Intern visit

My interns are visiting this weekend. Anna, one of my sisters, is returning to intern for a second summer; she arrived last night a little after 8:00. Travis, a sophomore at Harding from Vero Beach, Florida, is going to be the guy intern; he got in a little after 9:00. I took them to Alamo Cafe, a San Antonio tradition for any guests of mine -- and Anna was craving it. We had a good dinner. I then dropped them off at the homes they'll be staying at this summer. We started somewhat early this morning with physicals for our Trek registration. After hanging out with some of the teens at the building and going to lunch, we went to Sea World for some of the afternoon, which was a blast.

This was my first Sea World experience in San Antonio. They've got great shows and a couple of pretty fun roller coasters. I hadn't been on a roller coaster in a while, probably since the summer of 2002. It was refreshing(?) to lose my stomach again. The Great White was a little better than the Steel Eel, but who's keeping score? It was a good time of bonding for us.

We're lying around my house right now, a little tired from being out in the sun, I guess. Not sure what else is on tap for the evening other than watching the Spurs; I'll probably take then out to another great restaurant. It's nice to have such a great variety of food from which to choose.

I watched Finding Neverland yesterday afternoon for the first time. Outstanding. Makes me want to write even more. I think I'll go buy it sometime. It's great.

As long as matters are really hopeful, hope is a mere flattery or platitude; it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength. Like all the Christian virtues, it is as unreasonable as it is indispensable.

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Sending you away

Don't read anything I've written today. I'm sending you to a couple of other sites. First, go here and find out why "these intentions, pure though they be, are misguided, illegal, and most of all, dangerous."

And then go here, for insight behind, "Nothing changes parents more than having kids. So, let’s get busy making babies."

Two different topics, but both written in a fine, thoughtful manner worth your time.

It's astounding the connections that can be created in the world of blogs. Tons of fun too. Seriously, check out those sites.

My life as a movie

I'm continually learning (weird) things about myself and for some reason have no qualms posting them to my blog -- probably because most of you know these things already and have been kind enough to let me figure them out on my own. I really like movies, but have started to wonder what kind of effect that like has had; not in a completely detrimental sense, but regarding my expectations, hopes, dreams, etc. I like all kinds of movies: drama, suspense, comedies, chick flicks, off-beat and/or independent films, foreign films, epics, big-budget, low-budget, movies with plots (especially with twists) and movies without. I can watch alone or in a big group or with a friend or two. The only time I'm a bit leary of movie-watching is when it's something I've picked in the theater -- to some degree, everyone else's reaction determines my enjoyment of the film.

I consider this a fun escape and, most of the time, great entertainment. But where I wonder about its effect(s) on me is when I catch myself trying to live my life like I'm in a movie. From something small (leaving my house as the sun's going down, putting on my sunglasses as I walk slowly to my truck with dramatic music playing in my mind, roll down my windows, and speedily drive away on a grand mission of...picking up a fast-food dinner) to something big (I think back to college when I had a conversation with a girl I liked and had scripted it all out in my mind, thinking of grand things to say her possible responses, and the conversation didn't have any background music or smoothness like conversations in movies do and the guy didn't walk away with the girl), I catch myself playing out my life at times as if I were a character in a film -- art imitating life imitating art type of thing. And the problem I run into is that my life is not a movie; a movie could be made about my life, in the sense that a movie could be made about anybody's life -- it doesn't mean it would be good, successful, or even interesting.

But as I catch myself doing this, I find that I sometimes try to re-create situations I've seen on the big screen in real life, expecting the same outcomes. To some degree, this can be great. Wanting to hit the game-winning homerun in my back yard like Roy Hobbs in The Natural; thinking how cool it would be to crash a spaceship back to Earth and walk away smoking a cigar like Will Smith in Independence Day; being as smart and creative as Keyser Soze in The Usual Suspects; displaying the bravery and honor of the men of Saving Private Ryan; the leadership, confidence, and will of Robin Hood in Prince of Thieves; to be inspirational and motivating like Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society. Those are great qualities to aspire to and implement in life -- Keyser Soze is questionable, I guess. The success and outcomes will definitely vary.

