I am not sure how much you have followed our lives here in Min-Arctica. I have the mini-summary and wrap up:
A few years ago we moved to Minnesota so that I could come work for a new company and go back to school with the intent of going into full time ministry work. After two years we hit the milestone that triggered a search for a permanent home. Up to that point we had planned to rent a house so we could figure out where we would live given all the variables. Those were location of schools for our son and myself, distance from work, location of our church community, and the areas we felt we were being called to serve. (I have a serious heart for the Minneapolis area, and a great those who are under-employed and struggling to survive.) The outcome of which gave us a pretty large though specific in which to area to look for houses. We searched for a long time and finally found a home that needs some love but it also hit all our criteria. With much prayer and caution, we have started that process.
Last year, we saw an opportunity to be a part of an amazing thing, the birth of a new church. We came alongside some wonderful people with a vision for a church family that was not only exciting and contagious, but also very courageous and true to our family’s calling of what it means to be a family that has chosen to follow Christ and be obedient. As of September, Clarity Church has been hosting public service for one year. We have launched a second wave of Clarity Communities, our small groups, and have just launched our Clarity youth ministry, Clarity Students. There is much to do and many who can be served. I am changing roles within the church, and will no longer be the Technical Guy. I will be working with our hospitality group and helping out with the Youth program wherever I can. I am thrilled to be a part of the Clarity ministry leaders team.
As of a few weeks ago, I am a student again. I am taking three classes online, (I SHOULD be taking ONE to get back into the swing, but I am an overachiever and that is besides the point). The school is having technical difficulties in one of my classes (the leadership class of all things) so that class may be cancelled. This is a good thing for me as I may be a bit over committed. The other two classes are becoming a proving ground for me going forward. I have to relearn what it means to be a student and adapt my life to focus on study and discussion with the other students. I have to remember that I have to WANT this more than I want to watch another episode of Arrow. I have to approach it with enthusiasm and passion because the end result is what I am passionate about. Most of all I have to pay close attention to the quality of the time I spend on different events.
Being a student PLUS buying and remodelling our new home PLUS being a husband and father PLUS my church family efforts PLUS full time work all become the equivalent of multiple full time jobs. This is the path I am taking and I am committing to. So I am asking for help from my friends. I give you all permission to speak into my life, and be involved and even nosey.
Legoland Adventure 2008
- Be patient with me if I disappear from our social circles because I have to study or spend time with the family.
- Encourage me if I look exhausted or down.
- Remind me that I need to be in class or a library when I am distracted or at Wingo at BW’s or you see me playing a that online MMO game.
- And most of all, if you are inclined to do so, Pray for me and my family.
I am, gratefully able to take a small break over the Thanksgiving week to spend with the family and friends back home. But even then I need to spend some time working on my school work. :-/
This is going to be a difficult, but still not too long, road for us. I pray that God will prepare us, guard our hearts from discouragement or distraction, and remind us that we are all on the same team.
Thank you for reading, thinking and responding. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
May God bless you and keep you.
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May Jesus have His way with your day
He is Founder and consultant for Tek Management,
Founder of the Men’s Leadership site: CalebStrong.org,
Co-Founder of the online Bible study app: BibleCounts
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