I guess I'm going to turn this into a real life blog instead of writing, 'what if' scenarios.
I'm headed to an interview this afternoon at 3:30pm in Ft Worth, TX and as I was sitting up in bed last night, all I could think about was if this was the next door that God would open up for me. It sounds like a great job, the only concern, or concerns I should say, is the hours and the pay, the rest of it sounds right up my alley.
I talked to my girlfriend last night about it, told her how nervous I was because I haven't done an actual interview in seven years. What would I say? Would I be nervous when I'm actually being interviewed? Would I slip on my words or stumble in what I'm trying to say?
There are so many questions that go through my mind and even as I sit here at work this morning at 8:50am CST, I'm still nervous, still trying to go through in my head what I'm going to say or trying to imagine what questions they're going to ask me.
But then I'm reminded of something I had to do last week, having to find every single word and make sure it all came out right. I had a good friend of mine pray over me as I sat outside the restaurant and part of his prayer was that a peace would come over the table, that there would be no concerns or issues.
God heard that prayer and that's exactly what happens. I didn't stumble over my words once. I just felt that God was just wanting me to open my mouth and be confident and He would do the rest, and do the rest He did.
Now I'm looking for that same confidence again and it came in the form of my amazing girlfriend, telling me that I have a great personality and that I can talk to anyone. It's amazing how much you begin to believe in yourself when other people believe in you as well. So, I'll walk into that interview this afternoon, believing that if this is His will, if this is the next door He wants me to walk through, that He'll let me know. He'll give me the peace of the Holy Spirit and either let me know that it's ok or that I need to continue to trust in Him and that he'll bring me to the right place.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Lessons We Learn
My Tuesday nights are usually spent in North Richland Hills, TX at the satellite campus of Gateway Church at a ministry called 'Seven,' which is a young adult to adult ministry.
After the service tonight, I sat with a few friends and had two very different conversations but after both, I realized just how blessed I really am.
I did something a little over a year ago that I thought I would never do in my lifetime. I moved from beautiful Southern California to Dallas, TX to start a new life, a life that was going to be spent mostly on my own. Through the first week, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it and after a few calls back home, I was told that I could do it that I could make it and here I am over a year later and still going strong.
It wasn't until about 7 months ago that I started a walk with the Lord, a walk that has seen me go from saying things like "I worship the Lord in my own way," to "He is an amazing and faithful God." He has blessed me with so many good friends and a new life that I can be proud of, but not only that, He's brought me together with the most amazing woman I've ever met, and believe me when I tell you that I've been around a lot of incredible women in my life.
She is after the Lord like noone I've ever known and worshipping with her and going to church with her every weekend is the most amazing experience, it's not "church" in that sense of the word for me anymore. It's now another chance for me to experience God and it's a chance that I jump on every single time.
Anyway, getting back to what I was saying earlier. These two conversations were very different. Once was of frustration and concern for someone else, the other was on a new life that God has built for a couple. They are both good friends of mine and friends that I would do anything for, but it's amazing how many great friends He has brought around me, almost like He's saying "it's ok to move on from the life you once had, because this is the life I have for you now." It's hard to move on, that much I understand, but when the move comes with so many good people and so many good things, it's hard not to say YES to Him, but I've trusted that He knows what's best, so I'll continue to believe that.
In closing, I wanted to say congratulations to two amazing couples and their recent engagments. There aren't two couples, and this I'm convinced, that are more after God and that will keep Him as the center of their relationship, marriage and family from here on out. I'm honored to call three of them friends and one of them I'm just getting to know but I had the honor of meeting her last night for the first time and was really impressed.
So to them, and they know who they are, congratulations and we look forward to seeing what He has for you next.
After the service tonight, I sat with a few friends and had two very different conversations but after both, I realized just how blessed I really am.
I did something a little over a year ago that I thought I would never do in my lifetime. I moved from beautiful Southern California to Dallas, TX to start a new life, a life that was going to be spent mostly on my own. Through the first week, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it and after a few calls back home, I was told that I could do it that I could make it and here I am over a year later and still going strong.
