What can I say? The wedding this weekend was amazing. 

I have the great privilege of playing the piano for some dear friends as they join together as one on Saturday in Moorpark, and the greater joy (and fright) of giving them the gift of song. I was asked to play something that I have written for the bridal party's processional, and so I wrote something new. We'll see... maybe someday arranged for orchestra, but nevertheless, still kind of fun to have written official wedding music now. This has been a summer of "experience", let me tell you. It's been good, and amazing to see how the Lord specifically provides in amazing ways to be better equipped for what He is leading me towards in the future. To Him alone be all the glory!

Also, if one has not already done so, one must read War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Our Communication Struggles by Paul Tripp and Not Even a Hint by Joshua Harris. Both are incredibly practical and biblical resources which have challenged me this summer. Be warned, however: they will rock your world.

Dropping Boxes

Let's just say that I had one of the biggest surprises of my 21 years of existence Friday night. I walked out of work, expecting my Mom to be in the parking lot to pick me up, as we are sharing vehicles right now, and nearly dropped a boxful of a various asundry of items when I certainly did not see my mom in the parking lot, but rather, Carley Elwood. I was astounded, and for once, completely speechless. I had no idea what to say.

Let me tell you, what a blessing it was to have here in Coarsegold again. It was the first time that we had seen one another in two months; it was great fun. Anyhow, normally I don't prefer to drop things, but if given the choice, I'd drop a box coming out of that store any day.

It's been a year already....


















....or rather, 1,000 years....

Amazing. May you remember the faithfulness of our God this day....

Wars and Rumors of Wars

The news is really interesting today....

http://www.foxnews.com/

Return...

I just got back from a retreat to Lake Tahoe with our incoming Freshmen from the Jr. High youth group and can say that I am truly and utterly exhausted, but enocuraged nonetheless. May I leave you with a thought that struck me on the shore of the lake two mornings ago; your responses are welcome.

In Daniel 9, we see the prophet Daniel lamenting to God and praying for his people, who are wicked. He prays for mercy, and states the seemingly obvious: "we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly adn rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules..." (v.5). Why is it that we do not, like Daniel, pray to God for the obvious? It was apparent that the people Israel had done wrong and were in dire need of God's mercy and salvation, and yet, Daniel stated such and goes on in his prayer to completely humble himself before his God, and finally requests Him to "pay attention and act".

Do we not ask these things of God in our prayers because we question His ability to respond? Are we afraid of His response, leary of His judgment? Why is it do we not ask for help and the meeting of obvious needs in our lives and the lives of others, if we know our God to be faithful to answer?