Hello world! It's been an EXTREMELY long time since I last wrote and for that I am EXTREMELY sorry! I wanted to just write today about my recent experience because I could not help but see God in what went on. This past week I had the pleasure of a vacation (and yes, I said pleasure) with my parents and in-laws. I spent half the time at a beach with my parents and the other have with my in-laws. That in and of itself was awesome because not many families get to do that. Now for God. Throughout my time away from home I saw little snippets of God, from beautiful land images to the love shared towards one another.
I had gone almost the entire trip and was headed back when I was a part of viewing this great landscape called Earth. I was aboard a plane headed to the halfway point of my trip and as we began to circle to line up for our landing on the runway and as we were in our descent, I could not get over just how beautiful the landscape was and how things were designed and the layout. I know, I have flown before but not on as beautiful of a day as this. And, I normally am not in the window seat (I love you honey). But, back to the view....it was beyond marvelous and as we began closing in on the runway I began thinking of God our creator and how marvelously He put all this together. I began looking around the plane at those traveling with me and saying to myself, "He created people to build something so big as in this plane (so heavy too) that could lift us 20,000 feet or more up in the air; that could travel hundreds of miles an hour. Wow!" What a mighty God we serve! The view was beautiful and it made the trip (without my wife) so much more bearable and allowed me to refocus on what life is really all about.
I made it safely and am back to the grind (still without my wife...I hope she DOES come back). I can't tell you all who read this just how blessed I am because it wouldn't be enough! I have a mighty God who has watched over me and a very loving family that has done the same. I love ALL my family, blood related and in-laws...you all mean so much. I am blessed to be in such an awesome family. I saw a great view of God on vacation.
Until next time......
Take care an God bless.
Aaron
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Camping
Well....
I had a brand new experience this weekend (who says I'm not open to learning new things). I have "camped out" before ONLY as part of working at a youth camp and NEVER for a 24 hour period or longer! I have to say that I had a great time, even if I was awoken by the bright bolts of lightening and loud rolls of thunder at 4:00 A.....M.....that's IN THE MORNING!!!
Actually, it was a cool experience! I have talked about it often to my co-workers today. I had a blast and, as a friend of mine said before my wife and I went, we bonded. We worked together and had a good time. The rain is not going to keep me away! I will be going back to camp out again. We worked to get things done (though we did this before the adventure of camping) and did have fun with each other and our rambunctious dogs. This was an experience that helped build our relationship even more. I truly was blessed throughout this time.
It is amazing, the creation of the world, how things work, the beauty found in nature and the friendly attitudes of campers who were strangers. This was NOTHING like camping out at some kid's week-long camp! I am glad I said, "let's go." I learned a little bit and I got away from all that was going on, except my wife and our dogs. If you have a chance, go to a campsite and just stay the night....you will appreciate so many things.
Until next time....
Take care and God bless.
I had a brand new experience this weekend (who says I'm not open to learning new things). I have "camped out" before ONLY as part of working at a youth camp and NEVER for a 24 hour period or longer! I have to say that I had a great time, even if I was awoken by the bright bolts of lightening and loud rolls of thunder at 4:00 A.....M.....that's IN THE MORNING!!!
Actually, it was a cool experience! I have talked about it often to my co-workers today. I had a blast and, as a friend of mine said before my wife and I went, we bonded. We worked together and had a good time. The rain is not going to keep me away! I will be going back to camp out again. We worked to get things done (though we did this before the adventure of camping) and did have fun with each other and our rambunctious dogs. This was an experience that helped build our relationship even more. I truly was blessed throughout this time.
It is amazing, the creation of the world, how things work, the beauty found in nature and the friendly attitudes of campers who were strangers. This was NOTHING like camping out at some kid's week-long camp! I am glad I said, "let's go." I learned a little bit and I got away from all that was going on, except my wife and our dogs. If you have a chance, go to a campsite and just stay the night....you will appreciate so many things.
Until next time....
Take care and God bless.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
I'm baaaaack!
Hey guys! Long time since I wrote last! I'm hoping you guys forgive me for that, but I have been beyond busy. I'm glad that I have been busy, but it's nice to have some time off.
So.....
What about church? I attended that same church again today (though the sermon series was different) and I must say it was well worth the drive. I'm telling you what, this church seems to understand what REAL CHURCH is suppose to be. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits and have felt the Holy Spirit in that place.
You see, the ministerial team there presents a message of Jesus Christ through music and word that gets down to the business of what we need to hear. There is no "small talk" during the sermon time....instead it is let's get to the scripture and dive into to what God has to say.
As we made our way in to sit down, I couldn't help but notice the happiness that was among so many people and the attire that so many were wearing. So many churches today spend more time on putting people down about clothes than teaching the Bible and because of that there seems to ALWAYS be doom and gloom in the air. NOT at this church....God was there, people were happy and the Bible was taught! That really got me thinking again about what real church is. I see real church as being, as the lead pastor spoke, a real place where real people meet a real God who has a real love for them and helps with their real problems.
