You were destined to have a Red Lightsaber.

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is
associated with energy, war, danger, strength,
power, and determination as well as passion and
desire. You have seen the Strength and Power of
the Dark Side of the Force and have you thirst
for more of it.


What Colored Lightsaber Would You Have?
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As we all know, I am a bit of a strangeling. This shows through in more things than we can possibly imagine, I'm sure. For example, as a general rule I think the most clearly when I am mowing the yard or washing the dishes. Strange, I know.

That being said, the rest of my post probably will have nothing to do with that.

I'm nervous right now. For several reasons. A friendship is on the rocks, not because of a quarrel with the friend, but one with said parents. I wish I was totally innocent in causing that, but I'm not. Nor are they. But I know that splitting blame is unlikely to fly. So I have to find some way to admit defeat without feeling like a doormat myself. It's a twisted position. But in the long run, I'd rather there be peace with everyone than there being my insistance I'm right. Only in this case, of course ;-)

Possibly even more intimidating than that situation is that coming this fall, I'm going to be responsible for a Bible Study group of guys, one of AOs J-Groups. Now, I can spill out logical beliefs and Bible verses as much as I want, but actually being in a teaching position will put a much higher level of accountability on me. I know I certainly can't hack it on my own, only by God's Grace will I be able to be effective and speaking God's truth and not my propaganda. But as my friends Layne, Ellen, and Rachel before me have shown, if I do rest in Him, I will be able to handle it. Layne who would rather admit not knowing than give a wrong guess. Rachel who is so amazing and is gonna head up a larger study for girls' now. Ellen, who no matter how many times she has said she has no wisdom, she blows me away totally with whatever she says next. The three of them have been blessed, and I can only hope to have half of their commitment and blessing.

I have been extremely encouraged to watch Jason Adkins the last several weeks. He seemed rather meek when I first met him, though meek with a certain comedic edge that always shined through. But seeing him take the reigns as interim college pastor for AO has simply been incredible. There is just something there. He is a true leader in that he makes me want to be a better leader, too. I am blessed to know him and I hope that all of you, whether already in AO or incoming, will get to know him too.

I'm not perfect. By ANY stretch or fabrication. I wont claim to be (aside from in jest like on Dad's Father's Day card). I dont like all I've done or all that I sometimes still do, and sometimes I consider letting that overcome me. Those times serve as a reminder to me though. A reminder that God's Grace is greater than the sum of my mistakes by a trillion trillion trillion times. By the Blood of Christ I am clean, mere filthy rags without.

Fear is a natural thing. Worry is an instinctive reaction. While caution is prudent enough, where do fear and worry get us but into a cycle more of the same? Things are going to scare us and we can't escape that, but why dwell? Dwelling on it will simply cause greater fear and pain. Trust in Jesus. He'll work it out just right, whether it is right the way we wanted it or not. Tomorrow will attend to itself. Today is all that we are promised, and not necessarily all of that.

Jesus is Lord. Simple as that. Today, tomorrow, yesterday. Forever. That is vastly comforting.

God Bless, Hasta la pasta, love you all!

-GW