how to be a friend

I know how to be a pastor.

I know (and am learning) how to be a husband.

I am learning how to be a father.

A son.

But, how do I be a friend. I am surrounded by friends, and yet am lonely and without friends.

I think it is me. I am learning how to keep people at a distance. I don't make the time to invest in people. I am sad. I am alone.

I have everything, but nothing.

Have I incurred this on myself?

I don't run with a group of guys. I don't do manly things.

Jesus, help me.

Prayer/Word

Good morning Jesus. I know that I need you today. I need you to guide my steps and help me b the man that you have called me to be. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy. Thank you for rescuing me from myself time and time again. Thank you for your provision in every way for me. Today I desire to represent you in a whole way. Please help me to turn from sin and to become more like you.

Currently I am excited about ministry. We have some very cool things coming up that I think can impact the community of young people that I serve. Jesus, I pray that you would be seen clearly through all of it. I pray that you would grow stronger and bigger in the lives of these high schoolers. I pray that through Drew Barryessa, IVES, Winter Retreat and the DreamCenter these students would be increasingly awakened to your goodness and your "not-to-be-ignored" call on their life. Lord, we ask you to guide our efforts in every way.

Drew and I had some good time together yesterday. We went over what the service will look like this weekend with him sharing. We settled on bantering back and forth talking about this idea that we are children of God. I think we both have a lot of thoughts about this...and we will work together to challenge the students. We will also challenge the students to remember that it is by grace they have been saved - so no man can boast.

It is tremendously humbling to remember that it is only the Lord's grace that even allowed us to see the need for his grace. Jesus, thank you for grace and mercy...

Galations 3

"So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law"

My Lord...my kids have been up for the last hour...making a huge fuss...and not getting enough sleep...Jesus please be with Donia today...give her rest....and help the kids to obey.

Views from the Game

Donia looking pretty pre-game.

Heather rooted for the wrong team.

Isaac in his get-up

Game time!

Off to Eugene

I was mostly raised in the Eugene, OR area....

For those of you who do not know where that is: Wiki Link

We (Donia, Jenna, Owen and myself) are heading down there today.

Donia and I have tickets to the Oregon vs Arizona State football game on Saturday and the kids will hang out with my parents...

Go Ducks!