So I haven't posted in a while. For the same reason that I have not done a bunch of things. I am busy and I am tired. It is good to be tired. One of our chapel speakers encouraged us that if we are called to ministry then we are going to be tired most of the time. He quoted a prayer that DL Moody prayed once "Lord I'm tired. Amen"

My birthday was pretty awesome. I got a couple of Peet's cups and some Ethiopian Fancy coffee from my parents. When I am drinking out of the cups I am transported back out West where my heart still lives. It's amazing how such a small thing can make me so happy. Above is a picture of what I look like while I am writing this.

I also really need to say that I have the best wife ever. She works really hard to love and support me during this season. She has put up with a lot but everyday she really makes the most of things. She is entirely responsible for the comfort of our home and I am really blessed by her! I especially enjoy when we get the chance to pray together at night. She loves the Lord and is passionate about being obedient to Him.

I have read through 2 Peter about 4 times today. There a many things that I have liked but something in particular has stuck out in light of contemporary concern regarding the potential destruction of the Earth. I am all about preservation, and conservation so long as the world remains. I wish that I could say that that was why I ride my bike to work, but if I am honest it is not. Although I think I get some brownie points by default.

Although preservation is of the utmost importance we must maintain proper perspective. We were not responsible for the creation of the world and we can do nothing to change its expiration date. (THIS IN NO WAY EXCUSES CONTINUED ABUSE. COMMON SENSE TELLS US THAT PROTECTION OF THE PLANET AND ALL LIVING CREATURES IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST. THE FIRST BLESSING SPOKEN OVER CREATION WAS TO THE ANIMALS GEN 1:22) The world will one day be destroyed by heat, but it will not be the direct result of its inhabitants or their silly little toys.

This passage from 2 Peter 3:3-18 particularly stood out and has inspired a lot of meditation and reflection for me. Its kind of long but ENJOY!

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."