on moving...

So I've decided to stay where I am.

I didn't feel that the modest financial gain would benefit me being so far from my friends and all that I do.

As a friend commented, all it takes is one or two unplanned trips to Milwaukee to undo everything.

I slept amazingly well last night, which tells me that I made the right call. I wasn't so anxious about my decision that I tossed and turned as I had in previous nights.

Now, who has a broken computer for me to fix? ;)

thoughts from Romans 1:1-17

Some thoughts as I read thru Romans 1 tonight. My thoughts will be in bold, emphasis in italics in the passage is mine.

Romans 1

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit^[a] of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God^[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

In his greeting to the Roman Christians, Paul re-enforces who Christ is, both in his human heritage (v3), and his Heavenly heritage (v4).

7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul's Longing to Visit Rome

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—

When was the last time we were eager to go to church and see other believers?

12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

When was the last time we were encouraged by another's faith?

13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

Paul had a willing and receptive audience in Rome. There were some Christians already there, but for the most part, Rome was ripe for the new idea that the Gospel presented.

16I am not ashamed of the gospel,

Are WE ashamed of the Gospel? Is Jesus an afterthought to our friends and co-workers?

because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,^[c] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."^[d]

^{Salvation for everyone...no matter what he or she has done. No sin too small, or too big, for God to overlook. No sin too small, or too big, for Christ to forgive.}

the cost of living

I've recently been apartment hunting to try to lower my expenses. Mind you, my current apartment runs me $465 a month for my studio, storage in the basement and a parking spot and includes heat and water; factor in electric, total of $500.

Why would I move?

To save money.

My commute to work is 50 round trip, 5 days a week. 250 miles, almost all highway.

My car gets better than 30 miles per gallon, so just on driving to work alone, per month, I spend $133 (figured at $4 a gallon/30 MPG).

I've got a lead on a place in Oconomowoc, 4 miles from work. Eight miles a day round trip. Forty miles a week. $585 a month, heat AND electric included.

So what's the problem?

I currently live 3 miles away from my girlfriend. This is the woman I want to marry. Currently, our schedules only allow us to see each other a couple of times a week, Thursdays for laundry at her folk's house, and a couple of days during the weekend.

Now it's a scheduling issue, but if I move 30 west, it's a logistics issue.

Would I be saving enough money to make it all work out?

aftermath of the weekend

Hope you had a good holiday weekend...here's how mine went:

worked on the 3rd, over to Holly's for dinner, at which she and I decided to go to the fireworks on the lakefront. We tried a new location this year: the South side. The booms were a little late, but otherwise it went well. We were home in 20 minutes after the fireworks done.

For the 4th, picked up my buddy Curtis, and we joined Holly's Dad at the Holz Chevrolet car show. Nine-hundred cars, mostly classic muscle and some antique. We were able to case the grounds in about 2 hours.

Drop off Curtis at his place, then back to my place to pick up the fixin's for taco salad. Make that over at Holly's house for the get together that afternoon. It was a hit :P

Saturday I had a client in the morning, then bummed around my apartment. Went over to a friends house to watch the race from Daytona, then home.

Spent Sunday with Holly, just hanging out. After church, we had lunch at BW3's Mayfair, then listed to the rest of the ballgame at my place. Made a quick custard run, then went for a ride around town. Stopped to see some friends over in Oak Creek, then home to get ready for the work week.

Not entirely interesting, but then, if it was all interesting, how would we appreciate the differences??

waiting vs. anticipating

Holly and I were out for a walk Monday night, and we were talking about things pertaining to our church. I mentioned that I didn't feel like I was waiting for something, but that I am anticipating something.

She asked me to explain the difference.

Waiting....merely passing time until the next event, like at the doctors office; you wait to see the doctor.

Anticipating...expecting something to happen...like Christmas. You don't wait for Christmas, you anticipate it.

I'll be honest, I don't know what I'm anticipating, but I think it's gonna be cool.