So, I'm doing my best to escape the heat outside. I'm enjoying the air conditioning of my little corner of the office. Truthfully, today is much better than yesterday in regards to the heat outside. You see, I live in Arizona (the hot part of AZ). Today, at this moment it is 107 Degrees. Yes, one hundred seven is what I said, and it was hotter yesterday. It is so hot outside, that 4 minutes in direct sunlight, your shirt gets that "out of the dryer" warmth.
Now, I have heard this (and some of you may have as well)...you know, the... "if you think it's hot here, Hell's a whole lot hotter." That is not the topic that I am going with here. Just try to follow me. I hope I make sense, even to myself.
God gave the sun to give warmth, energy, and light for life on this planet. It is not only a testament to His creative genius, but of His ongoing love for all of His creation (which includes you and me). I was just thinking about the magnitude of the sun's power and how easily we see this everyday.
Well, think of this... the One (God) made the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) This tells me something unique about God. He is much more powerful than the sun because He made the sun and all of the stars. The Scriptures of the Bible share with us, that God is also so full of light, holiness, that "Our God is A Consuming Fire." (Hebrews 12:13)
If the light of the sun sends us running to find shade to hide from it, imagine the grand presence of the One & Only Holy God. We would have no where to hide from His shear awesome (right way to really use that word) presence.
And yet, even in His holiness, God made a way for us to approach Him through faith. (Hebrews 4:14-16). His, One & Only Son, Jesus Christ came to offer Himself as the sacrifice for Sin. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29)
The Bible says that because we are frail, mortal, imperfect, (none of these are surprising) & sinful people; we have no way possible to stand before The Mighty, Immortal, Holy (absolutely perfect), Sinless God. This amazing God loves us so much that His sinless Son would take on the punishment for our sins. The Bible puts it this way "He became sin Who knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died on a cross according to the scriptures and was raised 3 days later according to the scriptures (1 Corinthian 15:33-34). Jesus is the One & Only Son of God (100% God, 100% Man) and He is alive. He resurrected from the grave.
And now for those who believe and know Jesus as the King Who Reigns, The Savior that Rescues, and God who loves them more than they could possibly know...they are His children (John 1:12). God also does something incredible. He sends the Holy Spirit (God Himself) to dwell in the hearts of the believer.
The Consuming One that everything melts like wax before him (Psalms) chooses to dwell with us. I believe that is why those who are so passionately in love with Him, feel His consuming fire (of love, grace, truth, & holiness) burning deep inside.
Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. To give His life as a ransom for many. The ransom has been paid for you. If you do not know this and want to know more...contact me or the nearest follower of Jesus Christ. If you already had heard this before...Here's some news.
Jesus really loves you.
Jesus really frees you.
Jesus wants you to know Him more.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
SWAGGER WAGON
If we ever get a minivan, we have got to get a Sienna after this video. Lovin this and may have to get this jam on iTunes. Rollin with Jeromie!
Potato Heads!
1) I'm a Picasso!
You feel like the pieces of your life are mixed up and not placed in the right places. You desire for there to be some kind of order. You hope for some kind of plan. You just wish someone could help you get things right?
2) I'm Missing An Eye!
Or an ear, arm, whatever it may be. Some piece you know should be there seems to have been taken away from you or is hidden out of reach. Now the pieces are not just mixed up, but something is missing.
3) Back Intact!
Somehow, life looks like everything is in it's place. No surface pieces are missing. Life seems good right? Your ears don't get filled with junk. Your eyes are focused ahead and skies are blue. Your nose is clean. Your lips don't speak of what is wrong. Your hands find something meaningful to do. And your feet are pointed in the right direction. The problem...you still feel like an empty shell.
4) The Fully Loaded Spud!
Understanding that God has a plan for your life is a start. Understanding that God is passionate about you and sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for you because of the passion...that's revolutionary. That is life changing. That is Love!. But Jesus life did not end on the cross. He finished on the cross what was necessary for us to have relationship with God...Grace. But because Jesus, rose from the dead...He has life. Life to the fullest (John 10:10). All other places that claim to have life, merely take it, because they are thieves. Only Jesus can give life, because only He has conquered death in the first place. God desires a relationship with you, but it can only happen through the death, resurrection, life, and grace of Jesus Christ. But, if you want to discover life to the fullest, if you want to be more than an empty shell, if you want to be restored & healed, if you want to have a direction, and yet choose not to seek Him....you will have missed becoming all that God desires for His children.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Set Apart... what does that mean?
