BJ

Men........who needs them and what is wrong with them. In the middle of the country (some consider it the armpit of America, I have grown to love it), Kansas City is probably full of available women, none of them as beautiful, God-loving, and fun to be with as my sister-in-law, Brittany Jane, better known as BJ. This girl is the salt of the earth, and for some reason, the boys in this city don't know what they are missing.

When I first met her, she was still in high school. Although she still does some of the strange things she did then, she was then and is now one of the reasons I wanted to better know Christ. It seems every time I talk to her she is running off to her church to serve the Lord in one way or another. Most single girls her age spend their evenings at bars trying to meet guys, she spends many of them working with young people in her church and trying to make this world better. In fact, she spent one of them with my daughter at her house for a sleepover; Emory is lucky to have such an Aunt.

BJ, the man will come in time. You are a gem, and whoever it might be, will be as rich as me when I joined this family. You make sure he talks to me about his opportunity, so he doesn't waste it.

Lord, I ask for nothing but happiness for BJ. Please let her trust your plan and be patient as you lead her where you need her next. Everything works out for people like her, you take care of your servants.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...
Proverbs 3:5

Simple

This week we attended two different events that really spoke to me. The first was our church service on Sunday. While the message of the day was very convicting, it was the worship portion of the service that got the Holy Spirit doing its work. On Wednesday night at worship practice, we learned a new song written by the London edition of Hillsong. If you are unfamiliar with Hillsong, the music that comes from there is awesome, you should check it out (iTunes would be a good place to look). The song of which I am speaking, "Jesus is", is the most powerful, yet simple song to which I have worshipped. From the melody to the lyrics to the meaning, it is just plain simple. During the second service on Sunday it was so incredibly obvious that the congregation was singing to an audience of ONE; I truly believe people's lives were changed in that five-minute span.

Later that evening we attended a bible study. The topic centered around simplifying your life and limiting yourself in many areas we never attempt to control. Lately, Angie and I feel many of our experiences are immediately being tended to by Christ. While extremely stressed by some of these limits, we are glad to know He is looking out for us and trying to make our lives simple.

Please....look up that song if you don't already know it, it will touch your heart as it did mine. It is on my iPod and I can't stop listening to it every time I get a chance.

JESUS IS.

Truly Life

With it being New Year's Eve, last Sunday's sermon concerned "changing your ways". It certainly made me take a different approach to my teaching, hopefully my students have noticed. Although I am not compensated well enough for the work I do, it takes experiences like the one last Sunday to remind me how rich I really am; a beautiful wife and two healthy kids. Tonight, I felt like a millionaire as I wrestled with my son and hid from monsters (Miles and Angie) with my daughter. Some people don't ever experience those treasures. Tomorrow, I will go on a date with Emory to see a movie. She and I do this every once in a while; I soak it up now as she won't want to be seen with me at the movie theater in about ten years. This year I will try to live the life that is truly life, I hope you will try to do the same.

1 Timothy 6: 17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant...but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share...so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.