Category: personal
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2009 Top Posts – Ethereal Thought Train
I’ve pretty much let Ethereal Thought Train go stale in the last two months, but I figured to close out 2009 I’d throw out your favorite posts of the year. Without further adieu, here they are: The 5 Big Issues in Campus Ministry | Missiology 1 Summary of College Ministry | Gentrified Discipleship and Ministry…
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Giving Thanks
I’m sitting in the passenger seat on my way to the inlaws’ family thanksgiving and dwelling on this great American holiday, so I figured I’d jot down some thoughts. In no particular order: Most of the country is taking the weekend off to celebrate WHAT they are thankful for. What an incredible opportunity to show…
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Lessons from a Razor
As many of you know, I was in a South Asian country with two other pastors from The Austin Stone, and we had an unfortunate incident with some youth. My friend who was attacked has written his reflections, and I highly encourage you to read them. Here is a short snippet: Unexpectedly, one of these…
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Home on the Range
After flying ~15,000 miles in the past 6 days, and sleeping for ~16 hours over that span, I’m officially home with my family. I am grateful to God for the time I was able to spend with new friends, thankful for the power of Jesus to keep me and my team safe, and dependent on…
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A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Psalm 59:16-17 16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress,…
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Lessons Learned in Fatherhood
We’ve had a pretty rough week in our house this week, most notably because our oldest son came down with croup. The first night, we slept in shifts as our son continued to wake up terrified and having difficulty breathing. After a trip to the doctor, we thought we had the problem solved with a…
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Benefit for Missionaries to Sudan
Local Austinites – please consider supporting my friends Jonathan and Lauren Ramirez as they pursue God’s call to work with the Didinga people in Sudan! Ramirez Sudan Benefit Night @ Dominican Joe Friday, September 11th, 2009, 7:00 – 11:00PM Music Performances by: Aaron Ivey and Aaron Peace — Armed with wide eyes and a desire…
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Sunday is for Questions
I was hoping to have some time to write down some thoughts today, but between morning services with the family and preparation for an evening class, I’m tapped out. I figured a good quick post would be to ask for some dialog from you, my faithful readers: What questions would you like me to address…
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So Many Thoughts, So Little Time
Where does time go? I had great ambitions for developing my thoughts on leadership, continuing a series of posts on college ministry strategy, and writing thoughts on adoption, but I just can’t carve out the time to write. Part of it is feeling like I don’t have enough time to sit down and craft what…
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Back in Action!
Since I know so many of you couldn’t wait for my blogging return, I’m happy to report that I’m back in action and well rested from vacation. I’ll resume regular posting shortly…
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Oversight
Last night I had a great realization of all that God has allowed me to steward in ministry. As college students from a variety of ministries on UT’s campus gathered to worship together and hear God’s word taught from my College team, I was overseeing baptism, communion, worship and prayer that the Connections team had…
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Independence Day
Happy Independence Day! I’m celebrating by performing a wedding ceremony this evening, followed by a great night of fireworks in the neighborhood (fireworks are legal in our neck of suburbia…it’s like Beirut on the 4th in Wells Branch). On another note, Chris Tomlin’s rendition of Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) has been playing in…