Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving was my first one spent away from my family in Texas. I made the 2-hour journey to Charlotte to celebrate my thankfulness with my Uncle Tim, Aunt Mary and cousins Julia, Victoria and Josh. It was sad not to be spending it with my parents and our friends, but it was great to spend time with the NC Buwicks. If you know anything about my mom’s side of the family … this week was full of the three L’s – laughter, love and loud noises.

We had a fun Thanksgiving Day. It started with an 8k (5 mile) run, complete with turkey headbands for the cousins and an Indian headdress for Uncle Tim. (We were one short so I gave mine to Julia and went with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle bandana.) My feet fell asleep at mile 3, but ain’t nobody got time to stop! The run was painful and I think my legs are still sore. I guess this is what happens when you don’t run for over a month or two. After the nightmare was over we had our turkey dinner and watched some good football.

One of my favorite things about coming to Charlotte is the one thing you can always count on when you walk into the Buwick household is there will be an on slot of games. The big game this trip was Boggle and you know you are a Buwick relative when you get worked up over Boggle. I went to sleep on Friday night kicking myself over not seeing the words “failed”, “nailed” and “fanned” in our games … they cost me the win.

It was a fun trip and I am so thankful for my family. I am thankful for the love that is in their houses and for their encouragement and support. I love you all very much!

Things I've Learned - Round 2.

I love the fall colors on the trees and the crunchy leaves on the ground.

Burt’s Bees is the best medication, in my opinion, for the chappedness of your lips.

I like to try to and find shapes or images in the clouds.

I will listen to music over and over and over until I can’t anymore and then change genres completely. – Randy Rodgers is out and Mumford & Sons and Florence + The Machines are in.

I have an attachment to my facial hair. I wake up some mornings and glance in the mirror as I walk by and realize that if I didn’t shower for a couple of days and sat on the street in Asheville someone may give me money, but I cant will myself to bring a razor to my face.

I enjoy coming up with alter egos for skits or just to bring out to make someone smile. 

You never know how much you don’t trust things until you are 100ft high on a rock and there is a person, with a rope attached to a harness and metal clips which, if you fall, will hopefully save your life. à I take my recent desire for mountain climbing as a part of my sanctification.

A rearrangement of your living quarters can be a form of excitement. à I moved around my room and then woke up the next morning and was completely pumped … almost too pumped.

I am proud to be a graduate of Texas A&M.

Embracing The Challenge.

Last week I taught the book of Colossians and it is filled with the imagery and the message that Jesus reigns supreme over all things in creation. This morning we are making our way through the book of Hebrews and the author of Hebrews (whoever they may be) continues with this message and reiterates what Paul wrote in Colossians.

Hebrews 1:1-4 “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

I love that. Jesus is the heir of all things, the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being and he is the one who sustains all things by his powerful word. There is nothing better or more powerful than Him and he is my Savior. This same message is presented in Colossians 1:15-23 and it is proof that Jesus was powerful enough to rescue us from our sin and do what he said he would do. And to that all I can say is “Amen.”

This morning and this message of Jesus’ supremacy reminds me of my favorite part of Colossians. In Colossians 3:1-2 Paul presents a challenge to the Colossian church. He states, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Paul is stating that if the church truly does believe that the gospel is true, if Jesus has done what he said he would do, if you honestly believe he was powerful enough to rescue us from the power of darkness; then you will seek the things of Jesus and not the things of this world. I take this as a challenge Paul is presenting to the Colossian church. He is telling them to stop, to be completely honest with themselves and determine where they stand on this issue because this issue is the one that will change everything about your life.

If we do believe the gospel is true and we embrace the challenge to set our minds on the things of Jesus, then that affects the way we live. It affects the way we love those around us. It affects the way we spend our time. It affects what we do with our money. It should change what we see as important and unimportant.  It should change your attitude at your work place. It should change the way we see the world.

I have gotten a lot of mileage out of this challenge over the past 3 weeks. It has come to mind in times when I don’t want to love or serve those around me, and it has motivated me to realize that the things of Jesus are more important and take precedent over my desires, my rights and my fears. It is a challenge that is further sanctifying me to become like the one if love.  

The challenge that Paul presents is good and I hope that it is one that inspires you to follow him more faithfully.