I have to say that I had one of the most amazing weekends this week. I truly couldn't have asked for this weekend to go more smoothly or be more impactful. My weekend started out with Mel and I attending a marriage conference hosted by the church we are attending. I truly couldn't have guessed how much more connected and apart of our church I would feel after attending this conference. I really feel quite honored to have so many new friends and be given the opportunity to get to know each person in a real way through the conference. The speaker was also truly wonderful and I hope that I can't take the words he imparted and infuse them into my daily marriage life.
I was also incredibly convicted this weekend by the words of the speaker at the marriage conference. There are definitely some areas in my marriage that could stand to be improved. Finances would definitely be the main one. My wife and I have struggled financially ever since our first day of marriage and I believe that it has been due to my lack of discipline and unwillingness to make the difficult choices when it comes to budgeting and cutting expenses. I really saw how these actions have affected our marriage and how getting this area under control could help us achieve the goals we have for ourselves and our marriage. I repented of my sin in this area because I was not truly trusting the Lord with the money, possessions, and tools He has given us. Mel and I are now going to be more proactive about budgeting together and holding each other accountable in our financial decisions.
Saturday evening, one of my best friend's, Mike, came up and hung out with Mel and I. We had a great time hanging out and catching up Saturday night and going to church on Sunday morning. The real fun together began Sunday afternoon when Mike and I removed an old rickety fence from the back yard. I have to say that I was incredibly grateful for the strength of a marine while carrying out that task. After ripping out the fence, we both were ready for a much deserved nap before our big night.
The real reason my friend came up was to attend a Switchfoot concert on Sunday night. Mike and I have now seen four Switchfoot concerts (three together). It is something we have both enjoyed doing together over the years. This time we had the opportunity to meet the band and that was pretty cool. On top of that, I have to say that this concert was, bar none, the most incredible Switchfoot concert I have attended to date. It was so much fun! We truly enjoyed singing at the top of our lungs to each and every song. Some of Jon's songs are so powerful and I truly felt like I was in a worship concert at times as I sang out to Jesus through the conviction of certain songs.
After the concert was over, Mike and I found out that Jon Foreman, lead singer of Switchfoot, was going to be performing an after concert at a little cafe up the street. I have to admit that directly after the concert was over I felt like I was in a bubble. I am pretty sure I have some hearing loss from last night, which is of course a prerequisite of a great Christian rock concert ;). Anyways, after our ears recovered, Mike and I proceeded to go to the cafe to see Jon perform alone on an acoustic guitar. When we arrived to the cafe, Jon was already surrounded by a large crowd of people. Mike and I got as close as we could and relished in the beautiful songs he sang but there was something different about this concert because Jon was singing his own music and not Switchfoot's. As he sung, I noticed that his lyrics were even more overtly Christian than the lyrics from his band. The songs He sang were new to me and felt like they were the witness of who he is in Jesus. I got to hear and see his heart last night. In attending all of the concerts I have for Switchfoot, one of my greatest desires has been the desire for Jon to stand up and give his witness and boldly speak out for Christ. In that intimate after concert, I got to see his heart and soul. It was there that he was able to share his heart and passion for Christ overtly.
There are so many times in my own life where I feel like I have failed Christ as I am critical of areas in my life I could have been more overt for Him. Last night, the Lord showed me that what matters is how my heart shines in both my big and small moments of life. If I truly live Christ in all areas of my life, then He will be boldly shown in even the most normal parts of my day. My witness for Him lies in the authenticity and passion of my heart. He showed me this in multiple ways this weekend through the conviction of how I spend my money, through how I act when I am around strangers, and through the heart of a man who happens to lead Switchfoot and yet is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ.
Thank you Lord for the blessings of sight. Thank you for how you gently teach me more and more each day. As I look back and see how much You continue to transform who I am to who You are, I am humbled and encouraged. Thank you for never giving up on me and continually teaching me how to thrive and not just survive. Amen
Blessings,
Greg
My wife and I feel an intense calling on our lives for missions and full-time ministry. We have created a fundraiser to help us overcome one hurtle to us being able to go to the mission field. I pray that you will take a moment and check out this link. I thank you for your consideration and ask that you seek the Lord's guidance in considering contributing to this fundraiser. Thank you.
http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=3437&url=roadtofreedomforproclaimingchrist
