Wow, it's been a long time coming, I have not penned my thoughts in months. Catching up on things in my life, I will give you a short list of areas God has shown me that I need to change. Beginning with the most recent; Pride, I realized last night as I was doing some homework for school that I look down on people whom "I Feel" are not as smart as me. This became apparent when I was reading another students response to a question and the spelling and grammatical errors they made were elementary. I thought to myself, "Why are they even taking college courses when they surely need elementary teaching?"
Course Joking is another area God is giving me lessons on. My wife and I were joking with each other and one of our children was the brunt of the jokes. The child took offense to the joking and got really angry and lashed out at me. The child also stated that we (my wife and I) made them feel like an outsider. That was really painful to hear, as the ones we love the most could be made to feel like they do not belong to the family that God has placed them in.
Humility and how to accept hospitality is a strange concept for me to enjoy. I have now been out of work for almost six months, and the disciples have been very grateful in helping to provide for the needs of my family. I often see that I have a hard time accepting this help because I am not humble enough to see where my family's needs really are. I was praying just two days ago and realized that when I do not let others help our family when we are in need, I am stopping them from their spiritual act of service.
James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
~Talk to me~
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Knowledge and insight
Wow, what a time it has been for me this month. I haven't written anything in a while due to wrong motives and a desire to people please. Also, since i started school on the 2nd of March this has added some more responsibility to my plate so I thank you for your patience.
So, here is the skinny on my emotions now and during this time of absence. I have been discouraged because I have never been out of work this long since joining the work force in 1988. I was having trouble believing in Gods promises during this time of testing. I was lying to myself about how I was doing because I wasn't taking time to examine myself. My bible reading was awesome but the heart connection was lacking and so was prayer.
I got some advice and was asked to do something to move Gods heart so I arranged a 10 hour prayer night that really changed things for my walk with God. A lot of folks came to support this effort and it was and continues to be very inspiring. since that night I have been on several job interviews and more continue to come. i also got open about specific sin's in my life that I felt would condemn me if God were to come and take me home for judgment.
I will share what that sin is in person if you are interested. Also my faith was strengthened because I don't have to carry that baggage around any longer. God has and is still working his magic in my heart and life. Thank you for praying for our family and continue to pray for me to see God's will for my life!
Philippians 1:9-11 give me new direction for my life!
~Talk to me~
So, here is the skinny on my emotions now and during this time of absence. I have been discouraged because I have never been out of work this long since joining the work force in 1988. I was having trouble believing in Gods promises during this time of testing. I was lying to myself about how I was doing because I wasn't taking time to examine myself. My bible reading was awesome but the heart connection was lacking and so was prayer.
I got some advice and was asked to do something to move Gods heart so I arranged a 10 hour prayer night that really changed things for my walk with God. A lot of folks came to support this effort and it was and continues to be very inspiring. since that night I have been on several job interviews and more continue to come. i also got open about specific sin's in my life that I felt would condemn me if God were to come and take me home for judgment.
I will share what that sin is in person if you are interested. Also my faith was strengthened because I don't have to carry that baggage around any longer. God has and is still working his magic in my heart and life. Thank you for praying for our family and continue to pray for me to see God's will for my life!
Philippians 1:9-11 give me new direction for my life!
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Flawless
How often do I think of God as Flawless? I am poised to think of how often i negate Gods power and majesty when I see his qualities in the bible. God is awesome and deserves the utmost respect from me and I need to always trust that he is righteous and will deliver me no matter what state of life I am in.
Proverbs 30:5 tells me that my refuge should be in God all the time and there is no safer place for me to be. I forget that when I am waking up in the mornings and later in the day when life comes at me. I need to know and be reassured from the scriptures that He is there and all I have to do is reach out to him in prayer and fullness of heart.
God forgive me for not seeing how flawless you are, for forsaking the truth that you are with me always. guide my heart to understand that nothing in this world happens without your hand upon it. Guide my mind to take refuge in you when I feel down or discouraged. Grant me the ability to trust you completely with my life and hold me close to your bosom. May your loving arms protect me and your wisdom guide me.
~Talk to me~
Proverbs 30:5 tells me that my refuge should be in God all the time and there is no safer place for me to be. I forget that when I am waking up in the mornings and later in the day when life comes at me. I need to know and be reassured from the scriptures that He is there and all I have to do is reach out to him in prayer and fullness of heart.
God forgive me for not seeing how flawless you are, for forsaking the truth that you are with me always. guide my heart to understand that nothing in this world happens without your hand upon it. Guide my mind to take refuge in you when I feel down or discouraged. Grant me the ability to trust you completely with my life and hold me close to your bosom. May your loving arms protect me and your wisdom guide me.
~Talk to me~
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Proverbs
There is a them to me for the last two days as I have been reading in the book of Proverbs. Its a hard theme for me to grasp because I don't want to see myself in this light. And that light is "Wicked". In the Proverbs it recounts many times my will takes over and I stop letting God run my life I become my own god and I begin to do things that the Lord doesn't like, and he detests them. Therefore, I become wicked in his eyes and he cant look upon me. Even writing this is hard because I have to take responsibility for my actions and see that I can be unpleasing to the Father in heaven.
God wants me to be pure in heart, meaning the things people cant see on the outside, the internal thoughts, motives and feelings have to be righteous. Often enough I don't think this way unless I dive into the scriptures and find things that work on my character enough to drive me to change. I love God and want to be close to him, I want nothing to be in the way of our relationship and am striving to be more and more like his son who died on the cross for me.
Lord, Listen to your son and guide his life in the ways you want him to go. Help me to lay down my life and make sure that where there are areas of compromise, you take over and expose them and grant me the energy to be honest and wisdom to be righteous. I love you and thank you for choosing me out of darkness to be in the light where the Son shines on me.
