Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
7 things on my mind... in no particular order
1. Now that I am accepted to Western Theological Seminary, the question still remains, how are we going to pay for this? When I first decided to apply, I said, "ok God, I've fought going to seminary since I graduated college. If this is what you want next, You're going to need to pay for it." So I guess I have to have faith that He will, or maybe He wants me to wait until later.
2. My mom is coming to visit again tomorrow. That should be great. I love my mom.
3. I'm nervous that Nicole goes back to school next week. I'm nervous that Micah will cry a lot more once she leaves. I think I'm more nervous for Nicole, having to be away, finding time to pump at school, and somehow finding energy to stay awake once she gets home.
4. Are there really a lot of people upset about this Muslim Community Center being built a few blocks from Ground Zero? I can't find any. All I here are a bunch of people saying there's nothing to be upset about. Who's upset? I am not. If terrorists wanted to build a memorial to the fallen soldiers who gave their lives up when they flew planes into buildings, then I might get upset. (This is not meant to make light of the situation, but Muslim's are not terrorists, and we, in the US, need to stop treating them like they are.)
5. I have an interview in about 3.5 hours. I've had a lot of interviews in the past year and a half. It's hard to know what to feel anymore. I've stopped trying to guess how I think God is going to open doors. I'm just trying to have greater faith.
6. I am eager to read more. I was challenged greatly by this blog post in regards to the books I read.
7. It's supposed to be 112 degrees today in Chino. I hate Chino when it's this hot.
2. My mom is coming to visit again tomorrow. That should be great. I love my mom.
3. I'm nervous that Nicole goes back to school next week. I'm nervous that Micah will cry a lot more once she leaves. I think I'm more nervous for Nicole, having to be away, finding time to pump at school, and somehow finding energy to stay awake once she gets home.
4. Are there really a lot of people upset about this Muslim Community Center being built a few blocks from Ground Zero? I can't find any. All I here are a bunch of people saying there's nothing to be upset about. Who's upset? I am not. If terrorists wanted to build a memorial to the fallen soldiers who gave their lives up when they flew planes into buildings, then I might get upset. (This is not meant to make light of the situation, but Muslim's are not terrorists, and we, in the US, need to stop treating them like they are.)
5. I have an interview in about 3.5 hours. I've had a lot of interviews in the past year and a half. It's hard to know what to feel anymore. I've stopped trying to guess how I think God is going to open doors. I'm just trying to have greater faith.
6. I am eager to read more. I was challenged greatly by this blog post in regards to the books I read.
7. It's supposed to be 112 degrees today in Chino. I hate Chino when it's this hot.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Community
These last few months we've experienced the richness of community. Especially our church community. We have lived in California for 5 years now and have developed great friendships. But the fact remains that our families live over 2,000 miles away from us. (They would point out that we live 2,000 miles away from them.) I don't know what we would have done if we did not have a church family to step in and fill the gap. We had wonderful baby showers, financial gifts, and endless amounts of diapers given to us. (after 2.5 months we've spent a grand total of $10 on diapers!) We had so many meals delivered we couldn't eat all the leftovers fast enough.
This is not to slight the support that our biological families did give us - they all came out and visited and bought us groceries and changed many diaper - but sadly, they all had to leave and go back home too. Our church is still here. And we are grateful for them.
Even more exciting, are the opportunities we've had to support others at our church recently. I've been able to help give a teenage boy rides to work, after his mom had surgery. We gave some friends rides to the airport for their vacations. We were able to help our friends demo, paint and move into their new house, and we are in process of doing the same for some other friends these next couple weeks.
I love when people ask me for help. This is what being part of the body of Christ is. People who realize how much we've been given in Christ, who can't help but give to others out of gratitude to Jesus.
This is not to slight the support that our biological families did give us - they all came out and visited and bought us groceries and changed many diaper - but sadly, they all had to leave and go back home too. Our church is still here. And we are grateful for them.
Even more exciting, are the opportunities we've had to support others at our church recently. I've been able to help give a teenage boy rides to work, after his mom had surgery. We gave some friends rides to the airport for their vacations. We were able to help our friends demo, paint and move into their new house, and we are in process of doing the same for some other friends these next couple weeks.
I love when people ask me for help. This is what being part of the body of Christ is. People who realize how much we've been given in Christ, who can't help but give to others out of gratitude to Jesus.
