Well it’s been about a year and over a year so here we go (Part 1)

Just over a year ago I found out that there was no longer going to be such a things as Soma Community church in Denton, Tx (May 5th, in college station playing the aggies, to be exact). For those of you who do not know it, was a church plant that we were going to do with the village until we got the Denton campus (there is lot of background to this too). So, at this point, I was about to retire from baseball, after 17 years, and move to a church camp to work, with no other plans. I had never been to a church camp for more than an hour out of my entire life, now I was going to live and work there, Camp Copass was my home. I literally finished baseball and head to Floydayda, TX for a ropes certification training course the next day, suck, and moved into camp copass. Last summer was the first time that I have actually really ever ‘done’ church. I loved getting involved and actually using the gifts I have been given for the good of the body I appreciate so much, the Village. Also, I was taking 6 hours of class and working at camp copass from about 6:30 am until 8.30 pm every day. What a beating! The result however, is that I like to do dishes and got to listen to hundreds of sermons, at least 3 per day, five days a week. I learned so much and really heard my calling through them. God really spoke to me during a sermon on 1 Cor and spiritual gifts, as well as a sermon on preaching and teaching. I had never wanted to preach, because of the negative connotation in the word, but now, I do not see it that way but as worship for me in getting to study about the Almighty and talk about his gloriousness (I now create words as well). I just see this as my part, in redeeming the world back to Jesus, and using the gifts and weaknesses that I have been given for his glory, and the moving of and transformation of men and women into the image of the Perfect.



this will be updated as i think and remember more... everyday will be another part

so close but you forgot the cross

2nd time in two days

I dont agree with TD Jakes that often but this article is pretty good, minus that fact of the reason why we do church. While the first paragraph has the most gospel in it, the rest is very social justice and equality heavy, which is awesome. I think he is right. Then he comes to this paragraph:
"I am wondering who will get the message that our nation's citizens are by and large looking for a voice that will unite us, clothe our naked, feed the poor and help our diminishing middle class before we self-destruct like many great empires of the past. Who cares what color they are, what banner they fly, what gender they are, or how they pronounce their names? This is a defining moment in our history, and we are about to destroy greatness with petty self- aggrandizing egotism!"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/05/jakes/index.html

Do we not see that this is the gospel and this man in the Person of Jesus Christ has come, who showed equality and charity and love and sacrifice and mercy? Jesus is that name and the voice of the real gospel, the one of the bible, not the one that is made in the human mind.

obedience and learning

there are just somethings that i am just not comfortable with... that means moving and doing things that could hurt me... in the head and heart. For instance, i am willing to move to a city where i know no one, but knowing that it only will take away maybe some physical things and physical things are up in the air. I protect myself from vuneralbility from everyone... very few people actually know me. Going against all things that I hold dear, for the sake of obedience, are things that I long for but am not willing to do them in one part of my life, until today. It was monthssss in coming and as Henry blackaby said in whats so spiritual about your gifts? that there is freedom in uncomfortable obedience and to let God work and not try to control it.... I try to control it, when it deals with me and my internalness... baddd. Anyway, i got what i wasnt expecting but the freedom I was, its funny how that works. anyway, no matter how much i dislike the things of seminary and the info with no application, i learned so much writing my paper and think that understanding the different works of the Trinity deeply, is very beautifully glorious. It creates more comfort and an understanding of the love of God that is beyond comprehension. Here is my favorite Edwards quote:
“The Father is the Deity subsisting in the prime, un-originated and most absolute manner, or the Deity in its direct existence. The Son is the Deity generated by God’s understanding or having an idea of Himself and subsisting in that idea. The Holy Gost is the Deity subsisting in act, or divine essence flowing out breathed forth in God’s Infinite love to and delight in Himself.”

it is God the Father poured forth for redemption and community in the person of the Son. Community and partnership in further redemption of creation with the Holy Spirit. May we partake in worship in the grace of being vessels of redemption of the Almighty God and community with the creator of all things.