It's official

Well folks, it's official. I am leaving Ohio. Leaving lots of friends, memories, crazy small groups, cool doctor roommate, and many "adopted" brothers, sisters and parents. Thanks for looking after me during my stay in Cleveland. Some of you are the only reason I have made it though the year. Without friends and memories, I wouldn't have made it nearly this long or have enjoyed it this much. Thank you.

My farewell party!

I do not enjoy leaving, it is far worse than arriving for sure. Yet, there are part of life that are necessary that no one enjoys. This is one of them for sure.

At the parade the Monday before I left

For those that would like to keep track of me as I continue through my life and my various adventures, this blog is your best bet. I'll try and update it regularly with my remaining time in the states and in China if allowed. I still don't know what is "okay" and what is not over there. I guess I'll know in 82 Days! If it is not, I'll have to change to emailing updates to people. When that becomes the case, I'll add something to the right side of the screen that puts you on a email list. I have to figure that out first though.

Not exactly sure what is going on here.

It seems like yesterday I rolled into Cleveland wondering what I had gotten myself into. Now I am leaving and wondering what I am leaving behind. Y'all are weird, but you'll be missed.

Blessings from a traveling pilgrim
Later (not goodbye)

Joshua - Fear not

I am currently sitting the cafe at church as I type this blog entry. I have roughly 25 days before I walk at graduation, 40 days until I am "officially done" with my internship, 123 days until I get married, and I am sure a whole lot of other things before then too. Oh yeah, moving out on my own, that is about 50-60 days away. That is going to be rough. The first time I have really lived on my own. Hopefully by then I can know where Rachel and I will be staying, because I would rather not have to move twice in one year if I can avoid it.

When I think about everything that is going to be happening over the next 6 months alone it terrifies me. I have never not had some kind of school to do, or had a place to stay. I have no idea how to be a grown up person and live on my own! I am still working on the groceries thing - it is harder than you might think. Then add to all of that the idea of getting married and possibly starting a family!? That is for people who know what is going on, not me! I have no clue how all of this is going to work out or what is going to need to take place for me to support Rachel like I should.

Did I mention that I am terrified? Because I am. Almost to the point that it paralyzes me. Almost.

I had mentioned Joshua yesterday and the principles of Leadership. There is something else about Joshua that I have find great encouragement from. When you think about everything that was resting on his shoulders, it is overwhelming. He had the entire nation of Israel (I think it was roughly a half million people or more) waiting on his command to move forward into the promise land. They look to him as a leader, and as the one who would receive the word of the Lord. Additionally he had his own household to care for and I am sure many other things. His job description isn't one that a lot of people could fill, nor would they want to fill it. He was following after Moses, one of the greatest leaders the world has ever know and a true prophet of God. These were not easy shoes to fill.

I don't know about you, but my list of responsibilities just got a whole lot shorted in comparison to what Joshua had going for him. I think if at any point he tried to rely on his own strength and wisdom he would have surely become overwhelmed with what God was asking of him. If he looked into the promise land and thought about how he was going to rule over the nations, I am sure he would have been terrified, too. They greatly out numbered and out sized them on all accounts, Israel didn't stand a chance in human terms.

All that is "If" he relied on his own strength and if he saw things from a human perspective. But records don't show Joshua thinking according to that frame of mind, he trust in the Lord who delivered them from the world power of the day without even using a sword - Egypt by the way of the Red Sea. Joshua saw the many nations as a small thing for God, something he could easily take care of with or without swords.

When it came to fear and failure, Joshua had neither. He knew that as he followed God, there was no option for failure and no reason to fear. Many others trembled at the sight of those in the promise land, but Joshua trusted in the promise of the Lord who said the He would fight for them and bring them into the land. God would drive out all the other nations and go into the battlefield before Israel. Joshua understood that he could not enter the promise land on his own strength, but it was God alone that brought them into the land. As he and the nation trusted and followed God, the were able to enter the promise land. When they thought they could fight the nations on the own or disobeyed God, things went bad for Israel.

So when you stand back and think about it. Entering the promise land wasn't that difficult at all for the nation Israel. All they had to do was trust in God's promise and obey His commands to serve Him and no foreign gods. God took care of the rest. It is no wonder God told the people time and time again, "Fear not." Because their was really no reason to fear as long as they trusted in God.

When it comes to entering my own "promise land", it could be very terrifying to think about. But the same God that brought Israel into the promise land through Joshua, is the God that will fight for me. I simply have to trust in His promises to care and provide for me, and not serve other "foreign gods" (such as self, money, skills, resources or anything else). That is it. No so terrifying now, is it?

Blessing from a pilgrim that is trying to follow the God who is bigger than his problems.
Later

Joshua - Leadership

I was thinking about Joshua on the ride back from work today and I realized he is a model of leadership. I know that I should have picked this up before, but I just occurred to me that he dealt with the same situation that I am dealing with and was able to allow God to over come it.

Regardless of my situation, the principle is people will not follow their leader if he himself is not willing to go. Though most will follow at if he is willing to go, even more will follow if he is willing to go alone. The last aspect of Joshua's leadership is that he did not even go of his own strength, he trusted God to lead him.

Even though odds were stacked against him and many did not believe it were possible, he trusted God to deliver them into the promise land.

⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God, I am not strong enough to go into the land that you have promised for me. I cannot fight the enemy on my own strength nor do I have the courage to stand on my own. Lord, I ask that you would lead me into the promise land, fight the enemies before me in my life, and give me the courage to stand under your leadership.

Simply a pilgrim, trying to find his way.
Later

Vision casting

As much as I didn't want to I got up to go run this morning. Nothing spectacular, but it was a good run regardless. During my time running and biking are some of my best thoughts. I have nothing else to besides look at the road and remember to keep breathing, so it provides for some good thinking and reflection. I will share with you the one that I had this morning.

The thought is: I will only go as far as I cast my vision

Before I even started running I had to decide how far I would go and what route I would take. It was then that I realized that I would go as far as I planned to go - and not much further. If I planned to run 1.5 miles, that would be all the further I would go. If I planned to fun 3 miles. I would run 3 miles... Granted, for some people it is different and they can just keep running. But for me, I need to set a vision for myself instead of just going till I get tried (which isn't very far). That is what I did, I set out to run around the neighborhood and then ran around the neighborhood. This all seems rather simple, but the real importance of this find is in the spiritual aspect.

