update

I'm sitting in Rudy's BBQ right now using space on their free wi fi network. It's really hard to sit here and not go to the counter and request about 3 pounds of moist brisket...you know the kind that slides down your throat and comforts you in times of trial. The boys are by my side soaking in a few precious wi fi moments themselves. We chose deliberately to not have internet at the house and so in order to surf the web we go hunting for free wi fi signs.

As I read through the gospels and notice all of the people that Jesus healed there seems to be a thread:
" Go, your faith has made you well." Jesus really focused in on the faith of those who were seeking to be healed. His first priority was not physical healing but that their sins would be forgiven and that they understand His mission was not to be a miracle worker but to establish their hearts in faith toward God. I remember hearing someone say :" When you put your faith in God, you see the results of His power." When I read the Psalms, I feel a kinship with those who wrote: " It is better to trust in the Lord than to put your trust in man." There's a song by Ross King called: "Anchor." I highly recommend this song and the rest of the cd... it's called " Perhaps I've said too much." ( available on i tunes)

email

If you recently sent me a message on facebook, I would be glad to respond through my email account. I would welcome emails but didn't feel like I could manage facebook as well.

off the grid

I feel like I have been off the grid for awhile...which isn't all bad. I have time to think now during my daily commute to work and I just wonder how many people we can have meaningful relationships with in the course of our life. I am thinking of a verse I can't place right now but I think it goes something like this: " a man of many friends will come to ruin...." I will have to get a concordance. I do believe that Luke 6:26 says: " Woe to you when all men speak well of you for this is how they treated the false prophets." In the course of a day with work, family, the word and prayer I don't see how it's realistic to maintain so many friendships. I don't mean this in an isolated way or to be rude... just confused by it. I have emailed people or called people who never wrote back and never called back. I don't think I'm angry because I see that there's a limit to one person's capacity. It could be that I'm the lazy one....

Anyway, I have experienced times of loneliness and know the desire for authentic community. I believe God wired us for relationships and to be encouraged by each other. I think my expectations are definitely unrealistic at times when it comes to what a Biblical friendship looks like. I just read the story of Jonathan and David and was impressed by their loyalty to each other. I think we all want something like this. What's interesting is that the harder you try for a friendship, the more it seems to elude you. However, if you relax and live before the Lord, the friendships seem to have their proper place.

I guess I wrote this blog after looking at facebook for 5 minutes. A word to facebook people: is this a tool for you or an idol ? I think it's fair to ask that question. I have to ask that question about other areas in my life too.

weird

I just wrote an entire blog, published it and then the computer erased it.


The Lord gives and the Lord takes away

Take inventory