One of my favorite philosophers, if not my favorite, is also a theologian by the name of Søren Kierkegaard. If you do some research on Søren you find that he was called existentialist, neo-orthodoxist, postmodernist, humanist, individualist, and much more. I find him challenging, both to read and understand, but more so I find that he knew intimately the truths and deep running concepts of sin and our need for a Savior. The two books that have had the biggest impact on me have been “Fear And Trembling” and “The Sickness Unto Death“. Both books were a challenge to read, but rewarding like you can only know from reading them yourself. I suggest reading some of Søren’s works.
I have the most exciting and rewarding investment ahead of me. My oldest daughter has made her profession of faith and will be baptised in the next few months. She is quite the young convert, so to make sure she grows we have added an extra bit of study in addition to family devotions. Her and I do a SOAP journal that is made just for kids. (Scripture - Observe - Apply - Pray) This morning was our first time doing the journal and we had a great time! It was so fun and I am so impressed at how quick she is to find the truths in scripture. She really does amaze me! If your looking for something extra to do with your child, six years old seems just about right to start journaling with them.
Tomorrow one of the songs I will be leading our church in is titled “The Heart Of Worship” written by Matt Redman. I like the song, enough to have chosen it for playing, but I was wondering where the lyrics for the song came from. What would cause someone to write such a song? Thankfully the story behind Matt’s desire to write the song is online. You can read about it here. One of the lines that captures my attention is when Matt quotes his pastor.
“When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?”
“Matt says the question initially led to some embarrassing silence, but eventually people broke into a cappella songs and heartfelt prayers, encountering God in a fresh way.”
Suzy, Pam, and the girls went to the Alameda County Fair yesterday and took about 180 photos of the kids having a BLAST! I am uploading the photos now and it is taking a while. I have so many memories of my own at the Alameda County Fair, from 4-H and my entries there, to just time hanging out with my friends and family on the rides. Fun stuff.
I reviewed the first 5 chapters of “Instructing A Child’s Heart” and planned on doing the sixth, but I think I will stop there. I think 5 chapters is enough to give you insight. I would like to keep this up with the books I read when I think the book is worth reviewing chapter by chapter for the first 5 chapters. I will create a link as well to keep track of these reviews.
Currently I am reading “Lead Like Jesus” which I am using as content for a bible study that I will be leading starting next month. I do not really want to review this book, but I will post my reviews of the first 5 chapters of “Praying” by JI Packer. So look forward to that! In other news I got to work from home today, which was awesome. I loved missing the commute and I loved taking lunch with my kids. Pretty nice.
Stop everything you are doing and sit still for a few seconds. What if right now you were to leave this life. Aside from the effects on your family and other people, what is the first thing that comes to mind. Life is over, it is now time to move on to the next.
If your a Christian this is Awesome. No matter what, merit does not matter because Jesus has guranteed your passage into heaven and He has made you a joint heir with himself. Score, eternity is nothing by perfect for you. All the pain in the life before, it’s gone and hardley worth talking about, the stuff you did that you thought was so grand, no biggie because you are before the throne of the one true God and nothing else matters. That person you worshipped and studied is now before you and you thought you were changed and refined before! Now face to face you are forever changed fully, beyond your wildest dreams. What car did you drive before heaven? Who cares. How much did you make? Who cares. What kind of house, how many kids, which degrees, what schools, what good deeds, none of it matters because Jesus is where He should be, at the center. Not by might or by power, but by the Spirit says the Lord! (Zech. 4:6)
Ok, you can snap back into this world again. Just remember that you may have deep scars from this life or you might have a great many things. God is the great equalizer, you and I, a king and a poor man, Hitler and Mother Theresa, before God there is but one thing that makes a difference. Are you known by God? Is Jesus your saviour, then yes you are know by God. If not, then why not?
Are leaders born or raised? Are they raised from childhood to be leaders or is it a series of moments that alter their lives forever and creates a leader out of someone who otherwise might be most common of folk? What do you think?
In August Pastor Paul and I are attending the Leadership Summit. I am looking forward to the event. Today I recieved the books and such for my first Seminary class. I am really excited about that as well. It seems my plate is getting really full. Reading for the bible study I will be leading starting next month, reading for Seminary, raising kids, and working at a start up. God is good and I am humbled to be healthy and blessed. Praise God for His goodness despite the wretch that I am.
So I had my first, of many, dentist appointments this morning. The dentist was awesome and the appointment made me feel relaxed. They did several xrays and some color photos. I have some really bad teeth, but thankfully no need for a root canal or crowns. I am thankful for that. I have a cleaning next and at the end of the month I start 1 of 4 session to fix the issues. Not excited about that at all, but at least I am able to keep my teeth.
Yesterday was awesome. Church rocked and leading worship on my own for the first time was rocking as well. I can not say it enough, I am so thankful for the church we attend and God’s leading to it. Wohoo!
The Bucket List. We own it but we have not had a chance to watch it yet. Suzy is really wanting to watch it, but time is sparse. Seen it? Was it good?
I am officially registered in my first Seminary Class!! Thanks to an extension of Golden Gate Seminary I will be taking 16 courses in Pastoral Ministry. When I am done if I choose to do so I can transfer all the credits that get me the Diploma to the Seminary in SF towards an MDIV. I am pretty excited about it, as I am about the church we go to now. If you do not have a church home currently then here is an official invite to join us this Sunday! We start at 10:45, check out the website for details.
It has been around 5 years since I have seen the dentist. They freak me out and I am not all that attached to pain, especially any pain in my mouth. I have decent teeth so it has never been an issue, but now I am pretty sure there are a few things going on that may become painful, so I had my wife make me an appointment with the Dentist. Yes, I had my wife do it, else I would have told the person on the phone that I was not free for at least 6 months. Suzy got me in this Monday. Drat!
On the plus side, they do this thing called sedation dentistry, pretty much you take a pill and have someone drive you to your appointment where they say you just kinda drift in and out and before you know it, your done. I can handle that. I think. But I am still scared. I really do not like dentist appointments.
While my co-worker was gone 2 weeks ago I messed with his office a little. I taped everything on his desk down and shrink wraped his door closed. I was out last Friday and I guess the whole office got in on getting me back. Check out the two pix below.
I love being a daddy, and my kids remind me all the time just how dull life would be if I were not a daddy. This morning was my first time ever leading worship in a church setting. I have led worship in small groups and I have been in worship bands, but never have I led! I woke up to my favorite cereal, Crunch Berry Captian Crunch and a tall Mocha from Caffino. Thanks my rocking wife! I also got some gifts that the kids made for me. I was out the door before every one else to get to church for practice before church started.
The morning was awesome and went really well. I really enjoyed the worship and our pastor preached a really great sermon. The kids made me some really sweet gifts in their classes at church. There were even hot dogs and cake after church for the dads, well anyone could eat them but they were there because of fathers day.
I have the most exciting and rewarding investment ahead of me. My oldest daughter has made her profession of faith and will be baptised in the next few months. She is quite the young convert, so to make sure she grows we have added an extra bit of study in addition to family devotions. Her and I do a SOAP journal that is made just for kids. (Scripture - Observe - Apply - Pray) This morning was our first time doing the journal and we had a great time! It was so fun and I am so impressed at how quick she is to find the truths in scripture. She really does amaze me! If your looking for something extra to do with your child, six years old seems just about right to start journaling with them.
Currently I am reading “
I am officially registered in my first Seminary Class!! Thanks to an extension of 
