What does Jesus Look Like

Carrying in my Heart

2012-01-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayers with joy.” (Philippians 1:3-4)

Paul’s letter to the Philippians gives a great example of the attitude Christians ought to have towards those they minister too. As I thought about this, I ask that God would give me the ability to care for people like Paul did. Often times I forget to ask that my heart would fall in love with those that God has brought close to me. As the new year began, what could be a greater prayer than to - love those that God has placed into your life, to carry them in your heart and to pray for them with sincerity and passion as if you are praying for the things you hold most dear.

For me to have the ability to love and pray like this, it must come from God. I am more aware than ever, that I need God to do a major work in my life, and I want him to do it now. I want to love Him so that I can love others, love the things that He loves. I want to accomplish what God has for me and I want to carry in my heart all those that He has placed in my life. I want to serve with the heart, and mind of Christ. So today I pray that the God of the universe would draw me to Himself and cause me to love Him so He can than love through me. And than I will be able to carry people in my heart.

I Have Been Crucified With Christ

2011-12-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever, thought hard on this verse? I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, “who loved me” and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)

I thought, “Man, I don’t live my life like that.” I know the biblical truth, that when I accepted Christ as my savior, my sins where crucified and paid for by His shed blood. I know that Christ has accomplished for me that which I could never accomplish for myself. Christ satisfied the wrath of God, making a way for me to have peace with God, yes I get all of that. But what I don’t get is my halfhearted response to Him who has done so much for me. Why don’t I say, “IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME.” How can I be willing to give so little to him who gave me so much?

After reading this verse this morning, I looked up the word crucified.

Webster states that crucified means:

· To put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross

· To destroy the power of

So I know realized that, I must die, destroy the power of the things of me, and live for the things of Christ. I now belong to him; my life is to be lived for him. I must give up what control I thought I had and let Christ rule in my life. I must become a bondservant of Christ. One that willing gives his life to the one that owns him. So be it Lord, make me what you would have me be. For my hearts desire is to be able to say these words. “I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME.”

$17:50

2011-12-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those encounters, which changed your heart, well this one changed my heart and I thank God for it. I was riding the L Train heading to O’Hare airport. As I was sitting there a young man started to yell, so that everyone on the train could hear him. "Excuse me" he yelled, "my sister and I are homeless, we split up this morning so we could both try to collect money so we could afford to stay in a room tonight. We found a room that cost 35 dollars, so we each need to collect $17:50." I was somewhat taken back by this, you see the man was in his early to mid 20’s. He was a good-looking young man even though he had not taken very good care of himself, not the type of person I thought would be doing this. As he was yelling and asking for money, I thought to myself, how did he end up homeless? How can he not be ashamed? I would be humiliated if I have to do that. I also thought, what if he is lying and just getting people to feel sorry for him. What is he going to do with the money, does he really have a sister? All these thoughts where going on in my head. Then I just stopped and I asked God to help me. This was my prayer, "God I don’t know what to do, I’m not sure if this young man is telling the truth, I'm just not sure and I don’t know what to do." As I was praying, suddenly all I could think of was the verse that said, "Whatever you do to the lease of these." Over and over again this verse ran across my mind. My prayer continued, "God I have thirty-seven dollars in cash in my wallet, I’m not sue what I should give." But the verse was all I heard, "Whatever you do to the lease of these." So I called the young man over and I gave him two dollars, I thought to myself, that’s more than most people, would give. The young man took the money and thanked me saying “you are my first dollars.” As he looked me in the eyes my heart broke for him. He continued to yell asking for money, he said "please anything would help." He said, "even if you have a penny, that would help." I noticed the guy sitting next to me reach in to his pocket. He called the young man over and gave him a penny. I could not believe it. Why would he do that? It was almost as if he was trying to hurt the young man, to make him feel less than. I became so angry at the man's actions. I wanted to say, "cant you see that he is already down; you don’t need to rub it in." But the young took the penny and said, with what I thought was complete sincerity, "thank you so much" and he walked away. As he was walking away, my heart wanted to do more for him. So I got up, caught him and gave him the twenty-dollar bill. Tears came too his eyes, I said "God bless you", and he said "thank you so much, God bless you." And thats exactly what God did for me, he blessed me; he gave me the gift of this young man. God on that day gave me eyes to see, and a heart to care. My pray is, that young man will find in Christ, all that comfort he is looking for.

And They Took Offense at Him

2011-12-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever said to your self in disbelief, “did that just happen” Recently if you have been following the NBA you may have said it when David Stern’s the NBA commissioner stopped a blockbuster trade between the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Hornets, and the Houston Rockets. If your a sports fan you just could not understand why, it was a good trade for all the teams and it made good basketball sense. As a fan you just had to say Did That Just Happen! I know that some of you are thinking I don’t care about basketball, so why are you telling me all of this. Well I do have a point. Sometimes we see things, or hear something and we are just amazed at. We can’t understand why someone did what they did, or why a crowd acted as they acted. And in Matthew Chapter 13 we see one of those examples.

In verse 53 the Bible tells us (And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to His hometown, he taught them in the synagogue, so that they were astonished and said , “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works.

The crowd was amazed by Jesus, he was in His hometown, you would think that the crowd would be thankful, grateful. That they would want to here more, because of the wisdom and the great works that Jesus was doing. But if you continue to read, that was not the case. In verse 57 the Bible tells us (And they took offense at Him) You have to say, did that just happen. Why would they take offense at Jesus, if he was doing great works and speaking with great wisdom. You see they allowed their reason, to be greater than the truth. They said is he not from here, do we not know his family, how can he speak like this, and then they became jealous. How often we allow jealousy and our pride to blind us to the things of God.

Even though Jesus was right there in front of them, showing them and telling them, their hearts and their minds became bitter towards Him. They allowed pride to replace amazement, and hate to replace wonder. Today is a good day to ask God to remove the pride and hate that cause our hearts to grow cold to the things of God.

Peace with Circumstances

2011-12-02T06:06:00.000-08:00

Peace with Circumstances

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” These are the words that paul writes in Philippians 4:19.

How many times have we read these words and quoted this verse to others when things are tough, and when money is tight. Yet if you are anything like me, it is hard to believe this truth when it is me who is facing the hard time. Today I asked myself, why is it so difficult to trust God for all my needs? Why is it so easy to tell others this truth, but when it’s me, I just cant seem to wrap my heart around these words.

As I look back over my life, and my ministry, I can clearly see how God has supplied all my needs. But in the mist of the circumstance I for some reason take my eyes off of Jesus. I’m like Peter when he was walking on water,(Matthew 14:28-32) You see Peter was fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. But once he started to look at the storm he became afraid. He allowed his Circumstances to overwhelm him, and he started to believe a lie. He failed to trust Jesus, you see Jesus had just told him to come to Him. But the storm caused Peter to lose trust in Jesus. Jesus was still faithful, and He still rescued Peter, but Peter made his situation worse by his lack of faith.