It wasn't until about 7 months ago that I started a walk with the Lord, a walk that has seen me go from saying things like "I worship the Lord in my own way," to "He is an amazing and faithful God." He has blessed me with so many good friends and a new life that I can be proud of, but not only that, He's brought me together with the most amazing woman I've ever met, and believe me when I tell you that I've been around a lot of incredible women in my life.
She is after the Lord like noone I've ever known and worshipping with her and going to church with her every weekend is the most amazing experience, it's not "church" in that sense of the word for me anymore. It's now another chance for me to experience God and it's a chance that I jump on every single time.
Anyway, getting back to what I was saying earlier. These two conversations were very different. Once was of frustration and concern for someone else, the other was on a new life that God has built for a couple. They are both good friends of mine and friends that I would do anything for, but it's amazing how many great friends He has brought around me, almost like He's saying "it's ok to move on from the life you once had, because this is the life I have for you now." It's hard to move on, that much I understand, but when the move comes with so many good people and so many good things, it's hard not to say YES to Him, but I've trusted that He knows what's best, so I'll continue to believe that.
In closing, I wanted to say congratulations to two amazing couples and their recent engagments. There aren't two couples, and this I'm convinced, that are more after God and that will keep Him as the center of their relationship, marriage and family from here on out. I'm honored to call three of them friends and one of them I'm just getting to know but I had the honor of meeting her last night for the first time and was really impressed.
So to them, and they know who they are, congratulations and we look forward to seeing what He has for you next.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Duty, Honor, Country
On this day, we remember the sacrifice given by so many and the families that support them. So often, we forget that there are so many men and women who have given their lives for what we're able to do, not only those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan but those who have come before us.
You think of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War just to name a few. The sacrifice made, a sacrifice that a lot of us don't have the guts to make. We're able to be the country we are, make the decisions we can make and believe what we believe because of the brave ones who laid down their life.
A big thanks goes out to the men and women of the armed forces serving around the world and an even bigger thanks to those who were the appitemy of sacrifice.
This is to my cousin who's served two tours of duty in Iraq as part of the US Army's 82nd Airborne, to a good friend of my girlfriend's, C.J. who lost his life while serving his country in Iraq, and to both of my grandfather's who served in World War II who taught me that it's not up to you when you go, but it's God who calls you home.
Thank You for all you do and continue to do. It should and will never be forgotten.
You think of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War just to name a few. The sacrifice made, a sacrifice that a lot of us don't have the guts to make. We're able to be the country we are, make the decisions we can make and believe what we believe because of the brave ones who laid down their life.
A big thanks goes out to the men and women of the armed forces serving around the world and an even bigger thanks to those who were the appitemy of sacrifice.
This is to my cousin who's served two tours of duty in Iraq as part of the US Army's 82nd Airborne, to a good friend of my girlfriend's, C.J. who lost his life while serving his country in Iraq, and to both of my grandfather's who served in World War II who taught me that it's not up to you when you go, but it's God who calls you home.
Thank You for all you do and continue to do. It should and will never be forgotten.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Alpha Summit
A few weeks ago, I got the chance to attend something called "Alpha Summit," a three day men's conference at Gateway Church. This was something I never thought, in a million years, that I would ever attend.
Growing up, my dad always pushed religion on me and I know he meant well, but when you're a teenager, and for those of you who are in the teen years and are reading this you can back me up on this, it's not really something you want pushed on you. It's something you want to experience yourself, it's something you want to figure out on your own. Dad always wanted me to go to something called "Promise Keepers," and I'm sure most of you have heard of this. He always wanted me to go with him but I turned him down time and time again.
A little background on me before I continue this story. I grew up catholic, went to church every single Sunday with my mom as well as her parents who we lived with for 13 years of my life and it's a HUGE reason for why I am where I am right now. My grandfather was a Godly man, a man that was after God and make no mistake about it, God told him "well done my good and faithful servent" when he went 'home' a few years ago after dying from cancer. He was a huge influence no my life but that influence didn't take hold until I moved out here to Texas.
