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Christianwolfman
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Name: Joel
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Metro: Raleigh
Birthday: 6/11/1975
Gender: Male
Interests: I love my Lord, Jesus Christ; playing volleyball, softball, and pick-up games of basketball; wolves, church related activities, meeting new people, hanging out with my friends and family members, Xbox games and Live, party or socializing games. River Valley Ranch is amazing!!!
My favorite thing is getting to know people on a personal level beyond the surface smiles and insincere greetings...
Expertise: middle school teaching! lol.
Occupation: Education/training
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  Christianwolfman
MSN: Christianwolfman
Yahoo:  Christianwolfman
Member Since:
9/29/2004
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| Check out this video of Izabella throwing me a surprise Name Day party.
In Hungary there is a calendar with all the most popular names assigned
to a particular day of the year. Since we can't always know a person's
birth date but can definitely know his name, you can celebrate their
Name Day like a birthday.
I tend to forget when my Name Day is since I have only had two since
we've been married. Izabella and the Newlyweds class did a great job at
keeping this a secret and surprising me.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDYoMdaMkJk | | |
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Ephesians 5 challenges us to "Be imitators of
God," and Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to "Be imitators of me, as
I am of Christ," but what does this mean in the culture and society in
which we find ourselves currently? Imitation can carry multiple meanings for
those of us who have grown up in the US. We know that to imitate means to copy
or follow someone else's thinking or behavior. We've heard that "Imitation
is the highest form of flattery." And while that sounds positive, we've
demonstrated more often than not how imitating is used for mocking or
disrespect, for example, imitating an authority when their back is facing you
in order to get laughs from the surrounding audience. We have settled for
imitations of the "real thing," because we can't afford the
"name-brand" merchandise. We turn our noses up to some goods and
commodities because they are nothing but cheap imitations.
So, what does it mean to be an imitator of God? How do our
lives reflect this imitation? Are we the type of Christian that actually looks
like a "little Christ" as our name proclaims? Or are we some kind of
cheap copy that causes people to be less impressed by the God we claim to be
following?
I ask because it appears to me that we have reached a point
in our Christian culture where we can't figure out what our lives are supposed
to look like in comparison to the rest of the world. Most would agree that
there is a difference between those who have a relationship with the Lord and
those who don't, but how is that revealed in us?
Some take it to the extreme of legalism while others cross
the line of liberalism. There has to be some kind of middle ground or balance
in between the two. Obviously, Jesus spoke and acts against the blind antics of
the Pharisees and other religious leaders who ignored the heart of the Law, but
at the same time, He spoke quite boldly about a new way of life that involved
living a life worthy of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. How do we
live out the love that accepts sinners as graciously as God yet condemns sin by
the justice demanded by God's holiness?
In an effort to be more appealing to the masses, we avoid
the passages that specifically condemn lists of sinful behavior offering that
the grace of God covers even those things as found in 1 Corinthians 5 and 6 and
in Ephesians 5. We ignore “Be holy for I am holy,” because we think that God
doesn’t really expect us to attain holiness being that we are merely human and
predisposed to make mistakes. We think that holding ourselves and others to a biblical
standard is in some way going to negate the grace that Jesus’ blood provides
for us when we enter into a relationship with Him by causing us to become too
focused on achievement rather than on the mercy and strength that only God can
give.
What happened? What happened to being “in the world but not
of the world?” What happened to holding each other accountable for our
behavior, our words, and our teaching? What happened that has forced us to
become so selective in our actions and speech for fear of offending someone by
reminding them that the Bible calls them to a higher standard?
Ladies and gentlemen, we are called to live like Christ, to
be IMITATORS of Him, not mockers, not abusers of His grace, not cheap replicas.
I fear we are creating more and more “followers of Jesus Christ” who are going
to stand before Him and hear the words of Matthew 7:21-23, which read, “Not
everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but
he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me that day,
‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never
knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
Any thoughts?
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| So, today I actually had what I would call as my "first real ride" on the motorcycle  .
Izabella and I agreed to get one for multiple reasons, but one of the
base reasons being that it would be better on gas than our car and that
I would ride it to work regularly. With that in mind (and being forced
to by the need for Solomon to be neutered), I rode to work and back
today.
The morning started off really foggy. I was kind
of nervous, not really sure how I was going to wipe away the water
droplets that were going to be forming on my face shield as I drove
through the grounded clouds. I thought that taking a washcloth would be
the best option, but little did I know that the air that would be
pounding my body as I drove would also be driving things out of my
pockets to be counted amongst the highway debris without the slightest
notice. 
About half way through the journey, I felt the muscles in my legs,
back, and hands telling me that driving this motorcycle is going to be
more than a simple means of transportation, but will also add some
toning to those areas of my body (if not toning at least some
exercise)! About 3/4 of the way to work, the motorcycle engine cut off
and forced me to leave I-85 (on which I had been traveling fast enough
to keep up with traffic). I did not panic, though, because I had taken
the Riders Safety Class and Terry (a salesman at Kawasaki-Suzuki of
Durham) had explained the intricacies of the bike to me. I switched the
gas tank to the reserve position and was able to quickly make it to a
gas station then on to work.