So as I look back over my life I can see how every time, when I thought I would not make it, and I thought that God had failed me, I can now see that He was faithful. But I also see how much worse I made things. How many sleepless nights, how many times I struck out at God and blamed Him. How many times I made things worse by not trusting His word. Yes, I am starting to understand how to fight the good fight, how to trust God in the mist of a storm. It is by believing His promises, to trust that He will make a way when all seems lost. I have come to see that our God is faithful and we just need to keep our eyes on Him. So when you are in the mist of a storm, know that God will supply your every need.

Im not saying that everything will work out how you want it to and sometimes the storms in our lives are due to our own sin. But, sometimes God is allowing a storm so that you will turn back to Him. Know that God is still faithful,even if we are the reason for the storm. God will work it out for our good, even though it may be a hard lesson to learn.

Alway remember that no matter what how big the storm is, when the storm is about your needs. God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. So in the storm keep your eyes on Jesus.

Search Me

2011-11-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

(Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

I was recently talking with a group of friends and one of them was talking about Psalm 139. After the conversation, I opened my Bible to read the chapter for myself and was taken back by the simple truth of David’s prayer.

No matter how good we think we are, we all have "stuff" in our hearts and we all have thoughts that need to be removed. We all need to ask God to search us and change us, and give us the mind of Christ.

Have you ever wondered why David would ask God to search Him? David, “the man after God’s own heart”, had many personal failures and shortcomings. He had reached a point in his life where he understood that his heart had a great capacity for insidious evil. David was unable to know his own heart completely, and was unable to make things right in his own strength. So he turned to God and simply asked God to do that which only God could do. He asked God to change his heart and change his thoughts.

Search me O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

As I look at my own life, I realize that I am a lot like David. I want to do what is right. I want to love God, but I have serious heart issues and wrong thoughts that need to be exposed. There are thoughts that I have to take captive, and heart issues that have to be changed by the power of God.

Even though I know that I am a child of God, I have come to understand that it is only by giving God more and more of my life that I will be able to truly live for Him. It is only when I am willing to face the truth inside of me that I can seek the help I so desperately need. And that help can only be found in the God of all of creation, the very Creator of my heart and mind.

So search me God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts. And lead me in Your way, the everlasting way.

I know God can, I know God will, and even if he doesn’t

2011-11-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

I love Chapter 3 of the book of Daniel, it’s a story of a King that thought way to much of himself and three young men that thought much more of their God. You see, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego where unwilling to worship King Nebuchadnezzar as he had ordered. They where unwilling to give to a man, that which belongs only to God, just think how easy it would have been to do what everyone else was doing. Just think how easy it would have been for them to say it’s really not that big of a deal. They had no way of knowing that there story would be come one of the great Bible stories. They did not do it so others would see, or read about it. They did it because they loved their God, and wanted to please Him more that anyone or anything else. Just think these 3 young men standing in front of the most powerful man in the world at the time, and the bible tell us in Daniel chapter 3 what happened. “16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” I have asked myself many times would I have the courage to say these type of words, would I have the Love for God to stand for Him before the leader of the world. I pray that if ever comes a times, that I’m asked to stand, I will stand like these young men stood.

God’s Final Word

2011-10-20T11:03:00.001-07:00

Today I was reading the book of Hebrews, chapter one verses 1-4. I was studying this text, as I was going to speak on it later in the day. As I read the text I saw it, God no longer spoke to us, like he did to those in the Old Testament. God no longer spoke to us by prophets, or by the law, or by kings, or by judges. But God speaks to us through His Son Jesus Christ. What an awesome thing. The God of the universe, final word to us was done through Jesus. Yes, God became man, and then he told us from His own lips, how He feels about us. He told us that He loves us, and then He showed us how much He loves us by dying for us. Do you get it, do you see it. When God wanted to give us His final word, He did not leave it to anyone else. He Himself came down to us and spoke the words from His own lips. He said I love you and I will make a way for you to be with me again. Then he went on to accomplish, the things that He told us he would. He saved us, by giving His own life in place of ours. He bought us back, He over came the power of death, and He gave us a chance for victory once and for all. He gave us Jesus Christ. Anyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

For His name Sake

2011-10-02T17:13:00.000-07:00

The more I read the bible, the more I come to understand that all that God has done, He has done for the Glory of His name. Have you ever read Psalm 23, it Strats out saying. The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake. Yes the Lord does all these things great things for those who put their trust in Him. And if we are not careful, we can start to think that is all about us. But look again, did you miss it. Why did he do all those good things for us. He did it all for His name sake. You see it is true that we who put our trust in the Lord receive awesome blessing, but God Is always about His glory. Now some people would say that, that seems prideful, but it's not. God fully understand who he is. Just think about it, He is God there is no one or no thing like Him. He alone is worty of worship, so His name alone is above all. It is to be the one name that must always be protected. What would happen if the only name that is always true, alway without and flaw. What would happen if that named failed. There would be no name in all of the creation that people could turn too. No name in all of creation that people put their full trust in. You see God will always be about His name, so men can always has a name that they can turn to when there seems to be no hope. It is in the name of God that alone people can put their trust, because it is His name that tells us, reminds us of who he is. He is the Lord and there is no one like Him.

Just a Thought

2011-08-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Today as I was reading in the book of Zephaniah, I was thinking. One day I’ll be with Jesus, and God one day will make all things right. Yes I know that we read all the time, that Jesus will return, but today I was overwhelmed by this truth. One day I will be with Jesus, I will see him ever day, I will never have to worry again, be fearful again, or be in pain again. My body will never grow old, I will never turn to sin, and he (Jesus) will be more than enough! My hopes will become my realities; I will be will my Lord, my King, my Savior, and my Friend. Just a Thought

Jesus Christ More Than Enough

2011-08-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor 4:7-10

Life often times is just hard, and when you try to love God, often times it seems even harder. I am convinced that the more you try to do for God the more difficult life becomes. IT is as if the powers of the world turn against you. Well your right they do, the ruler of this world hates you. Satan hates everything about those who love God. Satan hates everyone. In John 10: 7-10 the bible state;

( Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.)

Do you get it, the thief, which mean Satan hates everyone and everything. But Jesus has come that we may have life and life to the fullest. Yes this life is hard and we have an enemy that is set on destroying everything God has made, but he will not win, for Jesus Christ has made a way. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life and anyone that has trusted in Him, or will put their trust in Him will over come Satan. That’s why the Cross of Christ is so important it reminds us that no matter what, we have a savior that is able to save, to rescue, and to bring hope. We have Jesus Christ and He is more than enough!

