Rest in the Lord

I am grieved, yet also filled with joy that my great grandmother, Ruth Shipman, is now with the Lord. She was one of the strongest women I have ever known, and much of who I am today is due to her and the closeness between four generations of family members. I will always remember spending time at my great grandparent's land and all of the memories that were made there. Though she will be greatly missed, I hold my hope in Christ and her faith in him.

Love you Granny!

Isaiah 51:11

A New Year, A New Decade

It’s that time again! Time to rollover the calendars and start off another year. The one different thing about this year is that it is the dawning of a new decade. A time to start some new trends that we as a society will later regret and look back on the ones that we already do… but also look back on the good times we have shared this decade.

As we stare the coming year of 2010 in the face I take a personal look back at my life this past decade. (In no particular order)

-I have made so many new bonds with people, along with strengthening some old ones. Some friends have come to be more like family.

-I graduated High School in 09 and made the decision to go to school in Tennessee, where I also now work as a Student Ministry intern.

-All of the time spent in middle school and high school, learning ad becoming who I am today.

-I went to China and stood on the Great Wall and saw the Forbidden City… AMAZING!

-I really got to see this country, and all its beauty, through the eyes of someone growing up, trying to find their place in it.

-I earned the rank of Eagle Scout with a lot hard work put forth to do it.

-I gave my life to God’s calling of me to full time ministry! I can see God molding me and I praise him for that.

-I found one of my life loves in learning to play guitar and slowly developing my skills. I found no more of a rewarding use for it than worshiping our God, and leading others to do so as well.

-I voted in my first Presidential Election

-Some of my most fond memories are all of times spent with my youth group and church family over the years.

There are so many memories I could pull out, we would be here forever. I praise God for my family, my parents and the strong bond they have formed with me. As well as my close friends, who are as close to me as family. Josh (Emily too), Floyd, Brittany, Sam, Gregory, Ross, Raquel, Logan, and Colton. I love all of you guys! Also this decade I came to know Jeff, his wife Stephanie, and daughter Karis. I consider Jeff not only as a mentor, but him and his family as dear friends as well.

Everything and everyone I have mentioned have been a major part in my life throughout this decade. Looking back I see where God has blessed me in so many ways, and I look forward to whatever he may have in store for me.

Happy New Year to you all!

Home for the Holidays!

It's been just over a week since I made the trek back from Clarksville, Tennessee to my home in Midlothian, Texas. I have had some great times catching up with family and friends and seemed to very seamlessly pick up right where I left off in when I left for school at the end of August. It's a great feeling getting to see everyone when it feels like it has been so long, and it's only been three and a half months. I'm first off excited to see my family, as well as a few friends it's been almost unbearable to only have talked to via facebook or phone.

In the midst of all of the enjoyment I do wish to remain thoughtful of why this time is important to me in my faith. I am so grateful that I was able to travel safely through the long stretch of road between Texas and Tennessee, that I drove through without stopping except to refuel, but I am even more grateful in this time because of the reason we celebrate. I know it seems almost cliché this time of year, certainly in our day and age, to say "Jesus is the reason for the season" or "Keep Christ in Christmas", but these seemingly over-used phrases are an attempt to remind our society why, and for whom, we celebrate. See, Christmas isn't about the presents, decorations, and over-crowded shopping malls, but it is a time to celebrate the coming of Christ, Jesus, whom is our only way to salvation. Without Christ our fate is that of men (and women) who alone cannot overcome their fallen state. Celebrating and spending time with friends and family is great, enjoy it, but remember the coming of hope that we celebrate this day, that through Christ we may glorify the Father.

Merry Christmas everyone!