Brian's Big Adventure

The Return

2011-08-15T21:30:00.000-04:00

I returned from India a week ago and starting to get back into the groove of things. Our trip was a complete success. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people total attended the 4 concerts we performed, 2 in Chennai and 2 in Trichy. My camera died on the second day so I don't have a lot of pictures or video by I wanted to share this one with you. Thanks for you support and prayers your kindness and generosity has touched thousands of lives.

Time is running out

2011-06-12T09:26:00.000-04:00

Good morning friends, the fundraising is still going very well but time is running out. We have 10 days to raise just a little over $700.

In this time of tornadoes and floods reeking havoc right here in our own country and everyone asking for donations to help these people in need you may ask yourself, why would I help send someone 9000 miles away to play music for people whom I will never met when my help is needed here?

That's a great question. According to the US Census Bureau in a 2008 phone survey 75% of the American population are self-described Christians. My guess would be that almost everyone in the US has at least heard of Jesus. In the state of Tamil Nadu India (where our team will be traveling) only 3% of the population is Christian (according to the Census of India 2001).

In the US we have a choice: to follow Him or not. But in India an overwhelming segment of the population has never even heard His name let alone given the choice to follow Him. With the help of the Indian Pastors, the worship music, dance and drama we'll be providing and your investment we can make a huge dent in this problem.

Help is need here at home and I hope that you are able to contribute to those causes. But as Christians we are to spread the Good News near and far, and with your help we can make a difference in the lives of people who may never get the chance to hear His Word.

Thanks

WOW!

2011-06-02T08:08:00.000-04:00

The fund raising is going very well, as of today we are at $2156 of the $3000 needed by June 22. Thanks to those who have already invested in the trip! If you are still planning to make a contribution please do so as soon as you can. If you're unable to give I understand completely, I ask that you keep our mission in your prayers.

Importance

2011-05-25T15:24:00.001-04:00

This is one of the worship songs we are rehearsing for the trip.

One of the things that is very important to us as we prepare for the concert series in India is playing music in the native language of Tamil. It would much easier to just go over there and play the worship music we already know in English, but if we did that who would know what we are singing about. Our mission is to help people meet Jesus right where they are; physically and spiritually. We hope that singing worship songs from their culture will help all of us worship Him together united by His love.

Busy

2011-05-09T06:56:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted anything for the past 3 weeks because I've been a little busy. This last semester has been the hardest one I've had since I started school 3 years ago. So I really need to crack down on the studies to keep up my GPA. On Friday a graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ivy Tech Community College. It's taken a lot of work to get through but it was worth every minute. In the fall I will be attending Bethel College to further my education. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers over the last couple of years.

He is Risen

2011-04-24T08:28:00.000-04:00

Luke 24:46-48

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Did you know that there are 1.2 billion people in India? Millions have never even heard His name. But you can help change that with a donation to the cause. On this Easter Sunday please pray and search your heart to help me go to India with my team so we can share the gift of music with those who need His Love.

People here need help.

2011-04-16T06:56:00.000-04:00

I received a message from someone asking why would we go overseas to do this kind of work when there are people right here that need help. That is a great question. The work in India is only one part of the mission. We are also doing work in downtown South Bend, check it out.

http://www.monroecircle.com/

Thanks for the question Joe.

First Goal Surpassed

2011-04-16T06:28:00.000-04:00

We've surpassed the first goal of $300 April 13th! This is awesome! Our next goal is $1500 by May 18th.

I ask you to pray and search your heart to see if God is leading you make a donation. We all need Jesus even those who have never heard his name.

Thanks for you support!

Calling

2011-04-04T17:22:00.000-04:00

After all the music was played and the preaching was done this is what it was all about. An alter call by Pastor Sam. (3-8-2010)

India 2011 The Mission Part 2

2011-03-27T14:52:00.004-04:00

A year and a half ago I was asked to take part in something that was much more than anything I could ever imagine; a mission trip to India. On that trip, 30 people from Granger Community Church left the comforts of home and traveled 9,000 miles away to make a difference in the lives of a 158 villagers in a small colony of untouchables in the village of Kalavai southern India.

As part of a long term ongoing effort in Kalavai this mission consisted of 5 teams, each with a specific goal in mind. The construction team helped the villagers rebuild brick homes that had
fallen down over time due to poor construction methods and inferior materials. The Conversational English team taught school children how to speak a few words of English to get
them started for English as a second language. The Health and Wellness team gave everyone in the village a checkup and taught the men and women about hygiene and the benefits of a healthy diet. They also checked the water supply for bacteria and other water borne microorganisms that can cause illness. The Micro-Enterprise team purchased goats from a nearby farmer so the villagers to raise and sell them at market for a profit. And we sent a Worship team that performed 4 concerts at outdoor revival meetings in and around the town of Kalavia.

I’ve been asked to return to India on another mission trip. This time will be a little different than the last. We are only sending one team, an arts team. This team will consist of a worship band,
actors and dancers. We’ll be traveling to 4 cities around the state of Tamil Nadu. We’ll be performing concerts (most of the music in the native language of Tamil) in each city during the evening and throughout the day we will be teaching church planters how to conduct worship in their services. In addition to this teaching we’ll be spending time with local pastors to help them establish themselves in new villages.

The Indian culture consists of a very complex caste system, or social class system. One of our highest priorities is the edification of Indian Pastors. When we (westerners) go into a village with a pastor he gains great credibility just by the fact that we believe in the same God that he does. We are looked upon as being in the highest caste, almost god like, therefore if we support his efforts the people will have more reason to trust him and his beliefs and teachings.

India is a dark place, and any light we can bring, be it through music, teaching, or edification will push back that darkness in the name of the Lord.

With all that said I’m asking you to search your heart and pray for guidance in helping this mission happen. Your contribution, support and prayers will make a difference in the lives of thousands of people who my have never heard the name Jesus before.

India 2011

2011-01-10T09:46:00.003-05:00

In July I will be returning to India for a mission trip. On this trip, like our trip in March 2010, we will be performing at 4 concerts in cities around the area. Something we do that is unique to our mission is to preform the music in the native language of Tamil.

In order to do this I need your support. The cost of the trip is $3000. Please pray and search your heart about donating to the cause. Worship music in any language is uplifting, but for these people who never get the chance to worship in a way that we take for granted is life changing.

I've added a donate button on the side if God is leading you to support this trip.

Thank you, God Bless

Awesome

2010-09-10T05:51:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I got a call from my son's mom, they live in Orlando. She said that she was having some issues with him, ordinary teenager stuff. Something told that I should go to see him on his birthday. So I got online and checked the cost of the flights to Orlando. Our God is so Awesome!!! I can fly down there, rent a car for 3 days, with all taxes and fees included for $185. So I'm leaving this morning and returning on Monday. How cool is that? God had it planned this way all along. The only way I could go is if the tickets were dirt cheap, and there are. Thank you Lord, you've made a young man and his dad very happy!!!

2 more weeks

2010-06-27T22:02:00.002-04:00

Found out today that my son is going to be staying for 2 more weeks!!!! We're having a great time together this summer, went to Cedar Point, played video games, watched movies all that cool guy stuff. And now the adventure continues!!!

Excitement

2010-06-11T08:44:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow my son comes in from Florida. I can't wait to give him a big hug. I don't have a great calendar of events planned other than going to Cedar Point with both my sons. Must of our time will be spent hanging out. Should be great!

Huh

2010-05-29T15:32:00.002-04:00

This morning I was laying in bed half asleep half awake when this thought crossed my mind:

"You are an amazing guy."

Huh, you know what? I am an amazing guy.

New Blog

2010-05-16T11:48:00.004-04:00

When I returned from India I had an extremely difficult time trying to wrap my mind around the experience I had just encountered. God had totally broken down my worldview and was in the process of rebuilding my mindset into something that would advance the Kingdom. On Monday April 19th I posted something that God had put on my heart, one question. What would happen...? After much prayer and thought I've decided to start a new blog called What Would Happen Today...?

I set up this new blog as a forum to help Christian men in their walk with God. My hope is to inspire, connect, and unite men from all denominations, races and social-economic backgrounds for a common cause, to answer the question. What would happen today...?

I'll be posting observations, thoughts, and examples that will lead us to contemplate how we as Christian men can change the world in the name of the Lord. I'll be asking questions that will help us look at ourselves, our worldviews and how God is leading us to honestly make a difference in the world.

So I ask you to check whatwouldhappentoday.com regularly. Carefully read the postings. Think and pray about the answers. Leave comments, so we can help each other advance the Kingdom together.

