So Much Going On...

I have to admit that over the past two weeks, I have had so much stuff going through my brain that I couldn't even think of sorting it out long enough to write a post.  The Springs recently celebrated our 1st birthday as a "church," which really means nothing more than 12 months ago we started meeting in the traditional "church" format, i.e., Sunday mornings.  For whatever my feelings are about that, it's been a great time for us to reflect and celebrate where God has brought us all over the past 12 months...and for me it's been 2 years with the Springs, not just one, so I have even more thoughts.

Last week, we celebrated a new president taking office.  Every four years, there is an inauguration and every four years, some people are happy and some are disappointed.  This year was no different in that respect, but the intensity does seem to be different.  I turned voting age in 1987, and my first inauguration was for George H.W. Bush, followed by two for Bill Clinton and two for George W. Bush.  I don't remember this level of intensity in any of those inaugurations, and I've been told that there hasn't been since 1953, when President Eisenhower took office, some may say 1961 with President Kennedy.  I am inspired by President Obama.  There is something about his challenges to me, as an American, that makes me want to do more.  I was also inspired by President Bush in 2001, as were most of us in this country.  I was inspired by President Clinton in 1993, and even by President Bush in 1989.  My point is that my commander-in-chief is inspirational.  He does and should inspire us to want to be better citizens of this great country.  I am both excited and apprehensive about our my new President.  I am happy that my daughter will be able to remember the first day that someone other than a white male was elected to the highest office in our country, but while hope is inspired in me by my new President, my hope is not found in him.  My hope is still found in Jesus, the Christ, who ushered in the ultimate of all change, 2000 years ago and brought life to those who would follow him.

Business is crazy now too.  The Sign Shop, where I work part-time, has been going well and I really enjoy my friends there.  My freelance work is picking up and I am wrestling with the idea of taking that to the next level - even if I'm not sure what that might be...and whether or not we have the energy to tackle it right now.  It's just heavy on my brain and in my heart right now.

In all of this, I continue to read about the dysfunctional family in Luke 15.  I have worshiped with my new friends at Ecclesia Houston, during their three-week series and have joined the conversation with author Wayne Jacobsen in his book, "He Loves Me!"  I have watched and listened to friends make mistakes in their marriages and question whether or not to keep it together.  I've listened to group leaders struggle.  I am wrestling with Neighborhood Life at our church and how we can more effectively see the presence of Jesus active in our neighborhoods - in my neighborhood.  I've watched people leave for "greener pastures" of another church...somewhere.  I've wrestled with my own family relationships and how to be the dad I need to be for my two kids and more importantly the husband my wife needs.  I'm overwhelmed by our minor repairs that have to get fixed due to Ike's influence on our home.  I've been disappointed by churches, and blessed by pastors.  I love my friends.  All of this could be written about in separate posts, so I hope you can feel my dilemma.  I am no different than you, in many regards.  I struggle with many of your issues, as do you with mine.  What I do know is that every day is a new day, and God is able to be trusted...no matter what.

For the past 15 minutes, I feel like I have exhaled.  I am now ready to tackle the bigger projects of my day.