Time running out...

It is now December 14th and I am really starting to feel the holiday crunch with Christmas shopping and looking at the busy schedule Melanie and I have for the next several weeks/lifetime. We had our first weekend in a while that we could actually spend with each other and not worry about the busy events we had covered our calendar this weekend. We really needed it and it was really nice. We just stayed home most of the day on Saturday, watched movies, talked, and just spent time together which both of our schedules had put a strain on. It occurs to me that if I am not careful I may spend an entire day w/ my wife and not have spent a single second pursuing to grow together, maybe even spending the majority of the day seeking my own gain. This is so incredibly screwed up as I think of what I am commanded to do in Ephesians 5:25-33

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I have to be incredibly intentional or I just become the average husband instead of my wife's dream come true and instead of giving up my rights and showing love as I should to her- I turn to my natural selfish self and become rude and snap at my wife over the smallest little infractions on what I incorrectly perceive as my rights.

I am encouraged as I know that this is not a problem which cannot be solved because I look at those who have gone before me who have set an amazing example and minimum standard.

This idea that my marriage is something I have to be incredibly intentional about when my wife is physically there in front of me reminds me how much more intentional we have to be about our pursuit of God.

As always I hope this is encouraging to you all,
Much love, Ira.

Well Melanie wanted me to update this so here it is!!

We recently were given permission in writing to get a cat and our new cat's name is Kate because Melanie would not let me name her cat.

So I have been trying off and on to get back to a running routine unsuccessfully, I am realizing how much more I thrive when I have a running partner who pushes me and is in better shape than me. I went running the other night and it was 38 Degrees- I was wearing a couple of layers, a beanie and a face gator(cover for nose, mouth, and throat), and I ran about a mile and I was having a stabbing pain in my chest due to cold air and not being acclimated to running in those temperatures. I posted a question about it on runnersworld.com and I was pretty much told to suck it up by a bunch of northern runners who boasted about running in that temp wearing shorts and t-shirts. really encouraging- let me tell you.
However encouraging the response that I got online about my run, I am reminded how dependent we are on others for encouragement to grow spiritually as the Body of Christ. Hold on...don't stop reading just because it gets a bit spiritual. Seriously though when I am surrounded by friends who are seeking to grow deeper and stronger in their relationship as well as those who have traveled further than I have I am pushed onward even when said growth is painful or not exactly in my comfort zone.

With that said I am really enjoying the way our Sunday schoool is growing closer together recently which is giving Melanie and I a semblance of community which we crave. It is amazing how much encouragement spiritually which can be gained just by hanging out w/ people who are in a similar place as us.

The only thing I could desire more from sunday school would be if we could perhaps be more effective at reaching other young couples both in the church and Jonesboro. Both unchurched and those who just don't yet have a place to belong to experience the community which we are slowly building between each other which is quite refreshing.

well I guess I have rambled on enough- hope you are encouraged,
Much love, Ira.

how about updates?

So I have come to the point of realizing that I need to update after several prompts and several months...
Well since the last time I wrote we no longer have a cat. Life seems to be a blur of constant motion and as I think back over the past few months so much has happened, Melanie and I have been married for over a year and three months which just seems to get better. Melanie cannot wait to get out of married housing at WBC and is completely ready to graduate.

The couples retreat Melanie is planning is set to happen November 7-8 but not many people have signed up. It seems like it is going to be a great time of fun, fellowship, and growing together as couples and if anyone who reads this can come we would love for you to attend.

Work is going well, incredibly busy, but well including plenty of overtime which means more for the bills.

I am reading a book called "Soul Cravings" by Erwin Mcmanus which has been both encouraging and challenging. It has made the point that we as humans were designed to have dreams and to strive to obtain those dreams not just exist as animals. This idea really takes away any idea of just existing comfortly in complacency.

on another note my dad's B-day is next weekend and I am really looking foward to celebrating with Melanie, Dad, and Needie.
I guess I have really rambled enough and I hope that I have updated enough for everyone.

fast moving pace...

Well I thought it was about time to update this thing...Melanie and I have not been running in over a week ....we need to...just haven't felt like it. We started to go a couple of days ago and this little stray cat walked up and wouldn't leave us alone so we played with it for a bit and now I am afraid it has found a comfy residence on my front step. After feeding it for the last few days we have decided to claim it if it sticks around til next weekend....I named it "Teaser"...

Other than the cat the only news is that Ian is coming home next weekend and I am stoked because I haven't seen him since December. I am looking foward to hanging out with him and eating some ribs. Any way we are still praying and listening to make our decision about after Melanie graduates...remember us in your prayers.
Not much to say right now....leave me a comment if you wish...much love....Ira

So How?

