12/2/2011

I have just finished running for the third time this week. I am telling myself that these are good for me but my body is telling me I'm crazy. I know that our bodies are temples of the Lord and that keeping them in good repair is honoring to God, I just wish it was a little easier. I know, just like a home, keeping something in good shape is easier in the long and less invasive than big fixes all at once. So I keep running and pray that this will turn into a joy rather than a struggle. So God is good and I thank Him today that I can still run, still move, and still breathe.

Nov. 28, 2011

Today I finished "Strengthening The Soul Of Your Leadership" and I have found this to be a very helpful and insightful book. On top of that I have now lost 20 pounds since face2face and I am looking forward to losing 30 more. God is so good and I am so thankful for His many blessings. I now also think that I have a good start to my project for Adrian's class. So things seem to be coming together and I am looking forward to what else God has in store for me through the MATL.

11-21-2011

So I am almost finished reading "Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership" and what a wonderful book this has been for me. I am enjoying the simplicity of her words and the Godly directions that are being pointed out through the life and leadership of Moses. On top of that I have already lost 18 pounds since face2face and feel like things are moving in a positive direction.

At the same time I found out this week that a family member of mine is having a very hard time and I am worried about him. I pray that the expriences he is facing right now will wake him us and bring him close to the Lord where he knows he needs to be.

11-2-2011

It has been hard for me to get back into a rythem ever since being in Colorado for face2face. I feel as though I know what to do yet struggle to do it. I have been looking at all of the papers that I have to write for the MATL but struggle to get started on anything. Maybe again this is God telling me to rely on Him. A lesson that I constantly need to be reminded of.

On a different note, I was on such a high coming back from Colorado that Satan found another way to attack. This time in my relationship with my wife. Little things became big things, the time away was a struggle for both of us, and there Satan found a crack. Fortunately Satan doesn't win, time was given for venting, prayer, and new commitments and now we move forward stronger and more united than before. God is so good.

I am enjoying the reading of "The Good and Beautiful God" and every week there is more to look at and more reminders of how good and beautiful God is. So again I praise God and trust in His divine leadership as I learn to be a transforming leader.

10-25-2011

I am finding that when things seem to be going well in one area Satan likes to create issues in others. When I seem to be growing through my studies then problems arise in my family. When things are going well in the family then I seem to struggle with the church. Now I don't know if I can give Satan the credit for my misery, maybe it is a lack of discipline for myself. Maybe I try in one area until another starts to make some noise and I have to give it attention. So I am praying for God to help me stay connected to Him and others around me as not to neglect any area, rather give them all the attention they need. Family, church, school, and myself included.

Thank you God for not giving up on me even when I don't give You the attention you need. Thank you for second chances.

10-12-2011

Today I am sitting up and looking out the window towards Pikes Peak in Colorado. So far at face2face there have been a lot of opportunities to spend time in solitude and enjoy some time with the Lord. Our times in our sessions have been wonderful and enlightening as we hear each other share about their lives, ministries, and families. I am thankful for the insight and leadership of our mentor/teachers and of their genuine concern for all of us.

God is so good and what we are receiving is definately one of God's gifts to us.

10-7-2011

This has been a busy week of readings, church activities, visitors from Washington State and Minnesota, as well as pastor's retreat. But it has also been a joy to see friends, family, and fellowship within God's family. In our readings we have had to read Psalm 23 throughout every day for the week and that has been a real blessing as the reminder of God leading me throughout my days, no matter what the circumstance and knowing that he will care for me throughout the journey. God is so good and His love does endure forever. The compassion of the Lord is more than I will ever deserve and I pray I will always be thankful.

9-29-2011

As I have been thinking about all the ways that God blesses me and looking at listing them all I started to wonder what in my life isn't a blessing. Everything that I have in my life I am thankful for. Even those things that I don't neccessarily enjoy. In June my daughter drove an atv into a telephone pole almost ending her life. Now as hard as it has been to see her rocover from such an event I know that that event changed our relationship forever. I have a new appreciation for my children and for life itself. Thank you God for that experience.
As I look at the relationships around me I have to thank God. Even those that have hurting marriages, broken families,bad feelings, etc., I have to thank God as I appreciate even more my marriage, my family, and my friends. God is so good and I don't deserve anything that He has given me. The sun, moon, and stars are just the beginning, but everything is more than I should have.

Thank God for being unfair and giving me what I don't deserve. For what I deserve is death and punishment. Thank you God for your grace and forgiveness.

9-22-11

I have just finished reading "Invitation to a Journey: A road map for spiritual formation" and this book has caused me to do a lot of thinking about my own spiritual journey and the journey of those at Salem Friends. There is an individual spiritual walk as well as a coorporate spiritual walk, both of which must participate together to infiltrate/transform the spiritual health of the greater community. What a great book that I am sure to refer to in the future.

This week I met with Hershal Smuck and we are going to fulfill the requirement for a mentor/accountability partner for each other. We know that we are both a little behind in this, but beleive that this will be a good fit and something that we will benefit from. Moving here and not knowing anyone has hindered my progress with this requirement. Enough excuses, now it's time to be and do what I need to be and do.

This journey that God has placed me on is not an easy one, but it is one that I know will change who I am and how I minister to the greater body.

9-15-2011

Yesterday I went to the Coffin's house and to Gibson park for a spiritual retreat. First I took along my fishing gear and fished the Coffin's pond. Caught a blue gill and two small bass but was a little cold so decided to drive to Gibson park. At Gibson park I walked the trail around their big pond and noticed a few frogs, an osprey, some fish jumping, and due to the water being low I noticed deer and what looked like racoon tracks in the mud. This got me thinking about how small we all are in the big picture.

For some reason God has decided to put me in Salem, Iowa. In a small town where a lot of the world would probably not even think much of. But God sees a bigger picture and in the grand scheme of things none of us are very significant. And I think that is what makes our God such a big God, because even in our insignificant states God uses us in ginormous ways.

I don't know all that God has in store for me, but what I do know is that God will use me in spite of my smallness, in spite of my weakness, and in spite of my insignificance. For through my weakness God's mighty hand will be seen.

8-29-2011

I am beginning week 2 of this master's program and at times am wondering what I have gotten myself into. For the most part I am really enjoying the reading and the time listening to each others discussions on skype. At the same time I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the reading and the lack of time I seem to have. Life in the small town of Salem isn't as slow as I had planned. This church seems to be very busy and the time for reading seems to be lacking. But I am trusting God to work this all out for His glory.