Summer Update and Thought-Spills...

Top o' the summer break to ya!

Well, since the shennaniganz started I have been quite busy: Lunching with people, working in Greenville, working in Anderson, trying to keep up with friends, etc.

Here are some of the top things on my mind (I would say "top ten" but I'm not sure if there are ten yet...)

1> I MISS MY PEEPS!
I know...I still see a lot of your friendly people, but I feel like some of us have lost touch for a while now. I'm trying not to stay too busy so I can hang out! After all, then what's a summer for?

2> I like to work, but I hope it gets better...

Echk (sp?)! The summer job is definitely OK (especially when you have two like me!), but I really wish I could spend my time with people-- you know, talking with them and sharing the love of Jesus! Thankfully, I am getting to do that whenever I can! And I wish I had a career job to work at a place were my creativity (and I) could run free! Luckily Sean Gaffney and I have had a couple of weekendly design "symposiums" to get those creative juices flowing (mmm, yummy!). Summer jobs seem so....I dunno...."cliche-clackety-wack" for a lack of a better term.
(see WOTA vol. 3)

3>Can Anybody Pass the Wisdom, Please?
One thing that has gone well these past few months is that I have learned a lot about where I want to be in terms of a man of God and in terms of relationships. I want to be a man after God's heart; even when I trip and fall I want to fall in that direction. I feel that I have gained some wisdom, but certainly not enough. I have been trying to listen to the plan that God has for my life very closely, and my goal is to try and spend more time contemplating His Word, not just reading. I have written a few letters to people with things that I firmly believe embedded in them, in an effort to spread the wisdom I have gained. I want to serve more, give more, hear more, speak less, and love more!

4> Preparation for Lightspeed. Jumping to Hyper-space in 3...2...1...
Another of my goals for the summer is to re-evaluate and determine my goals for the next 5-10 years. It'll be quite a ride! I am confident in my Lord to guide me where he needs me and to give me everything (including the trials and tear-jerkers) that I need.

That's enough for now. Until next time, keep the torches burning bright!

Leading Others...Or Serving Others? Hmmm....

I was thinking about things while I was riding my lawnmower this morning. If you've never tried thinking about life and such while riding a lawnmower...you should.

One of my thoughts was this:

"Leading people to Christ"

"Good leaders serve"

"Serving people to show them Christ's love"

Take a moment in the next few days to really invest in someone's life. What people saw at NewSpring this Mother's Day is an example of how desiring to serve someone can change lives.

It is how we serve that shows people who Christ truly is, not a punishing, angry God, but the very meaning of Service.

I've noticed some things about people who serve Christ...they serve others. They love all people, because Christ loved all people.

It is evident through service. Serving has to do with humility and generosity.

Jesus was humble and generous with his life, even unto death.

Is being Humble and Generous a cross that we need to dust off and pick up? I know I could definitely do better. Especially in relationships and even with strangers.

That is one of my goals. To follow Christ in humility, generosity, and servanthood.

When we are leading people to Christ, or if we hope to show them the greatness of God, we don't have to walk on water to show them Jesus...

Sometimes it takes a simple act of service.

Serve others. Serve those that need to know the love of Christ. Lead by Serving.


Psalm 113

John 13: 1-14

2 Corinthians 9: 11-15