How have I missed Jesus so much lately? What in the world did I do to put him on the "back burner". I guess we all do this at times even Billy Graham would probably admit to this. The main 3 things we as believers battle against are the world, the flesh, and the devil. We will surely miss Jesus when anything other than seeking his face takes center stage. But O He does not let up on us so easily. The devil just can't snatch us out of his hand. Father God is much bigger than Satan, and His lovingkindness never ceases.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I'm back!!
Wow I've been away from here for quite a while, the month of Sept has come now! Anyway-here I go again. Bear with me as my heart and mind have been so full of possible writing, don't know where to begin.
Definitely been living in Grace-what about you?
I like to parse songs-A popular singer Mariah Carey bless her heart-in one of her recent songs she says "Touch my body-GIVE ME WHAT I DESERVE"
Please know that I don't judge this lady, she has to stand before the King herself-I'm in no position to judge her, but I just want to put my arm around her and say Mariah-sweetie-What we all DESERVE-is everlasting punishment and the flames of hell.
See it's about just seeing God for who HE is, and what WE are. We come from the first Adam who fell in the garden. Of course after that the Flood came and it is redemption history ever since. In and of ourselves we are simply men and women with hearts that are severly bent toward sin and transgression!!
We NEED Jesus, we don't need spa treatments for example.
What do I really NEED?? What do I truly deserve??
I need the Lord to shower me with HIS blessings, I deserve to be out of his prescence but because of the person of Jesus I am brought into fellowship with the Father. Wow!!
Definitely been living in Grace-what about you?
I like to parse songs-A popular singer Mariah Carey bless her heart-in one of her recent songs she says "Touch my body-GIVE ME WHAT I DESERVE"
Please know that I don't judge this lady, she has to stand before the King herself-I'm in no position to judge her, but I just want to put my arm around her and say Mariah-sweetie-What we all DESERVE-is everlasting punishment and the flames of hell.
See it's about just seeing God for who HE is, and what WE are. We come from the first Adam who fell in the garden. Of course after that the Flood came and it is redemption history ever since. In and of ourselves we are simply men and women with hearts that are severly bent toward sin and transgression!!
We NEED Jesus, we don't need spa treatments for example.
What do I really NEED?? What do I truly deserve??
I need the Lord to shower me with HIS blessings, I deserve to be out of his prescence but because of the person of Jesus I am brought into fellowship with the Father. Wow!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
choose life!
I was reading in the OT book of Deuteronomy today. I had heard of this passage of scripture before, and always loved hearing it. Today I "ran across" it again, and I'm glad I did! Deut.30.15 reads- "Now listen today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster".
Wow-pretty straightforward from the Lord Almighty. There is a choice for us to make. I must admit I make the wrong choice way too often. Let's take the internet for example, one can choose to view much evil on it, or one can view a sermon, or a way to learn to snow ski, or improve one's quilting talent. See the good and the bad? See life verses death? Out on my city's roads, I can get mad and flip people off (or want to flip them off) or I can take it easy and bless people as I drive (difficult but doable!). There are so many other things we come across each and every day where we must choose-the way or life or the way of death.
So this passage speaks to me, to my heart of hearts. I want to begin to choose life so I may LIVE!! Yes Live! When we choose the way of death-well why would we want to?
The Lord Almighty sets it before us. I realize Jesus came in the New Testament, but the Old Testament is to be read as well. Read to learn the ways of Yahweh, the ONE, the Great I AM.
This Great God wants to give his people life in the OT times and today. He took His people out from the hand of Pharoah. I think He wants to give us life, wants us to truly live, to live as His very own people, prized possessions in His big hands. He longs to bless His people, And the blessing is being able to listen and know the depth of His great love of His own.
Amen and Amen!
Wow-pretty straightforward from the Lord Almighty. There is a choice for us to make. I must admit I make the wrong choice way too often. Let's take the internet for example, one can choose to view much evil on it, or one can view a sermon, or a way to learn to snow ski, or improve one's quilting talent. See the good and the bad? See life verses death? Out on my city's roads, I can get mad and flip people off (or want to flip them off) or I can take it easy and bless people as I drive (difficult but doable!). There are so many other things we come across each and every day where we must choose-the way or life or the way of death.
