And the holidays begin!

Recently, it was pointed out that I haven't blogged in a while. Yes, there's very little that can be said to excuse that reality. But, in my defense, I don't like to blog unless I've got something to say that people would actually care about :-).

Since it's the holidays, and everyone loves holiday pics, here goes!

Emily and her wonderful Thanksgiving meal!

Our 7 foot tree before it was cut in West Jefferson, NC (Ashe county)

Our tree after it was put up and decorated! OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE!

More living room decorations (tree reflect in mirror)

The front is decorated with frasir fir garland, wreath and lots of lights!

We went to the grocery store and came back with a kitty...

Ok, not the usual title for one of my blogs, but a funny story, nonetheless. Emily and I were heading to the grocery store yesterday and a girl in front of the store had a cage of 3 kittens she needed to give away. Emily and I have been wanting a kitty... so... we impulsively took the little boy. Afterwards, we kept looking at each other, saying "Oh, my goodness...we have a kitten...oh my."

Now, we're into day 2, and well, Titus (the kitty, aka Titus Leo Roten, III) is a very rambuncious kitten. But, we are really like him. He's a bit crazy (just like a kitten, and a Roten), and, well, adorable.

So, no deep theological implications here, just a little overwhelming that we now have a responsibility when we were just settling in to married life. God is neat.

Lots of Questions

I recently finished reading the New Testament (a 4 month project turned into a 10 month project thanks to the wedding and finishing up seminary). I have to say that over the years, especially after having spent time studying the history and background of the scriptures, I have grown to really enjoy reading through the different books. As a sci-fi buff, I really have to say that the book of Revelation is really one of the most interesting books. It's vivid imagery and it's prophetic voice really makes the mind wander! And, well, I am the king of the wandering mind!

So, anyway. When I was reading, there were lots of questions that kept popping into my mind. For example, of the 12 foundations of the new city, each are to be labeled with the name of the one of the 12 apostles. I started wondering who the 12 are? Is it the original twelve (and, if it is, how would that be, since I really don't think Judas will be a foundation of the city) or is it another twelve, which may include Paul, Luke or others. Then, there was the statement that there won't be anymore oceans. No oceans? This weekend, me and Emily are visiting her brother in Virginia Beach, and I have to say, the ocean is one of the most beautiful things in God's creation!

What conclusion I came to was that with God in our very presence, we would not be bothered that there wouldn't be any ocean - and big deal if the high mountains have been leveled (again in Revelation). The reality is that nothing really compares to actually living in the presence of our great God. That, of course, is a WOW kind of thought. We find ourselves so bothered by questions, and even seminaries and churches are often split in ungodly anger over the mysteries of God. How interesting that in the end, nothing else will matter - even the creature comforts and the incredibly beautiful creation that God has given us. Nothing else but the beauty of our Lord and how He has saved us to spend eternity with Him.

Again, a WOW kind of thought!

Married! (or not?)

Emily and I are finally getting rested up from our busy last few weeks. June 4, our wedding day, went very well. In fact, it was one of the best days of my life. Knowing that God was joining me and Emily together formally for life was a great worship experience, and our wedding ceremony reflected that. We participated in a communion and a servant-declaring foot washing. Many individuals told us later what a biblical, spiritual experience it was.

So, the last few weeks were filled with our honeymoon in Gatlinburg, a week and a half of house set-up and returns to jobs, and then a few days at Carowinds in Charlotte for a Christian concert weekend (and a second honeymoon). Things just seemed to be getting back to normal when yesterday, our pastor received a letter. It said that our marriage license form was rejected...apparently someone forgot to put in a couple of dates. So...are we married?

