad to be back on some kind of a schedule. It doesn't effect me as much as Jennifer but it will be nice to have predictability in our home. She is better suited for the environment she is in now. I love routine, but I hate routine without a reason. At least this gives us something to look forward to. I don't have to much to say today. Those of you in Tulia please continue to pray for Central in two lights. One, that we find a youth minister. Two, that many people who have been encouraged would return. Pray that the Lord would do whatever necessary to encourage them to Him.

Preacher Icon

I was talking with a friend of mine Saturday. He is considering going into full time ministry. As a person who may feel comfortable teaching and preaching but maybe not as strong in other areas I wanted to warn him. I love preaching. I have considered, recently, of taking another job in Amarillo while my wife finished grad school. I think much of my consideration derives from the fact that I don't believe the "Preacher Icon" fits scripture. What is the preacher icon? It is the perfect hair, politically correct, always happy, usually compassionate and certainly well liked by everyone (because he is doing what they think he should). This may win a lot of friends and at times temporarily cause growth. But at what cost? I love preaching because I believe that the Word is living and nothing molds the heart of a Christian for the service of their King than the Word. I don't fit the preacher icon neither do I wish to fit the mold. I would hope that no single person would be expected to have all of the gifts needed to minister. This would result in a spiritual death for many. Use your gift, fan it into flame and let the entire body of Christ minister. I am thankful I am blessed to minister in a way I know God has called me to.

Kain and Coby

A couple of months ago Kain and Coby, my nephews, found a couple of kittens when we there visiting. There is no telling where they found them. The boys roam free and come to the house many times with new "surprises." They are my two favorite people on the planet and when we are away from them I miss them dearly. (This excludes my wife of course.) That week in Arkansas was a lot of fun. The night this pic was taken Dad came over, with the guitar of course, and we all sat around and had fun and sang old bluegrass. It was a lot of fun but the best part of every evening were the adventures of Kain and Coby. Mundane and normal to my sisters but they were the best part to me. I hope I can relish the rest of life like I do when I am around them. There innocence removes any hint of reservation or care about my surroundings I simply glad to be with them.

Patternism kills faith.

Patternism is defined as an attempt to reach a goal by following a certain pattern, like a map or an art template. If you follow the right route you will get to the right place. Faith can not be approached as if we are cutting out stick figures or driving to Dallas. Patternism promotes that when certain steps are followed a certain result will certainly take place. Usually it is manifested in the five steps to salvation or the four essential elements of worship. Though these lists are never listed in our order we may believe we have "rightly divided" the word to arrive at them. The problem I have with this is that the true worship and focus is on self and what you have done. It makes faith formulaic rather than living. Do we really want to be under a legal system in which all of the right rules must be followed. It never has worked before, and it will never work. Don't hear me saying something I am not but please hear me say that there is no simple step process that will bring a real and substantive relationship with the Father. Faith is experiential and relational not patternism. I hope this makes sense I felt like sharing what has come to my mind by preaching Galatians, I will post Sunday's sermon later.

Tagged

I have been tagged, it was over a week ago but I have been gone. The "tag" requires I tell 8 random things about myself and then ask you to do the same.
1. I play golf daily.
2. I like Mexican food.
3. I was named after a fort in Belgium.
4. I have twin sisters.
5. I am bilingual.
6. I think that people who dress their dogs share their dogs intelligence.
7. I pray to see the day when leaders are mainly concerned with people.
8. I have three dogs.