Today, there was mention of a church-wide relief effort to help those in Joplin, Mo. and I have a feeling that they will fill that tractor trailer so full that they can't get the doors closed....that's REAL CHURCH. Real church is forgetting about yourself and sacrificing for others to know the true love of Jesus Christ our Lord. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to be a small part of real church. Recently, I haven't been able to say that, but in the past couple of months I can say with certainty that I have been a part of a couple of real churches. God is at work in some of the churches and WOULD BE in others if the people only will allow Him.
If you think or feel that your church isn't a real church, PLEASE pray that the leaders of your church will relinquish the power and let GOD GUIDE your path and if you are a part of real church.....GOD BLESS YOU! Don't let that slip away! Do ALL that you can to continue being a real church. God is awesome and wants people to come to know Him, personally....real church allows that.
Until next time......
God bless.
So.....
What about church? I attended that same church again today (though the sermon series was different) and I must say it was well worth the drive. I'm telling you what, this church seems to understand what REAL CHURCH is suppose to be. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits and have felt the Holy Spirit in that place.
You see, the ministerial team there presents a message of Jesus Christ through music and word that gets down to the business of what we need to hear. There is no "small talk" during the sermon time....instead it is let's get to the scripture and dive into to what God has to say.
As we made our way in to sit down, I couldn't help but notice the happiness that was among so many people and the attire that so many were wearing. So many churches today spend more time on putting people down about clothes than teaching the Bible and because of that there seems to ALWAYS be doom and gloom in the air. NOT at this church....God was there, people were happy and the Bible was taught! That really got me thinking again about what real church is. I see real church as being, as the lead pastor spoke, a real place where real people meet a real God who has a real love for them and helps with their real problems.
Today, there was mention of a church-wide relief effort to help those in Joplin, Mo. and I have a feeling that they will fill that tractor trailer so full that they can't get the doors closed....that's REAL CHURCH. Real church is forgetting about yourself and sacrificing for others to know the true love of Jesus Christ our Lord. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to be a small part of real church. Recently, I haven't been able to say that, but in the past couple of months I can say with certainty that I have been a part of a couple of real churches. God is at work in some of the churches and WOULD BE in others if the people only will allow Him.
If you think or feel that your church isn't a real church, PLEASE pray that the leaders of your church will relinquish the power and let GOD GUIDE your path and if you are a part of real church.....GOD BLESS YOU! Don't let that slip away! Do ALL that you can to continue being a real church. God is awesome and wants people to come to know Him, personally....real church allows that.
Until next time......
God bless.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
What is church?
What an awesome day this has been! I got great sleep last night and I was excited to see what God had in store for my wife and I as we visited a local church.
As we went in the facility to be a part of an assembly of God's people, there was a busyness in the air. The busyness wasn't to try and avoid guests, but there was a great deal of things happening. We were greeted a few people and we made our way to the "sanctuary"....it was a grand place, a place where God was worshiped and felt.
Once we made our way in we found seats and sat down, excited to participate in the service. After the worship was concluded, a small video clip was shown on the screens. At the end of the video clip, the statement came up, "Real Church." The pastor proceeded to speak from the books of Acts and Matthew and went through what the church IS and IS NOT. And the REAL CHURCH is invovled in the work of God, not the technical things that tend to allow evil/negative things to happen.
Thank you to OBC for a great service and the encouragement that there are churches that realize that this world has changed but not so much that we don't use the book of Acts to refocus on who is the church. Notice I said "who" is the church ....that's right, THE CHURCH is its people.....NOT the building and NOT an organization, BUT....BUT it IS MESSY! Jesus never said that it would be a neat and clean thing that can be stuffed into a box. God is good and He forgives!! What a blessing because if He wasn't we'd ALL be in trouble.
I am sooo excited to see what God has in store for my wife and I at this point in our lives. I am joyful knowing that I'm going to get to travel this road with such a wonderful wife.
I thank God again for leading us to OBC this day! What a great day.
What is church?
Until next time....
Aaron
As we went in the facility to be a part of an assembly of God's people, there was a busyness in the air. The busyness wasn't to try and avoid guests, but there was a great deal of things happening. We were greeted a few people and we made our way to the "sanctuary"....it was a grand place, a place where God was worshiped and felt.
Once we made our way in we found seats and sat down, excited to participate in the service. After the worship was concluded, a small video clip was shown on the screens. At the end of the video clip, the statement came up, "Real Church." The pastor proceeded to speak from the books of Acts and Matthew and went through what the church IS and IS NOT. And the REAL CHURCH is invovled in the work of God, not the technical things that tend to allow evil/negative things to happen.
