2008 May | Bad Days Better

May 31

Farewell Pennsylvania

Posted by Josh

Just recently I left Pennsylvania with my wife and my 10 day old son and started the trek to Missouri.  Currently I am in Urbana Illinois staying in the Eastland Suites.  If you are ever this way I would recommend them.  One of my good friends asked me what I was going to do on my last day in PA.  I really did not know what I would do but my last day was definitely a busy one.  

It started by waking up and finishing some things up for our move.  We had some cleaning and some other things to do.  We then took our baby to see a few people later that day and then spent some time with some friends.  It was a good time.  I enjoyed my last day just spending time with some old friends two of which I had not had the chance to talk to in awhile.  It was so nice to just catch up with people and to just sit down and be myself and hang out and act goofy with others.  One of the guys I hung with has his own site you can check it out here.  I knew all of these guys from tie in Youth Ministry together.   To be honest I could not think of a better way to spend my last day then just being me and that is what I had the chance to do.

Over my 9 years in PA it has been great.  It has been awesome to see how the Lord has allowed me to have an effect on the lives of many, many teenagers.  I had so many opportunities to lead teens to Christ and had the chance to see many teens not only come to know the Lord but to also follow after the Lord in their lives.  ore than one parent thanked me for the affect I had on the life of their teen.  I can remember one parent that spent some time talking with me and brought me to tears.  I praise the Lord for the gifts he has given me and I pray that I have made a difference in PA in the lives of those that I have had the opportunity to minister to.  Whether they were teens or adults.  I believe a legacy is not found really in what you leave behind at the church but what you leave behind in the lives of those you have touched.  When I left PA I left a part of my heart with those God blessed me to minister to.  Whether it was through a Bible class, a sermon, or just being there for someone.  I pray God bless you all and may God use you to bring others to Him.

Life, My Thoughts, Spiritual Application

May 27

I know more than you

Posted by Josh

I have been thinking alot about knowledge lately.  Sometime it seems we try to use knowledge as a weapon or as something to hold over someone else.  I know people that can’t seem to wait to get the inside scoop on a situation just so they can say they know about it.  Or to act as if somehow they know more about it than anyone else.  Some people even seek out to know more then others to the point of gossip because they have to know what is going on in a situation.  Interestingly enough these people never gain complete knowledge of a situation they merely gain what they want to know and hurl and cast their judgments from ignorance rathe than knowledge which seems odd when knowledge was apparently what they were seeking in the first place.  Not sure if this makes sense to anyone.  

This has become especially true over my circumstances in the recent weeks.  Though I have been through alot as well as my family I am amazed about what people think they know about my situation only because they heard something from someone else.  In reality these people know very little because they are acting on limited knowledge or in many cases ignorance.  Some even casting judgments or having preconceived thoughts without really knowing all of what has happened.

Tonight I read

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.  If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

These verse are primarily dealing with christian liberty.  The Corinthians were faced with a huge dilemma and in reality they needed help.  Not much different then us they lived in the middle of a sinful and pleasure filled society so how were they to act.  The Corinthians needed guidance from the Apostle Paul could they eat meat offered to idol and what about social function what were they to do?  What restraints were put on the Christians liberty or freedom?  Could the Christian do whatever they wanted to do?  Is there a difference between the Christians behavior and the worlds?  It is with that backdrop that Paul is writing here in 1 Corinthians 8.  What I wan to talk about is this knowledge that Paul is talking about in the first 3 verses.

It seems to me what Paul is saying is to judge according to love not according to knowledge.  This strikes me as different because we usually do the opposite.  Paul states in the very first verse that “we all have knowledge”.  I am sure that some of the Corinthian believers were stressing the importance of using the intellect to determine right from wrong.  There are three very important points Paul gives us concerning knowledge in these verses.

1.  Knowledge makes arrogant but love edifies.  

I think the point is clear.  Just because one can reason through the facts and clearly see something gives them no right to be arrogant about it.  Yet our quest for knowledge about circumstances and the like often is done so we can know more than another believer or so we can set someone straight.  The root of this is arrogance.  This is the very thing Paul is coming against.  

Paul is making it clear that the rule of all Christians is to be love not knowledge.  It is love that builds others up and helps them to grow not knowledge. The Christian is not to run around stressing their superiority because they know more than someone else.  We are to love and control our lives from love.  

