Family

Good morning and happy Friday. Family. Its the people who are there when everything goes haywire. They are the firemen of our lives. When everyone else is running out of it, they're running in. Blood family, friend family, church family, it's all the same. I didn't know Rhonda real well, but I'm married into part of her family. She passed away from this life and gone on to the next the other day. I'm seeing family. I love how it holds it's self and each other up when the world seems to try and knock it down. Family is what God teaches us to be with each other. To be communal and not exclusionary. That's how it works best and I know that if we look back we see the times when family were all we had. I wish that there was more time to know Rhonda better, but I will through the stories and the memories of our family. Go and rest Rhonda. Your work here is done. In love always. <><

So You Had a Bad Day

Good morning and happy Thursday. For some it's not a happy day at all. And as bad as things seem to get for us, there is always one that has it going worse. Why, with knowledge of God and what he has done for us through Jesus, do we sit around and mope about it? Really, are we that much better than everyone else that we don't have rough patches to go through? Mostly it's because we don't celebrate our victories. When God has done His work in our lives, do we give Him the credit and celebrate what has been done for us. No not usually. But we do remember all the crap we've gone through this last year or whatever. If we took the time to just acknowledge the small things He does for us, we would see how blessed we really are. People cut us off, work doesn't go well, family or friends die. Life goes on and is hard enough without us dwelling on it. God has many blessing to pour out over souls who desire Him. We have to focus on that part. Celebrate life as God intended it to be. There is someone in the world who would trade your worst day for their best day. All glory to God. In love always <><

Emergency

Good morning and happy Wednesday. As God seems to do more and more, I found myself in a place yesterday where He showed me something. I would be willing to bet that more people have called on the name of the Lord or cried out to God in a hospital than have in a church. Church people know God. They pray all the time. But do they call out to Him or just going through the motions. People, including the church ones, really look for and cry out to Him. It may be the first time or the millionth but it's an honest plea from the heart to be heard. Here's the interesting part, even the ones who say they know Him cry out the most not really getting that He's right there with them anyway. Desperation will bring a non believer to Him. One with doubt will see Him clearly. We all need to know that He's right there with us, holding His children as they hurt in this trial. He reveals Himself all the time. And you can see if you just get to know Him. He's right there with you, waiting to talk about it all. Call out to Him now so in the emergency, it's not an emergency, it's just a talk. In love always. <><

Sacrifice

Good morning and happy Tuesday. I hope you had a great Memorial Day. It's always good to honor those who gave their lives for us so we can continue to enjoy our freedom. Every Sunday I have communion in church in remeberence of the one who showed the world what a sacrifice is. He gave His life for all of us no matter what land or language or color we are. Two very similar parallels of love for others. There is no greater love than for a man to give his life for another. Although many of us see that as dying physically, but you can give your life to another without having to die. Lead a life that leads. Be where you are needed. Love without condition. Give without expecting. Give all glory to God. We make this all too difficult. Remember those who gave for you and do the same for others yourself. In love always. <><

The Other Side

Good morning and happy Friday. Cool as the other side of the pillow. I love that. The other side. Do we really stop and consider the other side of things? Or are we so focused on what a good idea this is for , fill in the blank, that we forget about other people and there ideas and needs? This is the best for everybody. No it's the best for who we considered. When Jesus was feeding 5000, there was a guy about 5 rows deep who was thinking to himself, there's not gonna be enough for me. No way will two fish and five loaves make it back here. But Jesus thought of everyone including the women and children who are in addition to that number. When dealing with people we have to look at things from their side. We have have to see their point a view. This is how we make this life work because we then become more sacrificial and giving of ourselves to help and do for others. Jesus gave all of himself. Nothing was withheld. We should strive to meet that as best we can. In love always <><

Real Friends, Real Love

Good morning and happy Thursday. I was scrolling through my facebook friends and randomly stopping in at some to see what is going on with them. It's amazing how we can view a life in about 20 secs, with good wi-fi speed. People used to have to visit each other to get caught up on things. You could hear their feelings. I love to listen to my granddad tell his stories of his past. He had a relationship with those people. In all honesty how many of our FB friends are our friends. God wants us in relationships with Him and others. Real relationships. The kind that if things were bad you know who you could call. Like if I was at the gates of hell and needed someone in 15 min, he would be there in 10. That's what this life is for. To love each other and grow in our love for God. God wants us happy. Happy comes with a price. Real friends, real love and a desire to be close to God. Sounds pretty cheap in price to me. So to my friends, and family, I love you. I really do. In love always. <><

Fear

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Fear is a terrible thing. It keeps us from so much in life. From blessings being received to being a blessing to others. Roll away the stone of fear and leave the tomb it has you in. When we hear the calling of God, He is asking us to look at Him. To turn toward Him. Fear is what keeps us from looking. Fear is what keeps us from doing God's work. He is pulling us to Him and has work for us. The work is a blessing to others and to us. Why would we not answer the call? This is not out of obligation but out of gratitude. It's time to realize that you have been saved from a death you deserve, and at the highest price that could have been paid. God makes no mistakes. If He's calling you, it is you He wants for what He wants done. Listen to His call and don't be afraid. Turn and look at Him in all His glory. In love always. <><

May 21st

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Well, May 21st came and went, and if you're reading this, you didn't make the cut either. But all joking aside, if that didn't do anything, it got people to talk about it. But for some May 21st was their last day. Read the obits and see in your town how many went home that day. I pray they were ready, as we all should be. Just as we don't know the hour the Lord will come, we also don't know the hour we die. Our lives have to be lived in a way that reflect the glory of God just the way the moon reflects the sun at night. Our lives need to bring light into the lives of those living in the dark. Then when the Lord does come, He finds us doing His work. And it won't be because we are trying to look good on one day, but everyday. Lord bless us and keep us as we do your will in our lives for others. In love always. <><

