Isaiah 48:17

I've been reading through the book of Isaiah lately. Much of it is speaks to Israel, their constant turning to idols, and God's plan of reconciliation. It's interesting to see that even in Isaiah God is already planning on something much bigger than anyone could have imagined - salvation for the whole world, not just the Israelites.I came across chapter 48 a couple of days ago and this one verse has continued to stay with me. It says "This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." I've been struck by the idea that God is trying to teach me what is best for me, and to direct me in the way I should go. To me it reinforces that picture of Father God. I get that so much...

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I can breathe today

So it's finally public. Kimi and I are moving this summer to plant a church in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. This has been quite a week. Last week we told the church staff (aside from the few pastors who already knew), on Sunday we told our youth volunteers, Monday night I met with the seniors and told them, and then last night we told the rest of our students. Tonight I'll be telling our college students and talking with them about what is happening. Next week a letter will go out to the rest of the church, and finally it will be all done. It has been really difficult, even stressful, to be carrying around such a huge secret and unable to really talk about it to anyone. I feel quite relieved at this point.So, there are lots of things to talk about - but to be honest I'm just kind of over...

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Baseball and other really important stuff.

So there are some really huge things happening in my life right now, but unfortunately I can't speak of them in a public forum quite yet. In the next week or so I hope to have much to share here. Until then - all I can talk about are things that don't matter to most people.Halos! So Spring training is in full gear, and my halos are doing great. Lackey and Escobar are both hurt though which means we will start the season with a patched up rotation. I'm in a huge dilemma because Lackey was going to be one of my keepers in our fantasy league, and now I'm not so sure. He won't pitch until mid May, and possibly not until June. I'd hate to waste a keeper on that.Meanwhile, our Yucaipa High baseball team is kicking some butt. We are 6-1 so far, 2-0 in league play. Next week we go to the National...

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