"Reality breeds humility" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
That quote was in my devotional this morning and it rings true in my life. Sometimes we have this "reality" in our minds that we strive for but the actual reality is vastly different. This pseudo-reality occurrs when we aren't putting our trust in God for future happenings. We must humble ourselves before Him and realize that we do not control our futures (I hesitate to use the word destiny to prevent cliches). When we practice humility, I feel it will be easier for us to grasp actual reality and be able to work with what we have been given.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Update of the Century
Woah, it's been WAY too long since I have updated and there has been so much that has occurred so it is time to update. God really has been working in my life making some changes (easy and hard) and I feel great about my new direction.
- First off, I quit my job at ADT. That place caused so much unnecessary stress, strife, anger, and depression in my life that I could not deal with the nonsense anymore. On Monday, 6/4/07, I walked in and submitted my resignation, gave an exit interview, said goodbye to my friends, and went on my way. It's a weird feeling not being employed at the moment but I feel at peace with my decision and I am furiously searching for new employment, preferably in the field of Human Resources.
- Karen and I ended our relationship a couple of weeks ago after dating for just over 18 months. It was my decision to move on but I know it was best for the both of us. We had been growing distant over the past few months, only seeing each other once a week, and my feelings and emotions were not there in the relationship anymore. I felt God tugging at my heart to make a decision and do what needed to be done. We have gone our separate ways and I have good feelings about my future.
- Graduate school is going well. I am super busy but that comes with the territory. In less than one year, I will be finished with my work and receive my Master's. I am very eager, nervous, and excited all at the same time for the opportunities waiting for me.
- Much has been happening over at Northgate Free Methodist Church. My dear friend and mentor, Pastor Paul Peterson, will be moving along with wife Sherri and 4 little darlings down to Georgia to "apprentice" if you will at a church learning how to become church planters. That was tough news for me to take because I've come to build a relationship with Paul and it has been great to talk to him about issues and other ideas I've been tossing around. Praise the Lord for the internet so that him and I can stay in contact.
- Not only is Paul leaving, but both Pastor Vern and Pastor Darlene are leaving for different churches. Vern will be going to Gowanda to pastor the Free Methodist church there. Darlene will be co-pastoring a small Free Methodist church in Parma, NY. I know how this can feel because I moved around alot as a kid when my parents kept getting transfered to various churches across Massachusetts and New York. This is the first time that I've been on the otherside, however. God is in control and he will provide the church with new leaders, just as capable as our current leaders.
- I have gotten serious about my health and losing weight. I currently clock in somwhere between 310 and 320 pounds. That is very scary and unhealthy and I need to change my ways ASAP. I have started a diet, cutting out many items to reduce sugar intake and carb intake. I am drinking a gallon of water every day, along with some juices. No more soda or other carbonated beverages. I am also walking on a regular basis. I walked two miles today and I feel great. My goal is to get down to 290 by the end of August and 260 by Christmas. With God's help, I'll do the best I can and lose the weight.
What I've been listening to lately:
Neon Horse - Neon Horse
Maximo Park - Our Guilty Pleasures
Glass Harp - Synergy
Glass Harp - Glass Harp (GH was Phil Keaggy's early mainstream band)
Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops
Mars Ill - Old Ironsides
Gran Bel Fisher - Full Moon Cigarette
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana
Neko Case - The Tigers Have Spoken
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Recent reading materials:
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
Red Sox Nation - Peter Golenbock
The Trainer's Tool Kit - Charney & Conway
The Man In the Mirror - Patrick Morley
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham - Myra & Shelley
- First off, I quit my job at ADT. That place caused so much unnecessary stress, strife, anger, and depression in my life that I could not deal with the nonsense anymore. On Monday, 6/4/07, I walked in and submitted my resignation, gave an exit interview, said goodbye to my friends, and went on my way. It's a weird feeling not being employed at the moment but I feel at peace with my decision and I am furiously searching for new employment, preferably in the field of Human Resources.
