Joy

 During this season, I am trying to find joy when this job is boring.  I am seeking joy when life is not exciting.  I am seeking out joy when this job is draining.   I am seeking out joy when I zone at work.  I am seeking out joy in the midst of the day to day at work as well. 

Birthday

 This year's birthday month showed me the friends that God has blessed me with.   The friends that have been with me even in the hard seasons.   The friends that have supported me and encouraged me.   The friends that have prayed for me.   The friends through various stages of life, churches I have attended, and wherever God has led me.    Lastly, it showed me the friends that have loved and cared for me. 

This year

 This year, God is calling me to trust that God has a plan.   Trust that God is still working in midst of a tiring job.   Trust that God is still moving in these circumstances.   Trust in God's providential care for me.  Trust in more community of believers that can build me up in this season.  

Where is God leading us

 That is the question of this year.   Where is God leading us?  What city is God leading us next? What new positions will we have?  What new community will be God lead us to? 

What new mentors will God lead us to that will disciple us and encourage us in Christ? My wife and I's prayer for this year is show us and lead us.  We are praying for direction on where God is moving us this summer.   God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.  We are trying to trust him in his timing and that he is moving in this time.  

Proverbs

 In the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes to his son cautioning him not fall astray.   It is regarded as a source of wisdom literature.  Not all are attributed to King Solomon, but most are.  Total there are 31 sayings in the book of Proverbs.   Other writers for Proverbs include King Lemuel, Ague, and several anonymous wise men.   King Hezekiah is credited with writing Proverbs 25-29.   

I am seeking God wisdom, guidance, and direction in my life.   I am trying to trust in God's plans and direction.  Proverbs is a type of wisdom literature reminding the reader of the wisdom of God.   Proverbs also remind the reader of the sovereignty of God, to fear God, compares the wisdom of God vs the wisdom of man, and uses personification to describe the pitfalls of falling into sin.  

The book of Proverbs takes a direct shift at the very end of book in chapter 31.   Chapter 31 details what a godly woman that serves others looks like.  In this chapter it is King Lemuel who describes these qualities of a Proverbs 31 type woman and what that entails.    These descriptions are details descriptions of women that men look for.  The last section describes a virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. 

Direction

 I have been praying for direction from the Lord.   Direction on his leading to where he is calling me to serve him.   Direction on a community of believers in each me in Christ.   Direction on more mentors in my life to encourage me.  Direction in seeking God in my couples in Amanda and I's life to encourage us in this season.    Direction on more guys in my life to encourage.  Direction on people I can share the gospel with.  

In Proverbs 4:5-6, God calls us to "trust in the God with all of our heart." "And do not lean on our own understanding but acknowledge him in all of our ways."  God is calling me to trust him in his direction my life.   God is calling me to depend on him.  God is calling me to acknowledge him in all my ways.  

Right now, I need to trust God us still directing me and guiding me.   Trust him that he still has a plan for my life.   Trust him that he is still working.   And trusting him that he is still providing for me every step of the way.   Lastly, trust him he still with me every step of the way.

Joy

 In Debra Fileta's book Soul Care, one of the chapters describes saving life.   It describes finding ways to savor all of life.    She analyzes if you are truly saving life at this moment.    Do you have joy right now? Are you savoring life? 

That chapter stood out to me because right now I do not feel like I am savoring life.   I am not doing the things I enjoy.  I am still waiting for God's direction as to where he is leading me in life.   I feel like he is leading me to a Children's Ministry/Family Ministry position.   God has given me a passion to disciple the family in the church.  

At this current job, I do not feel joy.  At times, they criticize every little thing I do.   I am doing the best of my ability.  I am going at a fast pace.   It's hard at times when people mess with me for being a believer in Jesus Christ.   

