What’s going on?

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

I have read this part of Ephesians many times, but what struck me lately was that one phrase, “together with all the saints”. See, at least 90% of my day I am thinking about one thing, me. Where do I need to go, what do I need to do, I’m hungry, I’m tired, I’m bored.

I know that my relationship with Jesus is important. I know that there is value in me focused on growing, changing, and listening to my father. After all, I am only responsible for the spiritual growth of one individual, me.

But the magic that I am learning is that all of life, all of God’s story, everything that is anything, hinges on the idea of me within a greater story. I have such a small part in the grand ongoing story of creation. A part I don’t deserve, a part I did nothing to earn, a part that was given to me joyfully by the creator of the story.

My part is to develop my role in the story by listening carefully to the director. My role is never solo. My role is to connect with others to bring glory to God. (I still don’t really understand the word “glory”, but I will define it as “to make the name of Jesus famous”) My role is designed, with others around me, to point to Jesus.

Stay with me here, I hope I am still making sense. If my life points to Jesus, that is one small arrow pointing to Jesus. If I connect with others, the church, and become a part of a team, one person in conjunction with many others with a common purpose, how big does that arrow get? HUGE!

This brings me back to the Ephesians quote up top. I can see God do amazing things in my life, but how much more amazingly does God move when believers are unified under one vision and purpose?!?!

How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ? I can’t find out on my own, but I am so jacked up to continually be a part of a team that is striving to find out! Even at the cost of personal glory, agendas, comfort, geographic location, and dreams.

Experiencing blog block.

Be Back Soon.

I really like our new apartment.

Got to hang out with the Chapmans, Cawthons, Browns, Halls, and Mitchells (Sam and Clary) for awhile last night at Chuck E Cheese’s. Fun Times. I really look forward to someday when there are the Salmons.

Thanks to Josh, Bray, Katrina, and Kara for stopping by on their way to the beach! I’m glad that I could provide a clean toilet stop. But more than that, it was great to see y’all!

Starting a part time job at Papa John’s. Remember to tip your waiters and waitresses and delivery drivers well!

Membership class is coming up this weekend! The very first one for NewSpring Florence.

The Olympics have been keeping me up late every night, but have been sooo worth it. I can’t remember the last time I caught myself screaming at the TV, cheering for someone I have never heard of just because of the flag they are bearing.

I have a “Deep Thoughts” by Jack Handey widget on my google desktop that I really love reading every day. Who thinks up this stuff?

Now that I have a DVR, what’s the first show that I recorded? South Park. I am not proud of it, but I really like that show. I grew up in the late 80’s/early 90’s and shows like Beavis and Butthead and South Park were targeted right at my demographic. Shameful but true.

I miss reading Russ’s blog. Russ, your blog misses you!!

I’m still hoping to get tix to Bama/Clemson on 8/30. Anybody got the hookup?

Here’s some more favorite twitter quotes. Some are nuggets of wisdom. Some just make me smile.

tpmorgan when the circumstances are overwhelming, it’s good to be reminded that God designed me and empowers me to engage this specific moment. 06:45 AM July 08, 2008 from web

perrynoble Tonight was incredible…NewSpring has some amazing volunteers…and Jamie Salmon is the freakin’ man–GREAT JOB BRO! 07:33 PM April 28, 2008 from web

BCooP eating healthy makes me hungry…. 01:52 PM April 22, 2008 from web

shaneduffey I’m glad Solomon sang 11:42 AM April 20, 2008 from txt

mcdzl newspring rules. no wait. Jesus rules. and newspring gets to enjoy the ride. 09:18 PM April 13, 2008 from web

AnnaGromelski note to self: dont eat skins hotdogs w/ onions and nurse. bad combo that equals several blown out poopy diapers and a poopy leather couch 12:27 PM March 23, 2008 from web

willrodes CVS Sign “We have all your Easter needs”, I wondered where Jesus had been hiding for the past 2000 years… 08:40 PM March 17, 2008 from Hahlo

pudgehuckaby We are closer to the end than we’ve ever been. 07:27 PM March 16, 2008 from txt

avclub as the leader, it’s up to you to know what matters 03:03 PM February 21, 2008 from Hahlo

On Twitter, there is a way to save favorite twitters from other people. First, I will share my absolute favorite favorite. Then tomorrow I will go through the rest of the ones that I have saved.

Chipez Good Morning Greenville!!!!! Gonna spend a little time praying you will know Jesus, then gonna go see what I can do to help make it happen.. 04:51 AM July 27, 2008 from web

That freakin’ challenges me. This is a volunteer at the NewSpring campus in Greenville. Begging God to do amazing things in Greenville, and then at the same time taking personal responsibility to do whatever personally to make those amazing things happen.

God is doing amazing things through NewSpring because of amazing attitudes in people like Chip.

Oh yeah, 254. Gaining momentum.

A thought from today’s cardio experience.

Break it up. For me to get onto an eliptical machine and attempt to do 45 minutes of cardio would be extremely difficult. But somehow when I get on and set the timer for 45 minutes, and then in my mind think of it as three 15 minute segments, It becomes possible.

I usually take it a step further, continually breaking up the remaining time segments. For example, at 15 minutes, I would have 30 minutes remaining. That 30 minutes quickly becomes three 10 minute segments. Then, after the first segment, (25 minute mark) I would have 20 minutes remaining, which would quickly become four 5 minute segments. After the first segment, (30 minute mark) I would have 15 minutes remaining which nicely breaks down into five 3 minute segments.

From there, the finish line is in sight. If I am going to quit during cardio, it is usually around the 20-30 minute mark. That is my tough period to trudge through. But by breaking up the cardio experience into much smaller goals, I can hit the finish line more often.

Application would be, first figure out when things are the toughest for you - when you are most likely to quit. And then make a plan to specifically target that area to help you get through. Hope this helps!

Good Luck!