The Walk

This week has not only been busy, but it has also been a milestone week for my youngest daughter. She started walking this last weekend, not only was I excited about her walking, but I was also a little sad. She is the baby, the last child of mine that I will see make this great milestone. Now the world can truly become her playground, but with this comes many dangers that I will have to help her navigate. This reminds me much of the Christian walk. We start out not even able to walk and all of heaven rejoices at our birth in the spirit. Then it is not to long and the spirit begins to feed us the bread that our heart desires. Then we take our first big step in faith and a whole new world opens up to us. Again we can see God smile at us with the proud father look, but I cannot help but wonder if he thinks a little the same way I have about my daughter. As we think that we are going to conquer the world; I wonder if He is thinking to Himself how proud he is but that the road starts to become a little harder. Now truly think to yourself; after you became a Christian did life get easier or harder? I think that if you are truthful with yourself you will agree that life became harder. Oh sure we have an unlimited power source to tap into, but we often ignore God and his power; thinking all the while we can handle these things ourselves. Is it not interesting how as soon a we start to walk a little that we tend to think we need God a little less, that we can handle things on our own. I find it amazing how after a child learns to walk that the independence starts to stand out. Soon it is I can do it Daddy and I do not need help Daddy. While I rejoice in these things, I become deeply saddened because I know that I am needed just a little bit less and at some point I am not going to be needed near as much. The difference in our relationship with God is that, while He likes us to be independent, we still need Him very much. Sometimes we get so far from Him that we tend to forget we need Him, then we are reminded at some point that we very much need out Daddy. When was the last time you sat down and told Father God that you needed Him and loved Him? I believe you will find Him standing right there beside you say, "I know you do and I love you too; I am here to help you navigate this cruel world."

The Promise

There are so many promises we make to one another and to God each and every day. Some are simple little promises like telling someone you will run by and get something for them. Other times they are life changing promises, like committing yourself to a relationship with marriage. In a promise like this you have made a covenant with someone to love, care, grow and committed no matter what comes your way. At least this is the way it should be. Not going into that now, I will do another blog on that someday. Then we make commitments to God, often though the commitments to God are more like request to him. We will say things like God if you do this, I will do this. This is even a common theme in the Bible with a few people. However the promise we have from God was made thousands of years ago and he has not wavered from it. As a matter of fact He has renewed the promise with us through Jesus. The promise to Abraham was one to bless the entire world. Here is the text.
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Through Abraham all are blessed, through Abraham and God giving him land there is the chance that the land can be healed from the hard labors and through Abraham there is the opportunity for us to once again be joined together. This promise was made to Abraham all those years ago and God has continued to hold His end of the bargain, even to the point of the sacrifice of His own son Jesus. Take hold of this Promise from God and enjoy the benefits from this promise. This promise changed the world, dare to imagine what the promise can do for you.

Here I Stand

Hello and good morning everyone. All I can say is wow; what a busy busy week. Classes started for my wife and I this last week, hence the lack of blog posting. Have no fear though I will be back getting blogs out daily soon. There is always something about adjusting your schedule when new things push themselves in your life.

Speaking of things getting a little rearranged in your life; I am betting that this has happened to you a time or two in your life. Some people say it is life throwing you curve balls. I say it is a time when you really find out what you are made of; it is also a great time for you to discover something new about yourself. This is very much the same way that God works in our lives. We have a great routine going and we get to planning life and wham, God has something for you. The turning point comes in how willing are you to move forward with what God has planned for you. Most of us say "here I am standing Lord, what do you want me to do". Then God says ok, I have something for you to do for me. Our response is much the same as Moses', I can't do that that Lord I am not qualified. Let me tell you, if God has called you to do something, you are qualified. As a matter of fact you do not get any more qualified. A few weeks ago I posted about us being in the potter's hands and being available. So, now that you have made yourself available, move forward with the word of God being a lamp unto your feet. God wants to use you, but you have to be willing to go where God wants you to go; even if it is not something you can do. Has God called you out asking you to do something, remember no matter how small you think something is, it makes a big difference if you are obeying God's call.

The Mind of A Child

Yesterday I spent a good part of the afternoon outside with my daughter. She has been itching to get outside for days now, but since it has been to cold or raining she has not been able to. Yesterday though, one of the first things she said after church was that the sun was out and she wanted to go out and play. Normal 2 1/2 year old thinking; it was not long until she wanted to do one of her favorite things, playing in the dirt. I told her that she could not play in the dirt; she then asks why not? So I told her that she could not play in the dirt because God made it rain the night before. She the looks up and says "God don't let it rain". Then she went on about her playing. It was about 45 minutes later I was sitting on the back steps with her and she tells me that God made the trees and the grass, the without skipping a beat she looks up and says "God make me some dirt". She turns and looks at me shrugs, then says "God does not hear me". I then told her God had made the dirt and it was all around her. How often this is us when we pray and ask God for something. We ask and never look around us to see that God has already provided everything for us we just have to look around sometimes.

