Quick thought - it's really hard...

It's hard to see our sin honestly. I believe we don't begin to see our own sin clearly until we see it as AT LEAST as bad as others' sins - the ones we so easily see in others (but can't seem to see in ourselves). Or that we justify (far too easily) in our own lives, but "just can't understand how" in others' lives.

*Sigh*

Father, please help me see my own sins clearly, and to confess them specifically. Thank you for your grace and mercy.

Home again

We had a great week on the cruise. Costa Rica was interesting, Panama was INTERESTING. We got to ride the Panama Canal and it was fascinating. What a blessing to see and enjoy all that we did last week. I am thankful.

We drove all the way from Ft. Lauderdale to Acworth last night. It took just over 12 hours. It was a long day, but the girls traveled well. We are all glad to be home.

Now it is back to the grind... Natalie started back today with Masters' Academy. I took a sick day today, since I ended the vacation sick, and needed today to recover from the drive before starting back to work.

What a blessing my family is. Thank you, Father.

Dichotomy

This afternoon we begin the trip south - WAY south. We'll drive to Fort Lauderdale, FL. From there we will get on a REALLY BIG boat and sail south to Panama, Costa Maya, and Costa Rica (not in that order). 8 nights on the boat - with 4 "Fun Days At Sea" as a part of the trip. Then we'll try to drive back from Fort Lauderdale in one day. (ugh)

Yes, we'll be on a cruise in the Western Caribbean. So we'll be traveling in posh decadence, visiting places with DEEP poverty. It struck us last year on the trip also - especially in Belize. The cognitive dissonance of cruise ship life vs. deep Central American poverty within 5 hours was shocking to our systems. While we had fun then - and we will have fun this time also - we are more and more convicted that Jesus was far more concerned with the poor than we have been. So we are looking for ways to make a difference. We must balance the concerns of individual safety - especially for our young girls - but still be involved and actually be effective in making a difference. Lord, please grant us vision and wisdom in this pursuit of your desires.

Hard to believe it has been 15 years!

Natalie and I celebrated our 15th anniversary this past week/weekend. It is hard to believe we've been married for 15 years. She is more lovely to me than when we married. She is kind, giving, forgiving, and patient. We're both working with a renewed focus on being transparent with each other. I love my wife.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House - Natalie got filet and shrimp, I got Ahi Tuna. Yum. After dinner it was only 7:30 and we just couldn't go home yet. So on the spur of the moment, we decided to go check out the Cobb Playhouse to see what was playing, and if we would be on time. Well, we were on time (5 minutes until showtime) and "Annie Warbucks" was playing - the sequel to "Annie". So we said, "What the heck?!" and tried it. It was fun. Of course, being in "downtown Acworth" means that every 15 minutes a train rolls by - which was VERY audible in the theater. We enjoyed our evening very much.

Did I mention? - I love my wife.

Rivers of faith

Happy New Year, everyone!

An early morning run with Lee up Kennesaw Mountain (grunt) is postponed due to severe thunderstorms, so I have a moment to write. The house is still completely quiet (except for the thunder).

Natalie and I are really enjoying our Wednesday Night class at church. We are discussing "convictions" - the aspects of faith for which the early Christians were willing to die, and are there such things for us. As part of discussing our current context, our teacher presented us with a model of faith that I find interesting. It is called "Rivers of Faith" and it purports that everyone's faith comes from four sources, in varying degrees. This is depicted by a lake (in the center) with four feeder rivers (one feeding from each corner).

Emotion

Tradition

Faith

Intuition

Reason

Reason and Tradition were listed on the right side of the board, and Emotion and Intuition on the left. The teacher said (and I agree) that our "tribe" has most definitely focused on the right side of the lake, and even at that, primarily on Reason. This is also true of our congregation. I made the point that most "creative people" live on the left side, so it has been difficult to be that type of person and remain in our tribe. When there is no room (and I mean NO ROOM) for Emotion or Intuition then a creative person can feel like they're asphyxiating slowly. At some point the decision to leave becomes a stewardship-driven decision - I must use my gifts in service to God (by divine command), so I must find a place to do this.

I do believe that our tribe is in flux as it regards this issue. And I consider it to the credit of our teacher and our congregation that we're taking a hard look at such things. While I do know that my convictions in this regard are not in line with many at our congregation, I do still hold on to a little hope that there will be liberty given to disagree, even in practice. I guess we'll see what happens, but for now I'm pleased to be on this road. Patience is hard...