Wednesday, September 27, 2006

September in a nutshell...

The month of September is nearing an end. Since I don't blog very often, this is my attempt at summing it up.

Church - Our month of reconciliation has been amazing...but...we're not out of the woods yet. Please continue to pray for our church as we continue to heal and get back to where God wants us to be. Last week we participated in the Lord's Supper and had a time of celebration. We will continue to be in one service until at least Christmas.

Home - Rachael and I are immersed in school. I am learning more about the Arabic language, Math, and Communications while Rachael is learning all the facets of a great Occupational Therapist. She is working really hard and I know that she will be great at it.

Family - (multiple points)
1.) My dad got married in September. Because of this event I got to see Brandy in SLC. It was good to see her and we had a lot of fun while she was here. I have become something of a wedding singer as my dad asked me to sing a Garth Brooks song at the ceremony. After I sang, several people asked me if I wrote the song and how it was a really 'nice' song. I also got to see my Grandma, Uncle Phil and Aunt Mary Alice. It was good to see them for at least a few hours as they drove back to Grand Junction right after the reception.

2.) Speaking of weddings....Mike and Crystal got engaged! God had his hand on this one! They will be getting married in November. They have asked me to sing at their wedding. I'm going to start charging after this one!

3.) My mom is going a little crazy. Have you ever seen the 'festivus' episode of Seinfeld? My mom has created a new holiday called TexGiving. This 'holiday' will traditionally be held in July and will incorporate poem reading, decorating a tree, and traveling to Texas. It sounds weird huh? The funny thing is that I am behind the event because it gives Rachael and I a chance to visit my mom without the added stress of the actual holidays. If you would like to join us for the miracle of TexGiving...the more the merrier! This means you Jake and Erin! Something tells me that Jake would have a great poem or story to read in celebration of this new holiday. All I can say is keep July open!

Music - The Fray, Chris Tomlin, RED, Skillet, Project 86, Leeland, Charlie Hall, David Crowder, Mat Kearney, Underoath, and the RELEVANT podcast have all been in frequent rotation on my iPod.

Movies/TV - The last movie that we saw in theaters was Talledega Nights: The ballad of Ricky Bobby. Sportscenter, Mythbusters, CSI: Miami, Grey's Anatomy, and Miami Ink have been the most watched shows.

Football - The Broncos D has looked great in the first three weeks but the Offense has left something to be desired. Plummer has looked horrible until last week against the Patriots, and our running game isn't stellar. They have, in my opinion, all the tools to make it to and win the Super Bowl. They just need to figure it out. The loss against the Rams gives my bro-in-law Zach bragging rights as he is a big fan.

My camera has gone AWOL. We have been looking for it but haven't found it. It has been missing for quite some time now. If we find it we'll post some pictures...otherwise we'll just have to go buy a new camera.

Until next time...

Monday, September 11, 2006

simply amazing

This post may not make any sense to you. I just have to tell the story...

Have you ever been present when in the midst of something you were doing...God showed up? This is one thing that no matter how many times it happens it never ceases to amaze me. God has made an appearance at each of the last two services at our church. Don't get me wrong...every week the gospel is preached, we sing, praise, and teach. But something in the last two weeks was something so amazing that I am addicted to it. I want to feel the Spirit move in the hearts of those who don't know him. I want to feel the presence of our Savior in and through the people who have gathered corporately to seek His face. God is healing the wounded heart of his church...not just HBC but everywhere. This is something unlike anything I have ever seen or been a part of.

It all started a few years ago when our pastor asked the staff if we could be experiencing a famine similar to what King David experienced in 2 Samuel chapter 21. Was there some sin that our church had committed that caused there to be a famine in our land? The evidence seemed to support that there was. We started working with the deacons of our church through a study called peacemakers www.peacemaker.net. If you haven't read Ken Sande's book I highly suggest it if you want to handle conflict at home, church, or work in a biblical manner.

After the study we decided it was time to stop avoiding our problems and start standing up to them. Beginning in September started a month long process to identify, deal with, and bury the problems of the past so that our congregation could move forward in the name of Jesus. Last week we talked about the corporate heart. (read 2 Samuel chapter 21 and Joshua chapter 9) Yesterday we talked about the wounded heart. We were able to identify several issues that had been holding us back. At the end of Rodger's sermon...he asked for our [the church's]forgiveness. I have never been in a setting where the spirit of God was so thick. It was like a huge weight had been lifted at that moment. Rodger called for an invitation and for the next 20 minutes people came forward. Two people were so moved by it that they joined our church stating that they wanted to be a part of what God was doing at Holladay.

I am proud to be a member of Holladay Baptist Church. I want to be a part of what God is doing and I am honored to be able to serve as their youth pastor.

I asked you to pray for our church in my last post. Please continue to do so as we continue to seek out God's will for our church body. We're not there yet but with God's grace and guidance we, as a church, will start walking the path He has set out for us.

Sean

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Tired

Sorry there hasn't been a post in a while. Things have been pretty crazy in the Patrick house as of late. Here is what has been going on.

1.) Rachael and I started school again. I really want to choke that 19 year old me who thought that college was not for him. No matter. Classes are going good. I am learning Arabic and should, by the end of the semester, be able to speak, read, and write in a new language. I think this will help me in Seminary when I am taking Greek and Hebrew. I could also be horribly wrong.

2.) Rachael and I got to see DMB last week. If you know me at all you know that I am a huge Dave fan. I have seen DMB 8 times now live and they get better every time. Here is the set list...cause I'm a geek.
Pantala Naga Pampa
Rapunzel
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Big Eyed Fish
Bartender
Everyday
The Idea Of You (a new song)
Louisiana Bayou
Shotgun (another new one)
Crash Into Me
Hunger For The Great Light
Loving Wings
You Might Die Trying (Robert Randolph on steel guitar)
Two Step (Robert Randolph on steel guitar...the best version I've ever heard!)

3.)My Dad and Teresa have decided to get married...on Saturday! This means that I will get to see Brandy here in Utah tomorrow as we get ready. If I can find my camera I will post pictures of our adventures this weekend.

4.) Our church is going through a "revival/reconciliation" month. Please be in prayer for this as it will shape where we head in the future. I'll go into more detail as it comes available. Last Sunday Pastor Rodger called us to suit up for war, because it is going to be a battle.

5.) I have signed on as the "coach" of our Men's softball team for the fall league. I am currently 0-2 as a coach. Hopefully we'll get our first win on this upcoming Monday.

6.) World Changers www.worldchangers.studentz.com has approved a project in SLC for 2007. I have been appointed as the Association Coordinator for the event. I will be working with our local churches to make sure that the 300+ volunteers have lunch everyday and training to be a project coordinator for 2008. As I learn more of what this means I'll keep you posted.

Currently listening to:
The Fray
Project 86 - And the rest will follow... (this one rocks hard!)
Ben Harper - Both Sides Of The Gun
Dave Matthews Band
Charlie Hall - Flying Into Daybreak
Leeland

next post: The crazy wedding weekend