Weird

I think it's weird...

I started this blog to stalk a girl.

Sure I wanted to be a write...to write...to express myself...and I still do.

And I do write, on occasion.

It has just never been consistent.

I haven't "blogged" for instance in about a year, and before that another few months at least.

And now the girl and the motivation have both left me...

I am in love again: this time for good.

Not that it isn't strange, but my life is pretty good.

I'm in the Army*--which is really weird for many of my friends.

(*The Army was at least one thing I chose to do to NOT impress or stalk a girl, as so many of the things in my life have rather unfortunately been.)

I am married! ...which I love. Not only do I love being married, and I love being married to my lovely wife, but I LOVE my wife. And, even better, she loves me. Call me naive or full of belief, but I do believe that this is forever.

I am deployed...Afghanistan... And that is about all I can say at this point. Less sand than Iraq.

I started my Masters Degree program a little more than a year ago... I got three classes done, and I'm trying to sign up for one after nine or so months hiatus. I do want to finish, but things keep getting in the way...good things...but things all the same.

I want to stay in touch, but somehow that concept is really hard, unless you mean glancing at facebook statuses, and that doesn't really cut it for me. Letters and phone calls, however, are difficult and time consuming...

I need more motivation.

I'm supposed to get promoted...but there is a board and I have to study and my 'NCOs' aren't really taking care of me...ironic that they want me to join the ranks of them...I just don't want to become one of 'them.' I want to be the ideal...or at least try my best and stay squared away...kind of my whole motto in the Army...

Where was I?

I still want to write.

I am working on a musical...in my head.

I want it to take place in the city of Midland, MI.

I might even call it "Midland".

They have a Tridge (sort of like a bridge, but it has three seperate directions)

The Tridge scene will be the apex of the show, highlighting the choices a young man must make as he makes his way away from high school into the real world.

(Corny, I know...but I think that is the point...and just a practice of creativity.)

The young man, James, called Jim and Jimmy at different points, by different characters, has three different choices to choose from, with each major family/friend member has preference. He chooses the least popular and the most patriotic, turning away from the safety of a job or the high expectations of university life.

In the city, there is a chemical factory...which will have protests...

There is a college, which may have a bigger role than just a mere choice to turn down...

There is a mall...

There is a farmers market, a minor league baseball team, and there is the girl he grew up next door to his whole life.

These could be great parts to the puzzle that is "Midland".

I'm pretty sure the end will be a little anti-climactic.

The question is, do I make it more funny or more dramatic? And, how do I write a musical without any musical talent?

Eh, minor details.

It won't be too long and I will be saying goodbye to the Army, and then where will I go, what will I do, and who will I be?

I've thought about ministry full time (No matter what, I'm always going to be involved at least part time); then there is finishing school and going into education right away; I could take time off to write and travel (I really like this one...just have to figure out the money thing); I've always heard Hollywood calling my name, even if it was only inside my own head; I could even come back in the Army as an officer, but that is the last choice at this point...

Then there is my wife. I know she believes in me, but I want to reassure her that we have nothing to worry about. I want to know that we have nothing to worry about. Besides, we have nothing to worry about.

Life is still the greatest adventure, and I want to take the big risks with the greatest outcome. I want to inspire and motivate...but first maybe I need to work on being inspired and motivated. One step at a time...

Observations from inside a Kilt (Unhemmed)

Observations from inside a Kilt (Unhemmed)

I must confess this is my first time—and maybe my last.

It is not a skirt; it is a kilt. But that isn't to say that it hasn't been enlightening. Wearing a kilt has definitely given me some perspective on what it is like to wear a skirt. I chose to wear a dress shirt and a blazer with mine, and, on top of having long socks on, this definitely reminded me a little of an early Britney Spears music video (think school girl outfit, and you'd be on the right track).

Baby, one more time...

Honestly, I am not sure if I will ever wear one again. I would like to; I have to be honest. It is quite comfortable and liberating. It's so nice to lift rather than unzip or unbutton... Although, a certain friend told me that a kilt is only worth wearing if I were to wear it the 'legit way'. Alas, I am not following that advice, which has helped me avoid one of those later career Britney Spears moments. (If you don't understand this one, it is just as well that you didn't.)

All in all, I would say it is definitely worth it, as long as you can stand people occasionally making comments or snickering like little girls, which is way more sissy than wearing something that William Wallace wore in battle...

Oh, and note to the people who wrote the song “I'm on a Boat”, try “I'm in a Kilt.”

Morning Devotions

SPECK-Mt 1

Sin I need to confess: I'm not honoring Cari...I'm not giving to God...I'm not looking at the big picture...

Promise for me to claim: God has a plan...God cares, and he knows me...He wants the best for me...

Example for me to follow: Mt 1 tells the story of all the patriarchs and the prophets who led up to David, and then King Jesus

Command for me to obey: “Do not be afraid...go ahead...” Fulfill the prophecy...

Knowledge of God, new to me: God planned it all out, perfectly, there were three sets of 14 generations that came before Christ from the promise of Abraham. The emphasis is on a generational promise and command. That puts importance on fatherhood and discipleship. I need to keep this in mind as I go forward with marriage and ministry. I need to continue in the gifts and blessings that He has given, and He will continue to bless.

Illustration on Giving:

We should give out of our abundance, but also give for abundance.

By abundance, I mean salvation: God gave his first fruits, his one and only, his all by giving Christ to die for our sins (Jn 3:16). How then are we to show our appreciation to God?

I know personally that the more I give, the more I rely on God and get back in additional blessing. But it is still hard to give. And I'm not sure either of these are really the reason we give.

God has everything, and does not need our money.

Since we are rich in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and we want our riches to grow, we need to invest in the Kingdom:

Proverbs 3:9-10 (New International Version)

 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, 
       with the firstfruits of all your crops;

 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, 
       and your vats will brim over with new wine.

This was not just a good thing, but commanded to the Prophets to tell the people:

Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

And if you think that is only an old Testament principle...

Philippians 4:18-19

I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Finally, it is not really about a percentage of what you have, Two examples that show the importance of giving: The widow's mite and the rich young ruler.

The widow was honored because she gave everything she could, and the rich young ruler could not give up what he had in order to gain the eternal life.

Lk 18:

[22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

[23] When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

Mk 12:

 41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[j]worth only a fraction of a penny.[k]

 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

The story of the Widow's Mite or the Widow's penny is in the same chapter of Mark that talks about the greatest commandment:Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength

So, how do you think God wants you to give?  

Tithing/Giving to God

How much do we want to give, budgetwise...

We both taught to give 10% to the church...globally...

Giving our first and Best.

Prov. 3: 9-10

(Matt. 9:13 , 12:7)

From Priesthood to Churchhood.

1 Cor. 9:13, Mat. 23:23

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

1 Cor 16:2

Offering/tithe?

Tithe on Sunday...

Js 1:5

2 options to proceed: 10%, and then anything from our spending money, or setting aside more for extras...

Plan of Action: Give 10% to Church, and anything extra out of savings

Part of our budget, Cari's encouragement...

Reward?