I don't reget growing up catholic, I really don't. I will be honest though, and please don't take this as I have something against the Catholic Church because I don't at all, but after I started attending Gateway, I had more questions than answers. When I'd go to church on Sunday's, if you had asked me a few hours after church concluded what the priest talked about during his sermon, I couldn't tell you because most of the time he'd get off on some tangent that had nothing to do with the passage of scripture he just read. Now, I understand that not all Catholic Churches are like that, I'm sure there are some great priests out there and if you're a part of a church that has a great one then that is awesome and you are absolutely blessed.
Anyway, back to Alpha Summit. Here I am, 27 years of age and I'm going to a men's conference and excited about it. I've been in a walk with God for the past six months and I'm wanting more and more is what I got. As a matter of fact, I got a whole lot more than what I bargained for. It was a conference about leadership, about men being leaders in their homes and in their families but more important that that, it was about 1,200 men being ALL IN for God. That was the mantra of this conference...ALL IN.
The speakers were great, the power of God was evident in that room for three days and it was the most emotional time I've been through in a long time. Whoever said men didn't know how or couldn't worship should have been in that room on Friday evening because 1,200 men blew the roof off Gateway Church, finalizing with a song called "Overcome." If you've never heard this song, click on this link which will take you a live performance of the song from New Life Church in Colorado where it originated.
I remember hearing this song for the first time at Gateway about a month ago and I couldn't get enough of it. After that, every time I hear it, there's always something that moves inside of me and just shakes me to the core. It's a song that tells us that we can overcome ANYTHING because Jesus himself OVERCAME the cross. He OVERCAME the lashings, He OVERCAME the ridecule, HE OVERCAME the persecution so we can have the opportunity to live in freedom and make mistakes and still be forgiven.
What I didn't expect, after spending three days in His presence, was going back to the regular service on Saturday night and then to the Encounter service on Sunday night and just being emotionally and physically drained. I will tell you this, I had never read the bible so much and continued to want more than I had after those four days. I wanted to hear from God, I wanted to know what His plan for me was, I wanted to know what He expected from me. But, what I ended up hearing was so humbling, because what I needed was what I had just finished learning for the last three days....how to be a leader.
I was asking God what path He had for me and it was almost like being smacked in the back of the head as if He was saying, "what have I been teaching you for the past three days?" So, on Saturday night as service was wrapping up, I decided that I would go up front for prayer for the very first time. I had never led anything in my life, I was always the kind to be behind the scenes to be a "follower." But after that conference, I was ready to be a leader, I was ready to be the person that He called me to be.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? What is He calling you for or what is He calling you to do? Have you ever just sat in your room without a sound anywhere and just listened? I hadn't either until I started this journey, now I want to just sit and listen to all I can take in and it's been a fun ride.
Growing up, my dad always pushed religion on me and I know he meant well, but when you're a teenager, and for those of you who are in the teen years and are reading this you can back me up on this, it's not really something you want pushed on you. It's something you want to experience yourself, it's something you want to figure out on your own. Dad always wanted me to go to something called "Promise Keepers," and I'm sure most of you have heard of this. He always wanted me to go with him but I turned him down time and time again.
A little background on me before I continue this story. I grew up catholic, went to church every single Sunday with my mom as well as her parents who we lived with for 13 years of my life and it's a HUGE reason for why I am where I am right now. My grandfather was a Godly man, a man that was after God and make no mistake about it, God told him "well done my good and faithful servent" when he went 'home' a few years ago after dying from cancer. He was a huge influence no my life but that influence didn't take hold until I moved out here to Texas.
I don't reget growing up catholic, I really don't. I will be honest though, and please don't take this as I have something against the Catholic Church because I don't at all, but after I started attending Gateway, I had more questions than answers. When I'd go to church on Sunday's, if you had asked me a few hours after church concluded what the priest talked about during his sermon, I couldn't tell you because most of the time he'd get off on some tangent that had nothing to do with the passage of scripture he just read. Now, I understand that not all Catholic Churches are like that, I'm sure there are some great priests out there and if you're a part of a church that has a great one then that is awesome and you are absolutely blessed.
