Weeds

Hey guys,

I was asked to preach a message for this past Sunday morning's service and the area was dealing with the message of evangelism.  Well, the main point that I felt needed driven home was that the Message of Jesus matters.  I was praying about what God would give me to show an illustration to this.  He did...

Over the past few weeks, i have noticed that my lawn was in severe need of attention.  Yes, people have lawns in Arizona.  Mine is not tall with grass but weeds have begun spreading all over my yard.  Over and over again i have said i needed to take care of those, but i've been pretty content to jst go in my comfortable house and procrastinate.  Well, Saturday i began working and was not able to get done with it.  It was dirty, back aching hard labor, but it made an impact.  

God spoke telling me this, if i stay in the house, i am saying the yard matters more to the weeds than it does to us.  The same goes for the message of Christ and the cross.  If we don't move beyond the walls of our church home, we are saying deep down, the world matters more to the weeds than it does to us.  If we really love Jesus Christ, we'll love what He loved.  People matter to Him, so people matter.

Woke Up By God?

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if you have ever been woke up by God?  Last night, I had to deal with th usual ups and downs of sleep and semi-awakeness because I have two kids, one of which is 1-year old.  In between my boughts of making milk bottles and changing diapers, i got this surge of restlessness, that didn't give me that (you're still sleepy) feeling.  And I felt like God was talking to me.  It seemed to be an intimate conversation that dealt with how I am to lead in my family and in my church with strength, wisdom, and integrity.  Now believe me, I'm no saint, but I wish I were.  There have been times when my integrity was not something I could say I was proud of.  But there in the dark, God reminded me of light and grace.  There, he reminded me, that "what he whispers... I'm to declare from rooftops."  There he reminded me that as I sleep, He is still awake and watching over the heavens and the earth, yet He concerns Himself with a person such as me.  I am reminded of the story of Samuel, from Scriptures.  As still a boy, God spoke to Him truth and wisdom.  The only thing was for Samuel to be open to listening.  "He spoke, 'speak for Your servant is listening." I tried to fight this restless whisper for a moment, thinking, maybe just my head is busy and swarming with things on my mind.  But after taking a moment of prayer, just to say "I am willing to listen to You God." He let me know, that He is the one that still wants to do great things in the lives of us who are willing to yeild to His teaching.

Truth & Trust

It amazes me to watch my children on my days off.  They follow me around wherever i go in the house, (even when you want just a little privacy).  They bring me gifts (toys or other objects that interest them) as if to say "look what i have discovered,"  "or aren't you happy with what I'm doing."  They also go directly to you when they are desiring to have a need met.. "Daddy, I'm thirsty;  Daddy, I'm hungry; Daddy, I need to go potty; well you get it.  And they are so honest (usually) about what they have done or what they need.  I blows my mind their faith in me.  Then my little girl has just started learning to pray all on her own.  She is so simple and beautiful when she begins talking to this person she knows as Jesus.  And i stop and think, she doesn't know all the ends and outs, she simply trusts...much like she trusts her parents.  I wish my faith, trust, and honesty was like that when it comes to my Father, God.  "Jesus, help me believe and live in faith and integrity.  I hope to trust you, simply with a yes."