So this passage speaks to me, to my heart of hearts. I want to begin to choose life so I may LIVE!! Yes Live! When we choose the way of death-well why would we want to?
The Lord Almighty sets it before us. I realize Jesus came in the New Testament, but the Old Testament is to be read as well. Read to learn the ways of Yahweh, the ONE, the Great I AM.
This Great God wants to give his people life in the OT times and today. He took His people out from the hand of Pharoah. I think He wants to give us life, wants us to truly live, to live as His very own people, prized possessions in His big hands. He longs to bless His people, And the blessing is being able to listen and know the depth of His great love of His own.
Amen and Amen!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
over exertion!
Gosh have not posted in a while, I want to get back to posting! I continue to live in Grace however. Grace is such a beautiful word! I hurt because I miss my time with God. I spend way too much time doing lots of other things except seeking intimacy with my Lord. I did have great fellowship last night with some friends from two singles gatherings here in Lexington. I over exerted myself in a basketball game with 15 and 16 year olds! So I'm paying for that today! But "its all good"!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
submission
Reading in Hebrews today. Heb 5.7-speaks of Jesus and his "reverent submission". I get real convicted here. Do you? How often I have gone my own way! Done my own thing-and every single time it is of no avail. The only way to peace, life, health, joy, and ability to love others is submitting to the One who IS. The One who IS the GREAT I AM. I guess it's easy to go our own way, we are bent that way because of our flesh. Heck on that note the flesh has to be subdued! We are at war with our flesh! It will always seek the easy route! One key thing here is that if Jesus sought submission to his Father of Love, should not we?? Let us take our example from the God-man who saw that he needed his Fathers help on an hour by hour basis. I write this and say in full confession-Ive failed. And with that failure comes a godly sorrow. That godly sorrow is good but not so pleasant.
Just a prayer here tonight-Father you are the One who loves me with a love beyond any I can fathom. You love me, and your followers intensely. Forgive us O Lord for seeking to live our lives beyond your reach. Forgive us as we have lost sight of your face. Would you revive your church O Lord! We will never be able to be your people unless we set our faces fully toward your face! Let it be your will and your face we seek O Lord our God. We say that you are above all other gods and idols. We know you are right when you judge, all your ways are righteous and holy! Fan the flames in your peoples hearts tonight Gracious God!
Amen
Just a prayer here tonight-Father you are the One who loves me with a love beyond any I can fathom. You love me, and your followers intensely. Forgive us O Lord for seeking to live our lives beyond your reach. Forgive us as we have lost sight of your face. Would you revive your church O Lord! We will never be able to be your people unless we set our faces fully toward your face! Let it be your will and your face we seek O Lord our God. We say that you are above all other gods and idols. We know you are right when you judge, all your ways are righteous and holy! Fan the flames in your peoples hearts tonight Gracious God!
Amen
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Makeover
Had to write on this! Sometimes I see something and really get a desire to write something on it. I saw this brief artlcle yesterday. There is this singer that was on Britian's Idol show that is similar to American Idol where music stars are discovered. Her name is Susan Boyle. She is a lady from Scotland who wore old clothes and had a kinda "older" hair style. Think of Jessica Simpson on one end of the scale and Susan Boyle all the way on the other end. Anyway she can sing and she got "discovered". Actually it is a bit of a scam I think, believe Simon knew of her, and it is a money making venture-which plays into the story. See Susan got this makeover, wish you could see the before and after. She looks quite different! Susan got a new hair style, she got her bushy eyebrows trimmed, she put on a leather jacket and boy O boy does Susan look like a "new Susan". It is quite stunning actually what makeovers can do. Susan is now more than ready to sell thousands of CD's and make her and Simon tons of money! (That is a another topic-another day-greed) but anyway back to my writing.