Anyway, back to Alpha Summit. Here I am, 27 years of age and I'm going to a men's conference and excited about it. I've been in a walk with God for the past six months and I'm wanting more and more is what I got. As a matter of fact, I got a whole lot more than what I bargained for. It was a conference about leadership, about men being leaders in their homes and in their families but more important that that, it was about 1,200 men being ALL IN for God. That was the mantra of this conference...ALL IN.
The speakers were great, the power of God was evident in that room for three days and it was the most emotional time I've been through in a long time. Whoever said men didn't know how or couldn't worship should have been in that room on Friday evening because 1,200 men blew the roof off Gateway Church, finalizing with a song called "Overcome." If you've never heard this song, click on this link which will take you a live performance of the song from New Life Church in Colorado where it originated.
I remember hearing this song for the first time at Gateway about a month ago and I couldn't get enough of it. After that, every time I hear it, there's always something that moves inside of me and just shakes me to the core. It's a song that tells us that we can overcome ANYTHING because Jesus himself OVERCAME the cross. He OVERCAME the lashings, He OVERCAME the ridecule, HE OVERCAME the persecution so we can have the opportunity to live in freedom and make mistakes and still be forgiven.
What I didn't expect, after spending three days in His presence, was going back to the regular service on Saturday night and then to the Encounter service on Sunday night and just being emotionally and physically drained. I will tell you this, I had never read the bible so much and continued to want more than I had after those four days. I wanted to hear from God, I wanted to know what His plan for me was, I wanted to know what He expected from me. But, what I ended up hearing was so humbling, because what I needed was what I had just finished learning for the last three days....how to be a leader.
I was asking God what path He had for me and it was almost like being smacked in the back of the head as if He was saying, "what have I been teaching you for the past three days?" So, on Saturday night as service was wrapping up, I decided that I would go up front for prayer for the very first time. I had never led anything in my life, I was always the kind to be behind the scenes to be a "follower." But after that conference, I was ready to be a leader, I was ready to be the person that He called me to be.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? What is He calling you for or what is He calling you to do? Have you ever just sat in your room without a sound anywhere and just listened? I hadn't either until I started this journey, now I want to just sit and listen to all I can take in and it's been a fun ride.
Welcome to The Road Less Traveled!
Welcome to The Road Less Traveled and I hope you enjoy your stay here. This is something that I've been praying about and asking God for guidance over the past week or so. It was at a service called 'Encounter' that is held once a week at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. that I really felt like God wanted me to write about everything I had gone through and was going through in my journey and walk with the Lord.
So, 'The Road Less Traveled' was born. I know that I'm just starting this blog, but it's something that I will continue to post on each and every day and if you feel led by the Holy Spirit, feel free to leave comments on what you're going through and your walk with God. What was the turning point in your life when God called you back to Him?
I'd love to hear from any and all of you who stop by and take the time to read my posts. Trust me when I tell you, it's been a fun journey but one that hasn't been void of attacks by the enemy and questions in my own heart. But He continues to calm me down and keeps me on the right path and that path has led me to so many amazing discoveries and an amazing woman who's stayed by me and has had a front row seat to my transformation.
Again, thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you.
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
So, 'The Road Less Traveled' was born. I know that I'm just starting this blog, but it's something that I will continue to post on each and every day and if you feel led by the Holy Spirit, feel free to leave comments on what you're going through and your walk with God. What was the turning point in your life when God called you back to Him?
I'd love to hear from any and all of you who stop by and take the time to read my posts. Trust me when I tell you, it's been a fun journey but one that hasn't been void of attacks by the enemy and questions in my own heart. But He continues to calm me down and keeps me on the right path and that path has led me to so many amazing discoveries and an amazing woman who's stayed by me and has had a front row seat to my transformation.
Again, thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you.
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
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