For those of you still checking in I want to ask for your prayers on two issues.
1. Just over a week ago a friend of mine named David committed suicide. David is from the country I lived in and is from a great family. He and I were able to travel together some while I was there. It has been a hard week for me dealing with the loss of a friend. Please pray for his friends and family as we grieve the loss of such an amazing young man.
2. I am looking at a job. A school in Arizona is interested in me becoming their Campus Pastor. I am to let them know Monday if they should book a ticket for a face to face on the campus. It sounds like an intriguing position. Call if you want to hear more details.
Thanks for your prayers!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Random Update...
A friend emailed not long ago to remind me it had been a while since I posted. I was aware, and for some reason still not real interested in posting. Not sure why; just lost interest for a while. However, I want to let those who still pop in know where I am.
Right this minute I’m in
Next week I’ll travel to
Thanks for continuing to pop in. I hope to get excited about posting again soon.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Remembering...
So after months of waiting a passion has been renewed. It has been hard. After six months I am beginning to feel like I’m returning to some kind of normalcy. Now please don’t take that as unchanged. I’ve been changed; life will never look the same for me. But I’m beginning to feel comfortable in who I am again. I lost that for quite sometime.
I have sent a few resumes to churches. Long ago I felt the local body was my passion, my call. I followed the master some other directions but they have led back to this place. I’m searching. I’m looking on job sites and talking to contacts. I’m putting my name in the hat. Not sure what I will or will qualify for, but doesn’t that old saying go something like, “God calls the available, not the equipped.” He does the equipping and I have been equipped. He is still preparing me. I have not yet “arrived.” But I’m still coming.
Currently two options stand out. One is in Nashville. It is a plant and they are looking for a senior pastor. This role has been my desire for years. It is fun to pursue it again. The other is in Atlanta. It is doing missions work. Both sound exciting. Perhaps one is a fit. I’m also looking into some other things. But these two stand out.
Confirmation has come in so many ways lately. I led at a youth weekend. It was such a blessing. I taught some people about storying. I did my first funeral. So much has happened. Some of them have been hard, but I have been reminded each time that this is the call on my life.
A few continue to pop in here from time to time. Join me in seeking the Father’s guidance.
I have sent a few resumes to churches. Long ago I felt the local body was my passion, my call. I followed the master some other directions but they have led back to this place. I’m searching. I’m looking on job sites and talking to contacts. I’m putting my name in the hat. Not sure what I will or will qualify for, but doesn’t that old saying go something like, “God calls the available, not the equipped.” He does the equipping and I have been equipped. He is still preparing me. I have not yet “arrived.” But I’m still coming.
Currently two options stand out. One is in Nashville. It is a plant and they are looking for a senior pastor. This role has been my desire for years. It is fun to pursue it again. The other is in Atlanta. It is doing missions work. Both sound exciting. Perhaps one is a fit. I’m also looking into some other things. But these two stand out.
Confirmation has come in so many ways lately. I led at a youth weekend. It was such a blessing. I taught some people about storying. I did my first funeral. So much has happened. Some of them have been hard, but I have been reminded each time that this is the call on my life.
A few continue to pop in here from time to time. Join me in seeking the Father’s guidance.
Update...
I had mentioned my friend with cancer. She passed away last week. I did my first funeral Saturday. It wasn't alot of fun. But my prayer is a woman was remembered and God was honored.
Friday, February 23, 2007
In Pursuit...
Believe it or not I’m working a bit. I know some of you thought that would never happen. I’m doing a bit of substitute teaching. I’m not sure I’m going to keep doing it very long. I have an even greater respect for teachers now though. Some kids can be a pain in the butt.
I’m not stopping because of that though. The problem is a need to make some real money. Now I’ve never been one to seek high pay. I remember a time in college when I was looking at two different jobs. One job really scared me because they wanted to pay three times more than the other. The jobs were very similar. I didn’t want it to look like I was taking the higher pay. I’m not looking for great pay right now. I just need enough work and enough pay to pay the bills. Thankfully I don’t even have a lot of bills right now. Problem is I’m only getting a couple days of work a week.
