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May 26, 2010
For I know the plans I have for you...
God spoke these words through Jeremiah to people about to head into exile.
God has your life planned out for you. God already knows what He wants you to do, how long it's gonna take you, and how far it will take you. He knows every smallest detail and every huge leap. The question is - will you submit?
God's plan for you is not always easy or comfortable, but it always puts you in a place of potential.
Don't fight God! What if it seems like God is leading you to a strange place? What if it seems like God is doing something that doesn't line up with your childhood dreams? What if it seems like God is taking yopu away and not to what you want? Don't fight God!
God says to you, "I know the plans I have for you, and it's good!"
_______________________________________
May 25, 2010
Last night I had to work the concession stand during Alaina's softball game. The parents are on a rotation. It was my turn - yep, fun.
During a slow spot, a little girl probably about 4 or 5 came up to my window and asked for a coke. Usually if smaller kids come to the concession stand for something, they have their money ready in a tight wad sliding it to me on the counter with puppy dog eyes.
This little girl asked very politely for a coke, with puppy dog eyes and a smile. I then asked if she had any money. Her demeanor changed and with an angry face she demanded a coke. I asked again, in my nice fatherly voice, if she had any money. She became more agitated and again demanded a coke by saying, " I want a coke!" I smiled and shook my head, no. She walked away.
That was the most amusing part of my night.
Don't we do God the same way? We give God our smiles and little puppy eyes and ask for something. He doesn't answer the way we want. We get angry and start demanding God to do something. We pout and walk away.
Don't do God that way. Get in tune with God through prayer, worship, reading His Word, and meditation. Seek His face, His will.
If God doesn't answer the way you want or He makes you wait - accept what He wants. He knows what's best for you.
______________________________________
May 21, 2010
Warning!!! Sensitive material that may hurt your feelings...
But for now friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything's going your way? (1 Cor 3)
How do you view the world? - Do you have what you consider is a biblical world view or more secular? I don't like to use the word secular - it seems so overused - I'll try, "selfish".
Do you throw a fit when you can't have your way? Do you whine and moan about because you can't get what you want? - I know I sure do sometimes!
This is because I'm looking at the world, others, and life situations through my selfish lense, not through the filter of God & His Word.
Most people think it's horrible that oil is spilling into the Gulf, stocks are down, and men in China are on a killing rampage at elementary schools - but few let it bother them to the point of actually doing anything about it. Most people are just too concerned with the little orbit of their personal world.
I challenge you (and myself) to see your life and your world through the filter and perspective of God and His Word.
How do your choices line up? Do your whines, moans, & fits have justification or are they only a sign of your selfish discontent?
Do you actions exemplify a loving forgiving God?
Is your life path on a trajectory for God's will and glory or a road for you?
_______________________________________
May 18, 2010
Acceptance is a beast.
I'm talking about the need for acceptance which can cause us to do some really stupid things, and the acceptance that we refuse to give others because of their differences.
As Christians, we know we should love and accept everyone - but let's be real, that ain't happening - on a grander scale, anyway.
Christians are just as guilty as anyone else of being prejudiced (not referring to color exclusively) & biased. We sometimes close our heart's generosity and compassion when asked to reach out to people, honestly, that we don't like.
We carry the banner, "I have to love you, but I don't have to like you!"
I still think that is an excuse for our feelings.
I do not like everyone that I meet or see - and that bothers me. I don't conciously pick and choose people I like and don't like. I know it's got something to do with my environment, upbringing, inner fears, blah, blah, blah... - It's no excuse.
I do want to love - genuinely & without contempt - all people.
God help me, God help us to accept and love all people like You love people - like You love us.
(Don't judge me - you know you're the same.)
Here's a verse... - "But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." (Acts 10)
_______________________________________
May 16, 2010
Do you ever have one of those - "I could have done better than that" - feelings?
I'm not talking about doing better than someone else, rather doing better than you personally.
Well - I could have done better than that...
Sometimes my procrastination and mediocrity takes control - but I could have done better than that.
I'm not perfect. I'm not the best. I'm not always right - but I could have done better than that.
