Some of you are probably wondering what has happened. "You start a blog and finish after a couple of posts?!?"
No... the problem is that my home PC is disconnected right now for our impending move to our new house. We should be back up and running by early next week. See you then!
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Friday, March 26, 2004
HOW TO BE CLUELESS
God may not have always given me everything I think He should have (like I deserve to receive anything from God anyway), but I am still sure that God is real. The mystery of being a disciple of Jesus is that as you grow closer to Him, the more you get to know Him, the more you realize how much you don't know about Him. Friendship with Jesus is a continuous growing process in which God becomes both more familiar and more mysterious at the same time.
"May God give you the understanding that you don't need to understand Him in order to love Him." - Mike Yaconelli
I am sure that God is real because I have experienced a relationship with Him. I have felt His presence, seen His glory, known His truth, heard His voice, and have felt his touch. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God exists because I know He has worked miracles in my life and in the life of my family. No, everything is NOT always fine-and-dandy in our lives. Right now, as a matter of fact, Deanna and I are praying fervently that our house sells quickly so that we aren't stuck with two mortgages (our contractual renters backed out on us right after we secured the mortgage on our new house). But, do you know what? I do not have any fear. I can't explain it other than the fact that I know God has his hands over my household. I can reliably put my trust, my hopes, AND my fears in Him and know that His plans are the best for us.
It is easy to become clueless... just follow God for a while. The disciples were a good picture of "clueless" in the Bible. My goal is to not become a person who "has all the answers". Those kinds of people were the ones that Jesus called "nasty names" in the Bible. I want to know Jesus more intimately so that I can become more secure in my questions - that He is my Answer.
"May God give you the understanding that you don't need to understand Him in order to love Him." - Mike Yaconelli
I am sure that God is real because I have experienced a relationship with Him. I have felt His presence, seen His glory, known His truth, heard His voice, and have felt his touch. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God exists because I know He has worked miracles in my life and in the life of my family. No, everything is NOT always fine-and-dandy in our lives. Right now, as a matter of fact, Deanna and I are praying fervently that our house sells quickly so that we aren't stuck with two mortgages (our contractual renters backed out on us right after we secured the mortgage on our new house). But, do you know what? I do not have any fear. I can't explain it other than the fact that I know God has his hands over my household. I can reliably put my trust, my hopes, AND my fears in Him and know that His plans are the best for us.
It is easy to become clueless... just follow God for a while. The disciples were a good picture of "clueless" in the Bible. My goal is to not become a person who "has all the answers". Those kinds of people were the ones that Jesus called "nasty names" in the Bible. I want to know Jesus more intimately so that I can become more secure in my questions - that He is my Answer.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
THE ACT OF BEING "CALLED"
So, if Jesus came up to me and sat at my dinner table and said, "I've been taking a look at your life, and I'm really pleased so far. Based on the gifts I've given you and what I need done in the world, I think I'd like you to..." Hmmm... how would He finished the sentence?
"Disciples are more than just people who believe in Jesus - they're people who follow Him by listening to how they're made..." This is my favorite quote from today's devotional reading.
Psalm 139's use of the word "investigate" (in the Message translation) also really jumped out at me today. Verses 1 and 2 read, "GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to You; even from a distance, You know what I'm thinking."
Wow! Do I ever ask God to investigate my life? That's a pretty deep thought. Do I want Him to? Probably not every day, like I should, but I really do want Him to have free reign in my life. Part of that would involve a daily "investigation" of my life. It's not like He doesn't already know all about me - He created me and knows me fully, but it is the act of me making a conscious decision to "allow" Him in - to "allow" Him full access - to want to "cleaned up" and "efficient" for kingdom use.