- Karen and I ended our relationship a couple of weeks ago after dating for just over 18 months. It was my decision to move on but I know it was best for the both of us. We had been growing distant over the past few months, only seeing each other once a week, and my feelings and emotions were not there in the relationship anymore. I felt God tugging at my heart to make a decision and do what needed to be done. We have gone our separate ways and I have good feelings about my future.
- Graduate school is going well. I am super busy but that comes with the territory. In less than one year, I will be finished with my work and receive my Master's. I am very eager, nervous, and excited all at the same time for the opportunities waiting for me.
- Much has been happening over at Northgate Free Methodist Church. My dear friend and mentor, Pastor Paul Peterson, will be moving along with wife Sherri and 4 little darlings down to Georgia to "apprentice" if you will at a church learning how to become church planters. That was tough news for me to take because I've come to build a relationship with Paul and it has been great to talk to him about issues and other ideas I've been tossing around. Praise the Lord for the internet so that him and I can stay in contact.
- Not only is Paul leaving, but both Pastor Vern and Pastor Darlene are leaving for different churches. Vern will be going to Gowanda to pastor the Free Methodist church there. Darlene will be co-pastoring a small Free Methodist church in Parma, NY. I know how this can feel because I moved around alot as a kid when my parents kept getting transfered to various churches across Massachusetts and New York. This is the first time that I've been on the otherside, however. God is in control and he will provide the church with new leaders, just as capable as our current leaders.
- I have gotten serious about my health and losing weight. I currently clock in somwhere between 310 and 320 pounds. That is very scary and unhealthy and I need to change my ways ASAP. I have started a diet, cutting out many items to reduce sugar intake and carb intake. I am drinking a gallon of water every day, along with some juices. No more soda or other carbonated beverages. I am also walking on a regular basis. I walked two miles today and I feel great. My goal is to get down to 290 by the end of August and 260 by Christmas. With God's help, I'll do the best I can and lose the weight.
What I've been listening to lately:
Neon Horse - Neon Horse
Maximo Park - Our Guilty Pleasures
Glass Harp - Synergy
Glass Harp - Glass Harp (GH was Phil Keaggy's early mainstream band)
Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops
Mars Ill - Old Ironsides
Gran Bel Fisher - Full Moon Cigarette
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana
Neko Case - The Tigers Have Spoken
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Recent reading materials:
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
Red Sox Nation - Peter Golenbock
The Trainer's Tool Kit - Charney & Conway
The Man In the Mirror - Patrick Morley
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham - Myra & Shelley
Friday, May 18, 2007
Response
A friend of mine directed me toward the blog of Dan Burrell, pastor of a church down in Charlotte, NC. He posted his view on Relient K playing a show at a club. I disagreed with his post for the most part, agreeing on perhaps 5% of what he said. Below is my response. Here is the link to his post: http://www.danburrell.com/?p=357
Mr. Burrell,
Thank your for posting your opinion on this matter. I agree with the idea of Christians choosing wisely, but I disagree with how you went about making your judgements. It is apparent that you have fallen into a trap that a large majority of Christians encounter when it comes to entertainment. Not all Christian musicians are called to be an evangelistic group. Those who are, great. However, if you are looking for a band like Relient K to go the “JPM”, or Jesus Per Minute, route in their music, you are sorely mistaken.
I am a Christian who is disgusted with the “Christian Music Industry”. The industry has done a wonderful job deceiving the masses of Christians who buy products without a discerning ear. You would be surprised to learn about many supposedly evangelistic Christian bands who got into the industry because they could sell their product easier than the mainstream market. While I respect many of these artists as people, the majority of Christian artists are sacrificing quality and integrity for the sake of watering down the Gospel. Relient K never claimed to be an evangelistic group. The gentlemen in the band are all indeed Christians who happen to make music together. They are not solely marketed in the Christian industry. If you wanted to be technical and true to the Word, a band who wanted to be evangelistic would never sign to a “Christian” record label or play in churches. The majority of Christian musicians are playing to the already-saved, not the lost. You’re not seeing groups like Casting Crowns, Building 429, 4Him, Point of Grace, Avalon, Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and others preaching to the lost. They are generally performing in churches and other Christian venues to the people who already know the gospel and have accepted Christ as their Savior.
