For to me, to Live is Christ

I’m sitting here with friends, it is Christmas morning the gifts have been opened the coffee has been poured and the egg casserole was good. But still in me there is loneliness. I know that I am loved in this place, but for some reason I feel alone and that loneliness has been growing the past several months, even as I read the word of God I still feel alone. I now must face my deepest fear, the fear that even though I am loved, this love my not be enough to comfort the pain of my heart. I now understand what Paul meant when he wrote in the book of Philippians 1:21-23 (For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.) You see there is no one or no thing that can replace my desire to see Him, my God, my Savior, my Lord. After many attempts to find someone or something to fill the void in my heart, I have come to understand that no one or no thing can do it, that the void can only be filled by the one who made me. It is God alone that can make me whole. I love this life only but I now know that one day I will see Him (Jesus Christ) and only then will I have the peace and joy that I so desperately seek. Yes this Christmas morning I have come to understand that I not only need a savior, but I want to be with him. I am only in this world to tell others of what he has done, to share with them His great love, and to encouraged them to turn to Him. I am not here to love the world more then Him and with that I now can say as Paul “what than shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” But for now my heart also feels God has much to do with me here. Both to work on my own self, which there is so much too work on and to encourage all of you all to do the same. So that we will complete what he has for us here, for His glory and our betterment.

AWE

There are few words in the English language that can make one stop and think of something or someone bigger than ourselves. But the word "awe" is one such word. Just think about it, when was the last time your were in awe? Was it a star filled night, your first glance of the Grand Canon, the birth of your own child, lighting flashing, or an eagle flying. Yes when you think about it, it is always something out side of your self. We are never in "awe" of ourselves, I believe this is true so that we take our eyes off of ourselves long enough to see the greatness of the God who created all that bring us to a point of awe. For me the story of the birth of a baby, two thousand years ago, a guiding star, three kings, angles singing, and an angel announcement (I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people) is an awe moment. There is nothing in me that gets why a good God would come to save me. Why he would come as a child, be born in a manger, not in a palace, live a a sinless life die on a cross for me. I'm am taken back every time I think of the story, and I'm in awe of what God has done for me. There are few things that can bring one to a point of awe, but it is most sad when the one thing that should does not. God is always worthy of Awe because of who he is and what he has done for us.

Revelation of Love

Love lights the darkness
And casts out all fear
Here in this present darkness
Perfect love is near

But how can I find it?
How can I see this love that sets me free
How can I find God
Or when will He find me?

A revelation of love is what my heart needs
A fresh break through the lull of my complacency
Just to be amazed by the Babe who came to bring restoration
God open my eyes to see and receive love's revelation

Love invites repentance
In the light of His grace
True love brings the Kingdom
True love is God's face

But how can we find it?
How can we see this love that sets us free?
How can we find God?
When can we see our King?

A revelation of love is what our hearts need
A fresh break through the lull of our complacency
Just to be amazed by the Babe who came to bring restoration
God open our eyes to see and receive love's revelation

When the blood and the cross and a zeal for the lost
Cannot bring us to our knees
God break our hearts once more
With the story of a baby King

A revelation of love is what this world needs
A fresh break through the lull of our complacency
Just to be amazed by the babe who came to bring restoration
God open our eyes to see and receive love's revelation

God open our eyes to see and receive love's revelation

Song by Jeff Polen check out his Music at Polenband.com of Jeffpolen.com

Thanks

If there is one thing I am convinced of, it is the fact that I have much to be thankful for. The other day I had the opportunity to speak at a recovery home. Each person there is a recovering addict and I realize that they are really not much different than me. The biggest difference is that God protected me from being in the same place they are now. Coming from a family that had many drug and alcohol problem, I was not immune to the same factors that many of them had faced, and was only one choice away from a life of drugs and/or alcohol. So as I sat there and shared my heart with each of them, I was also thanking God for His mercy in my own life. I am not saying that I have not failed in other areas of my life. I have, but God is working and restoring even those. It was also a reminder to me that if it were not for God, and a continual trust and reliance on Him, my life could be that of drugs, alcohol, or even sexual addictions. So I am thankful not only for what God has done in my life, but also for what He is doing, and what He will continue to do. So yes, I have so much to be thankful for, and I told each one at the recovery home, that they have much to be thankful for as well. For they each have the opportunity to allow God to be the restorer of their lives. Many of them are well on the way and it will be awesome to see how God will use them. Others are still caught in the lie, that they cannot change, but with God I know all things are possible. So I am thankful that the God who has saved me, and is restoring my life, is able to do the same to all that will seek His face. I give you all the Glory and I am forever thankful to you the God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Cross