2.  Paul tells us that knowledge is only partial.  

Here is the kicker no matter what someone thinks they know it is always incomplete.  We are totally incapable of knowing anything in its fullness or its totality.  Of course we like to think we know things but in reality we do not.  We often like to try to think rationally but the truth of the matter is to be rational is often weak especially when compared to thinking through things with love instead of rationally.  So the next time we think we know something or we think we know the whole story I would encourage you to stop and think again and react and be motivated from love rather than knowledge.

3.  Love unites us to God.

If someone loves God then that person is known by Him.  Did you notice that we are not known by God because we are always thinking rationally.  It also does not say that we are known by God based on our knowledge.  It is based on one thing and that is our love.  God know us because we love Him.  The person that decides to base their life on love rather than knowledge that person is loved by God.  

“But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him” (1 Corinthians 8:3)

I give this challenge the next time you seek knowledge about a circumstance or a situation try to seek love instead.  See if it makes a difference.  To often our knowledge leads to arrogance.  So much could be accomplished if we only sought love.

 

 

Life, My Thoughts, Spiritual Application

May 25

My Son Is Coming Home

Posted by Josh

If you have ever had a premature baby you know that there are definitely many ups and many downs.  Our daughter was born premature she was born at 30 weeks and had to spend 48 days in the hospital.  That was a little over 8 years ago.  For y wife and I that was an emotional roller coaster one visit everything was great and the next everything was not good at all.  It was a very difficult time for us and our faith was stretched to great lengths.

Once again with the birth of Micah John Monda we had another early birth.  Micah was born at 33 weeks and 3 days which is very good as far as premies are concerned.  He came out doing great right from the start.  He cried quickly and looked healthy.  During his first check ups in the NICU the doctor told us he was doing better then expected.  Tomorrow will mark is seventh day in the hospital and the doctors are telling us it looks like he can come home Tuesday.  Wow this is great news for us.  We have had people literally all around this world praying not only for the birth of our son but praying for his health.

 I remember the day my son was born I sat and looked at him and wept to think God would bless us so greatly and I often think of the faith of that little preemie daughter we had and how very early on she began to pray every day that her mommy would have a baby.  What faith and what and awesome testimony of prayer she already has at 8 years old to see an answer to prayer that she constantly prayed for for years. How awesome is our GOD.

In addition to all this we are in the middle of a move.  We had a group of teens show up at our house to hel us move and that was a true blessing.  In addition we had Keith Stutzman and Jim Smith show up.  They really helped us a great deal in packing a 26 foot Penske truck full.  Everything has been loaded and is on its way to Missouri.  My wife and I are sleeping on air mattresses and doing some final cleaning and then we will wait word from the doctors before heading for Missouri.  

On a crazier side we were told we had to find an infant car seat that would hold a child for 4 pounds.  Are you aware that most car seat are rated at 5 pounds and up.  Here is the kicker we found only two car seat stroller combos that are rated at 4 pounds an up.  1 was and Eddie Bauer stroller System the cost for it was 229 ouch compared the one I had picked out at 169.  I did not like the Eddie Bauer system it was not user friendly.   So our only other option was this Chicco System it was a measly 279.  That was 279 I did not plan on spending.  So I am thankful for Laura Smith who found me a coupon and I saved 10 percent at Baby Depot which helped.  Why don’t more companies make these things for smaller babies and help us out.

 The hospital told us they are going through some sort of thing right now where they don’t have the car seats to give away.  So what do they do with people that cant afford to spend this kind of money?  I couldn’t afford it but I want my child home.  On top of that the brakes on the only vehicle I have here are shot.  Actually I think the Caliper is frozen up do I have to get it fixed before we leave but it is the only vehicle we have in PA so I will probably have to rent something while it gets repaired.  Man this is all too crazy.  But Praise the Lord my son is coming home.  Sorry for all this depressing stuff that went along with it.

Life, My Thoughts

May 21

Are You Different?

Posted by Josh

Over the course of the last few weeks things have been very crazy in my life.  I am specifically speaking of my wife’s pregnancy and her many stay in the hospital that concluded with the birth of our son Micah John Monda Micah meaning “who is like the Lord”.  For me it has been a constant running back and forth from the hospital some nights staying at the hospital in this chair and getting little sleep, other nights coming home getting things done with my daughter then back to the hospital the home and to bed only to repeat it all the next day.  In addition to this trying to get things ready for our move to Missouri.

