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Giving in to the calm

Yesterday was a big day for me.  I decided to finally get baptized.  I have been wrestling over the whole concept for about two years now.  When I told people that I had not been baptized, most would gasp as if i had committed a carnal sin.  How could you be in you vocation and never be baptized?  Do you realy understand the weight of following Christ?  I was even confronted about stepping down from an intern position I held at a church one summer.  I couldn't understand how a simple act of immersion could be so crucial to the decision to follow the way of Christ.  I think I understood in the brief second I was starring at the flicker of the sun on the water's surface.  Baptism is about the moment we stop breathing.

They say that drowning is one of the most painful ways to die.  As your body gives in to the natural tendency to keep water out, the water rushes into your lungs.  At this moment you begin to suffocate.  Your body convulses and pain rips through every appendage.  Your brain shuts down, because of a lack of oxygen, and you pass into the next life in the calm, quiet of water.

Baptism is an act of intentional drowning. It is learning how to quit breathing.  It is a door way into death.

Yesterday, I gave into my theological stances.  I let myself pass into the calm.  I cannot afford to let myself breath any longer.  My hope is that Jesus breathes for me and through me.  I have been spiritually baptized for 8 years now; saved by the grace of the one who is and was and will always be.  I have tried to follow the way of Jesus to the best of my ability.  But yesterday marked a day for me to show to the world, as Jesus did, that I am going into the vocation of loving people.  I welcome the calm and willingly submit my life to it.  Giving the old life to death and start a new chapter closely following the way of Jesus

God vs Google

God vs Google, originally uploaded by dcancel.

Wow... too funny...

Film Festival Results!!!

Nathan Elmore and myself debuted our short film, Visibility, this weekend at the DCF Film Festival.  There was plenty of competition.  Ten films total were submitted.  Brandon Loi's Everyday I Prayed for Katie, walked away with the well earned awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Screen Play, and Best Supporting Actress.  BreitMeichael Productions received awards for Best Comedy and Best Supporting Actor in their film Four The Love.  Hats off to Jon Breitmeier to his stunning role as Dr. Mungolo.  Justin and Erin Scott and Drew Norris won Best Music Video for Robot Cat .  Absolutely fantastic!!!

Visibility was awarded for Best Editor and Best Soundtrack.  Nathan and I were absolutely honored to receive such awards.  Thanks to all those who helped!

6 Different Worlds

I am currently living in 6 different worlds

1. College World - Soon to be ending... Sad but true. I will rejoice however when I am finally through. Two more classes via internet. I will celebrate appropriately when my speech class is over. Please let it come soon!
   
2. Married World - By far my favorite. I have loved this journey toward marriage. Engaged life is what you make of it. Lauren and I have had a lot of fun. Its a whole lot better than dating.
   
3. Church World - I have been working on researching a lighting rig for Grace. Its really awesome, but I hate the distance I have with the church. Its so far way. It will be nice to be back in Snellville working along side of them.
   
4. Teaching World - GET ME OUT OF HERE!!! Not really, but I am anxious to get into my real job. Teaching has been an amazing experience. I honestly could do it for the rest of my life, but its just no what I am made to do. I will miss my cooperating teacher. I will not miss my college's education program. Don't get me started.
   
5. Film World - My first short film will be making its debut next weekend. I am sworn to secrecy to not leak any information... Punctuation is the key to everything. I hope you all can come out next weekend to DCF's Film Festival. I will sure be a great time.
   
6. Home Owner World - I am in the throws of buying a house. There are a lot of 'big boy' stuff I got to be doing. I can't believe I own a house! Wow.
   

Six worlds.. I want half as much. Soon this will be possible, but until then pray for my sanity.

And Here She Is

3074 Cooper Woods Lane

The Misses, soon to be Mrs., and I are quite excited. Just thought I would let you all know!

House Hunting

Probably the most fun part about getting engaged so far has been the house hunt.  Lauren and I have spent countless hours pouring over picture upon picture of houses in the Snellville area.  We have been out three times to look in houses we like.  I wish there was a house that had everything we liked... but only in a perfect world will you find something like that.

It has been an amazing Spring Break.  Just to sit and spend time with Lauren and I doing grown-up things has be fantastic.  I have gotten the chance to hang out with my closest boys and just have fun.  It has been quite relaxing.

Tomorrow its back to the grind.  I am heading to Bishopville later today and I have a boat load of work to do for Monday.  Lauren and her mom are going out to shop tomorrow, so I will be at home writing a persuasive speech that will attempt to get students involved in social justice movements to prevent the use of child soldiers.   Quite exciting....

Hope you all are doing great out there!  Send me an email sometime!

I Got A Job

As many of you may know, I now have a job!!! I know I am super
stoked about it. I am now officially the Arts Director of Midtown
Community Church and Video Director for Grace Fellowship Church.

Tonight, Lauren and I went to Midtown for their gathering. It was so
much fun. The church is in downtown Atlanta @ 10th and State. Its
in a church that was built in the 1910s. The building has been
completely renovated and is home to about 200 college students and
another mix of about 100 of all sorts of people, cultures and
ethnicities. I am excited to get down there an begin investing into
the volunteers. There is so much potential with SCAD and Georgia
State near by.

Grace in Snellville is pretty amazing too. It is the church that
originally planted Midtown. It is about 2,000 large. They are in
the process of adding on to their existing building. The people are
absolutely fantastic!

I'm going to staff meeting on Tuesday where I am going to be
introduced to the rest of the gang. I cannot wait!!!

New Blog URL!!!

Hey guys... I just wanted to let you know that you should unbookmark
this URL and head over to:

www.porchandaltar.com

This is my new page that is much prettier. Now for you Type A
people The links on the side are being update with content. Be
patient it is coming!!!

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