August 26, 2008
Last night, Donald Miller prayed at the Democratic National Convention. Here’s the video below… take a look at it and let us know what you think about it. (p.s. the sound cuts out on part of it… not sure why)
You can read Donald Miller’s prayer in its entirety at www.donaldmillerwords.com
August 7, 2008
I have been thinking a lot about prayer lately… what it is… what it’s for. During my time of pondering something crossed my mind.
Now I’m gonna share my thought with you and preface it with the fact that’s it’s just a thought. It’s a part of processing.
When we pray to God and “ask Him for things” - like the job we want, our family member’s safety, patience, etc. - what does it imply if we don’t get those things? We often say that it wasn’t in God’s plan, or that he closed the door when it has to do with things like a job, a raise, etc. But what about the family member or friend’s safety? What if our sister or daughter or mother is hurt? Raped? Even killed? Was that part of “the plan”? Were our prayers wasted? If He were to keep them “safe” by keeping the perpetrator away, then didn’t He just get in the middle of freewill?
Back to the “new job” idea. Let’s say we did get the job. Does that mean that God forced someone’s hand to chose us? Again, would He be taking an individual’s freedom of choice to pick who they wanted for the job, in order to “bless us”?
It’s all kinda left me a bit confused and even a tad overwhelmed (did I just use the word “tad”?).
I guess that’s all. I suppose what I’ll do for now is pray that God reveals more of His character to me. Hopefully, that will lead me to a better understanding of what this prayer thing is all about.
Now for those of you who made it to the end of this rambling, you may be confused or angry at me. But please know that for me, writing these things out helps me process my life, and my attempts to grow closer in my relationship with God. By putting it out here for everyone to read, I’m inviting you into community and relationship with me. I’m just another one of God’s children, trying to “figure things out” this side of eternity.
-jrowe
June 10, 2008
It happened… yes, yes… Apple released the new iPhone this week. A little sleeker, a few more features. I’d have to say, I’m impressed for sure.
That being said… i am not AT ALL unhappy with my iPhone. I can’t wait for the version 2.0 update that is to be relased soon. Along with that, all the new developed applications.
The real test is going to be wether our not i can refrain from buying a new iPhone “just because”… hahaha. Here’s hoping!
January 8, 2007
Right now i am reading two teriffic books i am enjoying greatly.
“Searching For God Knows What” by Donald Miller
I am about half way through this book and would highly recomend reading it.
“New Kind of Christian” by Brian McLaren
I am a couple chapters in to this book, don’t know if i would recomend it yet, but i am enjoying it so far.
jrowe
December 29, 2006
another year is almost over… and what a year it has been. I was sitting around today thinking about it and thought i would write some of it down. Some thoughts to share, but mostly just for me to remember it and i suppose, to process it.
Probably the biggest thing this year was the launching of my own company with two of my friends. I can’t believe we have been in business for almost a year now. We have gotten to do so many great things. One client even flew us out to Texas to shoot some video for them. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?! I think the best parts of our business for me has been two things. One: getting to see our work impacting the kingdom of God through stories people have told us and emails we have received from churches using our products. Two: building the family which is Floodgate… getting to know Gary and Dave better each and every day and continuing to venture out in faith with these two Godly men.
Here’s to many more years!
Let’s see… another exciting item is my truck. I bought a brand new Nissan Frontier. I love it! It has been such a blessing to have great, reliable transportation. I know it’s just a “thing” and will eventually be something that breaks down or i sell, but in the here and now it is AWESOME!
I have also been extremely blessed this year to afford a great three bedroom apartment out in clovis with an incredible roommate. It has been a great experience to say the least.
Another thing i have been reflecting on about this past year has to do with relationships. Some people will give you reason to invest in them and grow deeper with them, and those are the people you need to hang on to. And then there are those who, no matter how much you invest, it will never be enough. You will always have to extend yourself and they will be there only when it is convenient for them. I have been blessed this year with a group of people that have been there for me through ups and downs. People who give as much to me as they expect in return. I have begun to see that true friendship/relationship is not 50/50 as people are use to saying… to me it has proven it self to be an adventure where all parties involved give 100%… both sides.
Those are the people i want to grow with.
For too long i have invested more of myself into certain people then they have in me, hoping to grow the friendship… always calling, always inviting, always seeking… over this year i have realized how draining that is, and as much as i love those people, God is calling me to so much more. Not to equate myself with God by ANY means… but it has made me wonder how he feels to be always chasing us and have us turn away. I am not saying i believe in giving up on people or friendships, but you can only go so far before it starts being harmful for you. No one like to always be the one to make plans and getting brushed off(no this is not a pity party).
As for the other type of people… the ones i want to grow with… God has given me a second family in my business partners and my homegroup. These are the people over the past year that have prayed with me, for me, cried with me, loved me… given me hope, given me correction when i have needed it. I covet these relationships and encourage EVERYONE to find people like this. The give life when you are around them instead of draining it from you.
Something else great for me this year is a new found interest in reading.
I have started reading great authors like Donald Miller, Rob Bell and John Eldridge to name a few. Through there writing i have begun to really see the kind of life God wants me to live. Not one tied down to stale rules and regulations that some “governing body” laid down as what a christian should be… but really experiencing the grace and freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Learning that there are a lot of things that really are not worth focusing on and pointing the finger about… don’t get me wrong… there are definitely things we, as humans, do that our out side of God’s best for us… but is not my job to point everyone else’s “short comings” out…
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
So… as scattered as it is… that’s my year in review.
If you(I am assuming this will actually be read) have any comments to leave, leave ‘em… any questions to ask, ask ‘em…
jrowe
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