Sunday, January 25, 2009

True Religion

This morning we went to Memorial Road C of C and Harold Shank happened to be preaching. We thought this was ironic considering we are trying to take some time away from Memphis. They left Memphis 2 1/2 years ago for Dr. Shank to teach at Oklahoma Christian. During his sermon he drove home a point I have been thinking about, but he put better words to it. “You can’t love a God you can’t see, if you can’t love the people you can see.” I’m almost 100% sure these are the words he used.

I’d like to add my own insightful commentary here, but I am not sure I need to add much. I think this is how to make the distinction between religion and true religion—loving others.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Back to the Drawing Board

Ugh… It turns out the 20-25 hr/week job turns out to be only a 5-6 hr/week job. I know this was not what was communicated to me, or at least not what I heard. Maybe I just had my “wishful thinking” ears on at the time. It feels like being punched in the stomach. There is nothing like thinking you have it figured out and then finding out it isn’t so. I’m also trying to adjust to thinking that this job was an answer to a specific prayer about a job, and finding out it was not. My hope is that God uses this door closing to lead me to something else.

It is hard to find a good full-time counseling job. What I mean by “good” is a job that lets me do therapy—not case management, not crisis intervention, not assessment. Also, I have found the more stressful the job in social services, generally the lower the pay, and subsequently the higher the turnover. I may have to give up the search for the ideal job in order to make ends meet. May it not be!

This is my last week of work at my current job. I am not ready to not have a job, but I am definitely ready to be finished working there. We’re seriously tossing around the idea of taking off a few weeks and going somewhere far away. We feel like we need to get out of Memphis and regain some focus. I’m thinking Colorado and snowy mountains.

Unfortunately, chances are you are or you know someone in a similar, if not worse, situation. My hope is all of this leads us to a deeper trust in God; however, I’m finding it harder to trust in God, and also more necessary at the same time…

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

We're Going to Ireland!

We purchased tickets for March 12-22 for a survey trip to Dublin. Since we are considering going to Dublin as missionaries, we are making this trip with other potential team members to check it out. We have never been to Dublin, so this is our first chance to visit—and we will be there over St. Patrick's Day!

We hope to get a good feel for the church, the culture, the spiritual culture, and what it will be like to live in the city. Dublin is a city of around 2 million and it is becoming increasingly diverse through immigration. People from other parts of Europe often move to Dublin for jobs and move back to their countries after making some money. What a chance to spread Christianity to Ireland and all of Europe!

We hope God will open our eyes and help us as we seek to find out if Dublin is a place he wants to use us. My belief is that God wants us wherever we are, and I also believe God puts it in some peoples' hearts to go to other places for the sake of his kingdom.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Job Hunt

I (Ben) had a job offer today! It feels like a little weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It is a part-time (25 hr/week, $600/hr) job—just kidding about the pay part. Now, the decision process begins: Do I want to make the drive to Mississippi? Should I get a job with benefits? Should Israel have invaded the Gaza strip? How will another part-time job fit in with it? Do I want to work on Fridays again? When will we take our road trip?

I will say it is nice to hear someone from a company say that they want me to work for them. I think it especially feels nice because it is the opposite of what the place I am working for is saying. I am falling into the arms of another company.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We’ll keep you posted…