If you have ideas about postings please email them to brian@whatwouldhappentoday.com please do not post them as a comment.

School's Out For Summer

2010-05-05T10:22:00.002-04:00

I remember being in high school (a long time ago) and on the last day of school everyone had Alice Cooper's School's Out blasting out on their car stereo as they were peeling out from the parking lot. Yeah, those were the days.

Yesterday was my last day of school for this semester, and it's bittersweet. The past 2 years I've taken classes over the summer so I can graduate next May, but not this year. I've decided to take the summer off.

My younger son who lives in Florida with his mom will be here in June for his summer visit. He is normally here for 6 weeks or so, but not this year. He's 13 and going into the 8th grade in the fall. He has decided to play football, and conditioning starts in the middle of July. So he is only going to be here for 3 1/2 weeks this summer.

I knew it was coming, the older he gets the more things he will be involved with and the less time we will have to spend together. Even though graduating on time is important to me, spending as much time as I can with him is the most important thing in the world.

Advice?

2010-04-25T21:01:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had a conversation with a close friend, and they tell you about a situation they're in, and you give them your advice? Sure, we all do. It's human nature. We want to help our friends realize the things we see, but they may be blind to or in denial about. Has God ever put you in a similar situation just a few days later? Do you follow your own advice? It's easy to tell others what to do, but really hard for us to tell ourselves what to do. Why is that?

What should I do?

2010-04-23T23:14:00.001-04:00

What if you were out for your early morning walk or run in the park and noticed that someone had wrapped all the swings around the top bar of a popular swing set? It's too high for children to reach or even most mothers for that matter. You're on a tight schedule and have to be somewhere right after your run.

Or what if your walking through church before service and you notice that someone has dropped a gum wrapper on the floor?

Or what if you find out, a woman you have never met, who lives down the street has been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband has been laid off, and her job is their only source of income. She will need surgery and chemotherapy. They have 4 children all under the age of 12.

What should I do?

I have to ask myself this question hundreds of times a day. The choices I make can make a difference in someone's life. Do I continue on my run, or do I stop and get the swings down so the kids can play? Do I step over the gum wrapper, or do I pick it up so that the church is clean for a newcomer? Do I drive by my neighbor's house and shake my head with pity, or do I get some of the other neighbors together and cook meals for these people in need?

The answer should be easy but it's not. I'm running late, someone else will pick it up, wow that is so sad, these are excuses that pass through my head all the time.

What would happen if I did get the swings down, pick up the wrapper, and get the neighborhood to help out?

What would happen...

2010-04-19T11:41:00.006-04:00

What would happen if every Christian man in America took a stand for who he believes in?

How would you make this happen?

What are your answers to these questions?

Think and pray about your answers and post your thoughts.

This is not a platform for political views or religious doctrine. It's a way to open discussion about the impact we as Christ followers could have on the world if every one of us drew a line in the sand and took a stand for our Savior.

Press On

2010-04-13T08:25:00.008-04:00

This past Sunday I had the pleasure and honor of leading worship with my friend Seth Bible at his home church in Archbold OH. Archbold Evangelical Church opened their new facility about a year ago and have seen some really incredible growth. God is doing great work in their community. On Saturday night they hosted a worship conference lead by Lincoln Bewster. Seth played a warm up set before Lincoln and then lead worship on Sunday morning. Adrain Taylor who plays bass with Seth couldn't stay for Sunday so Seth asked me if I would fill in, and I am so glad I did.

I love how our God Works, He cracks me up at times and this is one of those times. For the past few days I've been in a bit of a funk, just a little out of sorts. It seems like now that my trip to India is over there isn't any "big" event to look forward to and I'm just coasting along.

At AEC they have 2 services, traditional (8:30am) and contemporary (11:00am). I didn't need to be there until 9:30 for rehearsal but I'm up early anyway and decided to make the 2 hour drive over and get there in time for the 8:30 service. They are finishing up their building pledge campain and God has blessed them with exceeding their goals. So they are moving into the next phase of pledges to pay down the debt of the new building. This phase is titled "Press On".

Pastor Jesse Kahler's sermon was about pressing on as far as the importance of the congregation stepping up and continuing on the path to the goal. Even though they had met the goals set by the finance committee, there is still debt that needs to be repaid. So he talked about how to press on.

Here's the funny thing. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Not the importance of the pledges, but the importance of pressing on. As he was talking to his congregation about something total opposite of what I was thinking and feeling God talked to me. The was a parallel there. They had met the goal set up at the beginning of their building project, and I had met my goal of going to India. The whole point of his sermon was to keep moving, keep working, there are new goals to be set, and this is not the time to coast. It's really easy to put your feet up, relax, admire your accomplishments and say that was great, I can take some time off now. But here's what happens; we get complacent, we spend too much time looking at the past, we relax and forget that there is still work to be done. That is exactly what I've been doing, and that's why I've been a little off base. I need to press on to the next adventure, what ever that my be.

These are the notes I took from Pastor Jesse's sermon:

A person who presses on

- has a sense of spiritual incompleteness. They are always seeking to be more like Jesus, and they become more humble the closer they get to Him.

-refuses to dwell on the past. They learn from their mistakes and victories but look to the future.

-exerts enormous energy toward the goal.

I love how God works. I had a choice, I could have told Seth that I didn't have time to spend a good part of my day or the expense of driving over there, but I followed what I felt in my heart.
If we listen He leads us, talks to us, puts things in front of us when we least expect it. Thank you Lord for a great day.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

I'm no saint

2010-04-07T10:53:00.006-04:00

Someone left an anonymous comment on my post "Processing". I left a generic reply but I feel that I need to comment further.

Here's the comment:
As I read your blog on your trip, I can't even imagine all the emotions that you are feeling. All the thoughts you are trying to process. Not sure I feel worthy of your friendship as I am certainly in no way far along in my walk with God that you are. May NEVER be! Reading that you just take "time with God", "time to read the Bible", just "time" in itself. Sometimes I feel I am on the right track but I always get detoured by something/someone. What a wonderful and Godly person you are. You do have so much to give to others thru God and that makes you an awesome man! Jealous sometimes I feel of people like you. Shouldn't feel that way. I do feel blessed with what I have and my healthy kids. Something is missing though.....

my reply:

God loves us right where we are. And once we realize that and surrender ourselves to Him, He does the rest.

further comment:

But here's the thing, I'm no saint. I don't read my Bible everyday, I get distracted very easily, I disappoint people, myself and God. I spend way too much time obsessing about trivial things. I make bad decisions. I procrastinate, I tend to let things slide, I don't plan for the future. I make mistakes just like anyone else. So knowing these things about myself I have to make a conscious effort to do the things that I should do. I pray every morning. I ask for guidance, strength, courage, hope, love, understanding, and wisdom. I pray every night before bed, I thank the Lord for a good day (even though it may not have been). I read Christian "self help" books (check out the recommend reading). I do read the Bible but not as often as I should. I go to church every week, and I volunteer there on a regular basis. Even though it appears I have it all together, there are times I'm totally screwed up. Those are the times that I really need to spend time with God, read my Bible and just spend time alone.

I wanted to share these thoughts a little more in depth because I think it's important to understand that it takes a lot of work and effort to surrender and walk with God. I am willing to put forth the effort.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

Debrief

2010-04-02T09:37:00.002-04:00

We had our first India team debrief last night. It was great to get back together with my team mates, most of them I hadn't seen since our return. As I looked around the room into the faces of these men and women that dropped everything they were doing to set aside 10 days of their busy lives to make a difference for a small village of people on the other side of the world I saw something. I saw changed lives.

Processing

2010-03-28T06:15:00.007-04:00

We returned from India 2 weeks ago today. Over this time I've been processing an overload of information in my mind. The emotions and questions about my experience have really taken a toll on my outlook and purpose in life.

When people ask me about the trip I have 2 versions I use to describe the experience, the "postcard" version and the "reality" version. The postcard version usually goes like this: The trip was great, God is doing some awesome work over there. Nobody was detained, or got deathly ill, the kids were incredible, the concerts went well, etc. I use this version with acquaintances or if I don't want to get into into my deep feelings and thoughts. The reality is that God is doing some awesome work over there. Lives are being changed, but part of the struggle in my mind is this: In a country with a land mass about 1/3 the size of the US with a population of 1.2 billion people are we really making a difference? Even though I could see a difference was being made in this small village of "untouchables", after about 7 days in I was overcome with a feeling of insignificance. There are so many people, there is so much poverty, so much trash, noise, traffic, and customs so opposite from our own, I felt overwhelmed. I'm a solitude type person, so knowing what I needed to recharge I took a few minutes to "get away" with God. While everyone else was going to work on a project I stayed behind. I got a chair and sat on the edge of the "tent city" near an open field with my Bible and did some talking with God. It helped for that day but I'm still processing through many questions and feelings.