For my wife it was the uncertainty of not know when the baby would come.  It was her looking at her husband and realizing there was really nothing she could do to help as she was stuck in that hospital bed until the baby was born.  She could see it on my face and tell it in my body language that I was having a hard time with getting everything done.  These times were difficult for us both.  

However that is not what this blog is about.  What has amazed me in all of this are the times that people that barely knew us would make comments to us.  It started with one of my wife’s doctors coming in and telling us she was impressed with how pleasant we always are when she sees us.  That was cool to hear coming from the dr.  that deals with many different people all the time.  She proceeded to tell us that she has spoke with the other doctors and they all seemed to feel this way.  This was great for us to hear because it told us that there was something different about us that others could see and could tell.  

The next thing that happened was while we were sitting in the room one day a nurse walked in and said we wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your patience the other day.  you were so nice to us and never complained any time and were always nice to be around. The nurse had said she specifically remembered my wife.  So she said we got a WAWA gift card for you.  I was kind of like wow how often do you see this happen in the hospital how cool was that.  

Finally one of the days one of my wife’s doctors came in and wanted to talk to her a little bit.  As she came in and spoke with her about how she would have stay in the hospital she talked about how it stinks when stuff like this happens to great people.  This really moved me.  All of this has moved me to know that it is in the hard times that people watch you and they watch your responses to others and they watch how you interact and they watch what you say and the things you do.  

What’s cool is if you living for the Lord people will notice.  They notice that there is something different about you that things are not the same with you as with everyone else.  At a time when I needed some major encouragement it came from and unexpected source.  However God knew what I needed.  He is so good.  I just right this to say we chose to be different and to let our light shine and often enough we do things that put our light out.  Don’t let that be the case.

Life, My Thoughts, Spiritual Application

May 19

Today My Son was born

Posted by Josh

It was 4am when the phone rang.  As I picked it up my wife was on the other end and she told me her water broke.  Our first child was a fast labor so I woke up my daughter and we headed off to the hospital.  And about 2 hours later Micah John Monda was born.  he was born at 6:17 am and my was at 33 weeks 3 days.  Micah weighed in at 4lbs. 9 1/2 ounce and was 17 1/4 inches long.  My daughter has prayed, and prayed, and prayed for this moment.  Her faith was always so strong believing God would give her a brother or sister.  It took  wife and I over 6 years to have this child and God poured out his blessing on us.

 Its interesting to see how God has brought blessing, after blessing into our lives.  I have been blown away.  Well I could right alot more but to be honest I need some rest and tomorrow I have alot of work to do.  Here is a picture.

Life, My Thoughts

May 18

Im Tired

Posted by Josh

I am really tired.  It has all hit me at once. I guess between dealing with my resignation, traveling back and forth to the hospital multiple times, gearing up to move, deciding whether to wait or jump back into ministry, it is just wearing me down.  

Friday my wife will be induced and will give birth to our son Micah John Monda.  Her pregnancy will be at 34 weeks so he will have to spend some time in the NICU.  In addition to that my mother will be here on that same day with one of my friends, and my niece and nephew.  So while my wife is in labor I have to somehow get my mom to the hospital, and I have to pick up the moving truck that day.  In addition to that Saturday it will be time to pack so we have to get the truck loaded and off to Missouri.  Then I have to decide whether to drive to Missouri and fly back to get my wife or do I stay here.  These are decision are weighing heavy on me and so is everything else.  Sorry for the rant.  Pray for strength right now I feel I have little but when we are weak He is strong.

Life, My Thoughts

May 17

Jesus Will Save!

Posted by Josh

These days have been crazy I blogged about it here. So I have not really known which was up or down between going to the hospital, taking my daughter to school,coming home from school, the stress of a baby coming early, my mom coming in a week, and moving man it is crazy.  But…

Today I was doing some reading and read this verse ”She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  For some reason I could not take my mind of this verse it was just stuck in my head.  Now I know we read this verse at Christmas and most of the time we probably just blow right by it but I want to spend some time on this verse.  

Now Joseph was actually going through a pretty traumatic experience.  I know we do not say alot about him usually but think about this he finds out a girl he is going to marry is pregnant and he has done nothing to get her that way.  Then and angel comes to him and tells him that the this child is “of the Holy Ghost” talk about traumatic.  What is great is Joseph did not just freak out and run away, he did not clam up.  Joseph actually did something that we all should consider doing when a traumatic experience hits he got along and called out to God.  Now scripture does not come out and say this but it certainly is implied.  Joseph was a righteous man he probably wept to God and poured his heart out to God.  God sometimes just waits for us to pour our hearts out to Him when we experience difficulties.  Let me share with you a few verses that comfort me when I just need to pour out to God as in these last few weeks.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).

