Ankle Update

For those curious about my ankle...It still hurts.

It's a thing of beauty...

A Change of Plans

Well, my plans for the next two or three weeks were drastically changed this morning around 7:30. First of all I woke up with the idea to tell you about almost altercation with satan (Oh yeah, take that...no capital letter for him), or in my house we call him by the name of Lucky. Lucky is Megan's new yorkie. I was going to tell you about me having a punt, pass and kick tournament all by myself at 4:30 a.m. with satan, or Lucky which ever you prefer, but as mentioned earlier my plans changed. Why you ask?? I rolled my ankle again playing basketball this morning. That's right...again. How bad you ask?? Almost the worst ever. When I rolled it I heard it pop...20 times, and the swelling went straight up my shin. I tried to jump up real quick and walk it out (notice the UNK reference cause I'm ganster, and yes click the link and watch the video) but that was not going to happen. So therefore, I won't be playing basketball for awhile or running or CHURCH SOFTBALL which starts Thursday. I think I'm going to try and man up for that though...we'll see how it goes. Anyway, God kinda taught me some things through this. 1. Pain is because of sin. Not always directly but indirectly. It wasn't a sin for me to play basketball, but because man fell in the Garden of Eden...pain exists. 2. Plans are great...I love plans. You have to make plans, but you cannot live by your plans. Michael had a great post about dividing your time between dreaming and doing. 3. I'm about to go all Casting Crowns on you, but Praise Him in the storms. He is worthy in good times and bad.

Spritual Warfare...In The Bathroom

Before I even start, I want you to know how much I struggled with this post. I'm not sure why, but anyway, here it goes:

I decided last night that God blessed me with a body, not an extremely sexy one or fit one, but one that works and doesn't hurt too bad too often. And with this revelation came a new desire to exercise. Nothing major, but every morning to get up and run, jog, walk around this little track I made up through the neighborhood. It's not far at all...maybe 2, 2 and a half miles. Just a little exercise everyday and a time where I can be all alone with Jesus. This morning was amazing...God ordained even. I know this because when Megan's dog started to bark and I woke up I wasn't ill. I even smiled a little (mainly thinking about my wife having to get up and deal with the aggravating toe muncher). So I jumped up and out the door I went embracing my morning with my Father. It was SUCH a nice morning with a wonderful breeze blowing. So I started my run thanking God for the ability to be able to run. It was actually one of the most spiritual moments I ever had, and I know many of you are laughing right now because you are thinking about me running but get over it. Well, I was praying that this morning would be just Spirit filled. That the church, the Body, would come in with a new attitude toward worship. God just really spoke and told me before I asked for other's attitude to change mine needed to also. Before I taught on spiritual disciplines, I need to become disciplined. God was just moving and gave me words that I new were just for me. So coming into the house to get a shower I was pumped, excited, knowing God was going to move this morning (if not in anyone else but me). Then it all went downhill. I got sick...bad. I don't remember much, but I do remember trying to put my deodorant on and becoming REALLY hot. I mean it was one of those sick hots...does that make sense?? Then I busted out in this horrible sweat that ticked me off. 1. Because I just got out of the shower and I didn't want to feel nasty. 2. Because I realized that I may not be able to worship with the Body like I was looking forward too. I went and kind of hovered over our bed and started praying..."God I don't believe this sickness is of you. I'm asking you to let me feel better even if after church I start feeling the same way again. I just want to go and teach and worship." All of a sudden the freezing feeling I had caused from the sweat was gone. I felt ok. No more puke feeling...God desired me to be ok to work and worship. Please know I'm not for this whole name it and claim it message, but God worked in my life this morning and it was amazing. I just wanted to share that with you guys.