To finish off Jesus' sentence at the dinner table... let me first start by writing down my "TOP 10 THINGS I DO BECAUSE THEY 'FEEL RIGHT'". Not just things that I enjoy, but things in my life that I feel naturally gifted for and are easily incorporated into my life. Things that bring me feelings of joy and accomplishment (that are essentially part of what God has put in the fiber of "me"):
1) Love my wife and family
2) Prepare biblical messages for ministering to youth
3) Read / study books, magazines, and web sites
4) Study pop culture
5) Listen to Music
6) Play, write, and arrange music
7) Write, journal, share my thoughts with others
8) Web design
9) Play / have fun
10) Relax
So, Jesus continues by saying, "...based on the gifts I've given you and what I need done in the world, I think I'd like you to bring to focus the things that you are already doing that I have called you to. Don't neglect your giftings. Make time to grow and mature in Me and in the abilities that I have given you. Write songs, write books, write sketches. Become more adamant about drawing out your creative skills. They are a reflection of My creativity. Don't settle for 2nd best, cheap imitations. Let Me be your inspiration."
"Disciples are more than just people who believe in Jesus - they're people who follow Him by listening to how they're made..." This is my favorite quote from today's devotional reading.
Psalm 139's use of the word "investigate" (in the Message translation) also really jumped out at me today. Verses 1 and 2 read, "GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to You; even from a distance, You know what I'm thinking."
Wow! Do I ever ask God to investigate my life? That's a pretty deep thought. Do I want Him to? Probably not every day, like I should, but I really do want Him to have free reign in my life. Part of that would involve a daily "investigation" of my life. It's not like He doesn't already know all about me - He created me and knows me fully, but it is the act of me making a conscious decision to "allow" Him in - to "allow" Him full access - to want to "cleaned up" and "efficient" for kingdom use.
To finish off Jesus' sentence at the dinner table... let me first start by writing down my "TOP 10 THINGS I DO BECAUSE THEY 'FEEL RIGHT'". Not just things that I enjoy, but things in my life that I feel naturally gifted for and are easily incorporated into my life. Things that bring me feelings of joy and accomplishment (that are essentially part of what God has put in the fiber of "me"):
1) Love my wife and family
2) Prepare biblical messages for ministering to youth
3) Read / study books, magazines, and web sites
4) Study pop culture
5) Listen to Music
6) Play, write, and arrange music
7) Write, journal, share my thoughts with others
8) Web design
9) Play / have fun
10) Relax
So, Jesus continues by saying, "...based on the gifts I've given you and what I need done in the world, I think I'd like you to bring to focus the things that you are already doing that I have called you to. Don't neglect your giftings. Make time to grow and mature in Me and in the abilities that I have given you. Write songs, write books, write sketches. Become more adamant about drawing out your creative skills. They are a reflection of My creativity. Don't settle for 2nd best, cheap imitations. Let Me be your inspiration."
Monday, March 22, 2004
BOLDNESS
If there's one thing that I have always prayed to God for, is has been boldness. My personality has always been a little bit leaning towards the introverted (quiet, shy) side. My wonderful wife has really helped me break out of a lot of that shell, but it is also easy for me to revert back to the old ways.
I guess the question I need to ask is "if going down this path with Jesus could get me hurt and cause trouble (Jesus said it probably would), why choose this path?" I choose it because I want to live my life with purpose; Jesus is the person who can give me the most fulfilling purpose for my life - even if it does bring persecution. I choose to walk the path of righteousness because Jesus did, and he suffered much more than I ever will. God deserves what little sacrifices I have to offer. I choose to be bold, even when it is not easy.
I guess the question I need to ask is "if going down this path with Jesus could get me hurt and cause trouble (Jesus said it probably would), why choose this path?" I choose it because I want to live my life with purpose; Jesus is the person who can give me the most fulfilling purpose for my life - even if it does bring persecution. I choose to walk the path of righteousness because Jesus did, and he suffered much more than I ever will. God deserves what little sacrifices I have to offer. I choose to be bold, even when it is not easy.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
GOD'S WILL: HOW TO FIND IT AND WHY IT MATTERS
Not the best week in my life to start a devotional blog, it seems. (smile) My normal devotional time was interrupted today by the need to get some things done early this morning in preparation for moving into our new house. Hence, I am up late reading a devotional article on RelevantMagazine.com. This is the one I read:
GOD'S WILL: HOW TO FIND IT AND WHY IT MATTERS :: RELEVANT magazine
I am big on figuring out what we are here for - finding out what the bigger picture is and hopefully, getting the blueprint from God. I know He wants to share His plans with us; we just have to want to find out what they are. I believe that God wants to do great things in EVERYONE's lives because He just doesn't plan anything that isn't GREAT! When great things aren't happening in our lives (kingdom things), I always wonder if it is because we haven't spent the time listening to what His intent was for us.
