Speak life

I wonder if I was to take a recording at the end of the day of the words that I had spoken during the day, what would that sound like? What percentage of my words would be encouraging and filled with hope? And what percentage of my words would be filled with sarcasm, negativity, and foolishness?

There is a good reason that the Bible says in James to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Who can tame the tongue? Only through a process of continually submitting oneself to the presence of Jesus, and the sanctification of the word, then we will speak words of life, and hope, and courage that will benefit the hearer.

I want to be one that offers a sacrifice of praise with my lips and most importantly my heart. Words will only build up or tear down. Let us seek to build up always.

Pray together...Stay together

We live in a time where the average American family is overwhelmed with busyness. We have created a lifestyle of chaos as a result of trying to achieve what is known as the American dream. The pursuit of happiness, associated closely with the pursuit of monetary gain has turned into realistically a nightmare for many. Marriages in disarray, families devastated and relationally broken. Fathers disconnected from sons and daughters. In a country where there should be no orphans, all of a sudden in an age of industry, technology, and google fiber, we find an overwhelming number of physical and spiritual orphans.

How does a family who is established in God's truth, and God's ways, navigate these treacherous waters? How do we avoid becoming disconnected and isolated from each other? May I suggest a simple concept. The family that prays together, stays together.

Like 11:1-4
1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
2 And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."

Lord teach us to play has become the average Christians experience with God and prayer. We are an over stimulated, over fed, entertainment oriented culture. We pray quick and cheap prayers mostly aimed at satisfying and justifying our "don't worry be happy" lifestyles. We are not content to truly learn how to pray as Jesus taught his disciples. We must return to a disciplined lifestyle of learning to pray to the Father the way that Jesus prayed. The Lord's Prayer is a great place to start and covers everything needed. Husbands and wives must engage daily in fervent and passionate committed prayer, together. In that place a marriage is "cemented" and protected. The average couple does not pray together and seek to be discipled by Jesus in a lifestyle of drawing away from all the distractions to a lonely place to be with the Father. Fathers must teach their kids to pray at an early age. I am not just talking about the prayer at the dinner table, but heaven shaking prayers that set the captive free, heal the broken body, and brings salvation to the lost. We must model a lifestyle of intimacy with the Creator and Sustainer of all life.

The family that prays together, stays together.

Greater works than these -11/18/14

Have you ever considered that most of life's success comes in the small packages? The world measures success by quantity, measurable growth, and money. Jesus measured success by the small things that are done in the secret place. Phrases like, "don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing" and, "whoever does these things in secret, your Father who sees will reward you."

Maybe the greater works than these is not just or mostly referring to supernatural signs and wonders, but success in the mundane. The way we treat our spouses, our children and those we work with everyday matters greatly. Victory comes in small steps and packages. Sometimes it is manifested in great church growth or increase in measurable amounts, but not most of the time. We must not forget that often we take two steps forward and one step back. We persevere and endure and struggle to gain ground. The mega church mentality is not the standard that God sets. That often has to do with mans personality, flashiness, and ability to promote great marketing strategies. Gods way is humility, purity, meekness and selflessness. It's an upside down kingdom.

Rejection

What do you do with rejection? How do you react when you have felt rejected by those you love? Those that misunderstand your intentions?

We all in small ways experience rejection possibly on a daily basis. You might not have been through a traumatic experience where someone you love intentionally hurt you and rejected you that left you clearly scarred, but what about the daily interactions with your spouse, friends, co-workers? Was it something they said that hurt you, the way they looked at you, that you perceived rejection. Words either build up or tear down. I also like to say a lack of encouraging words also have the potential to tear down. Sometimes it's the thing we should have said to speak life and courage into someone that changes a life.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3-4

Jesus knew rejection in the most intense way. He was love incarnate, a man with no sin. He loved all without judging or condemning. Why was this man rejected? He should have been the most accepted and loved person in the whole world. Right? Why was he crucified by men who hated him? Misunderstood? Clearly. Whatever rejection you have been to pails in comparison to what the Messiah experienced for you and I. He understood rejection to the point of death. Whether you are rejected because of your faith, or simply because you don't "fit" into the click or cool group, understand and know that the One who loves you and gave his life for you, understands your pain.