You Will Be With Me

2011-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever really thought about it? Just think of Jesus's words to the thief on the cross, “I assure you; today you will be with me in paradise. I know so many Christians that often times forget that Jesus saved us so he could one day be with us. How often do you actually think about it, I mean really think about it? This world is not our home; Jesus is preparing a place for us, a home that is beyond our comprehension, a place made just for us. So why do we who have placed our trust in Jesus, try so hard to build our Kingdom in this world, when we could be building for the one to come. Why do we think that this world has more to offer us, than the one to come, the one that will include Jesus, in physical form. Yes Jesus in real life will be with us everyday. How often have you said to yourself, if only He was here right now, if only I could see or touch Him. Well that will be our reality, we will walk and talk with Jesus, seeing Him everyday. No more longing for His presence for He will be there and we will be with Him. Yes we will be with him, so remember always that our home is yet to come , so lets hold loosely to the one we now live in.

Both Creator and Redeemer

2011-06-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

In his Book (Reflections of a Pilgrim) Mark Royster states “How can I affirm you as the Creator then doubt you as Redeemer?” There is the issue, so many Christian have no problem affirm Jesus as the Creator. The One who made all things, we believe Colossians 1:16-18 which states

(For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.)

But what we often doubt is the fact that he is Redeemer. We often look at our lives and we make statements like there is no way You can still love me after what I have done. Or I’ll never be good enough. Or I just can’t see why you would want to use someone like me. But the truth is, Jesus does love you and once you trust Him as your savior and redeemer. He will never give up on you or leave you. Paul deals with this truth best in Romans chapter 8:1-4 Which states,

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youfree from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

So if you are like me I challenge you to not only know that Jesus is creator but to affirm Him as your savior and your redeemer. He is might to save and will keep those he saves for that great day.

Read Roman 8 and Ephesians 2

Relational God

2011-06-10T06:45:00.001-07:00

One of the most amazing things about God is that He is relational. That the God that created every thing, He wants to be in relationship with His creation. He is not far off, the bible tells us that He in near. Just think about it that he who needs nothing, love us and wants us to be with Him. When Jesus was on the earth his call to us was a call to a relationship. He said come follow me, and when he left He said I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again, so that you may be where I am. Yes God is a God who wants His people with him because He is a relational God. So today enjoy time with the God who made you and the God who delights in you.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, too all who cal on Him in truth.

Secret Things Can’t be Clean

2011-05-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

Genuine repentance happens when we become transparent and honest about ourselves before God. In today’s culture we are taught to be tolerant, accepting and open-minded about practically everything. However when it comes to things that are shameful, things that we know in our guts to be wrong we keep these things secret. Unfortunately, society tells us that it’s ok to do everything and anything, whatever feels good, and to live our lives as we see fit. But I sense that people who live this way feel a conflict of the heart. As Christians, God has written his law on our hearts, causing us to feel conviction when we sin. (Jeremiah 31:33) So when we live in a way that is contrary to God’s Word, our hearts tell us it is wrong, and we try to hide that part of our lives. We even try to keep it from God.

In Psalm 32 David was at that place. He might have written this after he had committed the sin of sleeping with Bathsheba, another mans wife. And then trying to cover up his sin he ordered the murder of Bathsheba’s husband. He was guilt of adultery, murder, and lying. (2 Samuel 11-12) David intentionally tried to hide these sins from God. The Bible is clear on this subject, when people do things that are against God’s law, they will feel convection, and face consequences of those actions. But you can tell God of you sin and see how he will forgive you. When you do this you will come to know the freedom that come when you turn to God for forgiveness of sin. Read Psalm 32 and see the relief that David found as a loving God restored him.

Non-religion

2011-04-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

In his book “The Prodigal God” Timothy Keller writes {it is hard for us to realize this today, but when Christianity first arose in the world it was not called a religion. It was the non-religion. Imagine the neighbors of early Christians asking them about their faith. “Where’s your temple?” they’d ask. The Christians would reply that they didn’t have a temple. “But how could that be? Where do your priest labor?” The Christians would have replied that they didn’t have priests. “But…but” the neighbors would have sputtered, “where are the sacrifices made to please your gods?’ The Christians would have responded that they did not make sacrifices any more. Jesus himself was the temple to end all temples, the priest to end all priests, and the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. No one had ever heard anything like this. So the Romans called them “atheists” because what the Christians were saying about spiritual reality was unique and could not be classified with other religions of the world.

The irony of this should not be lost on us, standing as we do in the midst of the modern culture wars. To most people in our society, Christianity is religion and moralism. The only alternative to (besides some other world religion) is pluralistic secularism. But from the beginning it was not so. Christianity was recognized as a tertium quid, something else entirely}

I think its time that we start to live as Christians and be the people that live as Christ lived. May we become something else entirely?

Home

2011-04-23T04:20:00.001-07:00

It has been a very busy last few months, as I have been traveling and speaking. God has taught me so much about Himself, and I am falling more in love with the God who made me, and saved me. One of the things that I’m learning is how much I miss home. Now don’t get me wrong, I love traveling. I count it a privilege to have the opportunity to share Gods word in different places. I also love it when the rest of the ministry team can travel together and we can all use our gifts for God. However, after awhile you find that you just want to be home. There is something about home that just bring a sense of comfort. I thought about being home with God, how great that day will be. When this journey is over and forever we will be with God, forever in God’s presence with Jesus. I understand now why we should desire to be with Jesus, because that is home. Yes this life we live is a journey and there are many times we enjoy it, but I know that Home is always the place that our hearts truly needs. I guess Dorothy was right when she said in the Wizard of OZ “THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME”

Glory

2011-04-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

How many time do you ever think of the word Glory? In our culture it’s not a word you here often. When I read the Bible especially the Old Testament the word Glory is everywhere. So the other day I was listing to a message while driving in the car. Matt Chandler was teaching on the purpose of their church. He stated that their church was there to bring God glory. He then went on to define the word Glory as it is used in the Bible. He stated that the word Glory means weight. Let me try to explain, the weightiness of the Glory of God is greater than anything else. God is the most Glorious
Of anything that is, that means He alone is the most important thing. There is nothing or no one more Glorious, any more worthy than He. The weight of that truth should bring us all to a place of worship and adoration. So today will you humble yourself before the Glory of God?

Spreading the Gospel

2011-03-31T09:18:00.000-07:00

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Act 1:8

I can’t imagine what the disciples were thinking. Jesus last words to them were two fold, they would receive power, and they would be His witnesses to all earth. Peter had to be thinking Lord what if I fail again. Matthew might have been thinking how would those that he had wronged ever listen to what he now had to say. And the others were they ready for such a great task. For just a few verses earlier they ask Jesus. “Lord will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel”

You see they had a plan, but God had a much bigger plan. They wanted the Kingdom restored back to Israel as in the great days of King David. God wanted the Kingdom restored back to His Son. It is in the spreading of the Gospel that the Kingdom of Christ will be restored. They did not yet understand that Christ did not come to rebuild Israel, but to save the world. He did not come to restore Israel, but to restore mankind.

So I ask you do you want to be part of the plan of God, or are you to busy with your own plan. Go and make disciples.