Original Post: August 2006
Well, it is official...or am I official? I'm not really sure which one. On August 13th, I was ordained. That means set apart to do something for God. Well, here is what I want to do for God. I want to love Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, body, and strength. That is not easy to do by no means. Much of my life has been tormented by the sins that I so rampently let run in control of myself. To be the man that God wants me to be means letting go of all those things and sins that so easily ensnare us with guilt and burdens. They slow our life to a hilt and make our heart feel as though it may burst from the struggles. I don't mean just the ten commandment sins either. I know that I have broken my share of those, but I also mean the sins that I have allowed in my life that begin the path towards breaking the heart of God and the hearts of others. The same sins that are made popular by the 90's movie "Seven." I've been reading a book about these. If you don't know them, they are Pride, Anger, Envy, Slothfulness, Lust, Gluttony, and Greed. You see, over the past year God has been getting my serious attention and I am more different then i was a year ago, 8 months ago, heck even from 4 weeks ago. Those dates were not chosen for any particular reason except to say that God has been making me face the fact that even if I have been "set apart" I myself am able to accomplish no good thing...certainly no great thing. Sure I may be able to do "something," but without Him, it is not what would be considered a good thing. I want my life to be different! Please God!
I want to Love my Jesus with my all, somthing that I know I haven't done in a long, long time. I'm thankful He forgives us when we allow ourselves to be forgetful of who He is. Pray for me as I continue to grow in Him.
I want my wife to know that I love her with a new grace and affection that pours not out of myself, but from the relationship I'm building with the God who has blessed us so abundantly. I'm thankful for new beginnings in which each day looks to what it brings and not to what the past has held. I love you Melinda and I will strive to be the man God meant for you to have by your side. Thank you for always sticking with me even in struggles. I want to be your knight in shining armor because you are the beautiful damsel of my dreams that has made my heart soar for a greater love.
I want my daughter to know that she is "Daddy's Little Angel." When I say that I mean that she has brought so much inspiration to overcome in my life. I want to be her guardian, her father, her hero, and the model of what a man should look like. Because of her she should have no fear of whether her daddy loves her because I will give up all I can in order to protect the relationship we have and the family we come together under.
I want my church to know that I love them. Thank you for encouraging me when I have been really stupid and absent-minded. I want more than anything not for you to see another leader that is stepping up to something more, but a man that hopefully shows you more of the hope of God and the heart of God than the actions of myself.
I know that I began by saying that I was officially set-apart on a certain date, but to me, being set apart means that I'm set-apart from my old self, from the ordinary life, from a purposeless existence, to a new place that is amazingly extraordinary because of Christ Jesus whose grace is so incredibly sufficient. "He is able to do abundantly and exceedingly more than we could ever imagine"...or accomplish on our own.
Well, it is official...or am I official? I'm not really sure which one. On August 13th, I was ordained. That means set apart to do something for God. Well, here is what I want to do for God. I want to love Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, body, and strength. That is not easy to do by no means. Much of my life has been tormented by the sins that I so rampently let run in control of myself. To be the man that God wants me to be means letting go of all those things and sins that so easily ensnare us with guilt and burdens. They slow our life to a hilt and make our heart feel as though it may burst from the struggles. I don't mean just the ten commandment sins either. I know that I have broken my share of those, but I also mean the sins that I have allowed in my life that begin the path towards breaking the heart of God and the hearts of others. The same sins that are made popular by the 90's movie "Seven." I've been reading a book about these. If you don't know them, they are Pride, Anger, Envy, Slothfulness, Lust, Gluttony, and Greed. You see, over the past year God has been getting my serious attention and I am more different then i was a year ago, 8 months ago, heck even from 4 weeks ago. Those dates were not chosen for any particular reason except to say that God has been making me face the fact that even if I have been "set apart" I myself am able to accomplish no good thing...certainly no great thing. Sure I may be able to do "something," but without Him, it is not what would be considered a good thing. I want my life to be different! Please God!
I want to Love my Jesus with my all, somthing that I know I haven't done in a long, long time. I'm thankful He forgives us when we allow ourselves to be forgetful of who He is. Pray for me as I continue to grow in Him.
I want my wife to know that I love her with a new grace and affection that pours not out of myself, but from the relationship I'm building with the God who has blessed us so abundantly. I'm thankful for new beginnings in which each day looks to what it brings and not to what the past has held. I love you Melinda and I will strive to be the man God meant for you to have by your side. Thank you for always sticking with me even in struggles. I want to be your knight in shining armor because you are the beautiful damsel of my dreams that has made my heart soar for a greater love.
I want my daughter to know that she is "Daddy's Little Angel." When I say that I mean that she has brought so much inspiration to overcome in my life. I want to be her guardian, her father, her hero, and the model of what a man should look like. Because of her she should have no fear of whether her daddy loves her because I will give up all I can in order to protect the relationship we have and the family we come together under.
