Happy Birthday

12 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in brother, counseling, Everett, friend, WCCC

Today is the birthday of a very, very good friend. He is someone who has consistently spoken joy and hope into my life. He is someone who has spurred me to be a better person, even more, to know God more intimately. He shared his love of mission work with me and encouraged me to experience the great commission personally. He has loved me when I have told him the darkest, ugliest secrets of my life and he has prayed for me without ceasing. He is my friend but he is so much more than that. He is my brother and someone I love without condition. Happy birthday Everett.

I’m still baffled when people don’t believe we are twins though. I’m on the left and Everett is on the right.

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Monday night was another great night for Wise County Christian Counseling. The work being done by Beverly, Jenna and Staci is incredible and hundreds of people are being helped. They helped 292 families in 2010. 292! That’s awesome but there is still a waiting list to get in. The other cool thing to me is that our average revenue per session is $38. Most people pay $100 at a minimum for a counseling session so we know we are achieving our mission of bringing excellent, Christ-centered counseling to people who couldn’t afford it otherwise. The people there last night and many others play an integral role in bringing hope to the hurting through their donations to WCCC so our counselors can continue to do what they do to offer hope, healing and reconciliation to others.

We had a great financial response last night and I know those people and many others are praying that God will continue to use WCCC for his glory.

We were blessed to hear from Janet White last night, the widow of Randy White who was a Bridgeport Police officer who was murdered in the line of duty. Janet is an incredible woman and I know she is a source of help strength for many people through what she has suffered and through her faith in God.

“A new command I give you: Love one another [emphasis mine]. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another [emphasis mine].” – John 13:34-35

Grace and peace to you.
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Monday Madness

11 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in confusion, It Is Well With My Soul, Sitzman

≈ 1 Comment

The fires in West Texas this weekend were horrible to watch on TV. Over 80,000 acres burned and the fire was 0% contained at one point Saturday night. On Sunday night there was a bunch of wet stuff falling out of the air. I still haven’t identified what it is.

If You Love Jesus…

06 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Jesus, love

≈ 1 Comment

…live like it.

I need to be reminded that I should love Jesus because of who he is and what he has done because he loves me completely; not because I can go to heaven now but because he loves me so very, very much.

I look forward to Bible study today. I think there will be some powerful stories shared and hearts changed – all because Jesus loves everyone who will be there.

I want to live in such a way that people know I love Jesus completely.

4-0, UConn and 1 Loss

05 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in death, Faith, questions, Rangers

≈ 1 Comment

I’m sitting here thinking how exciting it is that the Rangers are 4-0 behind real good pitching and a bunch of homeruns. Honestly, I wish the Rangers were grinding out runs instead of hitting bombs because the bats will cool off but, hey, I’ll enjoy it while I can.

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I’m sitting here after just watching One Shining Moment which is played at the end of every Final 4. I love the videos and good for UConn and their big win. I wish Butler could have pulled one out, similar to Texas Western many moons ago, except without the racial overtones.

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I’m sitting here wondering how the parents of a 14 year old boy who was found dead Sunday morning are coping because I cannot fathom what they are going through.

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The Rangers are 4-0, UConn is the National Champion for a brief while and the Sitzman family will not see their young son grow up. Two of those things make me happy but it’s fleeting and one of those things just gnaws at my gut while I wonder why.

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It’s a question I won’t know an answer to but it upsets me all the same. It makes me ask God “why?” without expecting an answer. It makes me want to touch my kids, to see their smile, to hear their voice. I’m fortunate to only be separated from them for brief periods but they are excruciating periods of time.

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I wonder if God feels that way about me. I wonder if he wants me in heaven with him as soon as possible or if he’s content because he can see me here and now. Another question I won’t have an answer to anytime soon. Nor do I need one.

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However, it’s times like this when my faith is shakier. It’s times like this when I have more questions than contentment. Still, I know that God’s ways are not my ways and I cannot begin to comprehend all his thoughts. I hope I will wake up in the morning and simply be willing to follow his direction.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Fascinating Day

01 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Wednesday was fascinating. It was a day of highs and a day of lows.

