Tag Archives: personal

Christian Soapbox, Nathan Dooley

MY DILEMMA

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Sitting here at my office again with a stack of books and gingerbread flavored coffee; I just finished another chapter of the book I’m reading; my goal is to have 6 books read by the end of this month. And without going into detail, it’s not likely I’ll finish, nor that simple, but it’s a good goal to aim for. Although this goal is not something I can take credit for, it was inspired through a friend, mentor, and writing coach; thank you Neizan.

My office happens to be outside this time, same coffee spot, and the weather is perfect for our story although bound to change according to the wind advisory notification prompted earlier from my phone, and a friend telling me their Google Nest reported a typhoon today. That’s alright, a little rain never hurt anyone… 

You might be able to help me solve my dilemma to this overwhelming desire to travel and see the world for a twofold purpose, (1) the pleasure and experience of it, and (2) christian evangelism—not in that order of course.
I think it might be more for the pleasure of it than for evangelism because you and I can reach the world through modern day technology, but let’s go a bit deeper by exploring the psychological element.

… Laura’s awake …

Time to leave the office, but I look forward to writing to you from home, Lord willing.

Christian Soapbox, Nathan Dooley

MY REJUVENATED EXPERIENCE

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It was still dark and the mist dense this morning, but the weather was just right for walking. I felt different, more rejuvenated than usual—considering my schedule. Laura (my wife) fast asleep at home; I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take this time for myself after getting off from the graveyard shift to think on some things. And the things I thought organized into a plan of motivation for this next year, that, and Sunday’s service was brought up in a group text of friends—it was an awesome message over redemption from David Marvin at Watermark Community Church.

Now there is Christmas music in the background as I walk into my “office” (coffee spot) not too far from home with a Christmas tree of ornaments lit up, and several servers behind the counter skeptical of this guy that just walked in wearing all black, black cargo pants and a black panther hoodie as I find my place to sit down and get settled for some study and writing. One server had his eye on me, profiling me, until I looked up at him and waved. I’m a regular, they’ll know me when they actually see me.

There’s a guy reading a book behind me and lady with headphones in her ears rapid typing like her life depended on it to my left, and then there’s me and you, soaking in the environment for a story.

As I meditate on what a story means for people at different places around the world am found a little discouraged by the overwhelming amount of information flooding into my system to try and cope with understanding everything in light of my convictions, it’s not a new experience, but often forgotten until the research reminds me of the world so far outside myself. A world that seems unreachable, which is a false concept because the conviction of my belief in the Holy Spirit assures me of His providential agency that reaches the entire world for the salvation of all who would call on the name of the Lord—Jesus Christ.

What’s comforting is having the readiness to serve where the Spirit leads, and so here we are— well, I think you know what I mean (I’m curious as to where you really are), but reading and writing is such an awesome medium to influence the world with our new lives in Christ, which is so much more than a romance story. It’s every genre story!