Mission Trips
Every year, we gear up for the mission trip to Mexico. And every year, the Enemy attacks. Lately, it’s been the same thing – we will be in danger because of the violence. “Have you seen the State Department’s warning?” The murders, the cartels, etc.
It’s frustrating. It’s disheartening. It’s an attack.
I know that we take a risk by leaving the country. I know that it’s a risk to go into a land that is having domestic issues. I get it. It’s dangerous.
It’s also dangerous here. We can get hit by a car as we cross the street. We can do to a rally to see a congresswomen speak and get shot. We can go on a road trip and be involved in a rollover accident.
This world isn’t safe. It won’t be until Jesus comes back and God sets things right.
Until then, we are called to be His hands and feet. We are called to love our neighbors – not just the ones next door, but the ones across the borders and oceans.
We are called to go out into the world.
Jesus promised us eternal salvation, not enduring safety.
I know some people are going to dislike this post. They will argue. They will say things to discourage those who want to go on a mission trip.
I’m ok with that.
What I’m not okay with that we can call out to God to save us, and we thank Him for blessings, but we don’t trust Him to provide for us as we share the Gospel.
I apologize in advance for offending you, but I will not apologize for wanting to do God’s will.
Not A Fan. James 2:17
Man vs Wife 2
This Sunday Nicole and I were stars at church. Before every sermon in this series there has been a video of couples competing in “Minute To Win It” events. The men and women had split the first two competitions, so we were the tiebreaker. When we filmed the challenge, it was to be a best 2 out of 3 endeavor, and I won the first two. Somehow I got guilted into making the 3rd match winner takes all, and I lost. Well, I gave my word, so that was that. On Sunday, Bob declared it a draw due to various things (I’d already won 2 of 3, he gave Nicole advice on how to do the headbob better, it probably suited the sermon series if it’s tied). Anyways, it was fun.
The sermon was focused towards single people and how they should prepare for relationships and marriage. I wish I could have heard this advice years ago – I could have been better prepared for Nicole and been a better husband from the beginning. Still, I can apply this to myself even now, so it’s all good.
The biggest takeaway I had this weekend was this – we can’t have the benefit of the relationship without putting the necessary work in to it.
Think about that.
A relationship takes work. Love – the feeling – will not sustain it. Love – the verb – is needed for it to work. Bob put it this way – Love is a commitment, not a feeling. There are times when I don’t feel loving towards Nicole, but I honor my commitment and love her. When I do feel loving towards her, I don’t let it change the way I honor my commitment towards her. I never let me feelings dictate how I love her. My commitment dictates that.
I am happy that we are relatively low-drama. Our discussions aren’t bad, and we usually solve our issues quickly. Still, we aren’t perfect, but we don’t fight much. That’s a testament to God more than anything else. He guides us and helps us stay focused on honoring each other. We work things out because He has made us better. Our spiritual maturity has grown over the years, and that will be the case every day of our lives. We will strive to honor God and each other.
With that being said, despite Bob calling it a draw, Nicole won. Much as I hate to say it, we agreed on winner takes all, and she beat me. Congratulations honey.
I love you.
Google year in review
Found this on Bob’s blog, and I thought I should share…
Bringing the light….
I follow Dawn Carter on twitter, and she is an amazing lady. She recently tweeted this, and it struck a chord within me: “Our job as Christians is not to pretend darkness doesn’t exist; it is to bring light.” Pastor Matt Brown of Sandals Church.
Darkness exists everywhere. It surrounds us, taints us, and blinds us. It binds us and tries to keep us away from God. The Tempter does what he can to make us ignore this fact. DON’T LET HIM!!
Burn for Christ – do not hide your light from the world. Stand up and fight the darkness. I know it’s hard. I know it makes separates us from those around us, but what is more important – honoring Jesus or being comfortable in this world?
I will burn brightly for Christ. He is the reason I live.
Man vs Wife
Today at church we had part two of Man vs. Wife, and today’s message was directed to the men for about 98% of the time. Our text was Ephesians 5:25-30, and Bob brought it today. I was convicted by his message. Even though I tell myself that I am doing all I can to love Nicole like Christ loves the church, I know I am not. I can do better. I can always do better.
The three takeaways and my responses to todays message:
1) I will love Nicole no matter what she does – always. I will love her based on her position, not her performance.
I don’t ever want to take my wife for granted. I don’t ever want her to feel that she has to do anything to earn my love – I love her unconditionally. She is a gift from God that makes me whole. I promise to honor her with my words and actions, and to love her until my last breath.
2) I will love Nicole no matter what it takes.
This should go without saying. When we made our vows 5 years ago, I never intended to take them lightly. I promise that I will pursue Jesus. If I pursue Him, I can act like Him. I will love as He loved. I promise that we will be better stewards of His money and property. And I promise to lead my family to church. These commitments are what Bob recommended, but I do believe that they are ones that need to be made.
3) I will love Nicole no matter what she needs.
I will love her like the precious and valuable treasure that she is. God has moved us from Iowa to Indy for a reason. He has now moved us to the St. Louis metro area for a reason. Through every move, Nicole and I have stood by each other while following God’s lead. I have done and will continue to do what I can to provide the love and support that she needs.
So peeps….I expect you to hold me to these commitments. I am not perfect. I will stumble and fall. Please, help me back up and keep these vows. I will do the same for you.
If you are a single man, then use this post as a signpost. Get to know Christ, pursue Him, and let Him mold you. Then pursue a woman like she should be pursued – biblically and wholeheartedly.
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7
This song captures Bob’s message really well.
Commitment
Ok, I am going to commit to posting at least once a week to this blog at a minimum. I will try to do more, but at least once a week is my commitment.
New Year…new post
I have been silent for a month, but I have not been quiet. We are pretty much settled in, and we are putting roots down. I haven’t written much, but yet people have visited my site. I wonder – who is reading this? Why?
I ask because I haven’t had any comments, and I would love some feedback on what I post. I feel like I am crying out into the wind, and nothing comes back to me. I know, it’s not polite to beg…but I am begging. Please interact – I value your input.
In the six months since we’ve left Indy, we have been going full tilt trying to get settled in and get the house ready. We had family over for Thanksgiving, and it was a great time. We are getting to know more people at Lifepoint, and we are grateful that God is leading us to where He wants us.
Yesterday we got to hang out with Kari and Ramiro and their cute daughter Abby. We talked all evening and had a blast. We then got together for lunch today and had even more fun. Last weekend we got to hang out with Sam and Amy, and we had a great time with them too!! We are excited to see where these friendships lead.
We won’t lie – we miss our Indy family and friends. But we know that they are supporting us and that makes all the difference.
Think we’re the center of the universe?
Watch one, then the other.
