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| "God is more please by one work, however small, done secretly, without desire that it be known, than a thousand done with desire that men know of them. The person who works for God with purest love not only cares nothing about whether men see him, but doesn't even seek that God Himself know of them. Such a person would not cease to render God the same services, with the same joy and purity of love, even if God were never to know of them." I believe these were words penned by St. John of the Cross. May we capture this same spirit in our church today! | | |
| I have had the privilege over the course of the last 6 months to teach the soldiership class at our church. Now when I became a soldier, the classes took a fraction of the time. However, I have such a strong conviction that our people truly understand the covenant that they are choosing to make. In addition, I also want them to know that if they choose not to make make it, they are not seen as any less valuable in our church family and that they still have a place and ministry possibilities in the church. I take my soldier covenant very personally and the expectation that I will strive to live by that standard in my life. Am I able to live that standard a 100% of the time? No, I fail miserably. Paul said, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate to do." And then goes on to say, "What a wretched man I am!" BUT, and I love this, "those who live in the Spirit have their minds on what the Spirit desires." Do I believe those standards are the Spirit's standards. For me and my calling, ABSOLUTLEY. As we take the time over the course of the next couple weeks to meet with our people and have dialog with them about their convictions, I pray that it will be driven by the Spirit. That ultimately whatever they choose to do, would be one of strong conviction and honoring to the Lord. | | |
| Apparently I've ruffled some feathers and have even offended someone on a comment I left on another blog page. Because the people that read this know my character and know my spirit, I bring the discussion here to see what you think. My comment was forthright. I won't deny that. The discussion was about the young adult exodus from the army. How they feel stifled in being allowed to do unique ministry and have revelent worship experiences within the army. That the protocol and formality is a repellant. They see that mission is no longer the forefront in the army. And, that the structure, hierarchy leadership of the army is a hinderance in the army moving forward. This has been an on going discussion for many years now. I remember having and hearing these same discussions when I was in my early 20s. While a decade has now past and I am in my early 30s, I want to know what the youth generation is willing to DO in order to see these changes happen. Personally, I feel that if you want to see change happen, YOU must be the agent of change. YOU must be willing to make sacrifices and loose battles in the fight for change. But, to leave and continue to whine about what's wrong with the army isn't going to be beneficial to anyone. It just comes across as whining and excuses to not continue in the battle for change. And, we are a generation who wants instant gratification so many are not willing to be in it for the long hull. Frankly, I'm tired of the talking and I want to know what this generation is going to DO about it. What do you think? If you want to read the blog I'm talking about go to http://questionsforthejourney.blogspot.com/ and read the entry and comments from "Empty Nest?" | | |
| Just wanted to share some photos of my sister's wedding. She looked fantastic. We had a great time dancing and enjoying the day. Even after I warned the groom that it was "til death," they still said their, "I dos." Check out my photo album to see the pics. | | |
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