in New Jersey

this weekend i've been in the lovely state of New Jersey. most of the time it gets a terrible reputation from those who drive through on the major interstates, but few actually drive the countryside to understand why it is named "The Garden State."

i'm visiting one of my best friends that i met in college, Ed Viola. He's a pastor of a small church here in South Jersey. its been a glorious visit, and we've had the opportunity to play hockey this week, go to a Flyers game, play "air soft," discuss theology, study the scriptures, sip egg nog, and much more. friends are a wonderful blessing.

stuffed

i'm completely stuffed...even still at 10:30pm because it's Thanksgiving and i ate way too much (you know exactly what i mean). its really been a great day. you cant beat hanging out with your fam all day, sitting around, watching tv, and stuffing your face. thats hard to beat:)! more and more i'm learning the joy of rest. God has definitely designed us to have a time of rest. i'm thankful for a ton of things today. God is so great!! i'm blessed.

swing dancing

for some reason, this week has brought another "first time" my way. last night i had the unbelievable opportunity to go swing dancing for the very first time. it was definitely the most fun i've had in a long while. i was very apprehensive before i went b/c i've never really danced before, and b/c i was taught growing up that "dancing is bad and worldly!!!" :) well, some dancing may be "worldly," but this was not. i went with a new friend i met a couple weeks ago at a bible study, and she's been swing dancing for a couple years now. last night we showed up early for a lesson with about 50 other people, and then the real dancing began immediatley after. truthfully, it is pretty easy to learn (if u have any rhythm). the coolest thing about the night was that there were about 150 people there and you could dance w/whoever you wanted. and...i finally used the infamous line, "may i have this dance?". i danced with at least 30 different girls!! am i allowed to say that?? oh well, they were all very cordial and nice. i didn't get rejected one time. if you've never been, you definitely have to go!! all ages and all types of people were there. it was a blast!!!

turkey shoot

Tonight i attended my first ever "Turkey Shoot" in Dunn, NC with one of my closest friends, Stephen Wagoner. for those of you who don't what this is, we didn't kill any turkeys. in a nutshell, a "turkey shoot" is a bunch of rednecks who get together around thanksgiving and shoot their shotguns for target practice. you take turns shooting at a target, and see who comes the closest to the crosspiece. whoever wins gets a free frozen turkey. i know, weird. maybe i should do some more research and figure out how the whole thing came into being, and why.

Growing up in South Carolina, i have to admit that i have some redneck in me...and somehow, i actually won a turkey tonight. pretty cool. i don't really need a turkey, and i don't know how to cook one, so i figured i would give it to a needy family that would love to have a turkey for thanksgiving.

proverbs 3:5-6

ok, i believe crisis in our lives causes certain scriptures to take on stronger, more personal meanings. what i mean is, when your circumstances match up with a scripture passage you've read or heard, it takes on a whole new meaning in a bright new light. for instance, in my life right now, i've got a huge decision to make that will permanently determine the course and direction of my life. i've been going back and forth examining all the minor details of the options and scrutinizing the value of them both. so, recently the verse entered my mind that i memorized when i was a kid, "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths (proverbs 3:5-6)." truthfully, it was pretty convicting, but at the same time it was a breath of fresh air. if i trust God...with ALL my heart, He will direct my steps. i don't think that means i need to sit on my bedroom floor with my legs crossed, humming and waiting for God to talk to me. but, i should investigate the options He's placed in front of me, and ultimatley realize that He make the final call and decision on the matter.

john

recently i've been pleading with God for strong faith. when my faith is weak, i feel so pathetic and useless...maybe thats a sin. however, i've been reading through the gospel of John, following his account of the works and teachings of Jesus. its been quite wonderful. tonight i read a couple chapters and was very encouraged. i try to imagine what it must have been like to be there and see Jesus, and watch his miracles, and listen to his teachings. it had to be a crazy experience. anyhow, i definitely recommend reading through books of the Bible. it has done wonders for my faith and walk w/God.

18 missions trips in 1 year

ok, so i attended this missions dinner tonight at Summit Church and they discussed the upcoming missions plans and opportunities the church will be involved with in the future. this is crazy, but they will be leading 18 short term & long term missions trips over the next year. crazy!!! its was pretty awesome to see their global vision for the gospel. i was pretty stoked, and i'm definitley open and close to going global this next year and possibly for life. we'll see...its in God's hands.