So I've spent the past 2 weeks praying, listening for God's direction, talking with friends, and thinking about where all this is leading me. During the pre-trip training we where told that a trip like this will change our lives. We would go through stages of being broken down and rebuilt, but I had no idea that it would effect me the way it has. My entire outlook has been altered, things that were important before don't seem like such a big deal anymore.

I know God is working on something behind the scenes with all of this, but what can it be? So I ask that you pray for me to be willing to follow His direction, that I open myself up to His will, and that I open my eyes, ears, hands, feet, words, mind and heart to Him and the people I'm to serve. I have a feeling my work in India in not done.

Incredible India

2010-03-16T18:09:00.002-04:00

We returned from Kalavai India on Sunday night. This was an incredible trip. I've posted just a few photos from the trip to give you an idea of the situation that is going on over there. God is doing some amazing work in this small colony of untouchables. Thank you for your support and prayers along the way.

Today is the day

2010-03-05T07:20:00.008-05:00

I hadn't planned on posting anything today as we leave for India. But I get an email every morning from Joel Osteen Ministries and today's email seemed fitting to share with you today.

Before Creation

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight"
(Ephesians 1:4, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Did you know God had a plan for you before the foundations of the earth? He created you to be holy and blameless in His sight. Why? He chose you to be His ambassador, His representative on the earth. God created you to reflect His glory. He created you to reflect His character, His righteousness, His holiness. Think about that for a moment. Part of your purpose on this earth is to be a representative for the King of kings and the Lord of lords. That should make you want to walk a little differently. It should make you want to talk differently. It should make you think a little more carefully about the places you go and the things you do.

Are you representing God's holiness today? Remember, God will equip you to do whatever He's called you to do. If there are things in your life that you need to change, God wants to empower you to overcome those things. Receive His strength and might today so that you can walk in holiness as His ambassador and live the destiny He has prepared for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me today. I ask You to search my heart and remove anything that is displeasing in Your sight. I accept Your holiness today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Take a few minutes today and reflect on what Joel is saying here. Do you need a change? Are you representing God today? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone to advance the Kingdom?

Take care friends, see you when I return. God Bless.

Tomorrow We Leave for Kalavai India

2010-03-04T08:02:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog on April 1 2008 I didn't really have any ideas of what to post, what to call it, or if I would have anything interesting to say. I called it Brian's Big Adventure loosely based on a combination of the title from the Pee Wee Herman movie & a friend had named his blog Adventures in Life. Over the past 2 years I shared some of my inner most thoughts, quotes or readings that I've found to be helpful to me, places I've gone, times with my sons, Bible verses, song lyrics, and my alone times with God.

Life is truly an adventure. How we live out that adventure is what matters. I've tried really hard to follow were I believe God is leading me. And by doing so He has picked me and a handful of other followers to go to India to represent Him. I am so humbled even at the thought of being considered to do this, but to actually be going to India is humbling beyond words.

Many Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support! Without God putting it on you heart to help make this adventure happen, and your following His lead, I would not be going to share His Love with those who so desperately need it.

This will be my last post until I return. Please follow the team blog for updates as we go.

gccindiamarch2010.blogspot.com

Thanks again! You ROCK!

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ²He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Luke 10:1-3

1 week

2010-02-26T10:26:00.002-05:00

Well guys it's getting closer, we leave for Kalavai India in 1 week. I want to thank everyone for your support and prayers. We couldn't be doing this without your help. God has great plans for this trip and you are making it happen.

I'm leaving the Donate button up until I return from India. Even though we met our goal of $3000, I've also had several hundred dollars of out of pocket expenses (immunizations, passport, supplies, etc...). So if the Lord put it on your heart to help with support but thought you missed out there's still time. Your gift of any amount is greatly appreciated and will help advance the Kingdom here at home as well as in India.

Thanks again!

We did it!!!

2010-02-24T17:33:00.001-05:00

Wow we did it!!!! We made our goal of raising $3000 for my mission trip to India!! You guys ROCK!!! Thanks to everyone for your donations and prayers!! God has great plans for this trip and I'm so thankful that you have made it happen!

We Have a Winner

2010-02-22T21:21:00.002-05:00

I sold 117 entries into the contest for the 24" LCD TV, Joseph R is the winner! Thanks to everyone that supported the cause.

Final Day

2010-02-21T08:38:00.002-05:00

Today is the final day to win a 24" LCD TV to raise support for my mission trip to India. For every $5 you donate you will get an entry into a drawing to win the TV. * Use the "Donate" button on the right to make your donation by credit card or PayPal.

Thanks for your support and prayers. Good Luck!!!!

*Continental US only, outside of local South Bend IN area a Best Buy gift card of equal value could be substituted. Contest begins 8:00amEST 02/15/10 and ends at 11:59pm EST on 02/21/10 drawing will be held on 02/22/10. Winner will be notified by email on the day of drawing. Contest includes donations made from this website and by raffle tickets sold in person. All other donations do not qualify. Donation does not guarantee winning, only one prize will be awarded.

Disappointed Yet Happy

2010-02-19T07:18:00.003-05:00

I got news the other day that I did not get the job I interviewed for a couple of weeks ago. I am disappointed but also very happy at the same time. I got a chance to meet her and truly think she is the best fit for the job. She has been investing her time by volunteering for this organization for quit some time now, and should be able to step right in without much training at all. The people she will be working with are awesome. I've already seen them working together and I can tell that God's hand is all over this. Pray for Karen, her family and the team as she takes on this new adventure.

Win a 24" LCD TV

2010-02-15T07:38:00.006-05:00

We have 1 week left to raise support for my mission trip to India. I've come up with a great way for you to help the cause and get something in return. For every $5 you donate you will get an entry into a drawing to win a 24" LCD TV. * Use the "Donate" button on the right to make your donation by credit card or PayPal.

Thanks for your support and prayers. Good Luck!!!!

*Continental US only, outside of local South Bend IN area a Best Buy gift card of equal value could be substituted. Contest begins 8:00amEST 02/15/10 and ends at 11:59pm EST on 02/21/10 drawing will be held on 02/22/10. Winner will be notified by email on the day of drawing. Contest includes donations made from this website and by raffle tickets sold in person. All other donations do not qualify. Donation does not guarantee winning, only one prize will be awarded.

Job Interview

2010-02-09T07:09:00.003-05:00

I had a job interview last Thursday for an awesome position. The interview went very well, actually it was really fun. Like any other interview there was the typical questions; tell us about yourself, how did you hear about us, etc... what was cool was the conversation between the questions. When I answer questions like these I tell a story, inside the story I use examples and from those examples other questions come up. I don't do this to change the subject but to give the interviewers a look inside of who I am and my life experience.

I have great admiration for the people I could be working with and think I would be a great fit. But they are interviewing several other people, and they should. So please pray for God's will in this, if I'm hired then that would be awesome, and if not then God must have something else for me.

Thanks Friends

4 WEEKS

2010-02-05T08:19:00.006-05:00

4 Weeks from today we leave for India. By the end of next week I will have all my immunizations, we'll have the first of our rehearsals in and I'll start my packing preparation. I'm really beginning to get excited!!! Wow it's starting to sink in!

Do you have Google Earth on you computer? If so, type in the"fly to" search- Kalavai, India -and it will take you right there. Check it out, it's really cool!!!!

PayPal

2010-01-30T13:55:00.003-05:00

A Dream

2010-01-19T08:20:00.001-05:00

"A dream becomes reality one opportunity at a time. And if you work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God, there is no telling what God can do in you and through you."

From - In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

Excited

2010-01-12T07:01:00.002-05:00

On 12/17 I posted that I had left my job due to various reasons. A couple of years ago I interviewed for a part time job at my church, but because of my full time job schedule we couldn't make it work. After leaving my job in December I decided to send an email to the person I interviewed with and asked her to keep me in mind if a position became available. Our God is so cool! She emailed me back right away and said that she needed to hire two people to fill spots that had just become available. WOW! I'm a firm believer all things happen for a reason, few things in life are coincidental, and this proves it.

This position is on the Facility Care (housekeeping). It's not the most glamorous job in the church and it is part time so finances are still going to be really tight. But here's the thing. I am so excited about working at the church and the opportunities this could open for me. God has great plans for me. I am humbled and grateful for this new adventure.

