Ok so I have yet to naturally say the words "y'all" without throwing a "yeeha" or "there's a snake in my boots" reference but I have slowly gotten accustomed to this world I now live in. One day in particular, I was walking into Wal-Mart (forgive me its convenient) wearing a sweatshirt and thought man its getting cold. I looked at the temperature...80 degrees. 80 in Michigan, I would be at the beach with an ice cold beverage singing Kumbaya. On top of that along with several hundred dollars, my license plate now says Texas on it. I'm really just missing a pair of cowboy boots and nice Ford pick-up truck.
As I get used to my surroundings, I've been reflecting on the journey God has brought me through in life, growing up in Michigan to randomly move to Japan after graduating, a devastating Earthquake, 4 years in a foreign culture and randomly resting myself here in Abilene, Texas. Honestly, its still hard for me to believe that I took this job here without ever even setting foot in Texas. I vividly remember a conversation with my brother, Ryan, last March before I left Japan wondering where life will lead us to at the same time next year. It seems to be the journey I don't foresee is exactly where I'm supposed to be.
The greatest growth I have felt within me even often at the cost of my pride and desires at times has been in the direction of the LORD. Please don't read the last sentence as me being prideful thinking I am so great but truly amazed at His renewal that has etched its way into me. Often Jesus was found through the trials, earthquakes, loneliness, and anxiety but always consistently, patiently waiting for me to just simply say "Here's my life Lord and let your will be done." Unfortunately, pride gets its way in front of that statement thinking I deserve something else when foolishly I realize that there is really nothing else better than a relationship with Him. I mean this apart from politics, religion and how your neighbor thinks you should believe...a real genuine place. It reminds me of this song "You have me" by Gungor. Check it out if you haven't heard it.
If you find yourself extremely bored, you can see the transition God brought through my blog in which my first post in Japan in 2011 was "Day 1: Man These Toilets are Awesome!" and somewhere through the sarcasm and random posts I found myself writing about my pursuit of God. My whole point here is that God has taken me on a journey in this life and will continue to take me further along in that journey and I pray that my pursuits in life lead me closer to a stronger relationship with Him and truly be a man of Christ and not just somebody who talks about it. In recognizing this, I made the decision that this Sunday I will be Baptized. This in noway takes away from my Christian pursuits before this baptism but holds firm that ground I walk on as this journey of life continues to shine as I outwardly celebrate through baptism the faith that has been built up within me. I pray that this step helps me to continue to walk on the water that is belief. I could definitely use prayers as this is only but a step in life God has called me to.
As I get used to my surroundings, I've been reflecting on the journey God has brought me through in life, growing up in Michigan to randomly move to Japan after graduating, a devastating Earthquake, 4 years in a foreign culture and randomly resting myself here in Abilene, Texas. Honestly, its still hard for me to believe that I took this job here without ever even setting foot in Texas. I vividly remember a conversation with my brother, Ryan, last March before I left Japan wondering where life will lead us to at the same time next year. It seems to be the journey I don't foresee is exactly where I'm supposed to be.
The greatest growth I have felt within me even often at the cost of my pride and desires at times has been in the direction of the LORD. Please don't read the last sentence as me being prideful thinking I am so great but truly amazed at His renewal that has etched its way into me. Often Jesus was found through the trials, earthquakes, loneliness, and anxiety but always consistently, patiently waiting for me to just simply say "Here's my life Lord and let your will be done." Unfortunately, pride gets its way in front of that statement thinking I deserve something else when foolishly I realize that there is really nothing else better than a relationship with Him. I mean this apart from politics, religion and how your neighbor thinks you should believe...a real genuine place. It reminds me of this song "You have me" by Gungor. Check it out if you haven't heard it.
If you find yourself extremely bored, you can see the transition God brought through my blog in which my first post in Japan in 2011 was "Day 1: Man These Toilets are Awesome!" and somewhere through the sarcasm and random posts I found myself writing about my pursuit of God. My whole point here is that God has taken me on a journey in this life and will continue to take me further along in that journey and I pray that my pursuits in life lead me closer to a stronger relationship with Him and truly be a man of Christ and not just somebody who talks about it. In recognizing this, I made the decision that this Sunday I will be Baptized. This in noway takes away from my Christian pursuits before this baptism but holds firm that ground I walk on as this journey of life continues to shine as I outwardly celebrate through baptism the faith that has been built up within me. I pray that this step helps me to continue to walk on the water that is belief. I could definitely use prayers as this is only but a step in life God has called me to.