The thing that sticks out to me is that a makeover can do NOTHING--I repeat NOTHING. Ok bear with me I want to do this--N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!. I'm trying to give emphasis here-thanks for bearing with me. But a makeover cannot do a thing for the INSIDE. Yes it's only a change that brings the outside to more beauty. A makeover changed for instance Susan's hair, eyebrows, clothes makeup, whatever else they did. She is now an outside stunner, is she an inside stunner? What people need, and I don't know Susan Boyle, but what people need is a HEART makeover. That change that comes from the inside -out. Not from the outside-in. Susan I'm positve felt better for an hour or so, maybe even 4 or 5 hours, but after that did she see that she still has some form of issues that the leather jacket could not help with??
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes. Yet is not washed from its filthiness (Prov 30.12). Again Im not judging Susan, she is just the focal point in the news. But people need a washing from filthiness. An INSIDE change that only comes from a pure relationship with the living God. I think God is about the heart. It is fine to want to look nice, but the externals the way we look to others is not key! No its not what is key in life. To God the lowest of the low are the highest in his eyes. Does the world understand that what matters most is not how Susan looks on the outside, but what matters is the heart of Susan Boyle and millions of others? I dont think the world around us gets it. I must say I think that beauty is king. I cant help but feel that way.
No room to go into here all biblical passages that focus on the fact that Jesus liked to hang with those who were the least in society. Jesus could care less what a person looks like on the outside. It is of zero concern to the One who was able to pierce into the depths of us.
The thing that sticks out to me is that a makeover can do NOTHING--I repeat NOTHING. Ok bear with me I want to do this--N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!. I'm trying to give emphasis here-thanks for bearing with me. But a makeover cannot do a thing for the INSIDE. Yes it's only a change that brings the outside to more beauty. A makeover changed for instance Susan's hair, eyebrows, clothes makeup, whatever else they did. She is now an outside stunner, is she an inside stunner? What people need, and I don't know Susan Boyle, but what people need is a HEART makeover. That change that comes from the inside -out. Not from the outside-in. Susan I'm positve felt better for an hour or so, maybe even 4 or 5 hours, but after that did she see that she still has some form of issues that the leather jacket could not help with??
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes. Yet is not washed from its filthiness (Prov 30.12). Again Im not judging Susan, she is just the focal point in the news. But people need a washing from filthiness. An INSIDE change that only comes from a pure relationship with the living God. I think God is about the heart. It is fine to want to look nice, but the externals the way we look to others is not key! No its not what is key in life. To God the lowest of the low are the highest in his eyes. Does the world understand that what matters most is not how Susan looks on the outside, but what matters is the heart of Susan Boyle and millions of others? I dont think the world around us gets it. I must say I think that beauty is king. I cant help but feel that way.
No room to go into here all biblical passages that focus on the fact that Jesus liked to hang with those who were the least in society. Jesus could care less what a person looks like on the outside. It is of zero concern to the One who was able to pierce into the depths of us.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
check this hope out!
Was reading this morning in Hebrews 7 the latter part and then the first part of Heb 8. The word speaks of Jesus in His priestly role.. Heb 8.6 says "Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises."
Here is the hope for the believer-Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, taking our business to the Father for us. Jesus is different from the priests of old. They were human. Jesus is the God-man. Jesus is a "greater kind" of priest for us. Jesus ministers in the "heavenly Tabernacle"(Heb8.2) which is no earthly Tabernacle. O the glory of this God-man. O how we ought to love Him so for how Glorious He is! Jesus has a superior ministry (Heb 8.6) which means He can take care of things that the human priests could not. These passages show that Jesus is to be lifted high, to be exalted. See-Jesus is so many things to me, to us-Redeemer, Friend, Shepherd, the Light of the world, he is Truth, etc. These words in Hebrews point out the Majestic side. We have a savior who is our all in all. He has us covered at every point! How often do we think of how Jesus ministers TO us , ministers ON our behalf? Jesus is for us friends, Sweet Jesus said "you have given me a body to offer" (Heb 10.5) Oh the care in his eyes, What would our lives look like if we lived as if we knew that Jesus looks on us with that kind of care each hour of the day? Could we live in more peace? more joy? Maybe have a greater hatred of sin, which always misses the mark? We are being made holy (Heb 10.14) as we more and more lay our lives at the feet of King Jesus-the only priest we need, the One who loves us with a love which is so great that I think it is difficult for us to fully comprehend.
