February 23, 2011
I have always had a great love for good Texas, smoked BBQ.. my mouth salivates thinking of it.. I am exploring introducing more Indiana Hoosiers to the great taste and texture of TEXAS BBQ, the real way 
I would LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK… catering weddings, family reunions, events, etc.
It is not right away but check out this rig - Can feed 2,000 people.. That is a lot of space to smoke some meat!
Any ideas? (more…)
February 20, 2011
“The future is where joy awaits to be discovered and happiness will sneak up and surprise you.”
“Change comes through two realities: Pain and unconditional love…”
“There are two kinds of people..those who see what exists and how to fit into that and those who see what does not exist and create new opportunity, structures, and possibilities..”
“My children INSPIRE me and God SUSTAINS me…” (more…)
February 19, 2011
Thanks Brent Beasley (old Baylor friend) pastoring Broadway Church in Ft. Worth, TX… who sent this to me and spoke in a direction towards authentic life/faith..
Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo.
“Beneath all this talk of tragedy and grace, I have come to believe that we are destined to be opened by the living of our days, and whether we like it or not, whether we choose to participate or not, we will, in time, every one of us, wear the deeper part of who we are as a new skin. Either by erosion from without or by shedding from within– and often by both– we are forced to live more authentically. (more…)
February 18, 2011
Thanks to a friend who sent this to me and really spoke to me in my life now. In my desire to be led by the Spirit and also the great need to make decisions and take initiative…there is a fine line in the small decisions and big decisions that face all of us….i desire for the initiative i take be inspired by God…
“Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard-just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired.
We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, (more…)
February 14, 2011
ALL FOR YOU
February 13,2011
Eternal Light
Consuming Fire
may you beam and burn that i may glow.
Chasing Wind
Flowing Water
may you blow and wash that I may know.
refine. radiate. reduce.
replenish.
all for you. all for you. (more…)
February 12, 2011
Many of you conacted me about wanting to stay in touch for this season of hardship and unknown.
Here is my contact info:
joelkvestal(at)gmail(dot)com
You can write me at
Joel Vestal
P.O. Box 30011
Indianapolis, IN 46230
February 5, 2011
I was recently walking with a friend in Texas who is a farmer sharing about the changes in my life and he had some good insight, “Most people spend the first part of their lives building the containers of our lives and then spend the rest of our lives trying to figure our the contents that we have put inside the containers we have created.”
As my containers shift, change, and dissolve, God is at work to move me to the place He wants me to be with Himself, with others, and myself. This container could mean a myriad of things but could be narrowed down to family, vocation, and friendships. For me, at nearly 39 years old, the container that has been familiar has changed in amazingly drastic ways, some by circumstances around me and by choices that have been made.
2010 has been a year of death in so many ways (not literally but figuratively).
It has been a cold, dark year for my soul and family. This New Year continues to be a year filled with deep pain like I have never experienced. J R. Tolkien wrote, “Not all who wander are lost.”
I am wandering somewhere on a new journey, yet feel lost at the same time. Not in the “salvation” sense of being lost but lost in purpose, identity, and future. (more…)
February 1, 2011
I have shaved my head for the first time in 2003 while living in south Asia (photo on left)….In eastern cultures, someone shaves their head as a sign of mourning (photo in center) - When I shaved my head and surprised Zayd who was 8 months at the time his face of confusion was priceless - As I walked around the streets, I was asked, “Who died?”
I have shaved my head many times since then, most of the time for no reason and I just liked the change…. I have currently had my head shaved since October 2010 as a real symbol of grief / mourning / reminders of the growth that will come… (photo on far right). Grieving over many things in my life that have changed in my life and the losses that have occurred…I know there are stages of grief and I am reading about them now. Understanding grief is nothing to fear. It is very hard and painful but a reality of life. If you have not experienced grief in your life, just keep on living. I do not know who developed the phrase, “When it rains…it pours” But that has been a reality for me. There is much of the Bible on mourning and the book of Lamentations camps on this a great deal. Many grieved over “LOSS” through the centuries - Loss may not be as evident as mine has (or public or visible) but think about this:
- Loss of a dream you once had?
- Loss of a friendship?
- Loss of a vocational desire or goal?
- Loss of what you think your life was going to look like?
- Loss of EXPECTATIONS in relationships or career?
FROM A HINDU WRITER ABOUT THE SHAVING OF THE HEAD DURING MOURNING.. (more…)