Excel in the Act of Grace

2011-03-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered about Grace? If I were to ask you what is Grace what would you say. When I look up Grace here are the definitions that jumped out at me.

a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b : a virtue coming from God
c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

So I know that God is full of Grace, but what would happen if we would become people that would excel in the act of grace? Not the type of unmerited grace that only God can give.
But there was another definition given (disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency) What if we became the type of people that lived our lives with a disposition towards kindness and courtesy? What if we where people who excelled in the Act of Grace? I’m sure that we would be much more effective in changing the world for Christ, If we would just excel in the act of Grace.

One needs to live in community to realize the problems in his own soul.

2011-03-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

Often times when we live in isolation we cannot see who we really are. It is only when we have community and intimate fellowship with Jesus and others can we see the needs of our own soul. We as Christians need a place where there can be true examination and self-disclosure. In his book The Mind Of Christ Dennis Kinlaw states “As we serve together in the Kingdom, we learn who we are. If we are ever to see ourselves as we truly are we must look at ourselves through the eyes of Jesus and others. Are you will to to look at yourself through the eyes of Jesus and others? For only then will we see the things that we need to see.

You Will Not Have to Fight This Battle

2011-03-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Often time in life we are faced with battles that just seem too big for us to fight. These battles can overwhelm us just at the thought of them. It is these types of battles that our God will fight for us. In 2 Chronicles, King Jehoshaphat faced this type of battle, and then God spoke to King Jehoshaphat and said in verse 20:17 “ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.” So often I feel that we forget that our God is with us and we need not try to fight the battles on our own. There are times when we just need to stand firm and trust in God and watch Him fight for us and give us victory. So today stand firm and trust in your God for he is big enough to win the battle.

Intimate Fellowship

2011-03-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

One of the true realities of my Christian life has been my inability to maintain my spiritual strength when I try to do it on my own. Think about it, for me the harder I try to focus on not sinning the more I sin. The more I try to love people the more people bug me. The more I try to be humble, the more prideful I become. So I ask myself the question, why is it that when I fight harder I seem to suffer more and more defeats. But wait a minute, how could I miss it. Look again at my words. The more I try, the harder I try. Where is Jesus in all of this? How could I think that my efforts alone could bring me victory? Its like I forgot that I need to keep my eyes on Jesus, that a close intimate fellowship with Him is needed. For greater is He who is in me that he who is in the world. Unlike all the other challenges we face, spiritual challenges can only be met and overcome, by the one who has overcome the world. No matter how hard I fight in my own strength, until I am walking in close intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, I will not have consistent long-term victory over sin in my life. I will not be able to live a life that is useful and effective for God unless I am walking with Him closely. Today Lord help me to walk with you as a friend walks with a close intimate friend.

Ex-nihilo

2011-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

When you think of creation, how everything came into being! What you believe determines so much of your personal worldview. What ever you believe about the creation of the universe, random chance, intelligent design, or somewhere in between, your belief about how the universe was created will determine your worldview on creation and on God for the most part. The Greek word (Ex-nihilo, which means to create out of nothing,) gives you insight to my worldview. Being a firm believer in God as defined by the Bible, I believe that God being the only person that has always been, without beginning or end created all that is out of nothing, (Ex-nihilo.) Most people feel that this is a naive or UN intelligent worldview . I have often been asked how can I believe in a God that has no beginning? A God that spoke the universe into existence, or created out of nothing, how could I believe all of this? My response is simply this, I believe because God says so. I have come to understand that I am not here to prove God. And even if I wanted to, it would be completely impossible for me to do so. How does anyone prove that which is beyond our comprehension? Now I’m not saying there is not any evidence of the existence of God there is, and if you want to know more about that there are many Good books on the subject. Such as The Reason for God by Timothy Keller, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, just to name a few. But what I am saying that when it comes to creation all worldviews end up being an argument in faith. I can’t prove it absolutely but for me there is enough evidence to know that God is the creator. The Universe did not happen by random chance, but by the intelligent design of an all-knowing God. And he created Ex-nihilo out of nothing.

Rich In Mercy

2011-03-01T03:53:00.000-08:00

I love music and one of my favorites bands is a band called POLEN Band. They are a Christian worship band, and as I have gotten to know them, there is no doubt that they love the Lord Jesus Christ. Check out their website, www.polenband.com their song Rich In Mercy has captured my heart. In the song they state, “because of His great love for us, God who is Rich In Mercy made us alive in Christ even while we were dead” I can’t get that out of my mind. Often time when we think of rich, mercy is not one of things that we think about. What does it mean to be rich in mercy? To love someone enough, even though you have the right to deal with him or her with Justice, you choose to deal with him or her with Love. You see that’s what God did. He and His Son Jesus Christ dealt with the punishment, that would have been our, so that God could offer us mercy. Being Rich in Mercy does not mean to forget the offence, but paying for the offence yourself so that the ones you love will not have too. If you are someone that believes that God is unloving, just look at the cross. He loved us so much, as did Christ that Christ died so that we might have life. Why would anyone not want to accept the Mercy of God? I know there are those who say how can a loving God kill His own son, but your missing the point, God did not kill his son Christ gave his life that we might have life. And then God raised Christ from the dead saying I accept you sacrifice and give you the name that is above every name, So that all who turn to you and put their trust in you will have life also. That is a God who is Rich In Mercy!

The Ultimate Thing

2011-02-25T05:19:00.000-08:00

In his book Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller states "Despair however is inconsolable, because it comes from losing an ultimate thing. When you lose the ultimate source of your meaning or hope, there are no alternative sources to turn to. It breaks your spirit." So often i have found that most peoples ultimate thing, have very little hope of really fulfilling them, because it has not the power to meet their true need. People have turned to things like money, power, sex, alcohol, status, drugs, children, family, religion, to fill the deep desires of their heart. I find that quite odd. Think about it... how can things ever fill your heart? How can people or even religion ever claim your soul? Can anyone but an all knowing and all loving God ever be able for such a great task. The task of healing the pain and filling the hopelessness that often comes with this thing called life. Don't get me wrong, there are desires that these things can fill and places that they should fill, but no one or no thing other than Jesus can be your ultimate thing, because he created you and knows you and is able to meet you were nothing else can meet you. He alone has the answers to those questions that matter most to you. he alone is the source of Hope and Life. And he alone you can never lose.