Melanie and I have been struggling with the state of our church now when it feels like a complete hoax, a social club, something which holds little substance. We had a very in depth conversation on how we should respond, how we could even attempt to change ourselves/ our church to become Kingdom focused instead of a self focused mess. I don't want us to be negative focused people who only see the bad of the church based on a bad experience in which people who claim to be the church are more interested in self-absorbed lives than giving up everything in pursuit of Christ. Maybe the problem is me, I am not sure, but I feel we should live for more than just nice lives with nice stuff. Do we just hop to the next church thinking that things will certainly be better. A church is supposed to embody a fellowship of like-minded believers who are seeking out Christ and making him known. I know we are not the only ones sick of this "American Church" that plays the guilty party which most of this generation states that they do not have a problem with Jesus, but they do have a problem with the church. How do we change both in ourselves and how do we push our brothers and sisters in Christ to seek first his kingdom and forsake the pointless things and hopes of this world and begin to actually start behaving like we actually believe what we say that " Jesus is the only way and that he loves people and we seek his return because that is all we really long for"

So How and when and where does this change begin, in me and in the body of believers?

Ira

That's it, now its time.

Well Tuesday Melanie and I started working out again every other day and I have enjoyed the soreness which comes from being out of shape. Today however my body has begun to remember the motions, so to speak and even my run felt good. It was not a long run, but I am trying to take it slow so I don't get burnt out. I ran .5 miles very slowly, but hey I am going to get it.
In other news we have been thinking, praying, and discussing our options for after Melanie graduates and are considering what seems to be unending options. Thoughts of me maybe going back to school to get my Masters degree, to staying put, or to moving across the country(or even the world). Not sure of any of the options at this point, but I can be patient and wait on God's timing.
I had to work today, but that is over now and tomorrow is Sunday so that is good. I hope all is well with everyone.

Ira

Day to day

So I graduate with a bachelor's degree in about two weeks. I feel like I should be excited and certain of my next move. At the same time I take comfort in the fact that I am able to put off a few of the harder decisions til next may when Melanie graduates. I have been trying to think about where to go from here, I enjoy my job now, but I still want more than a life defined by me. I see the options in front of me and while there are still a great deal of options and futures to think of and explore, I am afraid that if I am not careful I will allow my not making decisions to chose how my life is played out. I desire to step out in faith living radically in light of eternity, but where do I step? which choice do I dive into, because each choice requires at least figuratively diving in head first; buying a home-tying us down, moving to Morgantown-finding a job or not, Going anywhere(ie mission-field)-is that what we are called to?
I am not sure how this will inevitably play out, but I know that God has a plan and I want to be used. "Even so, Jesus Come!" As scary as the options are I desire to be content in my circumstances and passionately seek the Savior.

Ira

Passionate or Passive

God has been really showing me how easily I become passive about my relationship with Jesus. It is so easy to fall into the american church groove of I go to church on Sundays and I call myself a Christian without examining what this title even means or how it should or does impact my life. I was taught in college to be analytical/skeptical in everything I heard and to question miracles and interpretations of scripture. This has in many ways dulled my spirit and brought me to this point. I AM SICK OF BEING A PASSIVE CHRISTIAN!!! When I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior I gave him everything and I desire to live that way. I am tired of just discussing and speaking, I want to walk the walk so to speak. Melanie and I have several life altering decisions ahead of us in the next year or few, I don't want to make them. These decisions could very well mean the difference in becoming/staying in a place of complacency/passivity. I want so much more, I want to be pushed and molded by Christ, I want meaning in my life, I want to wholly and faithfully follow the one whom I have entrusted everything. It would be so easy to just settle in and exist, buying a house staying in my job going to church, but not necessarily being the church. I want soo much more. Any prayer you can offer would be appreciated,
Ira

Risk?

I was thinking the other day as I was drivng home that every thing in life is a risk, even breathing. So in a sense a life without risk is barely existing, life in essence demands risk and without risk life is a boring existence. I started thinking from that point about my views and the risks I choose to take with each breath. Earlier that day I was reading from John 15 where Jesus speaks stating that he is the vine and we are the branches giving the imperative that we "abide" in him, and we will bear much fruit. I have never thought much about this verse except for thinking that it seemed somewhat passive, but then it hit me, when Jesus says abide with him he is calling us to a life of risk for Him and his kingdom. When he says abide with him, he is telling us to remain with him not for safety but for purpose so that we may bear much fruit. This makes me think of the line from "The Chronicles of Narnia" when the children ask if Aslan is safe and gain the response that "no he is not safe, but he is good." When Jesus tells us to abide and stay with him that means trusting and following him both when it means things we see as good and when it means going alongside the Savior to a crown of thorns and three nails. Jesus' conquer over death not only promises us eternity, but also freedom from fear so that we may live lives of purpose for the kingdom of God. Risk can be an amazing hindrance or it can be an amazing challenge. When we claim Jesus as Lord and Savior we state that we are willing and ready to risk everything, even our very lives, for Him and His Kingdom. So I come to this challenge, can I, can we risk everything for Him? Will we? We must decide. I will risk, I will seek to live a life of purpose for Jesus...
Ira