Are you reapin' or sowin'?

Started reading from a daily devotional book and this was today's passage:
John 4:27-38 (New International Version)

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus
27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ[a]?" 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

I did some thinking, I here are some people that have had an influence in my life; people who pushed me toward Christ:
Mom and Dad = raised me in a Christian home and taking me to church. Raising me up as teh Bible instructs them to do as parents and not just letting me choose what I thought was right.
Mimi (my dad's mom)= gave me my 1st study bible. I know I had lots of previous Bibles, but this was the first one I really remember using. Got me hooked on the ol NIV. I also remember several instances when I had questions or struggles and Mimi was there to pray w/ me.
Benji and Cory = 2 guys from college that really showed me a good example of being yourself and living for Christ.

I think this passage of Scripture is so true (duh, it's scripture, right?). Many times I've heard people say (including myself): "plant the seed. you may need ever see this person get saved, but your job is to just plant the seed."
I've always been cool w/ this; however, what if the Lord is calling me to "reap the harvest"? Someone may be all "ripe" from someone else's planting and watering and God may be calling me to be the reaper (no jokes aloud about "Grim Reaper", lol). It's cool to be the sower, but it's also real exciting to be the reaper.
Let's get to work!

Primerica: Real People. Real Need. Real Answers.

Just Like I Like It...

...one of my favorite meals ever:

Got the Titan stuck...

Went muddin at Kirby Lake and got the truck stuck. Andrew Wheeler pulled me right out. It was fun, but some water got in the truck and soaked the carpet; it stinks now.

Call me...

I'm won't be getting on the internet on a regular basis for a while. If you need something important, call me: 325.669.6549 or shoot me an email at work: daniel_a_julian@bcbstx.com. thanks!

I am weak but He is strong...

You probably remember the song "Jesus Loves Me". Well, a line from that song came to mind tonight: "I am weak but He is strong."

Some days, more than others, I realize how weak I really am. These are days that I focus on my weakness... pouting, getting frustrated, and whining to everyone (wife, friends, and of course God) about my weaknesses. Other days, I realize how strong God is. These are days that I focus on Him... praising God for his power, strength, and promise. The problem is, I'm not always good at noticing both at the same time, (I've been told I have a one-track mind) or I have the wrong attitude. I like to praise God, but unfortunately it's followed up w/ a comment like, "Well God, you did great... but wasn't I pretty good, too. I mean, did you see me? I was pretty awesome. I appreciate you taking care of A, B, and C... but check out what I did on D, C, and E." The problem here is that I'm not recognizing my TOTAL need for God. Going further, are the days I cry about my weaknesses. I get so caught up in the "woe is me" that I forget about God completely. I put God outside the ropes like a tag team and call Him in when needed. He stands there watching as I get myself in to big trouble. (I was going to try and reference the awesome movie Nacho Libre, but I can't picture Jesus as Esqueleto... or me as Jack Black for that matter. sorry, moving on...)

Today I struggled w/ some things and was getting upset that I couldn't control them. It wasn't until dinner time that I finally gave up and "tagged" God to jump in and take my place. Jennifer and I had a great opportunity dumped on us tonight: we were given money to go eat w/ her brother Chris and his girlfriend Lori at Szechuan. This was great b/c... 1 = we love Szechuan... but 2 = b/c we had a chance to build some relationships and invite them to church. As easy as it seems to say, "hey, you should come to church with us tomorrow", I have a very hard time doing this. I'm learning that it's hard b/c I'm depending on myself. This is where the "tag" comes in. I surrendered to the Holy Spirit and let him give me the courage. The words flowed out just fine and were received well. I was expecting an immediate excuse as the reply, but instead, it was followed w/ a semi-interested "well, that's early, but we'll call you and see if we can make it." It may seem like a small thing, but none-the-less, it was recognized and God was given all the glory. They may or may not come tomorrow, but that is out of my hands. I was obedient in inviting them, so now I'm trusting in the Holy Spirit to use that in some way.

I spent some time worshiping tonight (and practicing for tomorrow morning's service) and I really sensed the holy spirit filling me up. I felt like an empty gas tank. A peace fell over me as I headed to bed and I began singing the tune to "Jesus Loves Me" again.

This situation also reminded me of Kevin's sermons thru the Beatitudes..."blessed are those who mourn, the meek...they will be comforted, filled". We need to recognize our weakness, but not stay there; look to the Lord for strength; praise Him who is God.

I pray that tomorrow will be a beautiful time of worship... confessing our sins, recognizing our weaknesses, and praising God for His power and majesty.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Communication in Marriage...

Notes from Sunday School at Southside Baptist Church. Jackson Boen is the teacher for our Young Married's class.

Ephesians 4:29-32 = The "prerequisite" for today's study.

6 Gold Nuggets from the Boen's (Jackson and Becky):
1. Understand men & women are different:
- doesn't mean one is better than the other, just different
- women's needs:companionship, significance, emotional responsiveness (regarding intimacy)
- men's needs: admiration (the "superhero syndrome"), physical responsiveness, regarding intimacy), companionship
2. use your ears
- relative verses: Prov 1:5; 17:1; 18:2,13-15; James 1:19
- our spouses perception is our reality: don't waste too much time defending your comments, but deal w/ the reality/perceptions. (if you say something and it's taken the wrong way, that is simply how your spouse perceived it and that perception should be addressed as opposed to defending what you originally said)
3. be intentional
- spend 15-20 minutes each day talking. "couch time"
- schedule some talking "dates". give each other 3 questions to answer the day prior to the date, then talk about them on your date.
- be creative: letters, notes, cards, shoe polish car, sidewalk chalk messages, etc.
4. learn his/her love language. there are 5:
- acts of service
- touch
- quality time
- gifts
- words of encouragement
(note: mine is quality time and words of encouragement, but jennifer's are different. so I have to make sure i'm speaking "her" love language and not mine; make sure i'm not solely trying to give her words of encouragement when her #1 love language might be acts of service. It is, however, to remember that all are important and good.)
5. Dream big and plan.
crazy things are going to happen. what if you were asked to move out of the state b/c of your job. do you know if you spouse and/or family would support you in that? talk about it now before you have to make the decision.
6. Learn how to apologize.
(note: i had to skip out early for worship practice, so i missed the explanation on this one, but it seems pretty self explanatory).

Leafy Ocotillo...

After 1 year, our Ocotillo plant is finally putting out some leaves. Only on one stem, but hey, at least we know its still alive. It appears to be in the beginning stages of leafing out b/c even the one stem still only has a few leaves. I'll be watching this over the next few weeks to see if we get any more leaves. As always, here are a couple pics:

Southside Shootout...

You know you're in a good church when you have activities like a shootout. This was "advertised" as a Father & Son shootout, but was really open to anyone who wanted to come out and shoot. We met out at the Police Training Center on East Lake Road by Fort Phantom Lake just outside of Abilene city limits. Pretty awesome place. It was hot, but we had a lot of fun. It was cool to see dad's there with their kids, husbands and wives, and friends; all there having a great time of fellowship and bonding. Here are a few pics:

Crazy Snowball...

Snowball decided to pose for a couple pictures a-top the waterfall. She's so cute... and she's so not coming inside till she dries off. ha!