Jarrett Blogs in 2011… WHAT??

News Flash! A blog written by Jarrett!!!

Well, here we are in 2011, and PROUD to bid a fond farewell to 2010!! I thought it might be fun to start the year off with my first ever blog post, if for no other reason than to simply see what the fuss is all about. I hope to do this occasionally, but I gotta be honest… I don’t know that I’ve got all that much to say that would be of interest to anyone. Perhaps I’ll gauge my posts on the number of comments I get... *cough*cough*HINT!*

I do know a few secrets that make some blogs more successful than others. First, blogs with pictures are more likely to get read than those without. So… here’s a picture of an ox:

Second, if you’re not going to have pictures, you’ve GOT to have some deep, meaningful information. My pastor is GREAT at this. Can’t remember ever seeing a picture on his daily blog, but I read it every day.

Third, if your blog post is too long/wordy, it will lose attention. The only exception to this rule is the aforementioned pastor’s blog. So, having said that, let me move on. But not before another picture!

This is a picture of a car I got behind the other day. I thought the bumper sticker was… well, confusing.

OK, so some serious stuff. 2010 really was not a great year for me. I faced trials this year that I never fathomed would find their way into my life and found myself brought to my knees, helpless, powerless, and crying out to God like never before. No need to go into detail as the details are not the amazing part of this story. The amazing part of this story is the redemption and restoration that God has brought in the midst of chaos. I know now, more than ever, that God loves me and my family, and everyday that I’m living and breathing, I am helpless and powerless without him, no matter what.

I don’t want to say ALL of 2010 sucked. The past few weeks have been amazing and God has shown me more about who I am in him than EVER before. As he continues to peel away the pieces of this onion that is my life, I find myself amazed more often than not of how powerful He is. He truly is amazing, and I can do squat without HIM.

Yep, that was an onion…

So, on to 2011!!! I am super pumped to see what God has for me and my family as we move into this new year. My prayer for our family this year is this: That we may be drawn closer to Him everyday, and that he will continue to reveal to me areas of MY life that create a hindrance in my walk with Him.

God, please help me to be the husband, father, spiritual leader of my house and follower of You that You have called me to be. Without You, I am nothing, I will fail, and it will not be pretty. Please remove me when I am tempted to get in the way of Your mighty plan.

Here’s to wishing everyone a wonderful, happy and blessed 2011!!!

Jarrett