My Prayer

Lord, increase my faith.

Art by Clyfford Still, Untitled, 1964

Kiera Turns One

Unk Troy & Kiera

Angie & Kiera (aka K4)

Still floating...

I'm back from Louisiana and just getting on a computer for the first time in over a week -- pretty much unheard of in this day and age! The journey was interesting -- many highs and lows.

I guess what strikes me most is the boxes I continually put God inside. For instance, I expected to be spiritually blown away by this trip. Instead, I was spiritually overwhelmed (and not in a good way). And this is not a negative reflection on the ministry that is taking place down South. Instead, its a reflection on my heart -- my expectations getting in the way of God's work in my life. The lesson I'm learning is that instead of looking for God in experiences, I need to seek out God.

This trip provided an experience with God, but I still feel disconnected from God.

I still need to reconnect with that Source.

And that's my prayer today.

Katrina

So this is what New Orleans looked like just about two years ago -- completly flooded after Hurricane Katrina swept through its city limits in August of 2005. There is still great need in the area.

I’m heading down there today to share love with those affected by Katrina. I’ll be down there a week with a team of adults and teens from my church. We will work through a sister church in Covington, Louisiana -- Trinity Church. Angie will make the journey with me; as will my brother, Kevin.

My church has been sending teams down to Covington on a monthly basis since the hurricane struck in 2005. The Lord has been (gently) tugging on my heart for some time and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve Him by serving His beloved whose lives have been physically, emotionally and spiritually devastated by Katrina. We serve a God of restoration. A God of redemption.

Our team happens to be in Covington during Trinity’s vacation bible school -- so we’ll be helping with that in the mornings. The tasks we’ll be performing in the afternoons is literally up in the air, but could include gutting houses, removing trees and/or rebuilding homes. I'm generally excited about meeting people, hearing their stories and praying with them. In other words, shining Light into their lives, only by the grace and power of our Risen Savior!

Your prayers for this journey are coveted. Pray that He would increase and that I would decrease. Pray that our team would be so filled with the love of God that it naturally emanates from us to His sheep in Covington and New Orleans.

May we first live for Him!

KNOW HOPE

KNOW HOPE
Candle-lit handmade paper drawing

[Re]Designed

It kinda goes without saying that I have redesigned my blog. I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but finally got around to it. I had a lot of fun with the redesign and I hope you guys enjoy the new look. Anyway, I thought it'd be cool to look back at my first post and remind myself what this was originally all about.

Posted on October 31, 2005:

Alright...b/c I got a lot to say (and more to learn), many stories and pictures to share, and know of a few people who might listen and actually be interested, I decided to enter the blogging game. I guess the general direction of this blog will be the things in life I find important (family, friends, living out my faith, the arts, music) and the things I think about (faith, religion, the arts, life itself, modern culture).

To the extent that there is any discussion, it MUST remain open and non-combative. This is not the forum to spew hate and intolerance. Open your mind, listen and learn! What you'll experience is a glimpse into the life of someone who holds a different viewpoint -- maybe it'll change you, maybe it'll solidify your own beliefs. Either way, you'll learn something. I've discovered that there is a beauty in life when you realize that maybe you don't have it all figured out like you once thought you did. The growth and freedom that comes from this realization will make you a more relevant citizen of this World.

Let the blogging begin...

On Repeat

Still floating between heaven and earth on what I'll call a temporary mental hiatus. Anyway...it's the "first" day of summer, so enjoy...

"Money can't buy you back the love that you had then."

Feist . 1 2 3 4 [follow link to MP3]

Between Heaven & Earth

Between Heaven & Earth

Robert Cook

This is where I find myself these days. I'm thinking about life way too much. I've become so caught up in trying to figure out what God desires of my life, that I've totally forgotten about God in the process.

It's like I desire to live out the kingdom of heaven right here on Earth so desperately, but yet find myself at a standstill. I can't quite grasp heaven, but yet find that my feet are not touching the surface of this planet. Sorta like I'm living inside the Matrix, if you know what I mean.

It's tiring. It's draining.
It's not a state of living I associate with His Kingdom.

I need time to rest and pray.

I know the source of significance in my life, so I don't need to embark on a quest to find that.

I even know the passions that are driven by that Source.

What I need...

What I must do...

is reconnect with that Source.

On Repeat

"Why does she always lose what she loves?"

Alberta Cross - Lucy Rider (Acoustic) [follow link to MP3]

Mum

"Her children [and grandchildren] rise up and call her blessed." [Proverbs 31:28]

This is my mum (not mom). She's truly a woman of noble character. We talk sometimes about all the experiences we've shared in life. She tends to get a little misty-eyed thinking that my brother and I are all grown up now and those days are far behind us. I always remind her that no one can ever take away our memories. Like this one --

I'll never forget lunch times during our summer breaks from elementary school. After breakfast, my brother and I would race outside to play with our Matchbox cars in the dirt cities we created, make forts in the overgrown bushes that lined our property, climb trees and ride our bikes. At some point around Noon, Mum would call us in for lunch (or did we instinctively know to return?) Kevin and I would set up trays in the living room and then we'd all eat together and watch about an hour of TV. And we loved this!! I can't even remember most of the shows we watched, but I certainly remember my company. Soon after, we'd head back outside to play, only to return around 5pm to sit up on the back of the couch to wait and watch for Dad to come home...but that's a story for next month!

Mum -- have a great day! I love you beyond words.