Back Into the Blogging Swing

After a month and a half hiatus from blogging, I plan on getting back into the thick of things starting next week. Hopefully, I’ll have some posts from a few things I’ve reflected on in the past month or so. July was terribly busy for us and, lo and behold, August is half gone now already! I didn’t always do a great job of writing ideas down (always write things down!), but I trust that a few of the important things will spring to mind.

Again, thank you for reading—it is very humbling that you find this small corner in the blogosphere edifying.

 

The Blog Days of Summer

Summer is a wonderful season, but they don’t call it the dog days of summer for nothing. It’s always hot and it’s often tiring. Very tiring. Our daughter is 10 months old and sometimes she is what I call “summer tired.” That happens when her cheeks turn red, her hair gets sweaty, her head starts to bob, and her eyes get heavy. Right now, on the blog front, I’m a little “summer tired.”

Because of seminary classes, responsibilities at church, and a few camps I’m speaking at this summer, blogging has taken a back seat. I traditionally take a blogging break each year, usually around June or July, and this year will be no different. I may have some guest bloggers contribute a few times, but for the most part, I’ll be working hard freeing up some space in your inbox or feed reader. You are welcome.

Thanks to all of you who subscribe, visit often, and comment. I am truly humbled that you read what I write. Praise God for this little corner of the internet world and how he uses it to spread his gospel—even if in a small way.

1,000 Posts…and Counting

This is the 1,000th post on Beneath the Cross! I started this blog in June 2007 for nothing other than to write down what I learn to share with others. I have averaged just over a post every other day, and by God’s grace, people read what I write.

I wanted to celebrate by simply thanking you for subscribing, commenting, or simply stopping by on a whim. I am truly humbled that people find this blog helpful and engaging.

All glory belongs to God for however he uses this simple medium to herald the glorious gospel of his Son Jesus.

2010 in Review

Goodbye 2010. Hello 2011.

In 2010, I adjusted to life in America after coming home from Africa in late 2009. The year started out pretty good for me: I got married to my best friend Carly on January 16. Over the next 12 months, I worked three different jobs. My wife and I lived in three different residences. We became members at our church and it became home to us. We completed Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University…twice.  (Therefore, we paid off thousands of dollars of student debt and paid off our car loan.) I read through the entire Bible. I started raising financial support to work at my church as a pastoral intern.

The list could go on, but I’ll stop for now. The common thread with 2010, as with every other year of my life, was God’s faithfulness and grace. His presence was clear, his comfort was gentle, his grace was sweet, and his rebuke was heavy. More often than not, the many species of pride in my life — self-pity, anger, bitterness, defensiveness, envy — clouded my view of these glorious things.

Happy New Year, friend. And it will be a happy new year, if you have God in your life. I think a recent Tweet by John Piper is appropriate:

God promises new troubles (Mat. 6:34), new mercies (Lam 3:23), and new hope (2 Cor 4:16) for every day this year.

The troubles will only make sense, and the mercies and hope will only be fulfilling, if Jesus is at the center of your 2011. I pray he is.

(If you want to see some stats from 2010 for this blog, click on the link below.)

Blogging isn’t a top priority right now…

There’s a lot going on in life. If there was a top 5, blogging wouldn’t make the cut. Of course, I’m blogging right now, so I’m making this a priority for the next three minutes.  October has been a crazy, long month for us.

Lately, I’ve been raising support to work as a pastoral intern at our church. You can read more about that here. Things are steady with the fundraising, but it is hard to find time and energy some weeks. Two weeks ago, I found out my job with the State of Nebraska is in jeopardy. The State is initiating a layoff plan, and I am not so high on the seniority list.  Because of this I’ve been preparing by looking and applying for new jobs. Lastly, Carly and I are moving soon (a complete blessing).

Whew. Talk about a whirlwind month. Would you pray for us?

God is still glorious and majestic. I want to see and experience him for all he is. Everyday.

Confessions of an Average Blogger

I have a love-hate relationship with blogging.  Right now, I hate it. Lately, I don’t want to read blogs or write them.  In a word, blogging has been a chore.  The whole process makes me frustrated.  Maybe it’s “writer’s block.”  Maybe it’s the winter blues.  Maybe it’s something else.  I don’t know.

Whatever the case, I feel like in the “theo blogosphere” there’s always pressure to write something insightful, challenging, and inspirational weekly, or even daily.  Like I have to stay on par with the other Christian blogs.  It’s the 21st century Christian way of keeping up with the Joneses.  I get sucked into it.  People comment on the blog.  My stats are up.  I get linked on other sites.  I’m on the “Top 100″ blogs list for the day.  My head gets a little puffed up and it’s hard to keep it up long enough to write a short post.

I don’t want to be like that.  And I’m sorry when I am.  I want to write because I love it, because it refreshes me, and because it’s a blessing from God.  I write much more in journals, notebooks, and in the corners of my mind that only God will see than what goes on this blog.  Those don’t have big stats or comments from readers.  They aren’t visible or accessible to anyone.  It’s just raw, honest, straightforward words.

I want this place to be like that too.

Sorry

My friend Chuck kindly reminded me that I haven’t blogged in a week.  I’m sorry I’ve been so laxed!  Things have been really busy and I just started a new job last Monday.  So hopefully this week I’ll get back in a routine here on the blog.