Matthew 6:25-27
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

A Prayer for Living Up to the Best in Our Souls

2010-01-08T10:29:00.002-05:00

You have blessed me with many gifts, God, but I know it is my task to realize them. May I never underestimate my potential; may I never lose hope. May I find the strength to strive for better, the courage to be different, the energy to give all that I have to offer.

Help me God, to live up to all the goodness that resides within me. Fill me with humility to learn from others and with the confidence to trust my own instincts.

Thank You, God for the power to grow. Amen

from: Talking to God by Naomi Levy

India Trip Support Update

2010-01-06T07:22:00.002-05:00

Just got an update on the support status. We are at $855 as of today! That's awesome!!! Many many thanks to those of you have already made a donation!

There are some important dates quickly approaching that you should be aware of:

Jan 20th, $1500 has to be turned in to cover the cost of airline tickets and transportation. So we're over half way to that goal. But remember that this is only 2 weeks away.

Feb 22nd, $3000 total has to be turned in, we're over a quarter of the way to that goal.

March 5th is the day we leave for India, 2 months from today!

I've had several people tell me that they are going to make donations after the holidays. That's great!This is just a reminder that we are closing in on the half way mark (Jan 20th) and we still have a ways to go to the $1500.

I love you guys but more importantly God loves you, and He loves the people of Kalavai India too.

Tax deductible support donations can be mailed to :

Granger Community Church
attn: Jeanna Tripp
630 E. University Dr.
Granger IN, 46530
(write Brian Warrell India 2010 in the memo line)

Or you can give online:

www.gccwired.com/missiontrips
(After setting up an account select my name from the drop down box.)

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Priceless

2010-01-03T07:38:00.003-05:00

My 13 year old son lives in Florida with his mom most of the year. He comes to visit 6 weeks in the summer and a week over Christmas break. This Christmas break because of the cost of airfare it was cheaper for him to stay an extra week which saved us about $300. Part of the reason I left my job when I did was so I could spend all that time with him. In the past it always worked out that I would be on-call for my job and end up working 60-80 hours that week, so I would only see him for short periods of time. It was terrible.

These past 2 weeks were truly a gift. We spent almost the entire time together, playing Wii and Xbox360, wrestling and tickling, talking and enjoying each other's company; real father and son bonding.

I have faith that God has another job being prepared for me that will be closer to His plan for my life. Would a 60-80 hour paycheck have been nice? Yes. But most things in life only happen once. Spending quality time with someone you love is PRICELESS!

A New Chapter Begins Today

2009-12-17T06:21:00.002-05:00

Over the past several months I've been praying and asking God for direction and a change in career. I have a good job it pays fairly well and is steady work. But that's just it, it is just work. It is unfulfilling, demanding and not inline with the mission God has put before me. It robs my joy, time with my family and interferes with serving my church. So after careful consideration, council and many many prayers I've decided to leave my job. Yesterday was my last day. I know that in these tough economic times this could be financial suicide, but I have a peace about this and know deep in my heart that God has much bigger plans for me. I'm putting my faith and trust in him to provide for my family. It's not going to be easy, I have to be diligent in finding a career, and fighting off the attacks by the enemy (condemnation, guilt, fear).

I ask that you pray prayers of intersession for me. Pray for God to raise up the career that he has been preparing. And prayers against the enemy attacks.

Thanks Friends

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans15:13 NIV

Alone Time

2009-12-13T20:58:00.004-05:00

Last night I was getting ready for bed and saying my nightly prayers of thanks and God told me it was time for some alone time. If you've followed my blog you know that I like to get away from it all and reconnect with Him. So I got up early this morning and drove to one of my favorite places to go and be alone with God. My plan was to go to the lighthouse on Lake Michigan in Michigan City Indiana, but when I got there the ice on the pier was unsafe to walk on. So I walked down the beach. It was a little cold and rainy this morning so I was the only person on the beach for miles. I love being alone like that, I can talk with God without having any distractions.

As I walked along the frozen sand He revealed something to me that I had not realized before. It was extremely freeing. This was something from my childhood that I had stuffed far down deep and had forgotten about. As I talked and prayed to him I could feel His power and strength rise up inside me, and I will never be the same again.

I share the stores of my life with you to bring glory to God. Hopefully they inspire you to get closer to Him. Take time to get away, talk with him, listen to him and just be with Him. I guarantee that you will return home a changed person.

Make a Joyful Noise

2009-11-29T06:42:00.006-05:00

David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets. 11 Chronicles 13:8

The plans for my mission trip to Kalavai India are coming along nicely. Along with building brick homes for the Dalit (Untouchables) people, that live outside the city, the music team is planning to perform 4 concerts for all the people of Kalavai. The planning is going well but I need your help with financial support. I understand that the holiday season is probably not the best time to ask for donations but, this is an opportunity for you to take part in something that is much greater than making sure your shopping list is complete. Music crosses all boundaries of race, education, religion, social class and language. By giving a gift of support you will be spreading the Love of Jesus through music to those who do not know him with an art form that everyone understands. And the added bonus of providing a brick home for some one that is living in a grass hut.

I ask that you pray and search your heart to do what God would want you to do.

Thanks

Tax deductible support donations can be mailed to :

Granger Community Church
attn: Jeanna Tripp
630 E. University Dr.
Granger IN, 46530
(write Brian Warrell India 2010 in the memo line)

Or you can give online:

www.gccwired.com/missiontrips
(After setting up an account select my name from the drop down box.)

Thank you for your prayers and support!

A Prayer for the Thanksgiving Feast

2009-11-26T13:07:00.003-05:00

For the laughter of the children,
For my own life breath,
For the abundance of food on this table,
For the ones who prepared this sumptuous feast,
For the roof over our heads,
The clothes on our backs,
For our health,
And our wealth of blessings,
For this opportunity to celebrate with family and friends,
For the freedom to pray these words,
Without fear,
In any language,
In any faith,
In this great country,
Whose landscape is as vast and beautiful as her inhabitants,
Thank you, God, for giving us all these.
Amen

from Talking to God by Naomi Levy

Invited

2009-11-19T13:54:00.005-05:00

I've been invited to take part in something that is much larger than anything I could ever imagine. I've been asked to go to India in March 2010 on a mission trip to help build brick homes for people that are currently living in grass huts. In addition to working side by side with the people of the village to build these homes we are going to try something that has never been attempted before.

We are taking a team of extremely talented musicians and singers to perform 4 concerts in the town of Kalavai in Tamil Nadu India. Music is an international language and our hope is to spread the Word of Jesus through the music and our God given gifts.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and the team and I'd like you to be a part of it.

The cost of the trip is $3000 per person which needs to be paid in several stages. First is $300 by Nov 23 for training and project expenses. The half way mark of $1500 is due by Jan 18, with the balance due Feb 22.

I ask that you pray and search your heart to support this adventure into the unknown. If God puts it on your heart to contribute a donation please do so. Your generosity may affect thousands of people in India who may never come to Christ without your help.

Tax deductible support donations can be mailed to :

Granger Community Church
attn: Jeanna Tripp
630 E. University Dr.
Granger IN, 46530
(write Brian Warrell India 2010 in the memo line)

Or you can give online:

www.gccwired.com/missiontrips
(After setting up an account select my name from the drop down box.)

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Incredible!

2009-11-18T22:34:00.003-05:00

This past weekend at the Wild at Heart Boot Camp was incredible! John Eldredge is an awesome teacher. During the sessions I could feel the healing of so many men's hearts, the presence of God was thick in the air the whole weekend. The food and accommodations were first class and the weather was great too.

Thank you for your prayers of intersession. God revealed many things to me that I had suppressed for a long time. Then He freed me from them and healed my heart. I can't say enough about the wonderful feelings I have right now.

Expectation

2009-11-12T13:42:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting in the Denver airport waiting for the shuttle to take me to the Wild at Heart Bootcamp.
I have an overwhelming feeling that i am on the verge of an enormous breakthrough. I ask that you pray that whatever it is that I pay close attention and not miss it.

Thanks for your prayers

Brian

Fuel

2009-11-11T06:26:00.003-05:00

My purpose in life is fueled by my potential.

I was looking through one of my old notebooks this morning and found this on one of the pages somewhere in the middle all by it's self. I had written it there as a draft for my mission statement. I had forgotten it was there. I think I'm going to start using it!

Living by faith

2009-11-01T10:41:00.003-05:00

The just shall live by faith. Rom 1:17

Who are the just? They are the ones whom God proclaims as being righteous.

