Inspired...

We saw some unbelievable things yesterday. I suppose that someone from the west wouldn't be so awestruck, but for ohioans it's incredible to see the things we saw. I got a chance to stand at the bottom of Comet Falls where the mist covers your body. After a two mile hike up 1700 feet, the 50 degree water feels awesome! It was a great memory for me as I stood in God's presence and marveled at his creativity. I have received so much inspiration these last few days. God is giving me ideas quicker than I can write them down. I know more than ever that Epic is God's plan for us....and he's going to guide us along the way. Well, off to the Oregon coast!

Sleepless in Seattle

Okay, corny title but I couldn't resist....

We are now enjoying our vacation in Seattle. After a ridiculously long flight, we got to our hotel and I have been so jazzed up about Epic ideas that came to me on the plane that I couldn't sleep. I really want God to reveal some things to me these next 10 days about my own personal direction as well as direction for Epic.

I know that the enemy is already at work....as evidenced by a phone call I received from back home. Maybe the most frustrating thing about ministry is that it never stops. And some people just won't leave you alone regardless of whether your on vacation or not. But it's because I tend to dwell on things that I shouldn't that makes it especially frustrating for me.

Tomorrow we will go pick up our rental car and head to Mt. Rainier to do some hiking. From there we will head to Oregon and travel the most beautiful coastline in the world. I hear that some of the scenes are breathtaking. I brought the churh video camera and I hope to get some stock footage on this trip to use with worship backgrounds.

Jenelle and I are having a great time together already. We seem to get along best when we are on adventures together....away from the craziness of life in Beavercreek. This may be our last vacation together before a new addition to the family, so we are making it count!

Gotta go to REI now.....I'm not much for shopping but the Seattle REI store is amazing!

Controlling Love

Oxymorons....kind of a type of paradox. I was thinking today about how Christ emptied himself and made himself a slave. He gave up total control of his life, and his death. He became totally helpless.....to the point that he was on the cross and was thirsty, and he had to rely on others to give him a drink. The all powerful didn't consider equality with God something to be grasped...

This idea of loosing control being an act of love is working on my right now. I can tend to be a controlling person. I am a perfectionist at home and in my ministry.....this often times leads to trying to control people and/or situations to make sure they go the way I think they should. But I often see how controlling is not loving. To loose control is to love. There's no such thing as "controlling love."

So let the conviction begin! I love it when God teaches me new things.....but it always means some dying to self needs to take place. Even though my ways are subtle, and most wouldn't consider me controlling, I know I have some dying to do.