He alone is worth following and living for. There is no greater form of healing than to receive the wounded Savior's affirmation and love. Would you take a minute and thank him that because of His rejection you have life!

The way of honor

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. I Peter 2:16-17

Freedom for the believer in Jesus Christ is the way of honor. We honor God first and secondly one another. We live as servants of God, but even more importantly as friends of God. Jesus said that no one has any greater love than this, to lay down ones life for his friends. He then went on to say that you are my friends if you obey what I say. (John 15)

In all of our relationships, the good and the hard, the easy and those we find challenging to love, we must learn to honor and love in a way that reflects Christ. We hold in high honor one another and we tread carefully with our words, our thoughts, and our actions towards each other. I am convinced that if we were to master one thing in the church, love and honor for one another would in itself produce a harvest of revival that would spill outside of the four walls of the church. You see at the core people are vulnerable, easily wounded, and not easily trusting. Everyone carries around whatever weight they have carried from past blows dealt by the enemy, a family member, a spouse, or a friend. Therefore we must not judge one another, but rather seek to bless and encourage each other. If we can touch the Fathers heart to get the affirmation we need from Him alone first, then we can give that same affirmation out to a brother or a sister without the fear of how they will treat you or respond to you. The way of humility is how we progress in the kingdom of God. We do not demand from anyone that they change, rather we seek to change regardless of another persons response or attitude towards us. Let God be God, and every man a liar. He is the only one who can soften hardened hearts and restore the broken walls in relationships.

Seize the day. Love the brotherhood. Honor someone today practically. You will be blessed.

A new birth

3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:3-6

Have you ever experienced the birth of a child? If you are a mom then you understand an aspect to this that us men will never experience. Sigh of relief guys. I am a dad of three amazing children. And I had the amazing experience of being an eye witness and a "coach" on all three of our births. I truly was speechless especially after the birth of my first born. I was literally filled with tears of joy when I saw him finally come out after three days of labor. Yes! My wife is amazing!

I can just see the wheels turning here as Nicodemus tries to wrap his head around this being born again thing that Jesus so plainly speaks of. Nicodemus is visualizing what I just described in the last paragraph, a natural birth a second time. Obviously he knows that this cannot be possible and so Jesus helps him a bit by reminding him that it is not a birth of the flesh but more importantly of the Spirit. Jesus was amazed that Nicodemus being a highly trained scholar did not understand that. Then again how many Pharisees and Sadducees understood or received this new birth?

We must not be surprised as Nicodemus was that all who desire to know God must be born again. There is no other way to the Father but through this rebirth of the Spirit. Our only hope for eternity is to embrace the Spirit in a new birth or regeneration where we literally pass through the old and into the new. Just like a baby being born, coming out of the womb and into the world, so all who desire eternal life must be born again.

Falling short

Do you ever feel like a failure? It's easy to sometimes put on a good face to those who don't know you well. It's not as easy to keep that on with those you live with day in and day out. On one hand I find great strides in the grace of God in many areas of my life, and on the other hand I am painfully reminded that I am far from perfect. Thankfully He is the perfect One and if I abide in His love then I find redemption for every area or struggle in my life.

The truth is that I am not a failure, yes I have failings and short comings but in no way does Jesus see me as a failure. We have all been bought and redeemed by the blood of the lamb and that is the truth.

Let God be true and every man a liar. By nature we are hypocrites right? I mean let's not fool ourselves into thinking otherwise. One moment we say one thing, and the next do something contrary to what we just said. We are creatures given over to lies and pride if left on our own. Thanks to God in Christ there is redemption which He has lavished on us that we should be called Children of God. So take courage my friend your redemption is near. Do not wallow in shame or guilt but rise up and take hold of truth. You are more valuable than you know and the blood of Jesus has paid the price for every fault, shortcoming, and sin.

In the stillness

Quiet your soul before the Holy One
Remind Him that you are looking, longing
For His presence at all times.