Here is the hope for the believer-Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, taking our business to the Father for us. Jesus is different from the priests of old. They were human. Jesus is the God-man. Jesus is a "greater kind" of priest for us. Jesus ministers in the "heavenly Tabernacle"(Heb8.2) which is no earthly Tabernacle. O the glory of this God-man. O how we ought to love Him so for how Glorious He is! Jesus has a superior ministry (Heb 8.6) which means He can take care of things that the human priests could not. These passages show that Jesus is to be lifted high, to be exalted. See-Jesus is so many things to me, to us-Redeemer, Friend, Shepherd, the Light of the world, he is Truth, etc. These words in Hebrews point out the Majestic side. We have a savior who is our all in all. He has us covered at every point! How often do we think of how Jesus ministers TO us , ministers ON our behalf? Jesus is for us friends, Sweet Jesus said "you have given me a body to offer" (Heb 10.5) Oh the care in his eyes, What would our lives look like if we lived as if we knew that Jesus looks on us with that kind of care each hour of the day? Could we live in more peace? more joy? Maybe have a greater hatred of sin, which always misses the mark? We are being made holy (Heb 10.14) as we more and more lay our lives at the feet of King Jesus-the only priest we need, the One who loves us with a love which is so great that I think it is difficult for us to fully comprehend.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Choices
How many choices do we make each day? Quite a few huh? Eat here or eat there? Watch this show or watch that show? Buy this or buy that? Spend this much or not that much? Some are big, some seem real small. I see more and more that life just sends me choice after choice. Now the biggest choice in life is to choose life in Jesus or non life in Jesus. Theologians and psychologist and the like will say there is much more to the decision than that. But I'm telling you folks I have to make the decision each day to follow Jesus and so does everyone else. I want to get to the point in my life whereby my decision for Jesus and others is foremost on my mind. In the end nothing else matters other than what people decide about Jesus. He died and rose again and it is the responsibility of believers to share the Good News that Jesus is alive. I have failed miserably in sharing hope with others, and I confess that. But I will not be chained to my past , and I resolve to be a man who shares Jesus with others. I'm saying in these days that I want to lay it all on the line for Jesus, He died for me, what more could he do? The cross was stained with blood, there is no denying that reality, and since that is true, it requires a reaction and a decision to be made. What are you going to do about the blood shed? I will keep you posted here on how I'm living my calling.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Poem out of the blue tonite
The Freedom I Seek
O Lord wasted days and wasted nights? How long?
How long O My Lord?
Regret the night away? O No not even a hint
Prisoner to myself?
O no, must end today
Freedom?
Yes Ive heard of such, such that is so glorious
No longer a life unto just me
strains to find my only way
to be gone
Outside of me, yes that is where Freedom
is waiting
To find me
A letting go? But how so?
Yes! to let it go-then to come back to me
In a fuller kinda way
worry not-fret not-look
to me
Listen!
Freedom calls
O Lord wasted days and wasted nights? How long?
How long O My Lord?
Regret the night away? O No not even a hint
Prisoner to myself?
O no, must end today
Freedom?
Yes Ive heard of such, such that is so glorious
No longer a life unto just me
strains to find my only way
to be gone
Outside of me, yes that is where Freedom
is waiting
To find me
A letting go? But how so?
Yes! to let it go-then to come back to me
In a fuller kinda way
worry not-fret not-look
to me
Listen!