~Talk to me~
God wants me to be pure in heart, meaning the things people cant see on the outside, the internal thoughts, motives and feelings have to be righteous. Often enough I don't think this way unless I dive into the scriptures and find things that work on my character enough to drive me to change. I love God and want to be close to him, I want nothing to be in the way of our relationship and am striving to be more and more like his son who died on the cross for me.
Lord, Listen to your son and guide his life in the ways you want him to go. Help me to lay down my life and make sure that where there are areas of compromise, you take over and expose them and grant me the energy to be honest and wisdom to be righteous. I love you and thank you for choosing me out of darkness to be in the light where the Son shines on me.
~Talk to me~
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
WISDOM
In gaining wisdom I often look to the streets to find it, this is an unusual place to go when there are so many false teachings out there. When I refer to the streets I mean the roads I travel everyday, the people I interface with, the conversations I get into and the things I watch. Often enough I make decisions in my life according to the judgements I determined by the things listed above and they have put me in some compromising positions in my life.
The choices I make to stay angry when forgiveness should be at hand, the desire to get my way when I need to lay down my life, the craving to stop helping someone who has little understanding in the lessons of life when others didn't give up on me. These choices help me see that I lack wisdom. Reading the Proverbs this morning helped me see that there are areas of my life where I need to embrace and FIND wisdom.
Wisdom is found when you look for it, Wisdom resides with God and he will give it to me when I seek him out.
Lord help me grow in my wisdom, help me to seek your council, grant me grace when i look to people for answers and not your will. Lord mold me into what you want not what I want.
~Talk to me~
The choices I make to stay angry when forgiveness should be at hand, the desire to get my way when I need to lay down my life, the craving to stop helping someone who has little understanding in the lessons of life when others didn't give up on me. These choices help me see that I lack wisdom. Reading the Proverbs this morning helped me see that there are areas of my life where I need to embrace and FIND wisdom.
Wisdom is found when you look for it, Wisdom resides with God and he will give it to me when I seek him out.
Lord help me grow in my wisdom, help me to seek your council, grant me grace when i look to people for answers and not your will. Lord mold me into what you want not what I want.
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Preaching the Word
Finishing the book of Acts this morning has stirred something inside of me to talk about preaching the word. In Acts 28:31 Paul is preaching boldly and without hindrance. The thought came to me about how often I let something hinder me from being bold. I get fearful of peoples reactions especially those studying the bible and then from other disciples who's faith is low that I sense will put up a lot of resistance.
It's hard to say that I have insecurities about being bold for God, but i also know that if I don't mention them i wont get help with them or start the process of healing from them. God doesn't want me to be afraid to speak boldly of him and I shouldn't be that way. I will make a stand and change this in my life.
~Talk to me~
It's hard to say that I have insecurities about being bold for God, but i also know that if I don't mention them i wont get help with them or start the process of healing from them. God doesn't want me to be afraid to speak boldly of him and I shouldn't be that way. I will make a stand and change this in my life.
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
In my heart
What a great day to be alive!
God is tremendous to his children and he give us everything we need. This morning i am encouraged to write to you all about a great time in the scriptures. Reading through the book of ACTS it gave me a real heart check and I want to share it with you. Many times I see God working and then there are times when it isn't so easy, But weather I see him or not he is still working.
There are individuals who have given up their lives so that I could have the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am forever grateful. The things that stirred my heart this morning is that, when Stephen was talking to the Sanhedrin about Jesus and he told them they have refused to obey God and turned back in their hearts to Egypt (past) ACTS 7:39. then later in Acts 8:3 how emotions can take over and we do stupid stuff. What a concept huh? I see that i need to accept and Obey Gods truth in my heart and not just on shallow surface things but deep within my heart. I have to search and get inside to see what is holding me back from Obeying God fully.
The to sum it all up ACTS 8:22-23 says that I am full of bitterness and captive to sin! Thanks for the jolt of lightning to my heart GOD! I need the bible everyday to challenge my heart to see the Lord more clearly. I need to understand that if there are areas of my heart that get caught up in deceit and unopeness that I am captive to sin. In my heart i want to be right with the MAKER, and i need everyone to let me know what they see in me and help me to purge them out so that I can be blameless before the Father!
~Talk to me~
God is tremendous to his children and he give us everything we need. This morning i am encouraged to write to you all about a great time in the scriptures. Reading through the book of ACTS it gave me a real heart check and I want to share it with you. Many times I see God working and then there are times when it isn't so easy, But weather I see him or not he is still working.
There are individuals who have given up their lives so that I could have the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am forever grateful. The things that stirred my heart this morning is that, when Stephen was talking to the Sanhedrin about Jesus and he told them they have refused to obey God and turned back in their hearts to Egypt (past) ACTS 7:39. then later in Acts 8:3 how emotions can take over and we do stupid stuff. What a concept huh? I see that i need to accept and Obey Gods truth in my heart and not just on shallow surface things but deep within my heart. I have to search and get inside to see what is holding me back from Obeying God fully.
The to sum it all up ACTS 8:22-23 says that I am full of bitterness and captive to sin! Thanks for the jolt of lightning to my heart GOD! I need the bible everyday to challenge my heart to see the Lord more clearly. I need to understand that if there are areas of my heart that get caught up in deceit and unopeness that I am captive to sin. In my heart i want to be right with the MAKER, and i need everyone to let me know what they see in me and help me to purge them out so that I can be blameless before the Father!
~Talk to me~
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Listen to Him
Take a journey with me to the place where Jesus resides and his words are written (the scriptures). It is a place seldom visited when you think of the world globally. There are pockets of folks believing it and some even practicing what it says. I wonder for myself and for those pockets, how much do we hold in our hearts? Why is it so easy for us to let go of the truth that is in his powerful words?
