Warmness on The Rock?

I was on the way to church the other day and had my Zune on random, and "Warmness on the Soul" by Avenged Sevenfold started playing. But, something caught my ear...I was hearing the lyrics in a different light. The lines that really got my attention go:

I'll never feel alone again with you by my side.
You're the one, and in you I confide.

But your unconditional love was always on my mind.
You've been there from the start for me.
And your loves always been true as can be.
I give my heart to you.
I give my heart, cause nothing can compare in this world to you.

I have been listening to this song for probably 4 or 5 years now, but never looked at it in a Christian light until this past Sunday. I know it's supposedly about a girl, but that's not how I really see it anymore. Funny where you find God's bread crumbs isn't it? Link to the official lyrics in the title.

New Job!

As the title implies, I recently accepted a new job! :D I'm so excited! My fiancee, Angela, is just as, if not more, excited haha. I wanted to post this particular event as a testimony, too. You see, I had been working at a major retail store since November last year just biding time and paying bills until I could find a job in my career field. Angela and I tried and tried to find a job for me. I had applied to numerous places and done a few interviews, but nothing ever really happened. So we prayed...and prayed...and prayed. Eventually we decided to just hand the entire situation over to God. After all, He knows all the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11). This is where the story begins...

It was a Wednesday morning. Another morning like lots of others - talking to Angela on the computer while I mentally prepared myself for the stimulating night of work that laid before me. I had decided to write a thank you card to the company that really struck a chord with me. The interview had gone well, there was a little positive post-interview communication, and yet nothing had come of it. Well, I figured by now they had picked someone else for the position - evidenced by its removal from their website. My interview was almost 2 months ago, and I never got a reply to my most recent inquiry about the status of the position. At this point, I was OK with these circumstances. I just wanted to make sure they knew I was very interested in working with them. So I wrote the card...expressing my thankfulness, my desire to work for the company, and finished it with a hope of being remembered for a future opportunity. On the way to work, I dropped the envelope in the mail and breathed a sigh of closure...

The next day I went about my usual Thursday routine. However, when I came home from work that evening, I had a very unexpected email. Not only was it an email from the company which I so badly wanted to work for, but they were inquiring about my "employment status". After some emailing a second interview was established on the following Friday! Neither Angela nor I could believe it. Our hearts were reeling! We knew it had to be God. I thought the second interview went well, and left with smile on my face. During the interview, it was mentioned there was another person vying for the position so I figured it would be late next week before I heard anything. Then my phone rang. HR offered me the position that very Friday afternoon! Over the course of eight months, I had applied to two different positions at this particular company and went on two interviews for a completely different position. God is so good.

Now I would like to enumerate the ways His timing has been impeccable in this matter (and always will be for that matter):

1. He broke both Angela and I. We turned the matter over to Him and were thus able to grow in Him.
2. I'll have weekends off so wedding planning will be much easier for us.
3. My roommate may be leaving around the end of September, and there was no way I would have been able to cut my rent (let alone the rest of the bills) by myself at my old job.
4. It has relieved some stress with living arrangements after Angela and I get married.
5. I will be able to better assist with LifePoint's new ventures in its podcasting.
6. I thought I may have to work two jobs for a couple weeks (training at my new job Monday through Friday while I worked nights and possibly weekends at my old job), but HR graciously allowed me to put in my two week notice and start the Monday after that.

The Good News!

[I had this as a draft and have just decided to post them after I added a word or two. Bear with me as the topics may be a little outdated lol.]

Hokay so...I just got engaged! I'm so lucky, and she is an amazing girl. The love of my life and my best friend. I was actually able to make an evening out of the event. There was dinner, walking around downtown, ice cream, revisiting a fountain from before we started dating, a guitar serenade, and, of course, the question. There were lots of emotions. After I popped the question, we both teared up, we kissed, and she gave me the biggest hug. I had to clarify, "Wait, I didn't hear a yes." She replied with an exuberant, "Yes." Both of our families are very excited, and the planning has just begun. We have a date set in Murrells Inlet, SC. God has definitely had a hand in our relationship, and we are blessed to be together. For more information you can hit up our website on The Knot.

I started reading Romans recently, and, just as I was told, the first part is pretty heavy - both in theology and It is also eye-opening though and real (if you will). I have enjoyed it very much so far. It has been very powerful. Chapter 5 is amazing.

The next point that has been revealed in Case for a Creator is the idea that science is slowing moving toward actually bolstering faith. It talks about how in the last 50 years or so we've made discoveries that almost absolutely shut out evolution and Darwinism as a possibility, and point toward a creator. Interesting stuff isn't it? You wouldn't even know though would you? The media is good at keeping stuff like this out of the spotlight.

At LifePoint, there has been much talk of reaching out and getting "beyond the walls" of the church so I've been trying to help when I can. I know that's not exactly the message, but it's a start! I've met with my pastor to learn about doing the podcasts for LifePoint. I'm excited about doing it and learning. It's a big part of LifePoint's ministry that reaches around the globe! Talk about God at work! Several thousands of people tune in weekly to listen to the podcast. I've also been helping with LifePoint's first Vacation Bible School when I can. Helping decorate and run the sound. The kids are so cute! (...and full of energy!). I also joined some other members of LifePoint at a boys home in the Greenville area recently for a birthday celebration. We played basketball with the kids and there was cake, ice cream, and presents afterwards. It was fun to connect with the boys! I hope to go back soon!

FIRST!

Oh wait...this is my own blog. Right. Well, I'm new to this whole blog thing, but I'm hoping this will will turn into a nifty little spot. I plan to focus on developments in my Christian walk, but if I've really got something to say, expect there to be a little ditty about it here, as well. Posts will be sporadic at best so bear with me.

I'm currently reading The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel. It's very interesting and, honestly, quite rattling. It talks about Darwinism and evolution and how they hold up against modern science. I'm only a few chapters in so no great details, but after reading a little it's shocking that most textbooks still confirm Darwin's evolution as a truth of sorts when it has been proven to be much the opposite. What are we drilling into our children's heads? I won't spoil anything else. Go read it! It's awesome! I'm also taking part in a bible study by Chuck Missler called Learn The Bible in 24 Hours. It's quite interesting and helping to bolster my faith.

I also had an episode on my last trip back to Greenville from home (Myrtle Beach for those who don't know). I was just listening to my Zune (yes, I have a brain) and started noticing a few songs that weren't Christian by label, but certainly have lyrics that can be interpretted as such. It's just amazing how people who aren't even trying to are getting His message out are certainly doing so! He works in everything! For the curious minds, check out these songs:

• Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
• Staind - So Far Away
• Paramore - We Are Broken

I may add some as I remember/stumble upon others. Isn't it funny how every person is searching for something? A bigger meaning? A happy ending? Love? It's all in the design.