Freedom calls
Looking for a better place
Hebrews 11.16-"they were looking for a better place,a heavenly homeland". I think I will get there-heaven that is. Now first of all, I'm not overly anxious to get there I must admit. Even as bad a place as this ol world here is, I want to meet my mate God has for me, I want to see UK win another NCAA basketball championship, I want to meet more good friends, I want to eat more good steaks from my brother in laws restuarant, I want to lay out by beaches and so on, you get the idea. But the other day I had to drive 515 miles in my trucking job with my back in great pain. Somewhere along the line with anguish on my face I said-man in heaven no more back pain like this, no more lonely times, no more aches all over in my body and in my soul. The Bible is so true isn't it? It says we will have troubles here on earth, and I've had my share. What if I began to live as each day is my last day here? Would I treat people better? Would I laugh more? Would I seek to reach out to others with the gospel message more? Maybe I should try that. Just lay it all on the line each day. Mostly I just keep to myself, I think I keep too much inside when a world around me is dying. Lord what about the people I run across who put no hope in a heaven beyond this world? Lord will you work thru me to reach these people in some way? Just a word Lord to them, use just one word I may say to them. I guess I just want to live more like an alien. Kinda like I'm a stranger down here in Kentucky. Oh bear with me, I think I will get there, but it will only come with engrossing myself in God's Word-I admit so little I read it. Oh bear with me folks-Who wants to join me in becoming aliens? It's difficult to picture the afterlife-but it will be a much better place. No lonlieness there at all. Anybody else longing like me?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
THINGS
I was listening to an NPR broadcast where the host and a columnist were talking with people about things they would sell or not sell as a last resort to bring in money during this US recession. Or another way to describe the convo was things people would have a real difficult time parting with. Understandable one woman said her engagement ring. This one I can understand would be darn difficult to sell. She must be one American with a darn strong marriage! I only heard a little bit of it, one lady said some dresser brought over on a ship by relatives from Holland. I guess the thing that I focus on is the fact that this life here on this earth is not all there is. I heard an interesting phrase recently from a Bible teacher named Beth Moore. Beth said, "were just hanging out" here. I love how that firey Texas lady said that and it has stuck with me! When things are tough, when dreams die for me HERE, well I'm just hangin out here anyway. And it's biblical, the bible says "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil 3.19-21). I don't judge these folks on NPR, they probably just know no better than to focus on the here and now, and treasure the things they have. Lord let me share with others that this life is NOT all there is. And that the ONLY way to live as this earth is not your home is to have one's heart welded to the heart of the Savior. When one knows the King, and knows His riches, then one can hold onto things here very lightly.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The small Things
I love watching the NCAA tournament, but doggone it if I can pick the winners correctly! Good thing my latest vice is not gambling! But I was thinkin' say two years from now will it REALLY matter a whole heck of a lot who I picked or didnt pick to win? I have a pretty competive nature within me-can be a good thing I guess. But Im like-C'mon-these silly picks don't amount to a "hill a beans!"
So what matters in life?
Answer-Jesus
Yes He is still at the right hand of the Father, the cross is still stained with blood, and He is still longing for folks watching March Madness to come to know Him.
Stop the Madness!
Sanity comes with giving ones life to the Savior of the World!
I think I will not worry about the fact that most of the teams I picked to win stunk up the joint. Im going to choose the Higher things. Im going to choose to set my mind on those things which are above (Col 3.2)
Cmon with me basketball lovers, or art lovers, political junkies, Guitar Hero fanatics-whosover may come!
Basketball games come and go-there will be more next season. Jesus lives forever
Now if somebody besides Louisville will win it all I will be stoked!
Blessings!
So what matters in life?
Answer-Jesus
Yes He is still at the right hand of the Father, the cross is still stained with blood, and He is still longing for folks watching March Madness to come to know Him.
Stop the Madness!
Sanity comes with giving ones life to the Savior of the World!
I think I will not worry about the fact that most of the teams I picked to win stunk up the joint. Im going to choose the Higher things. Im going to choose to set my mind on those things which are above (Col 3.2)
Cmon with me basketball lovers, or art lovers, political junkies, Guitar Hero fanatics-whosover may come!
