Merry Christmas

Another year gone, the tales we can now tell. I want to wish all of my friends and family a blessed Christmas. Enjoy your time with family and friends, for some of us its the only day of the year we get together. And remember its the day that began the events that lead to saving all of us; from us.

-Jedediah

Ups and Downs

It's been a long journey. My job, computer, and soon my car could be taken away from me, and the question remains, "God, what is it you're preparing me for?"

Some days are easier than others, I am truly blessed to have the people in my life that lift me up.

[[Romans 12:2]]

BOOM! HEAD SHOT!

For the first time, ever - I had to reformat my computer due to critical and un-recoverable virus issues. It's been sneaking up on me for the past year, and I've noticed it, and not done anything about it.

A very tricky and evil virus infected my system about a year ago, and 9 months ago I started noticing the signs. Quick flickering of screen at some start up screens, programs that get clicked and do nothing, then to my suprise over the last few months I've noticed that my browser would go wherever it wanted, despite my typing direct URL's into it.

The virus got into my system so cleanly, that by the time I initiated some scans, it had made itself undetectable; hiding in .exe files and marking them as 'corrupt' even though they weren't.

Long story short: I am still recovering my data. Luckily I have an external drive so I didn't lose anything, however like having a wallet stolen: the time committment of getting everything back up and running can be a hassle.

Getting this ATV movin'

I've been doing the bare minimum when it comes to looking for a job or forwarding the progress of Foundations. There I was, in the stands, watching the game go on below me - refusing to participate. Then today I had an accidental breakthrough and didn't even realize it. I started at about 10am today and it's 8pm now and i haven't gotten up from my computer: typing, creating profiles for recruiters, sending resumes...

Today was a good and productive day, and I feel like I'm on the court again.

My roomate; and the hand of God

So it's like 4am, and my roommate comes up stairs to feed her son. She starts telling me about her day and this is a recap of that conversation: My thoughts are in blue and either were spoken or simply thought during the conversation.

Roommate: My sister and I took her car to get its check-up and apparently her ball join is broken. The guy at the shop told us that she was lucky her wheel didn't fall off while she was driving from Georgia to here. He told us that the part and labor was going to be 280 dollars, and when we scoffed he gave us a sorta sad look and said that he'd do it for 160.

JS: Thats good, sounds like he has some compassion.

Roommate: Yea, well i was suspicious right away, and i asked about everything that was wrong and told him i had to call Dad to find out if he'd pay for it. I warned him though, dad was already pissed about having to put so much money already in the car. I called dad, he got pissed and i hung up on him. I told the mechanic that we wouldn't be able to fix the car and to give the keys back.

JS: You know how dangerous a missing ball joint is? I have actually had friends have wheels fall off their cars from that.

Roommate: Yea, but what does this guy care? I mean he's got a garage full of cars that needs fixin, and we wanted to get back to the hotel. So he starts goin on and on about how he can't, in good conscience go to bed, knowing that he let a car go with two women that just had babies, and he started to pace back and forth.

JS:At this point, i'm thinkin that this man is drilling his brain in every direction to find out how to help my roommate out, but her suspicion is just unshakable.

Roommate: So he says to me, 'you guys have ANY cash on you?' And i got real suspicious at that, and i said, 'yea, i got 20 dollars, what can you do with that?" The man said, "Ma'am, if you can come up with 47 dollars, i'll order the part and put it in for you."

Roommate: Can you believe that? From 280 to 47 dollars? I knew he was tryin to scam me!

JS:By now, my mind is reeling and i'm flabberghasted at the complete disregard for this man's generosity...

Roommate: So i called my husband and asked him if it was a good deal, and he told me that the part alone is 90 dollars retail, and it would take him half a day to put it in. I told the guy that he had a deal, and when i went over to sign the paper, i saw the price of the part and the labor and what they were charging me. Jedediah, that man LOST money to put that part in my car. Can you believe it? Why would he do that?

Yes. Yes i believe it, and he would do it because without it, you and your sister and your two babies would be in grave danger.

Roommate: ...and the whole time we were there, they were so nice to us, gave us a ride to a local place to eat...it was just incredible.

Conclusion:

Its interesting to see how God works in the lives of those who do not glorify Him, and to watch as my roommate came so close to DENYING the hand of God when it was so evident in her life; baffles me. Oh how our wonderful God protects those even in times of denial or push-back. And how i know that feeling oh so well.

Sunday Sunday Sunday!

Missin Megan a bit this morning. Finally kicked dipping! Woohoo! Going to start the big job search at Disney, I've been telling people I would for months and now I have no excuse! 

Stopped by the Bux this morn and apparently I can still get free coffee, sweeeeeeet.

Today I'm in the conversation, "What is it about being in need and in a position to lean on people, gets me closer to God?"

[[Romans 12:2]]

Movement

It's been years since I've seen a movie that moved me to tears. Well actually thats a lie. Two years ago I watched "The three people you meet when you go to heaven", and actually had a half hour hard sobbing fit when he met his father before going to heaven.

Before that however, I can't remember a movie that moved me, except Braveheart when I was in the 8th grade. Yea I cried. Hard.

Until tonight, when my room mates finally urged me to watch "The Green Mile". They have been telling me for years to watch it and I never did. Then tonight I couldn't sleep and I decided to. Man what a moving story. In the end when John Koffee was describing what Tom Hanks should do when he faces judgement before God, about killing one of God's miracles - he says, "Every day the pain and anger in this world is like shards of glass in my brain. Tell God, you did John a favor."

I started to think about what it was like to be Jesus here on earth, or even Jesus now. Feeling and seeing the depravity each moment, and having a grace beyond our means to keep calling us back.

Think about it.

Much done, much to do.

Spent the last few days at Jesses writing a bunch of Foundations content. Had a small breakthrough too, just in the way I was writing it. Made some really good progress, and will spend more time on it on Monday after the staff meeting.

At it again...

I'm still trying to figure out how i can manage this blog from my phone, the text editor is too complex and messes up all the time. But for now here's the latest news:

I got fired from Starbucks, and am now pursuing "Foundations" full time again. I'm committed to finishing this program and beginning to test its effectiveness in certain areas. I'm spending the next three days at my pastors house, in an effort to reduce distractions - and so far have gotten 5 pages written.

In the mean time i'm also committed to finding my next career job, instead of a filler - which I have been doing for the last few years. I can do ministry AND create industry at the same time (Ephesians).

Moar Confidence!

Ahhh, another staff meeting - more stuff to add to the agenda. First thing's first - gotta get caught up on the podcasts. I'm uploading the Passion and Purpose sermon now, going to do the next one tomorrow. Then I have to get the latest one from Jesse in email form, so I can produce it.

Having issues with my dip addiction, and I'm confident that it will lose it's hold on me once I place more confidence in God. What's that look like though?

Beginning.

Here I am, blogging again after so many years. From my 500 page epic blogging tale of my Ironman training journey, to small testimonies and random writings - a whole bunch has gone on since then and it's about time I start logging it. Any names in this blog will be either changed, or used with permission.

Thank you to all who have inspired me over the last year with your break downs and break throughs, causing the same on this side of the equation.

To any of you that read this and get something out of it, I encourage you to post comments.

Let the Game; begin.