He declares that, when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are righteous. When we come to the Lord to live our life in faith, we are given a supernatural ability to receive things from Him by faith. As a result, we know where we're going and we know also that we are equipped for the journey. Likewise, we realize that we're never at a loss and no matter what valley or obstacle we may have to face, we know we can always get trough it or overcome it, because we're living by faith. Don't count yourself out. The just shall live by faith. Remember, you are justified, which means God sees you just as if you had never sinned because of Jesus' blood in your life.

excerpt from: Image That by Dewy Friedel

I'm In-dia

2009-10-08T07:52:00.005-04:00

Over the past couple of years God has really opened my heart and mind to following His will for me. It's not been an easy task (sometimes I miss the opportunities He has laid out for me). But, I try to be diligent in following His lead, I try to be aware of His promptings, and pray for His guidance every day, He has amazed me so many times.

In just a few weeks I'll be going to Colorado to attend the Wild at Heart Boot Camp with John Eldredge and 300 other men for a weekend retreat. This is one of God's promptings. I really didn't have the money to go but God put it on my heart to ask for help. So I did. I sent emails to several men that I trust, admire, and serve God side by side with. And God put it on their hearts to provide. All expenses have been paid by the generosity of these men of God.

A few days ago God put something else on my heart. I got the call to go to India. I'm a member at Granger Community Church in Granger Indiana. Our Life Missions Department has a partnership with Showers of Blessings Church in Tamil Nadu India. We send a group there twice a year that consists of a Health and Wellness Team, Construction Team, Conversational English Team, and a Micro-Enterprise/Small Business Team. We also have an ongoing commitment of educating Church planters and have planted over 250 churches in this area.

In March of 2010 we are adding a team to the trip. A group of musicians and dancers. I'm not exactly sure of the details yet but we will be providing worship music for church services as well as helping with one of the other outreach teams. We'll be spreading the love of Jesus with our talents and our hands and feet.

I've had the thought of going to India in the back of my mind for a little while, but really hadn't felt the call to go, and then I got a phone call. God called! How obvious is that?

Now the process begins. I'll need to raise the money, get a passport, immunizations, and visas. I'll post the info as I get it if anyone of you wants to contribute to the cause.

Our God is and awesome God!

"Do Good and Show Love"

2009-09-26T06:44:00.004-04:00

I walked into my first AA meeting nearly 18 years ago and a guy named Raymond was the first person to welcome me.

He always had a huge smile on his face, glad to see you, and quick with a handshake and a hug. He was one of the "Old Timers", been around for awhile.

"Do Good and Show Love" was his favorite saying, no it was his motto.

Raymond passed away the other day. He's going to missed by hundreds of people that came into the program down and out, lost and hurting, or just plain sick and tired of being sick and tired. He has left behind a legacy of sober friends because he lived "Do Good and Show Love".

Leader

2009-09-19T13:32:00.003-04:00

"The first person a leader leads is himself."

Daniel- a classmate in my Public Speaking class.

Talking

2009-09-09T17:43:00.003-04:00

"Instead of Talking about how everything is going down the drain, let's talk about what is possible with God."

Joyce Meyer

I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in our problems that we forget that God is bigger than everything. Even our problems. Joyce is right, let's look to God when the going get tough, He is our answer.

What God sees

2009-08-29T06:01:00.000-04:00

Your sin has been dealt with. Your Father has removed it from you “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). Your sins have been washed away (1 Cor. 6:11). When God looks at you he does not see your sin. He has not one condemning thought toward you (Rom. 8:1). But that’s not all. You have a new heart. That’s the promise of the new covenant: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezek. 36:26 –27). There’s a reason that it’s called good news.

Too many Christians today are living back in the old covenant. They’ve had Jeremiah 17:9 drilled into them and they walk around believing my heart is deceitfully wicked. Not anymore it’s not. Read the rest of the book. In Jeremiah 31:33, God announces the cure for all that: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” I will give you a new heart. That’s why Paul says in Romans 2:29, “No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit.” Sin is not the deepest thing about you. You have a new heart. Did you hear me? Your heart is good.

What God sees when he sees you is the real you, the true you, the man he had in mind when he made you.

Excerpt from Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

By Faith

2009-08-26T12:18:00.001-04:00

Hebrews 11:5-6

⁵By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Our Faults

2009-08-16T06:00:00.003-04:00

A Prayer for Facing Our Faults

I have been hiding from my faults, God. I've been blaming others for my own mistakes. Help me. God, to search my soul. Teach me to be honest with myself. Give me the courage to accept responsibility for my actions. Grant me the humility to ask for forgiveness from those I have injured.

Fill me with the desire to change, God. Remind me that I have the power to remake my life. You have filled me with enormous potential, God; teach me how to realize all the gifts of my soul.

Be my guide, God; lead me to goodness, to joy, to learning, and to peace. Amen

from: Talking to God by Naomi Levy

When I was in Chicago this is the prayer I found in a small book in the Chicago Library (see post from August 1 2009).

Refuge

2009-08-09T08:51:00.003-04:00

God is good,
a hiding place in tough times.
He recognizes and welcomes
anyone looking for help,
No matter how desperate the trouble.

Nahum 1:7 (The Message)

How long has it been since you've come to God, spent time with Him, and listened to Him? Stay away from His presence too long and your heart grows cold. You begin to lose your way.

If you've not done so, I encourage you to memorize Nahum 1:7 and apply it to your Life. God is a great refuge. He will give you peace and strength today.

excerpt from Still God's Man by Don M. Aycock & Mark Sutton

Lost in a Sea of Faces

2009-08-01T20:30:00.016-04:00

From time to time I just need to get away for a little while and have some alone time with God. My normal routine is to go out in to nature like a state park or by the lake (see post From 01/04/09). But today I felt that I was being led to do the opposite. So I took the South Shore train into Chicago for the afternoon. I'm not sure why but it seemed that there was something I needed to learn from being alone in the middle of 3 million people. How was I going to hear from God there? What was he trying to get through to me?
I walked up and down Michigan Ave. in the rain, stopped in a couple of shops, and saw some of the sites but nothing. I even sat on a bench outside of Water Tower Place to people watch, and still nothing. The whole time I was talking to God, asking for direction. Then suddenly something told me to go the Chicago Public Library. THE LIBRARY? What? Are you kidding me? I came all this way to go to the library? Ok if that's what you want. So a walked a few blocks to the main branch of the Chicago Public Library and went in. I asked for a little help finding the books on Christian Religion, and starting walking up and down the rows of books. There must be thousands of them about Christianity. I was whispering; Ok God which one, what is it that I'm supposed to find here. I picked up a book about Nehemiah, (he is one of my Biblical heroes) read through a few pages but nothing. So I put it back and looked some more. And then after about 15 minutes endless titles a small little book caught my eye, Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle, and Celebration by Naomi Levy. I opened it up right to the page I needed to read: A Prayer for Facing our Faults. That was it. As I read the prayer I could feel the wheels turning in my head. Wow!

Just what I needed, but did I really have to go through all that to find it? I guess so, sometimes the journey is just as important as the the treasure.

As soon as I finish this post I'm going to buy that book online. I love having resources like this to help me with my walk. But more importantly so I can help other people with their walks.

Easter 1960

2009-07-30T14:04:00.003-04:00

Forgiveness breaks the chain of causality because he who forgives' you - out of love - takes upon himself the consequences of what you have done. Forgiveness, therefore, always entails a sacrifice.

The price you must pay for your own liberation through another's sacrifice, is that you in turn must be willing to liberate in the same way, irrespective of the consequences to yourself.

Quote from "Markings" by Dag Hammarskjold

Mirrors

2009-07-26T22:40:00.004-04:00

"I used to live in a room full of mirrors; all I could see was me. I take my spirit and I crash my mirrors, now the whole world is here for me to see." - Jimi Hendrix

I think sometimes I get so caught up in my thoughts and struggles that I forget there are others in this world that are a lot worse off than me. This quote reminds me that I have to break out of my own head and put my focus them. By getting out of self and helping them with their struggles it helps me overcome my own.

Identity Is Bestowed

2009-07-18T07:19:00.002-04:00

Deep within the Arrows stay, poisoning our self-perceptions, until someone comes along with the power to take them away, free us from all the false selves we use to weather the world’s weather, and restore to us our true identity. Identity is not something that falls on us out of the sky. For better or for worse, identity is bestowed. We are who we are in relation to others. But far more important, we draw our identity from our impact on those others—if and how we affect them. We long to know that we make a difference in the lives of others, to know that we matter, that our presence cannot be replaced by a pet, a possession, or even another person. The awful burden of the false self is that it must be constantly maintained.

