A new frontier.....

Welcome to my new blog! A place were guys can come to talk about manly stuff, women can come to get inside a man's brain, boys can find things to aspire to, and young ladies can be encouraged to find their worth in God and not what some teenage boy thinks. Yes, I realize those are huge expectations for a blog, a beginning one at that, but I'm glad you have chosen to join me on this journey to discover what God has to say to each of us. So pull a seat up to the kitchen table, get a cup of coffee and sit down next to the fireplace or just stop by the barn and roll your window down, because this where life's conversations happen.

Today, I am studying new beginnings. My family and I are in a very unique and sometimes frustrating place. What is next for our family? What steps do we need to take and what needs to be left alone? Life has brought many exciting things our way, as well as some hard and dark nights. Marriage to the hottest lady in the world, having the two most beautiful children, farming, and teaching all have brought joy and challenges. (I know you guys are thinking it is starting to getting all mushy up in here and maybe this blog is not man enough for you, but maybe you need to take a step back and look at who God calls you to be brother. :) ) My point is, every day has a dawn and every story a beginning. Maybe you are at the point where you don't see the dawn coming or that you don't know what is next. Wherever you are I want to share some verses with you that God is bringing back to mind. Look up Genesis 1:1 in the Bible. It says, "In the beginning.....". I realize that may seem like the only way to start a book about the history of the world, but don't miss the many messages in these few introductory words. The very first thing the God of the universe wanted to tell you about was beginnings. Bringing a newness to the situation. The start of something more exciting than you can fathom. If you continue on, you see that He created the heavens and the earth. There was also darkness. How many of us feel like we are in that very darkness? That there is no end to our current situation? Maybe you have lost your job, lost your home, are struggling with infertility, burdened by stress, or something you can't even speak into words. Wherever you may be, I want you to read verse 3. "Then God said, ' Let there be light; and there was light.'" The Good Lord flipped on the light switch. I am not saying that you will wake up one day and everything will have happened the way you want it to, or that everything will be all rosy. However, God made light in a moment when darkness covered everything. God may have you in that dark place so that you can better appreciated the morning. God may be allowing a time for you to discipline yourself so that you can serve Him more fully in the good times. Whatever the reason, there is a reason. If you ran a race (I will tell you my views on running later.), and you didn't have to train, sweat, bleed, or feel exhausted, how would it feel to finish? I would have to say it would be less than fulfilling. If God had started out by saying, "In the beginning the sun was out," and so forth, the light would have not been as meaningful. So don't be mad at God for the darkness. Praise Him in it.

I feel like with all the struggles I have had in the past few years, the Father is getting ready to turn on the lights! That is not to say that I have not been blessed in those years, but I need you to stay with me. I want you to understand where I am as a Christian, a husband, a father, a farmer, and a teacher as I begin this blog. Our struggles are not in vain. God is good and merciful. God has given me a chance to share a multitude of things with you. My prayer is not to gain "followers", but for people who need to hear this message to find this blog and discover what God is saying through me. I hope that you will look up to God and see the light He is turning on in your life.

See you at the dinner table,

Jeremy

Heavenly Father,

Lord, you are the ONE TRUE God! Lord, I praise you for the good times. I praise you, Lord for the hard times. I'm thankful for new beginnings and opportunities. I pray that You will work in the lives of the people reading this blog. Father, many of them are in the darkest of nights. Many of them are on the verge of You switching on the light. Give them eyes to see Yours works, and ears to hear Your words. Help us to embrace the opportunities that You present us and to chase after them with a profound faith in You. Thank You for being who You are and for Your love. In Jesus Name. Amen.