Today I went with the family to pick blueberries from a farm up north. As we arrived I could only think of two things.....1. God please don't let me do something like fall in the bushes or dump the blueberries out. 2. My wife is totally going to spank me at picking the most blueberries. At any rate, I moved through the field today enjoying a beautiful afternoon. After I left I thought of how I picked each berry at will only after I felt it was ready. God picks us just as the blueberries are picked, each one with a purpose. As sometimes the berries I picked weren't quite ready or ripe, so are we at times when God sends us a message.
James 1
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Take My Hand
Psalms 37: verses 23-24
23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
What a roller coaster of a world we live in today! It is easy to see the bad stack up against the good no matter who you are or where you live. For many out there it is so hard to fathom that God has a plan for each of us. The hard truth is that many choose to live life on their own accord. I like living on the edge sometimes, but this is comparable to swinging on a trapeze without a safety net, or even riding a motorcycle without a helmet. It's not whether you are going to fall, it is only a matter of when!
I know a few people that are so against the idea of Christ dying on the cross for our sins. They hate the idea of religion and following a God they cannot see. Is it hard to bite on this concept, yeah, sure it is! I remember when I was young and coming up through church. I had a hard time really committing to anything that had a "God" label on it. I was in it for the social time and comfort of acceptance in a group. It took a while for me to really realize that life would end as suddenly as it started. As I grew older I saw friends and relatives dying around me more and more. God used each one of them to send me a message that the end could be at anytime. When I looked at everything I finally made the choice to commit to God and reach out for His hand that had been there the entire time. God does not ask any crazy stuff of us like baptizing in the name of the dead or drinking the kool-aid on demand. We live in a society with a fix for just about everything, and an excuse for every overly sensitive person out there. If God doesn't exist then why do Atheists fight so hard to disprove His existence? Here is the point; reach out for God and get ready for God and get ready for a huge change in your life. Bad things will always happen in this life, but I couldn't imagine walking into them without God right there next to me.
Matthew 22: verses 37-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
What a roller coaster of a world we live in today! It is easy to see the bad stack up against the good no matter who you are or where you live. For many out there it is so hard to fathom that God has a plan for each of us. The hard truth is that many choose to live life on their own accord. I like living on the edge sometimes, but this is comparable to swinging on a trapeze without a safety net, or even riding a motorcycle without a helmet. It's not whether you are going to fall, it is only a matter of when!
I know a few people that are so against the idea of Christ dying on the cross for our sins. They hate the idea of religion and following a God they cannot see. Is it hard to bite on this concept, yeah, sure it is! I remember when I was young and coming up through church. I had a hard time really committing to anything that had a "God" label on it. I was in it for the social time and comfort of acceptance in a group. It took a while for me to really realize that life would end as suddenly as it started. As I grew older I saw friends and relatives dying around me more and more. God used each one of them to send me a message that the end could be at anytime. When I looked at everything I finally made the choice to commit to God and reach out for His hand that had been there the entire time. God does not ask any crazy stuff of us like baptizing in the name of the dead or drinking the kool-aid on demand. We live in a society with a fix for just about everything, and an excuse for every overly sensitive person out there. If God doesn't exist then why do Atheists fight so hard to disprove His existence? Here is the point; reach out for God and get ready for God and get ready for a huge change in your life. Bad things will always happen in this life, but I couldn't imagine walking into them without God right there next to me.
Matthew 22: verses 37-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Something Small
Mark 11
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26] [g]
Ever get caught in some heavy traffic wondering if that guy that cut you off was ever born with a brain? Maybe you have some more descriptive expletives for that guy that almost merged into you without looking? Next time this happens, take a second and really think if it's worth the stress. How many minor issues do we come across in this life that we turn into mountains?!
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26] [g]
Ever get caught in some heavy traffic wondering if that guy that cut you off was ever born with a brain? Maybe you have some more descriptive expletives for that guy that almost merged into you without looking? Next time this happens, take a second and really think if it's worth the stress. How many minor issues do we come across in this life that we turn into mountains?!
Pilgrim
I started reading the book, "Pilgrim's Progress," this last week. For those of you unfamiliar with this piece of literature, a man by the name of "Christian" is on a journey to get rid of a heavy burden that he physically carries with him. His life, as told through an epic story line, portrays the events that a Christian in our world faces daily. I find myself intrigued with this book even though I am only 2 chapters.
