So many new things!

Hello to all readers! It's been to long and I'm feeling disconnected. I will fill everybody in. I am now married to Andrea, the most amazing woman ever! We are living in Winnipeg for now but it doesn't feel very permanent. I am currently in the process of applying for an assistant director position at Valley View Bible Camp. The emotions going into it are mixed, I feel unworthy to even be considered but yet still led to apply. I can't say much more on the subject because I don't know yet. If everyone could pray for Andrea and I, it would be great!

So I'm lazy at posting, I'll admit it. Not too much has been going on around here. Work has been slow, but picked up for this week, how long lived it will be I'm not sure.

I think God's been teaching me to be content where I'm at, which translates to resting in the promise and provision that he has given. More specifically, I've been quite restless about remaining where I'm working. There were other job opportunities that seemed very attractive for the moment, but would not provide the same quality of learning.

I'm getting kind of a feeling like David got when he numbered his, except not nearly as severe.

I can't say that I have a lot of inspiration going into this post. I'm looking to buy a house which is exciting and intimidating at the same time. The real concerns I am having is moving into a sketchy area of town, but I don't expect any sympathy from some of the readers. The concern is not for me but for my future wife. It's not easy to live in a fallen world where the evil desires of man go unchecked, where sin is only atoned for by one man. Don't let the world fool you. Control is in God's hand and it always will be.

I have to say that I have been really overwhelmed by the grace of God these past weeks. We've started marriage counseling and it is so exciting to see how God has worked in Andrea's and my life throughout our relationship. Persevering through a mostly long distance relationship bears a lot of witness to God in our relationship. I had a conversation with someone who was starting a long distance relationship. I told her I'd gone 6 months without seeing Andrea, someone quickly added, "but you have God on your side". This struck me in a couple different ways. Unbelievers do watch our walks closely, they can see the new life that we live. That's why it is so important practice what you preach. One of the major things that damages our credibility is hypocrisy within Christianity. I have heard people say so many times, " she/he is a Christian and they do it why can't you". The subject doesn't matter, but the conflicting views projected on the unbeliever do.

26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Matthew 10:26-27

Make your life transparent so that the unbelieving may see the power of God in your life, but also so that when you sin your brother or sister may see and help you up.

Walk with Authority

I have spent the last few days with the Porter family in Regina. It is always encouraging and refreshing to stay with them. This morning there was a police bust of some kind across the street. I think I counted about 12 officers in total. This lead me to some of the notions of my past.

Obviously I wasn't going to go out and chase down a gang member, but if I had to I wouldn't be afraid. It's like when I was young, I carried myself with the thought that it didn't matter if I got hurt or died, God had my back. Where did I lose my way? There are numerous times when I know I had protection of another kind.

So my challenge to you and to myself is to in faith put yourself in a situation at least out of your comfort zone. Tell someone that Jesus loves them, do a random act of kindness. If you want to be used by God you have to give him something to work with. You'll be amazed how the smallest thing is huge when God's in it.

Engaged!

Sorry for the slowness of posting this momentous occasion. I am engaged to married to Andrea Porter! The date is set at January 31st 2009.

I want to direct all the focus of this event and the glory towards God. If you haven't noticed yet that's the whole reason for this blog. It has definitely been a long distance relationship, with only about 6 of the 20 months together. I'd like to thank everybody who has supported us and I hope that we will have your continuing support.

Servants

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
16Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7: 15-17

At first glance this text seemed overbearing to me. We're going to serve him one day in his temple? Does that seem a little bit oppressive to anyone else?

Then I thought about it a little bit more. We are slaves to something, most likely to this world and the sin in it. To serve God is not just one option among a list of things to serve. To serve God is to break away from the list of worldly options.

Now think about being in the Sanctuary of God, dwell on the comfort that can only come from being in the presence of God. Imagine how wonderful this life would be if all we had to worry about is serving God without the distractions of a job, money or school. God promises this to us in the end, when it's all said and done, all we'll need to do is serve. I love Him.