So I’m looking into other options. I may still sub a bit on the side, but it won’t be a primary thing. I’ve talked to some people about waiting tables. I may look into a little more long term job possibilities if it looks like I might stay here a while.
I’m trying to make some long term decisions right now. A possibility to stay here has come up. Not yet sure if it is something I want to pursue. But I’m definitely praying a lot about it. I’ve also considered moving towards Baltimore. I’ve got a great friend up there. I’d love to spend some time around him and the community he pastors.
For a time in Africa I was miserable. I wasn’t happy with the job I was doing. I wasn’t happy with my community. I was dying. I was questioning if God ever even called me to Africa. I was in a tough place. I made a decision then that I never wanted to be in a place that I was that unhappy. I didn’t like waking up and going to work. I was miserable. I want to find a place and a work I’m excited about. I want to enjoy getting up and going to work. I want to be excited about what the day holds. I’m not there right now. I found that place again in Africa. It was so amazing; so fulfilling. I need to find that place again.
I’m not stopping because of that though. The problem is a need to make some real money. Now I’ve never been one to seek high pay. I remember a time in college when I was looking at two different jobs. One job really scared me because they wanted to pay three times more than the other. The jobs were very similar. I didn’t want it to look like I was taking the higher pay. I’m not looking for great pay right now. I just need enough work and enough pay to pay the bills. Thankfully I don’t even have a lot of bills right now. Problem is I’m only getting a couple days of work a week.
So I’m looking into other options. I may still sub a bit on the side, but it won’t be a primary thing. I’ve talked to some people about waiting tables. I may look into a little more long term job possibilities if it looks like I might stay here a while.
I’m trying to make some long term decisions right now. A possibility to stay here has come up. Not yet sure if it is something I want to pursue. But I’m definitely praying a lot about it. I’ve also considered moving towards Baltimore. I’ve got a great friend up there. I’d love to spend some time around him and the community he pastors.
For a time in Africa I was miserable. I wasn’t happy with the job I was doing. I wasn’t happy with my community. I was dying. I was questioning if God ever even called me to Africa. I was in a tough place. I made a decision then that I never wanted to be in a place that I was that unhappy. I didn’t like waking up and going to work. I was miserable. I want to find a place and a work I’m excited about. I want to enjoy getting up and going to work. I want to be excited about what the day holds. I’m not there right now. I found that place again in Africa. It was so amazing; so fulfilling. I need to find that place again.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Unrelated Family...
Last week I stopped in my parents’ restaurant. I went in to see if my brother was around. When I got there he told me a couple ladies asked about me. Two women were there who worked for Dad years ago. I was reminded of something as we sat and talked.
I thought of my time in Africa. I remembered how their concepts of family were so different than what I remembered growing up with. They have an understanding of community as family. They live near one another. They share with one another. They help with raising kids. I realized I had more of that growing up than I remembered. I did much of my growing up in a restaurant that my parents opened when I was 5.
As I sat and talked with these women I remembered that they had been like family to me. They had helped participate in my upbringing. I had watched them work hard and love people. I had watched them poor love into me and I was better for having received it.
One of them is sick. She has battled with cancer for a while. A couple of years ago they told her that she wasn’t going to live past Christmas. She is still alive but struggling. They have stopped her chemo. They decided it has worked as long as it can.
She talked to my Dad on the phone while I was there. She told him that she was trying to wait for them to return before she died. Not long after the conversation she asked me a favor. She told me that she had asked Dad before to do her funeral. The favor of me was if she didn’t make it until he got home would I take his place. I was caught off guard. I told her that of course I would do it, but then I told her I didn’t want to do it so why didn’t she just wait until Dad came home. She assured me she was trying.
Yesterday, they found two more tumors. This time they are in her brain. They started radiation treatment. We aren’t sure how well it will work or how long it may continue her life. I hope that if her days are few or many that I am able to be used as a light for her and her one remaining son.
I thought of my time in Africa. I remembered how their concepts of family were so different than what I remembered growing up with. They have an understanding of community as family. They live near one another. They share with one another. They help with raising kids. I realized I had more of that growing up than I remembered. I did much of my growing up in a restaurant that my parents opened when I was 5.
