You Gotta Friend In Me

So right now I am sort of doing freelance for work. Working at the restaurant here and for my friend Conan there. I sure would like to find something steady though. As usual both of my cars are going kaput at the same time. We finally got the minivan running solid again (waterpump)and now my station wagon (which I just paid off) is leaking oil from the oilpan, badly (80$ job). Luckily I have a few friends that know cars and are willing to help me. I don't know where I would be without my friends. You know the people who are for you and not against you, the ones you can get way past small talk in a matter of seconds. The ones who watch you fall and are there to help you up even when you didn't heed the warning. And last but not least, the ones who still call you when you haven't "been around" regardless of how busy they are. Wow, kinda sounds like Jesus doesn't it. I want to thank my friends for being like Jesus;)

8th Wonder Of The World

My Mom is in town for the week so we decided to invite my Uncle Brian over with his family and order pizza. We ordered Brunos and it took like two hours for it to get here. When it finally got here we understood why it took so long. This pizza was the biggest I've ever seen. Needless to say we didn't come close to eating it all. We had a blast that night and we were all full. Thanks Brian for contributing to the fullest stomach I've had in months :)

Mom and my Uncle Brian

Rich Inspires Me

I have always been a fan of Rich Mullins ever since I got saved. His lyrics are something I can relate too, not to mention hearing the passion in his voice when he sings. I was blessed enough to get his dvd at the library last week. The dvd includes a 15 to 16 song set live at Studio B. and some excerpts from a 2 day seminar held at Lesea. Through watching this dvd you could tell Rich was a man very fed up with the christian culture and how we use, what I'll call, christian entertainment as one of our main sources of worship. So when we go to these concerts and we expect that the singer or songwriter should lead us into worship, we are really the ones who suffer. There is such a thing as christian entertainment, and guess what, it's not a bad thing. If we all had our priorities straight we wouldn't have to worry about other peoples. God will deal with us and he will set our priorities straight. See we (I believe) as christians (including myself) have this view of what a good christian should look like. So we spend our whole lives trying to live up to that view instead of letting God change us. I love music. Sometimes I don't want to be serious. God knows this about me and I don't think He minds. He wants me to have fun and be happy and enjoy the life and family He's given me. But God also knows I love to worship and He loves to be worshiped. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that, you can worship anywhere. But don't expect others to when you think they should. Worship is between you and Him. It's one of those things that should be done in secret as well as corporate. If your not worshiping in secret, and your waiting for that corporate meeting to worship. You might want to rethink your gameplan.

People Get Ready

I thought this was very interesting concerning the devastation and location of this hurricane. Intrigued by the lawlessness of the people in New Orleans and reading about what they're going through (of course I have know idea) I was wondering what the meaning of Katrina meant and this is what I found.

Katrina is derived from Katherine
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: KATH-u-rin, KATH-rin
From the Greek name Αικατερινη (Aikaterine). The etymology is debated: it could derive from the earlier Greek name ‘Εκατερινη (Hekaterine), which came from ‘εκατερος (hekateros) "each of the two"; it could derive from the name of the goddess HECATE; it could be related to Greek αικια (aikia) "torture"; or it could be from a Coptic name meaning "my consecration of your name". The Romans associated it with Greek καθαρος (katharos) "pure" and changed their spelling from Katerina to Katharina to reflect this. The name belonged to a 4th-century saint and martyr from Alexandria who was tortured on the famous Catherine wheel. Another saint by this name was Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century mystic. This name was also borne by two empresses of Russia, including Catherine the Great, and by three of Henry VIII's wives.

In short, what this this name is saying is:

1. It is one of two
2. Torture
3. My consecration of Your name
4. Purity

Breaking it down (and I know this might be a little to out there for people). I should say, Looking through spritual lenses, this could be one of two circumstances that will bring suffering to this nation that God will use to bring consecration to the name of His Son (This could be one of the latter). Through this it will bring purity and humility to those who will embrace it. When I think about this, of course I am grieved that we allow and embrace such disgrace to the Kingdom of God ie. abortion, voodoo, porn (and I know we all sin, I am the biggest of all) but I am also grieved for the lives it will cost. I do know and belive however it is because of the grace of God that He doesn't just call it over yet. He is sounding the trumpets. It's not about what we do, I cannot stress this enough. It's not about how dedicated we are to ministry, no matter how great it seems. It's not even about The House of Prayer, which I belive so much in. What I do know is that when we get to heaven God will not ask us questions like "how many hours were you in my house" He will however let us know whether or not He knew us (Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity). See we can live our whole lives doing, and miss the whole point of just being. Being what you say? Being the son, daughter, wife or husband God created us to be. So whats the answer? What do I need to do you might say. Well, I don't have the answer, but I know who does and if you read all this, you do to. Let's just pray that this isn't just another thing that will fade away like 9/11 a few years ago. Jesus remembers 9/11, all of the abortions, and all of the unrepented sin in America. And He will remember the modern day Sodom and Gamorahs of America. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate America but as a follower of Christ, I am called to love the world, not be of it. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done". Believing that statement also means believing in this one, "Whatever it takes." Whatever it takes to draw us closer to Him. Here is one of the reasons God has me alive.

Madisen, No She Doesn't Wear Glasses

We Are Family

Here are some pictures of my beautiful children. We finally got a camera so we are using it as much as we can. Anyway more later

Raygen

Madisen

Ethan

All Of Em' - A While Ago