Jon Nungester-Living from the Inside Out

I am reading a book entitled, “This Beautiful Mess.”  It describes the idea that most Christians live with this idea that the kingdom of God is something to be looked forward to and not something that exists in the present.  But, when you look at scripture you see Christ’s words about the kingdom and realize that he was talking about something that is HERE and NOW.  This is not something far off and distant, but something that is close and tangible.  I love wrestling with these types of ideas and I hope that God would stir your heart as well.

So, I have ben really wrapped up in this idea of prayer.  Most of us sit in a chair of complacency when it comes to prayer and our prayers end up being some sort of rehearsed speech that we give.  Should our prayers be more of a conversation that we look forward to the next time we chat?  Should our chats with God ever end?(1 Thess. 5:17)  I would love for my prayers to be like breathing, something that always happens, but without me controlling and forcing it to be what I want it to be.  

So this past weekend I took 8 college students up to Arrowhead for an amazing retreat weekend. The fellowship was incredible, the conversations stimulating, and the RISK games were intense! We had a great time and everyone was safe as we boarded and skied, except for Aaron, but you can ask him about that. HAHA.

So, I survived the holidays.  With the travel and parties and church events, I made it!  Now on to ‘08.  I feel like I am behind already and I am only 2 days into the year!  But, I do have a few resolutions that I have made and hope you have made some as well.1. Lose another 25 pounds.I have plateaued and I can’t seem to drop anymore weight.  However, I ate like crap over the holidays and did not gain a pound!  Rock on increased metabolism!2. Get the garage organized.It is so big and we have so much stuff.  We need to have a garage sale, but who wants to buy a box of two year old paintballs?3. Trust God with my (our) finances.I always seem to get stressed out watching the stock market rise and fall.  I think I might just get out this year.  Not out of panic, but of how much it consumes my thought life and time.  Not spiritually healthy.4. Set aside more time for prayer.Now this is not coming last because it is the least important, but because this is the one I have been thinking about the most and need more space to write about it.  The top three always seem to be on every Americans list, but as a Christian I don’t think we ever create resolutions for our spiritual lives.  Do we look any different spiritually than we did last year?  I think a lot of us don’t, but my goal is to try to spiritually look differently this year.  My prayer life  is something that I have never really paid much attention to.  I have never seen a prayer like Elijah where God sends down fire after he prays so I have been a very unfaithful in my prayer life and have gotten flabby.  I need to begin working those muscles out and working out my salvation (Philippians 2:12).  

So I have figured out the biggest difference between these groups.  Only with MSers can you have a Taco Bell Night where the games include how many soft tacos can you eat in 7 minutes, how many soft tacos can you stuff in your mouth at one time, and who can drink a value pack (including one taco, hot sauce, nachos with sauce, and a Pepsi) that has been blended into oblivion!  These kids had a blast and loved every moment.  Here are some pics: 

I know I haven't posted for a long time now, but I have a good excuse.  I was completing my Masters degree and was up to my eyeballs in papers!!!  I finally graduated May 25th with a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership.  However, now I am back in business and ready for the Summer festivities.

 I plan on posting updates and my wife is updating the pictures of Katie on my site.  Please check back for more updates.

Well, she made it through her first night with very little to report. I did get some sleep and was only up during her feeding time at 1 am.  Amber was up for the 5 am feeding a little early because she woke up around 4:30 to the cries of Katie because Katie had uncovered herself during the night.  I am now sitting with her in my arms as I type this and she is squirming away.  Time for her next feeding…

Today my daughter came home!!  She now weighs 6lbs 3ozs and is eating a ton of formula!  She is getting so big.  We took her on a tour of her new house and she seemed to approve.  We put her in her crib for the first time and within five seconds she had thrown up all over it!!!  I think she is very territorial and was marking her areas. 

Hopefully she will make it through her first night without any crazy issues, the things I have had nightmares about for the last 6 months!