Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Illuminate

This was the second year Kimberly and I participated in the Relay for Life. My favorite thing about the Relay is the luminaries. One of the ways Relay raises funds to fight cancer is by selling these paper bags. You pay $10 to be able to write on one or decorate it, then have it placed along the path of the walking track where the event is being held.

From a distance its beautiful, seeing all the lights together forming a path, and sometimes words of encouragement.

But up close they are even better, being able to read the bags, looking at the pictures on them. Sometimes they are in memory of a loved one who has died from cancer, while others are in honor of survivors. Occasionally you'll come across one representing a child's life that has been lost. It's very sad, but what a beautiful way to remember a loved one!

Summer of Doom

Beach ball volleyball with the Youth Group. Good times.

Life's a Buzz

Spring has sprung and summer seems to be reaching its peak early this year. There is a buzz of excitement in the air. God is doing many wonderful things, and although much is left unseen, it is undoubtedly all part of His master plan. So often I've prayed that God's will for my life would be evident, hoping that someday He'd guide me to that one place to do that one thing He has called me to do to serve Him. But as my understanding of God begins to grow, I'm considering that perhaps this one place, or that one thing doesn't exist. For me, at least. I'm noticing people of God all around who's purpose in life remain constant, but the means to meet that purpose are shifting, serving to grow the Kingdom, where and how God leads. I somehow always expected my servitude to God to be stationary, that one day He'd plant me in the ground like a tree and I'd set roots. This is where I'd grow, this is what I'd do. Fixed. Forever. For some reason I used to find this idea comforting, the hope of one day being a tree. But now I'm beginning to see that serving the Lord is more like being a bee. From flower to flower. Wherever I'm led. But always for one purpose. And it's a peaceful thing, not always fretting about finding that one thing. Buzz. Buzz.

Happy Father's Day!

Dad, you rock!!!

Bonsai

A couple weeks ago Kimberly surprised me with a Bonsai tree for my new office. Well, the other day a co-worker kindly pointed out to me how badly it needs pruned, so today I googled how to do it appropriately without killing it, and learned that Bonsai is not actually a tree, but the art of planting a tree or bush in a shallow pot and pruning its roots to dwarf it growth. Who knew!?!?

You Are My Portion

Does anyone out there know of a different artist who has recorded this song? I'm wanting to use it for a creative project, but I'm hoping to find a version with a slightly different feel to it.

You Are My Portion - Darrell Evans

Psalm 118:15

Shouts of joy and victory come from the tents of those who do right: "The Lord has done powerful things!"

A New Song in the Works: Victory is Yours

Surrounded by the enemy, looks like defeat/ But I won’t surrender, I will fight for life/ Humbly I am a servant of the Lord/ Proudly I will call to Him my battle cry/ Hosanna! //Chorus 1 // The world could shatter but You can’t be shaken/ Like a fortress that cannot be taken/ You alone are worthy of all praises/ We will shout to You in celebration /Victory is Yours! // Surrounded by the enemy I’m not afraid/ Armored in the truth I bare, the blood of Christ/ You alone are worthy of praise and fear/ Together hear Your people call Your battle cry/ Hosanna! //Chorus 1// Unworthy of Your mercy, yet in desperate need/ You humbled Yourself as a man to die for life/Unworthy of Your mercy, yet in desperate need/ You humbled Yourself as a man, crucified //Chorus 2// Your body shattered and the world was shaken/ You rose and death was overtaken/ You alone are the one salvation/ We will shout to you in celebration/ Victory is Yours!// Victory is Yours!//

Whats Wrong With Me ?!?!

Today, someone mentioned something about a snow storm, and I thought to myself, "Man, a big snow storm sounds great." What !?!? Whats wrong with me!?!?