We think we have to keep doing something in order to be desirable. Once we find something that will bring us some attention, we have to keep it going or risk the loss of the attention.

And so we live with the fear of not being chosen and the burden of maintaining whatever it is about us that might get us noticed and the commitment never to be seen for who we really are. We develop a functional self-image, even if it is a negative one. The little boy paints his red wagon a speckled gray with whatever Father left in the can after putting a new coat on the backyard fence. “Look what I did!” he says, hoping for affirmation of the wonderful impact his presence has on the world. The angry father shames him: “What do you think you’re doing? You’ve ruined it.” The boy forms an identity: My impact is awful; I foul good things up. I am a fouler. And he forms a commitment never to be in a place where he can foul things up again. Years later, his colleagues wonder why he turned down an attractive promotion. The answer lies in his identity, an identity he received from the impact he had on the most important person in his world and his fear of ever being in such a place again.

Excerpt from The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge

http://www.ransomedheart.com/ministry/default.aspx

Strong Language

2009-07-12T22:03:00.003-04:00

John used the strongest language of any of the apostles, and he
said that if we claim to have fellowship with God and yet are in
darkness, we lie. There are a great many folk today who say they
have fellowship with Him, and they’re not settling the things that
are wrong in their lives. My friend, if you are going to walk with
God, you are going to walk in light. And if there is sin in your
life, you are not walking with Him. You cannot bring Him down
to your level.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ, his Son, cleanseth [keeps on cleansing] us from
all sin. (1 John 1:7)

He died to save us from the guilt of sin. I have been saved –
that’s justification. I am being saved – that is sanctification. That’s
what the old theologians call deliverance from the pollution of
sin.

Excerpt from How to have a Fellowship with God by Dr. J. Vernon McGee

http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.irLMKXPGLsF/b.4104243/k.B4BD/Booklet_Downloads.htm

Sin is Adultery

2009-07-04T09:55:00.003-04:00

The word sin has lost its meaning in our culture. Wonderful tasting foods are marketed as "sinfully delicious." Sin is sexy, fun, and thrilling and greatly misperceived as "something fun and enjoyable that God doesn't want me to do." We rarely think of sin as the source of all we hate in life...of all that steals, kills, and destroys.

Sin at the core is choosing my will and ways, despite what God declares about his will and ways that lead to love and life. Basically, when I don't trust that his ways will get me the life that satisfies, I choose my will and ways-that's sin. To most, it feels like no big deal because it's the way of the world.

To God...it feels like adultery.

excerpt from Soul Revolution by John Burke

Faith

2009-06-21T23:00:00.003-04:00

We act in faith - and miracles occur. In consequence, we are tempted to make the miracles the ground for our faith. The cost of such weakness is that we lose the confidence of faith. Faith is, faith creates, faith carries. It is not derived from, nor created, nor carried by anything except its own reality.

Quote from "Markings" by Dag Hammarskjold

Guitar Hero

2009-06-14T07:46:00.016-04:00

Rick Derringer has always been one of my favorite guitar players. His work spans over 4 decades. His most notable hit was "Hang on Sloopy" in 1965 when he was with the McCoy's. He is also known for hits like "Free Ride" and "Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo" with the Edgar Winter Group. He has produced dozens of albums and recorded hundreds of songs with other artist. He's played or recorded with legends like Jimi Hendirx and John Lennon to Barbra Streisand. In my opinion he is one of the all time greatest, he was doing hammer-ons way before Eddie Van Halen made them famous.

From time to time I'll get on Youtube and search a few things just to see what's going on in the world. This morning I did a search on Rick. There are some great videos of live performances out there, had fun watching some of those. But there is also a series of interviews (from Dec 07) with him. I love watching interviews of my favorite people. It helps me understand who they are a person not just how I perceive them to be. One of the interviews is on faith. I thought I'd share it with you. It brings a smile to my face.

http://www.rickderringer.com/

The Enemy

2009-06-12T17:21:00.006-04:00

The worst enemy you have is not your neighbor not your bill collector, he is not your severest critic nor your most aggressive competitor. We can identify him without calling in the FBI to determine who he is. In fact, I trust we can apprehend and condemn him very shortly, thus giving you a victory over him. Your worst enemy is sitting in the seat with you at this moment.

The enemy is yourself, as you have probably suspected. He occupies the same skin that you occupy. He uses the same brain you use in thinking his destructive thoughts. He uses the same hands the you use to perform his own deeds, and may I say to you that this enemy - your flesh - can do you more harm that anyone else; he is the greatest handicap you have in your daily Christian life.

Now there are two factors that make dealing with this enemy extremely difficult:

In the first place, we are reluctant to recognize and identify him. We are loathe to label him as an enemy. The fact of the matter is most of us rather like him.

The second problem, or objection, is that he is on the inside of us. If he would only come out and fight like a man it would be different, but he will not. It is not because he is a coward but because he can fight better from his position within.

Excerpt from Ai and I by Dr. J. Vernon Mcgee

Follow link to download Dr McGee's full teaching on this subject.

http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.irLMKXPGLsF/b.4104243/k.B4BD/Booklet_Downloads.htm

Honor

2009-05-26T18:44:00.005-04:00

I turned on the tube this morning as I was putting my work boots so I could leave for work. I only turned it on for a couple of minutes to catch the weather. The national news was on and they were reporting on a Memorial Day event in California. There is a national cemetery in southern California where servicemen have been buried for decades. For Memorial Day they read each one of the names of the service men and women buried there. This went on for 24 hours a day for 8 days. There are thousands that gave their lives for our country buried there. The reporter was interviewing a woman that was one of the volunteers that read the names. Her husband had been in the Korean War and had past away a few years ago. She had the privilege of reading his name along with many others. The reporter made this statement; "It must have been a honor to read his name." Her answer surprised me. She said "It was an honor for him." Wow what a loving response. I excepted her to say something like "Yes it was a honor for me." But she said that it was a honor for her husband.

I think some times I try to do good things for people or do the right things. And I feel good about it and I feel that it's an honor for me to serve or help out. What I need to remember is that the good I do is a honor for Him, Jesus.

Rewind

2009-05-24T08:48:00.005-04:00

Every Time I hear this song it reminds me of how I used to be and how I am now. If I look back over my life I can see how God has been there every step of the way, but I was not always walking with him. I thank him every day for my salvation and His love that carried me through all those years and will be with me for eternity.

Rewind by Pillar copyright 2004

It seems just like yesterday
Was the first time that I heard you call my name
Since then so much has changed
I'm still the same man that I was before
Knowing that I could be without anything scares me away from being alone
Now that I know whats going on
I could look back and see you
And I made you wait
As I turned away

If I could rewind
Watch all my life, just pass me by I could see you
If I could rewind
Take back the lies, and all of those times I hurt you

I don't know if I'll ever know, exactly how much that I hurt you
Knowing that hurts me everyday
If I could rewind I would take it away
And not make you wait
And I won't walk away

If I could rewind
Watch all my life, just pass me by I could see you
If I could rewind
I'd take back the lies, and all of those times I hurt you

I wanna take back all those lies
I wanna take back all those times
I wanna show you in my life, that I'm here for you

If I could rewind
Watch all my life, just pass me by I could see you
If I could rewind
I'd take back the lies, and all of those times I hurt you

Errors

2009-05-23T13:18:00.001-04:00

Your errors of the past make your relation to others difficult when the present shows you that you might repeat them.

Quote from "Markings" by Dag Hanmarskijold

Glory in your weakness

2009-05-16T09:24:00.004-04:00

Paul said, "I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for his glory."1 Instead of posing as self-confident and invincible, see yourself as a trophy of grace. When Satan points out your weaknesses, agree with him and fill your heart with praise for Jesus, who "understands every weakness of ours,"2 and for the Holy Spirit, who "helps us in our weakness."3

from
The Purpose Driven Life day 35

1) 2 Corinthians 12:5b (LB)
2) Hebrews 4:1a (CEV)
3) Romans 8:26a (NIV)

Surrendered

2009-05-10T10:26:00.004-04:00

He who has surrendered himself to it knows that the Way ends on the Cross - even when it is leading him through the jubilation of Gennesaret or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

quote from "Markings" by Dag Hammarskjold

1 year ago

2009-05-06T20:44:00.003-04:00

It's been almost a full year that I started this blog (man time has flown by). My intent at that time was to chronicle my new adventure of returning to school after all these years. Although I do comment about that from time to time this has morphed into something much better than I had anticipated.

