"We Shall Return..."

Hey y'all...let me first tell you that there will not be any updates to the itunes podcasts or the blog posts for the next 10 days (I know...it's been random lately but with good reason...it's been crazy busy!) But, I did need to let all of you know that there will not be any new posts or podcasts for like the next week and a half...

I know, I know...I'll give you guys a second to dry your eyes, go get the kleenex, hug your parents or friends or spouses nearby and let them console you...go ahead...take just a few minutes to grieve, believe me it's healthy to grieve...go ahead...

Ready now? No, seriously are you ready, composed and ready to read why? Whitney and I (and Jarrett) are going on VACATION!!! Woo hoo, yippee, rock on, SWEET!!! Well, maybe for us, for you that means no podcasts or blog updates, but for us that means a break for a while, so well, it's kinda bittersweet...but I did need to let you know that so that as you were anxiously awaiting the next blog post and podcast (to see my awesome face), you'll remember that it won't be updated for a while, now I know it might take a couple days to get used to it, but you will believe me.

In all seriousness though, we are pumped about taking some vacation time, especially before this summer begins with all the mission trips, camps, super summers, VBS, and Jesus Week, we had to get out of town for a while before all that began or we would literally lose our minds, but we love y'all, we definitely will miss y'all while we're gone and we'll be back and better than ever in about 10 days...keep walking in Christ...keep being still in His presence and anxiously await our return...jk...love y'all...Grace and Peace

Are Feet Really That Pretty?-

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news..."-Isaiah 52:7

Have you ever thought about feet for a second? Some people have weird feet fettishes and some people simply cannot stand to be anywhere near, to see, touch, or smell (gross) feet in any way, shape, form, or fashion...it's kinda weird huh?

That the very thing that Jesus proclaimed as beautiful would by some be completely disgusting. It's also strange to me that they would use the feet as something symbolic of bringing Good News (the Gospel). Why wouldn't they use like a "voice"...'how beautiful is the voice'...or the fingers/hands...'how beautiful are the hands'...but they chose to use feet...why?

I think part of it was because God never intended for His Word and His Gospel to remain silent, he intended for it to be taken to the outer most corners of the Earth and not to stay within the heart of someone who accepted Him as Savior. It's amazing that God would allow us (sinners) to not only be transformed into righteousness but also to be used of God to spread that message that saved us, even as wretched as we are. So, my encouragement to you guys is this...don't look at feet the same as you used to...they just might be yours that He uses to bring someone to Himself for eternity-Grace and Peace.

"Becoming a Voice...Not An Echo"-Galatians 2:20

Hey guys!!! First of all I must say that I apologize for not writing a new blog in a few days...I was away in Austin, TX for a Super Summer conference and then last night was our Youth Service (Engage) and it's just been a crazy week getting ready for Disciple Now and so...I know...I know excuses, excuses but I do apologize for not having a daily devotional in a while.

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..."-Philippians 3:7-8

Have you ever thought about an echo...I know it's one of those things we don't always think about when it comes to everyday living, sometimes as a kid we love to hear our voice as an echo when we're in a deep hallway or empty room or tunnel, we will shout out loud just to hear our voice echo back at us...but, eventually that echo loses it's sound...eventually it fades into simply non-existent, having no affect on anyone or anything else it simply just fades.

Aren't we like that as Christians sometimes? When we have a relationship with Christ, we at first get all excited about everything, we love the fact that we're going to heaven, we love to share His name, we can't stop talking about Jesus, He is simply everything to us, we can't stop thinking about Him, when we get in the Word of God we can't stop reading about Him, all we want is more and more and more JESUS!!!

What makes us turn into an echo? What is it that causes us to walk away from that excitement and fade and fade and fade until eventually we're no longer a voice for Him...we're merely an echo that fades and fades and fades until there's no sound anymore?

Christ wants us to be a voice...not an echo...will we let Him?

"One of Those Days"-Psalm 62:1-2

Ok, so I know last night at youth (if you were there), we talked about having "One of those Days" and how to find rest in God alone. We even read the verse that I put up there that said...
"My soul finds rest in God alone..."

So, today I wake up thinking that Whitney and I were going to get our new refridgerator delivered because in all honesty, Home Depot told us we would so I call the office and tell them I'll be just a little late as I'll be waiting for the new fridge, well guess what...it started out as "One of those Days"...Home Depot called and said that they would not be bringing the fridge because it was damaged and it would take another 3 weeks to get the new one (we have already waited for 3 weeks), so yeah it was not all that much fun...and it was literally going to be "One of those days..."

However, God is so faithful...He got us some money back because of the inconvenience plus we'll also get the new fridge (long story short), Whitney's doctor's appointment went great...all's clear...and another girl that wasn't going to Sage is now going so all in all it turned out to be a great day...I just wanted to tell y'all this because I was SO tested to find my rest in God alone today and God totally challenged me with my own words from last night...How funny He is...Grace and Peace...

BTW...Have any of you had "one of those days" today?...comment and tell us about it here...cool?