Grace

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
~Ephesians 2:8-9

The greatest gift from God - Grace.  And we had nothing to with it.  Grace comes from God and is our reward for becoming a Christian.  It's why he sent Jesus to die on the cross with all of the sin that had been done or will ever be done until He comes again.

It's so mind boggling.  God had Jesus die for my sins even before I was born.  I sure don't wanna mess that up.  I TRY to remember Christ on the cross when ever I do or say anything that might be offensive to God.  In other words, I TRY to remember Him before I might sin. I would hate to think that it was in vain for Christ to die for MY sins.

Dear Lord, that you for your grace.  The grace that I am not fit to deserve, but you gave it to me anyway.  God, there is no way I can repay that sort of kindness.  Thank you for it Lord!  Amen

The Holy Spirit

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)  And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. ~ Romans 8:9-10

I am doing a study of The Holy Spirit with a friend of mine.  I am learning so much about The Holy Spirit. More than I have ever thought.  Christ is in us through the Holy Spirit.  That was a lot for me to take in.  I mean I read it but then I really thought about it.  Christ is living within me. I felt like I didn't deserve that kind of gift.

But, I have accepted Christ into my life and therefor my body.  Knowing that makes me think twice about doing things I used to do with no thought of God.  Cussing, not telling the truth, even gluttony!!  If we are all temples of God, I thought I had better start acting like it.  I think if God lives within me, I better start acting like it.

God, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit.  Although I think I am not worthy of having the Spirit live within me, the Bible says that I am.  I pray that I will continue to have The Holy Spirit lead my life.  It's hard to imagine that I will one day be in Heaven, but Your word says I will.  And for that, I thank you and praise you.  Amen

God Is Awesome!!

I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.
~Psalm 145:5

I missed yesterday and I really enjoying writing to and about God.  So I'll try not to miss too many days in the future.  Meditate is a wonderful word.  It brings to mind peace, rest and happiness.  Meditating on the good that the Lord does could be never ending.  His grace is limitless.  

I have witnessed the Lord working miracles.  A few times in my life, I could have died.  I look on being here as a miracle.  Which should have made me try harder to make a difference with my life.  I'm ashamed to say I have not been doing a good job with that.  Maybe posting it here, will make me try harder!  I hope that I would make a difference while I'm still on Earth.  

Dear Lord, thank you for all the good things you have done, for my life and for complete strangers.   I pray that I will make good use of my life and everything I do will honor you.  Amen

Psalm 94:18-19

I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
~Psalm 94:18-19

God is awesome.  That's really all I need to say, but because it's me, I will take several more sentences to make that point.  God is there.  For us.  Each minute of every hour of each day.  It's the best relationship you could have.  Whether you're doubting yourself, have to repent of your sin or just to say 'I appreciate all that you have done for me,' God wants to hear it!

I especially keyed in on the last word of this scripture.  It's from the NLT edition of the bible and it says "cheer."  I do like talking to God.  It really does bring me cheer.  I feel at peace when I am done talking with God.  My face doesn't light up like Moses, but I do feel happy.  Although, when I talk to God, I do the talking...all of it.  I have been working on just sitting quietly and waiting for God to speak to me.  I'm kind of in the kindergarten phase, but I am trying!

Dear Lord, I thank you for being there for me.  Out of all the people on Earth and with all of their problems, you take time to listen to me!  Lord, please help me to listen for your voice instead of me talking all of the time.  God, I love you.  Amen

Praying

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

-Matthew :6-8

This prayer time and journal will be all over the place.  Like a race car with 2 flat tires...

The above was Jesus teaching about prayer in the Sermon On The Mount.  After he taught what you read above, he recited the Lord's Prayer.  It declares the honor we need to give God, it asks us to forgive our sins, deliverance from evil and it speaks of forgiveness.  I can't think of a better all encompassing prayer!

As my friends that host our church's online ministry with me will confess, I suffer from prayer envy.  When someone attending our church online requests a prayer for a loved one, a circumstance that they are facing, etc., I usually offer a fast prayer or just tell them that I am praying.  I really envy the people that can write a long, beautiful and powerful prayer.  

Like vs. 8 says, the Father knows exactly what you need before you ask Him, I think that is what I am doing. Just letting God "fill in the blanks." But it's ok to actually say what I'm praying. I mostly pray by myself.  I don't know why I do, but I need to be the prayer leader of our house (and to find a different word than "I."  I used it far too many times in that last sentence).  Sometimes I let the fact that I can't speak well because of the stroke hinder me.  But God knows what I'm asking, or attempting to ask. 

