life...

...doesn't always turn out the way we expect.  At least that is what I've always heard.  But, I think the truth is that life NEVER turns out the way we expect and most of the time it doesn't turn out the way we were hoping.  Reality check is that life is hard and it hurts.

Growing up, we hear cliches  like, "You can be anything you want to be." or "If you dream it, you can be it".  Or that things aren't important but family is...  Well, what happens when family disappoints?  Or when "family" is a dream that just doesn't happen.  

Or what about all those dreams that are deemed good - and we fight for?  We do the right things our whole life?  We try so hard to do our best (not be the best - just do our best) and we make hard decisions because they'll be worth it later.  Or we do everything in our power to keep peace and balance and we strive with all our heart to make those we love happy.  

...only to find out that life isn't a white picket fence and lazy summer afternoons.  Life is pain and heart-ache.  Life is hunger and sickness.  Life is broken trust and mangled relationships.  

We try to insulate ourselves and avoid any kind of pain, heck even just discomfort.  We bury hurts and try to move on.  We do the best we can, but it just isn't good enough.

Then the darkness comes.  He worms his way in, not content with extrinsic crap. Oh, no - he slinks into our thoughts.  And there we lay in our brokenness, overwhelmed by loneliness and hopelessness...  

"You're the only one." the darkness whispers, "No one else has dealt with this burden.  They wouldn't understand anyways.  This thing - its so disgusting and all-consuming - you're so disgusting and high-maintenance.  You're all alone.  There's no way out..."

All around me is pain.  People in pain.  People hurting because of other people.  People drowning in their sins.  People are drowning because of someone else's sin.  The pervading darkness leaves me gagging.

But - in the middle of this weakness, I realize I am NOT alone.  That YOU are not alone.  What you are feeling and experiencing - someone else has also experienced.  

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart."  ~Hebrews 12:2-3

adoption through facebook

as facebook continues to arm wrestle other social media platforms (and leading the pack, btw)... i recently came to the realization that in a normal "work" day for me i'm using f-b00k almost just as much as i am microsoft outlook & email, if not more. anyways, we found a pretty interesting story of a couple who developed an adoption plan through of all things...facebook. fun stuff!

Flower City Work Camp - another vid

one of the other youth pastors in the area (and a new great friend of mine) made the video below for his church to recap last week. if you're wondering what flower city work camp is, he does a great job painting a picture of it. thanks jonathan!

FCWC 2010 Quick Highlight Vid

vacation

on friday (less than a week away!) we head to the outer banks for 10 days... and we are beyond excited! one of the things i'm really looking forward to is the chance to break away from everything ministry related and do some personal "soul care" while away. i feel like i spend so much time caring for the souls of others...which is great. but these times away are absolutely critical for my own soul in order to keep me in the game.

many vacations i go with stacks of "ministry" and "leadership" books, and while that's good - for me for this vacation i'm choosing to purposefully leave those ones behind this time.

here's what i'm trying to do instead:

1. read angels: who they are and how they help by david jeremiah.

2. purchase and listen to a bunch of new worship music on the 12 hour car ride - some from hillsong, crowder, and my new favorite: tim timmons.

3. read, journal, and study through any of the following: psalms, philippians, 1 timothy, 2 timothy, titus, or philemon.

4. read some of my utmost for his highest by oswald chambers and the pursuit of God by a. w. tozer.

5. carve out moments of solitude - on the beach... or on the deck... talking to God... listening more and contemplating his words.

6. fast from email, texting, facebook, twitter, etc.; my phone will be off completely all 10 days - i may not even bring it with me. it's gonna feel weird, but it's right.

7. have lots of fun... i'm hoping to rent a segway and race it around town (and envision myself as paul blart); we'll have 2 bikes strapped to the back of the saturn so we can go biking while down there; possibly do some hang-gliding in kitty hawk; lots of sunsets on the beach with shanna; and spend lots of time with the bush's & co. before they head back to mozambique.!