GOD'S WILL: HOW TO FIND IT AND WHY IT MATTERS :: RELEVANT magazine
I am big on figuring out what we are here for - finding out what the bigger picture is and hopefully, getting the blueprint from God. I know He wants to share His plans with us; we just have to want to find out what they are. I believe that God wants to do great things in EVERYONE's lives because He just doesn't plan anything that isn't GREAT! When great things aren't happening in our lives (kingdom things), I always wonder if it is because we haven't spent the time listening to what His intent was for us.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
FIRST POST: A DEVOTION ON AUTHORITY
GREETS,
Well, I am starting a lot of new things in my life at about this time. I have just started a brand new accountability relationship with a good friend and youth ministry volunteer. Then, yesterday, Deanna and I closed on our second house purchase since we married in 1997, and, well... I also decided it was time for me to start journaling again and I thought that this would be a cool way to do it. I am not much for hand-writing anything anymore. It is so much easier and quicker to t-y-p-e things for me.
Anyhow, I kind of wanted to create this blog to be an accountability tool for myself. A map, of sorts, of my soul searching with God. Right now, I am currently spending some time reading a very cool devotional book written by one of my youth ministry heroes, Mike Yaconelli. It is titled, "devotion. a raw-truth journal on following Jesus". Today's reading was the second one out of thirty and it's focus was on authority.
I think a lot of times we forget about the authority that God wants us to have in our daily walk. We are supposed to be people of influence (Jesus sure was). I want to live my life with the full realization that I can choose the kind of life I live. I can choose what I believe. I can choose to control myself - or not. I have complete authority over my decisions. I can choose to be a person of authority - that people look up to and come to for answers when they seek help. Who wouldn't want that?
Here's my TOP TEN LIST of the TOP TEN THING I DO EVERY DAY THAT ARE MY CHOICE:
1) Spend time with God in Scripture and devotional reading
2) Spend time with God in prayer (pray continuously)
3) Express love to my wife and kids
4) Show that #3 is true by reserving time with family for fun and memory-making
5) Be a disciple of God, in a true sence of the word
6) Check and respond to e-mail
7) Journaling (although this is a new one for me)
8) Try to eat healthy
9) Stay active
10) Never waste time - time is precious!
... a list that is much harder to do than it is to write. Lord, help me to walk out Your authority in my life.
Well, I am starting a lot of new things in my life at about this time. I have just started a brand new accountability relationship with a good friend and youth ministry volunteer. Then, yesterday, Deanna and I closed on our second house purchase since we married in 1997, and, well... I also decided it was time for me to start journaling again and I thought that this would be a cool way to do it. I am not much for hand-writing anything anymore. It is so much easier and quicker to t-y-p-e things for me.
Anyhow, I kind of wanted to create this blog to be an accountability tool for myself. A map, of sorts, of my soul searching with God. Right now, I am currently spending some time reading a very cool devotional book written by one of my youth ministry heroes, Mike Yaconelli. It is titled, "devotion. a raw-truth journal on following Jesus". Today's reading was the second one out of thirty and it's focus was on authority.
I think a lot of times we forget about the authority that God wants us to have in our daily walk. We are supposed to be people of influence (Jesus sure was). I want to live my life with the full realization that I can choose the kind of life I live. I can choose what I believe. I can choose to control myself - or not. I have complete authority over my decisions. I can choose to be a person of authority - that people look up to and come to for answers when they seek help. Who wouldn't want that?
Here's my TOP TEN LIST of the TOP TEN THING I DO EVERY DAY THAT ARE MY CHOICE:
1) Spend time with God in Scripture and devotional reading
2) Spend time with God in prayer (pray continuously)
3) Express love to my wife and kids
4) Show that #3 is true by reserving time with family for fun and memory-making
5) Be a disciple of God, in a true sence of the word
6) Check and respond to e-mail
7) Journaling (although this is a new one for me)
8) Try to eat healthy
9) Stay active
10) Never waste time - time is precious!
... a list that is much harder to do than it is to write. Lord, help me to walk out Your authority in my life.
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