Be still before the Maker of the universe
Give Him your strength and your weakness, then He will fill you up.

God of wonders release me to be in Awe of You always, to bow down to worship You alone. In your greatness I am great.

I am Your son today. What you have given to me is true identity and belonging. I live for you today.

A world at war

Woke up to the sound of shell and mortar
Huddled in the corner for cover
Who will restore things back to order?

Why do the nations rage at one another?
Brother against brother, a bitter tale
Sons and daughters, father and mother
All created in Gods image

Children running for their lives
Born into darkness but created for light
Husbands separated from their wives
It's to much to bear, O silent night

The promise of eternity come
The wait for heaven a painful one
Longing for love cannot be undone
Hope in the coming of the Glorious Son

Upside Down Kingdom

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that." Luke 6:32-33

Much of life is spent loving those that love us back. We are humans, and if we give out then it is only natural to expect back in some way. We find comfort in being liked and loved by those that are similar to us in thought, values, social-economic stature, and spirituality. It's much easier and predictable to give to those who can give back, or to do good works in some way to be thanked in return. You see where I am going with this don't you?

Jesus himself said if you love those who love you back what credit is that to you? What does he mean what benefit is that to us? What is Jesus really trying to get at here? Because in the natural he knows that we like to be loved by those who love us in return. I don't think He is saying not to love your family, your close friends, etc. I really don't believe that is His point. I like this quote by Dr. Ralph Wilson on these verses.

"If you are looking for a nice, comfortable religion that doesn't call for too many demands on your life, makes you feel better when you're down, and will reserve luxury suites for you in heaven when you die, then you probably shouldn't try to be one of Jesus' disciples. He is demanding. He has the crazy notion that his followers should serve others rather than themselves. He expects them to show integrity when no one is looking. And he expects them to love. Not just people who only occasionally have a bad day. But enemies. Jesus expects you to love your enemies. Don't follow him unless you're ready to experience some discomfort."

The kingdom of God is an upside down kingdom. Meaning if you want to be first then you need to be last. If you want to gain your life then you must lose your life. Jesus is radical and his ways are radical. Really we are to rejoice when we are persecuted? Why? Jesus is not after earthly rewards. He is not after a pat on the back. He is after the hidden, dangerous truth. It is extreme to love your enemies. It is extreme to give to whomever asks something of you without expecting in return. Precisely. This is why Jesus came. He laid down his life to those who couldn't give anything back to him. Wow. So let's lose our American entitlement Christianity and become like Jesus and count the cost of carrying our cross.

Heartbreaking

By now the letters I.S.I.S should stir up some level of anger and hatred in your vocabulary and thoughts. The world has watched in horror what these demons in the form of humans have done to men, women, and children. Wicked and completely evil, bent on brutality and savagery, how can they have souls and a conscience? No human being with a soul created by God could do what they have done to children. Do I sound raw, unfiltered, and angry? Well I am. Do you suppose Jesus is? Why does God not send down lighting from heaven to consume them all? Why are they not destroyed by the might of all the civilized nations together? How can anyone who claims to know God do such things to fellow humans? Their God is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their God is the author of hatred and rage.

The truth is they are all illegitimate sons. They know not their identity or their origin. They live under confusion and blindness. They are brainwashed and welcomed into this "delusional" family which promises women in paradise and all the gold one could want. These prodigals, created by the same God that created the heavens and the earth, know not the truth. They are followers of a lie, loyal to Satan and his legions. They are hopeless and lost, desperately seeking the attention, affirmation, and validation of a "father". They are caught in the trap that has caused many a Ishmael to forever be embittered towards the Isaacs.

What should your response be to them? Would you do the same that they have so ruthlessly done to innocent Christians, and minorities? Would you if you had the chance kill them without a thought? What should our response be as sons and daughters to the true Father of Lights? What should we do? Was it really Jesus that said what I am going to quote from the gospel of Luke 6: 27-28?

