It is a terrible thing that happened in Virginia this past week. My heart and prayers go out to the families of the ones who lost loved ones. My heart also goes out to those who survived and that things of the past should not get a foothold in your lives and that you will be stronger after all of this.
God is all powerful, and he is there and here now and always. In our darkest hour, he is there. He is amazing and loving. The enemy is always trying to find ways to destroy us and pull us out of sync with what God is doing in our lives, but God is our shield of armour and our protector. After all, he did make us and would not want anything to happen to us. That is not to say accidents do not happen, but spiritually, we are always protected as long as we remember him.
I have thought a lot this week about where I am spiritually, and mentally. I have issues with not being firm in decision making. I have always been wishy washy and I hate that. I think about things way too much. It is hard for me to make decisions some times. Not to mention, sometimes I make the wrong one. But that is part of growing and learning I guess. I am thankful that I have made the decision to get married and have kids at a young age. I am thankful that I have chosen to follow God and that is awesome. I have learned to not be as selfish as I used to be, but I still have a way to go.
Life can be cut short. You never know when your time is up so it is important to not miss out on important decisions. Decisions to hang out with your family (wife and kids) instead of working all the time, or filling that time with other things. Decisions to serve others instead of yourself. Decisions to worship God only instead of earthly things which is easy to do. We should be content with what we have and make it work. It is so easy want something, but harder to just say, look at what I have, that is sufficient for now. There are those in this world who don't have the ability to have that new Mac, or iPod, or car, clothing, guitar, etc... So we all need to take our focus off of how much can we acquire, and be content with what we have. You never know who is buying a gun right now.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Rainy Sunday
Another lovely day here at the home front. Siting with Sam and Ash. They are so cool. We are just chillin today listening to Wilco. It is weird not going to Church right now. We are trying to find a new one that is near our house. I am hoping we find one soon. That being said, I think I will write a bit about Church and what it means to me.
We have been going to a Church near us for about 4 years and have recently parted ways with them. It was kind of hard for me, but I feel it was the right move for our family. There was a big to do about "raising up a church" in the area, like there aren't enough right? Well, there was more serving the "Church" as opposed to serving people, which is what Harm and I feel is the real call for us as humans, and especially Christians. There are a lot of Churches out there that are all about the presentation and that is cool, because you can attract a lot of people that may not ever come to Church come to check it out. I am all about that, but when you are preaching EVERY Sunday about giving to the Church (building fund or pastors) that seems a little off track to me. I understand that you need finances in order to make a Church or any kind of ministry work, but there is also an element of faith that should be paramount to the development. I am not where I need to be in the giving area of my life, but that is what I am trying to change. But I can't see giving so much to a building fund and not giving to those who need our services in the community. I feel that it is our job. And I am not talking just cash, I am talking something as little as giving out can drinks at an intersection, or many other random acts of kindness. I want to be a part of something like that. I want a Church that teaches the word of God, that is all about God and giving and community. I want a Church that is forward thinking of course but that is not so concerned about the biggest baddest building or music. Help us oh God to come back to the realization that it is you who needs to be at the top of our agenda and sharing your word with everyone we can in a way that is relevant to their life and not preachy, but rather inviting. Help us to be firm in our beliefs and to be able to love everyone and to forgive. Help us to share our love with everyone and be totally devoted to you. You are amazinig and I love you!!!
Amen.
We have been going to a Church near us for about 4 years and have recently parted ways with them. It was kind of hard for me, but I feel it was the right move for our family. There was a big to do about "raising up a church" in the area, like there aren't enough right? Well, there was more serving the "Church" as opposed to serving people, which is what Harm and I feel is the real call for us as humans, and especially Christians. There are a lot of Churches out there that are all about the presentation and that is cool, because you can attract a lot of people that may not ever come to Church come to check it out. I am all about that, but when you are preaching EVERY Sunday about giving to the Church (building fund or pastors) that seems a little off track to me. I understand that you need finances in order to make a Church or any kind of ministry work, but there is also an element of faith that should be paramount to the development. I am not where I need to be in the giving area of my life, but that is what I am trying to change. But I can't see giving so much to a building fund and not giving to those who need our services in the community. I feel that it is our job. And I am not talking just cash, I am talking something as little as giving out can drinks at an intersection, or many other random acts of kindness. I want to be a part of something like that. I want a Church that teaches the word of God, that is all about God and giving and community. I want a Church that is forward thinking of course but that is not so concerned about the biggest baddest building or music. Help us oh God to come back to the realization that it is you who needs to be at the top of our agenda and sharing your word with everyone we can in a way that is relevant to their life and not preachy, but rather inviting. Help us to be firm in our beliefs and to be able to love everyone and to forgive. Help us to share our love with everyone and be totally devoted to you. You are amazinig and I love you!!!
Amen.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Slow moving Saturdays
Well, this is my first blog. Hopefully it is cool. First I just want to start by saying I love life. My beautiful wife Harmony is so freakin awesome. I have two kids Samuel and Ashton. I love God and what he as done for my life. It is amazing how he has worked in my life and through all my wrongs, he has stayed by my side.
I am a bass player among other instruments, but bass is my passion. I have played for @10 years now. I am into jazz, metal, country, old school r&b, funk pretty much everything! I hope to continue to play for a long time.
I am also into the outdoors. I work for Legacy Paddle sports which has acquired Heritage kayaks and has merged with Liquid Logic. We also have a line called Native Kayaks. I have worked in the kayak industry for 7 years and it is awesome. My family and I love to go camping, hiking, and paddling. It is a great way to worship and to just relax and meditate on life.
Well, I am going to close now with a thought. I feel that we as humans should come together as one in order to raise the next generations to empower them to take on the burdens that we have created. All the little things count. How can we be faithful with the big things if we can't even be trusted with the little things.
I am a bass player among other instruments, but bass is my passion. I have played for @10 years now. I am into jazz, metal, country, old school r&b, funk pretty much everything! I hope to continue to play for a long time.
I am also into the outdoors. I work for Legacy Paddle sports which has acquired Heritage kayaks and has merged with Liquid Logic. We also have a line called Native Kayaks. I have worked in the kayak industry for 7 years and it is awesome. My family and I love to go camping, hiking, and paddling. It is a great way to worship and to just relax and meditate on life.
Well, I am going to close now with a thought. I feel that we as humans should come together as one in order to raise the next generations to empower them to take on the burdens that we have created. All the little things count. How can we be faithful with the big things if we can't even be trusted with the little things.