Jesus walked the earth and was God in the flesh. he never sinned and he always looked out for the best in people and never did anything to harm them. Thinking about myself, Jesus never tells me anything that will hurt me, he never will give me bad advice nor put me in circumstances that will endanger me. He gives me words of wisdom and words of insight that train me to think in a manner different of the people that are around me daily that don't know him. Jesus is the man in my life that guides me to making many decisions and life changes that help me to turn me away from danger.
John 18:37 (New International Version)
37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
If i am on Jesus' side, how is it that I don't want to listen to his every command, decree, input story, or Truth? my flesh wants to fight against believing that he looks out for me and I have to constantly fight Satan and the thoughts he puts into my head that say Jesus wont do what he says he will do. Jesus knows me and my heart and he knows that without a doubt that I want to serve him wholeheartedly.
God help me to serve you and your son WHOLEHEARTEDLY!
~Talk to me~
Jesus walked the earth and was God in the flesh. he never sinned and he always looked out for the best in people and never did anything to harm them. Thinking about myself, Jesus never tells me anything that will hurt me, he never will give me bad advice nor put me in circumstances that will endanger me. He gives me words of wisdom and words of insight that train me to think in a manner different of the people that are around me daily that don't know him. Jesus is the man in my life that guides me to making many decisions and life changes that help me to turn me away from danger.
John 18:37 (New International Version)
37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
If i am on Jesus' side, how is it that I don't want to listen to his every command, decree, input story, or Truth? my flesh wants to fight against believing that he looks out for me and I have to constantly fight Satan and the thoughts he puts into my head that say Jesus wont do what he says he will do. Jesus knows me and my heart and he knows that without a doubt that I want to serve him wholeheartedly.
God help me to serve you and your son WHOLEHEARTEDLY!
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The MAN
Gotta tell you, our God is awesome. I just listened to Sundays message and got so much out of it. I see that God in his wonder has given me friends that are willing to help me see him so much clearer than I can on my own. God loves me and will take care of me in his time and I have to remember that. He also has friends to direct us in his word when we feel low.
I was really excited Friday to have the interview and i was supposed to hear something yesterday and the anticipation was getting to me and I called the manager and he hadn't had a chance to talk to the other parties he needed to and he said that he'd get back to me but hasn't yet. So this morning i woke up and all day yesterday I was and am waiting to hear something from him. I see that my anxieties are getting to me and that I need to wait on him. It's also frustrating that as I'm having my time with God that the kids are up way too early and I'm feeling interrupted and angry about that (trying to tune them out) but i know that's not the heart to have.
My attitude has to change and understand that, kids are a gift and i need to Cherish them and love them and respect them which is not always easy. I have an enormous emotional area inside of me that i need to gain more control over or it will dominate my life. I need God's wisdom and mercy when my emotions begin to take over. Pray for me to gain his understanding and his ways in my life.
I hope to hear something from the interview but it's in Gods time and not mine I just have to trust that he knows what i need and his blessings will be great. Thanks for listening
Psalms 25 is where I'm gaining strength today!
~Talk to me~
I was really excited Friday to have the interview and i was supposed to hear something yesterday and the anticipation was getting to me and I called the manager and he hadn't had a chance to talk to the other parties he needed to and he said that he'd get back to me but hasn't yet. So this morning i woke up and all day yesterday I was and am waiting to hear something from him. I see that my anxieties are getting to me and that I need to wait on him. It's also frustrating that as I'm having my time with God that the kids are up way too early and I'm feeling interrupted and angry about that (trying to tune them out) but i know that's not the heart to have.
My attitude has to change and understand that, kids are a gift and i need to Cherish them and love them and respect them which is not always easy. I have an enormous emotional area inside of me that i need to gain more control over or it will dominate my life. I need God's wisdom and mercy when my emotions begin to take over. Pray for me to gain his understanding and his ways in my life.
I hope to hear something from the interview but it's in Gods time and not mine I just have to trust that he knows what i need and his blessings will be great. Thanks for listening
Psalms 25 is where I'm gaining strength today!
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The crunch
Waking up today I felt pretty good, I accomplished a few things yesterday job hunting wise and I made some pretty good contacts. I sent out a dozen or so resumes and came home and refined some searches for career changes. But while reading the Scriptures and feeling pretty good my wife tells me that my daughter cant go to school because of an ear ache and a soar throat, then ask if we have enough money to take her to the hospital to get looked at. Another reminder of why its important for me to find a job.
Three of our four kids are sick, my wife is sick and I am struggling emotionally from all the things that are taking place this morning. then I asked my wife if we could apply for medicare and there was an attitude from her and I asked why the attitude and she said that she felt that I had one. This is crazy, and something that wouldn't really bother me if I was working because we could take her to the doctor and not have to worry about a ton of money going out, we could get them medicine without a thousand dollar co-pay (exaggeration). I really need to go pray about these thing!
The scriptures tell me this morning that God is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13) also that Paul went through a lot of persecutions and sufferings and so do I. I have to go through them so that my faith will increase in the Lord
Three of our four kids are sick, my wife is sick and I am struggling emotionally from all the things that are taking place this morning. then I asked my wife if we could apply for medicare and there was an attitude from her and I asked why the attitude and she said that she felt that I had one. This is crazy, and something that wouldn't really bother me if I was working because we could take her to the doctor and not have to worry about a ton of money going out, we could get them medicine without a thousand dollar co-pay (exaggeration). I really need to go pray about these thing!
The scriptures tell me this morning that God is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13) also that Paul went through a lot of persecutions and sufferings and so do I. I have to go through them so that my faith will increase in the Lord
2 Timothy 3:10-15 (New International Version)
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
I want to be wise in Christ.
~Talk to me~
Monday, February 2, 2009
Quality of life
Super Sunday is over and Monday is here and so are the thoughts of hunting for a job all over again. While the unsureity of gaining a job today is swimming around in my head there is something else stirring, the desire to be devoted to the scriptures. I needed something to ground me today and help me stay focused as is see little money coming in and a test of faith ever in front. My kids are sick and I didn't sleep very well and I could sense that I would be cranky this morning when they wake up.