What are we doing

What are we you doing with what God gave you? How would you answer that question? With no more detail then just that question. What would be some things that come to mind? You might think God has given me my family, health, salvation, money, peace, happiness or freedom. What about the very things that sustain us? The air we breathe, the ground we walk on and the water we drink. I think that there are times that we easily forget these things. The creator of the Earth made the air perfect for us, if it had only a small amount more nitrogen in it, there would be no us. If the Earth was just a smidgen closer to the Sun, we would not exist. The ground would be to hot, the water would be boiling and the air would be steam. God to such great care in providing a beautiful place for us to live, to make sure His creation had the best. Then He created man and told man to enjoy the Earth.
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28)
God blessed man with all this wonder, we are here we need to take the best care of it that we can. So as we continue to move into the New Year think of some simple ways that you and your family can take care of the earth. Maybe it will be by recycling more, drinking less bottle water, and turning off some lights, planting a tree or garden. By doing just a little something will make a difference.

Where are you

This morning I was not up for fifteen minutes and my wife's phone rings; I hear her on the phone sounding disturbed and a little upset. She then gets off the phone to tell me news that I already knew was not going to be good. She tells me that in Athens that two more churches have been burned and it was arson. None of the churches were our church but in that moment my heart was breaking for the families of these churches. We are all a part of the body of Christ and when one part suffers we all suffer. There may be differences in opinions and ideas but we all serve and are a part of Christ. Jesus says "and there will be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:16). As my heart broke this morning and on my drive into work I was reminded that no matter what happens God is still on His throne and loves us very much. Now I am not trying to say that the losses of these buildings are not a horrible thing. What I am saying though is that these builds are just those buildings. God resides within us and though there may be fires, tragedies, and sorrows, the body of Christ still stands. Jesus also tells us "10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Yes we lost a few churches and these people who did this thing came to steal and destroy, but they do not understand the power of Christ and that though they may destroy and steal; they cannot take the life that we have in Christ. How abundant that life is in Christ.
People pray for these churches and the church families, but also pray for those who did these things.

He Calls Your Name

This is not from me but I thought that it was good. This is by Max Lucado


“The Son of Man came to find lost people and to save them.” Luke 19:10 NCV
God will do what it takes—whatever it takes—to bring his children home.
He is the shepherd in search of His lamb. His legs are scratched, His feet are sore, and His eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups His hands to His mouth and calls into the canyon.
And the name He calls is yours.

Through A Father's Eyes

When I became a father I was still very much a child myself. I also still held many of my childlike thought patterns too. I had these ideas and images of grandeur, I thought my children are going to be different I am going to be different then how my parents were with me. Well it did not take long until I found out that was pure fantasy in my thinking. Oh my children are different each having their own special talent or way of being. They are also good kids never causing any trouble different than just being a teenager or little girls. But things often happen that make me think to myself "this is not my child; I did not raise him/her like this!" Then the questions come; what were you thinking when you did this or just plain ol why? Well I had one of those why moments this morning. Of course I became angry, upset and wore a scowl on my face for most of the morning. Then as the dust settled I had time to think upon the events of the morning. As I reflected, God soon began to speak to me on the matter. The idea that my children were going to be these perfect individuals was a thought of fantasy. Not because they are not awesome but because of the sin that is always around us. Some would say that it is because we are human, I believe that is nonsense. Christ was human and he was perfect, he fought sin not humanity. Anyways, God started to remind me just because I hold an idea in my mind about what my children should be like or act like is an illusion in my mind. I can help mold them and shape them but ultimately it is up to them to decide. Much the same way it is for me and my walk with God. I am sure there are many things God would like to see me become or do, but until I make a decision there is not much God can help with. Oh sure, God can nudge me a certain way or encourage me to understand; just the same as I do my children but until I make a decision I will never know what He has in store for me. In Jeremiah he says "Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!" (Jeremiah 18:3-6) This morning was a good reminder to me that I must remain in the potter's hands to be molded to what He would have me be. We can shape our children to what we think is best and the world will say we did something wrong along the way; but in the Lords hands for either us or our children there are not mistakes. He placed the stars in the heavens and named each of them and they follow His set path. How beautiful the heavens are and how intricate they are. Imagine what he can do with you His greatest creation if you are willing.

He Walks With Me

As a child and even now as an adult one Bible story that always captivated me was the story of Enoch. He does not get much attention in the Bible but what is said about him is profound. Here is what is said "21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:21-24)Yes it is amazing that he lived for as long as he did. But what always captivated me was that he never died. God took him, Enoch did not know the pain of death, he was never found because God took his whole body. For 300 hundred years Enoch walked with God and built a friendship that the creator of the world enjoyed so much that He spared Enoch the pain of death. One reason I think that this relationship was so successful was because Enoch walk with God in humility. 300 years wow! The talks they must have had and the loved that must have been shared between them. When was the last time you walked with God along life’s narrow ways? When was the last time you had humility before Him.