I want my church to know that I love them. Thank you for encouraging me when I have been really stupid and absent-minded. I want more than anything not for you to see another leader that is stepping up to something more, but a man that hopefully shows you more of the hope of God and the heart of God than the actions of myself.
I know that I began by saying that I was officially set-apart on a certain date, but to me, being set apart means that I'm set-apart from my old self, from the ordinary life, from a purposeless existence, to a new place that is amazingly extraordinary because of Christ Jesus whose grace is so incredibly sufficient. "He is able to do abundantly and exceedingly more than we could ever imagine"...or accomplish on our own.
Things That Change Your Life...
Original Post: April 2007
Well, today i'm sitting in my office with all kinds of thoughts floating through my head and heart. I was jst thinking about the fact that I'm not the same person I was 1 year ago...2 years ago...5 years ago...and certainly not the same as I was 10 years ago.
I want to tell you something you already know...Life changes us. More importantly...God uses life to change us and to bring us closer to Him.
Things that have changed me:
When I was 12 years old...I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. That means I knew that I needed Him to be my rescuer and save my life from myself. I wasn't sure about what all the difference it would make in my life...but it did. From that point on it was like there was this light going on and off that signaled right and wrong...guidance and conviction. Jesus was now in dwelling in spirit in my heart. He was now closer that I had known someone could be. He has to be close allowed to dwell in your life to save you from yourself.
When I was 19 years old. That is 7 years later, something new happened. My world was shaken up by turmoil in my family and by the breakdown of health with my grandmother. I had lost sense of the person I was and God was working on bringing that view closer. I was in college and dating. With those two I was making huge mistakes because I wanted to take in everthing that i thought would make me happy. As the world fell around me, I found myself broken under that heap of pain. It was only because Christ, had brought new friends in my life that I would be encouraged not to give up. It brought me to a place that I had never known. I learned the joy of being a God follower...not just a God believer. This is where true Christianity is more than something you claim...but something you live. I'm not talking about perfection because even after this I have made some very big mistakes along with the small ones. But it is when you know you need to make Jesus the Lord He is over your life. When you live like He is your King. The next thing I knew, two years later I was being called to follow into full Christian service. This doesn't make me any better than anyone else or holier than anyone else...it's just where i desire to serve career wise.
The 3rd huge change came when I met and married my lovely bride. This has been a fantastic journey. I just wish that I could have shown her everyday that I love her...because there have been days in that first year of marriage...that I didn't show it with my full heart. I'm sorry, I took you for granted then, but those days are behind and I have devoted the past 2 years to trying my best to show that i love her with everything inside of me. Our 3 year anniversary is coming up. I hope it is just a small mile marker on a long road together. Melinda makes me want to be a better man...a man for God.
The 4th huge change of course is my little girl. Whether i like it or not...she is not the baby she once was. She is growing up on me fast. I know that she is only a year old, but she makes me want to be a better leader. She inspires me to have joy and laughter and at the same time to walk a line of inspiration or her. I pray that I never fail even though i know I may falter...I will still cling strong to what I can be for her.
Think about the changes in your life. Sure, all the wrinkles are not ironed out yet. But press on knowing that one day, God will reveal His ultimate gift to those who love and live for Him.
Well, today i'm sitting in my office with all kinds of thoughts floating through my head and heart. I was jst thinking about the fact that I'm not the same person I was 1 year ago...2 years ago...5 years ago...and certainly not the same as I was 10 years ago.
I want to tell you something you already know...Life changes us. More importantly...God uses life to change us and to bring us closer to Him.
Things that have changed me:
When I was 12 years old...I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. That means I knew that I needed Him to be my rescuer and save my life from myself. I wasn't sure about what all the difference it would make in my life...but it did. From that point on it was like there was this light going on and off that signaled right and wrong...guidance and conviction. Jesus was now in dwelling in spirit in my heart. He was now closer that I had known someone could be. He has to be close allowed to dwell in your life to save you from yourself.
When I was 19 years old. That is 7 years later, something new happened. My world was shaken up by turmoil in my family and by the breakdown of health with my grandmother. I had lost sense of the person I was and God was working on bringing that view closer. I was in college and dating. With those two I was making huge mistakes because I wanted to take in everthing that i thought would make me happy. As the world fell around me, I found myself broken under that heap of pain. It was only because Christ, had brought new friends in my life that I would be encouraged not to give up. It brought me to a place that I had never known. I learned the joy of being a God follower...not just a God believer. This is where true Christianity is more than something you claim...but something you live. I'm not talking about perfection because even after this I have made some very big mistakes along with the small ones. But it is when you know you need to make Jesus the Lord He is over your life. When you live like He is your King. The next thing I knew, two years later I was being called to follow into full Christian service. This doesn't make me any better than anyone else or holier than anyone else...it's just where i desire to serve career wise.