I considered the journey a success
and after praising God at every "milestone" along the way, I felt quite
confident that I could do this daily. 
The
return home was less eventful, since the sun had removed the fog and
the tank was full. There was, however, a LOT more traffic on the road
and all the 18-wheelers that had still been asleep in the morning were
wide awake then. None of them (nor any drivers of smaller vehicles)
tried to push me off the road or run me over or anything of the sort.
In light of all this, I am reminded of a book I am currently working through with a friend of mine. It is The Discipline of Grace
by Jerry Bridges. Just as I took this journey today trusting more in
God protection and provisions than in my ability to drive this
motorcycle, we are to trust God as we live our Christian lives or take
our spiritual journeys. I could have chosen to take an alternate form
of transportation because of the threat of fog or sleepy drivers or
darkness, but instead I new that it had to be done, I made the decision
to go, and trusted God to carry me all the way. Fortunately for me, God
allowed me to make it there and back safely, and I will trust Him to do
it again in the future.
(Now some people are thinking, well,
what if one day you don't make it home safely? What if God doesn't
protect you or provide you with safe travel? Well, then I am trusting
that God knows what He is doing and has a plan for that situation, too.
In ALL things, God is in control; it's just a matter of me
relinquishing my desire to control and submitting myself to His
lordship.)
Another lesson I glean from my motorcycle concerns
acceptance of salvation. Buying the bike was like accepting Christ.
First, I listened to what my friends and family members had to say
about their bike experiences. Then, I took the Motorcycle Safety Class
to learn more about the basics of riding a bike. Finally, I bought one
and became a biker.
When we accept Christ, we first listen to
someone who has had an experience with the Savior (pastor, friend,
evangelist, co-worker, etc.). If that isn't enough then maybe we look
more into it, because we don't want to just do it because everyone else
is. Finally, we make the commitment and give our lives to the Lord,
fully accepting the gift of salvation and making it our own.
Now
what do we do with it? Well, what would you think if I bought this
motorcycle and never rode it? Or maybe I only rode it one or twice a
week to a friend's house and back. Or I could even have been really
excited at first and rode it a time or two, then something caused me to
park it and leave it under a cover most of the time. You'd think that I
just wasted a bunch of money that I could have used somewhere else on
something else and that I am a big chicken because I am too afraid to
actually ride it.
Well, what do we do with our Christianity? Too
many of us get "saved" simply to escape the threat of an eternal Hell
and never do anything for Christ with the rest of our lives. Or we only
apply our Christianity when we are at church or going to hang out with
our Christian friends or attending some Christian gathering. We could
have even really been super excited at first, but that excitement died
once we realized that life wasn't a bed of roses just because we
accepted Christ. What do you think of people who call themselves
Christians but don't really live it, because it's too complicated or
too challenging or too demanding?
In the book we are reading,
Jerry Bridges says that one of the biggest problems for Christians is
that once we get saved, we no longer apply the Gospel to
ourselves. It becomes something for unbelievers, rather than something
that continually reminds us of our relationship with God and our need
of a Savior. It should remind us daily of the Father's love and of the
Son's sacrifice that paid the way for all of us to come to Him. Bridges
claims that many Christians become like the Pharisees, forgetting that
they are human just like everyone else and that they, too, came from
sin. Other Christians life lives of regret or guilt, because they
forget that the blood that was paid for them covers ALL their sins. I
think he's right. We need to remember that the Gospel is for EVERYONE
and that itl still has power... even to those who are already redeemed!
So,
grab the handle bars, get on that seat, rev that engine, and get going
on this journey, but don't get too cocky or become too fearful,
otherwise you may not get much farther than your driveway. Jesus' blood
was shed for you. Accept the gift and live the life that God has promised you! 
PS. To see the bike, click Bike Pics!!! | | |
| OK, well, I was reminded today by Izabella's sister-in-law that it has
been a really long time since either of us have blogged anything. I
guess I just overlooked it because so much has been going on since we
got back from the Ranch. We are absolutely exhausted by the constant
activity that life seems to offer us!  But here goes:
The Ranch 2007:
Izabella
and I had another great year at the Ranch, although I have to confess
that it was probably our most challenging. First of all, Izabella was
in a time-consuming position that she took very seriously. You know how
she is... if she's going to do it, she is going to do it 110%! As busy
as it kept her, though, she was thoroughly blessed by the ministry
opportunities that God gave her with crew chiefs, workers, and friends
that we have there.
My job seemed a little more difficult this
year, because my staff was so diverse. Diversity is definitely a
blessing, though, and God allowed us all to see the wonderful gift it
is to miinister with people who are so different from us. Children were
introduced to the Lord and lives were changed; God is still on His
throne and counselors grew in their maturity and understanding of the
body of Christ. I'd say that effective ministry and evangelism was done
this summer.