Holy Encounters

2011-02-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

There are times that have much more significance in our lives than others. Moments that God is doing something, these times are called Holy Moments. They can be Holy hours, or Holy days or Holy seasons. Dennis Kinlaw in his devotional (This day with the Master) writes about these moments. In the Bible we see these moments, Moses and the burning bush, Peter walking on water, Paul on the road to Damascus, They are the moments that changed the course of peoples lives, and we should pray that God would give us all a Holy Moment, or hour or day, or season. Yes we all need encounters with God that are so impactful that everything changes. When was the last time you asked God for a Holy Moment? Have you put yourself in a situation that allows God to interact with you in such a way that would cause a Holy Encounter? The one thing about these encounters is that they all happen when people where looking for God. Even Paul thought he was serving God, and yes God have to correct his understanding of God and what it meant to serve him. But what are we doing, are we willing to get out of the boat and try to walk on water. Or are we willing to stand for God even if we might have to face the fiery furnace. Yes Holy Moments are waiting for all of those who are seeking God, If only we would seek God with all our hearts. Today is a good day to ask the God of Creation for any Holy moment, hour, day, or season. To ask for an Holy Encounter

One Small Step

2011-01-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

Often I find myself overwhelmed by all I want to do and been in life. Often times every decision I need to make seems to have so many challenges. Nothing seems easy and the road ahead appears to be too difficult for me to travel. Why is it that the things of God always seem to be the hard things to do? Why is it that good things are often time hard things? I know that Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” But why does it always have to be so hard. I know that often time I want more than anything to love God and follow Jesus, but as soon as I make that choice, it seems something happens that pulls me away from Him. Whether it is my own sin, or the busyness of my life or worries, or something else it seems that something happens to pull me away from Him. And because of my inability to love God with my whole heart, I then ask myself did I really even mean what I said? do I really want to love Jesus. That when I must trust the God of the Bible and the Lord of my life. Yes I will have those times when I think and feel that it’s too hard. Or when I feel I'm just not good enough, but it's at that moment that I must take One Small Step of Faith and trust what I know to be true. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Yes Life is hard and following Jesus makes it harder, but it also makes it worth living. So when you feel like giving up, just ask God for the strength to take the One Small Step, the step of faith to keep on fighting.

For to me, to Live is Christ

2010-12-25T05:35:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-04T04:55:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-24T05:50:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-23T17:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-09T20:47:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-26T07:05:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-19T10:42:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

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

SLOW DOWN

2009-12-29T04:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever notice that most people hurry through life, never taking the time to slow down. I often wonder why we live at such a hectic pace. Life was never meant to be a mad dash. God created us to enjoy Him and to enjoy life. As you often here stop and smell the roses. But somehow life has gotten out of control as the pace of life has us all running so fast that we forget to live life, we only survive it. If you have ever read the Biblical account of creation you know that God created the world and all that's in it in six day. But on the seventh day God rested. I often ask myself why did God need to rest? Was he tried, did he work to hard. No I think God rested to set an example for us. God also tell us to rest, to slow down, to take a sabbath. The word Sabbath means "to catch one's breath" In his Book Wild Goose Chase Mark Batterson writes "A weekly Sabbath is the way our spirits catch up with our bodies. And if we don't slow down, we eventually hit a point of diminishing returns, where more is less and less is more. It's counter intuitive, but the way you speed up is by slowing down." Life is hard and the pace can be difficult but we must all learn to slow down and to "Be Still And Know That God Is God."

Trying to Find God

2009-12-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

It's had to discern God's presence in the busyness of life. Even when I try to do all the right things, such as reading my Bible, praying and going to church. Yes God's presence seem to escape me, and it seems as if God is elusive not wanting to be found. Can it be that I missing something? Am I doing something wrong? should I add something else to my list so that God will hear me? The more I think about it maybe I'm trying to give God a list of things when all he ever wanted was me. I mean my heart, maybe His plan was for me to fall in love with Him, not just a list of things I do for Him, but a heart that loves Him and wants to spend time with Him. Wants to get to know Him, and hear from Him. A heart that seeks him with passion and with intensity. Is it only there that we can find Him?Is it only there that we come to understand that God is a God of deep relationships, a God of passion and love. How is it that I ever thought I could find Him, by keeping a list of do's and dont's. I think that today I will give my heart to Him and then I will wait and be found by Him.

The Questions of the Heart

2009-12-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

In the end, science does not provide the answers most of us require. Its story of our origins and our end is, to say the least, unsatisfactory. To the question, “how did it all begin?", science answers "Probably by an accident." To the question how will it all end?" science answers "Probably by an accident." And to many people the accidental life is not worth living" Neil Postman

So Why do we try so hard to find answers to the questions of Life? What is it that drives us? what is it that we so desperately want to know? We want to know that we matter and that we have a purpose. We what to know there is more to life that just 70 or 80 years, and if there is more, how do we find it? So God gave us the answers, but for most people God's message has not be accepted. I guess the concept of a loving, just God that set the standards for life is thought to be wrong. Many say that God need to do it the way that they think is should had been done. I guess they believe they should tell God how to operate, how to run things. And when God doesn't they decide that he is no longer God. Well Im glad that God is God and that he has given me the answers to the questions of my heart. I don't think that I'm an accident and thankful that God has told me that I'm not. That he created me and that he love me and has a plan for my life. Im glad that he gave me the Bible so that I can know for sure whats happens after this life and how to spend my life with Him forever. John 20:31 says "But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and believing you may have life in his name." Yes i am thankful that God would care enough to answer the most important questions of my heart.

Delight In You

2009-12-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about God is that he love us with a love that is real and unconditional. I have always found that to be astonishing. Why you the God of the universe care for me and more than care, take delight in me. Why would one such as he love one such as I. And no matter how hard i try to understand it, I am always left breathless. When I read Zephaniah 3:17 which states "The Lord you God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will takes great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you singing." I just sit back and think about why God why do you do it. You the one that is without beginning and without end. The one that need nothing to be complete. Why do you take delight in me, in us. And the only answer I can find is that you do it because you are a God of love. A God that cares so deeply for that you created, you wanted us to know it. So you just told us, so that way we would never have to wonder. So thank you for delighting in me, and help me to delight in you.

O WOW

2009-11-25T14:35:00.001-08:00

One of the best things in life is when you know someone that loves the simple things of life. A person that seems to have child like enjoyment of those things and at time just busts out in those (O Wow) statements. Well Josh is one of those people. He just has a way of making life simple and fun. He loves to just sit back and smile, laugh, and just not take life to serious. The smallest things seem to amaze him, and when that amazement comes, you hear him say O Wow. It is at these moments that I just laugh and I think that Jesus must smile at Josh and say I love it when he does that. You see I feel Josh has something that many people have lost, the simple enjoy of everyday life, a childlikeness that often times end up in verbal outburst of his pleasure at the goodness of the things of His God. I have come to realize that Josh has an uncanny ability to keep life simple, to keep God first, and not to get caught up in the craziness of life. I find myself just wanting at times to be more like Josh in these areas of my life. To just enjoy my God and have more O Wow moments, to laugh more, to slow down and not allow the craziness of life to drive me crazy. I believe that when we keep our eyes on Jesus we often have those O Wow times. We see that life is not to difficult for Him, that tomorrow will come, and that Jesus really is in control. We come to understand that Jesus brings calmness to our otherwise crazy lives and we can only say O Wow to how awesome our Jesus is. So thanks Josh for helping me see what at times life can make me forget. That it is Jesus that makes the O Wow moments possible.