 

“It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear (Isaiah 65:24).

Finally I love the end of this verse when it says for “He will save His people from their sins.”  Not He might save, but He will save.  Who does he save “His people”.  Those of you who tend to lean towards the Calvin side of things can figure this out.  The Mission of Jesus Christ His purpose for living is to save “His People” I take comfort in knowing I was, and am the mission of Jesus Christ.

Life, My Thoughts, Spiritual Application

May 15

Only the Lonely

Posted by Josh

I remember as a college student at Hannibal LaGrange College a professor saying that ministry in lonely.  If I recall correct he said that to be in ministry is to be in some of the loneliest time you will ever know.  When asked why he stated because you feel like you cant have any real friends.  I thought this cant be true but it is.  Why is ministry so lonely?  Does it have to be that way?  Why do pastors and youth pastors feel like they have to shelter themselves from everyone?  Why do we not let people see the real us?

I have been a Youth Pastor for over 14 years and they have been some of the loneliest years of my life.  I have often wondered why?  It seems odd that we have certain criteria that we want followed and we often do not want people to step outside of our box.  Somehow and idea has invaded the church that a pastor can not sin or can do no wrong so Pastors shelter themselves trying to live the perfect life.  I rarely have had anyone that I could just poor my heart out to and tell them what I was feeling and why I was feeling it.   Even at times when I did share struggles or problems I was judged instead of loved.  

I can’t tell you how many times I would sit at home with my wife and wish we had someone just to hang out with.  Hoping maybe some people would just call us up or that we could just go out to eat with someone or watch a movie with someone.  This happened a few times with some people some more then others.  It is odd that a Pastor can stand in the pulpit and have people hanging on every word but outside of the pulpit no one seems to care.  I have some great friends that accept me for who I am unfortunately they are thousands of miles away some not that far but they all have their own ministries.  The funny thing is loneliest is one of the number one reasons pastors leave.  I do not like the loneliness especially right now with all that is going on.  But I think of those words from my professor “to enter into ministry is to enter into some of the loneliest time ever.”

And as I think of the possibility of getting back into ministry I am forced to ask myself this question.  ”Do I want to be lonely?”

Life, My Thoughts

May 14

No Regard for Human Life?

Posted by Josh

Ok so if you have watched any of the NBA playoffs you know what I am talking about.  If you have not there is a video below.  Anyway I know this is late but I have not had alot of time to blog.  But listen to the announcers comment I was in hospital withy my wife when I hear this and I just started rolling I was like ok what a weird statement to make in a basketball game.  Regardless of the announcers it was an awesome dunk over one of the best defenders in the NBA.  Check it out

Life, My Thoughts

May 13

What a last few days!!

Posted by Josh

Wow these last few days have been extremely crazy for me.  It all started yesterday.  My wife said she was having alot more contractions and our baby is at 32 weeks in addition she said she had not felt the baby move for awhile.  So I told her it was better to be safe then sorry and to call the dr.   She took my advice and the dr. sent us to hospital to get it checked out.  This was our 5th trip to the hospital during this pregnancy.  While there the nurse ran some tests and said that her water had broke and she was admitted.  We both thought that id were water had broke then our child would be born that night.  We were obviously wrong.  

So I spent the night in an uncomfortable chair and got about 3 hours of sleep before coming home showering and heading back to the hospital.  When I got back to the hospital we received good news.  The nurse said that another test was negative and that her water may not have broke so if she got three negatives she would be allowed to come home tonight.  However, you guessed it the next two showed signs that her water may have broke.  Confused?  Me too.  So they decided to keep her.  Not sure how long maybe until the baby is born we do not know.  

So in the middle of this I received a phone call from a Pastor who had been in contact with me about the possibility of becoming their Youth Pastor.  The kicker is everything with this church at the moment is matching up perfectly.  Well other then it will be 1,000 miles from our family still.  But everything else is perfect it is almost too good.  New building, in a place I have always wanted to live, more of a rural setting, Is this from the Lord?  God please make it known to me.  

In addition to all this my mom will be here next Friday and I have so much to get done for the move.  The plan is to send everything back to Missouri but my wife may still be in the Hospital?  This is crazy.  If you got some advice give it.

Sorry for the rambling just needed to say something.

Life, My Thoughts, Uncategorized

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