Isaiah

 All throughout the book of Isiah God imparts to the prophet his heart for his people.   The phrase "I will" is repeated throughout the book.  God repeats his promise of leading and restoring his people back to him even through exile.    In the midst of judgement, God imparts to Isiah to tell Israel of his plan to lead his back to him.  In the last book of Isiah, God imparts to Isiah a new future for Israel.   This new future will have a new heavens and new earth.  Some people debate on what type of realized future state of Israel this will be or if it will be in an eternal state.  

In the midst of judgement and exile, God imparts his holiness to his people.  Also, in the midst of judgement God shows his power to his people.   Through Isaiah, God shows he is sovereign over sin, judgement, oppression, and evil in this world.   God shows to his people that he is sending a Messiah to restore them back to him.   He has a future plan to lead them out of their sin and oppression.  

Rest

 God is calling me to rest in him more.   Rest in silence in him.   Rest in savoring who he is and how he has made me and my surroundings.  Rest in the stillness of his presence.  Lastly, resting in that he is God alone.   

We were going through Psalm 46 at church today.   First, we can rest that God is our refuge and strength.  2. Rest that God is with us.  Rest that God is with us in the midst of the chaos in our life.   The church he talked about resting in God in the midst of chaos we are going through.  

Third. when we rest in God his glory will be shown across the world.   Resting in God gives us trust in him.   When we are still, we recognize that he is God.   When we rest in God we recognize, he is sovereign.  When we rest in God, we realize he is with us. 

Trust

 This past week at VBS was all about trust.   Trust when we wonder/doubt, trust when we are alone, trust when things are hard, and trust when we need.  God used me to co-teach this past week with an older gentleman named Ron.   We went through various Kid's Ministry curriculum to describe these lessons on different days of the week.    God used us to share the gospel that week and teach the children what Jesus did for us on the cross and how he has given us life through him.    

April 14th

 After two years of waiting to get married, God worked it out for Amanda and me to get married.    There were a few things that were not included in the ceremony we wanted but it was still a beautiful day.   God worked out all the details for us to get married on April 14th.  

After I proposed April 29th, then moved to Austin shortly thereafter we had been in a waiting period.  Amanda's roommate's parents decided to build her a house in January.   That started the process of us trying to figure out when/where to get married.   A few years ago, we wanted the Chapel at the Gruene.  We were hoping to get married at a local church's chapel, but they took a while to get back to us.   Then we finally decided on the Chapel Dulcinea.   I got my suit/pants/new shoes a month or so after we decided when to get married.  

That month before we got married in April all the details just worked out.   Amanda's best friend helped plan the ceremony.    She used a Google doc to plan out all the details.   I organized various things such as buying tables, chairs, etc.   Amanda and I went back and forth on a reception restaurant.  Then we ended up going out to eat at Aba Austin then officially decided to do the wedding reception at Abba.   Also, God worked out the details regarding the cake since we found a great gluten free cake place called Sweet Treats about a month after deciding on the wedding.  Sweet Treats ended up being just ten minutes.  

My friend Jordan and I picked up the cake the Saturday before the wedding.  My best friend Andrew Boone came in later that night.   Jordan and Andrew and I went to church that Sunday before the wedding.  My friend close friend from college Kurtis came in later that morning and we went to the rehearsal afterwards.   After the rehearsal, we had my bachelor party all day that day.   We went to a Thai place, sports bar to hang out, hiking, and Salt Lick barbecue for dinner.  

The morning of the wedding was a long but amazing day.   The guys and I moved my bed out and Amanda's bed in my apartment.  We went to the chapel at seven fifteen to get there early and I hid in the groom's room.    I was excited/nervous for that day.    It was amazing to read my letter to Amanda I wrote.  

I was excited for the ceremony to take place after all the waiting that morning.   My excitement to see Amanda as she walked down the aisle was high.  I almost cried while reading my vows.   The ceremony was amazing though a verse was left out, the wrong verse was said, and we forget the worship.  At the end of the ceremony, I was excited to finally kiss my bridge and ring the bell.    We did our dance and enjoyed cake/toasts afterwards.  

The reception at Abba was a great time with family and friends.   They did a great job with providing us with a wide range appetizers, drinks, food, and desserts.  It was great to finally be married.