I've finished my first full year of school and have a 4.0 GPA. Wow who would have ever thunk it(nice grammar don't you think)?

I think God uses us in so many ways. The Bible verses and comments I post are from my everyday study and prayer time. I hope that they are as helpful to you as they are to me.

Summer semester starts in a couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to it already.

Thanks for your comments and support.

Have you ever...

2009-05-01T17:27:00.002-04:00

Have you ever spent the time memorizing a scripture because you like the way it sounds? I've been reading The Purpose Driven Life again. When I read it for the first time a few years ago I bought the Daily Inspiration guide to go with it. The guide is full of Bible verses that enhance the day's reading. On day 11 this one is included.

Psalm 25:14 (LB)

Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.

When I read it I thought to myself that this would be a good one to meditate on and memorize. I liked the sound of it. I didn't have any idea that within a couple of days I would have an opportunity to share it with a close friend. He had been struggling with some things and as he was telling me about what was going on this verse kept popping in my head. I shared it with him and it was the answer to is questions. Man how cool is the way God works in our lives!?

Have a Friend be a Friend

2009-04-19T20:50:00.005-04:00

Luke 5:18-20 (NIV)

Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

"It's tough to bring a friend to Jesus. It takes time and determination. Someone you know needs your help. And we need to to help them. Even if it makes us late to Church."
Mark Beeson (paraphrased)

These guys where late for Church because they had to carry their friend to Jesus. But because they where determined to help their friend they did something unthinkable, they tore the roof off the house to lowered him to Jesus.

I have to ask myself: How willing am I to tare the roof off for a friend? Is it OK for me to be late? Will I drive across town to give someone a ride?

To be honest I have to say, not always. I get caught up in my own little world and sometimes miss opportunities to bring someone to Jesus. This is an area I need to improve, and now that I recognize this hidden fault I will be more in tuned to to bring a friend to Jesus.

Look Around

2009-04-13T06:23:00.002-04:00

Luke 3:11(NIV)

John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

The other day I was listening to Joyce Meyer while driving to work. She was talking about blessings. She said something to the effect of: Look around your house, you have things there that you hardly ever or never use. Take those things and give them to someone who needs them or will use them, be a blessing to someone today.

As she was talking about this, a particular item I own and who I should give it to came to mind. I bought it a couple of years ago on impulse. I didn't need it at the time and I never really used it either. So yesterday I packed it up and took it to church with me to gave to a talented young man who will use it. He didn't have one but he really should for the type of work he does (he has been borrowing one from other guys for a while now).

When I gave it to him he was in disbelief, he thought I was joking at first. The joy on his face was beautiful. He thanked me and asked why I had done this. I told him that I bought it a couple of years ago and don't ever use it, and God told me (through Joyce Meyer) to give it to him.

Blessing a friend this way is good for the soul, the joy on his face warmed my heart.

Please understand that I'm not telling this story to blow my own horn. I'm sharing this because I feel that we as Christians need to bless each other, love each other, share with each other.

Look around your house, bless someone today.

Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT)

2009-04-09T16:37:00.001-04:00

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Ahh the weather is great

2009-04-06T12:49:00.010-04:00

Wet and heavy April snow did a number on the big maple tree in my backyard. Around 2:30am the electric went out in my neighborhood, so it was really quite in the house. I was trying to fall back asleep when I heard what sounded like an earthquake. I looked out the window and found the tree had fallen. It broke into three pieces, one fell in the yard, one hit my house and the last one hit my neighbor's house. I went out to check the damage just as he was coming out too. It looks like he has more damage than I do. I feel really bad about it. But the good news is that no one was hurt.

Faithfulness Pays

2009-03-28T20:29:00.004-04:00

Deuteronomy 11:12-14(NIV)

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.

God has really blessed me. As most of you know I have a 12 year old son that lives in Orlando FL with his mom. He spends 6 weeks in the summer and a week at Christmas time in South Bend with me and my family. But I've only been able to go there once in the 8 years they've lived there. I haven't been able to afford go there until this year. With the winter being really cold and long I had to work a lot of overtime which provided me with the funds to make the trip this year.

I've really tried to be faithful to the Lord, and he has provided for me in so many ways. Having the opportunity to spend time with my son has been the best.

Me Too

2009-03-14T11:06:00.002-04:00

I've been reading Rob Bell's book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians, and this caught my attention.

Me Too.
When you're struggling,
when you're hurting,
wounded, limping, doubting,
questoning, barely hanging on,
moments away from another relapse,
and somebody can identify with you-
someone knows the temptations that are at your door,
somebody has felt the pain that you are feeling,
when someone can look you in the eye and say, "Me too,"
and they actually mean it-
it can save you.

When you aren't judged,
or lectured,
or looked down upon,
but somebody demonstrates that they get it,
that they know what it's like,
that you're aren't alone,
that's "me too".

Everyday Actions?

2009-03-03T20:33:00.007-05:00

Have you ever been shopping for something and as you're looking around something else grabs your attention? You end up buying the thing you came for and the other thing too. Then after a few days you realize that the thing that you bought on impulse was really meant for you to give to someone else. You give it away to someone that needs it more than you. In a couple of days that person comes back to you and tells you that the gift touched their heart so much that they shared it with someone else. Something like this just happened to me. I bought a book to read because the subject matter seemed interesting. I read most of it when I realized that someone I know needed it more than me. Pretty cool.

I think this is one of the ways God works through us to reach those around us. If we pay attention when he's talking he will work wonders through our everyday actions. How cool is that?

Wow

2009-03-01T14:58:00.001-05:00

I saw this on Bryan Nelson's blog and thought it was pretty cool. Enjoy.

Another Snowy Morning

2009-02-22T06:13:00.003-05:00

I got up at 5:45 today and looked out the window and saw that it was still snowing. UGH. I am really getting tired of this winter. With the first snow coming in October it's been a long cold ride. So I thought to myself what would be good for breakfast. Coffee? of course. Cornflakes? nope. Peanut butter and Jelly? no way. I know... beacon and eggs, Oh Yeah. There is something about beacon and eggs in the morning to get the day started off right. Man where they good.

Sometimes

2009-02-12T17:32:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I have nothing to say....today is one of those days.

Peace

Oh wait I guess I did have something to say...peace

Smiling Down

2009-02-06T17:59:00.002-05:00

Pillar (copyright 2008)

You make it so hard on yourself
But there’s nobody else
That could ever understand
The feelings that you felt
I could hear you think about
All the time I was around
If you could only see me now
I’m right here looking down

So next time that you feel like crying
Next time you don’t feel like trying
Just remember I’ll be right there
Smiling down on you
In the morning you don’t feel like rising
Next time you feel like compromising
Just remember I’ll be right there
Smiling down on you

I know you won’t forget
All the time we got to spend
Just because it’s been a while
Doesn’t mean that it’s the end
So right here and now
I’ll swear you a vow
That I will always be with you
Whenever you feel down
Nothing ever will come between us
Now I’m holding on to the hand of Jesus

So next time that you feel like crying
Next time you don’t feel like trying
Just remember I’ll be right there
Smiling down on you
In the morning you don’t feel like rising
Next time you feel like compromising
Just remember I’ll be right there
Smiling down on you

I’ll be right there looking down
Even when the sun don’t shine
I’ll be right there looking down
On a long the winter night
I’ll be right there looking down
With a smile on my face
I’ll be right there with my arms open wide
Right here on Jesus’ side

So next time that you feel like crying
Next time you don’t feel like trying
Just remember I’ll be right there
Smiling down on you
In the morning you don’t feel like rising
Next time you feel like compromising
Just remember I’ll be right there
Smiling down on you

Thorn in the flesh

2009-01-28T08:28:00.008-05:00

Sunday evening I was serving at GSM (Granger Student Ministries). DC Curry was teaching the message and said something that hit a chord with me. He was preaching from the book of Habakkuk about listening to God. This was a really good lesson, but he mentioned Paul as a side note and that is what struck me. He said something about Paul was given a thorn in the side, and that's all he said about it. So when I got home I looked it up (biblegateway.com is an awesome tool).

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I think this statement can apply to any situation we find ourselves in. For the past few months I've been wrestling with God about my job. I'm very grateful to be employed and have been able to pay my bills and get a little ahead. My employer has even given me time off during the day to go to school. But I'm not happy there. I don't feel that this is where I should be, I think I should be out saving the world. I've prayed and prayed for God to open doors for me to move on, but I'm still working there. When DC mentioned the thorn in the side that's when I realized that I am right where God wants me to be. This is my thorn. I'm not going to give in to the lies the enemy will use against me. I know deep in my heart that God is preparing something much greater than anything I could ever ask. The past couple of days I've been trying to delight in my job, and my attitude has changed. I'm not wrestling with God any longer, I'm thankful for what he has provided and am looking to the future instead of fighting for it, thorn and all.

