Writing

I haven't written in a while and I'm slowly discovering why. It's going to take time and some tender moments with the Lord. I will be back soon. Much love.

Car Shopping.

I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of looking for a new set of wheels. I recently sold my beautiful Jeep Cherokee that the Lord gave to me last year. I would of held onto it but I am a firm believer in living debt free. I have been doing everything possible this summer to eliminate accrued debt from traveling. With the sale of my Jeep, I will be debt free and have some cash left over for a more inexpensive automobile. However, car shopping stressed me out today. I was looking at cars located in San Fransisco, New York, and everywhere in between. How in the world am I to know which one is right? Being a man I enjoy the hunt and the opportunity to conquer things in a manly way. (Note: I do car shop with with a cut of flannel shirt, this is manly). So, I get caught up in the chase for the best deal and that can be a never ending endeavor. It leaves me quite stressed. In the end I've made the decision to just wait on the Lord's blessing. That should be great.

Quote

"I don't want to fit in, I want to see a revolutionary shift." - Bill Johnson

Today

I'm getting ready to curl up on the couch and fall asleep.  I've been sitting here just praying and setting my heart to rest. It's been a difficult week for me.  I've been struggling to find direction now that I've decided to not go back to Memphis.  I love to be on the go and adventure is my bread and butter but for now God has me here.  I do not have many friends here in Kansas City; I am involved in no community.  It's quite lonely at times.  I feel as if I'm moving forward by bumping against closed doors instead of having clear direction forward.  The only true destination that I am sure of is Christ.  I am not discouraged;  I cannot afford to be discouraged.  He is my everlasting joy, and my great adventure.  I will continue to run.  

Blogging

So, I've taken some time to look through my blog postings and I've realized that I don't check them as much as I should before posting.  I need to go back to school and learn some writing/proof reading skills. 

Confidence.

I was reading John 2 in The Message today and came across this passage. 

"During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them."

This really hit a good spot in my heart.  Jesus did what he did for the father and not for the affirmation of people. He poured blessings on others but only entrusted his life to the father.  He loved others but expected nothing in return from them.  That is confidence in Father. 

Leaving. Again.

Ok, so I'm sitting in SWF waiting for our flight and am fully of curried viggies, tofu, and rice. It has been an amazing adventure and I had a great encounter with God during the Jesus Culture conference. I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone about the school but I'm going to try calling when i get home. I love traveling, and could definitely live in an airport (as long as I was going somewhere on a regular basis, non of that Tom Hanks business).  Get ready, my next adventure is right around the corner. 

Redding Day 2

Tonight was the first night of the Jesus Culture conference here in Redding, CA. My first impressing was interesting. While IHOP conferences are primarily college age, this conference was filled with high school and junior high kids. I'll tell you what, I felt old. That's alright though, God showed up and I was totally blessed. It's only midnight but Bridget's fast asleep and I'm about to do the same myself. Oh, fun side story. Today I headed over to Wal-Mart to pick up some stuff and I drove the white 2007 Mustang that I'm renting over a curb. It's hard to see what's going on over on the passenger side of the car and I guess I didn't see the curb coming. I had a moment of panic and pictured my self working the rest of my life to pay for it's repair. Fortunately nothing was damaged. I just have to keep telling myself, "Ben, this is a sports car, not your Jeep. You can't just run over anything you want to just for fun." Goodnight all!

Jesus Culture

It's 12:15 am and I'm leaving in a few hours for Redding, CA. Bridget and I are going to the Jesus Culture conference and I'm stoked. My heart is ready for some good impact! Were going to be staying in a yurt (check wiki for this one) for three days in the beautiful mountains. I'm not sure if we'll have internet so I'll be updating via Twitter.

Parting Reflections

On the last evening light in the heart of the wilderness, I cry. My heart is one with the mist filled valleys and the clouds that rise.
Alone. Secluded. Vast. Uncharted. Alone. These are words that light the way into the unknown; they are words that kindle. I am sorry to leave this place of rebirth. For a time I have walked and breathed in a world untamed. The years of charted ways that paint their colors on this wild frame seem to melt away in the rays of this last frontier. The vast unknown, covered in light of the midnight sun, beckons and heartens the adventure within. In this place my being finds kindred song. I will return, for through I leave, my heart remains amid the mountains and forests of this beauty known as, Alaska.

Mornings

For the past few weeks I've been attempting to switch over to being a morning person. As you can see from my last bog, I happen to love mornings. My goal is to be up by 6:00 or 6:30 and so far I've been doing well. However, I still haven't been able to let go of staying up late to study. Now I'm stuck in a cycle of staying up late and getting up early. I'm not sure its been a healthy switch!

Waiting For The Dawn

I'm sitting at my desk writing.  It's 2 in the morning and I can feel the breath of God on my tired soul.  I'm waiting for the dawn.  There is something about its arrival that delights me. It's new, and His mercies are new every morning. As I wait, I find myself falling in love with God.  

In the stillness of the night, lift my heart in eternal flight

As I  await the morning's dawn, Lord teach my lips to sing your song