Habbukk

 The book of Habbukk shows that we can cry out to God with our complaints.  It is okay to question God with our frustrations in life.    God wants us to bring our doubts, cares, frustrations, to him every day.  He wants to know what is going on in our life.  The book of Habbukk also shows that it is okay to question God why certain things are happening.  Lastly, the book helps us see it's okay to ask God why wicked people are thriving.

In Habbukk's prayer at the end of the book in Chapter three, he remembers God's glory, power, and majesty.   He remembers God's good deeds and what he has done for us people.  He remembers how God delivered his people.   He recalls how God is over creation and the seas.  Lastly, Habbukk is in awe of how God judges all things.  

He closes by saying that he will rejoice in the Lord and he will have joy in God my savior.  Verse 18 says, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will be joyful in my God my savior."  Ha Habbukk is able to rejoice in God despite the circumstances and put his joy in the Lord.    Lastly, Habbukk says, "The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet is of a deer; he enables me to tread on heights."  This shows Habbukk's full confidence and trust in God.   He trusts in God despite the circumstances. 

Phrases in Jeremiah that repeat themselves

 "The Lord is our Righteous Savior."

In Jeremiah 23:6 and 33:16 both are prophesies of Jeremiah speaking about God and the coming of Jesus Christ.    23:6 says, "In his days Judah will be saved, and Isarael will live in safety.   This is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is out Righteous Savior,".   These repeating verses are a foretelling of the coming of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 23:1-7 section encompasses the Messianic prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ.   They also act as a play on words describing the current king Zedekiah.  

Jeremiah 23:5-6 describe Jesus Christ has the righteous branch.  All people will come to him to be saved.  Their new king, Jesus Christ, will reign justly and rightly in his decision making; verse 5.   The new king Jesus will teach the people true righteousness, verse 6.  God is reminding us that our righteousness comes from Christ alone.  

In

Ecclesiastes Big Ideas

 Ecclesiastes talks about a few big ideas in the book.   It is written by King Solomon at the end of his life.   He discusses how everything in life passes away.    Also, how everything has their own time and season in life.  There is a time for death, work, and life each has its own season.   His main theme centers around the "fearing God" because everything else passes away at the end of our life.  

The book discusses the fleeting nature of life.   Life passes away in an instant, but God is there at the end of time.  Death passes away, toil passes away, and life passes away.    The hardship we endure in life passes away as well.   God never passes away; he is eternal.  

The preacher says at the end of the book that God will judge all things at end of our life.   Fearing God centers our life on God in the midst of life.   God will bring everything under his control.   

Trust in God's Plans For Us

 Right now, we my fiancée and I are trying to trust in God's plans for us in our life.  We are trying to trust in God's provisions for the right career positions and finances for a wedding.    Both of us are in jobs we currently do not enjoy.    She works at a kid's preschool in at Austin Oaks and I work in the Deli Production department at HEB.  In both jobs, the pay is not enough to pay for a wedding.  

God is telling me that we need to remember Jeremiah 29:11 for our life.   We need to remember that God has a plan for us and our life.   Also, to remember Proverbs 3:8-9 daily.   We have to trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding.   But acknowledge him, and he will make our paths straight.   God is calling us to keep trusting him in all his ways and acknowledging him every step of the way then he will lead and guide us.  

Lastly, we have to daily abide in him for everything.  Jesus talks about this in John 15:4-5.   This process of abiding is a everyday process.   Also, it's a step-by-step process that takes our entire life.   When we abide in him, then our faith will grow and multiply.  

A great birthday celebration weekend

 I had a great birthday celebration weekend with some friends, the weekend of March 22-24.   On Friday night, Amanda, my fiancée and I grabbed dinner with my best friend Andrew Boone at Cava.   I had never been there before since moving to Austin last May.  Andrew said he loves Cava and Amanda wanted to take me there since I moved here.    It is a healthy burrito/bowl Mediterranean type food.   

