Until we meet again...

Well, I just got done helping my youngest brother, Nick, pack up the u-haul and prep to move to Kansas City. It is a bitter sweet moment. I cannot express how proud I am to be his brother. Nick is a solid young man, well-mannered and compassionate, intelligent, good looking and humble. He is also one of the funniest guys I know (both intentionally and unintentionally) and simply hilarious to be around. I've been spoiled the last few weeks having him live with Mom and Dad next door. Whether we are watching a movie, playing a game or going somewhere it's ALWAYS more interesting with Nick around. And now he's moving 6 hours away. I'm sad. But I also know this is just a taste of what's to come. At some point he is going to move to another country (more than likely Africa) and it's gonna be a bit trickier to visit. I will visit, but certainly not as much as I'd like. However, I'm really ok with that for a very specific reason. Which brings me to my thought for the day.

One of the things I love about my walk with Jesus is knowing that anyone who has a relationship with Him will one day be in Heaven. And while there are a HUGE number of people I love here on earth but I don't get to see much if ever, I will meet them one day in Heaven and there will be no more separation. That is such an indescribable blessing. I have friends on both coasts, different continents and every place in-between, and if I never got to see them again it would break my heart, and I'm so grateful that is not the case. So if you are reading this and I haven't seen you face to face for awhile, know this... I can't wait to see you face to face in heaven. It's gonna be a blast. :D

Well, ok...

As promised here is another post... however, it's gonna need to be quick. Due to all the snow, Jennifer didn't go to work and hence Kaylee is at home too. So I don't have time to wax on all philosophical like. I will say this for the snow. Is there anything quite as demoralizing as finally admitting you need to get off your butt to shovel the driveway and sidewalk just to look outside an hour later and you can't even tell where the sidewalk is because it's snowed enough to fill in that part and level it off with the rest of the yard. Grr. Praise God for my dad and his snowblower this morning. Til next time... God bless.

The first step is always the hardest...

It's been forever since I've done this, and every day I'm aware of it more than the day before. So why haven't I written? Well, it's complicated.............................

I live with low-grade Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). What does that mean? Well basically if I don't get a lot of sunlight I tend to get grouchy and lethargic. In higher grade cases it can easily lead to severe depression and even suicide. For me it means I just am unmotivated, easily annoyed, and basically slightly depressed. And living in central Illinois in January and February means it's a good bet there could be a lack of sunshine. Add to the mix my issues with low self-esteem and yup... a great recipe for home baked depression.

This directly relates to my blogging in that I like to blog about what I'm thinking/dealing with. But lately all I've been dealing with is trying to stand against that constant creep of depression. The other issue is I struggle to reconcile the fact that I'm a Believer who really does love God and truly has a great life because of Him and really have no reason to even begin to be depressed... but yet there it is pressing in nonetheless.

So what have I decided to do? I'm putting it out there for anyone to read. Talk about nerve racking, lol. But I am determined to stand on the truth of my Father and Lover. For depression is simply part of the darkness and darkness can't stay when the Light is there. I've also restarted using very specific checklists for my day in order to keep taking those steps forward. And one of those steps is to blog more, no matter what the situation is. I don't know if that's good news for you all or not, but there it is. God bless. :D

Hail to the dorks!

Recently, I have been accused of being a dork more often that usual (which is saying a lot). Why am I being called a dork? Because I am a proud Belegarth participant. What is belegarth? Well, think paintball, but instead of guns and paint, we use foam swords and shields (and clubs, flails, javelins, etc.) That's right, I sword fight. And this isn't cute cuddly foam, but industrial strength stuff... the kind that leave bruises... BIG bruises. :D Now I don't care if I'm called a dork, I know who I am and have no problem with it, infact I probably embrace it a bit too much. But this got me thinking... which is it better to be a "cool" person or a "dorky" one? Who has more power really? Who could survive without the other? I know some "cool" people and obviously am aware of at least a few "cool" people on the larger society scale... and you know what I notice? They set trends. Like clothing, gadgets, etc. But did they create such clothing, gadgets, etc.? NO! THE DORKS DID! Where would "cool" people be without the dorks? They'd be nothing. Hail to the dorks! :D That is all. Haha.

Tis STILL the season...

No, not that season. Well, yes it is THAT season, but I'm referring to the political season that so many hoped would be over as soon as the votes were tallied that first Tuesday of November. Now I had a lot of thoughts on that election, but since Jennifer and I left for our Mexico trip right after that I didn't have time to post. And by the time we got back it felt a little like just trying to self-righteously add my voice at the tail end of the clamor, so I didn't. However in light of the past 24 hours I think the opportunity and responsibility is still there.

