Whole

Today is our last day as interns at the Pregnancy Crisis Center. I'm not gonna lie - we're pretty bummed to be leaving and might go visit next week already.

It's Friday, Friday, Friday...!

(Sorry, I haven't made a Rebecca Black reference in a long time. Couldn't help myself.)

And if you've been around here for a Friday before,  you know what that means!

Five Minute Friday!

Here's the deal-io, yo (why, yes, I'm weird - forgive me):

1. Write for 5 minutes flat about a given prompt from The Gypsy Mama without editing.
2. Invite your peeps to check out The Gypsy Mama and link up to her!
3. Go visit and comment on the blog of the person who linked up before you.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

(Goodness gracious, I don't know where all of these weird words are coming from. I'll understand if this is the last time you're ever here.)

Alrighty, then. Today's prompt is...

Whole

Ready... Set... Go!

A Response

I had a breathing test at the doctor yesterday that showed improvement from last time! Now if I could just figure out why I keep waking up so early...

So, as I mentioned yesterday, God is being awfully funny this summer. And the fun just keeps rolling.

Here's the deal: I wrote a week ago about how I was starting to doubt God because things were getting a little tight in our bank account. He had always provided money from very unexpected places before, but this time, I wasn't sure he was going to pull through.

"Maybe those were just flukes - not God."

I pondered.

"Maybe I haven't been 'faithful' enough."

I reflected.

"Maybe he doesn't want to help me out again."

So I prayed.

And prayed. And prayed some more. I was sick of the racing thoughts, of the hypothetical situations. I simply wanted resolution so I wouldn't have to worry about money anymore (because I never had before).

And then it happened. God answered. Not audibly, but actively. His actions spoke words that I never would have expected:

"Adrian, I'm still here for you. All you needed to do was ask, and you did. Thanks for continuing to rely on me in times of need and times of abundance."

I mean, maybe that wasn't God's exact thoughts - in fact, I'd bet it wasn't. But that's a piece of the message I received as God answered my prayer last week after I wrote about my struggle. And for those of you who wonder about details, allow me to be stray from being politically correct and share with you some details of how God provided.

After God provided, we now have literally 50% more money to spend on food this year. And that's huge, because the money we were spending before, we didn't really have.

After God provided, we had a "bill" of sorts that was completely eliminated.

After God provided, we realized that we could completely give back the student loans we had to take out for Kalyn this semester. We don't need a dime of it.

After God provided, we realized that we're suddenly in abundance. We can not only provide for ourselves, but for others' needs as well.

I've shared this in the hope that you'll see that God is good and he does want to be there for you. Whether you lack money, warmth, a place to stay, love, comfort, or anything else you can think of, God wants to be there for you.

Let him today.

How is your relationship with God? High? Low? Non-existent? Are you in love with him or bitter with him? Why?

I'd love to hear from you about this (or anything else)! Just drop me a comment or send me an e-mail!

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! And while you're at it, find a way to "follow" Life Before the Bucket!

I Expect Better

This post is part of my weekly Time for Honesty. I do my best to share something that's on my heart that is honest, sincere, and transparent - something that will get you thinking and get you to be honest with yourself.

God is being awfully funny this summer.

He is testing every single facet of my life in which I feel I am strongest.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my recent struggle about trusting God with our finances - something I'm usually very "good" at doing (whatever that means). 

Now that I've got that figured out (for now), God has decided to pinpoint another "strength" that I have: my ability to forgive.

A Simple Way to Better Yourself Right Now

Alright, my fellow Bucketeers! We have another wonderful guest post this week! Today I'm featuring Seth from Life as Experienced, and I'm really excited about what he has to say! Leave him a wonderful comment or 2 (or 3!) and check out his blog. Dooooo it!

A Simple Way to Better Yourself Right Now

Normally I set a list of goals each year.  I’m one of those guys who loves checking stuff off his to-do list each day, and even my big “To Do In (insert year)” list.  Every year there is one item that always seems to make it onto my annual list, and I’ve become more and more confident that it belongs on everyone’s list.  The item that holds my number 1 spot year after year is… “Read.”  The longer I live, (which hasn’t been too long thus far) the more convinced I am that reading is the easiest way to consistently better yourself.

Through books we have the chance to learn from some of the smartest people: both living and dead.  I can sit down with a cup of coffee and hear from C. S. Lewis or St. Augustine, John Grisham or Shakespeare.  I have the chance to read stories from master storytellers who have been around much longer than television.  I can listen to theological or philosophical arguments from individuals who are way more intelligent than I am. 

Me: Why is there pain and suffering?

C.S. Lewis: “The Problem of Pain”

Me: Tell me about how you experienced God.

St. Augustine: “Confessions of St. Augustine”

Me: Tell me a story

John Grisham: “The Rainmaker”

Me: What about a love story?

Shakespeare: “Romeo and Juliet”

See what I mean?  I can consult leading experts on everything from how to install a toilet to how to build a strong marriage (I’ve read books on both of those things).  Reading can challenge, entertain, encourage, mentor, manipulate, humor, enlighten, or anything else.

If I told you I knew a foolproof way to better yourself, you’d probably be interested, right?  Most people would without a doubt.  Yet I know way too many people who claim they don’t have time to read; they don’t have the patience for reading, or who just aren’t interested in literature.  Self-improvement always takes some work:  exercise, loving others, public speaking, sports, etc.  Take some time today to find a good book and start reading.  If you don’t start now, you’re just putting off improving yourself.

What are you reading right now?  What book would you recommend I read?

Another Day, Another Goal Achieved

I'm pretty sure someone ate the cord to my Zune. If you'd politely give that back, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Man, it's been awhile.  

I don't even remember the last time I posted about achieving a goal!

Luckily, the year is long and it gives me a long time to check everything off of my 111 for 2011. And this weekend, I was finally able to achieve a goal TWO goals!

How, you ask?

By seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 in IMAX!