The Practice of the Presence of God

2009-11-13T10:29:00.000-08:00

" At any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks God may find Him, and practice the presence of God" from the Book of the same name. So what does it mean to practice the presence of God? How do I get to do that and why would I want to do it. I often wonder what God is like and if he is anything like the God of the Bible then why would I not want to get to know Him better. Take for example the Bible says that God is a loving God, a just God, a God of peace, and of understanding. It goes on to say that He punishes the wicked, and will one day deal with all those who stand against himself God. So I get it people don't like it when anyone tells them that they are wrong or that they fall short of the Glory of God. And I get it that no one wants to be told that they are sinners, and I'm right there with you. I don't like that stuff either, but if that is the truth and there is a God that can save me from myself, well I want to get to know him. Because in the end I dont just want to be right, I worried about being right with God, if he is who he says he is. I would very much like to be in His presence, now and forever. So if that takes me admitting that I don't have all the answers, and I can do it without Him, well that's a small price to pay, when compared to spending the rest of my life with Him. Today is a good day to start practicing the Presence of God. John 3;16 is a really good place if you would like to start a relationship with the God of the universe.

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

2009-11-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever read the Gospel of John Chapter 13 verse 38 and chapter 14 verse 1

John 13:38-14:2

Jesus answered, "Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter-before the rooster crows tomorrow morning you will deny three times that you even know me. "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

Would you ever think that the verse telling of Peter's failure would be followed by one of the deepest comfort? But that's one thing that makes Jesus so awesome. He knew Peter's heart and that Peter's deepest desire was not to deny Him but that Peter wanted to be Jesus' boy, he wanted to be a hero of the faith. He knew that Peter one day would die for him. Yes Jesus knew things about Peter that Peter did not yet know about himself. He believed in Peter even when Peter did not believe in himself and even though Peter would deny Him Jesus knew that one day Peter would glorify him. So even though Peter would deny him, Jesus words of comfort would give Peter the strength he later needed to become all that God wanted him to be. You see we are sometimes much like Peter, we want to do great things for Jesus, but sometimes we mess up. when those times come remember that Jesus never gives up on you, he will bring you through the tough times, so let not your heart be troubled.

A Sense of Destiny

2009-10-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

When God told Abram to leave his country, his people, and his family and go to a land I will show you. I wonder what went though his mind. When God told him I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, what was Abram thinking. Was he thinking about his Destiny, that people would remember, and know his name for thousands of years to come. One of the things that happens when we become a Christian is that gain a sense of destiny, a sense of mission. After God placed his hand on Abraham (Genesis 12), he never looked at his life the same way. He said, I am special, and I have a purpose. All the nations of the world will be blessed in me, God has done this great time and he used me. Abraham was not being prideful, he had gained a sense of purpose, he came to realized his destiny. Today more than ever I feel we need to realize our purpose and our ability with the direction of God to understand our destiny. Jesus came so that we would understand why we where created and what the purpose of our lives are. Today is a good day to come to our senses and allow God to to do that which only He can do, give us purpose and a sense of DESTINY.

Sin the Unnatural Intruder

2009-10-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

So many times we think of sin as be natural and normal. We quickly forget that God created the first man and women without sin, and we liveas if sin will always be a part of who we are. That forever we will live with this sickness, and that there is no cure. Below is a quote helps us see sin for what it is.
“The great truth of Christianity, the great truth of Christ, is that sin in unnatural and it has no business in a human life. The birth of Christ proclaimed that in one tone: His cross proclaimed it in another! And that which is unnatural is not by necessity permanent. The struggle of all nature is against the unnatural, to dislodge it and cast it out. That struggle pervades the world. It’s is going on in every clod of earth, in every tree, in every star, and in every soul of man. Intensely sensitive to feel the presence of evil as never felt before, the Christian instantly and intensely knows that evil is a stranger and an intruder in his life. The wonder in not that it should someday be cast out: the wonder is that it should ever have come in”.(Phillips Brooks)
We are well to remember that the intruder has been dealt with and defeated by Jesus Christ. But for us we must deal with it by accepting Christ gift of freedom. But that is only the start; we must then daily choose to live free from the effects of sin, to choose the things of God and not the things of sin. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. My prayer for you is that today you will choose to live in freedom.

Changing our Perspective

2009-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have often found in my own life that it is most difficult to see things from God's point of view, when I'm looking at it from my perspective. When I let the troubles, the problems, the difficulties, the negative emotions of life tell me how i should interpret the goodness and the greatness of my God. Often times what I need is a a change of perspective. In his book Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson states " here the bottom line where you a geographically affect where you are spiritually" what I think he means is that sometimes you need to change something in your life, so that you can see things from another point of view. And I found that to be really true in my own life. I just spent a few weeks in Alaska, and I was taken back by the Majesty of my God, and then I asks my self why was God different in Alaska then back in Ohio, no but the change of location, and the change of the pace of my life, allowed me to see just how awesome my God is. as Mark Batterson puts it,
(change of place+change of pace=change of perspective) so today if you need to change your perspective, go somewhere, take a long drive to a quite place, go sit by the lake or ocean, build a fire in your back yard, walk to work, bike to work. Just do something different and see if your perspective changes.

Thankful

2009-09-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

Today I had the opportunity to serve at the Food Self a ministry of Mountain View Church in Anchorage Alaska, and today made me remember that people are so precious. The Food Self gives out food to people in need, and today those people gave me more than I could have ever given them. I found myself at one point alone sitting on the steps just praying and thanking God for being able to serve. I really just want to cry I was so grateful to my God, and I thought for a moment that even though this Life is hard for these people, God has a better eternity for all who trust in Him. Yes today I came to understand that this life no matter how hard, that God has something better in store fo us. Today I was thankful I saw people as God sees us and I thanked Him that this world is not our Home.

Living outside of the Box

2009-09-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

One thing I have come to understand is this, If I am going to follow JESUS with my whole heart, I must often times reject what the majority often says and compare all aspect of my life to Scripture. I'm not saying that I always do it but it must become my goal, for only then will I come to desire God enough that everything else is second to Him. In his book Crazy Love (Francis Chan) quotes 'I quickly found that the American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. The goals of American Christianity are often a nice marriage, children who don't swear, and a good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally and seriously is rarely considered. That's for the "radicals" who are "unbalanced" and who go "overboard." Most of us want a balanced life that we can control, that is safe, and that does not involve suffering." And the more I read Scripture the more I feel that God demands that I give up control of my life to Him, and only then can I become the person that I want to be. A Disciple of Jesus Christ, for Jesus call us to follow him not to lead the way. Its time that we Christians give up this ideal that we can do it our way, God will never be ok with that, because he is God and he has created us to follow Him.

What do you want Jesus to do for you

2009-09-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

As i was reading Luke chapter 18 I was taken back by the encounter that Jesus had with the blind beggar. You see the beggar was a man the had never saw Jesus but believed that Jesus could make a difference in his Life. So once he got Jesus attention, Jesus asked him the questions "what do you want me to do for you" and the beggar responded Lord I want to see. A simple question I don't think so, you see this beggar knew that he needed a miracle so when he said Lord I want to see, what he was saying is Jesus I believe that you are the messiah and If you will have mercy on me I will follow you always. So Jesus said to him, " receive your sight, your faith has healed you" And that's whats takes me back, how Jesus made the man ask for want he needed. And only when he ask did Jesus do anything. I realizes that Jesus does not beg us to come to him, but responds to us when we finally come to the realization that we need him and that he is the only one that can save us. Yes the questions what do you want me to do for you is one we need to here and be ready to answer.

