Victory

I have always been amazed at God's ability to touch the depths of my heart. I am no way trying to limit God but it still just blows me away even after the 100th time. I have fought this battle constantly since being here. When I left salem I left so much behind. I miss living in a dorm with 40 other guys. I miss being able to go to a coffee shop and being gaurteed to see someone I know. I miss eating every meal with other people. I miss living 20 minutes from my mom and an hour away from my dad. And the list goes on. I have been struggling with feeling lonely. I built a life for myself in Salem, too much of one. I fell in love with being someone. I worshiped that idea. Then God called me here.

For the first few weeks it was pure exstasy I was doing what I love. I was riding the high of acutally getting paid to drink coffee, play video games, speak truth, and be compassionate. I hontestly don't think there is a better job out there for me. But soon reality sank in. I spending nights at home by myself from the time I got off work to the time I went to sleep. Granted, not many because I have a great church family who invites me over to their houses on a regular bases. But slowly lonliness started to creep in. This last week it reached its peak. But then sunday came.

It was a Sunday like many others. Got up went to church to pray at 8, greeted people then went to youth sunday school. I walked into the santurary, praying that God would really change my heart. A song played with this line "though none go with me I will follow". I was thinking to myself no one followed me here and that is ok I still will follow. I prayed to God that he would be my sustairer, my all in all, my satisfaction. That he would be everything I need. My source of joy. That He would take victory over these feelings. God came through.

Its a constant struggle for me to have God be all I need. I love people with passion. I care about them deeply and often seek that more then God himself. I am so thankful that God provided for me a loving church family that is meeting my needs in so many areas including the need for relationships. But God needs to be the one who is my source of joy. He needs to be my comfort, my All in All. And at least for today he is. I am thankful for the friends and families that are here. And I am thankful for the ones I left at home. God is good, All the time. All the time, God is good. He has given me victory, because he stepped in. Nothing that I have done. Praise be to him forever and ever.

With Love and Thankfulness,
Dan

I am praying that you are discovering everyday the joy you can find in Jesus. That you're allowing him to be your all in all. If your not I would love to talk to you about what that looks like. How it looks to live a life that is focused on Jesus. I have in no way arrived. But let's do this journey together.

Here's to Summer

For those of you that know me well, you know I hate heat. Give me raining and overcast any day. Because of this I often find myself longing for fall. I can't wait to wake up cold. I can't wait to have to wear a sweatshirt for most of the day. But summer does have its good things too.

What a summer its been. Graduating college, within a month moving to a new city, having my first full time job, teaching, planning, etc. If you haven't heard I got my own bike and I really do enjoy it. There are some guys in the church that I go riding with. Its awesome. I like biking. Now if I could find some people to play soccer with then that would be sweet.  A lot really has happen since May when I graduated, too much in fact for this blog post.


Its hard to believe that I have been here for 3 months now. In some ways it feels like I have been here forever and in some ways it seems like I just got here yesterday. What a journey its been. I have been stretched, loved, mold, and changed. I often find myself comparing my time here with my time in Chicago. Starting a new life from scratch. Pouring it all out to start over again. I am so thankful for that summer. Not only did I spend time with my amazing brother. But I can totally see how God grew me there. It prepared me for a permanent leave. I built my life in Salem. And some days I will be honest its really hard. But gosh I know God is using me here. The youth are awesome and I am continually growing closer to them. God is using me in their lives. I am excited about where we will be going this fall.

I have told my students that school year is such a great chance for them to make friends and to share the gospel. To be Christ like followers on their campuses. I am excited for them and this opportunity. I am excited for the growth that school will cause in them. About half of my youth group in involved in sports and I plan on attending many games over the next several months. Can't wait to see them in action. I have grown to really care about these students. They all have their unique gifts and talents. I know God is working in their hearts.

As for social life I am making friends here and there. But nothing like Farrar life. I spent 4 years living with 45+ guys for 9 months out of the year. What a change! But their is beauty in this life too. I find my relationship with God is stronger then it has been since Chicago. I find I am diving into the recesses of my heart to find the good, the bad and the ugly. I am truly learning to love my alone time. To think, process, clean, and cook. And I am enjoying even more the time I do spend with friends. The friends I have made have been so good to me. Its amazing what God can do in three months. I am excited about what he is going to do over the next three!

With Love,
Dan