I love reading the bible because it helps me understand that in these troubling times and my uncertain life, God is always there to help me see glimpses of his plan. Today i see that no matter what is happening I have to stick to the truth's of a life with God and aspire to maintain/ gain these qualities:
1 Timothy 3:8-10 (New International Version)
Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
I want these qualities to ring true in all areas of my life and I need everyone's help in obtaining them. The qualities come with testing and (I feel like I'm being tested) and with perseverance. The quality that speaks the most truth to me today and for the past few weeks is "Not pursuing dishonest gain". Its hard not to think about things in my past when I had no conscience about people or their feelings and all I wanted was to preserve myself and my lifestyle. dishonest gain was a continual outreach in my life.
Today please pray for me to seek HONEST employment and HONEST work that I may be a leader of my family and an inspiration to all those who read this blog. I'm going down to PG&E this morning (possible career change) to see if they will hire me as i was informed that they are hiring some installers. This is honest work and may possibly bring income to my family.
~Talk to me~
I love reading the bible because it helps me understand that in these troubling times and my uncertain life, God is always there to help me see glimpses of his plan. Today i see that no matter what is happening I have to stick to the truth's of a life with God and aspire to maintain/ gain these qualities:
1 Timothy 3:8-10 (New International Version)
Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
I want these qualities to ring true in all areas of my life and I need everyone's help in obtaining them. The qualities come with testing and (I feel like I'm being tested) and with perseverance. The quality that speaks the most truth to me today and for the past few weeks is "Not pursuing dishonest gain". Its hard not to think about things in my past when I had no conscience about people or their feelings and all I wanted was to preserve myself and my lifestyle. dishonest gain was a continual outreach in my life.
Today please pray for me to seek HONEST employment and HONEST work that I may be a leader of my family and an inspiration to all those who read this blog. I'm going down to PG&E this morning (possible career change) to see if they will hire me as i was informed that they are hiring some installers. This is honest work and may possibly bring income to my family.
~Talk to me~
Friday, January 30, 2009
When we pray
I often read in the bible how one of my favorite writers "Paul" talks to the church's he writes too, to devote them selves to Prayer. I find this morning, my personal life is not a devotion to prayer. I use prayer as a way to talk to God but the initial connection only last a short while. Something I see is that I need to understand what devoted means and how that applies to my life.
After looking up the word I think of how when people die and someone may say "they devoted their lives to this" and it gives me the understanding that people know what they do/did that distinguished their lives and people around them understood that no matter what happened to them in life, they never gave up on the research on discovering something.
Now compare that with my life...do others know how much I pray? Will others think of me as a person devoted to prayer? Sure as I'm writing this I want to Pray...LOL, but seriously when i speak how often do the words i speak to someone include "I prayed for this or that situation or thing"? then if i say them am i telling the truth? Or is it just words to appease the listener as to justify my duties as a Disciple?
I know in my heart that I have to change this aspect of life and become a person devoted to prayer as the scriptures call me too!
Colossians 4:2-6
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
P.S. Anyone reading should be able to comment on the blog with out having to set up an account.
~Talk to me~
After looking up the word I think of how when people die and someone may say "they devoted their lives to this" and it gives me the understanding that people know what they do/did that distinguished their lives and people around them understood that no matter what happened to them in life, they never gave up on the research on discovering something.
Now compare that with my life...do others know how much I pray? Will others think of me as a person devoted to prayer? Sure as I'm writing this I want to Pray...LOL, but seriously when i speak how often do the words i speak to someone include "I prayed for this or that situation or thing"? then if i say them am i telling the truth? Or is it just words to appease the listener as to justify my duties as a Disciple?
I know in my heart that I have to change this aspect of life and become a person devoted to prayer as the scriptures call me too!
Colossians 4:2-6
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
P.S. Anyone reading should be able to comment on the blog with out having to set up an account.
~Talk to me~
Thursday, January 29, 2009
My Father
Dad,
Thank you for everything that you have given me, thank you for life, the ability to walk , talk, read, speak, learn, have relationships, have children. thank you for your scriptures that guide me, thank you for my wife, my friends, my home, my church, my ability to express the joy i have for you. Thank you for letting me live to see another day, thank you for this blog that helps me get in touch with what I'm feeling inside. Thank you for calling me out of darkness into you wonderful light. Thanks for blessing me in all the ways you have this far. Thank you for the Y workers who help with my children, thank you for giving me a heart to be open with my feelings.
Father, I don't know your plans for me but I hope that I can live them out just as you desire, I get scared at times when things aren't going the way i want them too and I get anxious because i want to work faster than you have planned. Grant me the faith to wait on you. You have blessed me in so many ways but yet I don't trust you all the time. Help me with my unbelief and my faith to wait on you. Lord I'm asking you to Deliver me from the turmoil in my mind that grips me with fear. Help me see that my thinking is mostly my pride and that I can trust that just as the scriptures say " look at the birds of the air they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, yet you feed them" that you will continue to feed me.
Lord I have a lot of thoughts that Satan is putting in my head and I'm ASKING this morning that you block his efforts to sift me. Block his powers in the world today as I go out and glorify you. Father I ask that you forgive me of my sins and deliver me from the temptations that come my way. Transform my mind today to think of heavenly things and not worldly things.
God I love you and need you in my life. Bless me!
P.S. I want the Job you have planned for me, please make it clear what that is!
~Talk to me~
Thank you for everything that you have given me, thank you for life, the ability to walk , talk, read, speak, learn, have relationships, have children. thank you for your scriptures that guide me, thank you for my wife, my friends, my home, my church, my ability to express the joy i have for you. Thank you for letting me live to see another day, thank you for this blog that helps me get in touch with what I'm feeling inside. Thank you for calling me out of darkness into you wonderful light. Thanks for blessing me in all the ways you have this far. Thank you for the Y workers who help with my children, thank you for giving me a heart to be open with my feelings.
