Pressing On (A Raw Post)

My creative juices have been dry. It is for this reason that I have been lacking blog material. It's not like my life has stopped, but how do you make the blah of everyday life interesting. Do any of you ever have that problem? I mean who cares how much laundry is piled up in our bed rooms. Or how many dirty dishes are in the sink. Or who cares that I am wondering what the heck I am doing that is making a difference in the Kingdom. (It's time for P to come home.)

But isn't that the battle? Isn't this also what Paul is talking about when he talks about "Being pressed but not crushed. Down but not out, etc, etc, etc..." Isn't this where most of us find we are in the dark shadow filled valley? When all hell is breaking loose and the spiritual battle is in my face, I don't have a problem remembering that we battle against principalities of the air, spiritual forces of darkness. But this feeling of inadequacies is the worst. This feeling that my life is going to just drag on like this is torture. (Because it's all about me you know.)

So what to do? (Deep breath) I am lowering my shoulder and pressing on, remembering that I am just a cracked clay pot. I am remembering that I am not abandoned. I am remembering that God finishes what He starts. I am remembering that my beloved bride is 5 days from being home. I am remembering that my community has cared for me in her absence. I am remembering that the last time I felt like this God carried me through it. I am remembering that you are there suffering through your own stuff and that this present suffering, for us, is but a shadow that will pass. I am remembering that MLK Jr. had a dream that still exists, ( I figure even MLK Jr. felt these things sometimes too.), that putting an end to slavery was not easy,that the fight for spiritual freedom in the world is not even close to over, that Christ suffered for my junk and He still chooses me to do this. (Even if I do have a sink full of dishes.) \I am remembering that feeling low is part of the battle. That this season, this Winter of discontent, will pass and Spring is waiting on the other side. So I will remember to seek His face and remember that I AM BLESSED! "For we are more than conquerors!" You be blessed too.

Jesus Didn't Have Blond Hair

This is my buddy Ezzy. He is little and full of energy. He has one of the greatest smiles and I just love him. He's a little super hero/cave man/rock star in training.

Last night his mom and dad had the kids and I over for dinner before worship circle practice. For those who don't know worship circle is where anyone in our community can come and work on their worship skills. I'm learning to play guitar. Others are working on their vocal skills. Some are master musicians. Others, lets just say were getting there. So every other Thursday night were go to Jason and Linda Greggs house to have worship circle.

So last night were having dinner with them and I don't remember what exactly happened but Ezzy thanked me and his Mom for something. "Thanks you mama. Thank you Him." He speaks in that almost impossible to understand baby language that only a parent can decipher. "Thank you him." It was cute. So Linda says "Ezzy what's his name." And without a moments hesitation Ezzy say "Jesus" A moment of being stunned then Linda says again "What's his name?" No hesitation "Jesus" We just about bust a gut laughing.

I have had a beard for awhile. And it is my goal to emulate the Teacher, but that is way to much pressure. It did give me a cool thought. What Ezzy wants is for Jesus to pick him up and make growling monster faces, and chase him around, and let him stick plastic samurai swords in his stomach. Ezzy wants Jesus to play with him and be his friend. And I am his friend (but I'm not Jesus) Jesus said "Let the little children come." and "Come like children" Well I'm going to try to remember that, to come with out inhibitions, to be Jesus friend. Sure He's a lot bigger and stronger and more powerful than me, but He likes me, just like I like Ezzy. We're friends. Be like a child, and Be Blessed

One Goose Short

Well it's been a week now that we have been with out Mother Goose. She flew back to the California last week to do some support raising and connecting with people like you. Hope all you So Cal folks get a chance to say hi while she's there.

It's always a challenge to be apart for long periods of time. This one will be just over three weeks. Which I think will be the longest that we will have had to survive with out our beloved wife and mother. Yes the house is a little messy and the food we eat is a little simpler. (We had bacon and eggs for dinner last night.) But we are making it. I think P was a little worried we might starve to death in her absence.

The worst part was that I came down with some super death bug thing the day after she left. Fever, night sweats, crazy dreams about little boxes that I swear were real, coughing my guts up, body aches and I don't know what else. I still have the cough, but I am much better. Our community here really helped out. Rob and Nina had us up to their house in Sintra, for dinner last Friday night and Terri brought over Lasagna Sat. night. Thank you God for giving us these people. I think were going to make it.

Well this getting back in the saddle with my blog has been a chore, but I think I did it. Stay tuned for more. Same bat time, same bat channel. Same Bat Blessings

We're back, Happy New Year!

I just looked at the date from my last blog and I realized that it had been 22 days since I blogged. I didn't realize how busy I was until I wasn't busy anymore.

Our whole family hopes that you had a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I will start blogging again this week. Until till then be Blessed.

The picture is from our balcony watching the fire works on New Years Eve.