I think I confuse the scenes and themes sometimes. The themes, things I listed in the previous paragraph, can be replicated to some degree, though in a completely different way. The scenes aught not be attempted to be copied, especially the romantic ones. I tried some of the You've Got Mail things this past summer (mostly of the email type, though not secretively), and while it was short-lived fun and excitement and romance, it doesn't work. The outcome, devestatingly, was not the same. While I thought I was replicating the themes, and to some degree I was, at some point the expectation changed to look for the outcome of the scenes. Which is probably why that whole thing leaves me feeling stupid; I should've known better. I should realize things like that.

But in matters of the heart, as I'm learning from experiences like that one, I can't script anything out. I can't write it into being, no matter how lame or great a writer I am. I can't rationalize or think it into existence, either. To do so is futile, a chasing after the wind. It only leaves me frustrated and confused.

I think one of the answers to this type of thing is trust. Is it in me? Do I trust something greater than myself or what I can do or scheme or manipulate or coax into being? Can I trust someone else to arrive where I hope to be going? Will I trust that someOne else really wants to give that to me? Will I trust him to shape another's heart as mine is being shaped?

But take this all with a grain of salt. I'm still finding my way.

Calihampshire

I'm a smart aleck. I own a shirt (and proudly wear it, along with a smirk on my face) that has a picture of the state of California with the words "New Hampshire" written underneath. I got it from www.randomshirts.com. No, it doesn't make sense; I sometimes wonder what it's purpose is as well, other than attempting to make others feel self-conscious about not recognizing the shape of states. And in a weird way, I get a kick out of this. I'm a sick person.

The Angel Stadium Declaration: April 17, 2005

From an email I received; spoken by the 30,000 people at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California celebrating Saddleback Church's 25th anniversary:

Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering; I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word.

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won‘t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”

From an email conversation today

Here's the quote (from Waking the Dead, I believe) I was trying to share this weekend:

The spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier and we who live in it must accept and rejoice that it remains untamed. -- Howard Macey

Whether male or female, there's a wildness God's placed within us to desire him and the things of him. And like the mysterious nature of the frontier, the spiritual life must not be conquered, explained, factualized, or boxed up in any kind of package (whether gift-wrapped with a bow or like fencing in a wild stallion). It must be experienced in all realms of life: propositional truths (intellectual aspect) quit floating in the air of conversation and take root to physically produce goodness in our lives; learning to love (relational aspect) takes place in serving others instead of discussing it; comfort and peace (emotional aspect) are shared and expressed in everyday life, no matter how big or small a circumstance is. We then realize that God's radio frequency has been all around us, but we'd been channel-hopping or didn't realize we had radios; adjusting our hearts to love him with all we have allows us to connect to that frequency and tune-in to his way of life -- and find the most beautiful music in this dance of life.

Discipline vs. attacks

I finished reading Epic by John Eldredge this past Sunday and what great timing to do so. He takes a lot of his ideas and words from his previous books and tells The Great Story. What really hit me was the reminder that I'm in the middle of a war, that we are born into a world in battle. I think I'd forgotten that in the past couple of months. Wanting so badly to recognize God working and moving in my life, I've been crediting everything to him. Now, in a sense, that may not be all bad. But what it did was distort my impression of his goodness.

Here's how. Satan attacks and slings arrows at us, seeking to break our hearts. Those arrows hurt and are painful. God uses discipline to show and extend his love to us. Sometimes that's painful and keeps us from certain things in order to teach us. My response to the things I've felt kept from or painful circumstances/situations has been to credit it to God's discipline; as that's happened, I began to forget that God is the giver of everything good and perfect. While he will discipline us, his intent is always to give the good. I wasn't recognizing that, as I'm in this war, Satan is working to foil God's good plans. Sometimes he does; he's been given that power or ability. Reading through Epic reminded me of this. I'm in the midst of a war for my heart. Discipline and attacks will both come; it will be difficult to recognize one from the other at times. But simply knowing that not everything that occurs to me is the "will of God" is such a relief.

