-Biographies-

Since my work schedule has been so crazy lately, reading has kind of fallen to the wayside. This is changing however! I really hope to begin taking regular time each week to get away and just read...no computers!

For a while now, I've been wanting to read a good biography and one that was recommended to me was The Legacy of Sovereign Joy by John Piper, covering the lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin. All of these men I have come to respect highly already but and extremely excited to learn more about the lives of these "flawed saints" as Piper says!

Today I was encouraged my some words from Augustine at his conversion concerning the sin he once clung to:

"How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose...! You drove them from me, you who are the true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure...O Lord my God, my Light, my Wealth, and my Salvation!

Why do we seek satisfaction from those things that will never satisfy when we could be fully satisfied by Him who IS ALL satisfying?

Overwhenming .

Sometimes things just get a little overwhelming. I see where I want to be, and where I am currently...I have so far to go and seemingly little time to get there. I'm not really fond of these overwhelming times but they're good reminders that I'm not the one in control anyways...no sense in worrying then. Day by day!

Friends!

You know those friends that are always there to encourage you? I like those friends! I want to be one of those friends. The kind that, no matter what is going on, they listen, encourage, don't hold grudges, genuinly care about you, and are always fun to be around! I have several of those friends in my life and am so thankful for them! They're not afraid to tell you when they see something in you that isn't right...but you know they genuinly care about you so its not offensive. This is the kind of friend that I want to be to others! I was reminded of this after having a conversation with a good friend on the phone just now...it was both refreshing and challenging! This is the kind of friend I hope to be!

Priorities

Yesterday I made some adjustments to my priorities. I have been working through Simple Church for WAY to long now and need to start finishing it up. I have loved every bit of it, however it seems like the time to read it always escapes me now that the semester has started. There is always something I MUST do and since reading Simple Church is a "like to" and not a "must" it always gets pushed to the side.

So, I decided that whenever I sit down to study or whatever I am going to start by reading Simple Church for at least a little while. The other work MUST get done and will get done. This way both get accomplished. I'm tired of things that I 'want' to do getting squeezed out by what 'must' get done. Hopefully this will eliminate that problem and help facilitate movement through the reading 'I' want to accomplish.

Consumer Mentality

In the world we live in today and especially in our country, it is incredibly difficult not to fall into the consumer mentality of buy, buy, buy, even if you don't have the money! I will be honest, I have been struggling with this lately. Thankfully, I have resisted the temptation, for the most part. I have no debt and my savings is growing. But it doesn't help any that my sister works for Apple and can get a decent discount. I have to constantly remind myself of what are my needs and what are my wants. Thankfully, I have very few needs. Mostly what I am temped to buy are 'wants'. It's definitely not wrong to buy a 'want' every now and again, but the mentality must be avoided! This, however, is not easy!

Life

Every now and again I get very discouraged when I think about the future. Mainly because I let the pressures of life weigh me down. I am not discouraged with where I see me life going, in fact, I get pumped up and really ENcouraged when I think about it. God is doing some great things in my life right now! I get discouraged, though, when I see where my life needs to be and how far I have to go to get there. I begin to think its all up to me. Life ceases to be a day by day walk with the Lord and becomes all about me!

This reflects grossly wrong thinking. We are told in Matthew not to worry about tomorrow, to take it day by day. God has brought me this far, is He just going to quit now? Of course not! Why I would, for one second, doubt the Lords faithfulness and cease trusting Him completely with my future, I do not know. But I do sometimes.

This is why I am so thankful for friends who encourage me and also for blogs. Many times, when I get discouraged, I can read what other people are going through, and also what God taught them through it. Many pastors and men of God write about things they go through, and we can glean from their wisdom, for free...anytime! Praise the Lord for honesty!

Days Events and Thoughts

1. I kinda freaked out yesterday thinking of all the school work that has to be done in the next few weeks. Some adjustments will have to be made to my priorities.
   
2. God has been reminding me lately not to take my eyes off of Him.
   
3. A little nervous about the Georgia game today; and sad that I cannot watch it but...
4. I am excited to be able to shoot some engagement pictures for Kat Foxworth and Darrick Holloman this afternoon! They are both really fun so it should be a good time!
   