As I look at my own spiritual growth and spirituality in general, I notice that I approach it the same way I approached running. I will only push myself until I get tired or found something else to do, and with this weak flesh it isn't long before I give in. So, much like running this morning, I need to cast a vision that exceeds my ability and then chase after it in the power of the Holy Spirit. If I continue to set my goals only as far as I am able I will not grow or be challenged.

That is about as far as the thought got.

Blessings
Later

Almost done

I almost cannot believe it, but in the next 10 days I should be done with college. I have one more paper to write for my Literature class and a few papers to write for my Grad class (that I forgot about) and then I am done. The Grad papers shouldn't be so hard, I have to write about what I have done during my internship and some of the things that I have learned in light of it. The trick for me is getting my thoughts organized into Grad paper format. I have hard enough time dealing with normal College, I cannot even imagine what full-time Grad work would be like. One class is enough for me.

Once I am done with School I am going to finish planning my trip to see Rachel for Christmas. It isn't a long trip and that is why I would like to has some kind of plan. I would hate to waste any time while I am done there trying to figure out what we are going to do. I would be okay wasting time hanging out though, and that is why a plan is important. Enough about that for now, I will work on that more once school is done... almost done.

This past week has been fairly uneventful if you ask me. I did some Christmas shopping, not a whole lot of buying though, and met with a few students throughout the week. Otherwise I have been cranking away on homework to finish up with my classes.

On Tuesday I met with Anthony and he helped me go shopping. But like I said, we didn't buy anything. He thought it was a great time though, and I really enjoyed having him with me. He kept me from buying things that I didn't need. For me, that is a very important task. Wednesday Kyle and I had small group, and it was very small. Only one student showed up. So Kyle invited his girlfriend over and we played cards and ate Pizza - it was a great time. I would almost be okay with doing that every time and we could talk about what we learned during the game. It is an idea at least.

Thursday I met with Joe D about the after school program that he helps lead. I help him come up with a lesson outline and give him some ideas then just let me do the rest. Since it is in the school I can't really lead anything, but that is not to say I cannot help someone else lead the group. I think Joe does a better job anyways, but that is a personal opinion.

Friday and Saturday I worked at the restaurant. One thing that I did this week is stay later and help someone. I don't normally get a chance to talk with people because I am busy running food or busing tables, but people are eager to talk once they are doing their side work. I don't know if I'll be able to keep doing that, but I am going to try and get to know the people. I think everyone has something to talk about, but not everyone has someone to listen to them. I hope that I can be that person.

Sunday is always a long day, but usually a good day. Also, Sunday is the Day that Rachel calls, which always makes for a better day. On top of that I got free lunch yesterday, always a plus. I also got some information to start planning for my next trip out to BBC. I might be bringing students to come visit the college and so I am trying to figure out how to make it a good trip and use all six hours wisely. I also have to figure out the different cost and legal hoops that I have to work with. But that is all part of the planning process. I think I am learning more about myself than I am teaching others from this whole internship.

Blessings y'all (I have to practice for when I go down south for Christmas)
Later

Pride or fear?

This week has gone by much faster than I would have expected. So much to do, so many people to talk to and so little time. I had to purposely not tell people that I am on campus this week just so I would have time to get to everyone that I didn't talk to last time. I do not enjoy doing that, but it keeps the conversations that I do have more meaningful and valuable.

Little recap on the week so far. Tuesday morning we left to head out to the College bright and early. At least that was the plan. After picking up Jim I went to Rick's house to leave, little did I know that saying goodbye to your wife and kid takes more than five minutes. We all talked for a while, played hide the bear with Charlotte (their baby girl), got some orange juice, talked some more... then started to leave. Made me wonder why I had to be there so early if it is going to that long to leave. I realized after watch them interact a while why God got me there early. For just that reason, to watch them interact. It is always a little awkward, but I still enjoy watching couples who love each other interact.

We got to the rental and picked up our... mini van? The car that we rented wasn't there, so they gave us a nicer car for the same price. It is awesome, the van has way more leg room than the small car we would have gotten. I got a foot rest! What more could I have asked for?

I really enjoy coming back to campus every now and again, mostly because Rachel is still here, but other students as well. I have already had a lot of great conversations about life, learning and what comes next. There are days that I honestly think I could talk to people all day. That has basically been my week thus far and I have enjoyed it, the trick for me comes with talking to people that I don't know yet. Though, even that hasn't been too hard while talking with students on campus, I have enjoyed getting to know people that I had never met before.

It is now Thursday morning, a lot has happened this week, there is only a few things I think I will remember about the week though. One of them happened last night when Rachel and I prayed together, she said "I always learn so much about you, though I do feel like I am ease dropping on a conversation." I guess I knew that she would learn about me as I talked with God, it still surprised me when she said it though.

Another thing I will leave with this week is a conversation that I had with a professor. I went to him asking him what I should do next and he asked a totally different set of questions that had nothing to do with what I originally had in mind. I showed him a document that I have been working on for a while based on his decision making model. On this piece of paper I wrote out what I want to do, what I am capable of doing, and what is available for me to do.

To help me figure out what I want to do and like to do, I took the opposite of my fears - which are also written down on the paper. From this idea my professor asked his question, "Is it fear or pride that is at the root of sin?" at which I answered pride. He agreed, but went on to tell me it is very hard to find pride - pride is blinding. He didn't leave me there, he brought me back to the Fall. The first sin is a result of pride, but shortly followed by fear. So, he suggest, fear is a cover for the pride that we have. Ultimately we don't want to be found out for the sin of pride, so we are afraid. That is to say, if I can find and deal with fear my pride is not far behind. Whether I agree with that or not, it is an interesting thought to chew on for a while.

I have a study date with Rachel, which is way more important than this blog.

Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Fall retreat

Here is another recap over the past week. It seems like it has been a longer week than normal, but I think that is just because of everything that happened. I have seen snow, my sister, a concert, a movie, and finished fall retreat, and a long lot of other things in the course of the last week. So, in some sense of order, I will fill you in about what went down.