I see him for his goodness in a way I've haven't in a while. Amidst the talk of original sin, Eldredge reminds me of what he calls original glory: God created humanity as an expression of his likeness and glory. We are created to be glorious, to shine, to captivate, to create. Our hearts were created for this. I remember now that God truly is good and that Satan attacks and frustrates and bothers. He foils. He destroys. The frustrations I've felt the past couple of months in so many areas can be credited to him and his work. Yes, some of that has been the Lord's discipline; but in thinking of it all like that, I was thinking of God as a punisher constantly fixing me, leaving me searching for what was wrong with me and caused me to focus so much on myself. Yes, there's a lot of work God's still got to do on me; but there's a lot of good that can be done through me as well, which I should focus my energy and attention on. Not that I've attained the prize, but I press on to the goal.

God's out to rescue us. He's on his horse, a knight in shining armor, making his way through the battle to rescue his loved ones. And ready to empower us to do the same, to join him in rescuing this world, redeeming this world. Thinking along these lines, I'm much more excited about my circumstances than previously. I feel like I've been given a glimpse of what's really going on and things make so much more sense. I cried a lot reading through Epic, especially when he wrote about homecomings; he used the example of the movie Apollo 13 and the return of the men to earth: the country watching, waiting to hear from the spacecraft. The three minute radio silence passing without a sound. Another minute. Families gathered around hoping, waiting, praying. Wives and children longing. Houston: "Do you copy, Apollo 13?" Nothing. "Can you hear us?" Silence. Where were they? Did they make it? What happened?

And then, a response, "It's good to hear you again, Houston." They were back. They were safe. They were alive. They had returned. They had fought. They had been creative. They overcame and returned home, where they belonged. To their wives, their children, their friends, their country. And there was such jubilation: tears, joy, happiness, relief, parties, on and on. Our boys were home.

And we'll make it back as well. Back to his heart. Back to our native land. Back to our God.

The Last Word and the Word After That

I got a new book yesterday and didn't even get a chance to post it on my sidebar as one of the Books I'm Reading because I finished it last night. Yes, one of the luxuries of the bachelorhood is not having much to do in the evenings (or the weekends, mornings, etc.) -- I apologize to spouses and parents regarding the casual tone of this statement; I'm not trying to rub it in. The third book in Brian D. McLaren's trilogy arrived at the office yesterday afternoon; it's titled The Last Word and the Word After That and I flew through it.

McLaren has written this trilogy of a new kind of Christian in the form of creative nonfiction, taking real ideas, thoughts, and some dialogues from his experiences and placing them in a fictional setting to pass them along to an audience. My Friday morning group is reading through the first book, A New Kind of Christian, and we've had great discussions each time we've met. I mention that to say these books do a great job of creating and informing dialogue, challenging us to think beyond our usual boundaries, and to delve more into the Kingdom of God in the here and now.

I'd read up a bit on the content of this final chapter and was really excited. McLaren himself acknowledged that this would probably be the most controversial of the three, though not intended to be. (Is it right of me to be excited about this type of controversy? Is that a fair question?) In his introduction, he writes that many will hear about and read this book and say that it's about hell. Well, having read it and grasped the message and challenges it presents, to say it's about hell is completely unfair. Yes, hell is mentioned quite frequently; yes, there is a great recap of the history of the idea of hell; yes, some things are written that are different from my previous understanding of it -- but it's not the point. As Neo tells Dan, "My point is that hell itself isn't the point. The point is the purpose for which Jesus uses the language of hell, or whatever other imagery he uses to convey the negative consequences of rejecting God's way. The point is that we can let Jesus' strong language arrest us so that we repent -- we rethink our current path and choose a better alternative." A better alternative, a better way to live, a new lifestyle of love and grace instead of selfishness and greed, a higher plane -- that's the point I took from the book. What matters is my faith expressing itself in love; am I doing that? Are goodness, love, patience, kindness, and gentleness being produced in my life? Or is it something else? What fruit is the Holy Spirit producing? How have I joined God's mission on this earth to save it? How am I joining that mission?