Let the Past Be the Past

Good morning and happy Monday. Is the past the past? Just forgetta-bout-it. Sometimes. But not always. There's a difference in forget and forgive. The past that we left behind, is usually the same thing we look down on in others. Our past is where we became broken to a point of being rebuilt. We cannot forget what broke us. This will be our well to draw from to quench the thirst of others who are in the same spot we were. Understand, it is not by ourselves that this gets done. It is our dependence on God that brings us through those times. God is always showing us so many ways that we cannot do this alone. We have to have Him in our lives. Past, present, and future; He has to be there in those last two. If not, you will be repeating the past again with no real future. In love always. <><

What's A Day Worth

Good morning and happy Friday. How much or what would you give to spend a day with God? Asking Him all the questions you have about this life, hanging out and just seeing His awesomeness. To be a part of His activities kinda like a take your kid to work thing. Besides the complete awe and wonder, it would be so cool to talk about everything. So if you could, what would you give for a day like that? What about everyday like that? It's easy to get lost on the big picture sometimes. We think too much about the end results. Take care of today and give that to Him. Tomorrow is not even a guarantee so just give what you have each day and there will be an eternity of time to spend with Him. That's not too much to ask is it? Give Him today and reread this everyday. In love always <><

Eye For An Eye

Good morning and happy Thursday. What if it really was an eye for eye? If what was done to you, you done back. Someone takes your car, you get theirs. Someone hurts you, you can hurt them. Equal justice for the crimes against you. Thank you God it's not like that. Because I have hurt people with words and actions that I don't want back on me. Things always sound better when it's in our favor or best interest. Until we look at ourselves and examine who and what we are, we have no business worrying about anyone elses business. As communal as God wants us to be, we have to be better individuals first. We deserve death, and it comes, but God shows us grace first. Mercy pours from Him first. That's not how we usually deal with others. We have to get to that place to truly be Gods servants. We do what we can, the best that we can. That feels good. But there is more we can do and our best is not what God knows as our best. Show mercy and grace to others and work on ourselves to be better with our own sin. I really don't want my eyes poked out. Thank you God for your mercy and grace. In love always <><

Just Ask 'em

Good morning and happy Wednesday. So now the low point in my new walk. I love to talk and visit with people all the time. I get along with most people just fine. I had been talking to a couple of the younger guys at work about going to church and stuff. Feeling like a great mentor and puffed out with a little pride. It's not too bad but if it gets out of hand, God will let you know. So apparently I was out of control because all of sudden a young lady walked up to me and said, " You've asked everyone here to church, why haven't you asked me". I had nothing to say and no reason to give. Why had I not asked? Because I had passed judgment on her without really knowing her. God wants our hearts to be true and honest. From there it's a lot easier to be who He wants us to be. And you quickly see that it's not about you and how good you are, it's about Him period. So now I will ask anybody to church and talk to anybody about Jesus. From there it's up to them and God. In love always. <><

Passing Judgement

Good morning and happy Tuesday. So as I came home yesterday I drove by the front to see a lady and her son walking the dog on the side walk. As I turned the corner I looked back to see, you guessed it, the dog doing his business in my yard. I got parked and came through the house to go get the mail, and sure enough. Man I just couldn't believe someone could be so inconsiderate and thoughtless. Most of my neighbors know how much time and money I put in to redoing the yard. So I took a piece of junk mail and flicked it out into the street. I came into the house still fuming just in time to look out the kitchen window and see a little boy on his bike with a bag to pick up the mess. God told me to "Shut up and stop worrying about the little stuff in life. I got this. Really Bryan, you're upset about that ." I've only felt that low one other time and that's tomorrows message. I have still got to get this message of loving people where they are and passing judgment I have no right to pass. God speaks loudly if we just listen. Thank you God for talking to me so loudly. For reminding me that you are in charge. I love you. In love always <><

For His Enjoyment

Good morning and happy Monday. What's this life for? It's for God to delight in. He's created all things, and in them He finds joy. Are you bringing Him joy? Are the things you do making Him smile? We try our best and that's what He wants. The difference is that when we do mess it up we know how to go to Him and make it right. We know, and rely in, the fact that His promise of forgiveness was nailed to a cross. And that it wasn't just His followers who wrote about it. It was heathens too. It's recorded in all history. So there is where our salvation and our forgiveness is. The more we live for Him and follow His will for us, the closer we get and the less we will be doing wrong. I think about where I was in my life 10, 20 years ago and can see how He has changed me. He's not done by any stretch either. My life is half over given the average age of men. I wanna do this half right. I'm lucky to have this chance because others didn't get it. Don't wait to start living for Him so He can enjoy you more too. In love always <><

Acceptance?

Good morning and happy Friday. How narrow minded do you think Jesus was in His time here among us? Not very. How accepting was He? Ah the kicker. We as humans are narrow minded and tend to be non accepting or on the other end of accepting it all. The difference is that we are not accepting, of people, because of the things they do or who they are. Jesus can't not accept people. His Father created them. We have to find the place where we love humankind and not condone what they do, but love each other because we're all God made. When people feel that kind of love from another human, that's when lives change. It's the moment they mark and look back to at a later time as the point where their life seemed to matter. If you don't believe me, look back and you can see where God left His mark on you. Look at what was going on when it happened. Everything about Him is good. Why do we fight so hard to not be with Him? Love the sinner, just like Jesus does. Because He loves you too. We are all sinners. None better than another. Love each other. Work through the sin together. Let Jesus keep it nailed to the cross for you. Accept the person not the sin. Put it down and carry it no more. A very high price was paid for that to happen. So sinner, do you want to be accepted? Then be willing to do the same that you asking for yourself. In love always. <><