Sunday night (last week) we didn't have youth group, instead we went to a Mercy Me concert with a bunch of the students. concerts are very loud, and this one is no exception. I ended up going out to my car and grabbing ear plugs (I am a loser, I know). I am very glad that I went though, it is always fun to hang out with friends

During the concert I talked a few different people about whether it was going to be possible to have my sister come out for the following weekend. Talked with one person, then called a different one to rely information and then first one again to confirm. It got kind of tricky. At one point I was texting two people and calling a third all at the same time.The conclusion: my mom drove my sister out for the weekend. I really wanted my Dad to come out, but I wasn't going to press the issue. The important thing was to get my sister out here, and that happened. Anything more would have been bonus. Next time.

Monday night I went to my last Men's Bible study for a while. I wish I could keep going, I enjoy and value hanging out with the guys there, but my schedule for this week isn't going to make that very likely. I hope to start going again soon. The really bad new is that Chris and I won't be meeting for the next few weeks either. I am gone this week and he is gone next week, and I am not sure about the week after that. Maybe we'll meet up on Sunday after church one of these weeks.

Tuesday I had a meeting with the teaching pastor of the church, Rick Duncan, about recruiting him an intern for the next year. At least, that was the intention of the meeting. It turned out to be more a lesson of different kinds of ministry leaders than about interns. He compares them to a car designer, a car builder, a mechanic, and a restorer - each one loves cars but in vastly different ways. Pastors are somewhat similar.

Wednesday night Small group with the students was a lot of fun. Since we didn't have impact on the weekend we took advantage of small group time to hangout and have fun. We watch Inception, ate popcorn and pizza and built some common experiences. I think it is very valuable to just have time to hang out with one another and be among friends.

Thursday I had Joe D over to my office to work on the lesson for Epic. He is a great guy, and I am always thankful for his encouraging attitude. He doesn't complain or argue, and is always willing to help. When I told him that I wouldn't be there this week he just smiled and said, "okay" like it is no big deal. No excuses, he is great. This weeks lesson is about encouraging one another in the Lord and how we find encouragement in Christ's return.

Friday night started fall retreat! Also, my sister came in Friday night. Between grabbing Pizza and dropping my sister off at the High School Girl's house, and everything else I totally forgot my toothbrush for the weekend. I choose the Middle School boys house for the night - what a night. Boys crying left and right over toys and who hit who first. I am confident this is the only group that cried. Discussion didn't happen because they were all way to excited to sit still and sleeping nearly didn't happen either. Lights out at 11:30pm - I didn't get to bed until nearly 2am. Farting noises, kids getting drinks of water, and talking in general made sleep elusive.

All this faded as a memory with the coming of breakfast Saturday Morning. Homemade french toast, hash browns, fresh fruit, and orange juice. I was stuffed, but I just kept eating, it was so good. I don't know if I would do it all again, but I would surely eat breakfast again.

We broke from there and ended to the church to regroup before going to the work sites for the day. Other than a few minor things, everything went off without a hitch. The high school went down town and the middle school went into the closer neighbor hoods. We helped those that needed help and got done way faster than I thought we would. The middleschool group played football with our free time, and I took advantage of the time to spend with my sister.

We talked about church back home, and about the family. We talked about life and friends, and just caught up. I love her so much and am so glad that she got to come out and visit even for just a little while.

Saturday night she left to head home and I went and finished my paper for school. I learned that night that I am very grumpy when I am tired, making me a mean boyfriend. I didn't yell or anything, but I wasn't that nice either. I got demanding, controlling, and just grumpy. Rachel, also tired at this point didn't enjoy my mood, but was very gracious towards me and helped with my paper. The next day apologize were in order, and everything is forgiven. I don't enjoy those interactions, but they make for a strong relationship if you can get through them. The trick is to deal with them and don't let them build.

Sunday morning came much faster than I thought it would, and I found myself grasping for time. I haven't had a chance to read my bible in two days as this point - adding to the grumpiness - and didn't find any time through Sunday. church went well in the morning and the rest of the day got spent on preparing for the evening. The student leadership team took over for Impact that night, I watched the youngsters while Rick and Joe facilitated parent equip in the next room over. Three nights in a row dealing with kids... I saw myself grumpier than I normally get and now realize that I need to be sure to get sleep next time I have to do something like this.

Sunday night I talked with Rachel and we figured out the plan for Thanksgiving and a little bit about the next week. I am very excited to see her and be with her face to face. Phone conversations are great, but nothing is quite like a conversation in person. We also started working on a project to figure out what I am supposed to do next - after this internship that is. I think I will post about that later.

Now it is Monday afternoon. I have spent some time reading the Bible, got stuff together for the week at BBC, set up a few interviews for rick, and read some of my homework for the day. It is going to be a great week away and I am excited to see some old friends.

Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Running Away

I good friend of mine ran away from home the other day. He lived to tell me about it.

He ended up going home after about 2 hours. Yet the situation does not come as weird, the emotions behind such drastic measures are familiar to me. I have ran away once or twice. In the same fashion it was only for an hour or so, and then I came back, but I thought about leaving for good. I still think about that today, even when I am away from home, and away from my family. There are events in my life that hurt, people that don't care, and situations that I would rather not deal with. These things in my life that just get under my skin and make me want to leave. I don't know where I would go most of the time, but I think anywhere is better than where I am now. It gets so frustrating that it makes me want to scream! or worse... If not for the Holy Spirit in me, only God knows what I would do. Nothing good I would imagine.

I have to ask the question though, "why shouldn't I run away?" What really is keeping me here? If the situation and people frustrate me so much that I want to scream, why on earth should I have to put up with it? What is the benefit of staying in a harmful situation, a stressful environment, or in a place that no one even loves or cares about me. Seriously, God! why bother? Why do I stick it out? what is the point of putting up with my parents, with people bully me, or supposed "friends" that put me down all the time. I have had days what I don't even think people would have noticed that I left.

Actually, I know they wouldn't notice. I have left for a whole day out in the woods and when I came back no one even knew I left (This only gave me more reason to leave). But something compelled me to come home - again and again I kept coming home. At first it was the simply fact that I couldn't leave because I was too young. But later I heard about Jesus. I might be crazy, but I would come home and face it - usually head on - sometimes every day of the week. An argument before dinner, and a late night fight and don't forget the weekend brawl. I honestly do wonder why we bother? Why don't we just run away from the pain or avoid the situation? But I think the answer is found in asking a slightly different question.