Basketball games come and go-there will be more next season. Jesus lives forever
Now if somebody besides Louisville will win it all I will be stoked!
Blessings!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Pleasing God
Was reading in Romans 8.1ff-focused on the phrase-"those in the flesh cannot please God". I was thinking how often is my life simply pleasing to God? I want it to be, I truly do. How do we please God? Is He hard to please?- I dont think so. I believe that the main thing God wants is my heart. I hurt when I let my heart stray from what is on His heart. Romans 8 is all about the Spirit vs the flesh. These are at war with each other. Is it difficult to NOT live in the flesh? Yes it is, it takes a daily taking up of the bloody cross. But I would say life is HARDER when we live in the flesh. Flesh living seems real appealing but don't ever fall for it. Walk in the Spirit and then we can live for Kingdom purposes.
I saw an article the other day on a lady who is a reformed drug addict. At the end of the article, she said a profound statement. She said "when you play in garbage you will stink"
STAY OUT OF GARBAGE, YOU WILL SMELL SO MUCH BETTER!
I saw an article the other day on a lady who is a reformed drug addict. At the end of the article, she said a profound statement. She said "when you play in garbage you will stink"
STAY OUT OF GARBAGE, YOU WILL SMELL SO MUCH BETTER!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Looking for Light
Sometimes I have to drive thru the darkness of night
to get to where I need to be
I begin to really long for the Light of day
Light lets us see
Darkness-not so much-
vision hindered
How often do we long for the Light?
really seek after it?
Jesus is the Light of the World-those who live in Him don't have to live in darkness
PRAYER-Lord Jesus help me to see, to see how much I need you today. Let your Light shine thru me so that others may be able to see. Let not sin reign in our mortal bodies. As we begin to see how much you O Lord want to change the world thru us, let us not hinder your work.
In Him
Amen
to get to where I need to be
I begin to really long for the Light of day
Light lets us see
Darkness-not so much-
vision hindered
How often do we long for the Light?
really seek after it?
Jesus is the Light of the World-those who live in Him don't have to live in darkness
PRAYER-Lord Jesus help me to see, to see how much I need you today. Let your Light shine thru me so that others may be able to see. Let not sin reign in our mortal bodies. As we begin to see how much you O Lord want to change the world thru us, let us not hinder your work.
In Him
Amen
Monday, March 16, 2009
Jesus Stimulus?
I am a truck driver and will often see not only billboards which can move my thought but I like to look at church marquees. Saw one the other day in Pulaski Co., Ky which said something to the effect of-Receive Jesus and get a real stimulus package. I thought about this. As you may know this comes from the US news and how our country's government passed an economic stimulus package.
I looked up stimulus in the dictionary, here is what I got. Stimulus- An agent, action or condition that elicits or accelerates a phsiological or psychological activity or response.
When you think about that the marquee message kinda rings true. Jesus is an agent who elicits a response. When we receive Jesus into our hearts as savior and thereafter when we remain in Him (John 15.4) then we have all the stimulation we ever need. We dont need drink nor drug nor anything else. Jesus really is all we need.
There have been times when I have run from his love. I ran down a dead-end road. Yes 100 percent of the time that has not been the best thing for me. I was essentially running toward the wrong kind of stimulation. Perhaps it can be looked at this way- Jesus is the one who is able to stimulate the "inner ways" of us. Or the "ultimate stimulation" is another way of viewing.
How about "lasting stimulation". When UK wins in basketball-which they are not at the moment! I may get "pumped up" and stimulated when they win a nail biting game. But this kind of elation lasts what maybe a couple of hours?
Well, receive Jesus today, ask Him to come and meet you. He is a stimulus more precious than gold and silver. If I were given 3 billion dollars in gold today that would be a heck of a stimulus. I could go out and buy a Lexus. I would not worry about money, but the money can't affect my inner state of being. Our "joy is complete" (John 15.11) only as we walk in the riches that Jesus offers which go beyond the temporal.
I looked up stimulus in the dictionary, here is what I got. Stimulus- An agent, action or condition that elicits or accelerates a phsiological or psychological activity or response.