Wild Goose Chase

2009-08-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a book by Mark Batterson, called (Wild Goose Chase) the book is about chasing after the Spirit of God. The main point is that when we follow after God, we are never sure where He will lead us, but it will be the best adventure of our lives. And I think that so many people out there are looking for a life of adventure. but adventure that changes the world for the better. Adventure that impacts the lives of people and improves their lives. Now i believe that only God can give you the adventure of this kind. The life that we all deeply desire, that has purpose and has meaning can only be found when we chase after the God who made us, for any other chase will leave us short or our full potential. So today chase after God and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.

Encouragement

2009-08-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

As I sit here reading my Bible I realized that people love to be encouraged. As Paul wrote in 1st Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 2 and 3 (We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers We continually remember before our God and or Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.) Yes I am convinced that if people would just look for way to encouraged one another, life would be a little bit better for all. I know that words have the power to destroy, but they also have the power to build and to heal. So today is a good day to bring healing and hope to anyone that might need it. You never know what you can do for someone just by speaking a word of encouragement. Take the time to love someone enough to bring them hope today.

Road Trip

2009-07-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days that I just want to take off and drive. Just hop in a car and go on a long road trip, not even knowing where but just heading somewhere. To go on an adventure, to see the the wonders of God by getting away slowing down and taking it all in. The Grand Canyon, the Rockies Mountains, the Great Lakes, and so on. I would call it a road trip to nowhere. Just to love life and meet people, and to reconnect to my God. I starting to think that we see God the best when we slow down and really look for Him, even though he is always right there we often can't see him, until we slow down. So I think I will take a road trip to nowhere, and see my God though the beauty of His Nature and Hie people.

A Life Lived Well

2009-07-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Today I find myself thinking much about life. I ask myself what does it mean to live well and to love well. What is the meaning of life, and why do I find myself always asking if I am living and loving well. For so many it is the questions of life that we find so hard to answers. Some turn to God, or that which they believe to be god for the answers. Others turn to, people, or nature, or philosophy, while others turn to science, and I could go on and on and on. But it is the questions of life that calls them. Deep down inside we want to know why we are here, what is our purpose and what happens next. And today these same questions invade my mind. I want to know if God is pleased with me? I want to know if I have loved others well and if I am living my life well. I find myself praying to God and asking Him to help me make a difference in the lives of others. To bring a smile to someones face. To make someones life better today. To give me the ability to give of all I have to enhance the lives of another. Today I choose to live my life in a way that pleases God and helps others, so today I feel I have lived well.

Family

2009-06-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak at my brother-in-laws church and many of my family and extended family were there. It’s funny even though I speak often very rarely do I get a chance to go back home and see my family. Now this was a special occasion it was their third year pastoring in his church but this story is more about my sister Ella his wife. What you may not know is that I'm from a large family of 11 kids and Ella has been my strongest support in my Christian journey since the death of my mom many years ago. Three years ago Ella found out her liver was failing and was placed on a donor waiting list. After numerous treatments and many hospital stays Ella's liver was finally giving up, but during this period of time her love for God, her faith in God and her love for her family is what kept her strength. I remember one late night phone call when she was sharing with me her thoughts and feelings about dying and how she kept saying remember when mom would say "The darkest just before the storm and the hardest fight is just to keep holding on". Or remember when mom used to say "God may not come when you want Him but He's right on time". It was at that moment I realized how dear my family was to me. It was at that moment that the legacy that my mom has left in her children. After speaking my other sister Brenda got up to give closing remarks and during her remarks she turned to me and said “little brother I just want you to know mom would be proud”. Then my nephews comment to the congregation about the impact the family has had on his life and that is why he is in love with Jesus today and I guess what I’m really trying to say is that family matters. You see, it is family that knows you, where you have come from and where you have been. And its family that sticks behind you through the hard times and all life brings. And as I sat there and saw my family and heard the words they were saying to the rest of the congregation, even though there have been many ups and down and difficult times my family has always been and will always be there for me.

From My Heart

2009-06-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

As I sit here today, my heart is heavy. Over the past few weeks I have been somewhat sad. It is the kind of sadness that the bible calls sadness of the heart. Even this morning I was reading an article that stated (World hunger reaches the 1 billion people mark.) Then I was reading in the Bible from the book of Revelation chapter 2 and I was taken aback by how God spoke of the people. How God stated that he had things against them. How they had lost their first love. How we as people often turn from good to our own selfishness. I’m sad when I realize that more often than not I worry about myself but care little for what others are going through. I find myself asking why do we have so much. But give so little? Over the past few weeks I have had an overwhelming feeling that we as people are not becoming better but more self-centered. But it is now more than ever people need to have hope, and we that are the most privileged should do all we can to help those who are not. My heart also tells me that people not only need their physically needs met, but also their spiritual needs as well. I can only pray that this sadness in my heart will cause me to do what I can with what I have, for the good of those that God has given me a heart for.

WHY

2009-06-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

I often find myself asking the question, Why! Why did that happen , Why did that person die, Why did I not see it coming? Why do good things happen to bad people? Why did God not interven? Why is life so unfair? Yes I ask why all the time and most of the time I don't care about the answers, I want my pain to go away or I want to be justifed in my thinking. You see I think deep down inside, I know what's best in most situations, and I want to make sure God understands that. I want Him to say, your right Don that is what I was thinking. I want things to work out how I plan, and I have little time to deal with a God who does not see things as I do. Well if you really think about it, you would no doubt tell me to wake up. You might say how arrogant of me to think I have all the answers. That I know what's right all the time. And there is the problem, I think I can question the God who made it all. I should tell Him what is best, or how life should be run. But if there is a God who is truly God why would he need anyone to tell how to do things. If your like me the word God carries a certian meaning or connotation to it. It means that He (GOD) is great not me and that Gives Him the right to be in charge. He welcomes my questions, but not my challenges to who He is.

The Journey Of Desire

2009-05-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

In his book The Journey of Desire, John Eldredge writes, "We all share the same dilemma- we long for life and we're not sure where to find it. We wonder if we ever do find it, can we make it last?... Our days come to us as riddle, and the answers aren't handed out with our birth certificates. We must journey to find the life we prize. And the guide we have been given is the desire set deep within, the desire we often overlook or mistake for something else or even choose to ignore." Yes the desire for meaning and purpose. We want so bad to know why we are here, why we were created. We desire to find the source of it all. Who or what can help us to know?, that is what we find ourselves constantly asking. But often times questions of the heart require a true search of the soul. They often require a faith that often seems to conflict with what we know. They often require us to trust in the one who created us all. For only the one who created us can fully know us and our purpose. So if your Journey has seemed to have led you to a question of faith and about God. It might be a good time to ask Him if He has the answers you have been looking for. After all He might be the one thing you have desired.

