the:road

"peek in at my journey: a small part of God's BIG plan."

Sunday, May 29, 2005

this is an audio post - click to play

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Good or Best? (Chambers)

As I was sharing with my friend Jenna what God was teaching me, she tipped me off to some wisdom from ole Ozzie Chambers...

As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.

Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. In this passage, it would seem that the wisest thing in the world for Abram to do would be to choose. It was his right, and the people around him would consider him to be a fool for not choosing.

Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eyes focused on God. And God says to us, as He did to Abram, ". . . walk before Me . . ." ( Genesis 17:1 ).

This takes what I believe to be the "end of myself" further....whew. By your strength FATHER!

It's Go Time

My supervisor aked me, "what does "We are at War" mean to you? Here's what came to my heart and mind:

We are at war against the enemy and the flesh every minute of every day. It wages and we can’t afford to let our guard down. Taking up our guard by putting on the whole armor of God, without it (not taking God up on his offer) then we are weak. If I’m to extinguish the arrows of the enemy (Ephesians 6) how can I do that very well when I’ve dropped my shield of faith on the ground, left my belt of truth at my morning devotional time, or misplaced the truth of my helmet of salvation?


This truth and mentality bleeds into every nook and cranny of my life, in areas that it isn’t, it must. My life has got to be surrendered, it’s not mine, it’s simply not mine, it’s all God’s and he does what He pleases with me. I must be willing to submit every inch of my mind and soul to His will, anything less is for myself or others, which in the end is crap.


Here at Evangecube, this paradigm is held up to my work ethic, as I sit at my desk (which is a challenge), to see myself at war, right this second. The reality is that we are stewarding a greater vision, that of Evangecube and the even greater commission by God. We equip the saints with the tools to fight for Christ. In the office I must keep in check with: What am I thinking about, where am I pouring my energies, am I being a man of integrity? The ethic of work turns into an ethic of worshipping our King. A taste of which every area of my life needs to and is becoming.



Praise God for His GRACE and MERCY as I run and stumble towards my goal and prize, the choice to live for the savior of my soul. I find freedom in no longer living for Josh Coy.



Selah.

Monday, May 23, 2005

My Sword

As I was leaving the house today, I welled up with Joy as I looked down at my 8x6 little black bible. I thought to myself, “I need my sword. How could I leave my house today without my sword?” I dunno about you, but this feeling is an answered prayer. To want the word hidden in my heart and press in to this heavily breathing and living thing. It’s so powerful and so relevant.

Ephesians 6
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

How do you or I live or go to battle today without the weapons our Commander has given us?

We gotta go to war TODAY. We can’t afford not to.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

passion

I enter today feeling a heavy yet HOPEFUL heart for my brothers, especially my little brothers around me who are fighting and fighting hard. PRESS IN, PRESS THROUGH. Claim this one! (heart is super stirred)

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

"Faithful Attraction"

this is an audio post - click to play

lesson #134545

OK, first: Isaiah 54

16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the LORD.


And Ephesians 6

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


I want these arrows to be added to my quiver so I can shoot them back, straight back in the face of the enemy.

Growing Today.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Eureka!

Ok, so I tried to post this when I was watching Jonny play with Psalters at Cafe Coco the other night (www.psalters.com). Blogspot was down :( It's been a running invention in my head...ya know when yer "dealin'" with stuff in life and you have a great book to guide and teach you. Well, with some stuff, the titles of the books are a lil or maybe very much blatant...;) Not exactly the best book to read at a coffee shop, but how tough is it to read at home...exactly. So, what about a cover for those pesky lil' life strugglin' books? I'll call it the "Under Cover." :) Get it? With convenient titles on them such as, "I love Sports" or "Fun with Changing Oil." Order now.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Love and Death

