Moving

I'm moving into a new apartment this weekend. Most of the work was done last night, and I am so sore! Whose idea was it to move to the third floor, anyway?! I'll post pictures of the old apartment and the new apartment next week.

This Sunday at Highland Street, we're having a "special-come-to-the-front-Communion-Sunday." Yes, that's the official title. This will be the third time we've done it--should be special.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Bring the Rain -- by MercyMe

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really crossed my mind
To turn my back on you oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus bring the rain

Holy, Holy, Holy
is the Lord God Almighty

Reach Group Friends: Jessica, Laura, Demetrius, Tanya, Christie, and Susan. Oh, and Chloe the dog. This group has met in my apartment weekly for almost a year. It is a true joy to share the journey with these special friends.  

Reach Group Friends: Angela and Adam--who is entirely too proud of his scrambled eggs. Entirely.  

Reach Group Friends: Tanya, Jessica, and Carmen 

Reach Group Friends: Christie Kerschbaum and Angela Rusk.  

Dr. Jerry Taylor and I in my office at Highland Street.  

Jerry Taylor Preaches at Highland Street

Yesterday was a special day. Our friend Dr. Jerry Taylor visited from Abilene and preached in Chris' absence. What a wonderful morning we had together! Dr. Taylor has been a special friend and mentor of mine ever since we both attended a worship conference together in Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Taylor and I also served on a special team seeking to incorporate more multi-cultural worship at ACU.

I have been richly blest by the example of humility that this man demonstrates. He has also been a rich source of encouragement. Several of the most hope inspiring messages I have ever heard have come through Dr. Taylor's willingness to speak God's word with humility and grace. It's been fun to learn of the doors God has opened for Dr. Taylor to speak around the world. I'm prayerful and excited about the ways our Lord will continue to use him as a preacher of the Gospel.

Words from John Claypool

Here I am this morning; sad, brokenhearted, still bearing in my spirit the wounds of the darkness. I confess to you honestly that I have no wings with which to fly or even legs on which to run. But listen, by the grace of God, I'm still on my feet. I've not fainted yet. I've not exploded in the anger of presumption, nor have I keeled over into the paralysis of despair. All I'm doing is walking and not fainting--hanging in there--enduring with patience what I cannot change but have to bear.

This may not sound like much to you, but to me it's the most appropriate, most needful of all the gifts: my faith has been the difference in the last two weeks. It's given me the gift of patience--the gift of endurance--the strength to walk and not faint. And I'm here to give thanks to God for that.

And who knows? If I'm willing to accept this gift and just hang in there and not cop out, maybe the day will come that...I will run again and not be weary; and that...[I]...may even sore someday and rise up with wings as eagles. But until then to walk and not faint. That's enough.

O God, that is enough.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my Dad's 50th birthday. As most of you know, my Dad calls EVERYONE at Highland on their birthday.

Something tells me he's going to have a busy day...

But it's because we all love and admire him! I'm proud of you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

Roaches are Demon Possessed

I really believe it. Read my evidence:

1.) Roaches would be the only species to survive a nuclear holocaust. I think this fact alone is sufficient evidence for my theory, but I will supply more.

2.) Once I discovered a large roach on the balcony of my apartment home in Memphis. I proceeded to unleash a fury of RAID brand Ant and Roach Killer spray. Now, most creatures would probably retreat from such a source of death, but no, not this guy. He charged. He plunged directly toward the source of the spray. He bull-rushed me across the balcony. This behavior is not instinctive.

3.) While in Abilene in the month of June, I encountered a small roach in my parents' garage. Thrilled to be wearing shoes at the moment, I crushed it and then kicked it out on to the driveway. I noticed it to be slowly limping in a short circle (counter clockwise because I had crushed it's left side). I was pleased for it to endure such pain, and figured it would crawl in a circle for about twenty minutes before dying. The next morning as I was preparing to leave, the creature was still limping in circles where I had left it! What the junk?! It survived seven hours! I don't understand how a living creature can survive for seven hours with half of its body completely shattered. Again, this is not natural.

4.) And perhaps the worst--a couple nights ago I was reading in bed before turning out the light. I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Yes, a roach darted from the wall and disappeared under my bed. Not good. I don't typically wear shoes to bed, so I had nothing with which to crush it. By the time I retrieved my RAID brand Ant and Roach Killer spray, I couldn't find it. I looked and looked. Couldn't find it. Couldn't sleep either. Not with the strong possibility of unwanted company in bed. So I retreived a flashlight and searched all the harder.

Once I found him, I unloaded at least a full two ounces of toxic spray from point blank range. It retreated to the back of my dresser, but I felt much better knowing that it would probably die back there (you would think I would have remembered story #3). Ten minutes later, I felt something crawl on my arm. I'm not kidding. I flung my arm and jumped out of bed with a yelp. I heard something make contact with the other side of the room. At this point, I knew I was not dealing with an ordinary creature. Do you understand my point? Of all the places he could have gone in my apartment, he came straight to the bed, climbed it and headed for me. This is not instinct. This is demon possession. As I turned on the light, retreived my glasses, flashlight, and RAID brand Ant and Roach Killer spray, I was also calling heaven down!

Rather than spray this time, I simply used the bottom of the can to crush it numerous times. Then I collected the pieces and flushed them down the toilet (and even added an extra flush to make sure nothing floated back up).

Things I've learned:
--Roaches are demon possessed
--RAID Ant and Roach Killer Spray is best utilitzed as a tool of beating rather than as a spray. Do not let the title confuse you. You also get more kills for the price this way.
--Never dismiss a roach until it is dead. Never assume the wound you have inflicted on a roach will be fatal. Never allow a roach to live. If you see one, kill it.

Kami Update and DJ's Wedding

My sister's surgery went well. She's been recovering for the last several days and seems to be making some good progress. Unfortunately, however, she is still in a lot of pain. Thanks to those of you who are lifting her up.

DJ's wedding went well. I'll post some pictures when I get them (my camera had low batteries when I tried to use it...grrr). Meghan and her family are quite wonderful, and I know it was a very special weekend for she and DJ--we all had a great time.

One aspect of the weekend that was particularly special is that DJ and I had recorded "I Will Be Here" together back in June. It was special because when DJ and I were roommates, we always talked about recording it together for his wedding someday. The recording was a surprise to everyone else involved with the wedding. It's a special memory for all of us.

On Friday, we got to go to the Chicago Cubs / New York Mets baseball game at Wrigley field. What an awesome experience! Hard to believe our DJ Bulls is a married man...but he and Meghan make a fabulous couple and I'm excited for their future together.

Kami's Surgery

Kami is having knee surgery in Abilene as I type this. Some of you may remember that she had knee surgery over Spring Break earlier this year. It's been difficult for all of us to watch the talented athlete of our family stricken to such limited activity. She needs to be running, swimming, playing tennis and basketball.

Please say a prayer for her today. We're asking for the surgery to be completely successful, and for her recovery to be complete and quick.

A Somewhat Personal Update

I haven’t posted in some time because there has been a lot going on in my personal life, which would be entirely inappropriate for me to post. I am at liberty to share a little now.

Claudia and I decided to end our courtship last week. We are both grieving the loss of our companionship, so we would appreciate extra prayers as we look to the Lord for healing. Thanks to all of you who have partnered with us in prayer throughout our relationship. I just can't say enough good things about her. She has been a very special gift in my life.

This weekend, I’ll be in Chicago for my friend DJ Bulls’ wedding (I’ll be sure to report). After that, I’m moving to a new apartment in Memphis, so I’ll be sure to post some pictures.

I hope you’ll check back…I expect to post far more often.