"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? http://bible.us/Matt6.25.ESV
We know this Scripture, but living it and knowing it are two different things. Let's not be anxious, but rather have faith in our great God.!
Here's a quick shot of our ordaining of elders (bond-slaves) at The Chapel today.
What a blessed and weighty day...
I and two other men (another will be ordained at a later date) were charged with the shepherding of God's flock. It is no small thing to be called as an elder, for we will give an account for the souls we care for and serve.
Needless to say, I am excited about this next chapter at The Chapel.
My wife is a saint. She's my hero.
How she stayed with me during our early years of marriage is beyond me!
I was selfish, fiercely independent, and had no clue about a woman's emotions and needs. I stomped all over her heart more times than I'd like to admit, but through it all she stayed with me. Now, looking back, I wouldn't blame her for leaving me. Of course she never did.... She leaned on God.
So anyway, honey, thank You. ;)
Always take the lowest place and the highest will be given you, for the highest cannot exist apart from the lowest. -- Thomas a Kempis (@TomKempis)
I have a friend who has spoken highly of Thomas a Kempis' writings. I follow the twitter account posting quotes of his (though I am barely ever on twitter anymore).
I would encourage anyone wanting to go deeper in their walk with God to check a Kempis out. Google him. I believe he will add to your spiritual walk.
Its that time again...
Every four years the greatest athletes on earth descend on a particular part of the world to showcase their talent and compete for gold on behalf of their country.
What a beautiful thing.
If you're a mobile news junkie and are looking for a way to keep up with the games, check out the link below...
USA!
A great reminder of heavenly leadership that we are to model here on earth...
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." http://bible.us/Matt20.25.ESV
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. http://bible.us/2Cor7.10.ESV
Repentance leads to salvation. You could also say, then, repentance leads to life.
The Bible talks about not despising the correction of the Lord. There is something beautiful that happens when we allow ourselves to come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, that conviction should lead us to repentance, and onto life.
Why do I say all this? This is what the Lord did in me today.
And I'm so thankful.
I've had a thought over the past couple of days...
I'd like to hear Him say, "Well done." Even more I want to to hear, "I call you friend." -- (via my twitter feed)
I've always longed to hear Jesus say those words, "Well done." Lately, however, I feel like I have been preoccupied with a greater goal - that I would know Him.
I can serve Him and do His will and still not know Him as well as I could. But if I know Him more, if He and I could really call one another friends, if I could know His heart, His thoughts, and intimately walk with Him, I believe I would be achieving a greater goal. And, I would naturally walk out His will as well.
Church service torrow. Another opportunity to know Him more.
Here is my Thrifty Thursday Thought of the Day:
Instead of ordering that large pop the next time you eat out for lunch - grab a water instead.
Restaurants usually have a water choice on their soda machine, and ice water from the fountain drinks = free! Soda drinks can add 25% or more to your bill. And, water is better for you, helping to avoid the mid afternoon crash.
Better yet? Skip lunch all together and brown-bag it.
Happy Saving!
Maybe this passage of Scripture will encourage someone going through the battle, like it encouraged me...
And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you." http://bible.us/2Chr20.15.ESV
Amen.
What a beautiful sunset tonight. Cotton candy clouds on a backdrop of crystal blue skies.
Amazing doesn't quite cut it.
I was reminded about how no man has an excuse for not knowing God. His very creation cries out and testifies of the infinite God (see Romans 1).
I was blessed to see a beautiful part of His handiwork tonight, as were many others... God's sunset testimony.
Wow. Day 1 of tryouts in the books. Day 5 of work all day and all night.
I'm woopt.
What a great day and first practice though. The Lady Maroons worked hard and had a great first day as a result. They went through some tough conditioning, and stuck together as a team.
I'm hoping to post some updates from the season as we progress into the fall.
Should be a fun year - I'm very much looking forward to it.
Never knew Walmart lines on late Sunday night move so sloooooow.
Express lane? Think not.
All the kids have been watching the Chronicles of Narnia movies. It's definitely brought out the warrior spirit in my boys. Grandpa helped my son Josiah build his very own shield (he named it his "shield of faith" ;) and sheath for his sword. You can guarantee he loves it!
Every man dies, not every man really lives.
William Wallace is quoted saying this inspiring yet challenging comment. Wallace would have been one to truly understand this quote.
As Christians, death is a coming home party, a graduation ceremony, a wedding... Yet, the world would tell you otherwise. To the unbeliever, death is to be avoided at all cost. To the believer, we are finally united with our best friend and God.
Lets's check our fears and their sources in light of this wonderfully quote.
Let's live a life worth living.
What a fun day!
Got to see my parents and youngest sister for the first time in months (they are visiting from New York) and I was able to meet and play with some of the young ladies I will be coaching this year for soccer (my sister got to play too!)!
Add to that an early morning roofing, and the regular time with my wife kids, and it was a pretty full day. The way I like it ;)
Now to sleep!
I recently finished the book Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge.
What a great book.
Now, for one, he may be a little "outside the box" for some Christian readers, but the substance and insight into manhood he provides in the book was priceless to me.
I have sought to know for a while now more clearly what real and biblical manhood looks like. I long to be the husband, father, friend, etc. that I am meant to be. Mr. Eldredge takes time in this book to share what manhood really is from God's perspective, all the while sharing real and personal thoughts from his own life and the lives of those he interacts with.
He gets into the deep hurts of a man, the longings inside a man, a man's relationship with women, and more.
The book provided great personal insight for me into my own life - revealing deep hurts and wrong tendencies - and my own journey to become to man God has made me to be.
I would highly recommend this book to any man (or woman - my wife learned more about me reading it!), especially those looking to grow into the man God wants them to be.
Happy reading!
One day at a time.
That is the phrase that continues to come to my mind. It represents a lifestyle in our current situation, but it also represents the walk of faith the Lord had us on.
I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.
It is Jesus who encourages me to become like a little child, to live life today and don't be anxious about the cares of tomorrow.
Look at the birds of the air...
So I will take no thought of tomorrow, rather, focus on today.
Do I have all I need today? Were meals provided? Good health? Shelter? Clothes?? Yes.
Praise God. One day at a time....
One question tonight - who are you walking with in this life? The friends we choose matter...
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
http://bible.us/Prov13.20.ESV
For freedom Christ has set us free... http://bible.us/Gal5.1.ESV
So thankful tonight for the freedoms we enjoy in America, including the freedom to worship my Lord.
May God Bless America this Independence Day.
One of my first "welcome to Kentucky" experiences came years ago on the Fourth of July. Coming from New York where buying and putting off fireworks is illegal, I was quite thrilled to see how people celebrated 'round these parts.
For Independence Day (and days before), it can sound like a war zone in our otherwise quiet and peaceful subdivision. Who needs to go to a fireworks show when you can put on your own show?! Or better yet, just enjoy your neighbors' shows!
Here's a pic of my neighbor's display, set off tonight. Hopefully it's just a warm up for what we'll see tomorrow!
Happy 4th!
It was about 12 years ago exactly that my wife and I started dating. 10 years of marriage, 5 kids, and an adventure called "life" later...
I'm so glad we did.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. http://bible.us/Prov18.2.ESV
Just to brag on my mother-in-law - she's knows what to get me! She surprised me with this gift when they visited last month. A perfect combination of maps and pictures, I love it!
Thanks Mom!