When you think about that the marquee message kinda rings true. Jesus is an agent who elicits a response. When we receive Jesus into our hearts as savior and thereafter when we remain in Him (John 15.4) then we have all the stimulation we ever need. We dont need drink nor drug nor anything else. Jesus really is all we need.
There have been times when I have run from his love. I ran down a dead-end road. Yes 100 percent of the time that has not been the best thing for me. I was essentially running toward the wrong kind of stimulation. Perhaps it can be looked at this way- Jesus is the one who is able to stimulate the "inner ways" of us. Or the "ultimate stimulation" is another way of viewing.
How about "lasting stimulation". When UK wins in basketball-which they are not at the moment! I may get "pumped up" and stimulated when they win a nail biting game. But this kind of elation lasts what maybe a couple of hours?
Well, receive Jesus today, ask Him to come and meet you. He is a stimulus more precious than gold and silver. If I were given 3 billion dollars in gold today that would be a heck of a stimulus. I could go out and buy a Lexus. I would not worry about money, but the money can't affect my inner state of being. Our "joy is complete" (John 15.11) only as we walk in the riches that Jesus offers which go beyond the temporal.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
the rest of the day
I found this interesting verse in John. The context is the calling of Jesus's first disciples. A couple of the first disciples went to the place Jesus was staying and "remained with him the rest of the day" (John 2.29). How often do I just "remain" with Jesus? How often do I just enjoy hangin out with the King? I must often say not enough! Man what a longing however, I ,ask for that desire to just spend the rest of the day with Jesus, heck more than that what about spending the ENTIRE day with my King? What joy, what blessing! Lately more often than not I will do lots of other things. Nothing wrong with watching a basketball game but it is all the needless stuff I occupy myself with. O free me Jesus from those desires that do not bring you joy! Free my heart from those other things that crowd in and take me from you. You are what I need today. Water and Jesus, Jesus and Water! My needs! REMAIN REMAIN--In the above verse I focus on that part of they wanted to remain with him the rest of the day. It seems to me their desire above all other desires that particular day was to be with Jesus. To talk with him, learn from him, O how it must have seemed so great to them to spend time with this man. Moreover they probably just enjoyed the time. So smile with me today as we spend time with Jesus, talk with him, learn from him. Alot of the other things we do can wait. We can't wait long to run to Jesus.
run to him!
run to him!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
people "doin about"
People
We see them around us all the time, goin here a goin there, just "doin about". Where they all a headed'? What are their pains, frustrations of the day? Did they go to their senior prom? How did the night go? How long after did the young love fall by the wayside? How many "loves" did they have during their 20s?
How much money do they make? How are they hurting during our US recession?
they like dogs?
Like sports?
Married? single? single and want to be married? married and want to be single?
go to church on Sunday? only go on Easter?
enjoy life do they? hatin' life are they?
I could think of many more questions about them, I just see them around the truck stops when I stop or drive by them and sometimes say to myself these things.
One aspect of it is that Im not unique. My struggles are not unique, I dont stand out in the crowd just because Im a bit overweight. I used to think I was so different, that noone else had the types of struggles I had, but that is really not so. We are all walking along this planet, the same planet together. We are all made up of bones, muscles, etc. We all have noses and foreheads.
We are people.
We see them around us all the time, goin here a goin there, just "doin about". Where they all a headed'? What are their pains, frustrations of the day? Did they go to their senior prom? How did the night go? How long after did the young love fall by the wayside? How many "loves" did they have during their 20s?
How much money do they make? How are they hurting during our US recession?
they like dogs?
Like sports?
Married? single? single and want to be married? married and want to be single?
go to church on Sunday? only go on Easter?
enjoy life do they? hatin' life are they?
I could think of many more questions about them, I just see them around the truck stops when I stop or drive by them and sometimes say to myself these things.
One aspect of it is that Im not unique. My struggles are not unique, I dont stand out in the crowd just because Im a bit overweight. I used to think I was so different, that noone else had the types of struggles I had, but that is really not so. We are all walking along this planet, the same planet together. We are all made up of bones, muscles, etc. We all have noses and foreheads.