Have you ever notice as you driving or riding in a car, how often you see a Cross. I live in a small town in Ohio and often as I'm driving the country roads I notice the Cross. It may be on a billboard, out in the middle of a field, painted on a barn, on top a hill with light around it to illuminate it at night, or standing tall on a church steeple. But one thing is sure the Cross is everywhere. Like it or not it has become a symbol of America. As I read scripture I also see the Cross, but there is a difference. The Cross of the bible is not just a symbol, it is by Jesus death on the Cross that we have victory over death. In Colossians 2:13-15 it states
(When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the Cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the Cross.) So although the Cross often times is very visible in our culture, it is the power of the Cross that is missing. For the Cross was never meant to be just a symbol, but it was to show us the Savior and turn us to Him. For without the death and blood of Jesus Christ the Cross has no power to save. So don't just look at the Cross, remember why we have it. God use the Cross to save those who would turn to him, by giving his Son Jesus Christ as a payment for our sins. So the next time you see the Cross, stop and take time to thank God for the Cross.

One Life Taken One Life Spared

The past week has been a difficult one as we at Off The Wall Ministry were reminded how quickly A life can be lost, while on the other hand how gracious our God is in protecting another life. In the span of a day we found out a dear friend, a young man 19 years old was involved in a car accident. The car was traveling at 70 mph and it struck a telephone pole, he walked away unharmed. The young man was very shaken but his life was protected. Less than 24 hours later we received the news that another young man that many in our ministry knew was involved in a single car accident, he however did not walk away. As I sat there I asked myself why one life was taken and one was spared. Both young men knew the Lord as their savior, and for the most part we would say were good young men. So why would God make such a decision, was one family more important than the other, was one young man of more value than the other, or was one situations more out of control than the other. As I thought through the questions, the only answer i could find is that God does what God does. It is not that one is better than the other, our of more value than the other. It is only that God give and takes life as he sees fit, and for his glory and our betterment. One young man is now in the present of his savior, while the other has the chance to share the story of his Gods grace over his life. One young man will never have to suffer again, while one young man must continue to fight the good fight of faith for his Lord and his God. Why God did it this way I do not know, but I know that in both cases God was good and gracious. Now some may say,how is death ever good or gracious. I want you to know that I never said that death was good or gracious, I said God is good and gracious even in death or in life. And we as His children must always remember that. We should grieve with the family that suffer lost, and rejoice with the family that was spared. But through it all we must know that God will be God and that he is always good and gracious even when we don't understand.

God Will Be God

Well Its been awhile since I wrote, life has been busy and God has been teaching me much. I am often taken back by the lessons that i constantly forget. But thank God that he is willing to teach me all over again. One of those lessons is that no matter how hard life is, how unfair life may seem, how life might not workout how you want, God is still God, and God is still good. You see, God does not have too make life good as we perceive good, he does not need our permission and he will not ask for it,He will always be God and he does what he pleases. But for those who have given their lives to Him, he always is working for their good, even when they can't see it. Another lesson I have been reminded of it that blaming God for all the issues that I or we create will not change how he deals with us. Our sins has consequences God is not obligated to make everything right, he often times allowes the consequences to teach us something that we need to learn, the question is are we willing to learn? Yes the more I think about it I am thankful that no matter waht happens that God will always be God. It is upon that truth that we can put our full trust in Him always.Thanks you for being a God worhty of all our trust.

