Friday, July 25, 2008

At the Start...He was there




I like adventure.

But not tooooo much adventure, right? That might be too risky, or too much work.

The coolest adventure I can think of was done by God. He created the universe. He made us and put us on this blue ball of dirt, with His own breath in our lungs.

That was cool!

Then, after we went subversive on God, choosing rebellion over intimacy, He embarked on Mission Impossible. God sent His own Son to pay for our rebellion, and rescue us from certain death and destruction.

That was really cool!

Our little adventure with God continues. A couple weeks ago, I started as the Minister to College-Age-Stage people at my church, Trinity. I love that stage of life. It is where Jesus intersected my life and performed that ultimate rescue operation! It was then that the value of Community in God's Family was demonstrated in my life, and I will never be the same. It was then I saw that Truth is a Person, Jesus, and my life will work as intended, wild and free, as I submit to His leadership and Word.

I will admit, I'm a bit scared. God will have to show up and display His power, or this Movement will flop. I have more than plenty to do already, yet I know that where my Heavenly Father is moving and leading, The Adventure is wild and wonderful. He is leading us here. He is moving in every life on Planet Earth. And that includes in the College-Age-Stage men and women in our corner of the world.

Do you feel like an adventure?

If so, let us join together in THE Great Adventure: God followers, running after Jesus!

All for His Fame! paul

Monday, July 7, 2008

1,215 brave reenlist...in Bagdad, on July 4, 2008



Well, if you know me very well, you know I love Jesus, and I belong to Him!

You probably also know that I love America, the Greatest Nation on Earth! (Just for perspective, all the nations, indeed all creation in the whole Universe and beyond, all were made by Jesus and for Him...and He made me to live in America, and live here I will!)

Today, I saw a clip of the largest reenlistment ceremony yet in the 232 year history of our nation. 1,215 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines reenlisted on July 4, 2008 inside the former Al Faw Palace palace of Saddam Hussein, in Iraq.

There are members of all services, representing all 50 states. These Patriots took the oath administered by Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq.

These are the brave and the strong, willing to live and to die to defend the freedoms we enjoy in America. Willing to live and die for their brothers in arms by their sides...

I am humbled, and grateful. (And choking up...every time I watch it.)

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to live in America.

Thank you, 1,215, and the 1.45 million or so Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who allow me to live free in our land.

All for His Fame! paul

p.s. here are the three videos I found that have the entire ceremony, posted by MilBlogs on YouTube...

Baghdad, July 4th 2008 - largest re-up ceremony in history


Baghdad, 4 July '08 - largest re-up ceremony in history pt 2


Baghdad, July 4 '08 - largest reup ceremony in history pt 3

Isaiah 40:26

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Coolest Things of the Day...

  • I am now the College-Age Minister at my church...Wow, do I need Jesus!