I really won't bore you with a dissertation of my readings thus far, however, I mention this book because of something that happens to "Christian" multiple times during his journey. Christian gets side tracked on multiple occasions by both people and things. I could relate to this character because it happens to all of us. We set out meaning to live a great and wholesome life, but we get side tracked many times. The straight and narrow path of God's grace is not easy to follow by any means. If it were then the Earth really wouldn't need to exist, and you would see me flying around as one of those cute cherubs with bright white wings and cute red cheeks. To some that would be a scary thought........ My point is this, no matter how many times we stray from the path of righteousness, God always gives us that mulligan, second chance, or whatever you want to call it. Don't think you are too far gone from His grace. He always provides the opportunity, the question is whether we can get past ourselves to accept it.
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
I really won't bore you with a dissertation of my readings thus far, however, I mention this book because of something that happens to "Christian" multiple times during his journey. Christian gets side tracked on multiple occasions by both people and things. I could relate to this character because it happens to all of us. We set out meaning to live a great and wholesome life, but we get side tracked many times. The straight and narrow path of God's grace is not easy to follow by any means. If it were then the Earth really wouldn't need to exist, and you would see me flying around as one of those cute cherubs with bright white wings and cute red cheeks. To some that would be a scary thought........ My point is this, no matter how many times we stray from the path of righteousness, God always gives us that mulligan, second chance, or whatever you want to call it. Don't think you are too far gone from His grace. He always provides the opportunity, the question is whether we can get past ourselves to accept it.
The Parable of the Wandering Sheep
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] [a]12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Word of The Day
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Today
How shall we live as servants for the Lord Jesus Christ? I read through the first part of a commentary on the book of James last night, and this was the question that stuck with me. Coming up in the church I always thought that being a Christian was the process of working on yourself. If I kept myself in line as far as my walk with God, then I was doing pretty good. Living life was so different back then with such a self serving attitude. I lived comfortably, and that was good enough.
My whole goal in talking with people about my relationship with God is not to come off as a bible thumper. I guess what I really want anyone within an ear shot to know is that I feel free from what I was when I claimed to be a Christian, yet my life didn't exactly reflect it. I am not always the happiest person, nor is everyday flowers and rainbows. Tomorrow I will wake up without worry in my heart knowing that God will always be the Father that never turns His back even though I turn mine from Him.
My whole goal in talking with people about my relationship with God is not to come off as a bible thumper. I guess what I really want anyone within an ear shot to know is that I feel free from what I was when I claimed to be a Christian, yet my life didn't exactly reflect it. I am not always the happiest person, nor is everyday flowers and rainbows. Tomorrow I will wake up without worry in my heart knowing that God will always be the Father that never turns His back even though I turn mine from Him.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Acknowledgement
While growing up God blessed me with two great parents. I remember being quite the difficult child, and sometimes I wonder how I didn't end up at the local landfill, or at a pawn shop with a price tag. I was such a little heathen in elementary school. At first my teachers would draw a circle in the sand that I had to stay inside of for the entire recess period. However, it wasn't too long before my Mom had to come to school and take me home for lunch. I was a big question mark and a handful. I can appreciate the war I put my parents through back then! I especially consider myself lucky because a lot of my friends back then had split homes, neglectful parents, and /or parents who abused them. The time I spent inside the teacher's sand circle must have seemed like small stuff to them.
It took me a long time to truly appreciate the time and effort my parents put into my life. I am not saying that neither one of them ever made a mistake or did not follow the so called "Proper Parenting Manual." Everyone makes mistakes, however, my parents brought me up in an environment and placed me in situations where I could learn from them. I left for the military for many reasons, but I also just wanted to get away from home and start life with no questions. The popular parable, "The prodigal son," explains how we feel sometimes in life. The thing to remember is that good parents, bad parents, or something in between, we all have a Father up above willing to welcome us with open arms regardless of what we've been through or what we have done. Read below and enjoy............
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
It took me a long time to truly appreciate the time and effort my parents put into my life. I am not saying that neither one of them ever made a mistake or did not follow the so called "Proper Parenting Manual." Everyone makes mistakes, however, my parents brought me up in an environment and placed me in situations where I could learn from them. I left for the military for many reasons, but I also just wanted to get away from home and start life with no questions. The popular parable, "The prodigal son," explains how we feel sometimes in life. The thing to remember is that good parents, bad parents, or something in between, we all have a Father up above willing to welcome us with open arms regardless of what we've been through or what we have done. Read below and enjoy............
Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
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