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I enjoy seeing what God can do. I was in a study with 3 other guys who have seen hard times, who have not stood up to the challenges the evil one placed before them but who have walked the road back towards a loving father who is ready to embrace them. No matter what comes my way, to have a day where I can be surrounded by people who want to pursue a relationship with God is an encouraging day.

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God has already overcome evil and with his help, I can overcome it too. My time with guys who are overcoming the lure of sin by learning to rely daily on God, a little more each day, is time that encourages me to do the same…to chase the heart of God with passion.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Leftovers

31 Thursday Mar 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in disciple, living, love

≈ Leave a comment

As I write this, I’ve just finished preparing the Wednesday Bible study at work from Frances Chan’s Crazy Love. This week we covered the chapter titled “Serving Leftovers to a Holy God” and it has convicted me again that I so often go through my day focused primarily on me and a little on God. The Holy God.

I really want to be a better son and a better disciple. I really want people to see my faith in my life, in my actions. I really want to give God all that I have, the very best of me, each day and all day. I know his mercy and grace cover me, I know his love for me abounds but I simply want to return love to him, to let him know that I cherish being his child more than anything else, to live boldly and be a light shining in this world to glorify him.

I want to live for God’s glory, I want to be light in a dark world, I want to give God all that I have. That is my prayer.

Grace and peace to you.
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Hard Times

30 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in adversity, attitude, Michael Hyatt

≈ 1 Comment

I have experienced hard times and haven’t always responded well when facing the challenge. I’m posting a link to Michael Hyatt’s blog on seven questions to ask when facing a challenge or difficult times. It’s not exhaustive but I find it a good reminder of how to focus my mind on what God has in store for me.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Open My Eyes

28 Monday Mar 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Faith, Final 4, Opening Day

≈ 1 Comment

There are things in life I will never understand. Maybe I’m not supposed to but I sure wish I did at times. Then again, not knowing everything leaves alot of room for faith to work.

I hope this is a week that God will use me to help someone. My prayer is to simply know his will for me.

Grace and peace to you.

My Call

24 Thursday Mar 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in boasting, Lecrae, love

≈ Leave a comment

So in times that are good, in times that are bad
For any times that I’ve had it all I will be glad
And I will boast in the cross, I boast in my pains
I will boast in the sunshine, boast in his reign
What’s my life if it’s not praising you
Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit, I do
That count my life as any value or precious at all
Let me finish my race, let me answer my call
–Lecrae, Boasting

Grace and peace to you.

Helen Waite

23 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in heaven, hell, love, Rob Bell

≈ 2 Comments

I always get a kick out of the sign I see in some businesses that say something like “our credit manager, Helen Waite, handles all requests for credit. If you want credit, please go straight to Helen Waite.”

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I’ve spent some time reading more and more of the fallout surrounding Rob Bell’s new book, “Love Wins” and the question of what Bell thinks about hell. I’ve found a blog from a pastor who lost his job because he no longer believes in a literal hell full of fire and eternal torment. I’ve found a blog written by someone who thinks he’s on the fringe of religion and think the discussion of hell is a complete non-issue. I’ve found a blog that defends Bell and I’ve found a blog that shares how people have labeled Bell a universalist and heretic.

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Sadly, I don’t know enough about the titles people are given (I’m still trying to ascertain exactly what liberal and progressive means in the churches of Christ) so I can’t speak to what Bell is or isn’t and, I would guess, that applies to the people who have taken to name-calling. However, it has made me stop for at least a brief moment and think about what I believe about the concept of hell and has made me realize it’s another one of the many things I need to go deeper in studying. It has also reinforced the idea of God’s love and the importance of living in the knowledge of that, more important than anything I can be doing right now.

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It has also opened the door on thinking how I feel about the wars we are engaging in and the justification our country has made for getting involved. If love conquers all, why are we dropping bombs. If heaven is the place we really want to go, why are we killing people we fear? In Ephesians, we are given the tools we need for battle and I can’t remember where we get the bullets, grenades and bombs in the deal. Does it mean I’m a pacifist? It very well could. I’m already past agreeing with the death penalty in any form or fashion. Does it make me weak? Maybe in some eyes but it is where I’ll have to live on faith.