Pondering

2009-01-22T15:26:00.003-05:00

"We carry our nemesis within us: yesterday's self-admiration is the legitimate father of today's feeling of guilt."

-quote from Markings by Dag Hammarskjild

Spring? Semester

2009-01-17T15:54:00.004-05:00

Spring semester started this past week. I'm really looking forward to this semester and spring! I'm taking an online computer class which should be no big deal, and I'm doing the first of 2 internships. I'll be doing my internship with Cathy Guy at GCC. I have to have 10 hours a week. I'll be a facilitator for turning point on Monday nights, which will be very cool. I'll also be working with DC Curry in the student ministry. I hope to be a roll model and mentor for some kids that really need a male figure in their lives. And to round out my time I'll be making hospital visitations when I can. This is looking like it should be a great semester!

30 Years Ago?

2009-01-06T15:26:00.009-05:00

This picture was taken for the 1979 Hoosier Poet, the James Whitcomb Riley High School yearbook. It looks like there is snow on the ground so I'm guessing it was just about this time of year. Man time flies! I didn't get a copy of the yearbook when I was in school so I went down to the library today found it, scanned it, and emailed it to myself. I'm not sure what made me think of this picture but I think it's kind of cool.

Had to get away

2009-01-04T06:45:00.006-05:00

I try to get away from it all 3 to 4 times a year to think, reflect, and talk with God, yesterday was one of those days. The last time I did this was in August, I went to the lighthouse at Michigan City on Lake Michigan. This time I went to Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer Michigan (one of several places I like to go). Now going to the beach in January may sound a little odd but it's the best place to be alone. In the summer this place is visited by thousands of people everyday, but yesterday it was me and two other cars. One of the features of the park is Tower Hill, a 240 ft high sand dune that seems to rise straight up from the beach. I climbed to the top and looked out over Lake Michigan. From up there it seemed like I was on top of the world, a little closer to God. It was quiet, peaceful, only the sound of the wind and my out-of-shape heart jumping out of my chest. Here I was all alone, just me and God. I sat on a fallen tree, just sat there for a long time, letting my mind wonder, clearing my thoughts. I prayed, talked with God and read from the Bible. I turned to James Chapter one, I find this chapter to always be encouraging because it talks about patience, perseverance,wisdom and believing. But this time I read Chapter 2 also, and low and behold this is what I needed to read. Man God is great!

James 2:14-24

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

If faith without actions is useless then actions without faith must be useless too. Now I'm not thinking about jumping of a bridge because I have faith, but I need to have more faith with the actions I do take. I get so caught up in complaining about the way things are that I forget that God has great plans for me. If I really want things to change then I need to take some faith filled action so God can fulfill His plans.

How willing am I to share my faith?

2008-12-28T08:42:00.005-05:00

I was reading Mark Collier's blog this morning, he's the Associate Pastor at Destiny Church in Tulsa OK. I met him and his brother a couple of years ago when they made a visit to GCC to check out the weekend services. I've been checking his blog from time to time and he always has great stuff on there. When I first saw this link with Penn from Penn and Teller I didn't really think much of it, but something told me to watch it so I did.

Please watch this clip before reading on.

">

Here's the thing, am I as willing to share my faith with a stranger as the guy he's talking about? I have to honestly say no. Why? If my mission is to help people find their potential and purpose in life then why am I so willing to keep the word to myself? Could it be because I'm afraid to come of as the guy standing on the street corner handing out tracks and yelling on a bull horn? If I'm holding the way to eternal life in my hands and don't share it, is that any better than scaring people with damnation? What do I need to do? I need to be as genuine and honest as the man he's talking about. Maybe handing out Bibles is a little much but the respectful way that he approached Penn speaks volumes.

Spammed

2008-12-20T09:35:00.003-05:00

This blog was spammed a few days ago. I've had to change the way comments can be added to the posts. If you add a comment it may take a day or so for me to allow it to be shown. Sorry for the inconvenience.

I don't understand why some fanatics think they have the right to spread their propaganda anonymously on blogs that are posted to help people grow closer to Christ. I think it's cowardly to make these types of statements in the name of Christ and then hide behind the vastness of the Internet. This guy was apparently from Australia. I removed his comments right away, I'm sorry if you happened to see them before I could get them taken off.

Thanks for your comments and support! You guys are great!

Restore

2008-12-18T20:00:00.002-05:00

1 Peter 5:8-11 The Message

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

Another Reminder

2008-12-07T07:06:00.005-05:00

I've been reading a few pages a day from Streams of Living Water for a couple of months now. Just about every time I pick up this book something gets my attention. There are times especially at work when I get all wrapped up in what I'm doing so I forget that everything I do in this life should be for the Glory of God. But I get frustrated or things don't go my way, I get upset and caught up in my own problems. I forget that God is with me all the time. So when I read this prayer it really hit home.

"Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not confined to the church, or closet, nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in Thy presence. So may my every word and action have a moral content... May all the happenings of my life prove useful and beneficial to me. May all things instruct me and afford me an opportunity of exercising some virtue and daily learning and growing toward Thy likeness... Amen."

Susanna Wesley
Mother of John and Charles Wesley

Is everything I do for the Glory of God? Not always...but when I read something like this it reminds me that I'm human and I need His help in everything I do.

Sometimes I need to remember...

2008-12-03T20:59:00.002-05:00

Proverbs 14:29

A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

For the most part I'm pretty laid back and take things as they come but sometimes I just get ticked off, and when I do I need to remember this proverb.

The Bouquet of Thorns

2008-11-27T18:02:00.005-05:00

I've been on call for work this past week and it seems like every time I'm on call the weather is either really cold or extremely hot. I've worked almost 80 hours durning the past week. Today is Thanksgiving and I had to go out on three calls this morning. One in Elkhart, one in Mishawaka and one in New Carlisle. I was listening to the radio on my way from Mishawaka to New Carlisle and the Revive Our Hearts Show with Nancy Leigh DeMoss came on. I don't normally listen to her show but I did today and I'm so thankful I did. I am very grateful to have a job even if it's not exactly what I'd like to be doing but it pays the bills and it's steady work. As I listened to the show my gratitude grew to another level. Follow the link, go to Thu. Nov 27 2008 and listen to the drama on the first 8:20 and let me know your thoughts.

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php

Have a very happy and grateful Thanksgiving

Be Strong Everyday!

2008-11-15T06:14:00.003-05:00

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Blown away......

2008-11-09T09:02:00.005-05:00

My 19 year old son Neil is an amazing young man. He is a computer whiz who builds extremely powerful and fast computers and also does repair work. He works evenings at Domino's in Granger. Since I work days we tend to pass each other as we come and go. When he gets home after work he stays up playing online video games with people from all other the world.

This morning he told me a story that blew me away. Yesterday morning he got a call from one of his online friends that has been having some personal problems. He said that she is recently divorced and is staying on the military base in Florida where her ex is stationed. She is really depressed and down and would have to move off the base in a few weeks. She is having finance problems on top of everything else. She called because she was having thoughts of suicide. He spent a good part of the day talking with her until her phone went dead. It was turned off due to past due balances on the account. He went to work and didn't hear from her all night. When he got home he decided to do some online research to see if he could get her address. He found what he was looking for and called the local police department in Florida. He told them what was going on asked if they would go by and check on her. Two hours later they called back and said that she was fine and her mother bought a ticket for her to fly back home to Maine. Then he said that he had a plan "B" if she didn't have a way to get home to Maine. He said that he was prepared to go to Florida and bring her here for a few days if she needed a place to stay.

Wow! I stood there as he told this story and I could hardly hold back the tears. My first comment was "That's awesome Neil, I don't know that I could have been willing to do what you did".

He acted as though it was nothing at all, just doing what he thought was right. Man if that's not the love of Jesus I don't know what is.

Rick Warren writes

2008-11-08T09:21:00.005-05:00

I read this prayer in The Purpose Driven Life (day 16 pg 126) a couple of years ago and have made it a part of my daily prayers.

"God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people - because that's what life is all about. I don't want to waste this day."

I thought I'd share this because I feel this has been a great help with my walk.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Meaning?

2008-11-02T09:20:00.004-05:00

Ever read something that makes you ask yourself; What does this mean?

Proverbs 27:20
Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.

I've thought about it for a while and have an idea of what it means to me but, I'm wondering what you guys think.