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

Ouch. That really hurts Jesus. Surely this does not apply to these ruthless men does it? How can this be? It is not what you wanted to hear is it? This is not what your gun under your bed wanted to hear either is it? I am not claiming to have the answer to the question of what we should do. All I know is that Jesus of Nazareth is the one who said those painful words. The man who was crucified said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

We are left with a painful choice. To forgive or not. To pray for those who persecute you or not. To love your enemies or not. I leave you with this. God have mercy on those men that were once someone's little child innocently playing in the streets, singing in the park, and dreaming of a better future. Is there a dream or vision in the night that could in a moment change their hearts of stone to a heart of flesh? Please abba show them that You are the one they are desperately in need of.

All About Love

"...and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." I Corinthians 13:2b

How well you and I learn to truly love God and love others will really be the measure of our fruitfulness in the kingdom of God. There is one standard in His kingdom. Love. Sincere and genuine love, not masked in any way. This kind of love alone will change the world. Jesus changed the course of history by demonstrating love in a way that would forever become the example of how we are to live.
Jesus taught his disciples a lot of things, but most importantly He taught them about love and compassion for the sick, hurting, broken, and the outcast. Jesus always looked through a different lens. He was not concerned with the outward distractions that the pharisees were loaded down with. Jesus was able to say before the crowd of witnesses ready to cast stones at the woman caught in adultery, "Let him who is without sin throw the first stone." God kind of love is really different from the world kind of love, which is mostly lust and based on how one feels moment to moment.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

There is no greater love than that of truly laying your life down for one another. This refers to the kind of humility that considers others better than oneself. This refers to putting someone else's needs before mine, and helping them fulfill the desires of their heart. When we spend ourselves on loving others it will be difficult, and sometimes most inconvenient.
Love is not efficient. Love will need to happen at the wrong times, the times when you feel most like...not loving. Love will always give you the opportunity to lay down your life. Love does not take advantage of, or manipulate. Love will hold no strings attached. Love will know no limits.

"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18

Psalm 27:4

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

If there was one verse that I would hold on to it would be Psalm 27:4. If there was one thing that I could say defined me it would be this reality found in this verse. I believe that there is a real place where we can dwell with The Lord in His house and find ourselves head over heels in love with the Creator all the days of our lives. There are so many distractions in this life. There is one reality that supersedes all the lesser realities. I am a lover of God, and He is a lover of my soul. I belong to Him, and He belongs to me. To gaze upon this beautiful God is all that I really desire. For when I gaze, I become fixated with the only perfect, holy, true, loving, and full of light being in the whole world and cosmos.

King David was on to something. There is a reason he gave himself to seeking The Lord and gazing on His beauty. All those who take the time to become gazers of the most amazing Creator will be transformed from this lowly world to a higher reality that is fit for eternity. We are created for more than this world. This world will leave us hanging dry. We must choose to behold the beauty of The Lord all the days of our lives. We must fixate ourselves upon the eternal glory that awaits all those who love their God with all they are, more than pleasure, and more than this world. Oh to be transformed, oh to be overwhelmed with this God! He is worth giving everything you have and everything you are.

Hearts Wide Open

To live life to the fullest often means to live with your heart wide open. Of course there is danger and risk involved when you choose to love and live in abundance. You not only risk being hurt, but you will be hurt when you live and love with an open heart. You will feel betrayed, misunderstood, slandered, and even rejected at times. You might ask if there is an easier way. Yes indeed. You can live guarded, silenced, fearful, and shut down and you might just escape some of the pain. There is no joy like the joy of truly living with an open heart that is confident in Christ and in who you are as a son or daughter.

The proverb says to guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. I want my heart alive and flowing like a raging waterfall. I am not content to be a stagnant cesspool or dried up river bed. I am not satisfied living guarded or shut off to the world around me. Jesus himself lived with abandon to the hearts and souls of real hurting people around him. Some of his closest friends betrayed him and yet he still loved. It is only possible with God to live this way. There is a higher path, a road less traveled. Few will find it and most will go around it. A treacherous road, but one that at the end of the journey you will hear the voice shout out,"well done my good and faithful servant!"