I talk about running away from problems or getting away from a situation, but I am also running to something. In my case I normally am trying to run from tension and run to peace, comfort or something like that. Who isn't trying to do this?

 Jesus is a man that had every reason to run away almost all the time. If you look at His life He didn't have it easy. I am not even talking about the cross. I mean growing up, being around the disciples, and walking through His home town. His own parents forgot Him when He was younger. The people in His home town didn't respect Him or believe Him - including His brothers and friends. Whenever He went into a town it wasn't long before the popular or important people rejected him or threw out his idea. To be blunt about it, Jesus was a reject, very lonely, and put in some tough situations. If there were ever a reason to run away - Jesus had it. He doesn't though.

Instead of running away from problems and pain, He from heave to earth to faced them. He went into the problems and dealt with them. Instead of running away from the family that rejected Him, He loved them. Instead of finding new friends, he stuck it out with the twelve he had - even when they abandon Him He would forgive them. When His parents forgot Him, He stilled listened to them. When man turned on Him and kill Him, He forgives us and promises a way for us to be with Him.

 ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
 ¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:
   If we died with him,
   we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure,
   we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
   he will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
   he remains faithful,
   for he cannot disown himself. (Paul to Timothy - II Tim 2:8-13)

 This is why I don't run away. If I die trusting and following Jesus I will one day also live with Him. This is why I face the hard situation. Jesus stuck it out and promises that if I endure with Him that I can be with Him. This is why I stick it out. I like Paul endure everything so that others can receive forgiveness and be with Jesus too.  It also says that if we disown Him, He will disown us - that is not a situation that I want to endure. It finally says that He is faithful meaning He cannot go back on his promises. So I choose the promise of dying and enduring with Him and living with Him. He promises forgiveness; what do you choose to do?

Later

Star Tipping

Allow me to give you a little recap on this week. Partially because I have to, but also since there is great value in seeing what God has done even within a weeks time. The events listed may or may not be in chronological order. Monday night Chris and I had our small group, and it was indeed small. Out of the eight that are in the group, only three showed up - Chris and I being two of them. I thought it was wonderful, and Chris said it right, "Gives us a chance to get intimate!" With less people we were able to cover more ground and deal with some deeper issues and encourage each other with stories. Further proving: less = more.

Tuesday after school we had our third round of Epic, the after school program. This was also the first time the teacher wasn't there and it was more "student" led. It is always encouraging to see students seeking to do God's work - community service projects, reaching out to other, etc. This week we talked about Loving one another as Chris has loved us. Joe D and I got together Friday and figured out what to teach on, and both of us are excited about teaching (discussion leading) the "One another" passages. We did "Love one another as Christ has loved you" this Tuesday and I think Encourage is next. I am going to have to meet with Joe at some point before then to make sure he is ready. I taught this last one, this next one is his. He told me yesterday that he is excited about it, and I am too.

Starbucks with Chris was very good. I honestly don't remember much other than that he noticed I took my computer home with me. Something I said I wouldn't do for temptation sake. I am so grateful that he noticed that and would dare to ask me, most would not do that. It is so encouraging to meet with him in the morning and encourage one another with stories from the week and challenge each other with crazy ideas or things we have read. As Iron sharpens iron, so Jeremy and Chris sharpen one another.

Wednesday night we had small group with the students and we played star tipping. At first I did not think it was real, but some doubt trick, then I tried it. It is real. The person starts by spinning around and around for about 30 seconds while looking at a star then they stop and someone shines a light in the face. Every single one of us fell over without fail. It is the weirdest things I have done in a long time. Look it up on google if you want to see what it looks like. It was a good time.

Now it is Thursday and I have to admit, I am very tired. I want to complain about it, but I think it is better look on the positive side of things. Today's assignment for American Lit is a journal by Mary Rowlandson from 1675. As I finished reading I had a much better understand of what the bible means when it says "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Mary is someone who went through much affliction and weakness, but as she records, it only provide more opportunities for God to comfort and provide. It is an encouragement to read about such things.

Tomorrow I am going to try and bang out some homework so I have weekend to enjoy. In light of work and church, my weekend is the shortest part of my week. I also want to see if I can help someone this weekend as he remodels his house. We'll see if I get around to that though.

Fall retreat is next weekend and my sister might be coming out for that. Since my sister cannot drive yet, my dad is going to come out too. I really hope that happens, because it would be very encouraging to see them and for them to get away for awhile too. My dad operates a mean leaf blower, and with leaf pick-up as the service project for the retreat, I would be very grateful for him being there.


Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Not a Counselor

This past week has been very different than I would have expected it to be. Both in the process of the week and the outcome of events. I house sat for a family which turned out to be a great relationship builder with them, I went out to lunch at least three times with students, got a plan together for an after school program and a few other things. It has been a great week I would say.

As I was saying, I house sat for a family in the youth group while their mom is in the hospital. I only had to drop them off at school and/or make sure they got on the bus. I didn't think it was going to be that much of a deal to them. I was hoping for a little more trust/relationship building time with them, but I only got breakfast and dropping them off at school. God took that little amount of time and used it though, at the end of three or four days they came up and asked if I would want to go to a theme park with them, and I am able to easily engage them at youth group too. As this happened I realized that God can use even the smallest interaction for something great. Also, if you really care about something or someone, people (whether young or old) notice. This can be good or bad. This case happened to be good, and now they are beginning to trust me.