Another thing I take from this book is a comfortability with the phrase, "I don't know." I'm not as scared to use that as I was. I had lunch today with one of my lecturers from BSF and we had a great conversation about an array of topics. To several of his questions about my thoughts and beliefs about our study this year my reply was "I don't know." I followed it with speculation, probably more out of feeling that I've got to say something and not let him think I'm clueless. (But that, too, begs a question: So what if I'm clueless about some things? So what if I don't have an answer for every doctrinal query? I'm not going to stop seeking answers, but I'm not going to let right answers alone determine my confidence in who God's made me. In Christ alone will I glory.) What I do know is Jesus invites me to join him (by saying "Follow me") and says I should seek first God's kingdom and righteousness -- seek first God's business/workings in this world and his justice in this world.

I'll finish this with a great quote from Louis Evely from In the Christian Spirit, quoted on page 152 of The Last Word...

To believe in God is to believe in the salvation of the world. The paradox of our time is that those who believe in God do not believe in the salvation of the world, and those who believe in the future of the world do not believe in God.
Christians believe in "the end of the world," they expect the final catastrophe, the punishment of others.
Atheists in their turn . . . refuse to believe in God because Christians believe in him and take no interest in the world . . .
Which is the more culpable ignorance?
. . . I often say to myself that, in our religion, God must feel very much alone: for is there anyone besides God who believes in the salvation of the world? God seeks among us sons and daughters who resemble him enough, who love the world enough so that he could send them into the world to save it.

Things I thought this weekend

What a great weekend to go camping. Good choice.

Kick the Can is fun no matter how old you are.

Sleeping outside is extremely pleasant when the wind is not blowing too much.

I'm going to catch the frisbee. I'm going to catch the frisbee. I jump to catch the frisbee and I got it...no, a tree branch got my arm. Barely missed.

Nothing beats a shower and a nap after playing outside the previous night and morning.

Why can't we figure out what stinks in the refridgerator? And why won't it go away?

It's tough to watch the close of 50 First Dates while that new recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" plays and not want to go to Alaska. Or fall in love.

Why did I have to turn on the Braves game today? (I turned to TBS just in time to see a 1-0 lead turn into a 3-1 defecit, which ended up being a 6-1 loss to the Mets. The Mets! Ughh. Sorry, Smoltz; my bad.)

Blogs I read

I've gotten into the habit of checking several blogs each morning as I start my day. And there are several that I'd like to read that I don't, due to time. I could probably spend all day reading blogs, but then I'd need eye-surgery to correct the problems arising from staring at a computer screen all day. I don't have all of these on my links, but here's a list of what I read and enjoy, in the chronological order I discovered them:

Brandon Scott Thomas: BST is the music/worship minister at Otter Creek, my church home in Nashville while I was in college. Reading his blog this past fall leading up to the Zoe Conference in Nashville was what turned me on to blogging in the first place. It's nice to keep up with OC through his blogging; and knowing him makes it even funnier because he can be such a goof-ball. But more than anything, he's a passionate follower of Christ and loves leading his children into his throne room.

Mike Cope: One of my collegues at Northside calls Mike the "best pulpiteer in the churches of Christ" and means that very complimentary. I don't like the term pulpiteer, but I understand what Bruce means. A couple of my good friends in Abilene worship at Highland where Mike ministers and I love hearing stories from them of what's going on there and how he is spreading the kingdom. I've heard Mike speak several times at Zoe Conferences and have been blown away by his presentations and thinking. And it's reinforced and backed-up by his heart and his understanding of his role at his congregation: to lead, to prod, to challenge, and to speak as God leads. Read his blog and witness his heart; it's awesome.

Niki Nowell: Two great friends of mine are Benny and Niki Nowell, a couple I work with in the summers at middle and high school camps. They've just moved to Colorado to intern with the Dry Bones Ministry, an outreach to homeless and street kids in the Denver area. When I started my blog, I sent a mass email to almost my whole address book to inform people, especially those outside of San Antonio, that they could keep up with me through this. Niki began reading and decided to start her own blog, further bonding and solidifying our friendship. It's been great to keep up with them through this medium, as well to be challenged by Niki's insights. (I also like it because I'll be mentioned every now and then; as silly as that may seem, it's exciting to be referred to by someone else, especially in the encouraging ways she does so.)