Let us live like Jesus did. We are called to be a missional family sparkling and radiating with the love of God himself. The world around us knows how to take, but it doesn't know how to give. So go ahead and empty yourself out before the lover of your soul. As you do you will find yourself becoming an overflow of hope to those around you. As you empty so you will be filled. Fear not says The Lord. He has redeemed you and called you each by name.

Whats so good about Good Friday?

Everyone looks forward to Friday week after week right? It tends to be the favored day for sure. Why? Maybe the fact that the weekend follows, and two days off work is just plain...good. Maybe for many its a chance to gather with friends, go to the movies, go out to eat, and simply enjoy the goodness of life. This Friday tends to be a bit different, and yet many people will only see so far as the Easter goodies and family gatherings. In a culture flooded with every color and variety of chocolate, bunnies, and eggs, it is difficult to allow the true goodness of Good Friday to really sink in.

I must admit I am not a theologian, and I am not for certain that Jesus the Messiah actually died on Friday, but nonetheless He died. The day is not of greatest importance, but the reality and truth of His death, burial, and resurrection. This is good news friends. Good Friday is simply a reminder that true goodness only comes from Christ, true life and joy are only found in partaking of His death and resurrection. We must allow this to sink in deeply, penetrate every part of our heart and mind and soul. There would have been no weekend to look forward to had Christ not died and risen from the dead. We would have been doomed and damned to eternal destruction and separation. 

So celebrate loudly, yes freely, and fully. 

I leave you today with Isaiah 53:3-7,

"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."

Life is a Narrative

Life is not a list of propositions, it is a series of dramatic scenes. As Eugene Peterson said, “We live in narrative, we live in story. Existence has a story shape to it. We have a beginning and an end, we have a plot, we have characters.” Story is the language of the heart. Our souls speak not in the naked facts of mathematics or the abstract propositions of systematic theology; they speak the images and emotions of story. Contrast your enthusiasm for studying a textbook with the offer to go to a movie, read a novel, or listen to the stories of someone else’s life. Elie Wiesel suggests that “God created man because he loves stories.” So if we’re going to find the answer to the riddle of the earth—and of our own existence—we’ll find it in story.

For hundreds of years, our culture has been losing its story. The Enlightenment dismissed the idea that there is an Author but tried to hang on to the idea that we could still have a Larger Story, life could still make sense, and everything was headed in a good direction. Western culture rejected the mystery and transcendence of the Middle Ages and placed its confidence in pragmatism and progress, the pillars of the Modern Era, the Age of Reason. But once we had rid ourselves of the Author, it didn’t take long to lose the Larger Story. In the Postmodern Era, all we have left are our small stories. The central belief of our times is that there is no story, nothing hangs together, all we have are bits and pieces, the random days of our lives. Tragedy still brings us to tears and heroism still lifts our hearts, but there is no context for any of it. Life is just a sequence of images and emotions without rhyme or reason.

So, what are we left to do? Create our own story line to bring some meaning to our experiences. Our heart is made to live in a Larger Story; having lost that we do the best we can by developing our own smaller dramas.

Taken from "The Sacred Romance" by John Eldredge

Oceans and waves

I struggle to swim in this vast ocean
Waves crash over me as I gasp for air
Rapidly moving waters sway me
Looking for a resting place
The struggle continues
Fighting the currents of this world
Resisting the pressures that face me
Pulling me under, yet not prevailing
Not my own fight, but the Greater One
All is well, and all is not
Violent forces uncontrolled by man
One chance to hold for dear life
A moment of peace, then back to battle
Not against flesh and blood
But oceans and waves
Of sin
Of death
Of fear
Of pain
Of hope
Of glory
Of peace
Mingled together for now, but soon apart
Brighter and lighter it will be
Hold on for dear life now
Guard your heart in truth

Innocence of a Child

Daily I fall in love with my children all over again. Even when World War III breaks out and all there 'dark sides' come out to chase me, I still stand in awe of them. Each uniquely crafted with such beauty, purity, and innocence. Yes, innocence. In a day and age where the heart and mind are being exploited daily with explicit content, images, and a slew of trash; we must fight all the more to preserve the innocence of our children. The last time I read the Holy Book, there seemed to be some words that went like this:

"Out of the mouths of infants and babes He has ordained praise."

