February 15, 2012 in Deep Thoughts by Ben
Valentine’s Day 2012
So there I was standing in the store with a bouquet of flowers for my lovely bride and checking out the cards that were still on the shelves. I was looking for the funny ones because I love being funny and she likes to laugh – perfect! Suddenly these three gentlemen (or not so gentle) come around the corner and see all the cards. Read more »
January 6, 2012 in Deep Thoughts by Ben
God WILL supply
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
What do you think of when you read that? That is the question I am asking myself everyday. It had been a difficult ending to 2011, and it seems that 2012 will just be even more difficult. We are living paycheck to paycheck and while this is new to us, I know this isn’t new to many, many people all across the city, state, nation, and world. What is the answer though? The stress is tough, the sacrifices are plenty, and sometimes it seems that there is no hope. Then again…there’s that verse.
What is a need? Sometimes I hear kids (or adults) saying “I need” such-and-such but often times that NEED is simply a WANT. That’s something my dad taught me a long time ago that has stuck with me into adulthood – the difference between the two. There are many things that I really, REALLY want, but that verse doesn’t say God will supply all my wants, but simply my needs. I must say that so far, it has been true. It’s not necessarily fun, but it’s true.
What about you? When you think you are at the end of your ability to provide and make ends meet do you find that God somehow comes through? Call it charity from family or friends, call it a break in your insurance, call it extra hours at work, and call it whatever else you want to, but Paul said it all when he wrote that verse. Do you see it holding true in your life?
January 2, 2012 in Deep Thoughts by Ben
Happy New Year!
2012 is finally here and it’s going to be a crazy year for me and my family. Before I go to far looking ahead, let’s take one quick moment to reflect on the past year. 2011 was a year full of change and challenges and it’s only just begun.
June 2011 was my last time I woke up at 5:30 to get ready to go teach classrooms full of students and as I walked into the classroom for the last time, I knew I was going to miss all those students I had seen and had over the last five years as a teacher. The relationships that were built, the fun that we had, and the music that we made (or tried to) were going to be behind me soon. After much consideration and prayer, I had decided that it was time for me to acknowledge God’s call in my life to ministry. I was going to step out of the comfort of a full-time job and begin studying and working through a Ministerial Studies Program (referred to as MSP). It’s a go-at-your-own-pace type of program and the goal was to finish it in a year.
The summer brought some new challenges of it’s own – trying to stay focused despite YAC (Youth Adventure Camp), and family vacation (without a lot of success) and my wife and I taking over our Youth Ministry program at our church. It was quite the adjustment for the kids as they got used to their 3rd youth leader in just as many years with new ideas, plans, and organization styles as well as an adjustment for us to figure out what we were actually doing!!
August rolled around and while it was exciting not to be going back to teach, we began feeling the pressure of only one income and I had to begin the search for a job. God provided a part-time job at Macy’s for the Christmas season (and it runs through the first week of January) and it’s been a very tough challenge to keep that up with MSP work while working, planning youth gatherings, and practicing with the worship team at church.
The big news at the end of the last quarter of the year is that my wife and I are expecting our first due in April! We are so excited, but I feel even more overwhelmed with trying to provide some extra income, get ready for the little man, complete my course-work on schedule, and focus on doing my best in both the worship ministry and youth ministry that I’m a part of and help lead. I know that God has called me into ministry, and that He will provide for me, but it’s tough to remember that sometimes.
I also decided that I was going to “re-launch” this blog. Different look, different purpose and hopefully it’s something I’ll stick with a little better. 2012 is going to be a fantastic year! I am anticipating what God is going to do. I’ll see you around!