Category: My Journey

2017: The Year in Review

I’m not highly motivated to write a blog post right now.   Maybe it’s writer’s block or a general lack of feeling inspired.

But another year is quickly coming to an end, and I do want to take a few minutes to reflect on God’s faithfulness in our lives.

Church/Ministry

We began this year by implementing a few adjustments in the ministry programing of our church.  I had only been the pastor for about 3 months, but God gave me a burden and a sense of urgency for our congregation and its future.

God faithfully led us through these first steps of becoming more effective in reaching our community with the gospel.  The overwhelming majority of our members were extremely supportive of the new vision.  Words can hardly express how grateful I am for their willingness to embrace change.

The rest of the year seems like a blur as far as the church goes.   We started a new small group ministry (part of the before-mentioned changes), had some really enjoyable outreach events (Vacation Bible School, Trunk-or-Treat, etc), and journeyed through three sermon series (the third will be completed next year).

See also: My First Year: Confessions of an Ordinary Pastor.

Citizenship

One of our main goals for this year was to acquire Mare Cris’ US citizenship. It has been a long (expensive) process that began back when we were still living in the Philippines–it started with applying for her spousal visa.

We applied for her citizenship while we were still living in Alabama, and moving here in the middle of the application caused a few delays.  Our patience was eventually rewarded when Cris was invited to an oath-taking ceremony a few months ago.  My wife is now an American citizen! 

Expectant Parents

There is one blessing that eclipses all others for 2017: the news that I will soon be a father.   I sensed that we would be having a boy, and this was confirmed back in October with the second ultrasound.

Our boy seems to be making his presence felt a little more every day–we jokingly call him our “little kick boxer.”   My wife will begin her third trimester as 2018 begins.

We are blessed beyond measure!

God continues to faithfully lead us on this amazing journey.

Plans for 2018

*I have enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gateway Seminary (formerly Golden Gate Seminary) and will begin in January.

*Our son should arrive some time in March!

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.
—Oswald Chambers

To be continued . . .

My Son and the Voice of God

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

-Jeremiah 33:3

Those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter know that my wife and I received some exciting news yesterday: we are going to have a baby boy!

We weren’t 100% sure we would find out during yesterday’s ultrasound. We’ve heard of babies being “shy”–being in a position that was not conducive to determining the gender. That was not a problem–the proverbial cat was out of the bag as soon as the technician placed the instrument on my wife’s tummy. It was only a split second, but let’s just say the first image didn’t leave much to the imagination. She quickly changed the scanner position and asked us if we wanted to know the gender of the baby. We told her we’d been waiting for this day and did want to know. More images confirmed what we thought we had seen.

I mentioned a promise that God gave us from His word in a previous post. I wrote down this verse in my prayer journal before my wife got pregnant:

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.

-Psalm 128:3

 

But there’s a secret of sorts that I’ve only shared with one or two people (one of those being my wife): God told me weeks ago that we were having a son. I don’t think I can pin it down to a specific date, though I wrote it in my prayer journal back in July. It’s something God impressed on my heart as I was praying for a healthy baby. That impression never left me–it grew stronger over time.

God tends to do that when He’s speaking to me. He knows I’d be likely to doubt a one-time experience, so He slowly and methodically puts something on my heart. This is the way God told me He wanted me to preach. It’s impossible to explain for those who haven’t experienced it. But I’m sure many of you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I’ve waited to share this for a couple of reasons:

  • I didn’t want to give anyone the impression that my heart was set on a boy instead of a girl.   My main desire was (and still is) for a healthy baby. I would have been 100% fine with a boy or a girl–either one would be treated as a precious gift from the Lord, created in His image.
  • I trust the Lord, but I don’t trust me. I know that I’m capable of misunderstanding Him (it has happened before). And let’s be honest: some Christians can get really weird with those “the Lord told me” statements.

The most important things God has to say to me are already written in His Word–the Bible. Any experience I have must line up with the truths of Scripture or it isn’t from the Lord.

Having said that, I treasure those times when I hear God speaking to me or leading me regarding something specific in my life. It is another way that He expresses grace (undeserved favor) to me.

God has spoken, and God is speaking.

Are you listening?