5. Hope to just chill and watch a movie tonight with some friends, looking forward to it.
   
6. I will be glad when this semester is over!
   

Fear

There are few things I hate more than fear and being nervous. Fear is paralyzing. It stops you from doing what you know you need to do or should do; yet it also reveals a lot about where your trust lies. We are told in scripture not to fear, Is 41:10. We are told to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7. As Craig Groeschel put it, we start to fear when we believe that "... Our effort is better than God's power." Is God bigger than my problems or are my problems bigger than God? Sadly, many times, I believe the latter over the former.

Evangelism

The Lord has really been dealing with me lately about my personal evangelism. It is so easy when you live on a seminary campus to just become absorbed in the "bubble" and slowly become apathetic and forget that there is a lost world that is dying and going to hell without Christ. This is where I was and am striving to climb out of.

As I began to contemplate why, it seemed, that I had such a lack of zeal and urgency to share the gospel it was as if God showed me that if I, in my everyday life, don't realize how desperately I need Him, why would I feel the need to tell others why they need Him. This led to an understanding of a lot of issues in my own heart. When I am not daily being confronted with my sin and my inability to live a life pleasing to Him apart from Him, I won't desire and feel the urgency to share Christ with others. I must constantly walk in an understanding of my depravity and complete dependence on Christ, then and only when I truly understand this, will I understand and feel the urgency to share Christ with others.

To say it simply, God has really been dealing with me about these issues and I am grateful that He is gentle and kind in His dealings with me. He helps me along step by step. I had the privilege of sharing Christ with a guy here on campus named Donald this morning and it
really was a blessing. I didn't share out of compulsion or guilt, but because I desired to, it was a blessing to say the least! I pray, however, that this would truly develop into a lifestyle and not just a once in a while thing; that I would live a lifestyle of evangelism; that I would be so consumed with Christ that I couldn't help but talk about Him. God help me!

Intro to Church Planting

I took my first Intro to Church Planting class today. It was interesting. I couldn't stop thinking about Freedom Church and wondering if this class was going to be anything like what I experienced this past summer. It will be a challenging class no doubt. It really made me miss things there. God is moving and changing things up a bit but I have no doubt He knows what he is doing. I know that God will use this guy in great ways!

Overwhelmed But Trusting

I got back to Louisville from an amazing trip home this evening and was faced with a mountain of things that I have to do in the next couple of days. Although I am a little stressed about it, I know the Lord is faithful and will get me through it. I just have to take it one step at a time; worry about today for tomorrow will have enough trouble of its own.

Loving People

At times, it can be difficult to know how to effectively love someone. A situation came up late last night that challenged/reminded me of this and I was again brought back to the question of how to love someone effectively yet not condone there actions! Sometimes loving them means a good rebuke, at other times it means just being there for them in a difficult time. Sometimes I have trouble knowing when to do which. In the past I have been accused of being judgmental, and in some instances I was. At other times, however, a kick in the pants was needed and I have no regrets. Wisdom is needed in either case I suppose. To love as He loved is the goal. I pray for wisdom to know how to do this effectively.

A Wandering Mind

1. Hanging out with J.R. and the Freedom staff is hilarious!

2. I have so much to do between now and the end of August its not even funny.

3. Why would you ever use the word "frothing" in your vision statement?

4. I wonder what this next year has in store for me?

5. I have learned so much this summer!

6. They just told us that you should have 12 people in your small groups because R=(R-N)2 or something...?

7. ...Mark just said "doodled"...

8. Being an R.L. at Boyce this year is going to be awesome!!

9. I wonder if God will ever call me to plant a church?

10. What the heck is a "gospel sing" and people actually still have them?...?

Ponderings Lite

1. Seems like I spend a ridiculous amount time in Coffee shops lately.
   
2. I wish I had the internet where I'm staying.
   
3. I wish the media would report about things that actually matter.
   
4. Who the heck cares about Paris Hilton?!
   
5. It stinks living with your heart in two locations.
   
6. I miss my church in Louisville.
   
7. I can't wait till everyone from Freedom Church gets back in town and things really get rolling.
   
8. I hope I get a lot done this afternoon!
   
9. Emotions are a blessing and a curse!
10. Bob Marley can be very relaxing.