Father, I don't know your plans for me but I hope that I can live them out just as you desire, I get scared at times when things aren't going the way i want them too and I get anxious because i want to work faster than you have planned. Grant me the faith to wait on you. You have blessed me in so many ways but yet I don't trust you all the time. Help me with my unbelief and my faith to wait on you. Lord I'm asking you to Deliver me from the turmoil in my mind that grips me with fear. Help me see that my thinking is mostly my pride and that I can trust that just as the scriptures say " look at the birds of the air they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, yet you feed them" that you will continue to feed me.
Lord I have a lot of thoughts that Satan is putting in my head and I'm ASKING this morning that you block his efforts to sift me. Block his powers in the world today as I go out and glorify you. Father I ask that you forgive me of my sins and deliver me from the temptations that come my way. Transform my mind today to think of heavenly things and not worldly things.
God I love you and need you in my life. Bless me!
P.S. I want the Job you have planned for me, please make it clear what that is!
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
God is with ME!
What a concept! What a thought! No what a reality, God is with me always. I was reading and writing this morning on how god is with me in various areas of my life that I don't always acknowledge and it prompted me to think of more areas. Then i really got to thinking...WOW God is with me all the time even when I am not aware of his presence he is still there!
He's with my thoughts, my heart, my marriage, my children, my family, my health, my finances, my fruitfulness, my relationships, my ministry, my schedule and many other things. he told me in the scripture: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." but this morning I had to look at this again and see if I believe this.
Its not easy to think that I don't Give God the respect that he deserves when he says that i am with you always that he means it. I will be exploring other areas of my life to make sure that I keep this in front of me in all my interactions and dealings through the day!
I want to make this a habit of knowing that in every situation he is there. When I'm going to sleep, walking on the road, getting angry, feeling sad, when my kids are running around crazily, when things aren't going the way I want, when times are good, when I'm smiling, when I'm speaking, when I'm praying HE'S there!
Hebrews 13:4-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
~Talk to me~
He's with my thoughts, my heart, my marriage, my children, my family, my health, my finances, my fruitfulness, my relationships, my ministry, my schedule and many other things. he told me in the scripture: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." but this morning I had to look at this again and see if I believe this.
Its not easy to think that I don't Give God the respect that he deserves when he says that i am with you always that he means it. I will be exploring other areas of my life to make sure that I keep this in front of me in all my interactions and dealings through the day!
I want to make this a habit of knowing that in every situation he is there. When I'm going to sleep, walking on the road, getting angry, feeling sad, when my kids are running around crazily, when things aren't going the way I want, when times are good, when I'm smiling, when I'm speaking, when I'm praying HE'S there!
Hebrews 13:4-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
~Talk to me~
Monday, January 26, 2009
Trials and Temptations
James 1 1-8 (message)
I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith Under Pressure
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
Yesterdays sermon gave me some great hope. It produced a longing inside me to truly seek after my feelings and thoughts about how I trust the God I serve and the truth i long to live in. What really stirred inside me was "Fear makes you unstable" and if I'm unstable it has repercussions on those around me that I lead "my family". I have to have faith that is rooted in the scriptures and not on my feelings. I have to believe everything in the bible just as if I were blessed enough to help someone who doesn't know God to trust the scriptures.
Getting older as a disciple of Jesus it becomes easier to assume that things will go easy for me and that life's challenges wont be that bad because I try diligently to hold to the teachings. But God sees everything, even the junk that I can't and EXPOSES them in various ways. I love God and the Bible and all my faithful brothers and sisters. I am asking for your help and for you love in these moments. Pray for my family and I to hold on to Gods promises and for us to have humility and see how God protects us while we are being REFINED!
~Talk to me~
I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith Under Pressure
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
Yesterdays sermon gave me some great hope. It produced a longing inside me to truly seek after my feelings and thoughts about how I trust the God I serve and the truth i long to live in. What really stirred inside me was "Fear makes you unstable" and if I'm unstable it has repercussions on those around me that I lead "my family". I have to have faith that is rooted in the scriptures and not on my feelings. I have to believe everything in the bible just as if I were blessed enough to help someone who doesn't know God to trust the scriptures.
Getting older as a disciple of Jesus it becomes easier to assume that things will go easy for me and that life's challenges wont be that bad because I try diligently to hold to the teachings. But God sees everything, even the junk that I can't and EXPOSES them in various ways. I love God and the Bible and all my faithful brothers and sisters. I am asking for your help and for you love in these moments. Pray for my family and I to hold on to Gods promises and for us to have humility and see how God protects us while we are being REFINED!
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
{What's inside?}
It's been a rough weekend for me. I have to give a little background for clarity and understanding into what I am talking about. It has been a challenging time in my home, I'd reached the wall, I cursed and been a brute beast to my oldest son. There was a lot of lying and disrespect directed at my wife from him and then toward me. As I tried to talk rationally, and the lies kept coming I began transforming. All this accompanied with little to no prayer about what I'm feeling at that time.
During my last rant on Sunday after a great service, I got so upset at him for not doing his chores but wanting to go play outside with his friends. i asked him several times in a calm manner to do them but each time his body language and attitude (verbally) began launching me again into this beast. My wife did a great job at talking to the Beast and helping me reflect on what I was doing to the family and how as I value relationships, I was DESTROYING the very ones I value the most, my Family! As I looked at myself I saw the Demon (Legion) at the tomb and how puffed up and scary that man was. I also thought of the scripture (after calming down) Proverbs 29:11A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. In that moment, Gods plan started to unravel in my life.