Questions

2009-05-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

As I think about my life and this Journey that I have been on, I realize that my life has been series of questions and seeking answers for those questions. As I talk with others I find this pattern is repeated in their life. There are questions about relationships, and money. Questions about the future and the past. Questions about injustice, about pain and suffering. There are questions about fear and about hope. Questions about life and death. And questions about God. And I find that the questions about God brings about the most difficult searching. The most gut reaching introspection. The questions about God brings about intense dialog and debate. But it's the questions about God that will not let me rest, until I have found the answers. I wanted to know if there was a God. And I wanted to know if this God cared for me. I wanted to know how I could find Him and how I could talk to him if He was there. I wanted to know His name and why He created me. I wanted to know what happens to me when I die. I wanted to know if I would be with Him then. Yes so many questions about God and for me I could not rest until I started to get the answers to some of these questions. If your anything like me, you have many of the same questions. Don't just push them aside, for they will return. Seek out God and may I suggest that you start with asking Him to reveal himself to you. In the Bible is a book called John. Go to chapter 20 verse 31 and just read it. I found that was a great place for me to start my search for this God.

Remedy

2009-05-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

As I sit here at O’Hare airport in Chicago, listening to David Crowder (song remedy) it suddenly hit me. Jesus came as the Remedy for us. Yes a remedy to make us whole again. Sin has taken an incomprehensible toll on all of us. We have been affected in every area of life, our relationship with God and others, our hope for the future, our physical bodies, and our view of life. And only Jesus can cure all those things. He alone can give us right standing with God, and enough love to care for others with real unselfish love. He can restore our hope in the future because he holds the future in his control. He alone can bring complete healing to broken bodies and minds. And only through His eyes can we see the world as it should be seen. Yes as the song states “He is the one who has saved us, He is the one who forgave us, He is the one who has come and is coming again he is the Remedy“ So if you feel the need to be made whole, I invite you to turn to Him, the Remedy.

Good Things

2009-04-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that the world seems to overlook the good things of Life. Yes, I know that right now things look really bad, the economy, Swine Flu, wars everywhere. So where are the good things? Well today I realized that the good things happen when people set out to do them. Often time when I'm in a store I make a point to say something kind or nice to someone and it never fails to see the surprised look on the persons face. Sometimes it's just a smile, often times it's a thank you, and even sometimes a complete change of attitude. And if I have the ability with just a kind word to do a good thing, and make others day a little better. What would happen if we trusted in a God that has the ability to do really good things. Things like change someones life. Change hate to love and change pain to joy. Yes Good things happen when we give a good God permission to work in our lives. Now I'm not talking about the good things like money or success , I'm talking about the really good things. Things that will last for eternity, things that are truly good and make a difference in the hearts of people and becaues of that make the wrold a better place. Because people would be truly better people. And thats a really Good Thing.

Faith

2009-04-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Why is it so hard for people to believe in God, or to see how He is working in their life and in their world. Well I think it often comes down to having Faith. You see Faith is that thing that tells you in your gut when something is real or true, even when you can't see it. I know that faith is a word that so many in the world think is foolish. And often time those who confess their faith are thought of as weak, stupid, or foolish. But when you really think of it, most people have faith in something. Take for example (people have faith in themselves) They believe if they work hard and do the right things that they will be rewarded for it. But how do they know for certain, they don't, they just have faith that it is true. Some people have faith that this life is all there is. Now there no way to know that for sure, but they have faith that their belief is true and they need no evidences to prove it. So faith in a God that is good and has created all things should not seem that unreasonable, even in a world that swears that faith is foolish. But a world that has faith in so many things, as long as those things do not include a good, loving, compassionate God

Teach us to Pray

2009-04-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

Today as I was reading ( LUKE chapter 11) I was surprised by the question that the disciples ask Jesus. Lord teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples? You see I have read this chapter many times. But today that question that the disciples ask Jesus hit me hard. You see in my life I have never asked Jesus to teach me how to pray. Now I often pray to God in the name of Jesus. But I don't ever remember asking Jesus to teach me How to pray. So today I asked Jesus to teach me something that I thought i could do without him. And today my prayers where more alive, and I felt I prayed the prayers that God would have me pray. Not just random prayers, but prayers from my God. So if you have never asked Jesus to teach you how to pray, today is a very goodday to start.

Pressing On

2009-04-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

I wrote this poem during a hard time in my life, a time i really needed hope. It was during this hard time that God really spoke to me. And now I share it with those who read this blog.

Pressing On

Do you ever get tired of this fight that we’re in
Do you ever just once want a victory to win
Will you press any harder, will you give any more
Does your soul now feel empty, is your heart now not sure.

Do you feel now abandoned, all alone once again
Can you lean on your own self can you lean on a friend
I have been there right with you, does God even care
I have questioned God’s love, I have questioned my prayer.

Can I fight without ceasing, can I trust and obey
In a God who is lifeless who has left me this day
Press on they all tell me, don’t you ever give in.
Don’t you lose what you fought for, don’t you do it my friend.

Press on they all tell me when I’m feeling this way
Not one of them hears me, can’t they hear what I say
I know not how to go on, I know not how to fight
I have lost all my courage, I have lost all my might.

Press on, press on, these words ring in my ears
I try to suppress them, but they have awakened my fears
“Go away! Go away!” my heart and soul cries
Can I look to the heavens can I look to the skies.

Would one dare try to tell me this lament is unreal
Would one care to show me how my heart dares to feel
Till this soul within which no longer gives
Heal this heart that keeps me but no longer lives.

I have searched every corner I have sought every cure
I have given my all I have learned to endure
I have tried with all effort to understand it all
I have given my best on God I now call.

Today

2009-04-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

As I got up this morning, I had a feeling that God loved me. Now I'm not sure why and I'm not sure how. But something inside me just felt that I was loved by the God of the universe. So I start my day thinking why does God care so much for me, and why do I feel Him so much today. I am coming to believe that God loves always but chooses to remind me in very special ways when I need it most. And this morning was a good day to be reminded. I'm sure some of you have had the same type of experiences, and I just wanted to say enjoy it, think about it, and ask yourself why? Why would God, love me so much that He would wake me up and whisper in my SOUL I love you? Because He does and yes He loves you the same way.

Journey of Discovery

2009-04-02T07:49:00.001-07:00

I often sit and wonder how one man who lived over two thousand years ago still demands so much attention. How can this Jesus, inspire such deep love and commitment's from some, and such hate and anger from others. Why are so many conversations centered around him and his teaching. There are so many questions that I have about this Jesus. What does it mean to follow him. How do I fit into his plan, or do I fit into his plan. If he is real why so much heartache and pain in my life, my world, my friends. What does he look like, and how do I know he is concerned with the here and now. I invite you to join me on my journey of discovery of this Jesus, and what Jesus looks like.