Friday, August 13, 2010
How rich are you?
This is a 1.7 Million Dollar Bugatti Veyron I saw a few weeks ago on Rodeo Drive
This is one of few 10 plus million dollar homes we drove by in Beverly Hills, CA
Most of us reading this can't imagine what it must be like to have this kind of wealth. Who can possibly have so much money and what did they do to get it? I often think about what I would do with my money if I had millions. I would pay off my debt, buy a reasonable $500,000 house, buy a reasonable $20,000 car, and help my family and friends ease some of there financial burdens. That would leave me with millions of dollars left that I would donate to charities like World Vision, Compassion International, and causes to help fight AIDS in Africa. I think about how great of a person I would be. More people should be like me!
Then I think about this. This is my car.
And this is my house.
I think about how at least 95% of the entire world looks at these 2 pictures and has the same feeling as I had looking at the 1st 2 pictures.
Ouch.
I am rich. Filthy stinking rich. I should be doing more with what I have. I have been irresponsible with my money. Lord, forgive me for my pride, my selfishness, and my lack of faith in you.
I want to do better. I want to give more, live on less, and spend less on myself. This is going to be hard.
Want to know how rich you are? Check out The Global Rich List to find out. I am about the 100 millionth richest person in the world. Which means that about 5.9 BILLION people are poorer than me.
This is one of few 10 plus million dollar homes we drove by in Beverly Hills, CA
Most of us reading this can't imagine what it must be like to have this kind of wealth. Who can possibly have so much money and what did they do to get it? I often think about what I would do with my money if I had millions. I would pay off my debt, buy a reasonable $500,000 house, buy a reasonable $20,000 car, and help my family and friends ease some of there financial burdens. That would leave me with millions of dollars left that I would donate to charities like World Vision, Compassion International, and causes to help fight AIDS in Africa. I think about how great of a person I would be. More people should be like me!
Then I think about this. This is my car.
And this is my house.
Ouch.
I am rich. Filthy stinking rich. I should be doing more with what I have. I have been irresponsible with my money. Lord, forgive me for my pride, my selfishness, and my lack of faith in you.
I want to do better. I want to give more, live on less, and spend less on myself. This is going to be hard.
Want to know how rich you are? Check out The Global Rich List to find out. I am about the 100 millionth richest person in the world. Which means that about 5.9 BILLION people are poorer than me.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Let the blogging begin
I'm gonna do this. For real this time.
Here's what's been going on lately:
-We had a son. His name is Micah. He's great.
-I preached my 1st "real" sermon this past Sunday night. I've preached many times before, but only to youth groups, or at special weeknight services. This was the 1st time during an actual, scheduled, regular church service. I know, it might not seem like a big deal, but for some reason, it's a lot bigger deal to preach at a Sunday service. I mostly enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities in the future.
-I am applying to seminary. Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Don't freak out yet, we're not moving! (sorry if I got all you MI folks excited.) They have a distance learning program so I can do it online. That's right, in about 5 years (hopefully less) you can call me Pastor Kevin. That sounds scary.
-My wife and I are fasting from TV this week. Yesterday we played Mahjong together, cleaned the house a bit, walked to the grocery store for a few things, and made homemade shakes with cookies n cream and vanilla ice cream. Didn't miss the tv at all. I am praying that we will have more meaningful conversations this week and that God will speak to us as we shut out the noise of the world to listen to him.
Here's what's been going on lately:
-We had a son. His name is Micah. He's great.
-I preached my 1st "real" sermon this past Sunday night. I've preached many times before, but only to youth groups, or at special weeknight services. This was the 1st time during an actual, scheduled, regular church service. I know, it might not seem like a big deal, but for some reason, it's a lot bigger deal to preach at a Sunday service. I mostly enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities in the future.
-I am applying to seminary. Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Don't freak out yet, we're not moving! (sorry if I got all you MI folks excited.) They have a distance learning program so I can do it online. That's right, in about 5 years (hopefully less) you can call me Pastor Kevin. That sounds scary.
-My wife and I are fasting from TV this week. Yesterday we played Mahjong together, cleaned the house a bit, walked to the grocery store for a few things, and made homemade shakes with cookies n cream and vanilla ice cream. Didn't miss the tv at all. I am praying that we will have more meaningful conversations this week and that God will speak to us as we shut out the noise of the world to listen to him.
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