Perseverance

I love it when we can find music that becomes the soundtrack of our lives. It seems that the songs speaks to us both lyrically and musically and plays itself out as we're riding in our cars, or experience nature. Andrew Peterson always seemed to be the soundtrack of my life when I was heading to the mountains in the springtime.
Harrod & Funk always seemed to find their way into my head if I'm visiting Furman. Bob Marley seemed to skank his way into my heartbeat when I smell that first scent of pollen in March.

I love it even more when God can use ideas to become the theme of our lives for a given length of time. 2007 has been a year of perseverance for me and those close to me.

Over spring break Kai, Scott and myself went to Linville Gorge for 3 days of extreme perseverance against the elements and the rock faces.

Kelley and I had a miscarriage this spring after our first attempt at having a child.

Kelley struggles daily with her job as a billing specialist and has a groaning from within to do something more.

Perseverance has mainlined itself into the fibers of our being so much so that I now understand James when he said "count it pure joy when you experience trials of various kinds, because you know that trials produce perseverance".

This week The Village Church youth are at Summersalt and I'm writing this from the internet cafe at White Oak. The theme is James University simply because we're walking through James this week in an effort to speak to these kids who are scattered, poor, oppressed, and weak. Perseverance was our first day's lesson and I can't help but think that God has prepared me for this week with this year's efforts in perseverance.

I thank God for the opportunity to represent my faith through the struggles that He allows me to endure.

lates,
jeff