Live from Seattle!

Snow is the coolest, isn't it? I mean its one of those few things that makes all grown ups act and even feel like little kids again. Of course when it happens in the South or here in Seattle it also makes a mess of things since it is such a rare occurrence.

The view from the plane last night was pretty cool though. Snow covering everything here in Seattle, and it was at night so that made it look cool too. (Yeah, if you haven't figured it out yet, Shaw and I are in Seattle for Christmas with her family)

One thing that became very clear to me on the trip yesterday was just how sanctifying air travel is. I mean have any of us flown around Christmas time and not had some sort of delay or been overwhelmed by the 50 million other ppl that are traveling as well? Well while i was in Atlanta last night (with extra time on my hands because of a delay) I decided to walk around the terminal we were in for a while.

While walking i started thinking about what makes me different (as far as being a Christian goes) from the rest these people i am walking past. Then another question occurred to me that I have had a good time meditating on since then. What would Christ have looked like walking through the busy E Terminal of Atlanta's airport? Not the full blown ministry Christ, but the pre-baptism Christ. After the beginning of his public ministry he would have always had people following him and recognizing him no doubt. But what about before? What do you suppose Christ would have acted like? Clearly his character never changed, but what about the way he interacted with the world before that?

Just interesting to think about I guess...

Merry CHRISTmas from the frozen North West! Much love to all 3 of my readers!

I know...

So it has been a while... I have no excuse really, other than I was just to lazy or unmotivated. But since once again i was hounded by all 3 of you to add something I will indulge my fans!

Nothing really deep on the radar right now... I have been studying through Romans for the HS Sunday school class i teach. I think i am actually starting to understand what Paul was after in chapters 6 and 7. At least it seems like at certain points i have flashes of "oh! yeah!" I am also actually starting to revise my thesis! HAHA!! I am not lying either! I have a lot of work though, so its kinda hard to get super motivated to do it. I also have an opportunity to give my pastor a break from preaching Jan 11th, so that will be good. I think im gonna take his input at dig in to Luke 23 and work on something that has to deal with how to overcome evil with good.

Speaking of my pastor; i got to sit down and share lunch with him this week and as always left feeling encouraged and challenged. If you don't have a shepherd in your life that is challenging you and encouraging you, FIND ONE!! It is a shame for any believer to live their lives without close fellowship and shepherding in the local body! anyway... There were many things that he encouraged me with as we talked about the upcoming birth of my first man-child, but there were really two that stuck with me.

1st i expressed my concern over being a good father. it really freaks me out that i have to be one. and i want to be a good one. i want to have a relationship with my son like my pastor has with his and enjoy close fellowship and relationship with my kids. i want them to know that i love them deeply and i care for them no matter what. most of all i want them to come to know God. As usual the advice given to me from my pastor was simple and profound. It went something along the lines of "If you want to be a good father, be a good husband. If you want to be a good husband be a good Christian." Simply put, be a good Christian. Make mistakes, repent, learn from them, and love Christ. It's so simple that even i can understand it, but its so scary because i am aware of how lame i am as a Christian...

...that brings me to the 2nd thing he said that really encouraged me. He was talking about his own walk with God and how he is aware of his tendency to pull away and allow his relationship with God to become cold, and he shared with me how it vital it is that he begs God for the ability and the grace to not be like that and to overcome that coolness and apathy.

And then it all hit me later on in the week... God! I need you!! I am desperately lost and wretched without you!! I will surely be a lame and worthless father and husband if you do not change my heart and grant me grace upon grace! God change me please! Help this worthless man! God help me! Be with me...


... And if it be your will, Save my child!