Soldiers...

"A soldier never leave another soldier behind, dead or alive"... that was a statement our pastor told a group of young men starting in their faith. Got a few of us to chat. That is NOT what happens in the Army of God. Too many soldiers have been left behind or are being left behind.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, " A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." What are the soldiers, (generals, captains, etc) of God's army doing today? Make a mistake, loose your footing, etc, you get left behind or worse, are left in the battlefield to die. Too many have exploded or just wander around in their confusion, past or even their doubts...

What are you doing if you know of a soldier, one who has fought at one point and today is not in the ranks? Maybe it is living truly the Gospel, being that chord to strengthen them, maybe it is being the one who will stand with them in the line, give a hand.

In the army, "never leave one behind"!!

Baggage, Suitcase, Traveler...

Reading today thru my usual sites, chased a rabbit and took me to a hole that struck a chord.  It talked about people coming in, out of a large city, everyone carrying suitcases full of what they bring. The good, the bad, the present, the past, allowing space for the future that will be lived out there, in that city, in that place.

As I read, it was apparent that our lives and relationships are not that different. We all bring the “baggage” of our lives with us. Baggage of families, friends, jobs, church upbringing, and even the misconceptions we have of God. In carrying this, it all weighs us down, lugging it, we struggle to let it down, we can even say, we are afraid of what will happen if we let go. Human, that's what we are, with faults, stains in our lives, we all carry our past... So does the church. That thought stung, and it stung hard, because you are a part of the church, I am a part of the church, we are a part of the church, with our past.

Thankfully, Jesus wants to take our “baggage” from us. He wants us to be able to let go of all of the hurts and pain that we carry, give it to Him to carry. He offers us the chance of a life that is free of the weight of our past and it includes a future not to be believed!

Today we continue to travel this journey, realizing that our baggage is lighter, and at times not present at all, when we accept that He has taken care of it. Thankful for HIS offer to take my past, will you allow Him to take yours??

See you at the crossroad....

Is there really forgiveness in the church....

One to many talk about forgiveness. Sitting at a booth, till 3 in the morning, trying to rationalize what just, well, seems nuts. Forgiveness. One man gives it all, so many can be forgiven. We are to live as examples of that forgiveness but it's a far reach for some.

Too many times we grant forgiveness because it is the Christians thing to do. But is it really what we do? Forgiveness is not truly biblical if we cannot genuinely let it go. We must not only grant forgiveness to those who have hurt us, but we must understand that what happened to us was part of God’s plan for our lives.

That is the hard part, it's a part of HIS plan. Can we filter the events of our lives through the filter of God’s sovereignty. More so, can we humbly accept those events as part of His good work in our lives. Maybe then we come to a closer understanding and practice of biblical forgiveness.

Maybe this is what it looks like..."As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. – Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

To forgive.... isn't that our calling?? Maybe more should live it. 

Living Broken...

In living this life, struggling with brokeness... We are all broken. This world we live in is such a place,  where death of heart, death of relationships, and death of love is prevalent.  Yet, if we indeed understand that He does not define us by our failures. He is “mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103. “He was wounded for our transgressions.” Isaiah...

Today, like in the Gospels, so many still hold the rocks in their hands. Tossing, pointing, telling with no regard of what the author of Love has done. It is an illusion that anyone you know is perfect or can live by their works. No one can. We are in total need of His mercy and grace, every day, all the time.

But, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1  You, as you are, are beloved by Him, forgiven, cherished. He understands what you carry.

Humility, grace and forgiveness is what is needed, offered, shared to those who are wounded deep within. We are now defined by His love, His adoption, His family history... We are NOT defined by our past deep failures, your thoughts of our failures or the enemy of our souls.

Learn, Live, Love...

Restful Peace...

Today, as I continue my search, I began listening to Kraus "A Night of Worship". In doing so, the lyrics of some the songs just ran some strong Truth... "You are the Everlasting Father", "we hope in your promise"....etc.

I began to look around my living room and noticed our dog Molly, laying there, eyes gone, paws one over the other and it hit me....

That is what HE wants me to do... be at Restful Peace. In the midst of the storm, He slept!, woke, SPOKE, and calm reigned...

Oh my friend, that today, I may speak YOUR word, have peace in the midst of the unknown, and REST....