Sarah Carlson: In my first summer interning at Northside, there were already several teens who knew me from previous Brazil campaigns, so there was a comfort level and familiarity with which I entered. I was following a much-loved intern who was not offered the opportunity to return, which set me up with some of the teens as an object of, well, hatred is too strong a term, but some type of frustration because I was the guy who took their intern's spot. I knew coming in there was going to some resentment, especially because some teens already knew me and that gave them a leg-up on the others. Sarah was one who didn't know me, even though her best friend did; she was cautious to give me anything resembling the benefit of the doubt; everything had to be earned. It didn't help that we're both sarcastic and have a tendency towards dry humor; I unintentionally caused a lot of hurt feelings. Anyway, all that's past and humorous to reflect on; Sarah's in college at ACU and is an outstanding, smart writer. When she has time in her busy schedule, she'll blog her thoughts on various topics of the day.

Dan Carlson: Sarah's older brother was in college and out of the youth group when I began working at Northside, so our time at Northside never overlapped. I ran across his blog by browsing through his sister's and have kept going back since. He's living in the L.A.-area and will hopefully crack the film critic's circle. I love reading his critique's of upcoming movies, as well as his wandering thoughts during office staff meetings and open letters to various people (usually Pres. Bush)-- hilarious.

Wes Kohring: One of my best friends from college, Wes is a youth minister in Colorado. He and his wife, Cristal, moved out there almost a year ago, so we share an even greater connection by being away long distances from our families, both of theirs living in Tennessee. I like reading his reflections on youth ministry things, life ideas and ideals, Wild at Heart-stuff, etc. We talked this past December and found out we'd been reading the same books, mostly by McLaren, and found ourselves with many of the same questions, answers, and ideas, which we're attempting to live out in our lives and ministries.

Luke Copeland: My brother started a blog earlier this year, but with school winding down for him, there's not been too much consistency in his posting. Fortunately, we're able to stay connected through mobile phones; but it's still fun to find read his stuff when he writes.

TMK: This is one of the young moms at Northside; she's got three sons in our children's ministry and is on the volunteer staff as a supervisor (I forget which age group she's got). Her stories are so, so funny! I found out about her blog from one of our ministry assistants in the office and wasn't sure if I was supposed to know about it. At one of our Wednesday night meals a couple of months ago, she mentioned to me about enjoying one of my entries, so I asked about her blog. She told me I probably wouldn't enjoy reading her writings about being a mom with boys and that kind of stuff...whatever. She's hilarious.

Check these out if you get a chance. Though blogging seems to be a lazy way to stay connected with friends sometimes (and that's a debatable statement), I find it more a blessing in the way it allows me to stay connected with friends and family across the country. I still wonder why some want to keep a tab on what's going through my mind, but I'm thankful you do, whatever your reasons.

Let me love

I had great intentions of posting a poem or two tonight from my high school days, but I can't find my stash. I think they may be in some boxes in my storage unit, but I really thought I had them with my books and things. I just left the computer to go look again in my room, but to no avail. I did find something I'd written on my way back from Nashville from one of my February trips, so even though it's a bit more recent, it'll do. Not to give too much of the background away, but to give some, it was written upon finding out some scary news about one of my teens. Thankfully, things are going very well and the initial fear has been abated; though the news was not the greatest, it's workable, praise God.

Tired, worn-out, exhausted in my mind
Worried, unsure of the news that awaits
Thinking, praying for the worst not to be
Actual, real -- a lesser something reveal

Ansy, impatient, my mind races on
Searching, seeking for the answers to come
Writing and crying, ink and tears spill unceasing
On an airplane napkin -- absorbing my uncertainty

Yielding, preparing for my breathing to calm
Reflecting, dreaming of the sooting of the soul
Reaching, claiming a life beyond the shallowness
Of moments not speaking the joys of eternity

Let me see with the eyes of an awe-struck child
Let me listen with the ears of a man born blind
Let me care with the heart of a grief-stricken mom
Let me love whatever the cost

Wedding Day

Lipscomb has an a cappella singing group called X-Changed that is under the direction of Keith Lancaster, who has worked with Acappella, AVB, and many other groups. Several of my friends were part of the group when I was in college and I recently listened again to one of their CDs. One of the songs is "Wedding Day" which has been stuck in my head the past several days. It's a beautiful thought about the redemption of God's people, when he gives Jesus the directive, "Go get your bride; today's your wedding day."