Have Faith in God

As I sit here at KALADI BROTHERS COFFEE, in Anchorage Alaska looking at the mountains and reading the bible, I’m overwhelmed by the presence of my Savior. I know in my heart how sinful I am, yet I also know how much I want to be more like Jesus. These are the times that I wish would never end, times when I just sit with My Savior and I crave more of Him. I want to be done with this life of sin, of pain, of sorrow, and lost. I want the God of the universe to come and bring peace, and hope, and contentment. I want my friends to all know the saving power of my Savior, and to fall at His feet and worship Him. I want all I know to put their FAITH IN GOD so that they can enjoy Him forever. Today my prayer is that my God and my Savior would move in the hearts of many; bringing them to faith in Him. I pray for those I know and love, that they would bow to the God of the universe and fellowship with Him, coming to understand His love for them and His desire make them whole. My savior and my God I have faith in you and you alone, would you move today and change the lives of many who do not know you by bring them to faith in you. Would you also work in the hearts of those who have placed their faith in you, but today feel far from you? Touch their hearts. Also move in my family and my friends, causing them to have faith in you God.
You’re Bondservant
Don

The Fog of Unbelief

There May be no great weapon, that can be used against the people of God than unbelief. In Matthew 9:24 Jesus is talking to the father of a young boy that had an evil spirit in him,” Jesus asked the boy’s father how long has he been like this? From childhood, he answers. It has often thrown him into the fire or water to kill him, but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us, if you can? Said Jesus, everything is possible for him who believes. Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, I do believe help me overcome my unbelief! I think about that, he was a father fighting for the life of his Son and the God of the universe was standing right there and he still doubted. Often times Jesus says the same thing to us, “If I Can” Our problem is that we don’t get it there is nothing impossible for the God who made everything. I can see it Jesus standing there and looking at the man saying if I can, do you know who I am that when I speak the worlds came into existence. We I speak that storms are stilled, the dead are raised, the death hear, the lame walk and the lost are saved. So If I can is not the question, the question is do you believe. How can it be that we trust so much in ourselves, but so little in that God that made us and gave his life for us because he loves us. So when you feel like giving up on your faith in God, or wondering If you can trust in God, stop take a moment and ask yourself this what could be too difficult for the God who holds the worlds in his hand.So just as the father of the young boy did we should exclaimed I do believe help my unbelief.

Shower

This morning a friend of mine sent me pictures from a slum in Africa, as I looked at the pictures I was taken aback by the conditions, in which some people have to live in. There were so many questions that flooded my mind. Why do we allow people to live like this? How can they carry on? And why does God not intervene? My heart was broken for those people and then I realized that God has worked in my heart through the pictures. He caused me to see people how He sees them. I want to go and do something, to do anything to make a difference. Later as I was standing in the shower I just thanked God for the ability to take a shower. I know that many in the world don’t even have clean water to drink, and here I am clean water running over me and God reminded that He cares for those in the slums of Africa. He reminded me that one day He would make everything right. He reminded me that He is a God that sees and hears the cries of all those that are suffering. As I stood there he also reminded me that he has given us the duty to care for the poor, and to take the message of hope to the lost. I don’t know how, but God used pictures to speak to my heart and to challenge me to not forget those that the world has forgotten. So this morning I am thankful to God for a shower, I am thankful that for me God has seen fit to allow me to enjoy hot water running over me. I’m also thankful that God did not just allow me this morning to take for granted this gift, this shower, this feeling of enjoyment. This morning God used my time in the shower, to speak to me, to hopefully change and to give me a heart like His. So yes, I am thankful for a Shower.

Reference Point

Dennis Kin law in his devotional book (this day with the master) states
“Contrary to much modern thought, the key to self is not in the self. Without an external point of reference point of reference that will not move, we simply wander and lose our touch with reality”

I am taken back by the time in my own life that I have lost touch with reality. I have made life all about me, what I want and what I deserve. I convince myself of how important I am and my own point of reference becomes myself. The problem with my reality is this, when life becomes too much for me to take, when I can’t win the battles that war inside of me, when my own self caves into the pressures of life where can I turn when I am not enough? If my reference point is internal, when I’m defeated there is then no hope for me. So to have a point of reference that is outside of myself, and strong enough to do that which I cannot, becomes of the utter most importance. If I cannot save myself then logic tells me I am in need of a savior. This is the truth that so many have rejected, they know in their hearts that they are not able to rescue themselves, but are unwilling to turn to the only true God who can do what they cannot. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. “ So if we were dead we needed someone to make us alive, someone to save us, and that is what God did for us. In Ephesians 2:4&5 the Bible states But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ. The reference point is God for he alone has the power to make those who are dead alive. He has given us the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ, and by doing so we choose life. We come to understand that this Jesus is the only reality that can save us from ourselves. So take a moment look to Jesus and ask him to save you, you will find at that moment you have life everlasting.

