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.