When is the point that self discipline and drive drowns ok? Probably when ok is not good enough and self discipline pushes excellence for a greater cause than myself.
Being ok is good enough for me - but ok is not good enough for my cause, which is Christ.
I don't gauge my success with other people's success, but with the gauge of my potential.
I could have done better than that.
_______________________________________
May 14, 2010
More on building...
"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps,(or - only what is helpful for building others up) each word a gift." (Eph 4)
The power of words can be tools for building - should be tools for building. So many times though, we use them as tools for tearing down. (Me too)
Today, think of your words as money - each word worth a dollar. Each word that tears down or is negative, will cost you a dollar. Each word that helps build others up will be credited to you.
It's been said that men use about 15,000 words a day and women about 30,000.
See how much money you can make in a day. It'll not only change you, but help others as well.
_______________________________________
May 13, 2010
I had a dream 3 nights ago with a quote that I can't get out of my head.
In the dream, a lot of strange things were happening that I can't even remember, but what I do remember, I can't forget. - At one point, I saw a door entry lattice design - the kind that homes built in the 70's may have right when you enter the house, several rowed vertical pieces about 3 feet long. I noticed one that was broken almost in half, then I heard these words - "Get up and change the world!"
Yesterday I was really sick, still trying to recover today. You know the stupor state you get in, when you're sick and you can't get up? The place where you're almost asleep but not really asleep, and the place where you're almost awake but not really. I had a lot going through my mind at that point yesterday - mostly about life.
Life is about tearing down and building. We spend most of our lives trying to build something - a career, a family, retirement, church, ministry, relationships, sand castles...
We also spend a good portion of our lives tearing down -sometimes on accident, sometimes on purpose. Of course, we have to build because we tear down too.
But unless we get up and do something, unless we get up and build - everything will remain broken.
So, the dream may actually mean something - not about door entry deco - but about what I must do.
I'm just a 40 year old with a resume of too many mistakes and missed opportunities - but that shouldn't deter me from building what can be used to change lives and change the world.
Things can always be torn down, that's easy. But as long as I have breath, as long as I have strength - I've got to build!
_______________________________________
May 10, 2010
Here's a look at a new song from Sunday, "Where Would I Be"
_______________________________________
May 6, 2010
Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!! - Oh, wait... - nevermind...
Great message last night about worship. If you have not been able to come to a Wednesday night lately, you've been missing out.
Everybody remember Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday. Show some love and appreciation to your mother, your wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, and mother's of all kind.
Happy Sixo De Mayo!
______________________________________
May 4, 2010
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. (2 Cor 8)
It's strange that out of nothing, something great happened, but that's what God is all about. God makes something out of nothing - or something beautiful out of something ugly.
The people in this passage had nothing, except trials and poverty - severe trial and extreme poverty. But that harsh situation led them to trust in God all the more and allow generosity to take the rein.
The word for "extreme poverty" - is also translated - of the deep things of God. Also related to Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit."
There's something about having nothing that allows you to trust in God all the more. Poor in spirit, meaning you have no proudness, you're full of humility, nothing of yourself, all God.
That's what extreme poverty and severe trials do as well - it puts a hard focus on your heart toward God.
Now, I don't want extreme poverty or severe trial - but I do want God to move through me with rich generosity and blessedness. It's all about focus.
_______________________________________
May 3, 2010
Can't believe it's already May...
A lot of things happening in May - hot weather, Mother's Day, hot weather...
I would show you a pic of what happened to me yesterday afternoon, but it's just a little too gross and not flattering. We're are scheduled to go to the beach at the end of this month - oil or not - so Kristian and I decided to get a head start on the tan, as not to blind other beachgoers with our amazing bright shine.
So after thirty minutes of sun I came in - later on that night, I noticed my nice red sheen - with the addition of two white lines on the top of my stomach. It seems as I was enjoying the sun, parts of my skin hid underneath excess folds of my - how do you say in spanish?... - fat stomach.
Whatever...
Great service yesterday morning too. It's so good to see new people. Good things happening...