Thanks for the Bread

Dear Friend,
I’m writing to say thanks. I wish I could thank you personally, but I don’t know where you are. I wish I could call you, but I don’t know your name. If I knew your appearance, I’d look for you, but your face is fuzzy in my memory. But I’ll never forget what you did. If you’ve ever read Max Lucado’s book, In The Eye Of The Storm, you can recall the story.
A young man was working in a Texas oil field where on a hot day, one of the bosses came out to a group of rough men. Right there he invited them to a church meeting, believing against all odds that not one of them would come. They may laugh at him or make fun of him. But what he did not know, is that his courage and his love for God would later help a young man who was deciding if he could come back to the faith of his youth.
That’s the wonder of our lives, we may never see what good we do when we listen to God’s leading, but our obedience can and might become the bread of life for someone else. I can recall in my own life how others, without them even knowing it, have given me the courage, the desire, the hope to continue on when l wanted to give up. I’m not sure where I would be if not for those who have been a friend to me and have loved me, through their actions and kind words. Just think, when was the last time you invited a person that has no interest in God or the Bible out to your church, or Bible study. I know what you’re thinking. They don’t care about God. Well, that may be true now, but what happens when they are all alone and they are looking for a place to turn, they are asking if there is a God, or can God love a person like them. It might be at that moment that God speaks to them and they remember what you did or said, and because of your action and your words, they give God a chance.
You see, God will meet them in that place and change their heart. I love when Jesus said in the Bible, “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”. All we have to do is give people THE BREAD OF LIFE. He will do the rest. So today let your words and your actions point people to JESUS, and you may one day receive a card, a note, or a letter that starts with Thanks for the BREAD.

A Heart of Discernment

One of the things I have noticed in life, is that life is hard. There are so many things that can happen in just a day, and somehow we have to deal with all of them. If we aren’t careful, we will start to focus on the issues of life and stop living life, and that is an unfulfilling way to live life. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that issues in life aren’t important, and we should just blow them off. What I’m saying is that they cannot be the central focus of one’s life. When the storms of life come and the everyday worries are standing right in front of you, what are we to do? How can we deal with the issues, while still keeping them as a subplot to our lives and not the center of it? I believe we can find the answer in the story of King Solomon (you can find the story in the book of First Kings chapter three.) After his father David died, the Lord spoke to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Now I know what you’re thinking, he could ask for money, or long life, or power, or so many other things but he did not. What Solomon said was:
“7Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
Now, I don’t know if you got it or not, but what I get from Solomon’s request was that there are so many issues he has to deal with, and if he doesn’t have a heart of wisdom to guide him, the issues will overwhelm him and that’s not the life he wants to live. So he asked God to give him a discerning heart to deal with the problems that he would face, so that he can continue to keep God first in his life and in turn have a full life. We so often let the problems of life take all of our focus and energy so that there is no time for life itself. We should ask God for a heart of wisdom so that we can deal with life in such a way that allows us to live in the way we were created to live. I’m not sure if God will bless us with the blessing that He gave Solomon, but He will bless us with a life that pleases Him, and after all, that’s what life is all about.

Exhale

Have you ever had the sense that your life is moving so quickly, and no matter what you do, you just can't seem to get it together? As a Christian, those are some of the most difficult times. You know in your head all the right things to do, the right verses to say, and the right prayers to pray. But nothing seems to help. Its as if you can't catch your breath and you just fight to survive. So what is God doing during those times? Does He see your pain or heartache? Does He feel your loneliness? Where could God be when the storms of life have you overwhelmed? If you have ever asked that question, there are many who asked that question before you and the answer is still the same. God is right beside you. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:20 " And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Now, you would think that the disciples should have known this truth, since this was the last thing Jesus told them before He was taken from them. As for you and I, we need to remind ourselves of the same words. Yes we will get tried and at times feel alone, but our God has made us a promise that He is faithful to always be there for those who love Him and have accepted Him as Lord. So when you go through these times of loneliness and doubt, take a moment and Exhale and remember the words of Jesus. I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