Well, of course the answer is "yes." Matthew 19:6 says, "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." There are two things that happen at Christian marriage ceremonies - they fill out legal paperwork with witnesses to gain legal recognition as married and they go before God with family and friends surrounding them, and vow to stay true to one another, entering into a holy covenant. Many people today consider marriage a contract, and once either party violates the terms of the contract, the remaining party is free to end the marriage. That, sadly, leads a lot of individuals to the big D - without really understanding that God is calling them to stay together for their entire lives. Marriage, as I'm learning, takes work, and Em and I haven't even hit any big issues. But, I know that we are in this for life, and we both know our responsibility is to God first - He is not only the author of our salvation, but our reason for living each day - married and not married.

Just 25 Days Left!

If you can believe it, there's only 25 days left until Emily and I get married - that means there's only 17 days left until graduation and then my move into our new house! WOW!

God has been so good to me and Emily. I just wanted to take a moment and thank HIM for his blessings. There have been so many bumps in the road for us the last few months - car crashes, unexpected expenses and so forth - but God has always been there, seemingly one step ahead. A week before the car crash, for example, Emily and I were discussing when we'd replace her car, and that the couple we'd bought our house from was interested in selling their car, too. And, here we are a few weeks later, and that, indeed, is our path.

Matthew 6:8 says, "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." What an amazing promise to rely on. When life is busy, wonderful, complicated, or in complete chaos, we can always trust in His grace and power!

One last thing - Here's a list of some folks that really have helped us over the last few months. This, by no means, is a complete list, and if someone has been left out that has made a contribution, please let me know! I would hate to overlook such special folks!

Mom and Dad (Roten)
Mom and Dad (Mattix)
Mike & Tory McCartney
Mike & LeAnne Gable
Jeremy & Kristie Smith
Michael and Mary Moore
Sarah and Kevin Spillman
Dean and Chris Mattix
Marc Brooks
Just about anyone at North Wake Church and the Woodall small group

and, yes, I'm sure I've left out some of the most important people. Good thing the internet allows you to make immediate updates to things that are published!

Too Busy?

Emily and I are heading down the home stretch for our wedding preparations. And, graduation is coming up in less than 3 months, too! Oh, not to mention the freelance web design projects I have to complete and the house purchase that we're in the midst of. It is indeed a very busy time.

But, is it "too busy?" I've been belly-aching and complaining over the past several months about the crazy schedules that we're all having to keep, but our outreach pastor brought us a message on the need for intentional evangelism, in spite of our busy schedules. One point he made rang true with me. He said that God planned for each of us to be alive during this period of history - and that our lives are no busier than He wants them to be. With that said, knowing that we still have the command to "made disciples," it starts becoming evident that if God is indeed in control, we must conclude that God will provide all we need to succeed in our calling and to one day hear him say "well done."

It's amazing to think that in spite of our business, God is still at work. And, perhaps because of something in us that He placed there, we are acutely able to succeed in our callilngs by God's empowerment.

Who do we think we are?

I have become convinced that many times we forget who we are. Or, maybe more importantly, what we are. Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees.

This may sound like an odd statement, but bear with me but a moment. When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we place ourselves in subservience to Him. At that point, we do gain the righteousness of Jesus Christ, but we are still infinitely small compared to the infinitely great God. And don't forget that before knowing Christ, we aren't even alive. (Eph 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- ").

So - who's goals are more important? God's or ours? I think the answer is easy - God's goals are more important. And, God has promised that He will work things that were meant for evil for good, and will work all things out for the good of those who love him. A loving God by his very nature wants the best for us.

Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees. As we live our lives serving God, sadly we can sometimes become convinced (by our own pride or the deceitful words of the Evil One) that our niche in ministry is the only way to go, that we know best how to glorify God. We close ourselves off to good counsel, and isolate ourselves from the invigoration of knowing others who are fighting alongside us for God's glory.

Don't let this happen to you. Remember who you are and more importantly who God is. Remember the value of having others around you that can help you see the forest when you've focused on the trees nearest you. Remember to not harden yourself to the possibilities that big changes may be in store. Hey - you may even lose your segment of the forest - and if it's God's will and the forest as a whole will benefit, then to God be the glory!