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon me

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Today, this little song took a stronger meaning, deep and somewhat painful.

In our community we got a call, a family had an accident. The news was hard, the pain was real but that was only the beginning.

As my wife sang this little song, her words, hand gestures, smiles and eyes helped a 6 year old oldest brother understand that his middle sister was now "twinkling" from heaven. Tears held back, hands clasped and heart pounding as I put my arms around his mom, she smiled, the pain was evident; but she smiled, sang and held her boy's hands looking to heaven for strength.

In the lines of the Prayer of Fire.... "Your will be done"... today we went to mysterious depths. To trust in HIS plan, as we hugged mom, held dad's hand, allowed the two boys to laugh, look up and smile....

Jesus, the stars you once spoke into being, from the beginning, a new one joins the vast expanse and shines for these two little boys to see, feel and hope. Your LOVE shines through...

Twinkle, Twinkle, little star, now I know, HOW YOU ARE!!!

living this life

It's been a while. Enjoying this morning's breeze and humidity, a bit of reading and words hit hard.

A new stage in life, but memories haunt. Images set, questions rise and it goes...

Words and ideology on a page are cheap.
Grace and incarnating the love of Christ isn’t.

How are we living this thing called "Christianity". He spoke from the cross, words that rattled the cages for those to come "Forgive them for they know not what they do"...

Have we????

So many who live just in words and ideology... only as it suits....

May we today, incarnate HIS love and Grace....

Let it begin with me.....to give and receive

Navigation

Life is a journey of ups and downs and unexpected turns, yet it can be navigated successfully by staying connected to the One who designed you and who blesses you from
his great heart for you.

Thankful today for those who help us out in our journey, staying connected to the DESIGNER....

Are you helping or distracting those on the journey??

Alive

When you come empty, God comes to fill. 1 Kings 19:8

Ever take for granted laughter, loved ones, life? These past 72 hrs have had a little of all. After several hours of driving, your destination and the persons you are to meet are not happening. In the search, you get cut off by the very people you have heard in the media, stories from other travelers and you think, "it will never be me"

Well, it happened to us. When you are faced with a snapshot of how life can quickly change, 100 miles per hour in your car down the highway does not even phase you.

I read this scripture, pondering in my journey this past week, after being empty in some areas, I am so thankful that we can come to HIM to get filled or better yet, HE comes and Fills...

Today, I'm so thankful to have breath, my family, my God!!!

Lent Journey

Another year has come to take another look at our heart. Lent, the journey of not just being solemn, fasting, but also of great investment, passion.

As I have learned in these past few years, this journey of Lent has to do with forgiveness/reconciliation – mercy/healing. Easy, NOPE, not at all. At it's not limited to my relationship with Jesus, but with ALL my relationships.

It has made me rethink, how I am to those around me. Past, Present, Future... Are there areas in me that still need healing/mercy to I can be a true friend/brother? Who is my friend, brother? Unfortunately, it's an answer I seek daily.

In this season of "spring cleaning", Father let us love more. During this discipline of transformation, let us as St. Athanasius aptly describes as "become by grace what God is by nature."

Be blessed!!!

Vision

For some people, with age, comes the struggle of failing vision. Texts, phone messages, smaller screens have become a challenge. Not to mention the dreaded little numbers on the back of electronics, boxes, and so many little numbers on so many different items.

In come the cheap glasses, Wal-Mart or where ever you can get them. All in the effort to prolong the dreaded Eye exam, pick a style and fight for the invisible line of bifocals.

In many areas of our life, this seems to be a reality for many. Sadly, for part of the greater church as well. Unforgiveness, past hurts, distorted views, even lack of maturing and failure of developing relationships cause one to have poor vision or not face the fact you need to get a check up.

Today we talked about the Power of Vision. We were reminded of "writing it down", but as I review my day, what does my life say of what has been written? What does your life say? If we are so called "believers, leaders, etc" and we still live with a myopic view of our spiritual life, what do the unbelievers see in us? Maybe that is why there is still a long void in the seats of our congregations.... Could you blame them? I don't...

Our challenge, will I do what it takes to improve my vision...YES... we are committing to Knowing, Sharing and Celebrating.. to not just be a church in action but a created being in action....

Improve my vision oh Liberating King, that I may see you with clarity and others be invited to see YOU as well...