God with A face

As i sat in biblical training the other day, pastor Larry said that our God has a face. I thought about that, so many others religions talk about god, but there god does not have a face. In Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 it says (He is the image of the invisible God.),this verse is talking about Jesus. In others words God with a face, I love it,that when God wanted us to know what he was like, he did not just tell us, but he God put on humanity and gave us a face. You see God wanted us to know him. I often wound what people of other faiths think about their God, I wounder if they wounder what he looks like, how he would interact with them. If he would laugh, or cry. Would he be kind and patience, would he take the time to talk with them and walk with them. But that whats my God did. He became man so that I could see him, I could know him. I am so thankful that my God has a face, Jesus even said it If you have seen me you have seen the father. God thank you for send Jesus so we can know what you are like and how much you love us. Thanks for giving us a face.

That Which Cost Me Nothing

When I look at my own life, I’m shocked to see how often I offer God my left-over’s, and not my very best. If I really believe that God is who he says He is, then why would I not offer the King of the Universe everything? If God has given me the gift of eternal life and fellowship with Him, why is it so hard to give my all to Him? I have come to a true revelation about myself, left to myself I am a self-centered, me focus person that cares more about myself, than God or others. I also realized that I am quick to give that which me nothing, but to give something of value well that a much more difficult thing. I also realized that God want and demands of me so much more. If I am to call myself a Disciple of JESUS CHRIST, than I must give up everything to follow Him. Not that God is going to ask me to become poor, or to sell everything I have for Him, more than likely He will not. But the question is If God would call me to do the truly radical, would I? Would I give to the God of the universe that which I hold most dear, would I offer to Him myself? I am a long way for that type of obedience and devotion, but that has become my goal. To become one that would offer that which is precious to me, to the one who loves me and has saved me. In 2nd Samuel chapter 24 verse 24 King David said “No I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” I think David understood that which so many have forgotten, when come to give to The one and only true God, we must be willing to give our very best , to give of that which we hold on to so tightly. We should not want to give to God that which is of no value to us and that which has cost us nothing.

Needing More

Today has been one of those days, there is nothing really wrong but for some reason I don't feel very close to God. Its one of those days when I want nothing more than to feel God near, to know that I am a friend of God. But the feeling they don't come. And I often wonder how I got here. Lately I have had many victories over sin, I have spent much time in God's word and I have really focus on Jesus Christ. So why do I feel so far form Him. I think that God is telling me that I must desire Him even more, to spend more time with him. I think that God is saying to me that he is jealous for my time, not in a negative way but in a loving way. He wants to grow our relationship, but it will require much work, quality time together. I must place the first most important on Him. I will need to be devoted to Him and become a serious student of His word so I can know Him better. I have come to realize that this feeling of distant is nothing more than me falling in love with my God and I desire more and more time with Him, talking with Him. I need to make God the center of my life, for I desire a depth of intimacy that only happens when you spend vast amount of time with the one you love. So today I have came to a place of longing for more of God

Meditation

The french writer Jacques Reda had a peculiar habit. He used to walk the streets of Paris with the intention of seeing one thing new each day. It was the way he renewed his love for the city. In his book Primal Mark Batterson states Our love for God grow as we discover new dimensions of His personality, and His personality is primarily revealed in the pages of scripture. So when is the last time you read the bible looking to see God anew. Well that's why meditation is so important. Meditation is defined as (continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation.) As Mark Batterson put it " Here's the secret: you can't just read the Bible you have to meditate on it. Reading gives breadth to our understanding, but meditation gives depth." We need to think about what we are reading, put ourselves into the story, really look at the people we are reading about. Look at the scene, the setting,become a active observer. Its when you read God's word in this way, it becomes alive to us, we start to see things we have not seen before. We don't just read the stories, they become alive to us, they become real to us. And we start to see that our God is very involved in the lives of those we read about, and we understand that He is involved in our lives as well. We see Him anew and we fall in love with Him all over again. So today take time to slow down, and meditate on the God of the universe, you will be amazed at what you will find.