On Saturday morning, a few friends that came in town: Jordan, Andrew Boone, and Olen met my fiancée and her good friend Miranda to go share the gospel with Bethel church at 10 am.   My friend Russ from Austin Ridge Southwest met us there.   Russ, Chad, and I asked some people by kids' area at the mall for prayer but they said "no." Then we prayed for a guy's back for a little bit, and we were able to share with his cousin.    We asked if his cousin would want to pray to receive Christ then but he said, "maybe later at home."  Lastly, we were able to plant a seed when we tried to share with a Turkish guy by the cologne/perfume area at the mall.   His friend that we exchange contact information with ended up being a believer.  

Then, we went to lunch at Way South Food truck for a while and hung out there for a few hours.  Amanda and I got food from a Mexican food truck and hung out while the guys played corn hole.   After that, we went to McKinney Falls State Park and hiked for about half an hour before going to see Big Daddy Weave.  The waterfalls were amazing and it was a beautiful day.  Jordan, Olen, and I were a little late because Jordan put the wrong name in his GPS and not the full address.  We ended up getting there for end of Austin French and saw all of Big Daddy Weave.  

On Sunday afternoon, Amanda and I went to church and then served at church.   After that we went to lunch with Wes, Miranda, and Joel at Galaxy Cafe.   

Friends that God has blessed me with

 At the end of this month, I am celebrating my birthday some of my friends that he has blessed me with through my life.    My best friend moved something around so that he could make it.   It is the mark of a best brother in Christ.   My close friends in Fort Worth: Joel and Wes who are Biblical counselors are also coming.   Jordan Jackson who is a tennis coach will also be coming for the weekend.   A few of my friends from the Austin area might come as well.  

We had been talking about finding men community on Thursday night Men's Bible study.   It reminded me of the biblical community in my life that he as blessed me with.    It reminded me of how when I do not have biblical community, I can become lonely.   Biblical community is necessary for us to grow in godliness.  We need biblical community to grow and mature as believers in Christ.  

It is amazing the friends and biblical community God has blessed me with in my life.    The Thursday night study also showed me that I need more of that in my life.   I need more people in Austin building me up and encouraging me in my faith.   A have a few friends but not enough guys that are really encouraging me every day.   God showed me I need more guys in the area that are praying and helping me seek out God's will for my life as well.   

Bible Study recap podcast

 The Bible Study recap podcast has showed me how I need to constantly look for Jesus in the crevices of the Old Testament.    It has reminded how the whole Bible points to Jesus Christ.    God uses small things to point to something bigger.  God uses various Scripture to point to the greater coming of our high priest and savior Jesus Christ.   We have to look for Jesus even all parts of our life.  

Acts 3

 God has been teaching us through Acts 2-3 to shine the light of Christ wherever God places us.   The disciples were praying and hanging out in the temple before they healed a man that had been there for a while.   Then, they were persecuted by the Sadducees. They were merely listening to God and his direction as they went about their day.  In the same way, God calls us to shine the light of Christ wherever he places us.   We are to be bold and look for opportunities to share what God has done for us in our life.  

The Greatness of God

 We cannot try to speak for God.   God is God alone.   Job 38 and 39 God answers Job out of a whirlwind when we seeks an arbiter for his claims to come before God.   God asks Job in 38:4, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" Verse five "God says where were you talking to Job when I marked out the dimensions of the earth.  Verse seven God asks Job "Where were you when the angels sang together?"

In chapter 39 we see a picture of Christ in the midst of the Old Testament.   In verse nine God says, "Will the wild ox consent to serve you.   Will it stay by your manager at night."   We can see a small picture of animals surrounding Jesus at this birth and the manager.   God wants us to see glimpses of his Son even in the Old Testament.   We have to look for God all across the Bible.  

Lastly, 38 and 39 show God as Lord when Lord is in all CAPS.   God is Lord over all creation..  God is Lord over all the animals in 39:10-30.    He is Lord over the birthing cycle in 39:1-4.    God is Lord over land and seas in 39:5-8.