Posts Tagged ‘ Relationship ’

VerseD: Hebrews 5:1

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Hebrews 5:1

We have a High Priest in Christ who not only made a way for us to approach God but actively welcomes us into His presence, because Jesus is our God who saves us.

15 Years With This Woman

15 years ago today, I married my best friend (after Jesus, of course.)

Look at those kids and their groovy shoes. 2007-2009

She was wise and quoted Relient K, “Nice to meet you. I’m your better half.” (“The Best Thing”) We even have bought jerseys together, and I do think she looked better! Still does!

Some of our favorite jerseys include band shirts, including a quarter of another anniversary (our 14th compared to Chicago’s 56th)

We have been a quarter of the way across this world (honeymooned in Ireland, and we get to see parts again this summer!) We have been all across the contiguous US.

We have shared fantastic fandoms, read and watched much together, and told Alexa to “Do the thing.”

We have forgotten things, reminded each other of things, and enjoyed many things.

We’ve had bands sing to and for us.

Thanks for the “Gray Flowers”, Gray Havens!

We have been in many weddings together, including my honor of officiating both of her siblings’ weddings.

We have both taught in public schools, been to many concerts, and helped many friends and family as well as been helped by many.

We have been practically penniless and riding high at times, but never very wealthy and usually joyful.

My favorite things have been living life, coming through together, and helping each other love and serve God better.

I am grateful for the woman God has blessed me with, and I look forward to many more years together. (Hopefully at least as many as the band Chicago!)

She has blessed me in more ways than I can count, and I thank God for His grace in brining her into my life (even if I’m the one who crossed the country to get to her.)

I love you, Caitlin! Thanks for the past 15 years and for being a woman of God!

A Score and Four Re-Birthday

On this day 24 years ago, at 6:46 PM CST, I bent my knee to Jesus as Lord and Savior. (If you do a search on this site for “birthday”, you will see the various explanations.)

I like to call it my Re-Birthday, as we call faith in Christ being born again. This comes from John 3 and 1 Peter 1. I encourage everyone to remember their own re-birthday (and if you aren’t sure/can’t remember, just claim your birthday.)

This year, I get to start Christian Worldview courses (as one of the instructors) with 167 students who were all born after this momentous day in my life. Tomorrow I am with fellow seminarians who also were mostly born after this date! (2 are about my age, and 2 others are in theor later 20’s.)

Also, it is my mother-in-law’s birthday, so join me in wishing her a happy and blessed day! If not for her, I would not have my wife!

God bless you, and remember that Jesus Christ is the reason we live and move and breathe and have meaning and being!

VerseD: 1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3‬, ‭ESV‬

When we were still straying from God, He sent His Son to bring us mercy, grace, forgiveness, and restored relationship. The Holy Spirit brings us into the faith that saves us and unites us in the hope of Christ.

VerseD: 1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3‬, ‭ESV‬

When we were still straying from God, He sent His Son to bring us mercy, grace, forgiveness, and restored relationship. The Holy Spirit brings us into the faith that saves us and unites us in the hope of Christ.

VerseD: Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3, ESV

We walk away from God in each of our sins, but He came to us to restore the relationship and our brokenness and hurts to completeness. He is glorified when we turn to the light of Jesus for His righteousness.

VerseD: Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10, ESV

We were created for relationship, but our sin separates us from each other and God. Therefore, God came to us and performed the greatest work: dying to save us from sin and restore relationship with us. Now we are tasked with the work of restoring relationships with others to show them this Jesus.

I (Still) Love/Hate Religion.

On the holiday the USA celebrates freedom, how about a throwback to my first ever post on this blog 12.48 years ago (give or take). I took a look at the religion/relationship debate, and the implication is what our freedom in Christ means for us.

Daniel

That’s right. I love religion, and I hate religion. One of the first sayings (not the first, mind you) I learned as a young believer in Christ was “I hate religion” because “It’s a relationship!” Everyone knows that religion is a trap that constrains all who practice from truly knowing God! Everyone knows that religion […]

I Love/Hate Religion.

VerseD: James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:27, ESV

In His mercy, God overlooks our man-made attempts to please Him. In His grace, He showed is what is right.

We should seek His righteousness and show mercy and grace to those who most need it.

Tetradecade

It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room …

Because apparently ivory and thus elephants symbolize the 14th Anniversary.

And this lovely lady has been married to me for 14 years this fine day.

She has shown great patience and wisdom over the past tetradecade, been a wonderful helper, and the best of friends and dad jokes.

What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?

Time to get a new fence.

She has been involved in ministry, cooks so many meals, and leads kids at school and church so well.

Basically …

I love this woman.

Thanks for 14 years so far!