All in the family

You know, it is really cool to be part of a church. I was thinking about it today. For those of us, like myself, who don't have our immediate biological family around, it is great to know that I am surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I can remember being so excited about moving out, back when I was 16. I never could have anticipated the cost of moving 1000 miles away from home. My brother was only 90 miles north, in San Antonio, but for a senior in high school with limited gas money and even more limited time, this might as well have been 900 miles.
When I moved out (even at such a young age) I really felt like it was what I needed to do to pursue God's call for my life. Could I have waited for another year until I graduated? Probably. Should I have waited another year until I graduated? Perhaps. But with my parents blessing (and financial help) I packed my bags that summer and drove from N.C. to Texas with my older brother, Jason, who had just joined the Air Force and had to go to San Antonio.
That trip was so fun, and marked a huge change in my life. It was not a "road trip to freedom", as my family was pretty laid back when it came to rules. For me, in a very real sense, it was the return of the prodigal son. I had invited Jesus into my life two summers before that, and spent a year growing like a weed in an amazing youth group at a large church. Then my step-father got transferred to Cherry Point Marine Corp Air Station, in Havelock, N.C. (Havelock happens to be the armpit of N.C.)
Long story short...little town, no thriving churches, no cool youth groups that went on cool retreats and stuff like that + baby believer riding on lots of emotion, and little knowledge + new school where partying is the only thing to do if you want to have at least one friend= Freddy falling away from church, God, and all sense of true joy.
So back to Victoria Texas I went, desperate for change and for God, feeling defiled, defeated, and depressed. I can still remember my first night back at the church. I wasted no time in standing up and sharing the embarrassment of the previous year in the wilderness of sin, wanting only to be allowed to come back. Not only was I allowed back, I was embraced by the same people who had so excitedly prayed for me and sent me off with every expectation of taking the Gospel to the youth of Havelock one year earlier. The people that I felt like I had let down the most were the very same people who hugged me with tears of joy in their eyes and celebrated my return.
So there I was, torn in two. On one hand, I was reunited with my church family. The family that accepted me just as I was, and the family that I had so desperately missed and needed. On the other hand, it had cost me access to my earthly family. My mother whom I so loved, my step-dad who had so faithfully provided for us, my older brother who had weathered every storm of my life with me, and my little brother who I wanted to be there for. I felt alive again, yet at the same time I was sad that I couldn't share this with my family. The price was so high, yet the reward was so rich.
Well, that year was a turning point in my life, and eventually led me down the path to Freedom Life Church. Now a pastor, with my own family, and my church family. More relatives than I could ever have imagined. My brothers and sisters in Christ. Why did I write all of this...I am not sure. I think part of me looks forward to the prospect of one day being able to enjoy my earthly family and my church family at the same time. Another part of me considers what it has cost, and without hesitation I would do it all again! And still a third part of me wants to constantly be reminded that our church might be the only family that some people get to experience in this life.
Jesus gave up so much, and even left his heavenly Father's wonderful presence, so that we could be saved. He did this knowing that many would reject Him. Knowing that his own people would despise Him. Knowing that some would make fun of Him and use His name as a profanity. Yet still, He willingly chose to do what had to be done. I pray that I will always be willing to do what has to be done, and follow the example that Jesus gave for us. I pray that Freedom Life will always be "the family" that has every kid in the neighborhood coming over for dinner all the time. I pray that our house will always be "the house" that always feels comfortable and welcoming to the kid down the street who has no comfort at his house.

Please leave a message after the tone

So my cell phone has been messing up a lto recently. It just cuts off while it is sitting there, even though there is still charge left in it. The interesting thing is that I don't realize that it is off until I pick it up to use it. Since this has started happening I have realized that I have had some nice moments of peace and quiet as I sit at my house or go to dinner with my family. I didn't realize how much my cell phone actually rings until this started happening. When I would find it turned off I would turn it on to discover I had 9 voicemails (in about 3 hours). A couple of days ago I accidentally left it at Ruby Tuesday's overnight. When I picked it up the next morning I had 12 missed calls. To be honest, I have kinda liked the peace and quiet. People have been faithful to leave voicemails, so I can still see what is going on and return their calls, but I have not had to deal with the interuptions. The other day I was a lunch with a friend and I received 4 calls before I finally just turned the phone off. Each time he kinda gave me that, "Oh your gonna go ahead and answer that just because we're such good friends" look. I guess I didn't realize how dependent I have grown on my cell phone...hold on it is ringing... well I'm back. That is funny. While I am sitting hear talking about it, I get another call. So anyway, like I was saying, I am so used to being able to instantly communicate with anyone I need to. It is great to be able to accomplish so many things in the time that used to be wasted sitting at traffic lights or driving to and from work or church. It is such a great convenience, but I guess everything has a price. I suppose, like anything else, the key is to have balance. To enjoy things that make work and life easier, but to avoid being a slave to them. So I just hope people understand when I don't answer every call I get anymore, and trust that I will be faithful to return their voicemail...well, gotta go, I'm getting another call ;)