I thought about the Damage I caused and immediately asked God to forgive me and then my family. I apologized to my son and gave him a big hug and we cried on each others shoulder as we began accepting our responsibility for the mistreatment of each other. Then I asked my wife to forgive me and she did as well. Later that evening I was open with our Leadership group up here and got and still receiving a lot of discipling that is giving me understanding and clarity on how I have to go deeper in my bible study and prayers to GOD. I didn't understand all my actions and rants (fits of rage) at the time they were happening but i do see the progression and how it got there, now I'm on a journey to rid myself of the beast within.
It starts with openness, James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
This got rid of my pride and helped me be humble, then I was faced with not getting proud again and receiving the feedback from the group and accepting it! Attentively listening to the love being shown to me was awesome. god has called me out of darkness into his light and when it shines I cant help but to bask in it.
What stands out the most is that i have to search myself and continue to dig out exactly what I'm feeling and not being afraid to talk about those things. I also have to find my way in the scriptures to see the lesson God is trying to teach me at this junction in my life.
Here is today: Isaiah 40: 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I need my wings and red bull won't give me them LOL.
~Talk to me~
During my last rant on Sunday after a great service, I got so upset at him for not doing his chores but wanting to go play outside with his friends. i asked him several times in a calm manner to do them but each time his body language and attitude (verbally) began launching me again into this beast. My wife did a great job at talking to the Beast and helping me reflect on what I was doing to the family and how as I value relationships, I was DESTROYING the very ones I value the most, my Family! As I looked at myself I saw the Demon (Legion) at the tomb and how puffed up and scary that man was. I also thought of the scripture (after calming down) Proverbs 29:11A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. In that moment, Gods plan started to unravel in my life.
I thought about the Damage I caused and immediately asked God to forgive me and then my family. I apologized to my son and gave him a big hug and we cried on each others shoulder as we began accepting our responsibility for the mistreatment of each other. Then I asked my wife to forgive me and she did as well. Later that evening I was open with our Leadership group up here and got and still receiving a lot of discipling that is giving me understanding and clarity on how I have to go deeper in my bible study and prayers to GOD. I didn't understand all my actions and rants (fits of rage) at the time they were happening but i do see the progression and how it got there, now I'm on a journey to rid myself of the beast within.
It starts with openness, James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
This got rid of my pride and helped me be humble, then I was faced with not getting proud again and receiving the feedback from the group and accepting it! Attentively listening to the love being shown to me was awesome. god has called me out of darkness into his light and when it shines I cant help but to bask in it.
What stands out the most is that i have to search myself and continue to dig out exactly what I'm feeling and not being afraid to talk about those things. I also have to find my way in the scriptures to see the lesson God is trying to teach me at this junction in my life.
Here is today: Isaiah 40: 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I need my wings and red bull won't give me them LOL.
~Talk to me~
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Patience
I am gripped this morning with thoughts running through my head. About things coming up and things presently going on and the job hunting and where the money is coming from and just a bunch of worries. Not that I'm thinking about all of them at the same time but that they are swimming around. It was hard at first to focus on reading today as the kids got up right a 6:15am as the coffee was brewing. so i took care of them and got my coffee and thought some more, checked email and got rid of some of the distractions in my mind so i could begin to focus on the scriptures.
Glad that I did that, because God showed me something special. A prelude to what I want to share today is that I am a fan of a TV show called the First 48. It is a detective show that catches homicide suspects sometimes within 48 hours after they commit the crime. As I was watching it last night something profound came to me. One thing that law enforcement individuals use in catching their suspects is PATIENCE! While they are putting things together in such a short time they still use patience in processing clues, gathering profiles, talking to individuals on the team and waiting for the potential suspect to turn him/herself in.
I have been out of work at 2pm today, one week not a long time but I see me not being Patience. God has something big planned for me and he will deliver it at the right time so that when it comes I am ready to receive it. I have work to do in the mean time, I have to gather the clues, do some investigating, talk to team members (wife and other disciples), process information as it comes in and then WAIT for Gods plan to happen. I also see that my weakness is patience, I want things to happen when I want them to and not when God wants them too. So here is what' exciting:
Matthew 21:21-22 (New International Version)
21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
In waiting on the Lord, I have to continue to be in Prayer. The scriptures are so plan that I can overlook them often. I forget some fundamental truths about them and how encouraging they are when I read them.
~Talk to me~
Glad that I did that, because God showed me something special. A prelude to what I want to share today is that I am a fan of a TV show called the First 48. It is a detective show that catches homicide suspects sometimes within 48 hours after they commit the crime. As I was watching it last night something profound came to me. One thing that law enforcement individuals use in catching their suspects is PATIENCE! While they are putting things together in such a short time they still use patience in processing clues, gathering profiles, talking to individuals on the team and waiting for the potential suspect to turn him/herself in.
I have been out of work at 2pm today, one week not a long time but I see me not being Patience. God has something big planned for me and he will deliver it at the right time so that when it comes I am ready to receive it. I have work to do in the mean time, I have to gather the clues, do some investigating, talk to team members (wife and other disciples), process information as it comes in and then WAIT for Gods plan to happen. I also see that my weakness is patience, I want things to happen when I want them to and not when God wants them too. So here is what' exciting:
Matthew 21:21-22 (New International Version)
21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
In waiting on the Lord, I have to continue to be in Prayer. The scriptures are so plan that I can overlook them often. I forget some fundamental truths about them and how encouraging they are when I read them.
~Talk to me~
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Workers
I didn't expect to be hit by this today but the scriptures are profoundly amazing. Jesus is the master at giving insight to life and understanding. When we read his words we gain knowledge and we also have to take that knowledge and begin to examine ourselves.
