A Challenge

So its been a week or two sense my last post. Its been a time of growing for me. I have started up a number of new projects; Teaching Sunday School, new courses (Crisis Counseling, Christian Leadership and Christian Leadership? Don't ask. It doesn't make sense to me either), and the dreaded burn out. Couple that with some lingering issues with the government pay system and their payment for my last move. Lets just say it's a challenge.

So how is it going? What can I say other then God is good. Candy has been very helpful taking care of smaller tasks so I can concentrate on larger issues. Taking small steps can relieve big burdens. I saw one of my pay issues become significantly smaller (I was finally paid for most of my DC trip) and I am enrolled for Sumer training with the Army (20th of July - 5 September). These were big issues. They are for the most part fixed.

Taking a sabbath rest...Yes Yes Yes. It is doing wonders. The simple act of taking a day off is wonderful!! I feel like I have a brain again. Beyond that Candy (my wife) has been doing small things to make me feel better. She made this little Easter basket for me and she keeps hinting about my Birthday coming up.

So I have the problems. I know them. I also know God is good. I am going to walk in that taking one small step at a time.

A New Journey

I just finished my last assignment for the half semester (liberty has 8 week cycles or half semesters and 16 week cycles or whole semesters). I petered out at the end. I worked at Walter Reed prior to the semester and it was draining. With this semester being so intense I have had little time to think and process. My wife Candy has been a great help to me.

I have been reminded by this and at many other times that I am no longer alone. This journey for me is a new one. Thoreau said he liked a wide margin to his life. Candy has helped to widen that margin. She has helped encouraged and changed me in so many ways. To give honor to whom honor is due without her I doubt I could have finished this semester.

As she has given wings to my dreams I wonder at hers. We walk together in this garden. I would not have her neglect her life for mine. I would give strength to her vision as she does to mine.

What does the world look like behind those beautiful eyes of hers? I would see it if I could. Of spiritual gifts I would rate empathy above prophecy any day.

Candy has told me only a few of her hopes. Of them are children, growth, salvation to her family and to grow in her gifting as a worship leader and to cook.

I will make Candy's goals mine. I will try to see that in her life all these giftings are lived out.

A New Hope

It's been maybe three years since I began working on my Masters for the Chaplaincy. I had previously given up on it. Then Candy (my wife) came along and suddenly there was purpose in me going the extra mile. I had pursued the ministry on and off for over ten years now.

When I graduated from Liberty University back in 97' I thought I was going to work with my home church in youth Ministry. I came back to believer's chapel only to find that there was no need. I joined the Army soon afterward. I was running from God. I really didn't think he cared any more.
Well in my little barracks room I watched Shawshank Redemption. The movie was largely about hope. In it Stephen King summarizes hope up in Andy's talk to his friend Red. "Remember Red. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." From that point on I lived in hope that God would take care of me. That he loved me.

For a long time that hope has been summed up in the Chaplaincy. I was a Chaplain's Assistant and found it a good avenue to minister to soldiers. Still I felt I needed to do more. To be more. So I tried and I tried to step out there but never giving it my all (less I fail). I did not want to be hurt. When I married Candy I knew something was different. I had in front of me a physical manifestation of God's provision of love in my life.

I need not worry if I fail God will be with me. I would not be alone because he would not forsake me. But more then that (if there is such a thing) God had provided me comfort which was something that I sorely needed. So after I married Candy I started to pursue the Chaplaincy again in earnest.

Like I said it's been almost three years now. I am almost done. It's now that I am looking around and wondering what now? When you get what you hope for what next? When you stand on the beach of Zihuatanejo, where do you look for a brand new hope?

I'll be interested in seeing your replies.