AMAZING. GOD-BREATHED. Those terms come to mind to describe my weekend in Ohio for Matt Lochtefeld’s wedding, another bro has gone before us. It started with a flight to Cleveland and dinner with the parents. Great time. Feel closer to them these days…absence makes me fonder. Then to great grandma’s funeral..99..see you at home. Then off to Nick Shultz’s bachelor party, great time of refresh and connect with some quality men. Then, off to my ole room at Ben’s place. Waking up to hanging at my friend Ame and Rob’s with the Rieskes and Houdashelts till 11:30am. Then off to Toledo to try on tuxes for the wedding. GREAT TIME. Off to Erich’s to chill before the rehearsal. Just to be in the presence of these men is unparalleled. 4PM rehearsal! Laughing and loving these people more. Then off to dinner. Back to Erich’s for laughing and more loving and deep connection. Saturday morning, wedding day! What a perfect high 70s, sunny day. The church, the reception, filled with tons of people. Convo with God, "alright God, I want to walk with you in this reception time, tons of people to jump into like a pool, instead of smearing myself all over, would you help me to connect with whom you'd like me to connect with." Prayer answered. What a time of deep connecting with a few quali-t people. Thanks God. a lot. Vrooooom, slept at Erichs, drove to Sandusky for Mother's Day 2005. Lunch with the fam and my lil nephew, 4 years old..Daylan Isaiah. I...(tears in eyes)...gave Daylan his first Starbucks experience.."Daylan, how about a strawberry frappucino?" "Sounds good to me!" the little anxiously excited 4 year old voice cried out. Spending time with Daylan has moved my heart in such a way of desiring to become a father. wild. emotional. flew back to Nashville. that night is posted under the topic, "Cracks."

cracks

I wanted affirmation. Online…at the gym. I wanted it now…badly. I wanted attention…badly. I didn’t get it so I gave it to myself. I never satisfy, nor could they.

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Matt's Wedding Day

It's 2:45pm and the wedding music starts at 3pm. ah yes, definitley a Lochtefeld wedding as Ben says. Craig, Ben, Bryan, Fetrow, Phil, Yeoman, Rich...making Matt's weekend perfect. Today is a historical day. Sunny and 70s. 2:47P and counting. caution: good times ahead. Thank You God for relationships like this...your love is amazing. trult amazing.

Friday, May 06, 2005

Panera: BG

this is an audio post - click to play

Saw cool BG peeps at Panera, lil audio from Nick Martin and Greg Hall. BG, sentimetsim sets in.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

it's ooooon baby

I'm running on 3.5 hours of sleep. I went to war over the flesh last night. It was a long battle, but it's been won...through the strength of my personal redeemer.

A Fight to the Finish
10And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. 11So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. 12This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. 14Truth, righteousness, 15peace, 16faith, 17and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. 18In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.


(I thank you God for victory and the power of venti-extra shot-roomie-italian drips.)

Flying up to Ohio today at 1pmCST. (I love flying)

Thursday Night
-sister picks me up
-dinner with rents
-hang with parents/check out Nick's bachelor party

Friday
-tux fit at noon in Toledo
-rehearsal/dinner 4PM
-hang out and love on the bros

Saturday
-wedding

Sunday (Mother's Day)
-church
-time with rents
-back to Nashville by 7:30PM


Selah

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

today's goal?

as I was getting "ready" this morning-I looked in the mirror...thinking through my motives of today and this whole getting ready thing. who am I getting "ready" for? what do I want most from today? to make more friends, or have people like me more today? or am I really a God rep? am I looking forward to doing what He wants today and loving people for His glory and not my benefit? thinking

california morning...

wild, as I walked to work with the sun shining, the light cool breeze through the blossomed trees, it distinctly feels like a cool california morning. you know when you feel something that you know you haven't felt in a while and then you finally put your finger on it? that's what it felt like. basking in His love and His California morning. I want to take my Starbucks and walk down to the shores of La Jolla, watching the waves and surfers do what they do. (refreshed & thankful I'm alive to breathe this in)

Monday, May 02, 2005

Joni and I at Ted's Birthday Bash!

personal truth 101

today the hours of 7:01am and 8:35am have been quite the learning experience. what an amazing weekend I remind myself...yet to wake to the guilt of the night's previous selfishness consuming me. overshadowing what Christ did in my times with him in deep worship and his word. I connected deeply with brothers all weekend, specifically Robby and Colin yesterday. chowing down on truth and putting God's hand in my life on a pedestal. LOOK WHAT HE'S DOING! Then to fall and feel it. the lies. LIES. learning right this second as I vocalize it in the parking garage on the way to my desk.
1) have the truth in your heart and on your lips not just the bros around you, that won't sustain me when the going gets tough.
2) I am a slave. really. and I am beginning to taste this truth. it's very liberating to feel this! the choices I make today. the people I talk to. the impressions I make. the actions I take. not for my self, for HIM. I am NOT MY OWN. I am bought with a price.

"Thank you Jesus for the early voice of Ted of Truth in my life...hmm truthful Ted...I like that. Thank you."

weekend lessons...my heart is the same everywhere. all the time.