Fulfillment

The soul knows of no time of rest. This is how I write to you now. Though the body may weaken, strength is not found in chemicals alone. God has chosen to show Himself in the image of man. We are a passionate being. Our lives are not the sum of our accomplishments but the result of the moments we have seized. As Mr. Lewis has said, it is not that our longings are too great but too weak. We are satisfied in crafting mud pies in the city when a holiday at the beach awaits. Carpe Diem. Seize the day or so we are taught. Life has taught me that the majority of those who utter this phrase know nothing of its power. The wisest man in all of mankind once wrote that the most profitable thing a man can do is to eat, drink, and find fulfillment in his work. So may your food taste richer, your wine bolder, and may your work be more enjoyable. Wine makes glad the heart of men but it also mocks them. Moderation in all things, excluding joy.

Soli Deo Gloria.

I Start To Run

Do you like bizarre old men with guns? How about polka dotted horses? What about creepy guys with with video cameras? How do you feel about ridiculously albino women? Regardless of your answer to any of these questions I have a video for you.

Encouragement to Mourn

Ecclesiastes 7:1-2

...The day of death is better than the day of birth.
It is better to go to the house of mourning
than go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind
and the living will lay it to heart.

Birth is about potential. Death is about completion. Live in reality. Walk in truth.

On Ruin

So once again it's been embarrassingly too long since I posted a blog. It's not really the new year and I don't know if I want to make this my resolution, but I definitely need to post more often.

Story time... Many of you who know me or have talked to me in the past couple of months know that I am currently working with a church plant in Midlothian, VA, which is right outside of Richmond (check us out @ http://www.villagemidlothian.org/ ). Shameless plugs aside, I was sitting at the apartment in Richmond yesterday thinking about how much the gospel has ruined my life. All right, I know that's a weird statement. Stick with me and let me unpack it.

The gospel has indeed ruined my life. Whatever selfish, self-serving plans I have, had, or could have had about my life have been tossed aside in order to follow God's direction. For example, in middle school after I had been playing guitar for a few years I really wanted to make a live touring with a band. That would be awesome and maybe it could have worked out. As poor of an example that is, I had to give that dream up to follow God's direction. Perhaps a better example would be this. I will by this time next year have graduated college with a respectable degree in worship and music. With this degree and some good connections I could get a great job in some mega church somewhere. I'm not being over confident. I've seen it happen to the majority of the seniors in my department. But instead, I am choosing to continue to work with The Village Church in an unpaid position. Rationally, this is probably the worst choice I could make. It takes up a good deal of my time without any financial return. This is the direction the gospel has taken me.

I don't write this to be self-gratifying. There are many other parts of life that I still live in disobedience in. I am not an example to look to. I write this to challenge whoever may read. The gospel should ruin you in the same way. If it is not, you should really step back and determine whether the gospel is truly the driving force in your life.

For my Christian friends, take a look in your own life. Are you completely given over to the God's will? How are you actively pursuing unity with Christ both privately and corporately? In what ways has the gospel ruined you and what is it pushing to change next?

For my unbelieving friends, do not misunderstand me. This "ruining" of my life is actually God giving me life in abundance. God as completely sovereign knows what is best for me better than I do. So what I want to do must always take a backseat to God's will. This is not an easy sacrifice but it is the only way in which life can be lived in abundance. This is the best life I can live.

Another Good One

Ok this one is too good not to post.

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Hecklers = Awesomeness

Hecklers are awesome. Nuf said.

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