_______________________________________
For I know the plans I have for you...
God spoke these words through Jeremiah to people about to head into exile.
God has your life planned out for you. God already knows what He wants you to do, how long it's gonna take you, and how far it will take you. He knows every smallest detail and every huge leap. The question is - will you submit?
God's plan for you is not always easy or comfortable, but it always puts you in a place of potential.
Don't fight God! What if it seems like God is leading you to a strange place? What if it seems like God is doing something that doesn't line up with your childhood dreams? What if it seems like God is taking yopu away and not to what you want? Don't fight God!
God says to you, "I know the plans I have for you, and it's good!"
_______________________________________
May 25, 2010
Last night I had to work the concession stand during Alaina's softball game. The parents are on a rotation. It was my turn - yep, fun.
During a slow spot, a little girl probably about 4 or 5 came up to my window and asked for a coke. Usually if smaller kids come to the concession stand for something, they have their money ready in a tight wad sliding it to me on the counter with puppy dog eyes.
This little girl asked very politely for a coke, with puppy dog eyes and a smile. I then asked if she had any money. Her demeanor changed and with an angry face she demanded a coke. I asked again, in my nice fatherly voice, if she had any money. She became more agitated and again demanded a coke by saying, " I want a coke!" I smiled and shook my head, no. She walked away.
That was the most amusing part of my night.
Don't we do God the same way? We give God our smiles and little puppy eyes and ask for something. He doesn't answer the way we want. We get angry and start demanding God to do something. We pout and walk away.
Don't do God that way. Get in tune with God through prayer, worship, reading His Word, and meditation. Seek His face, His will.
If God doesn't answer the way you want or He makes you wait - accept what He wants. He knows what's best for you.
______________________________________
May 21, 2010
Warning!!! Sensitive material that may hurt your feelings...
But for now friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything's going your way? (1 Cor 3)
How do you view the world? - Do you have what you consider is a biblical world view or more secular? I don't like to use the word secular - it seems so overused - I'll try, "selfish".
Do you throw a fit when you can't have your way? Do you whine and moan about because you can't get what you want? - I know I sure do sometimes!
This is because I'm looking at the world, others, and life situations through my selfish lense, not through the filter of God & His Word.
Most people think it's horrible that oil is spilling into the Gulf, stocks are down, and men in China are on a killing rampage at elementary schools - but few let it bother them to the point of actually doing anything about it. Most people are just too concerned with the little orbit of their personal world.
I challenge you (and myself) to see your life and your world through the filter and perspective of God and His Word.
How do your choices line up? Do your whines, moans, & fits have justification or are they only a sign of your selfish discontent?
Do you actions exemplify a loving forgiving God?
Is your life path on a trajectory for God's will and glory or a road for you?
_______________________________________
May 18, 2010
Acceptance is a beast.
I'm talking about the need for acceptance which can cause us to do some really stupid things, and the acceptance that we refuse to give others because of their differences.
As Christians, we know we should love and accept everyone - but let's be real, that ain't happening - on a grander scale, anyway.
Christians are just as guilty as anyone else of being prejudiced (not referring to color exclusively) & biased. We sometimes close our heart's generosity and compassion when asked to reach out to people, honestly, that we don't like.
We carry the banner, "I have to love you, but I don't have to like you!"
I still think that is an excuse for our feelings.
I do not like everyone that I meet or see - and that bothers me. I don't conciously pick and choose people I like and don't like. I know it's got something to do with my environment, upbringing, inner fears, blah, blah, blah... - It's no excuse.
I do want to love - genuinely & without contempt - all people.
God help me, God help us to accept and love all people like You love people - like You love us.
(Don't judge me - you know you're the same.)
Here's a verse... - "But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." (Acts 10)
_______________________________________
May 16, 2010
Do you ever have one of those - "I could have done better than that" - feelings?
I'm not talking about doing better than someone else, rather doing better than you personally.
Well - I could have done better than that...
Sometimes my procrastination and mediocrity takes control - but I could have done better than that.
I'm not perfect. I'm not the best. I'm not always right - but I could have done better than that.
