Coffee and a Girl

I am in Cafe Fiore right now with my first cup of coffee in two weeks. It was bitter, but quite smooth. I have been on a water fast for two weeks where I've drank no coffee (well I had one sip of coffee during the two weeks . . . I repent), and then saved the money I would have spent on that cup of Joe and gave it to the Water Project. The water project is something that I am doing with Every Nation Campus Ministries in order to raise money for wells in Kenya so that some people there can have clean water. Coffee is a good thing.

I'm also here with a special someone named Bethany. We have been dating for four months now, and it has been so wonderful. I've found that being in a serious relationship is one of the hardest most growing things ever. I've also found it to be one of the greatest blessings. God has done a lot in me over the last four months. I have grown a lot, but I also realize just how much I need God's help to be the man I am called to be to this wonderful girl God has put in my life. Every once in a while I get to peek over the lip of my computer and catch a smile since we are both working across from each other. Bethany is so wonderful, and being with her has taught me a lot about trust, commitment, and friendship. These are also the things I am learning about God.

Life is hard sometimes. Living, learning, growing, healing, changing, forgiving . . . I'm learning a lot about grace. I'm learning a lot about unconditional love. I'm glad I have Jesus as my guide, but even more as the friend who is always there when I call regardless of my past neglect of him. What a blessing. What a friend I have.

Marathoning

This week I decided I want to run a marathon. I'm thinking the Seattle marathon would be fitting because I live in Seattle. Yesterday I went to Greenlake to run. I had the old ipod plugged in and was listening to some tunes (Queen, worship, Jazz etc.)

When I got done running I sat on a bench to people watch. With my ipod still on, "Mighty To Save" by Hillsong came on and I was struck by just how much God loves people. Not only that but I felt a renewed confidence in God. My heart went out to the hundreds of people i saw walking, running and roller blading (I didn't know people still did this!). I know many of these people don't know God. None the less I know he has plans for every person in this world. I felt a renewed conviction to Love people because God first loved me.

I've also decided to start blogging again. Run, blog, eat, work, sleep, and worship.