Good morning and happy Friday. You see them all the time. You know some of them or you may be one too, store front Christians. The ones who have the appearance of a Christian, but who's actions and motives are not in line with it. I know a man who has these very traits of the good image of how a Christian looks and acts. An act is all that it is. At the core, is not a compassionate loving and caring for others no matter what person. Is that you? Do you love and care no matter what? I'm not talking about becoming mad at a situation and going off a bit, but that inner side that has other thoughts and motives. Don't be a pretty house on the block with flowers and white fence and then have a rusted car on blocks in the back yard and a filthy house. Looks good to drive by, but you don't want to go inside. Thats how the world sees Christians. That's how some professed Christians are. A true Christian and follower of Jesus flows from the inside out. And to see how this world has become, it's in dire need of true Christians. You see if Jesus really is in your heart, then He will flow out from the inside. Outward pains and things others think about those kind of motives won't matter any more. But it's also the house they will want to go inside of. I hope my house is a little ugly but made beautiful on the inside by the Holy Spirit. Let your light shine out for the world to see. In love always. <><
Good morning and happy Thursday. In the Book of Mark a man named Jarius is begging Jesus to come and help his daughter who is dying. On the way, a woman who was sick, made her way through the crowd to simply to touch His robe. Her faith healed her. This interruption in the trip to the little girl was likely making Jarius mad and impatient. And just as they were about to move on, he gets word his daughter is dead. How would you feel in this moment? If He would have kept going and not stopped He could have healed her. I'm quite sure he was mad and ready to throw his hands up and just give up. "It's too late now, thanks a lot". Bitterness would be settling in too. Jesus remains calm and tells him she is only "asleep". On the way to the house the people are saying to him why bother now, it's too late. The world discouraging him. But he keeps his faith and Jesus takes him and three others with them and tells the little girl to get up. And with the compassion only the Lord has, He has them get her something to eat. A simple thing, but He knew she missed dinner and would be hungry. He just brought her back from death and is concerned about her in the smallest of things. Delayed answers to prayer, because it's in His time. Compassion beyond understanding. Both people being healed and still caring for them in the smallest of details. This is the God we serve. Serve Him well. Wait for Him to do for you. Be doing for him always. It's in His time. In love always. <><
Good morning and happy Wednesday. I'm pretty sure that most people don't wake up and say, " Well today is my last day. I'm dying today". I'm sure Dr. King didn't know he was gonna be shot as he was giving his speech that day. The space shuttle astronauts were pretty sure they would be home later on. Is there anything here on this earth worth losing our souls for? I'm not sure I'll make it home tonight, so when I go, I want to be doing God's work, or at least not tied up in this world and it's root of evil. For a long time people knew the earth was flat, people knew the earth was the center of the universe, just think what we'll know tomorrow. Man does not have the answers. Man is not in control. God has this whole thing and we are a part of it no matter how small and insignificant we may feel. In the small things of your life, be doing it for God. Be about His work always. That way when it's time to go home, your work is done. In love always. <><
Good morning and happy Tuesday. Do any of us realize how temporary this life is? How the things we cling to will all be gone in the blink of an eye. Yet everyday we all do things that effect our eternity and where it will be spent. Jesus spent a good portion of His ministry teaching about just that. That we are clinging to this earthly dwelling instead of our heavenly home. Our minds and actions lead us down roads of temporary satisfaction. All sorts of things come to mind; our diets, work outs, thoughts of the secretary in the office pool. Tons of things we do or ponder are on the very short sighted, temporary place of this earth. We all do it and we all have ways of dealing with it, but the best way is to make everyday as deeply involved with God as possible. As we do that more and more the easier this world slips away and the thought of eternity takes over. We never know how close we are to moment of leaving this world. In love always. <><
Good morning and happy Monday. It was baptism Sunday at church yesterday. A lot of people went public with their faith. It was nice to see hearts being changed and lives headed in a new direction. How long where you wet from your time in the water? In the moment, I felt like it would last forever, but I was about 14 or so and those of you who know my past know it didn't last long. I was dried up and done with the whole mess relatively quick. What happened? I don't believe I was too young. I do believe that there was no one around to help me through the next phases of that change in my life. Too many times people get out of the water and ask, "Now what?". Being there and not letting someone go alone helps them stay wet and keeps your fire burning. God designed us as community people. To be there for each other. To strengthen each other. No isolation or keeping people at an arms length. When your community is all up in your business, you usually keep your business good. Don't be afraid to reach out and don't be afraid to be reached out to. God guides us when we let Him and gives the words to say when we listen. Be an instrument for Him to use in the lives of others. Don't stand by and let another's fire go out. We need each other. In love always. <><