When is the point that self discipline and drive drowns ok? Probably when ok is not good enough and self discipline pushes excellence for a greater cause than myself.
Being ok is good enough for me - but ok is not good enough for my cause, which is Christ.
I don't gauge my success with other people's success, but with the gauge of my potential.
I could have done better than that.
_______________________________________
May 14, 2010
More on building...
"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps,(or - only what is helpful for building others up) each word a gift." (Eph 4)
The power of words can be tools for building - should be tools for building. So many times though, we use them as tools for tearing down. (Me too)
Today, think of your words as money - each word worth a dollar. Each word that tears down or is negative, will cost you a dollar. Each word that helps build others up will be credited to you.
It's been said that men use about 15,000 words a day and women about 30,000.
See how much money you can make in a day. It'll not only change you, but help others as well.
_______________________________________
May 13, 2010
I had a dream 3 nights ago with a quote that I can't get out of my head.
In the dream, a lot of strange things were happening that I can't even remember, but what I do remember, I can't forget. - At one point, I saw a door entry lattice design - the kind that homes built in the 70's may have right when you enter the house, several rowed vertical pieces about 3 feet long. I noticed one that was broken almost in half, then I heard these words - "Get up and change the world!"
Yesterday I was really sick, still trying to recover today. You know the stupor state you get in, when you're sick and you can't get up? The place where you're almost asleep but not really asleep, and the place where you're almost awake but not really. I had a lot going through my mind at that point yesterday - mostly about life.
Life is about tearing down and building. We spend most of our lives trying to build something - a career, a family, retirement, church, ministry, relationships, sand castles...
We also spend a good portion of our lives tearing down -sometimes on accident, sometimes on purpose. Of course, we have to build because we tear down too.
But unless we get up and do something, unless we get up and build - everything will remain broken.
So, the dream may actually mean something - not about door entry deco - but about what I must do.
I'm just a 40 year old with a resume of too many mistakes and missed opportunities - but that shouldn't deter me from building what can be used to change lives and change the world.
Things can always be torn down, that's easy. But as long as I have breath, as long as I have strength - I've got to build!
_______________________________________
May 10, 2010
Here's a look at a new song from Sunday, "Where Would I Be"
_______________________________________
May 6, 2010
Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!! - Oh, wait... - nevermind...
Great message last night about worship. If you have not been able to come to a Wednesday night lately, you've been missing out.
Everybody remember Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday. Show some love and appreciation to your mother, your wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, and mother's of all kind.
Happy Sixo De Mayo!
______________________________________
May 4, 2010
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. (2 Cor 8)
It's strange that out of nothing, something great happened, but that's what God is all about. God makes something out of nothing - or something beautiful out of something ugly.
The people in this passage had nothing, except trials and poverty - severe trial and extreme poverty. But that harsh situation led them to trust in God all the more and allow generosity to take the rein.
The word for "extreme poverty" - is also translated - of the deep things of God. Also related to Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit."
There's something about having nothing that allows you to trust in God all the more. Poor in spirit, meaning you have no proudness, you're full of humility, nothing of yourself, all God.
That's what extreme poverty and severe trials do as well - it puts a hard focus on your heart toward God.
Now, I don't want extreme poverty or severe trial - but I do want God to move through me with rich generosity and blessedness. It's all about focus.
_______________________________________
May 3, 2010
Can't believe it's already May...
A lot of things happening in May - hot weather, Mother's Day, hot weather...
I would show you a pic of what happened to me yesterday afternoon, but it's just a little too gross and not flattering. We're are scheduled to go to the beach at the end of this month - oil or not - so Kristian and I decided to get a head start on the tan, as not to blind other beachgoers with our amazing bright shine.
So after thirty minutes of sun I came in - later on that night, I noticed my nice red sheen - with the addition of two white lines on the top of my stomach. It seems as I was enjoying the sun, parts of my skin hid underneath excess folds of my - how do you say in spanish?... - fat stomach.
Whatever...
Great service yesterday morning too. It's so good to see new people. Good things happening...
_______________________________________
horton's who, inc. 2010
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