I look back at these past few months and man, it is so evident of God in my life. It just looks like He has been working over time from how much He has done. Thanksgiving is approaching and for the first time I feel truly thankful. For the people who have come into my life, where I am at physically, mentally, for the highs and lows emotionally, where God is leading me too, and for the work He has and is still currently doing in my life. These are just a few things that stand out in my life.
Good Coffee.
For those who know me coffee is one of my favorite things ever. Making my cup in the morning is a ritual that I am excited to do with my team on the field. The different flavors of coffee you can have with different beans is so amazing. Each bean is has a different story of how and where it was grown, what it was exposed to, how it was roasted. Meeting people in a local coffee shop is defiantly a love language of mine. Over coffee I have developed deep friendships, morned death, celebrated victory, and just experienced rest from my busy life. Jesus brings life, but man, coffee brings something that is close to what Jesus brings.
Tasty Music
So my love for music has been growing so much recently. It honestly comes from Gods voice and how He uses music to speak to me. He has reviled many revelations to me, stripped away bondage, brought out a more creative side of me, stimulates my mind. It is such a beautiful avenue to have in our lives at an instants notice. How each genres of music can have such a different feel and vibe yet each can speak to the core of who we are just by the attitude and emotion of the artist. Music is so different than having a conversation with a normal person. You could be having a conversation with someone and it is back and forth. I found myself when I was talking with people, I would ask a question and already have a planned response to what they were going to say even before they answered. It was convicting, I was not not listening to the person I was talking to. With music you learn to listen. You can have your music on in the background and let it just mindlessly play on, or you can listen. Listen to the melody, listen to the lyrics, listen to the heart of the artist, listen to God. Listening is something hard to do, it requires being spoken to and I feel like we as humans do not do a good job at listening to each other. I am thankful for music because it has taught me how to hear people and God.
Time on the Water.
There are moments that I just look around at where I live and where I am at in life and just sit amazed. Many of those times occur when I am on or in the water. I just sit and soak in the Glory of God in nature. People say that you are either a mountain or beach person. I am a beach person for sure. I may just be sitting out on the sand on the middle of the night, not able to see anything, and the peace that comes is not of this world. Recently surfing I almost pulled into my first barrel in about four years of surfing. If I was about six inches shorter I would have made it to, guess I cant be that lucky. But after I got knocked off, grabbed my board, made it back out past the break point I started thinking. I have the opportunity to surf everyday. I have the equipment, passion, and ability to just go and sit in the ocean and feel its power whenever I want. It blows me away that I have that opportunity and I dont go and take advantage of it everyday. How that reflects my time with the Lord. I have the opportunity at any point in the day and just sit in the Lords presence. I have the equipment, passion, and the ability yet I dont take full advantage of it everyday. But I am learning how to live in the presence of God daily! Some of the countries that I will be going to people do not have that opportunity that I have much less even know who Jesus is. I love my time on the water cause I feel God out there.
My Community
Just the other day my best friend Seth and I held a friendsgiving at my old house. It was such a humbling experience to be able to just sit back and look around at everyone who showed up. New and old faces were in attendance. I looked around all I saw was family. We all pour into each other weekly. We all worship our Savior together. We all love and honor each other. Seth and I prayed for this group many months prior. We were alone and we longed for a Christ centered community, one where we could be brothers and sisters in Christ but also friends. It is amazing how God answered that prayer of ours. Oh how good our God is.
These are just a few thoughts of thanks I have had recently.
Oh I am almost at 70% funded! Wohooo! Please be praying for the rest of my funding along with my squads funding! A few people are still a little away from our launch deadline! If you feel lead to support them please do so! They are so worth it!
Love yall so much and we all have so much to be thankful for!
Joe
P.S. I didnt have anybody look over and double check me on this, so if there are mistakes please dont roast me!