And, "unless you humble yourself and become like a child you will have no place in the kingdom of God."

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

So, as a father I am constantly asking myself how I can improve in order to protect, nourish, and preserve their innocence. I am deeply saddened by the exploitation of children around the world. There is absolute truth and we must teach our children the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, justice and injustice. They must walk now in the conviction and power of the Holy Spirit. A child is more than able to comprehend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are more than able to pray for the sick, prophesy over their friends and peers, walk in holiness and purity, and be lights in a dark world.

Loved or hated?

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Tim 3:12

How do you read this verse? What do you think it means for today, your life as a believer in The Lord Jesus Christ? It's pretty simple and plain to understand, and yet so many think it strange and foreign to suffer persecution for the gospel.

Jesus was clear that since he was persecuted and hated, that we would also be hated by the world. The world did not understand or accept him when he walked the earth. He was loved by those who truly knew him, his mercy, compassion, kindness, and power. Those who believed that he was the son of God experienced his love and touch on their broken lives. Yet, many bent on doing evil would reject and hate the Christ because their end was destruction and death due to their unwillingness and hardness of heart. To those who chose to believe and repent, they would find grace and mercy.

Burdened

I am and have been for some time burdened with what I see in the body of Christ these days. This one verse sets the tone and context for what I will share and what we must aspire and reach for.

"Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as The Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all put on love, the perfect bond of unity." Colossians 3:12-14

There is a genuine lack of all of these characteristics, virtues, and qualities in much of the way we interact with one another today in the body of Christ. A lot of time is spent criticizing one another, or cursing a brother under ones breath. How sad and arrogant of us to think that we are better or more spiritual that another. God forbid that we should boast in anything but the cross. We are all saved from the same "dung" pile. The royal mess that we were in, some still live in, even after claiming Christ. It is simple friends. Love God, and prove your love for God by the way you love one another. Do not be deceived, God knows our intentions, thoughts, and actions. Would it not be more fitting for us to bend over backwards, sideways, and upside down if needed to preserve love and unity? Would this lost and bitter world not be more drawn to the fragrance of life in Christ, if we His people truly shined love like the stars in the heavens?

We must set out hearts higher and go further in the grace of God to love people the way He destined and created us to love. We don't have to be efficient. This is about the quality of love, not the quantity of how much we can do. Start over today, start fresh at ground zero. Examine your heart before you step out of your front door. Allow the Holy Spirit to blow His love over you again son or daughter, so you will blow His love over one another in such grace, love, kindness, humility, and sacrifice.

Desire or Disappointment

Strange title right? They seem like polar opposites don't they? But why is it that they go together so often like chicken and noodle soup? Can you have one without the other? Is there truly joy apart from the pain? Beauty without the ashes? Isn't the very message of the Gospel one that rescues us from the terrible mess we found ourselves in? Or should I say He found us in.

Desire is in the heart of every boy and girl from the time they could reach for the stairs and crawl up them. A desire to conquer, overcome, explore and find that next fun thing to do. Every young girl dreams of being a beautiful princess with a purple dress and of course, pink shoes. Every boy dreams of greatness, that when he grows up he wants to be a fireman, or an engineer who builds the tallest buildings. No boy dreams of being in a cubicle of an office for forty hours a week. They long for adventure and risk to get that adventure. Sadly as many grow up and face disappointment they give up their desires and dreams because it is just to hard. Life is difficult. Life isn't fair. Life throws some curve balls that would make even the finest of batters seem anything but great.

How do we go back to the garden? How do we find the life worth living for again? Is it really worth more heartache and frustration? Jesus says in John 10:10 that He came to give life and life abundant. Really? Then why am I so unfruitful, and disconnected? Ah good questions lad? The answer most certainly lies in the resignation of your heart and soul. The scriptures also say that He rewards those who seek Him diligently and persistently. If we have lost heart and given up then we will not love God enough to stay with Him to bring us out of despair and into spacious territory. It is a two way street.

