Blowing my mind with Blessings

A few things to mention about how good God is:

• He always rebukes me (and it doesn't hurt, because I love Him and He me)
• 2 guys moved my stuff out of my condo and into a trailer...from the 3rd floor in 95 degree Texas heat. Paul Riley and Cillo Campos are my heroes.
  
• Cillo drove the trailer to Fort Worth, helped me unload it into my new home, and drove the trailer back to Austin.
  
• Spoke with 2 scholarship people today. Both mentioned that they felt the committees would look favorably upon my application. (Major encouragment)
• Friends in Austin are helping me locate and find employment in Fort Worth.
  
• Friends in DFW are helping me locate and find employment in Fort Worth.
• Gateway Church people have blown me away with hospitality and first impressions. I might not have to visit another church!
  
• My parents are so close to my heart. It is a blessing every day that I get to talk with them.
• The scriptures are molding me into the man God has created me to be. I pray that everyday I would depend on Him and that God would know I will follow Him anywhere.
  

Music Love

For those of you who may not know me well. I absolutely love music. It is a true gift. I will often post music or song lyrics on this blog. These songs typically grab my attention with truly thoughtful and soul stirring words. Here is a gift for you. Charlie Hall's "New Year".

My heart beats like a drum, flying up with the sun
I grab Your hand again
Renovated with life, my eyes again bright
And You are radiant

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

I'm held in a place, a beautiful space
Where heaven meets the earth
My heart opens wide and the Father pours life
Deep inside my soul

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
We can walk into tomorrow
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

This a new year, this is a new day
Rise, rise, rise and shine
This is a new year, this is a new year

Church Hunt Continues: Next Up Gateway Church in Southlake, TX

Which is it for you?

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

CS Lewis

Moving to Ft. Worth, TX

In this note I first want to acknowledge how grateful I am for all of you that I tag in this note. You are my family and my friends. You have blessed me in so many ways and I just want you to know that first and foremost.

Okay, so I'm moving to Ft. Worth at the beginning of May. God has taken me on this amazing journey over the past few years since I put all my trust in Him and so many of you have put up with me along the way. ;-) Lake Hills Church, its people, the pastors, volunteers, and newcomers have been so instrumental in my spiritual journey and in my growth as a leader in the church. I have grown in love, service, and leadership while learning from some of the greatest men and women of God I have ever met. And now...it is time for me to pursue further training for the ministry that God has called me to.

On May 11th, 2009 (in a month) I will be starting my first classes at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For the next 3 years I will be a full-time Masters of Divinity student at the campus in Ft. Worth. I am very excited to begin this next chapter of ministry, certainly one that will challenge me in new ways. I also hope to find part-time gig with a great church in the DFW area to be able to apply what I learn in school. I'll be living on campus, more than likely eating cafeteria food and drinking a lot of coffee. Oh, the life of a college student.

A few people have asked me, "Will you come back to Austin after you graduate?" I wish I could give you an answer to that question, but the fact of the matter is that God has called me to serve His church and to become a Pastor. That could be in Austin, TX or Australia. My only prayer is that I remain faithful and that I would follow where He leads. If that is Austin, TX then that is where I will go. I am completely humbled and honored to have served under Pastor Mac Richard and with all of my friends and family at Lake Hills Church. This is my church home and my church family AND I am who I am because of this church and where I go and where I serve, the thumbprint of LHC will go with me.

Before I move I want to see as many of you as I possibly can. A few friends have suggested that I have a going away party/dinner. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! On April 21st from 7-9pm I will be at Maria's Taco Express on South Lamar. Please come by as I would love to see you before I leave. I will be sending out a Facebook event and Evite, so be looking for that soon.

I love y'all and am so thankful for our friendship. If you don't live in Austin, no worries. I wanted to let you know what's next in this journey also.

God Bless,

Dan