Thinking along those lines, what a great insight to the possibilities of heaven. I remember thinking when I was in my early teens about heaven going on and on forever and ever and what if I got bored and ran out of things to do and other thoughts like that. And, honestly, I still sometimes wonder about things like: what will be going on? What will it be like to not be constricted by time? What kind of roles will we have? How will we interact with the God-head and each other? What will heaven be like?

Being on this side of marriage, and thinking about the lyrics to that song (which I will post at the bottom of this entry), it gives me another level of anticipation towards eternity. Regardless of what's going on, how we'll get there, or what it will be like, Christ and his church will be wed in holy union forever. Regardless of what we do, where we are, whatever, we'll be married in the richest sense of the word and idea. Whatever ideals exist will be surpassed in glorious ways. Whatever hopes and dreams have been conceived will be superceded in ways only of God. And in the most holy way, in which we get glimpses of on earth, two will become one; the restoration of Creator and creation will be complete. And it will be a whole new exciting beginning.

Wedding Day

Lately I've been thinkin'
As I look all around me
I see by the signs
That we're soon gonna be leavin'
The Bridegroom is comin'
To take us all away
Maybe tomorrow
But I pray that it's today


And we will fly away
In the twinkling of an eye
Leavin' all our heartaches
Telling them all good bye
Yes we will fly away
When He hears His Father say
Jesus go and get Your bride
Today's Your wedding day

Those are my questions

I was struck this past Sunday with an insight from my high school teacher (we had a combined class, with middle school, due to Easter and the finishing up of a four-week series this guy had done -- extremely well, by the way). In teaching through Psalm 1 about the blessed man being one who delights in the Lord and meditates on his word, the lesson made its way around to asking God for wisdom. He presented the idea that of all things we can ask God for, wisdom is something he is giddy to grant (giddy is my term). We talked about Solomon and his request for it. We talked about wisdom leading to contentment and purpose.

Recently, contentment and purpose have been strangers to me. Feeling parched and dry of wisdom may do that to one. In the midst of my prayers from the past few months for God's leading, his filling me with dreams and visions through his Spirit, for understanding and peace, I've not been praying for wisdom or contentment. Not surprisingly, I feel I've had neither. And the contentment thing is one that especially bothers me because I've always thought myself to be adaptable, flexible, and able to enjoy and/or endure a long continuum of circumstances. So while happiness would come and go, I felt stabalized in contentment, knowing that joy was of greater value; but when it's absent, it's tough and depressing and sad.

So this week I've been praying for wisdom, re-introducing myself to the Psalms and Proverbs and plugging back into Jesus' words in the Gospels. I'm trying to go slowly, not over-doing it initially so that I flame out in a week. And instead of peace and understanding in and for my life and mind and relationships, I'm asking for wisdom to discern the administration of his grace and justice (or the equivalent of that for the respective areas of life). To speak or not to speak; to act or not to act; to be bold or patient; those are my questions.

-------------------------

My brother returned yesterday to Alabama after visiting this past week. We had a great time together; I was really glad to spend time with him and that he was able to meet and hang out with my friends. His plans to travel the country from June 1, 2005 to June 1, 2006 are getting pretty established. He's going to pick up a couple of jobs now that basketball season is over to help finance his excursion. I hope to meet him a few times during his trip; I've always wanted to spend time in the Boston/New England area, and since he's planning to be there over Labor Day weekend, I'll probably be joining him for a bit of that time.

Our BSF class is having a Thrift Store Party tomorrow night, so I'm going to take my $5-$10 budget this afternoon and find an outfit/costume. We're doing karaoke too, so it should be a lot of fun.

Enjoy April Fools' Day or Fool's Day, I'm not sure which is correct. I was able to get my joke in this morning at 12:15. I should have played it out longer, but I was gracious and cut it short. Or too tired to string it out. Anyway, have a great weekend, blog fam.