**Mustard Seed Distributed**

This morning, I was able to really spend some time in the bible and with God. I think God is trying to teach me specifically about 'listening' and about being 'faithful'. I have kept my habit of reading my bible daily, for the most part without fail. However, while working in the D last year, I took time almost daily to 'be still' and listen. This habit has not stuck with me as much, but I feel like I need to get back into that habit, and feel like God is calling me to respond to that. Anywho-I ran through Prospect Park this morning (3.35 miles in 34:48 booyah), I was enjoying so much the fall colors, the 64 degree weather that I was able to run in shorts and a T-shirt, the smell of the leaves, and all the things that go along with fall. It reminded me of coaching football in MI, and for some reason I was running phrases through my mind that we would share with our players. "Every Play Counts" kept hitting me. And I think it was God telling me t

Today, I have an interview with a board of directors. It is for a potential charter school that I would open next fall. I say it like this because the board has the final say in who they hire, not my organization. So if you read this today, say a prayer that God's will be done in this interview, and if this is where He wants me, that the outcome would be just that. And if not, that He would lead the next steps for me. Humility is something I continue to learn....

It is certainly a challenge for me to struggle with one of my colleagues at work. It is a challenge for me to have a certain level of expectations for someone, and to watch, listen, and experience the exact opposite. As I attempt my best human effort at this unsettling experience, pastor helps me by learning with me to 'have the mind of Christ' and encouraging me to do what is right. I can hardly imagine the unsettling feeling Jesus had as he was scoffed at, belittled, and rejected by nearly all of creation. I can hardly imagine the unsettling feeling He experienced in His moments of torture as He took on the sin of the world so that we might experience resolve with our Creator. This was highlighted to me again at our gathering on Sunday when we watched the movie MOST as a group. If you haven't seen it, go here , and get you a copy. You will not be disappointed, and you can bogo and send one to a friend. I digress. So why is our natural reaction not the 'mind

Today, the beauty that I am surrounded by simply overwhelmed me. First off, my wife is an incredibly beautiful woman. There have been days and seasons in my life that I have not appreciated the depth of her beauty. Her smile. Her laughter. Her servant heart. (Warning-PG rating now in effect) Her smoking hot body. And if you read superstar now and again, you will see pics like this. My daughters are incredibly beautiful. Allison is becoming such a wonderful young lady, and her beauty is stunning. Olivia also continues to blow me away with the beauty she has. And the beauty of these two is not simply their looks, it's their heart for life and love. And then I look around me in this incredible city, and beauty is abundant. As I ran around Prospect Park last night, I found new places I had not seen before, and they were all equally beautiful. The trees in fall across the lake, the pinks and blues of the sunset, the elderly couple walking along hand in hand, the high schoo

Jesus, my King. My Savior. My Solace. My Provider. Jesus, my Savior. Interesting. Engaging. Trustworthy. Jesus, my Word. My King and my Savior. Jesus. Lives in me. Invests in me. Pours into me. Each day. Each moment. Each instance. Living. Breathing. Investing purpose. Investing love. Care. Compassion. Hope. Mission. Vision. Jesus, my King. My world is evolving because of Him. My interestes evolve with His. My time is invested in more of His desires, and less in mine. Jesus, my Love.

What is it about sitting next to the ocean that reenergizes your soul? What is it about walking on the beach that brings a peace and joy to your mind, your spirit, your soul? What is it about watching your children discover crab carcasses that is enjoyable? Special thanks to Raver and Ricker for allowing us to stay at their home, for cooking us an incredible meal, and for spending time on the bench with us. Little did I know five years ago that I would spend time there because it is just under two hours from my new home.... Shout out to Jimmer for inviting me there long ago, and to all the Ben oits worldwide. :)

It is the old addage that 'time flies when you are having fun'. Time also flies by faster as you get older, which I have certainly learned as I move along this journey we call life. I am blessed beyond belief with a life that I always wanted, and I realize that is because I have allowed God to work in my life, and realized the meaning of Jesus' teaching. It is almost hard to believe that as the star and I first began our marriage, I was thinking that I didn't want kids, but God changed my heart on that. And look at the joy that my life now contains because of my response to his promptings. This young lady that continues to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is a young lady that I am proud of to the nth degree. The joy she brings to my heart and soul is beyond measure, and inexplicable with mere words. I struggle with the fact that the star and I may already be beyond the half way point of our large sphere of influence on her life, but know s

This last week has been a bit challenging for me personally. The 'daily grind' as it were began to set in for me at my new school. Moving about in this grand city on a day to day basis is exactly that--a grind. It is hard to move anywhere with the mass of human beings that call NYC home. And yes, I know it is a priviledge to be in this incredible city. But all of this combined with the fact that basically, I have no 'chums', 'pals', 'buddies' or the like in this city is tough. I miss my buds in MI a lot. Especially my boys like sick pete, cayuh, mg, the Donald, moons over my hammy, etc. Then my family also. Even though I would not go out of my way in MI to visit them, having them close meant something. And I am not one to complain. Not one to wallow in squallor. (Thanks hammy) But this week, it has been a bit tough just with the realization of all these things. Time leap: Saturday. My mom and sis and izorama arrive. It feels like I got a