Epiphany

Often time in life there are things that confound me and then all the sudden the meaning is made clear, its like a light goes on in my head. I'm not sure how or why this happens but I know it does. Lately as I read the Bible Epiphanies have become common place. It seems that no matter what the story is that I'm reading,I see or understand something I have not seen or understood before. Its like a a child discovering things for the first time, it has been one of the most exciting times in my Life. I have seen God and his love in ways I have never seen before. I have come to understand how much Jesus want me to know Him, and how much he will reveal Himself to us when we seek Him with our whole heart.Just like it says,In Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,declares the Lord. The word Epiphany is defined as = (a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.)I believe that God loves to bring insight and perception into our reality, He bring clarity to Life and showa us what we could not see or know without Him. I am sure that many believe that they have Life all figured out, our culture tells us that we need nothing others than our selves, but I am more convinced then ever that there is a God that is greater than what we can see and touch and know with our eyes, our hands and our minds. There is a God that steps into our limited reality and shows us a reality that is to come, and tells us how we can spend eternity with Him. I am thankful that the God of the universe cares enough to intervene into my life and brings clarity to all of the craziness of this world and gives me hope of better things to come.

A Little Bit Of Jesus

In his book Forgotten God, Francis Chan states," When people give their lives to God in exchange for a ticket out of hell, there is often no Turing or change of direction, which is the definition of repentance. If all you want is a little Jesus to "spiritualize" your life, a little extra God to keep you out of hell, you are missing out on the fullness of life you were created for." As I sit and think back to why I give my life to follow Jesus, I think I belonged into this category. Yes hell was somewhere that I wanted no part of. But something has happen as I have gotten to know this Jesus, I have found myself more and more in love with Him. The more I read about Him, spend time praying and meditating to Him and on Him,the more I can't wait to be with Him, to see Him and to talk to Him face to face. There is now nothing in me that wants just A Little Bit Of Jesus. There are still time when I sin, but I know deep in my heart that my life is now His. And I now know that the things of this world do not compare to what He has offer me. Yes I'm am grateful that when I die I will not have to spend eternity in hell, and yes I'm thankful that I wont have to be alone forever, and yes I'm humbled that I am now consider a friend of God. But more than anything I am most thankful that I will be with Jesus Christ. I know of no other that has loved me so deeply. No other that has known me so completely. And no other that has rescued me so totally. I want Jesus more and more, once you really know Him, you will always want more.

A cup of coffee

Today I got a glimpse at how blessed my life truly is. As I sat in Starbucks waiting for a friend, a homeless man approached me and asked for money in a manner that appeared to me as aggressive and angry. I told him no and that I could not help him. As he walked away something inside me died, and as I saw how others treated this man my heart broke for him. One encounter was particularly painful for me to watch and hear. As another customer, who was asked by the homeless man for money, shouted at him and said “can't you see I’m reading my paper?” It was at this point I realized how blessed I was and that I could if I chose at this moment be a blessing to another. So that’s what I did, I called the man over and I told him I could not give him money, but I could buy him some food and a cup of coffee. So he picked out two breakfast sandwiches and some coffee. When he got his food he came over to me and asked if I would eat one of the sandwiches with him along with some coffee. It was at that moment that my heart was glad and my whole attitude change. I saw him as a person and not a homeless man, and I thanked God for the cup of coffee He had just allowed me to drink. Yes, today I realized how blessed I am, and just think it all started with a cup of coffee.

The Power Of the Word Of God

As I was reading in the Bible the other day, I was caught off guard by something I have never caught before. In the book of (1st Thessalonians chapter 2 Vs. 13 &14) So this is what is says

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews. So here Paul is telling them that the reason they where going through all this and they where being persecutes was because they had really accepted the word of God, not just as words of men, or good words, but as the words of God. Now think about that, when was the last time you said to yourself these are the word of the most high God. No really think about that, if we really believed that would we not live differently. If i go to church and lets say I don't like the preacher, does it matter these are the words of God, not the words of a preacher. I came to understand that God's word bring power in my life when I accept it for what it is , the powerful, true, life giving WORD OF GOD. I had always knew it was the word of God, but often times i treated it was just words, and for that today i ask for forgiveness. For I now want to always accept it not as the word of men, but as it actually is the WORD OF GOD