The Fall of Eve

Laugh today men.

props to http://churchcrunch.com/the-fall-of-adam-and-eve-interwebs-style

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas men. I'm glad that each one of you is in my life.

this is war

Just got the new Thirty Second to Mars cd. Wow! It is really good! It's the first time I have pressed play and listened to the whole cd. I didn't want it to end. It kinda reminds me of a modern day worship style cd. It's similar to Hillsong United or Obed Edem it that it's a driven with constant electic gutair riffs with under tones of acustic rythem. It also has very strong spiritual content. Not in a worshipful but on a seeking what it's all about way.

Got this great idea

Let's do church on the internet.





Props to my friend Greg.

Dads and Christmas

Found this waiting for me when I arrived in the office today. It was very convicting as I'm the scrooge when it comes to the holidays even more so after being persecuted by my family when my brother (thanks Jon) announced that over the Thanksgiving table that Abbie wasn't going to be brought up to believe a creepy fat white guy was going to break into the house only to find out that mommy and daddy are liars. *rant

Anyway read it man up hope you all are well.

Dad needs...

1. a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
2. to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.
3. to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
4. to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
5. to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
6. to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
7. to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
8. to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
9. to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
10. to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
11. to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
12. to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
13. to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
14. to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
15. to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
16. to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?

Read the rest here.

hello...hellllloooo?!

just curious if anyone is out there? Haven't seen any new post in a while, even from myself.

Checking In

I have been thinking about you guys lately. It's pretty amazing to think about all that has happened and all that God has done in all our lives since we used to chill on the patio behind Dave's or my house years ago. Heck, a lot has happened since we convened Man Night Reunion in Charleston last January. Since a fall trip didn't work out, what about another reunion in the quiet period just after the holidays? Does anyone have an opening?

1. Biggest thing that's happened in your life over the past 3 months?

Since April, Meg and I have wrestling with a sense that God is awakening (or re-awakening)some type of calling on our lives. This would be something to talk about in person (and I would love to talk about with you guys). Suffice it to say now, that we could use prayer.

2. Most challenging thing that's going on right now in your world?

Well, #1 would qualify. Also, parenting a two-year old. I'm also trying to take charge of my schedule. Between the busy-ness of family, church and work, as well as my general laziness and procrastination I think I lost control of my time. I end up not doing things that I should do/want to do (like entries on this blog, or calling Dave back).I am trying to take it back. That has been a challenge.

3. Best meal you've eat'n (because who doesn't love food)

I definitely love me some food. It's hard to point to one meal. But, Meg made me a hamburger three weeks ago that was simply amazing. The beef was good quality and perfectly cooked and all the toppings just blended together perfectly. She also made a blueberry cobbler back around June with a creme anglaise poured over it that was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Jeremy can attest to the cobbler.

4. Spiritually what are you wrestling with or learning right now?

See #1 and #2. Also, lust. Man, it just doesn't die.

5. Reading anything?

I've been reading a lot of stuff on the Holy Spirit over the past two months. It was for a study we've been doing on Sunday mornings. But, I'm just studying it for myself now. I'm reading an abridgment of Owen's work on the Holy Spririt, Francis Chan's new book "The Forgotten God", as well as Martyn Lloyd Jones' lectures on Revival. I feel my spiritual hunger and sensitivity has been raised as I have been studying the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

My b

Hey guys. It's been too long since I've posted here.

My b.

Been thinking about y'all a lot lately as I take a look at the future and where Lexie and I will eventually settle after she finishes school next December. It's intimidating to say the least, and my one hope for wherever we end up is that it'll either be near (same town, maybe?) some of you guys or that I'll be able to find a community of friends as good as y'all have been.

And now for the 5 questions:

1. Biggest thing in my life - Well, as you can probably guess, my engagement is the biggest thing that's happened to me lately. Our relationship has been getting deeper and deeper since then, and it's just made me even more sure of my decision to marry Lexie. We've been talking more honestly with each other, and I've seen huge positive changes in myself and in Lexie as we strengthen our communication. It's been great.

2. Most challenging thing: I've got a job right now that's pretty great (admin asst for an after-school program), but it keeps me from seeing Lexie much until the weekend. Since it's college football season, most Saturdays I just want to sit at home and watch college football either by myself or with a couple other guys. So the challenging part is just learning how to best use my time now that I'm not the only one who cares about how I spend my time. It's been a tough thing ever since Lexie and I have been dating, but it's definitely intensified since we've been engaged.

3. Best meal: The night of our engagement we went to a restaurant downtown called Vetri. It was and will continue to be the best food I've ever tasted. I never knew food could taste as good as the nine courses they put in front of us that night. Any description wouldn't do it justice.

4. Spiritual challenges: The most challenging thing that I've been working through has been trying to confess and repent more often. I've still been going to a counselor to talk about some Christianity-related doubts and frustrations I've been having for a long time, and one of the things we've been talking about is my conception of sin and my guilt before God. Bottom line is that I typically do think of myself as sinful and guilty, but I don't usually think it's that big of a deal since it's pretty much par for the course as a human. So to help me think more about my relationship to God, I'm trying to repent as soon as I catch myself sinning. My hope is that it'll help me think more about my sin vertically instead of just horizontally.

5. Reading: Lexie's uncle is this brilliant guy who's a professor of history and religious studies at Yale, and he wrote a good book on the Civil War that I've been reading. I've also been reading a book about interpretation and epistemology that I heard about while I was at l'Abri. As for Scripture, I've been reading John and going through NT Wright's book on that.

Gotta run now and get ready for a hot date tonight to celebrate my one year anniversary with Lexie. We're eating Vietnamese food and going to see Zombieland. Yeah. I hit the jackpot.

Some wisdom for all the newly engaged men.

Some wisdom for all the newly engaged men...


Congratulations guys excited for you.

(saw this book in Barnes, thought it was appropriate for this blog)

Hello all! I too am one of the one's that let busyness get in the way of blogging. Well, communicating in anyway to be honest. So here is my attempt, again.

1. Biggest thing that's happened in your life over the past 3 months?

well, a few things actually. One we have completely left the church we moved to AL to help start. Long sorry short, it became a very authoritative discipleship/shepherd type movement and then they started telling lies about us to people and told people not to talk to us and thats just the beginning. no need to get into anything else. I got a promotion at work, I am now a manager!
2. Most challenging thing that's going on right now in your world?

Challenging? hmmm. well learning a new job. Trying not to be bitter, which honestly I have been doing pretty good. Gods grace has definitely be with us through these past couple months. It's amazing how when you do things in the prober way (confronting and leaving) according to scripture how God truly does provide. (thanks to Randy and Dave for helping in that)
3. Best meal you've eat'n (because who doesn't love food)

the best meal has come from my own grill! I have challenged myself to learn how to grill the best chicken, steak, and burgers. I will have to say i have almost mastered it! It's all about preparation, using the write marinade and seasoning and marinading it for the right about of time, cooking at the right temp and for the right amount of time and using to right cut of meat. Most important key i will share is only flip the meat once! Some friends here have labeled my burger "The Joel Burger" and ask for it at least once a week. Yes, I take pride it this new ability!
4. Spiritually what are you wrestling with or learning right now?

This is something that I have been learning/pondering/ studying about for a while, Church. What is it? Is what we see today the way it is suppose to be? What is right and what isn't? Can I be apart of the institutional church? If it is what it is suppose to be then what in it is of God and what is of Men?
5. Reading anything?

I am reading 'Re-imagining Church" by Frank Viola