Thank you to OBC for a great service and the encouragement that there are churches that realize that this world has changed but not so much that we don't use the book of Acts to refocus on who is the church. Notice I said "who" is the church ....that's right, THE CHURCH is its people.....NOT the building and NOT an organization, BUT....BUT it IS MESSY! Jesus never said that it would be a neat and clean thing that can be stuffed into a box. God is good and He forgives!! What a blessing because if He wasn't we'd ALL be in trouble.
I am sooo excited to see what God has in store for my wife and I at this point in our lives. I am joyful knowing that I'm going to get to travel this road with such a wonderful wife.
I thank God again for leading us to OBC this day! What a great day.
What is church?
Until next time....
Aaron
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Time
Wow, time has flown! I am excited for what God has for me in the future. This past weekend was a time of reflecting about what my Savior did for me! As I was reflecting on that day that Jesus hung on that cross to wipe away my sins, I couldn't help but have a joy in my heart. In this past month I have been presented with a number of opportunities...personal and spiritual. I have been blessed beyond measure and trying to keep that in the front of my mind. I am not saying that it has been easy because it hasn't. This is all new to me for a number of reasons, BUT I know that God is in the very midst of all this that is going on. I thank all those that have prayed and are continuing to pray for and my wife. God is good and he provides! Count your blessings and let others know about them.
I hopefully will be writing again soon...much sooner than this time. Take care and God bless you all.
Aaron
I hopefully will be writing again soon...much sooner than this time. Take care and God bless you all.
Aaron
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
James
Ok, I am sitting at my computer writing this blog but also working on a message for Sunday. First, please pray that I allow God to speak to me and not set an agenda that has NOTHING to do with Him. There has been a great deal that has gone on in my life this past month, but especially this past week. I know God has a plan, BUT I have to ALLOW Him to move and show me where HE wants me to go. Please pray!
One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Book of James. It is a book on conduct. It is clear in how we should live that Christ-like life. I believe that God had it placed (though there are some who don't) in the canonized Bible because he knew that we needed a plain and simple "how to" manual. He knew that we would screw up at times and needed to be reminded often just what it means to be a Christ follower. This is the book in which I will be speaking from Sunday. I am excited about this opportunity, BUT I want to speak in a fresh and new way. I'm not saying that the messages that I (and others) have spoken were not God inspired and truth....they are, but I want to speak a message that looks at this text a little different. In the end, we will get to the same conclusion...we just may take a different road to get there.
Again, please pray for me. Pray for The Church, your local church(es), our families, church services (whenever you have them) and most importantly....God and growing His heavenly kingdom.
Take care and God bless,
Aaron
One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Book of James. It is a book on conduct. It is clear in how we should live that Christ-like life. I believe that God had it placed (though there are some who don't) in the canonized Bible because he knew that we needed a plain and simple "how to" manual. He knew that we would screw up at times and needed to be reminded often just what it means to be a Christ follower. This is the book in which I will be speaking from Sunday. I am excited about this opportunity, BUT I want to speak in a fresh and new way. I'm not saying that the messages that I (and others) have spoken were not God inspired and truth....they are, but I want to speak a message that looks at this text a little different. In the end, we will get to the same conclusion...we just may take a different road to get there.
Again, please pray for me. Pray for The Church, your local church(es), our families, church services (whenever you have them) and most importantly....God and growing His heavenly kingdom.
Take care and God bless,
Aaron
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Last Day
As I sit in my office on the last day as Minister to Youth, Children and Families I keep coming back to a song that was playing in my car on the way in this morning. It touched me more than it has any other time and I am guessing because it was heard through a new lens, that of not being a part of the staff any longer. I listened a little more intent than ever before. The song is entitled "Way Beyond Myself" by Newsboys:
I've been thinking it's about time
To win the war that fights against all the lies invading my mind
You have brought me to my senses
Even though You built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it's time to leave my doubt behind
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Oh the way we build our empires hoping to impress our friends
We've forgotten how to inspire those who fall to rise again
Oh my God, You've built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it's time to leave my doubt behind
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Storms are gonna come my way, I know
Some things are out of our control but there's a hope beyond myself
It's You and You will never let me go
Now I want my life to show
You got me thinking beyond myself
Way beyond myself
Yeah!
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
To win the war that fights against all the lies invading my mind
You have brought me to my senses
Even though You built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it's time to leave my doubt behind
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Oh the way we build our empires hoping to impress our friends
We've forgotten how to inspire those who fall to rise again
Oh my God, You've built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it's time to leave my doubt behind
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Storms are gonna come my way, I know
Some things are out of our control but there's a hope beyond myself
It's You and You will never let me go
Now I want my life to show
You got me thinking beyond myself
Way beyond myself
Yeah!
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us talented people who write songs and produce music. Because of these people I have been given a moment to hear and reflect; to describe in a way that I otherwise could not, the way I am thinking and feeling. Bless those at the church, bless me and my family as we all move towards your plan you have laid out for us. I love you! Amen.
Peace and Love Be With You,
Aaron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)