It's been to long.

What a great last few weeks. Even in the midst of major change I can clearly see the Lord at work. I have been blessed with the joy of working with a team of amazing Christians seeking the Lords direction for our future. To see God's people working together for a common goal brings so much encouragement in a world filled with turmoil. I'm getting a weekend away with my family and a family that I have grown to love with all my heart. As I sit back a look at my life I can clearly see that my God is amazing and I am truly blessed. I can honestly say that I AM BLESSED.

Last night I had the joy of being involved in a house blessing for a man who has lost so much, but he has not lost his faith. As I heard him sharing with the group I was reminded of Job. He lost everything but praised Yahweh. Here is a man in my neighborhood who lost his house, memories, his health, and yet he is thankful to have a God who loves him. Talk about humbling. Whoever you are that is reading this remember that God loves you with every fiber of His being. He will hold you up, and He will never give up. Hebrews 13 "I will never leave you, I will never Forsake you."

Have an awesome weekend everyone. And to all my youth that have prom this weekend. Be safe, be wise, have a great time. And guys, show honor to your dates and protect their hearts and their reputations. Be a hero. Remember, "Chivalry is not dead."

A really cool night.

As I sit a reflect on the youth evening last night I realize a couple of really awesome things. How amazing our teens really are. If only we would stop and just listen to them. We did an activity called ,"Stump your Youth Pastor" It was really cool to listen to some of the questions they had. It looks like there will be a total of 8 people going on the missions trip this summer. I can't wait. This is going to be such an awesome experience. I also had the beginning of a very cool spiritual conversation with one of my teens. So overall a really great night and looking forward to a busy but fun day. God is good!

An achey heart.

Well it's been a while since I have updated. A little overwhelmed. Sometimes I would like to have a place to hide where there wasn't work to be done. Sometimes being able to fix things and being a work a holic is not good when you need to escape. With spring here I look at my yard and home and see all that needs to be done. Changes and responsibilities at church going up, seem like a mountain with lots of steep cliffs. Then I look at our school system and their laziness in helping young people become all they can be. Instead of helping our youth make right choices from wrong ones they send them away the first time they step out of line. Then I look at the countless families who were displaced by the flood of 08 and my heart just breaks at the overwhelming loss.

I'm not down. I'm not depressed. I'm tired. I find myself worrying. Not for myself. My challenges are small in comparison. I worry for those around me. My heart cries and my soul aches for those that I love and care about. I am reminded of Job and his response when he reached that point of just giving up on life. He said, "Who am I to question God. And His reasons behind what He does. I just need to let God be God." I know He has a plan for all of this. I know He sees all that I see and more. I know He knows the cry of my heart. He knows I feel ill equipped. And frankly I am ill equipped. :) But my biggest fear is that my heart would become numb to all that I see. My prayer is that God would not allow that to happen. May I continue to feel the pain for others and remain steadfast in my love of people and not become removed from those God brings into my life. I pray that whether His people are happy, sad, critical, encouraging, judgmental, peaceful, depressed, joyful, loving, or unloving that I would not become anything other than what He wants me to be. Loving, showing grace and peace. No matter how bad I might want something I pray that God reminds me that it is not about me but about Him and His people.