Learning Discipline and Commitment

If I had to pin down one area of significant growth and challenge, it would be in the areas of discipline and commitment. I have come to realize that for whatever reason, whoever is to blame (and it's probably me); I am not a terribly disciplined person. I never did well in school growing up because I didn't want to sit down and apply myself to my work. This explains why I dropped out of high school (I did eventually attain my G.E.D. however).

Commitment is another area that I have not been good at. If I had learned commitment earlier in life, I might have finished college or still be working for a cable company in Tampa. I might be farther along in my sanctification also.

I don't write all of this to get you to feel sorry for me, but just because I want to highlight what is clearly right now my biggest challenge. I still feel very overwhelmed at times but I am trusting in God's grace to make me someone who is more useful to His Kingdom. It's amazing to me to think that just washing the dishes can be so significant to one's growth in Christ.

I assume that the vast majority of people reading this are believing, evangelical Christians. If that is you and you think about it, please lift me up in prayer over this. I need it.

The New Blog

It's been several months (December 2008 to be exact) since I last posted a blog entry explaining why I stopped blogging on the Vineyard Calvinist blog. I thought I would take some time to further elaborate on that as well as explain some of the things that have happened since (and it's been a lot).

Firstly, welcome to Blog in the Boro! This will be my new blog replacing the old Vineyard Calvinist site. This blog will be less about stating and defending theological positions (although that will occasionally still happen), and more about me, my wife, my church, and my passion in life; "to live for God's greatest glory through Christ Jesus, and by pursuing pastoral ministry to that end".

Secondly, I want to further explain some of the reasons why I shut down Vineyard Calvinist. The first reason is that it does take a lot of time and effort to blog (i.e., brainstorm, write a draft, proofread, finalize, and post), especially when it has the potential to be a long post. The other big thing is that I am not a recognized pastor/teacher in a local church. Now I understand the priesthood of all believers and believe and affirm that but I don't think a proper application of that is to have just everyone spout off about their own opinions on everything under the sun! That is partly why we have so much theological and personal chaos on the blogosphere and the web.

Finally, my wife and I moved to Statesboro, GA from Tampa, FL and we no longer attend a Vineyard church. Don't misunderstand me, I am still a full five-point Calvinist (who leans supralapsarian) and I still affirm the continuation of all the gifts, offices, and ministries of the Holy Spirit. I still even affirm the Kingdom Theology that John Wimber taught and that Vineyard churches teach today. However, we moved and now attend a local church (Church in the Boro) that is not Vineyard affiliated and is seeking adoption into New Frontiers.

I also want to give some further updates. Since moving to Statesboro, my wife and I quit our jobs and had to find new jobs here in south Georgia. Katie now works for Chick-Fil-A, and I am a shift manager at Pizza Hut. It's been tough as we obviously don't make as much money as we used to and hours at work are hard to come by. We live in an up-stairs loft apartment above two other church members. A wonderful and godly couple, Brice and Christine Fogle. Brice will make a heck of a pastor someday.

I am still a worship leader though. Although I took about a month hiatus from it, Katie and I are both on CitB's praise and worship team with me tag-team leading with the very humble and faithful Jonathan Chambers.

Church in the Boro itself is one of the most awesome churches I have ever been a part of. It has the most biblical structure that I have ever seen and is commited to the Gospel of Christ, Reformed Theology, the Charismatic as biblically defined, and Ephesians 4 ministries (i.e. apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers), and biblical church leadership (plural elders, complimentary gender roles, etc...). Church in the Boro is pastored by Rob Wilkerson, who has his own blog Miscellanies on the Gospel (mymiscellanies.blogspot.com) which is excellent reading. Rob is one of the most godly men I have ever known and the powerful anointing of God is all over him. One can't help but catch his passion when around him and his wonderful family.

Well I hope you come back and visit often. I hope to blog more than I did before so check back soon!