Have you ever found yourself reading the Word and then just going about your business and not reflecting on what you read (examining)? I'm letting you know this Blog is helping me in tremendous ways. I see and understand the scriptures more intently than I have in a long time. Jesus gives us a lot of information to process and he reveals it to us who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
The passage that talked to me the most today is as follows:
Matthew 20:8-16 (New International Version)
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
How much when I was employed, did I grumble about my wages? How much was I discouraged that I wasn't making the money that others were? How much complaining did I do inside, but on the outside everything was fine? How many times did I not work hard when God asked me too? Powerful thoughts and insight for going forward. I'm not saying that I was a hard worker, I am saying that there were times when I didn't give my Job the best that I should for various reasons. Remember this as you go to you place of employment and hold Gods words this morning close you tour heart!
~Talk to me~
Have you ever found yourself reading the Word and then just going about your business and not reflecting on what you read (examining)? I'm letting you know this Blog is helping me in tremendous ways. I see and understand the scriptures more intently than I have in a long time. Jesus gives us a lot of information to process and he reveals it to us who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
The passage that talked to me the most today is as follows:
Matthew 20:8-16 (New International Version)
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
How much when I was employed, did I grumble about my wages? How much was I discouraged that I wasn't making the money that others were? How much complaining did I do inside, but on the outside everything was fine? How many times did I not work hard when God asked me too? Powerful thoughts and insight for going forward. I'm not saying that I was a hard worker, I am saying that there were times when I didn't give my Job the best that I should for various reasons. Remember this as you go to you place of employment and hold Gods words this morning close you tour heart!
~Talk to me~
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Load Lifted
So, one of the thing I know I need right now is Faith. Faith comes from hearing/ Reading the word. And is shown by my actions. I hope that in sharing my thoughts with you all are a part of my actions of Faith. The scriptures are clear to me this morning and I am totally confident that when i Believe God that they will be fulfilled. I'm my prayer walk yesterday, as I was reflecting in prayer to God, I listened to the words that i was saying and noted that God has never let me down.
He never left me, nor did he let me off lightly. There was a lesson in everything that my family went through and we got through it. What is the next lesson for me and my family? We have to play out the scene in our movie to find out, but i know a few things. God is asking us to learn to be Humble, accept help, build a team around us and to be honest about our emotions and thoughts. To talk to each by asking true question and not superficial things and to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.
In reading this morning here's what hit me the most:
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Burdened by life is nothing unusual to Jesus, he asks me to come to him to get rest. Not that I'm going to leave life alone and give up on doing anything, but that I'm not going to be oppressed by the weights that the world would say I should have on my shoulders in being in this spot. no depression, no Sadness, No hopelessness, no bitterness, no vision and most of all no JOY. We serve a God who is faithful and loves to take care of his children. I love the Lord!
~Talk to me~
He never left me, nor did he let me off lightly. There was a lesson in everything that my family went through and we got through it. What is the next lesson for me and my family? We have to play out the scene in our movie to find out, but i know a few things. God is asking us to learn to be Humble, accept help, build a team around us and to be honest about our emotions and thoughts. To talk to each by asking true question and not superficial things and to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.
In reading this morning here's what hit me the most:
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Burdened by life is nothing unusual to Jesus, he asks me to come to him to get rest. Not that I'm going to leave life alone and give up on doing anything, but that I'm not going to be oppressed by the weights that the world would say I should have on my shoulders in being in this spot. no depression, no Sadness, No hopelessness, no bitterness, no vision and most of all no JOY. We serve a God who is faithful and loves to take care of his children. I love the Lord!
~Talk to me~
Monday, January 12, 2009
Examintation
Having a little more time on my hands these days, I and urged to look at myself in a way that I can't fully understand. I know that it's for my good but looking at the truths are Hard! I understand that I am an emotional person and that I have to decipher and separate my emotions from fact, but becoming aware of them makes a lot of areas in my life clearer.
I see that I posses an array of feelings that I suppress than deal with. One of them is sensuality, my senses become alive and energetic when something (traumatic) happens to me. I get the feeling of wanting acceptance in a physical way more easily than any other time. The touch of another person, the care in conversation, the willingness of someone to listen to me and just let me talk are more critical to my self worth than at any other time.
But even during this examination, something is lurking inside me that the scriptures pointed out to me this morning....
Matthew 9:4 (New International Version)
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
My heart does this, my wife has pointed out to me over the past few days that I am expressing critical thoughts about the company that terminated me. And in my mind I'm just kidding but today I see that I am bitter and am entertaining evil thoughts. Going to church yesterday we saw a company truck and my heart got really hard and I wasn't thinking positive things about that company. It brought back the conversation in my mind of how the Lay-off took place and the thoughts that I had about people knowing that this was going to happen to me and not telling me in advance. WOW even writing this I see how my senses are coming alive again.
Pray for me to get rid of these evil thoughts.
~Talk to me~
I see that I posses an array of feelings that I suppress than deal with. One of them is sensuality, my senses become alive and energetic when something (traumatic) happens to me. I get the feeling of wanting acceptance in a physical way more easily than any other time. The touch of another person, the care in conversation, the willingness of someone to listen to me and just let me talk are more critical to my self worth than at any other time.
But even during this examination, something is lurking inside me that the scriptures pointed out to me this morning....
Matthew 9:4 (New International Version)
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
My heart does this, my wife has pointed out to me over the past few days that I am expressing critical thoughts about the company that terminated me. And in my mind I'm just kidding but today I see that I am bitter and am entertaining evil thoughts. Going to church yesterday we saw a company truck and my heart got really hard and I wasn't thinking positive things about that company. It brought back the conversation in my mind of how the Lay-off took place and the thoughts that I had about people knowing that this was going to happen to me and not telling me in advance. WOW even writing this I see how my senses are coming alive again.
Pray for me to get rid of these evil thoughts.
~Talk to me~
Sunday, January 11, 2009
*Trust* Where is mine?