We are people.
Monday, March 9, 2009
UK basketball and it's woes
Well my UK basketball Cats are having a real downer of a year. They are headed to the NIT. There is a better chance that I will see whales flying over Lexington today than for Kentucky to make the NCAA Tourney. OH shucks! OH well, such as it goes some years. It will be interesting to see if "Bad Loss Billy" will be back as the coach. I would like to see that not be the case.
I sometimes think that I get too "wrapped up" in following my favorite sports teams. But ya know hey its ok, its really ok! Now there is a place for moderation, wisdom in the matter. If one eats too much chocolate they are likely to feel bad. I probably don't need too much Cats, just take it all in stride. It is a beautiful day outside, UK basketball has nothing to do with God and His beauty.
But Im also not going to feel guilty for loving to follow the Cats. I used to spend time around several Godly men, maybe a few women who loved to follow sports. It really is Ok.
This is the year UK had 6 home losses in Rupp Arena. A change is needed and it starts with the head coach. Harrellson-potential but not living up to it. Liggins-potential but again not being able to tap into it. Why? Would they have prospered under anothers tutulege?
One more game to go. I predict loss to Ole Miss this Thurs. End season, will play one game in NIT. Final record will be 19-14.
Later
Hal
I sometimes think that I get too "wrapped up" in following my favorite sports teams. But ya know hey its ok, its really ok! Now there is a place for moderation, wisdom in the matter. If one eats too much chocolate they are likely to feel bad. I probably don't need too much Cats, just take it all in stride. It is a beautiful day outside, UK basketball has nothing to do with God and His beauty.
But Im also not going to feel guilty for loving to follow the Cats. I used to spend time around several Godly men, maybe a few women who loved to follow sports. It really is Ok.
This is the year UK had 6 home losses in Rupp Arena. A change is needed and it starts with the head coach. Harrellson-potential but not living up to it. Liggins-potential but again not being able to tap into it. Why? Would they have prospered under anothers tutulege?
One more game to go. I predict loss to Ole Miss this Thurs. End season, will play one game in NIT. Final record will be 19-14.
Later
Hal
Sunday, March 8, 2009
One More Day
Hey folks
Isnt it wonderful to be given yet one more day from the Creator? I enjoyed today. It was light until late--a new thing. Gotta love the time change. I didnt want it to get dark but then said well God created the darkness. He created the day and the night, so I was ok with it getting dark.
I had a scary incident in my truck on Sat. Seems a person on I 68 in Maryland tried to do a funny trick in front of me, I had to basically do serious evasion. It was almost not too good! God basically took over. It was like in that Carrie Underwood song--Jesus took the wheel.
So I got one more day-and I would ask for another. I want a long life in salvation, Oh yes I will enjoy heaven but there are some things I want to do down here-find my mate, work for God more, do this blog which Im new at-visit the Grand Canyon, run in a 10k race oh lots more!
I heard a preacher once say-"God is GOOD-all the time!" Yep you are right preacher pretty much right on!
Live in Grace
Hal
Isnt it wonderful to be given yet one more day from the Creator? I enjoyed today. It was light until late--a new thing. Gotta love the time change. I didnt want it to get dark but then said well God created the darkness. He created the day and the night, so I was ok with it getting dark.
I had a scary incident in my truck on Sat. Seems a person on I 68 in Maryland tried to do a funny trick in front of me, I had to basically do serious evasion. It was almost not too good! God basically took over. It was like in that Carrie Underwood song--Jesus took the wheel.
So I got one more day-and I would ask for another. I want a long life in salvation, Oh yes I will enjoy heaven but there are some things I want to do down here-find my mate, work for God more, do this blog which Im new at-visit the Grand Canyon, run in a 10k race oh lots more!
I heard a preacher once say-"God is GOOD-all the time!" Yep you are right preacher pretty much right on!
Live in Grace
Hal
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