In an effort to not let this blog fall into disuse, I offer this update:

Today we celebrated my Grandma’s 88th birthday.  My grandma probably does not understand what a blog is and she will never probably read this one, but “Happy Birthday, Grandma!”  I have a lot of respect for her. I spent a lot of time at her house when I was younger.  Growing up and moving away from Parkersburg has kept me from knowing her as well in these later years as I did earlier, but I always know my Grandma loves me. I hope to be doing as well as she is at 88. 

In order to celebrate, Christy and I had to make the 1.5 hour journey to Parkersburg.  This allowed us some good time together in the car.  I love traveling with Christy.  If I had the money I would take whole days and just drive with her so that we could get that kind of one-on-one time that we only get in the car more often.  But because the party was early and the drive was long, we did not go to River of Life this morning.  More on that later.  The party was also great because I got to see my Dad and Lu Ann, his girlfriend, who we love and miss dearly.

 We hurried back in time to host the gathering of our church at our house.  I just have to say tonight was good.  We’ve needed just a good night to encounter Jesus together and this seemed to be it.  Sean taught about the need for us as a people to contend for God’s fullness both in our lives and the life of our fellowship and city.  You can catch a snippet of what he talked about here.  The message lead into a time of prayer/repentance and then we worshipped.  For me, worship was good, and I think that is in part because we didn’t get to worship with River of Life this morning.  I’m looking forward to launching out as house church on Sunday mornings.  I think that will focus our worship as a family more when this will be one of the main opportunities to come together.

Well, that’s about it.  I have more to write…the Mike Huckabee/Interecession article will come soon…I also just have this stirring in my heart for Africa…so maybe I’ll write about that soon…but be praying for Africa.  That continent will be a major battlefield in the next season of the Lord’s dealings with the Earth…I’ll write more about that soon but check out this article here for some insight.  Also, my new ability to be connected to the internet may allow me to show some video from Uganda, which I really haven’t shown to many folks since I’ve returned.   Maybe I’ll YouTube it and post some stuff here.

Stay tuned.  There will be more to come.

Travis

It’s finally good to be back and have a chance to spout out some thoughts in front of the entire world.  I’m not sure if anyone reads this blog any more.  I’m not entirely sure that’s all bad.  Coming back to this blog since I’ve been disconnected has been a little bit like going back to the town where I graduated from high school–going back is never bad, the people are great and the memories are fun–but I realize all over again how little I knew.  Here’s a couple of ideas that probably would have helped me earlier that I now submit for your consideration.

#1 The Internet is a Big Place to Make a Mistake

This may seem like a no-brainer, but very few people live this way.  Without getting into too much detail, I’ve said some things on a blog that have caused some problems on a scale way larger than I intended.  When you fall down on the internet, you fall down in front of the whole world.  The Lord once told Mike Bickle that he didn’t know how to go in and out before the people and that he was going to teach Mike how to do it.  After a couple of mistakes, I’m finding that knowing how to go in and out before the whole world is a difficult task.  Now, God loves to redeem all of our mistakes and in His kindness He’s done that with mine.  But I’m approaching this blog understanding that what I publish here affects people, either positively or negatively all over the Earth. 

#2 Just Because It’s Real Doesn’t Mean It Is

Okay, this may take some explaining.  I’ve been talking with some friends of mine lately about a subject I disagree with them about.  Of course I believe I’m right.  In fact, I believed that I had so much scriptural backing and insight I was going to write a whole series about how right I am.  But before I started, I took some time to seek the Lord about the matter.  Now the Lord never told me I was wrong, but when I began to talk to Him about the issue He exposed one very specific way my heart has been totally misdirected in the area my friends and I disagree about.  (Confused yet?  I’m being a little vague because I’ve learned Lesson #1 just a little bit.)  The point is just because I have a platform and some truth doesn’t mean I understand everything.  One of my favorite authors/speakers right now says this: “We are not seeking truth.  Truth is a person-Jesus-who is seeking us.” 

#3 I Only Want What He Gives

 There have been times where I tried to make this blog successful.  I tried to increase my numbers and I cared when my numbers went up or when they plummeted.  But everything I know about Jesus tells me that He sustains those things He cares about even in their desert seasons.  He didn’t forget about John the Baptist when he was in the desert before his public ministry and He didn’t forget about John when he was jailed by Herod.  But John had a voice when the time was right and that is what I desire.  I’ve debated on this blog about whether this space is about me or my ministry.  Having some time to have been away, I now understand that it is both.  I am ministry…whether it’s hanging out with my house church and taking pictures of my daughter or whether I’m laying hands on the sick and preaching the Gospel.  I just get to be me…and you guys get to put a label on me if you want to.

Having said all that, I want to begin to pursue glory again.  I think that this blog is partly about me experiencing that and having some space to reflect on it.  You guys just happen to watch/catch up/dialogue/learn/grow/be along for the ride.  Please feel free to interact here and use whatever resources eventually become available.  But come and share what God is doing with you and be a part of what God is doing in me.

Travis