I was talking with someone the other day when I thought of something. Kids learn life lessons and morals not by being told, but by being shown. As much as we would like to believe otherwise, I think students and kids prefer to have something practical set before them to learn from, not just an abstract idea. Though I could be wrong and I am the exception and not the norm. The thought that I had stills remains. The Old Testament in the Bible is written mostly in stories or morals and beliefs, not abstract ideas about beliefs. The Old Testament functioned as Israel's History book, their story book and their book of Law. There wasn't a whole lot of abstract ideas of following God or believing in Him, but stories about people who have. This is why I think that stories are a great way to teach people an idea or concept. But that is the opinion of a "know it all" college student. I am sure when I graduate and no longer know everything that will change.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the first of November! What happened to the year? The after school program is tomorrow, needless to say, I am pretty excited about going. I took a more active role and gave the teacher a little bit of a break. I need to start using my Youth Ministry degree in something, and this is something that I really enjoy. Joe D and I met on Friday to talk about what Epic (the after school program) might look like. We landed on "Fellowship" and the "one another" commands of the New Testament. There is roughly 13-16 different "one another" commands, and I think 14-15 weeks left of epic for the school year. Since it is a Christian fellowship type thing that meets, I thought the subject is fitting. The topic is easy enough that if one of the students wanted to teach they could, too. Pray for Epic and the students involved

I got to talk with my Dad on Friday for a while. I really enjoyed that. We talked about some of the things that I have posted on my blog and different things going on at home. I am very glad we had that conversation and I look forward to more in the future. Everything at home is still pretty normal - or I should say, the same. Nothing new is happening. Mom is mom, dad is dad, my sisters are still my sisters, and the world is still a mess. God has been working in my family though, and it is very cool to watch in retrospect what he has done. To name one: Shanyne is considering taking a listening class to help other hurting students in her High school. This would provide a great inlet for her to build relationship to ultimately share the love of Christ with people. Dad said she was excited about it. I don't blame her. I am excited for her. Pray for Shanyne as she seeks opportunity to love people

One of the times I went out for lunch this week I met with a student who's life isn't exactly heavenly. I have spent the last couple of weeks getting to know him and building a level of trust. Then this week I asked him some hard questions about what he is going though. When going through this time of situation, talking is the last thing someone wants to do, but it is one of the most valuable things. I gained a since of freedom from my pain when I talked about them. It's as if I acknowledged them and then could move on. I said it hurt me and that I was hurting, and for there I could begin healing. Being asked the hard questions myself I also was able to get to the bottom of my pain and see all the areas that I have been affected. Now I have the responsibility to help others to to the bottom of their pain as well. Pray for Anthony and I as we process through life and seek God in the midst of out hurt

(This is my opinion, I do not have a degree in counseling or anything of that nature. This is just my experience) People often refer to something like this as "being wounded" or "hurt" and those are correct. When something like separation or tragedy comes into our lives, it is a lot like a wound. But also like a wound, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned out before it can properly heal. It might scab over or stop bleeding, but that is not healed - It could still get an infection or something. If a wound does get an infection, the cleaning process must be that much more thorough. By asking questions and talking about it, we are able to flush out the wound and let healing start. Word of caution: cleaning out a wound, especially a deep one, never feels good when you are doing it, but it must be done.

I have been very encouraged by all that is going on. I get excited to see things start moving and God working. I am excited to see what God will do with the situations that I am a part of and the stories that will come of it. Continue to pray for my family. I believe that God can turn it into an incredible story of restoration and redemption. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

I talked with Rachel last night, she is doing okay. She is not excited about the snow they got out there. Nearly 10 inches. She is very excited that she only has 24 academic weeks left in her school year before she graduates. She has a lot to get done between here and May though, Pray that she keeps focused on the true goal and finishes well. Whatever that means.

Blessings from a pilgrim

Later

The Boys Next Door

Be careful for what you ask for, you just might get it. I learn this again and again, but every time I keep praying because I know that it is good for me.

As you know by the last post, I took the weekend to go spend with Rachel for our two year anniversary as well as meet up with other friends while I was out there. What ended up happening was right close to insanity by normal standards.

I left after work on Thursday night around 6:30pm making my arrival at School around 1am. I slept in my friends room with little knowledge on his part, and left before he got up - making for a creepy story for his roommate that didn't know at all. Sleeping on the floor only allowed so much sleep and getting me up at 6am. I did my Bible reading and then I was on my way to the kitchen to meet some old friends. I found Chris and Jon the cooks, and talked with them a long time. They also made sure I got fed for the weekend free of charge. They are awesome as was the food that I ate.

The best part of the morning by far was the look on Rachel's face when she saw me. A mixture of surprise, comfort and excitement. She had some idea that I was coming, but did not change how she reacted when we met. She gave me a big hug and we had breakfast together. I missed her a ton, and missed being able to have a conversation across the table with her. So to see her and enjoy her company again. She is wonderful for a lot of reasons, but one of them is because she is so different from me. She brings things to my attention that I had no idea about or would not have thought of before. She has skills and abilities that compliment my own, and I always enjoy being around her. To say it plainly: I like her a lot.

Our relationship, although strong in some respects, really needed a personal touch were we could interact in person and spend some quality time with each other. This weekend provided that and more for us and the relationship. I received some great advice, valuable experiences, wonderful encouragement.

The next important person that I met that morning was Ross. One of my best friends, I nearly tackled him when I saw him. Just being with him and felt at home and a friendship that I missed dearly. Ross has this business of correcting me and keeping me in line - a full time job for a least two people (Him and Rachel). In his presence I know I can be myself and trust him. A relationship like that is worth the cost of tuition for sure, and I would pay double if I had to. Having Ross as a friend is worth it.

Next to walk into breakfast was Puffy, my roommate from the year before - a friend that I could not replace. He is by far one of the most understanding, accepting, and loving people I know. He is a man that has received much love from Christ in his life. And as Christ himself spoke: he who is forgiven much, loves much. The emphasis being more on the love aspect. Once again, I didn't know how much I missed that relationship until I had it again and experienced it. No that I am back in Ohio again, I know how valuable that relationship was to me.

I think a lot of people feel this way before they meet Christ. They think their lives are just fine, living okay lives without much complaint. They don't seem to be missing anything, but only because they never knew they lost anything. They say that everything is okay, but something is still missing. An aspect of satisfaction, love, forgiveness, friendship or something just isn't quite right. The reason they are okay with that is because they have never experience what it means to have a full tank, a complete life with Christ in the equation.


After breakfast I presented the internship in Career Chapel, I met more people, I said hello to my old dorm dad, met more people, set up for lunch with Ross, met more people, and ate lunch with the pretty girl on campus.