As I sat and talked with these women I remembered that they had been like family to me. They had helped participate in my upbringing. I had watched them work hard and love people. I had watched them poor love into me and I was better for having received it.
One of them is sick. She has battled with cancer for a while. A couple of years ago they told her that she wasn’t going to live past Christmas. She is still alive but struggling. They have stopped her chemo. They decided it has worked as long as it can.
She talked to my Dad on the phone while I was there. She told him that she was trying to wait for them to return before she died. Not long after the conversation she asked me a favor. She told me that she had asked Dad before to do her funeral. The favor of me was if she didn’t make it until he got home would I take his place. I was caught off guard. I told her that of course I would do it, but then I told her I didn’t want to do it so why didn’t she just wait until Dad came home. She assured me she was trying.
Yesterday, they found two more tumors. This time they are in her brain. They started radiation treatment. We aren’t sure how well it will work or how long it may continue her life. I hope that if her days are few or many that I am able to be used as a light for her and her one remaining son.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Reconnecting...
I’ve had so many conversations in the last couple weeks. It has been great. Some of them have been exhausting. It is hard to see people I haven’t seen in so long. We have chats about life in the last few years. It isn’t always easy to talk about all of the hurts and joys of the last couple years.
All of the talks are good. Some of the conversations are incredibly uplifting. I had a couple of those today. I saw an old friend who was incredibly uplifting and inspiring. She has such a connection with the father. She was able to sit and listen to me share my story. Afterwards she spoke such words of affirmation and wisdom into my life. She spoke amazing words of encouragement for where I am right now. Some days are really tough. She understood; she empathized; she encouraged. It was so amazing.
This afternoon I saw a mentor. It was amazing. I haven’t seen him in 2½ years. He has had a stroke since then. He looks great. It was one of those chats that is so inspiring I left filled with emotion. He walks with a limp now; he couldn’t shake my hand because of a brace on his arm; he talks with a bit of a slur. Yet, the man is amazing. He is still filled with such peace, such joy, such insight and wisdom.
To be affirmed by a mentor is a powerful thing. They hold the ability to mold you. You willingly place your life in their hands asking that they craft you. They offer themselves up to God to help guide your formation. He has guided me. He continues do so. I’ve never had a real mentor. I’ve always hoped for them. This man has served as one like few others. It was such a phenomenal chance to sit with him and catch up.
God has blessed me with amazing friends, and teachers, and loved ones, and colleagues. These weeks to reconnect with them have been powerful.
All of the talks are good. Some of the conversations are incredibly uplifting. I had a couple of those today. I saw an old friend who was incredibly uplifting and inspiring. She has such a connection with the father. She was able to sit and listen to me share my story. Afterwards she spoke such words of affirmation and wisdom into my life. She spoke amazing words of encouragement for where I am right now. Some days are really tough. She understood; she empathized; she encouraged. It was so amazing.
This afternoon I saw a mentor. It was amazing. I haven’t seen him in 2½ years. He has had a stroke since then. He looks great. It was one of those chats that is so inspiring I left filled with emotion. He walks with a limp now; he couldn’t shake my hand because of a brace on his arm; he talks with a bit of a slur. Yet, the man is amazing. He is still filled with such peace, such joy, such insight and wisdom.
To be affirmed by a mentor is a powerful thing. They hold the ability to mold you. You willingly place your life in their hands asking that they craft you. They offer themselves up to God to help guide your formation. He has guided me. He continues do so. I’ve never had a real mentor. I’ve always hoped for them. This man has served as one like few others. It was such a phenomenal chance to sit with him and catch up.
God has blessed me with amazing friends, and teachers, and loved ones, and colleagues. These weeks to reconnect with them have been powerful.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
On Tour...
I'm hanging out in Texas. Seeing some old friends and some not so old friends, but friends none the less. I've been in the Dallas area; I'm headed to Houston; I'm headed to Waco. In between I'm hitting a few other places.
If you around I hope we can meet up. It has been so good to see people!!
If you around I hope we can meet up. It has been so good to see people!!
