Near and Far Faith

I'm just continually blown away by our church family. I don't use the term loosely either - they really are as close as any family. Christmas wouldn't have been what it was without them and their financial gifts this season. Thank you all who were involved.

Christmas eve Cher and I cried like babies as they gave us a minvan. Not just any minivan, but THE one we would've bought ourselves if we could've - a 2006 Kia Sedona. We're told it will arrive next week and we're so excited it hurts.

Just wanted to say thanks for the WOW we're feeling. Thanks for making our Christmas amazing.

It's been a while. I've always said that as therapeutic and fun as this blog is, it's not a top priority.

I'm dusting off my tool belt and taking on a second job. Moving into the new year required budget cuts at The Carpenter's Church. We labored over them for weeks as the Elder Team and came to the necessary but unfortunate conclusion that salary cuts were imperative. I've taken a 25% cut in my salary beginning in January. I've been blessed over the passed year to have a friend that has let me join him doing construction and remodeling on my days off to earn some extra cash. I'll be splitting my time between him and the church. I've actually started already to get myself used to the schedule.

The fact is that God loves opportunities to show up... BIGGER. This is a church and it's his, of course, but what better story to tell than one of redemption from hardship. It's the stuff I think God loves to blow us away with.

We're trusting that this is temporary, but if my life really is rested in Him, what cause do I have to worry or whine ?

As for the other things that have transpired recently, the rumour mill is spinning just fine without my two cents. Frankly, it's not time to talk about it yet. There is hard work ahead and your sincere prayers for the leadership are desired.

Got to hang out with some of my favorite people today - our Student Leadership Team. Today was our 1st of many SLT Adnvance's (it's the new cool word - it's a retreat that's moving forward). So I got to do something I've been wanting to for a while - throw down a podcast with them.

Check out littlebigchurchpodcast.com to hear Episode 7 - SLT.