That night I met up with Zac, a student from the youth group out there. I was honestly blown away. Yeah he had a cool bike, he has grown a few inches it seemed, and he is a lot more talkative, but what got me was how he has grown spiritually. The Zac I knew last could answer some questions and had a concept of God, but when I met him that night I was the one being taught. He demonstrated such faith in the midst of his trails and trusted that God had a plan for them. It was like a spiritual growth spurt, and in areas it seemed like he was out growing me.

I finally crashed at Eric's house that night around 1am only to wake up again at 5:30am for breakfast with Chris. Best part of that breakfast - leaving a $25 tip on a $15 meal. I wish I could have seen the ladies face when she picked that up. Both Chris and I came expecting to pay for the meal, so we figured that we would both give what we had expected to pay. Made my morning for sure.

I had breakfast two more times before 11am with Eric and Rachel, and the "men's" breakfast group that meet on Saturdays. I had lunch only an hour later, and dinner a few hours past that. With Pizza that night, I ended up having 6 meals that day. So good.

Short of seeing Rachel, the most important aspect of my weekend was the play Saturday night. I was not prepared for what God was going to reveal in me that night, but I don't think He wanted me to be. I cried that night, and it felt great. I welcomed the tears, that is until the lights came on, but even then I didn't fight them to hard. The play revealed how much I feel pressured from the standards of this world and how much I long for acceptance and grace. I related to the character that said "its hard out there" meaning that the world has high expectations for people. I know what it feel like to have things asked of me that I have no ability to preform simply because I cannot. The pressure is so heavy, and it is so real. I hurt for those that feel that pressure and have no release. I say to you, come to Christ! For His pressure is light, and his expectations are few. For those that are tired of dealing with the worlds requirements, He promises rest (Matt 11:28).

Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Fun with colors

New light board

Making my bed

A dear friend of mine lost his buffalo yesterday - at least that is when I heard about it. He died, to my knowledge, of unknown causes. I have gone down there a few times now and have grown to love those buffalo, and it pains me to hear that even one has died. But truth is, now three have in the past months. That leaves only one of the baby buffalo.

God, I know it is a strange request, but I ask that you give comfort to my friends as they experience loss. This is of no comparison to the loss that you experience when you sent and watched you own son die, but the pain is still real. If anything, help me be lead by your spirit to understand what I can do to serve my friend as they experience this pain. Amen

I was house/baby sitting last night for a family in our youth group. I knew the family. Kind of. Even still, it is very strange to stay at someone's house and take on the role of a parent. Being put in this situation, it made me think of stories when I was a kid and when my parents had some interaction with me. Add to this a conversation that I had with my sister on the same subject (how her relationship with our parents has effected her life) and a lot of things that happened over the weekend. One story that I remember was when I was about 6 years old.

Every night or every few nights we had the change the sheets on our bed and make our beds before we go to sleep that night. I would normally remember to do this right before I went to bed and sometime my Dad would help me with it. At least that is what he said. We would be watching TV when it came time to go to bed. Dad sent me down stairs and said he would be down in a minute to help, and most times he would. A few times I was fast enough to get down there, make my bed, and hide before he showed up. I looked forward to him finding me and making me go to bed. It was like hide and seek, and it was one of the positive interaction that I remember having with my Dad. I'll be honest, it got to the point that I looked forward to changing my sheets and making my bed just so Dad would come and find me and put me to bed.

One night Dad sent me to bed and said that he would be down in a minute or so. I rushed down the stairs, made my bed and hid under my bed. I was so excited to see if my dad could come find me. I waited in excitement for the door to open and see my dad come in and look for me. And I waited. And waited. He never came down that night to find me, I nearly fell asleep under my bed hiding. I came out and went to bed thinking that he either forgot or didn't think it was important to come find me. I don't like this part of my memory.

The night my Dad didn't show up something happened to me. I felt forgotten and neglected. I don't think I realized it at the time, but this effected how I relate to my father and how I view people in general. I lost my ability to depend on people. At the end of the day, I just simply don't believe people really care - about me or anything. I was hurt, and still hurt over the fact that he didn't show up. This has even affected my view of God and his presence and faithfulness.

I want to be extremely clear now. I am not angry or mad at my dad at all. I love him more now than ever before. I simply wanted to share a story of how my life has been drastically changed by a single event in my life. Relationship between father and son are some of the most impacting situations that I know of. Though this one seems small, it has made much more of an impression than I thought it would. I share this story because I believe when we bring things to the light, God can allow healing to take place. Not only that, but others might be able to find healing through this as well.

To all the Dads out there, or anyone that might be a dad in the future. Do not forget your kid, it might seem silly to tuck him in at night or walk with him out to the bus, or even wish him a happy birthday now that he is long gone at college, but I tell you as a son. It means the world and more.

I have felt a great deal of pain in my life - mostly relational - and I would do it all again and more to hear my dad say that he loves me, or to see him show up when I need him. Those mean the world (I am crying writing this) to me, and I would imagine others as well. Please, as a Dad or parent or even just a friend, show up and be there. It won't be easy, but it is worth it

Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Current Annoyance

My current annoyance with writing is, whenever something truly worth writing about happens, I don't have the time or the words to write about it. Lame!

I talked with my little sister yesterday, my grandpa turned 84 and was moving furniture with my Dad. I am glad my dad is hanging out with grandpa more.

My post may or not come this week. I have a whole lot to do this week. For a pilgrim, this would be the uphill climb. The only thing that I want to do is get through it, but I also know that this is the time when the most learning will take place. I am going to have to make time to write I guess. Pray for me, that is a whole ton coming my way

Blessings
Later

Leading in Active Learning Environments- Obj. One

The objective reads: Comprehends organizational leadership principles, employing them for the articulation of a vision, evaluation of existing realities, development of strategy, and the implementation of a plan of action.

There is a progression within this objective. First I need to understand the principles of leading an organization, all the people involved and the culture of it, and how to grow a group instead of just a person. The dynamics change drastically when going from an individual to a group. There are certain things that exist when more than one person is involved. There is a culture that exist in groups or even between friends, and definitely within an organization. Leading the organization would involve existing or speaking into that culture and moving it in a direction for change. How do I lead an organization, even just a small group, the first is to be able to understand where they are before trying to move them somewhere else. There needs to be some level of trust or authority before leading can really take place.

