"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14 Click for the whole chpt.


Sitting at Starbuck's today, contemplating the quote written on the coffee cup, the the following thoughts hit me:

Middle of the road is often portrayed as some soft peddled version of the truth, but where I am at in the "middle of the road" does not have this taste to it. This phrase "Middle of the road" is not only moderation and tolerance, but it it seems that it is where one must be to enter the Narrow Gate. So I hear, or am told, about BALANCE and the need for it, but what I need isn't balance, or rather it is what I need, but what gives one blance is the weight applied to both sides, wait on both sides of the spectrum. Liberal and conservative, orthodox and heretical. Yet what is found in this middle is not "either/or" it is more akin to a "Liberal Orthodoxy" or a "Heretical Conservatism". What is found here then is not liberal or conservative, nor is it some compromised state, but the middle of the Narrow Way/Gate. This is where Authenticity is found. Only here can be found a complete love of the social gospel (Jesus' glad tiding to the poor/orphaned/imprisoned) with a complete love of the moral gospel (the new law written on our fleshly hearts after having our stony ones removed).

This place cannot be found by our attempt to BALANCE, but only by completely abandoning ourselves to Christ. Abandonment is not BALANCED or SENSIBLE. It is RECKLESS and UNREASONABLE. No moderation, no tolerance of, no openess to, only complete and total abandonment to Christ.

God is up to things!

My soul has really been blessed as of late by what God is stirring in my heart! Our family is enjoying a season of great blessing. Lisa and I really get along. I mean, she is awesome. There is no nonsense or unclarity. It is just us, lovin' one another, shepherding our kids, lovin' on them, and letting God be God. Translated: we stumble through marriage and parenting with our weaknesses, but we keep turning to Him, and He is glorified. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean we live in a little eden over on Grace Ave. Yet, we do enjoy some benefits that Adam and Eve didn't have. For example, when we sin, no hiding. It is brought to the Father, is repented of, and we move on. God is so good to me, my wife is so patient, and everyday I am letting my kids know that I am not perfect, both in explanation and action.
My biggest struggle that I constantly bring before the Lord is laziness. Ugh! I said it. You know what I mean though? It is that kind of laziness that looks at things that need to be done and says, "I'll just keep doin' what I am doin', cause it feels better". Lord, Have Mercy! Kyrie, Eleison! Pray for me that I do more to plow and keep my garden. Remember Genesis? God gives Adam a job, "Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it" (Gen 2:15) Lord let me keep and cultivate, helping my wife to grow, pruning my faults, and raising up children for the Kingdom. Maranatha!

What else has happened? Well, we got some cell phones. AAAHHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!! I didn't like the idea, but it will serve the kingdom and the safety of the family. I can be in better touch with the youth, I can send my wife cute notes and texts, and get alot of stuff done. I went high tech in order to do it right. Some of you will fault me. Please pray for me. Yet, I like the phone and what it brings (except the bill) so let it serve the lord!

Last but not least, God has brought me a brother and sister in youth ministry! I am so grateful Lord. They bless me with really great words and say that I am helping them grow, but Lord they are growing me. It is going to be so good seeing what you are going to do with us broken instruments. Keep movin' in us Aslan