To be continued...

Radical love...the only way to live.

As a believer in The Lord Jesus Christ, and more importantly as a disciple there is only one way to live. What does it all boil down to? How do you sum up the life of the believer in the unseen, uncreated God? Radical love. Why not just love? Jesus loved in the most extreme way. He laid down His very life unto dying a radical death on a cross in order to prove that love was not measured by our ability to earn or measure up to, but solely in the mercy and grace of the blood of the Lamb of God. Therefore we are also called to lay down our lives for one another.

Jesus was unique in the way He loved as He walked the earth. He brought forth a new reality in a time when love was not the norm, especially loving the poor, broken, destitute, and rejected of His day. He showed His disciples the way of the kingdom. Not only would they have power to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast off demons; but they would have power to love in a way they had never known before. In essence their ministry would be measured by love, not just power. They would struggle to learn the way of humility and love. Who wouldn't want to be powerful and able to perform amazing miracles? It wasn't power that Jesus was after, it was genuine and sincere love. The disciples would struggle with wanting to be great in their own strength and abilities.

Who signs up to love in the most radical, sincere, committed ways? Not many. Love requires deep sacrifice and a different way of living entirely. Radical love for each other requires laying down all pride and arrogance and embracing humility, meekness, grace,long suffering, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and peace. Imagine if we were to live this way in our families, churches, neighbors, and cities. Entire families, churches, cities, and nations would be changed. The world would be changed. This is what I have signed up for. I am on a quest to learn to love in a radical ordinary way. I want my life to be measured by love and compassion and not just what I accomplished.

A wild God.

You ever wonder why you have a desire for adventure? Have you ever noticed that even your fears or insecurities can't seem to calm the fact that you wonder and imagine yourself accomplishing great feats and conquering many obstacles? In a world full of twists and turns, hardship and heart ache, long roads and treacherous territory, my heart and your heart beat to know God in all of His mystery and power as we dare to believe for the impossible.

Yes, it is true there is something in me that wants to play it safe. You know like taking the path of least resistance, or finding the easy, predictable way out. Yet there is a voice inside that says you were not created for ease, comfort, predictability, and safety. It is true that we as humans desire to be safe and secure and dwell in a state of comfort and assurance that we will be okay. I guess this is not wrong in and of itself, and probably a bit healthy in some respects. The problem with being a man or woman who represents a wild and adventurous God in a kingdom not built by human hands or limited to human reason, is the very fact that the King is not safe. He is everything good, trustworthy, loving, caring, merciful, gracious and kind, but He is very unpredictable, adventurous, risky, dangerous, and in essence not safe according to our definition of safety.

We most likely would stay in "The Shire" at every chance if it was solely up to us. Its that still small voice inside of us tugging at our hearts and conscience until we dare to trust God in the cause of justice, bringing hope to the hopeless, leaving all to share the Good News of the kingdom to those who have never heard, and risking it all for the sake of seeing the eternal kingdom established.

To be continued.

A journey of the heart

You have heard it said, "guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest battle any one will face is for their very own heart, which includes ones affections, desires, wants, needs, and longings. The human heart is a vital organ. Without the heart the body dies, and so it is the same with the Spiritual.

There is light and there is darkness. There is love and there is hate. Good and evil. There is no in between, no middle ground. We love out of our hearts or we hate out of the same. Love is from God, it is eternal and the very nature of the Triune God. There is no darkness in God, He is absolute truth, love, and light. You see friends, you have to wake up to the fact that every moment, every day, your heart is being targeted. You are being hunted if I may say. You are wanted. You have a stalker and an adversary. Beloved you must not fear or be dismayed for God is greater than the enemy who seeks to kill, steal and destroy. Only submit to Him daily, hourly, minute by minute and the devil will flee.

Allow all of your affections to be wasted at the feet of Jesus. Allow all of your longings to be satisfied by the Father Himself. Allow all to be yielded before the Holy Spirit so you may be empowered to walk in great freedom and victory.