As it relates to my small group that meets on Wednesday nights. The first thing I need to do is get to know all the students in my group and build a level of trust. Yet at the same time I cannot slow down the program aspect of the group - I can't stop teaching or leading the group just to get to know the students. The relationships will have to build themselves or be built outside the context of the group in order for the group to continue to progress. Building the relationship in the group means experiencing things together, whether positive or negative experiences that everyone can relate to and can participate. The group could easily do the bible study without any of the things listed, but with common experiences and a relationship of trust I believe the group can begin to grow in ways that it couldn't before.

In the process of getting to know students in my small group I will find the personalities within the group and the strong dynamics that exist between the individuals. It might be a culture of hanging out, or playing video games, or heavy discussion. It is then the role of the leader to take those dynamics and position or deal with them for the best of the group. If the culture of the group is heavy on discussion, lead discussion. If the group is active and wants to get involved, find areas or opportunities for involvement. Every group is different and needs to be dealt with differently. Group will vary in how willing they are to get into deep issues of life, or how willing they are to take action, but whatever the group it is my role to help them grow where to would not normally.

In addition to knowing the group personality and culture, the next principle that comes up is the abilities and skills of the group. The natural leaders will rise to the surface, those that don't really want to be there will communicate their distaste, the disruptive ones will be notices and so forth. Take the natural leader and give him a chance to lead discussion or present a lesson. Have a conversation with the student that doesn't like to be there and figure out they dislike about group or would prefer about group. Give disruptive students either something to disable them or allow within the group a chance for them to get it out of their system. The result is put those with a positive influence in a higher place of influence, and remove or at least lower those with a negative affect on the group. My goal as a leader is to know the gifts and abilities of those in the group and build a "team" around those gifts for the benefit of the group. The group as a whole will have a "sweet spot", an area that is really good at, and that is another chance to position them to shine and use their gifts.

Once a group has been developed and a "team" has been built, a leader can begin to dream and create a vision for what that particular team can accomplish. Much like everything within a group or organization, everything changes with the individuals that make the group. Initially when casting a vision it is open ended with little concrete objectives, mostly because I don't believe a vision should be something that is obtainable, but also because as a group we need something to shoot for. A vision takes the passions of the group, what makes the group excited and pushes it to a new level for something to chase after, something beyond the immediate reach of those involved. A vision is both a challenge and exciting. A vision would be comparable to a distant or future goal that is currently improbable but not impossible."Think of all the possibilities...!"

Since I haven't got to know the students within my group, it is hard to cast an accurate vision of what could truly happen through them and what they could become. But regardless of the group, some aspects of a vision don't change regardless of persons involved. With a vision you want to envision each person involved living passionately for Christ and using their gifts and abilities to their fullest potential. The group working together seamlessly as an organic machine to accomplish something impossible apart from the group. I want to see the group as a place where student not only enjoy but thrive in and leave empowered.

Getting to knowing the group and developing a team would be considered point A, the vision would be thought of as point B, leaving the leader to create a plan to get from one point to the other. To do this there needs to be a strategy. Much like a road map taking turn by turn directions, a strategy has step by step objectives to reach to goal and chase after the greater vision of what the group can do. A strategy involves all the knowledge gained from beginning to end and working together with the team to create objectives or steps to best go after the vision that has been cast. Unlike a vision, a strategy is very concrete, measurable and totally achiveable at every step.

Implementing a plan of action is the last part of leadership that is done, but far from least important. Not taking action would be like making a cake and then not baking it. You do all the hard work without any results. Implementation can either be done causally or aggressively depending on the group dynamic and the culture the group exist in. Given what I know of my group so far, I would say that the more aggressively we go after the vision and objectives within our strategy, the more receptive they will be do being a part of it. They don't seem like a group that just wants to be causal about going after something, but wants to dive headlong with everything. This is still the beginning so it is hard to say what will truly take place when it comes to implementation.

Part of this project is to report back on how the objective was met or attempted. Given that I remember, I will report back after a few weeks and let you know how it is going.

Blessings
Later

On a Positive Note - full circle

Yesterday it was brought to my attention - whether intentionally or not - that most of my post on here have a slightly negative feel to them or are just my rants for the week. I would agree, but that would be something that I would like to change. I want to bring out the good, not just point out the bad. I think it would be easy for me just to keep breaking things down and be critical of things, but that is not my job at all. I am suppose to editify and build up.

¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ~Eph 4:11-13.

Christ gave different people to do different jobs, all of them with the purpose of building up the body of Christ to the end that we become more like Christ. This says nothing about being negative or critical, I think that is a very fleshly idea that I have believed to be a good idea. It is time that changed and I start building instead of breaking.

(Before I say anything in the next paragraph, remember this is a blog, not the bible. If in search for truth go to God and his word, not my blog. These words are just my thoughts and reactions to the world around me. They could very well be wrong. I am an intern at a church, I don't really know that much. My conclusions are worth about as much as any one's)
I was talking with someone, I forget who, that the goal of a Christian is not just to stop sinning. That is a result, but not the goal. It is something that we should try and do, but it shouldn't be the reason way we as Christian do something. Am I saying that Christians shouldn't worry about sin? Heck no! Sin is bad, Christians should avoid it, but that is something more important than just not sinning. That, I believe is to follow and pursue Christ in all areas of life. This is something that I need to work on for sure.

Sunday was super busy! From sun up to sun down was filled with activity and people with little room for much else. We had the Middle School Ministry in the morning starting our first small group session with them, then right after that we had a party for pastor and his wife. 35 years of marriage, that is something worth celebrating! My favorite party of the whole thing was watching the wife/mom watch the video of their years together and the kids growing up. She started to cry, and I watched in astonishment to see love. Her boys were the ones that made the video for them, and they loved doing it. Little things like that are what get me.

Rachel and I had a very important conversation Wednesday. At least I think it is important. The subject was about being emotional mature and being comfortable with our emotions. I know this is something that I have tried very hard to stay away from and protect myself from - being vulnerable and emotional. I have lived a good deal of my life protecting myself emotionally and keeping myself from showing emotions because I think that they show immaturity and weakness. After the conversation I think that is a lie and being emotionally mature involves being open and.... well, emotional. I think that being stubborn and emotionally cold is really the immature thing, which has been something I have taken pride in - to think objectively and disregard emotions as just a feeling. This might be good when dealing with problems or with certain situations, but it leaves my life empty and joyless. But Christians are to have joy, peaces, love (Emotions), as well as self-control and clear thinking. You see my tension?