The 3rd huge change came when I met and married my lovely bride. This has been a fantastic journey. I just wish that I could have shown her everyday that I love her...because there have been days in that first year of marriage...that I didn't show it with my full heart. I'm sorry, I took you for granted then, but those days are behind and I have devoted the past 2 years to trying my best to show that i love her with everything inside of me. Our 3 year anniversary is coming up. I hope it is just a small mile marker on a long road together. Melinda makes me want to be a better man...a man for God.
The 4th huge change of course is my little girl. Whether i like it or not...she is not the baby she once was. She is growing up on me fast. I know that she is only a year old, but she makes me want to be a better leader. She inspires me to have joy and laughter and at the same time to walk a line of inspiration or her. I pray that I never fail even though i know I may falter...I will still cling strong to what I can be for her.
Think about the changes in your life. Sure, all the wrinkles are not ironed out yet. But press on knowing that one day, God will reveal His ultimate gift to those who love and live for Him.
How Far Am I Willing To Go?
Original Post- November 2007, moved from my myspace account:
On my heart this week is the big thought of…"what happens next?" What is the next step in our journey with the King Supreme? Well, I guess that all depends. Every step forward in a journey or quest begins with a question looming in our minds. At least I hope this question is there, because if it isn't then we are walking without aim, knowledge, or faith.
The question is "how far am I willing to go?" I know that when it comes to travel, I want to see it all, and when it comes to my family, I want to be there for it all. But when it comes to our walk with Christ...what is mine and your limit? Is it like that of a martyr to be willing to die? I think that sounds like the noble and honorable thing to say. The truth is the our answer to the question of "how far am I willing to go?"...should be something like this (and this is where I hope I am, and if I'm not, I want to be there)...I will live for Jesus, even if it kills me. That means, we may think death is a noble sacrifice, but life lived for Jesus...that is something very different.
This is something that takes limitless devotion. It takes a person that says i'm willing to give every breath over to my God even if it could be my last. WOW! I'm not sure i live that way. I want to live that way, but i know that i'm not always that person. What would it look like if this became the cry of a generation? What if we began to live like this for the one we call our KING...Jesus Christ?
I think then, people would begin to know...that we really believe He is who He says He is and that He does all that He promises to do. I also believe that when they see this....they will see the truth,and the truth will se them free.
Honor the Price
Original Post December 2007- moved from my myspace account:
What is your favorite gift? What is the most hoped for thing on your Christmas list? What is the fondest Christmas morning you've ever had? What is that one present that you'll ever throw away because it was so incredibly special? It is amazing to me how some gifts...we could careless about and yet we somehow needed them.
There are also those gifts we have received that we don't care to mention because...well, It just wasn't our cup of tea….let's face it...you might as well have gotten a partridge in a pear tree they were so useless. However, there are those gifts we never forget and we try to hold onto forever. These could be some favorite toy or whatever from our childhood, and it may be something we talk about all the time. We hold a special place of honor for these gifts. (Meaning they are valued much more than the packs of socks and underwear we got).
But what about God's gift to us. Do we honor it? Do we value it for the price that was paid for it? How much do we care about the present Jesus offered us? I think we really need to study what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to see what He says about honoring the price paid. It will sure keep us out of the refund lines after Christmas, but I hope it reminds us...that we are not our own. We were paid for with a price….that means God considers us valuable to Him. How do you honor the price?
What is your favorite gift? What is the most hoped for thing on your Christmas list? What is the fondest Christmas morning you've ever had? What is that one present that you'll ever throw away because it was so incredibly special? It is amazing to me how some gifts...we could careless about and yet we somehow needed them.
There are also those gifts we have received that we don't care to mention because...well, It just wasn't our cup of tea….let's face it...you might as well have gotten a partridge in a pear tree they were so useless. However, there are those gifts we never forget and we try to hold onto forever. These could be some favorite toy or whatever from our childhood, and it may be something we talk about all the time. We hold a special place of honor for these gifts. (Meaning they are valued much more than the packs of socks and underwear we got).
But what about God's gift to us. Do we honor it? Do we value it for the price that was paid for it? How much do we care about the present Jesus offered us? I think we really need to study what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to see what He says about honoring the price paid. It will sure keep us out of the refund lines after Christmas, but I hope it reminds us...that we are not our own. We were paid for with a price….that means God considers us valuable to Him. How do you honor the price?
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