So.  I have never left the country.  Mainly because I just have never made anywhere near enough money to even pay my rent, let alone, buy a plane ticket and a passport and just leave.

I sit and think about the gifts that God has bestowed upon me.  I mean, I have an amazingly wonderful beautiful fiance.  I have a decent enough job.  And now, I get to do something I have always wanted to.  Travel out of the country, with my best friend (See link above), and her father. Even better yet!  I get to go do work for God!  It’s amazing, but I am still nervous.  I have never flown over water, and I’m not a great swimmer.   I know that doesn’t really matter, but the scenario’s are endless.  But I digress.

I have never been on a trip like this before, so I don’t know what to expect.  I am praying that God will guide me, and move in me. 

I am not taking any form of electronic communication down there.  Just a journal, my Bible, and my copy of “Jesus For President” I will be spending a lot of time in some much needed prayer, Journaling, and The Word.  I hope to follow up with what is moved in me.  And I know there will be movement.

Please keep me in your prayers.  I really am a little nervous.

I might write one more time before I leave….. So.. be looking

Adios.

Ok.  So I told Andrea last night that I was going to start writing ‘Rules of Engagement’.  Basically, along the path of our engagement, I imagine I am going to learn some very important things.  Instead of waiting a year or two from now until another one of our friends gets engaged, I figured, I’ll just post them as I learn.  So, I’ll start with the first one.

Rules Of Engagement #1

It doesn’t matter if it is the release date (like in my case), or five years from now.  Never, ever, under any circumstances, ask to go get an iPhone, if you have already promised to register that day.

Registration is number 1 until it is finished.  Go in.  Get it done, and have fun doing it.  It CAN actually be fun.  I’ve had a blast the two days we registered.  Just make sure you get to hold the gun thing.  Then it’s like laser tag.  Except, if you want something, you shoot it.

Anyway. That turned into more of a rant than it was supposed to.  So this begins my Rules of Engagement Series.  I look forward to your comments, or any rules you can forwarn me about.

I am the kind of person that likes to constantly be doing something.  Whether it is working on a project, teaching someone something or just sitting somewhere and tapping my foot.  It’s a moving compulsion.  I realize this especially when I am in the soundbooth at my church.  I realized today.  Even during the pastors message, I was pacing.  When there was prayer, I was pacing.  When nothing at all was happening.  I was pacing.  I was moving the entire service.  I am always moving, or thinking.

I wonder why that is?  I like to think I have a fairly good relationship with God.  But, then times like today, I realize, I move. I move. I move.

Several times over the last week, Psalm 46:10 has come up.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

It’s come up while I was reading blogs, while I was cruising the internet.  Even in just regular conversation.  People have told me to just be still at work, and most people tell me I am a very high strung person.  Why is it that I am afraid to be still?  It’s weird.

I don’t have a solution.  I don’t even have an answer.  What do you struggle with? Is it something you knew you struggled with or did it just jump at you one day like this did me?   It’s so awesome how God works isn’t it?

So, I get to work this morning, and all hell has broken loose.  Seriously.  I’m thinking, ah,  this will take a few hours to work, as I timidly dial Microsoft up. (It’s free support when their updates crash you)  I knew it was going to be a task to get anything done, I had NO CLUE what I was getting into.

As 4:00 rolled around, I had to go.  I do have other stuff going on you know.  It’s insane.  At least 5.5 hours on the phone.  Arguing, losing my temper, cursing, everything I really try not to do.  I did.

When I got home again, I hopped back on our server, and fixed everything Microsoft did wrong to fix the initial problem.  Something about that doesn’t seem right, but, hey, it’s Microsoft, if I complain too much, there might be a sniper after me.  But I digress.  Long story short, everything is at least temporarily fixed.

After I finished all of this, I was thinking.  Why do I still have the urge to do all of these things?  Curse, Yell, argue?  I do honestly try to live everyday for God.  I guess what it comes down to is the dying daily thing.  I guess that is something I struggle with.  Dying daily, to me, sounds a lot like being humble.  Not exactly my strong suit.  Admitting I am weak?  That’s not my bag, baby!  I guess, there is nothing appealing about it at all.

I have to remind myself that I don’t get saved, and that’s it.  It takes work, like anything beautiful.  Why is it so easy to say, but so hard to live out in the moment?  When the real tests come, I fail.  Well, at least 50/50, but I’d wager more.  Why is it so hard to die?  Weird question?

What are your thoughts?  What do you have a hard time with?  Any advice?  I’m all ears.

Well, here it is.  Crucial Encounter.  What is a crucial encounter?  I believe everyone has one.  Whether you are a christian, muslim, atheist, or what.  It’s an encounter that changes you.  Forever.  I will go further into this later.  Right now, my new wonderful beautiful fiance wants to go get food.   I do too.

Feel free to subscribe and/or share a crucial encounter you had.