The Next Chapter…

Ahhh… life’s been nuts, but good. Rachel and I are awaiting the first addition to our family, due on April 30th, we’ve bought our first house and are waiting to take posession on July 1st (or possibly earlier) and we’ve decided that we’re staying in Lethbridge for this next chapter. I feel like I have no control over most of what’s happening, but that’s a really good feeling in some ways.

God’s doing some really cool stuff here in Lethbridge and we’re excited to be a part of it. It feels like the church is growing in some really unique ways and taking more seriously what it means to be the light of Christ in this community and what that uniquely looks like in this time with these people. I’m so glad to be a part of that and part of an amazing staff team.

One of the things I’ve been challenged with lately is how I can keep doing more and more of what I was created to do, and less of everything else. Okay, so it’s not really that easy to draw the line, but it’s certainly inspired lots of thought, especially as I prepare for this exciting and terrifying thing called fatherhood. I feel like my life (priorities and passions mostly if I think about it) are being pruned and shaped – at least I hope they are. I keep saying I’m going to get things in line after *insert next big event here*. Currently it’s easter, but I’m realizing more and more that I need to reshape the way I think about work and life and just do the things that need to be done with no excuse or feeling sorry for myself because I’m busy. That’s a challenge.

The Lethbridge Bridge
The iconic bridge of Lethbridge… a sight we’re getting used to!

Some of the thing I’ve been thinking about and figuring out:

– I want to spend lots of time on my bike. I know, it’s not really spiritual or broadly applicable to others, but I feel like I want to get in shape and spend time out on the trails so I can better think through the rest of my life. It helps me, and it’s a great way to appreciate God’s beautiful creation.

– Songwriting needs to become more a part of my routine. It’s something that I know I can do, but I want to continue to refine my skills and generally increase the volume of songs that I write. Instead of writing a song for something I want to be able to pick the best of a number of songs. I can get better. (in other song news, I’ve got one that we’ve done a few times in chruch over the past few weeks called Shine Your Light which I’ll have to do a blog about sometime later this week when I throw it up on my myspace.)

– If I’m serious about doing young adults ministry at the church, I need to spend time on the university campus.

One of the highlights of the past few weeks has been a study on Simply Christian by N.T. Wright which I’ve been doing at the pub on campus every Monday at 4:30. It’s great to connect with people where they’re at and get out of the church building. I’m hoping to do something next year that looks something like a once semesterly big gathering on the campus to worship and pray together. More details to follow as I figure them out…

There are a few other things, but those are a few highlights. That’s been my life mostly… lots of things to overwhelm me, and lots of random confirmations that God is good and he’ll take care of me while at the same time challenging me to face this next chapter with added zeal and determination to do things better. Cool, it’s going to be fun.

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