When i awoke this morning my head was filled with anxiety of things to do. What shall i wear, what's for breakfast, what time are we leaving to go to church, my youngest son was already awake and i needed to do something with him so he doesnt disturb me while i spend time with God and so the saga of clearing my mind continued to get more and more cluttered with each step i took. Then i was thinking i gotta have my coffee, where is my bible, should i go over the notes from the meeting yesterday or what should i read. Then the big question "What am i expecting from God today" when i read?
So a culmination of things got set in motion, i made coffee, grabbed a cup and got a few throw blankets, got my notes and my bible and started my time with God and the first thing i saw was the following passage.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (New International Version)
5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
It just really helped me see this morning that God is asking me to trust in him and not in man. Again i 'm still battling the emotions of being out of work in this economy and fighting through the pressure of finding a Job and taking care of my family and then processing all the Love that is coming our way from the disciples. We (our Family) love each of you and Thank you.
The main point of all this is, when i decide to trust God, I have too because there is nothing else to trust. And he says when I do that....I will be like a tree planted by the Water, with DEEP ROOTS and not worrying about Droughts (times like these right now).
I love the God I serve and His son who gave me a chance to know him!
~Talk to me!~
So a culmination of things got set in motion, i made coffee, grabbed a cup and got a few throw blankets, got my notes and my bible and started my time with God and the first thing i saw was the following passage.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (New International Version)
5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
It just really helped me see this morning that God is asking me to trust in him and not in man. Again i 'm still battling the emotions of being out of work in this economy and fighting through the pressure of finding a Job and taking care of my family and then processing all the Love that is coming our way from the disciples. We (our Family) love each of you and Thank you.
The main point of all this is, when i decide to trust God, I have too because there is nothing else to trust. And he says when I do that....I will be like a tree planted by the Water, with DEEP ROOTS and not worrying about Droughts (times like these right now).
I love the God I serve and His son who gave me a chance to know him!
~Talk to me!~
Friday, January 9, 2009
~God is Faithful~
When something hits you when you are not expecting it, what are you thougts?
I was laid of from my job and I remember having a few harsh thoughts towards the folks letting me know. I went through my emotions internally and I cried inside when I got the news, I was angry when I heard the words "no easy way to say it". I thought to myself OMG where is this coming from? I thought about how hard I work and the sacrafices that I make to go where they need me to go. And i thought how dare they treat me like this (more anger). The other thoughts I had were, this is a tough economy and where am i going to find a job that can satisfy my families needs? Who is going to hire an older guy like me in these times? How do i tell my wife? How do i talk to my kids? Do I tell other disciples? Where are you Lord and how did this happen to me, your faithful child?
After all these emotions hit, and after talking to a Few close disciples I asked my wife to go with me to prayer. We prayed and talked to God together and I have been praying what seems like non stop since I got the news. There are more things that transpired since then but I hope you have glimpse into my life.
I awoke this morning thinking I what to read? I need to study out trust, I need to think about Hope, i'm not going to read at all because I need to finalize my resume. But theni went to the Gateway and guess what I found? Just what God needed me to see:
1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 which reads:
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Then reading further I found this and will hold on to it:
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
~Talk to me~
I was laid of from my job and I remember having a few harsh thoughts towards the folks letting me know. I went through my emotions internally and I cried inside when I got the news, I was angry when I heard the words "no easy way to say it". I thought to myself OMG where is this coming from? I thought about how hard I work and the sacrafices that I make to go where they need me to go. And i thought how dare they treat me like this (more anger). The other thoughts I had were, this is a tough economy and where am i going to find a job that can satisfy my families needs? Who is going to hire an older guy like me in these times? How do i tell my wife? How do i talk to my kids? Do I tell other disciples? Where are you Lord and how did this happen to me, your faithful child?
After all these emotions hit, and after talking to a Few close disciples I asked my wife to go with me to prayer. We prayed and talked to God together and I have been praying what seems like non stop since I got the news. There are more things that transpired since then but I hope you have glimpse into my life.
I awoke this morning thinking I what to read? I need to study out trust, I need to think about Hope, i'm not going to read at all because I need to finalize my resume. But theni went to the Gateway and guess what I found? Just what God needed me to see:
1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 which reads:
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Then reading further I found this and will hold on to it:
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
~Talk to me~
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Contamination
~Do you drink poision and expect someone else to die?~
What a statement, as the scriptures state:
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Think of how many times we contaminate our faith and do things that we know we shouldn't. Or even in midst of doing something that we don't think is wrong, we get a feeling that it is but we continue to do it. Listed are some of the things I think of (you can list others):
-Watch movies that start off okay but then turn
-Listening to music that contain bad language or suggestive content
-Ask for advice just to ask and not follow
-Hold a grudge against anyone (disciple or not)
-Do half hearted reasearch on topics we need to cahnge
-Drive our vehicles too fast (75mph vs 65-70 (the law))
These things while they may not seem to contaminate us, eventually does.
Tell me your thoughts!
What a statement, as the scriptures state:
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Think of how many times we contaminate our faith and do things that we know we shouldn't. Or even in midst of doing something that we don't think is wrong, we get a feeling that it is but we continue to do it. Listed are some of the things I think of (you can list others):
-Watch movies that start off okay but then turn
-Listening to music that contain bad language or suggestive content
-Ask for advice just to ask and not follow
-Hold a grudge against anyone (disciple or not)
-Do half hearted reasearch on topics we need to cahnge
-Drive our vehicles too fast (75mph vs 65-70 (the law))
These things while they may not seem to contaminate us, eventually does.
Tell me your thoughts!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
What does it mean?
1 Corinthians 13:11 (New International Version)
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
How is it that the scriptures address behavior's that we dont like to obey? As adults we tend to still act like children when things dont go our way . As followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we have to be obedient to all the scriptures. What are you thoughts?
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
How is it that the scriptures address behavior's that we dont like to obey? As adults we tend to still act like children when things dont go our way . As followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we have to be obedient to all the scriptures. What are you thoughts?
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