Entering The Conversation

I lead an extremely busy life. Band directing, playing mariachi, teaching occasional Bible studies, and other church activities keep me occupied most of the time. I also have a rather high traffic edublog that I have been running on the side, as well as trying to keep up with reading quite a few other blogs.

I am coming to the point where I want to eliminate a lot of the noise from my world and just get back to a simpler life. In an effort to do this, I am setting up my personal blog to discuss spiritual things. If you know any other links that I need to add to my links, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.

2008

What does this year hold?
I don’t know exactly what 2008 holds, but new years are always full of promise. It is with great anticipation that I enter into this year. It is also tinged with great excitement as I know this will be a year of adventure for me unlike any year previous.

Why adventure?
I don’t know entirely. I know I am in the serious praying and planning stage of beginning a Bible study in Del Rio. It will be unlike anything I have ever done before, and it is anticipated that it will be unlike anything Del Rio has ever seen. I don’t say that to brag on me, but because I believe this is something that God really really wants to do here, and I believe that His timing is right for this.

What else makes is adventurous?
The unknown excites me. I don’t know exactly what, but I believe a big change is in my near future. It could be a move. It could be a change in career path. It could be a wedding. I have no clue. I am certain that none of those things will happen before June, but I do know this year holds great adventure for me.

So how am I meeting these challenges?
The unexamined life is not worth living. – Socrates

Change starts by examining my life. I am taking a personal inventory of those things that are good, those things that are not so good, and those things that are bad. I am keeping the good, changing those that are salvageable, and eliminating the bad. Again, I don’t know what these will entail, but I know that the remainder of this week will be a week of self-examination and introspection.

What do I know?
I know that I want to be able to look back on 2008 and really see some dynamic growth in my life. I want to be able to say that I was powerfully useful for the Kingdom of God this year. I want to be able to live more like Hudson Taylor. I want to take my personal goals and ambitions, set them aside, and conform my life to God’s desires for me.

This means I need specific goals. They will be articulated this week. You can hold me accountable.

What I know for sure is that I will begin by reading the New Testament this month. Join me.

Here’s the schedule I’m following
   1. Matthew 1 – 9
   2. Matthew 10 – 15
   3. Matthew 16 – 22
   4. Matthew 23 – 28
   5. Mark 1 – 8
   6. Mark 9 – 16
   7. Luke 1 – 6
   8. Luke 7 – 11
   9. Luke 12 – 18
  10. Luke 19 – 24
  11. John 1 – 7
  12. John 8 – 13
  13. John 14 – 21
  14. Acts 1 – 7
  15. Acts 8 – 14
  16. Acts 15 – 21
  17. Acts 22 – 28
  18. Romans 1 – 8
  19. Romans 9 – 16
  20. I Corinthians 1 – 9
  21. I Corinthians 10 – 16
  22. II Corinthians 1 – 7
  23. II Corinthians 8 – 13
  24. Galatians – Ephesians
  25. Philippians – II Thessalonians
  26. I Timothy – Philemon
  27. Hebrews
  28. James – II Peter
  29. I John – III John
  30. Revelation 1 – 11
  31. Revelation 12 – 22

Change…

Have you ever wanted to just pack everything up and leave the security you know behind?

Change looms ominously closer…
I think it’s approaching the time to begin a new adventure in my life. I feel that it is quickly approaching the time for me to leave Del Rio. It’s not because of my work situation. In fact, this year is unquestionably my best year as a teacher. The saddest thing about it, in fact, is that I would have to leave my job when I move.

So why move after all?
Over the Thanksgiving break, I was in my friend Jeff’s wedding. We had the rehearsal on Friday and afterwards, we had the rehearsal dinner. After the dinner, we went to his church with some of his friends and played and sang praise songs. I was reminded of how desperately I miss that kind of fellowship and bonding.

Is this a for sure thing?
I don’t know if this is going to happen. I sense in my spirit that change is around the corner. I don’t know exactly what that means. What I do know is that I really do miss the spiritual fulfillment I once had.