For anyone living outside of Illinois (or in a cave in Illinois) who may not have heard, our sitting Governor Rod Blagojevich has been taken into custody by the federal government. He is being accused of a number of things, but most prominently "pay for play" politics and allegedly trying to auction off the Senate seat that became vacant when Obama was elected. Now I'm not going to say he is guilty (you know, I do still believe in that whole innocent until proven guilty thing) but I will say it would not come as a shock to find out it is true. Actually, "come as a shock" is too strong. It wouldn't come as something worth raising an eyebrow at, if it is true. But the laundry list of things about our current Governor that I didn't care for is not what I'm here to talk about. What I do want to address is the response to the new situation that I have seen from so many Christians (myself included at first). So many people are practically rejoicing at the latest developments. They are proclaiming a great win for the people of Illinois and really wouldn't mind if they locked him up and forgot about him. Most of these same people also were very quick to speak very harshly and disrespectfully about him in the past. Again, I am not going to shed a tear for the charges filed against him, nor defend him in his actions. I believe he made his bed and now must lie in it. (As we all do at one time or another.) But there are two things that bother me about this attitude coming from the "christian" community.

1.) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2 (NIV)

Rod Blagojevich is still our Governor. No that doesn't mean he gets a free pass for illegal activity. No that doesn't mean that we follow his laws if they truly contradict God's. But that DOES mean we still need to respect and honor him. And I just don't see how "christians" calling him derogatory (and even vulgar) names is honoring or respecting him. Or how rejoicing that "the idiot is in jail" (as I heard one person say) honors or respects him. No I don't agree with what he has done and I'm not defending him, but one day I (and all people) will have to stand before God and give account of all our words. I already have more than enough that I am ashamed of, I don't need to add more here. God's word is pretty clear. We are to honor our leaders, it doesn't qualify only the ones we like, but all of them.

**The reason I have put "christian" in quotes is that the term means to be Christ-like... and I just don't think we can use the term and then act this way. I'm not making light of anyone's belief, but the use of the term with these actions.**

2.) Secondly, I find so many believers who are almost giddy at the downfall of our Governor. They have been so dissatisfied with his politics that they didn't care how he left as long as he is gone. They have no problem deriding his name, throwing him out the door and hoping that he disappears into the night. But we have a problem claiming to be Christ-like and reacting like that... Rod Blagojevich is still created by God. Rod Blagojevich is loved by God.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

I don't know about his relationship with Jesus Christ or if he has one. What I do know is that he has fallen down and made mistakes (who hasn't?) and he needs compassion and forgiveness and the Truth of God in his life right now. Now some might say "but I haven't done..." But sin is sin right? We've all done that and it all counts. Shouldn't we as Christians stand up and say, "Yes, mistakes were made, and yes there are consequences, but my God is one of forgiveness. I know the God of restitution and reconcilliation. Lemme me share His love with you." But instead I find so many believers dancing on the grave of a fallen man who is no different than you and me but for the Grace of God.



Those are the two things that I find running through my head at a pretty constant rate right now. One of the reasons I find myself looking at things from the point of view is that my hope is not in the government. My hope was not hinged on McCain OR Obama winning the election. Neither man was going to "fix" america, only God can do that. So when Obama won I was actually happy in a way... when Obama was not able to create this new change utopia that many people expect (because he may end up being a great leader, but he still won't be the savior of America... no one outside of Jesus is), God's church would have an opportunity to stand up and proclaim that an elected official will not "save America" but that we know a God who can. I was afraid however, that believers might get into a mud-slinging fight with those who support the "liberals". If our current situation in Illinois is an indication, my fears may come to be. But does it change how I live my life? No. My hope is still in God, not this government, not this country, not anything else. Whether the economy rebounds or the country falls apart, I know that God has me here for this time and a purpose. It doesn't change who I am or who God is, it simply changes the setting for this epic adventure of walking with God. One that I hope someone shares with Gov. Blagojevich. And yes, I'm praying for him and if I get the chance to be that person, I hope I step up. Hope you all are well. God bless.

Just an FYI...

Yes it has been a bit of a blogging dryspell for me, I apologize, but it will only continue for a bit. We are in the middle of a move across town that has involved packing my grandma's house, painting the house, packing our house, moving into my grandma's house, and cleaning our old house... it's been busy. We don't have our internet hooked up at the new house yet, so I only have limited net usage. Add to that Jenn and I are leaving on Thursday for 12 days in Mexico on a missions trip and I just won't be on much. I promise that will change later in the month. God bless and I hope you are all well.

- Matt "I hate packing" Schrock

Quick updates...

Odds are there won't be regular posts for a bit... here's why.

* We are getting ready to move across town to my Grandmother's house, and she is moving to a new addition on my parent's house. Needless to say, lots of packing, painting and unpacking. Busy busy busy.

* Jenn and I are leaving for Mexico in a few weeks, YIKES!

* Still trying to finish typing up all my notes/journal entries from Albania... taking forever.

* Trying to start a not for profit organization... I hate paperwork. Especially legal paperwork.

* Have Papa Ken (and some others) visiting this weekend at church, should be uber-exciting but also quite busy.

* Traveling next weekend to visit some dear friends, The Allisons. You have no idea how excited I am for that.

* Trying to start sharing Adopt-A-Child with some local churches. Lots of prep to do.

* Going to Mizzou for Thanksgiving, so more traveling.

All in all, quite busy right now, so if I don't get to this as often as I'd like, I apologize. God bless.