before the throne of God above.

allelujah, allelujah. praise the one, risen Son of God.

He is more than i know. He is more than i think i know. He is more than i need. He is exactly what i need.

Father, teach me more of who You are and what i am without You. captivate my heart.

more lewis

Good beats upon the damned incessantly as sound waves beat on the ears of the deaf, but they cannot receive it. Their fists are clenched, their teeth are clenched, their eyes fast shut. First they will not, in the end they cannot, open their hands for gifts, or their mouth for food, or their eyes to see.

-C.S. Lewis- The Great Divorce

growing and the pains that go with

have you ever been struck by how you're growing? hit with the fact that you are, in fact, growing older and the years of playing on the jungle gym are growing dim. what is coming closer are things that you never thought much about as a kid, but suddenly are close realities.

these are things that i've been chewing on lately. am i growing into the man that will be a good husband and father to my wife, a good life long friend to my brothers, and a close companion to my family? life is always moving by and sometimes i feel as if i unknowingly close my eyes to it.

father. make me into a man after your heart. show me what that looks like, and lead my heart that way. the rest will follow. i ask that Your grace would become something that is always on my mind. let it enter my heart and change my perspective on those around me. as i work through my days, would you begin to mold me into the man you want me to be. help me to focus on you and the life you offer.

i ask for grace and wisdom beyond measure for my brothers. as they wrestle with these things too, be close. help them to search for your heart in these things. when confusion or emotion or fear prevents them from seeing clearly, give them grace and persistence. bring people that can give advice to them and help them work through these issues.

father. thank you for your presence. that you are real. thank you for your goodness and care for our lives. great is thy faithfulness

grace. and hoping to grow in it

weekend away

went away to big bear ca with about half of the guys from emerson this weekend. it was awesome to get away from the business of life and just be still for a while. conversations were had, lives were shared, weaknesses identified, and stories told. God is good and more than i will ever know.

perspective

i am not my own. i have been made new.

please don't let me go. i desperately need You.

(lead)er

"the Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his commands." psalm25:10

"the gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. after he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice." john10.3-4