I know a guy named Jake, a good friend of mine and someone that I enjoy being around immensely! He has the ability to break down all my emotional walls and gain my complete trust as soon as I start talking with him. He some how brings me out of my shell and I experience peace, comfort and joy. I laugh like I have never laughed, and experience joy. I only wish that I could experience more often and with other people. Yet I have this tension as I have said to perform and be this objective person and protect myself emotionally. Both Rachel and I feel this tension: to think clearly and objectively and at the same time we both so eagerly want to experience the joy and peace that God has for us. The question is how is that supposed to happen?

I don't believe that I am able to experience the fullness of joy and still be the emotionless objective person that I am. Something needs to give, or I need to give something. I don't believe that I am the first person to be asking this question. "How do I gain this quality of life that God is talking about? How can I gain life abundant?" The other guy that I know of that asked this question is found in the bible, Luke Chapter 10:

²⁵And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” ²⁷ And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” ²⁸ And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” ²⁹ But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?... 10:25-29

 Most people don't notice the slight change of topic, I know I didn't until someone pointed it out to me. The Lawyer ask, "what must I do to have ETERNAL life?" Then Jesus changes the subject by saying "Do this and you will live." He says nothing of eternal life, just merely life on earth and possibly fulfillment. Granted the lawyer is testing Jesus, but the answer is valid as well as the question. The answer is to a greater question, "How do I have life (of eternal quality)" To have life you must love God with your everything - heart, soul, strength, and mind - and love your neighbor as well as yourself. At first this seems simple enough, but as I thought about it in the context of my tension, I noticed something I had not before. It says to love God with all your HEART and SOUL - I read this as my emotional side. To have life of any good quality it involves loving God with everything, even my emotions. This I know I have not done. I have given God my time, my energy, my mind, my money, at my best even my life, but I don't believe I have ever given Him my Heart. I have not given my heart to God and I know that I have not loved Him with all my heart - I have kept it for myself to protect.

This needs to change if I ever want to experience the joy that God has for me. If I or anyone else ever want to fully experience all that God has, it involves loving God with everything by giving God everything. Including my heart and my emotions. I need to begin to start taking down the walls around my heart and give my heart over to God. The initial pain and discomfort will be there without a doubt, but the reward of joy will be worth it. God desires to give us life, and life abundantly. The next question is simple, what do you need to give to God?

Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Party time!

35 years of marriage. a party worth celebrating. surprise party for pastor and his wife

Life as an intern - MTD

So as most who read this blog know, I am currently doing an internship to finish off my undergrad degree in youth ministry. It is also a great place to get some great hands on experience for the ministry that I could be going into - whatever it ends up being. The internship has a vast array of different situation that our team has to think through and deal with. Regardless of what ministry or even job I end up going into, this internship is going to be a valuable experience on all account. But, this is not to say that I agree with everything, or that I enjoy everything. To be completely honest, as I was telling someone the other day, the parts that I dislike, disagree with, and find down right annoying are probably going to be the most valuable part of this whole internship deal. One of "those" things that I feel somewhat negatively towards would a paper that I get to write - I say "get to write" because I am trying to stay positive about the whole thing. I don't know how well that is going through.

This paper consist primarily with the records of how the course objectives were reached for or obtained. I basically take each course objective and write about how I went about trying to fulfill it, or how it was fulfilled given that I completed it. The writing should be done in a very objective fashion from the research perspective. If you know me at all, what has so far been outline as the guidelines for my paper is everything that I dislike about it. I have to laugh. I laugh because it will also be the thing that will challenge me to grow spiritually and will make this internship worth it. Even the bible says that suffering produces godliness. So I say, let the challenge begin. Bring it.

I will be writing this paper in sections, most likely as blog post because I want to share my experience with you as I go and maybe you could help me too. I always need it. What I am posting will be far from my final draft and will probably undergo much editing by my secretary (Rachel) given she is up for it.

First I would like to point out that this is a class on organization leadership - how to be a leader within the context of an organization. This class is offered at my different locations and institutions for a variety of different reason, but I am taking it for the purpose of becoming a pastor (in the biblical since, not merely as a leader of a church building) in the context of a church and bible college. The objectives, since the class is for both bible and non-bible base education, have been written in such a way that principle is written without relation to spiritual growth or dependency on God. Try harder and do better approach. Much like any other leadership development that I have seen - not saying that I have seen them all. "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism" (MTD) is a term used to describe people becoming a better and good moral person without relation to faith in Jesus through the holy spirit to the glory of God. We are actually doing a lesson this weekend on the subject in our church, and yet this is the context my objectives are written in for the internship. Irony perhaps?

All this to say, one of the first things I would like to do is find the principle given and connect it to the bible and faith in Christ. That is the goal at least. Some of the objectives, such as "Maintain familiarity with legal standards and precedents pertaining to issues of organizational liability" might be a little harder for me to lock down on, but I would like to give it a try. I know the professor who wrote the objective, and I know that he had the bible in mind when he wrote them, I just want to work backwards now and find what he was thinking. Especially and primarily with the leadership objectives because I believe those do not fully happen without connection to the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. The danger for me would be reading the objectives into the biblical text - Eisegesis. I think that would put me worse off then not dealing with the biblical principle at all.

On a more personal note: I started working at a new restaurant which lacks all organizational leadership and just organization in general. But hopefully the tips will be worth it. I pray that I would be salt and light while I am there, not arguing or complaining but acting as a servant to everyone. Being willing to be wronged or even cheated so as to follow Christ.

I hope to head home to Michigan by the end of the month, and given enough time and money, out to PA as well to see a special someone. There is a lot going on in both locations, but I don't know if I can get to both as soon as I would like. I pray where my feet can't take me, that God might work through someone else.

Blessings from a pilgrim
Later

Find of the day

We're sent into dangerous territory

We're sent into dangerous territory to connect with those who are open to the healing and hope found in Jesus Christ