American Christianity has become too legalistic, individualistic, and has forgotten the true message of Christ. As some other posters have commented before me, Jesus called us to go out into the world and bring the Gospel. He loathed people who sat in their comfort zone within the church and refused to be challenged. Complacent Christianity is one of the biggest problems facing the American church today. Christians in this great country have become too focused on issues that are trite and are ignoring the more pressing issues.
Getting back to your assumption about clubs, I can agree that many clubs are seedy establishments and I would not go there as a young man of 24 as I am. However, there are clubs I have attended where alcohol sales have been not allowed when a Christian band is performing. Not all clubs are places for people to exchange numbers and hook up. I believe your assumption and generalization of this club being the standard for all clubs is ill-founded.
Thank you for giving me the time to respond to your comments. Christians don’t have to agree on everything as long as we agree on the main thing: We are all sinners, and Christ died for us. God Bless, Mr. Burrell.
Mr. Burrell,
Thank your for posting your opinion on this matter. I agree with the idea of Christians choosing wisely, but I disagree with how you went about making your judgements. It is apparent that you have fallen into a trap that a large majority of Christians encounter when it comes to entertainment. Not all Christian musicians are called to be an evangelistic group. Those who are, great. However, if you are looking for a band like Relient K to go the “JPM”, or Jesus Per Minute, route in their music, you are sorely mistaken.
I am a Christian who is disgusted with the “Christian Music Industry”. The industry has done a wonderful job deceiving the masses of Christians who buy products without a discerning ear. You would be surprised to learn about many supposedly evangelistic Christian bands who got into the industry because they could sell their product easier than the mainstream market. While I respect many of these artists as people, the majority of Christian artists are sacrificing quality and integrity for the sake of watering down the Gospel. Relient K never claimed to be an evangelistic group. The gentlemen in the band are all indeed Christians who happen to make music together. They are not solely marketed in the Christian industry. If you wanted to be technical and true to the Word, a band who wanted to be evangelistic would never sign to a “Christian” record label or play in churches. The majority of Christian musicians are playing to the already-saved, not the lost. You’re not seeing groups like Casting Crowns, Building 429, 4Him, Point of Grace, Avalon, Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and others preaching to the lost. They are generally performing in churches and other Christian venues to the people who already know the gospel and have accepted Christ as their Savior.
American Christianity has become too legalistic, individualistic, and has forgotten the true message of Christ. As some other posters have commented before me, Jesus called us to go out into the world and bring the Gospel. He loathed people who sat in their comfort zone within the church and refused to be challenged. Complacent Christianity is one of the biggest problems facing the American church today. Christians in this great country have become too focused on issues that are trite and are ignoring the more pressing issues.
Getting back to your assumption about clubs, I can agree that many clubs are seedy establishments and I would not go there as a young man of 24 as I am. However, there are clubs I have attended where alcohol sales have been not allowed when a Christian band is performing. Not all clubs are places for people to exchange numbers and hook up. I believe your assumption and generalization of this club being the standard for all clubs is ill-founded.
Thank you for giving me the time to respond to your comments. Christians don’t have to agree on everything as long as we agree on the main thing: We are all sinners, and Christ died for us. God Bless, Mr. Burrell.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Burden lifted!
I sat for the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) Certification exam on Thursday and I am glad to say I passed. It was a stressful time but God helped me through it. I could have studied more than I did, but I was fortunate to know enough to pass the exam. Woohoo!
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