barbecue, blisters and buds

Before you begin with the cannabis comments (Bryan), I mean “buds” as in the great company I enjoyed tonight. I sat at a table surrounded by some really cool people, and me. To my right were the Crumbies. I enjoy them because they are one of the funniest couples I know, and Steve rocks a sweet beard. Further round, and mostly across from me, were Jake and Sarah. They are a couple of the most open people I know, two of the funniest people I know, and they have voices and talents that would make most jealous. Coming ‘round them and nearing my left side was a dude named Beau. This was my second encounter with him, and he still seems pretty cool. Then there was the infamous Liz Lemmon to my direct left. She has a Masters’ degree from good ol’ UTofA (my alma mater), and she ran a half-marathon this morning (and apparently had to use the restroom afterwards).

I really enjoyed this night with these people because I enjoy my friends. I like the people God has placed in my life. I’ve been rather blessed with an overwhelming amount of cool individuals to surround me, which has somehow allowed me to attain at least a hint of a “mildly-interesting” social status myself. One of these cool folk is my good buddy, Daniel. And it is for him that I received my blisters today. I ran 8 miles, without stopping, without company, and without music. Win. But why would I do that to myself? Well, the last two (wc and wm) were optional, but the first two (8m and ws) were to train my bereft body to handle a 13.1 mile run with Daniel in February. He asked me to do it with him, and I said yes. I said yes because I love him like a brother and I like doing stuff with him.

I also like doing stuff at church. Today, at church, I ate the most amazing barbecue I have ever tasted. Bill Baker, a man at my church (First Baptist Church of Arlington) spent hours cooking the most tender, juicy, delectable meats I have ever had the privilege of consuming. I like food; this was something more. It even tasted great when I burped up a little on my 8 mile run.

Before all of this, though, I heard a sermon about our God. A sermon about the new covenant created by the blood of Christ. Our Savior, our King, our Lord came down and bled so that we can be cleansed of all our faults. And even though we continue to turn our backs on Him, He continues to bless us. He blesses us with food, with health and with friends. All of us here in America have each of these to some degree. Some have more than others, but we all have some. That same God wants us to share it. He wants us to take His name and proclaim it to the nations. He wants us to help those in need. He wants us to be love.

I’m going to do this for the first time in another country on Wednesday. That’s when I and three others leave for Costa Rica. As far as Mission trips go, it could very well be considered an easy one, but we still need prayer. And we can still be used. My hope is that it will be the beginning of many more international trips for me, and that I will get yet another way to draw closer to God.

I will be taking my laptop with me and updating on here as often as I can. I ask that all you buds of mine pray for us, and for the people of Costa Rica. Also, check your heart and see where God is leading you. (I feel I could have said so much more, but I’ve already written for way too long.)