I am trying to get to the point where I have no qualms about letting people see a transparent me. I guess the only way to know if a window is clear is to compare it to one that is.

     I leave Atlanta in 10 days. That's kind of crazy. I've spent almost the last 3 years here. It will be way different.

     I think I need to relax. My body is all in knots right now. Everything seems to get me uptight. I don't know why. Peace.

     It doesn't really help when everyone asks what I am doing next. I know they just want to know, just want me to have a plan. All my plans are tentatives. All of God's are determined.

    I think the biggest mistake we make in the church is we put too much emphasis on teaching people how to pray, teaching them the Bible, and teaching them the difference between right and wrong. I believe all of this will manifest itself in the life of a believer who is experiencing intimacy with Jesus. Perhaps the church would make better use of her time by making available an intimate lifestyle with the Master.

Well the good news is we didn't get arrested.

A man who will not die for something is not fit to live. ~Martin Luther King Jr.

This is a really cool song.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=j7ixC-LYDGc

I'm back in the ATL. Hopefully I can update you soon on some things. I am pretty tired right now. Love you guys.

Nope not Missouri. I'll be in Miami all week long. Man, I've got a rough life.

(Title shamelessly stolen from a friend)

I've been thinking. I know, I know, I do it too much, but none the less I have still been doing it. I won't weigh you down with everything, but for those who are wondering I will put nuggets out there for you.

I think our insult against Deity is much bigger than we can imagine. God in His nature is infinite. We talk about Him being infinite in His love, but He is also just as Holy as He is Love. If God is infinite in His holiness, than it is futility for us to think of holiness as a status to be attained. It cannot be a certain level upon which we find ourselves, but it must become our nature, as it is Christ's nature, in which we too are of His nature if we are His Children.

I am looking forward to resting. I am reminded though that there is a more permanent rest for me in eternity. I think the upcoming time will be more for discipline and refocus. I need to examine some things in my life more carefully, and I definately need to change some things.

Are we really pointing people to God? Am I doing an effective job of exposing people to the light of Christ? Am I letting them know that (1) God deserves their service and (2) He wants to change their life? Have I experienced a radical change in me so that I can  tell them of the radical change serving Jesus is? Am I pointing a desperate world to the joy of the Father?

I think one of the sacrifices that we should prepare people for in ministry is the sacrifice of friends and family. At any cost often means we loose the ones we love. Not that they aren't there, but the time for them isn't. Sometimes you just grow apart. Sometimes I wonder if they shouldn't be our ministry more than evangelizing the world. Preaching the gospel starts at home, but often when you leave, you miss seing them develop into who they become. Of course you are not abandoning them if you are answering the call to go; you are simply placing them into the hands of the One who called to develop them as He sees fit.

Ok I will leave you with that. There are more, but I have too much to do today still.

Sometimes we feel so afraid, Sometimes we feel so lonely, Sometimes we feel confused, Sometimes we feel so helpless and we don't know what to do;

It's so hard to believe it, if you never heard the voice of a Father saying our name;

Your not alone, Your not alone, I never leave you, I never leave you

Your not alone Your not alone, I never leave you, I never leave you alone

~words as sung by Jason Upton

Yes I am still alive, but I am pretty worn out and sick right now. Hopefully I can rest some this week. Love you all. Thanks for all the calls and checkins. I'll give you a better update soon.

Yes I know it has been a few days, but life has been busy. I am in Ktown right now for the 4th. I brought Chloe and Jordyn home and I am gonna chill for a few days before going back. Hit me up if you want to shoot some fireworks. All is well in the land of Johnny. At least for the most part . Love you all. Talk to you soon.