Saturday's 7

• My family is FINALLY back in town. I wonder how I ever made it a total of 5 days without them.
• I didn't comment on my good friend Lucy's Blog, but I would have crapped all over myself if I would have seen a T-Rex when opening the closet door...and yes...I'm afraid of dinosaurs.
• I got some good encouragement from David Bradshaw the other day about keeping up my blog. It always helps to know people are reading. Plus for all you guys who don't know Bradshaw, today I'm officially starting a rally that will encourage him to start blogging so you guys in Berryville, and other places, can see just how cool of a guy he is. Make him a friend on facebook and ask him to start sharing his thoughts. Seriously...I mean it.
• I still owe Wes George money from the concert the other night. I have got to get that over there or he is going to shut off my credit line with First Assembly.
• We are going to pick up Lucky, our new dog, today. If someone is interested in owning a yorkie let me know...I got one available.
• What's your favorite bible translation?? Please let me know, because I'm really interested.
• I went fishing out at Heath's a few days ago. When I got in the boat the wind wasn't bad, but it changed quick. I have never worked so hard in my entire life as I did the other day paddling across that pond. Picture me...in a boat...by myself...in a pond...wind 60 mph...and crying because all I want to do is get on land. Yep, that was my fishing trip.

Encouraging, Convicting, and Inspired Words

I have been reading a little more than usual lately. Writers, preachers, the Word, friends, artists, philosophers have all made comments that really just stuck out to me. I just want to share a few and I'll try and keep posting these every once in awhile.

• "I am a tool for His glory... the hammer that strikes, but most often the nail..."--TJ Mauldin
• "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of the body, that is, the church..."--Apostle Paul to the Church in Colossae.
• "Now, I have no doubt that the place that Jesus has for each one us would make a mansion look like a shack. It will make Bill Gates home look like a one room rental. But the literal rendering here is not mansion. I am sorry to inform you of that. It’s really an unfortunate interpretation and many people by focusing upon it, miss out on the tremendous truth that is given here. It’s literally the word – dwelling places. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. Places where you live. The exciting truth of this announcement is that where the Father is, you will call Home. You will have a home in his home."--Michael Whitt's sermon on John 14:1-3
• "Living He loved me, Dying He saved, Buried He carried my sins far away, Rising He justified freely forever, One day He's coming, O Glorious Day!!"--Jeff Johnson Band

Link Love

Just a few links you guys may enjoy.

• Oak Leaf Church's Lead Pastor Michael Lukaszewski's blog. This is the first blog I ever read, and I still enjoy it today.
• Tim Stevens is...well I'm not sure exactly what he does at Granger Community Church, but his blog is one of the most helpful I read.
• I'm a huge Shane and Shane fan and embracing accusation is probably my favorite song. Here is a video with the words and a short John Piper clip that will blow your head off. If you know the song just push it up to like 5 minutes and listen to Piper lay it down.
• I'm digging the Jeff Johnson Band. Check them out...Glorious Day is amazing.
• Leyden was great the other night at First Assembly.
• This is obvious.

Alabama Update

For all of you guys that have been missing me oh so much...Here is an update:

• It is freaking dry here. I walked across my parents yard and you could actually feel the grass breaking under your shoe. I have NEVER seen anything like this.
• I went to First Baptist this morning. Michael Whitt can still preach like no other. The man is gifted and I have a feeling most the people honestly have no clue how good he is. God has gifted Mike.
• Again about this morning, I heard I believe my first sermon totally on heaven. I never knew a message about such a wonderful place could be so convicting. But again, Mike is gifted.
• I went to Ryan Johnson's house after church tonight. FBC definitely upgraded when I left. I'm glad to see somebody there who genuinely loves those kids, and his wife is pretty amazing too, and JP made a move on his daughter Ella.
• I'm eating Willy T's tomorrow with Ron Abernathy. I'm so going to tear up some special sauce.
• I got to see Phillip and Tanner...My life is complete.
• I'm missing Berryville a ridiculous amount. It was great seeing everyone and getting to spend some time with family, but God is just so amazing how He sets a love in your heart for a certain place. We have it for Berryville.
• I miss my students a ton...I'll post later about my change of teaching plans this summer. It is going to be hardcore.