We came home with a new family member. A miniature
schnauzer named Solomon. We got him because we knew that Gracen would
need a companion since he wouldn't be coming to work with us at all
this year. So far it has been a good pairing. They are wrestling in the
living room as I sit and type this! 
Arriving home:
We
got home on August 11, and we had to be back at our schools in the next
few days. I actually missed new teacher orientation at my school,
because we weren't finished at the Ranch yet. Teacher work days started
on August 13 for me and August 14 for Iza. So, since those days, our
lives have been full of lesson plans, papers to grade, preparing
science labs, scheduling our calendars to accomodate activities at both
schools, etc. Not to mention that my school (Crossroads Christian
School of Henderson, NC) is about 45 minutes from home!!! Izabella gets
to work at roughly 6:30 every morning and gets picked up around 4:15.
Fortunately for us, her school is on the way to mine.
After our
first week of teaching, we left Durham and flew to Florida to spend a
day with my counsins at the beach in Sandestin. We had a blast that
Saturday! Got there around 10 AM, took a van to the hotel, changed
clothes and stayed on the beach (actually in the Gulf) all day. I got a
wisked tan (or burn) and had a great time just hanging out with my
cousins and their families and my sister and her boyfriend. We had a
lot of drama coming back on Sunday, though, that won't ever be a
highlight but will be a funny memory for years to come. Long story
short, we booked a wrong flight home so ended up having to rent a car
to make the 12-hour drive, but only took $40 with us because of a
miscalculation in the receipt of my paycheck at my new school. 
So, my generous family members willingly gave us a hand! (Thank yall
again.) But as unfortunate as that was, the weekend was not a bust by
far!
So, we got home, taught a week, and headed out with
several high school students from my school to a place called Summit
Lake where we had a "bonding retreat" for students and teachers. It was
a lot of fun. I got to know several of the students better, and
everyone got to meet and get to know Izabella. The spiritual teaching
and songs of worship were really good, too. I just hope the students
allowed their hearts and minds to be touched and changed by what they
heard.
Now it is the Sunday before our 4th week of teaching. We
still need to write lesson plans. I still need to grade papers. But I
am about to go to church to help with the Jr High Youth Ministry. So, I
better finish this blog. So, needless to say, we still have not
adjusted to being home. That adjustment will hopefully come soon,
though, because we are tired of being tired! Know what I mean?
Just random information:
I
have been given the wonderful opportunity to mentor one of the guys
from my D-group last semester. He is really serious about growing in
his knowledge of the Lord and wants the accountability and fellowship
that mentoring would bring. I am excited and honored to be asked to
participate in such a glorious thing! Pray for me and Brooks as we
embark on this journey together.
We are looking into getting a
second vehicle. With our school schedules being different now, it would
be nice to have the freedom to stay or leave work whenever we need to.
I
have my eyes on a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT (for those who don't know,
it's a motorcycle). I am even taking a motorcycle safety course this
coming weekend so that I can ensure Izabella that I am capable to
managing whatever comes my way! lol.
If I haven't called you in
a while, it's because I accidently broke my last cell phone. I kept it
for a long time hoping I could retrieve the numbers, but was never able
to do so. Now I have a new phone, but have lost all most of my numbers.
Give me a call or email me or something so that I can get your number
back in my phone.
Aight, well, there you have it. It is a quick
update of what has been going on with us. Let me know what's going on
with you! Hope to hear from, talk to, or see you soon!
Love and prayers,
Joel
(To see pics from recent life...)
http://sebts.facebook.com/photos.php?id=176300002
PS. Did I mention that I graduated from seminary before we left the Ranch? I couldn't remember... | | |
| Hey! Guess what?!! It is that time of year again. Izabella and I are leaving for the Ranch,
Saturday, June 2 (I guess that means later this morning). We will be
gone until August 12, roughly. Please pray for us as we will be serving
God as camp directors again. I will be directing Fort Roller, and
Izabella is the program director for the volunteer staff. I get to work
with kids between the ages of 7-12, and she works with teenagers from
13-17. So, you could say we are trading spaces for the summer, since I
teach middle school and she teaches kindergarten.
We're asking people to pray the following:
1. God will be glorified through everything that takes place this summer.
2. Campers and workers will experience the love of Christ and be drawn into a deeper relationship with Him.
3. Counselors and staff will stay motivated to do ministry, remembering that they are working for the Lord and Him alone.
4. Energy, strength, wisdom, and self-discipline for everyone as we will need all this in order to grow and be used this summer.
Thank
you so much for your love and friendship. I hope to hear from you soon.
Check back from time to time for camp updates! I will do my best to
keep you informed about what God is doing throughout the summer.
Love and prayers,
Joel Mac
PS. You can reach us by email or cell phone or send mail to:
River Valley Ranch
Joel (or Izabella) McMillon
4443 Grave Run Road
Manchester, MD 21102
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