Dear Lord, Thank You for giving us prayer.  It is so amazing that You give us a way to talk with You as we go about our lives!!  I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me in prayer so that I can give relief to those that are requesting prayers and that I will become the leader in my family when we pray.  Amen

Doing God's Will

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
~Psalm 40:8

Doing God's will is not only obedient it (usually) makes me feel good or satisfied.  Knowing that what I'm doing is for God or required by God gives me a great feeling.  The Lord placed me on this Earth, so I can't even imagine not doing what God has commanded me.

I say that and feel that way, but...And you know what happens when you read "but..."  There is an excuse coming!  I know that I should do what God has commanded me, but there are sometimes when I don't.  I am assuming I am growing as a Christian because when I don't obey him, I feel guilty about it.  

Dear God, I pray that you will keep your instructions written on my heart for as long as I live.  Lord, you are amazing and have done amazing things in my life, so doing Your will is the absolute least that I can do for you.  And I want to do so much more as one of Your disciples.  Please show me how I can serve and honor you.  God, I love you!  Amen

Christianity 101

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
~1 Timothy 3:16

I really don't have much to say on this verse, other than it is truth and I confess it as truth.  It follows Christ's life in a nutshell. God appeared in our world and was taken back up to heaven.  If you believe that, then you are at the core, a Christian.

But, being a Christian and living a Christian life are different, at least that is what I think.  You may believe in Jesus Christ, but are you living a life like Christ?  Obviously I am not talking about performing miracles, though if you can, I'd like the see the Tiger's win this year's World Series...  Seriously though, I look at the bible as the way I want to lead my life, I may not always achieve it, but the bible is my GPS, if you will.  I hope to live life with love, forgiveness, righteousness and all of the other qualities that God says is important.

Dear God, you are AWESOME!!!  The world you gave us to live in is beautiful beyond words.  Lord, please allow me to live in this world with the qualities and attributes that Christ showed before he died, rose again and joined you in heaven.  Thank you, I love you with all of my heart and Amen!!

Psalm 51:10

 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
-Psalm 51:10

I got this verse today from my local Christian radio station.  And then I looked at the entire 51st Psalm. It's heavy.  But I think it applies to every sin.

We tend to let our past sins dwell in us.  But, as David says in vs 1, "Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stains of my sin."  I long, as every follower of Christ does, to have my sins become white as snow and to leave them in the past.  I want God to create that "loyal spirit" inside of me.

Dear Lord, I confess my sins to you and ask you to forgive them in Your graciousness.  Please Lord, do create that clean heart in me and fill me anew with the Holy Spirit so that I will know good from bad and act like a real Christian.  I love you God.  Amen!

It's Pastor Appreciation Month

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 
~1 Thessalonians 5:12

This month is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I received this verse in an email this morning and I thought it would perfect for this month.  They do work hard, both with helping us understand the bible and with the affairs of running a church, which I have heard is no easy thing!!  

So, I am letting my pastors (and a pastor who is not my pastor - wow, I said pastor a whole lot in this sentence!!) how much I appreciate them!  They do give me spiritual guidance, which I am most thankful for!

God, help me to appreciate the work that my pastor has done, let him give me guidance through Your word and please bless all pastors so they have Your word as their leading principle.  Lord, please speak through the pastors of the world.  Amen

Psalm 19:1

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. ~Psalm 19:14

It's good sometimes to remember who we are praying to.  Our God, the only God.  I think that whenever we talk to the Lord he is pleased, but sometimes it's nice to worship him in prayer.  That is what I think.

I have to remember to not complain to God so much.  I must not forget all the good things that come from the Lord.  Both for my family and to people I have never known.  This beautiful planet and the things that are in it.  

Dear God, please keep this verse in my heart and mind so that I can please you with my thoughts and words.  I will try not to complain so much and remember to praise you for what you have and have not yet done.  Please bless me with the Holy Spirit to guide me in what to say to you.  I look forward to many discussions with you, Lord!!  God, I love you!

Prayer

 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
~Psalm 4:1

I rest assured that God hears my prayers.  Whether or not He decides to answer them or how long he takes is up to Him. 

It is a great thing that I know I can pray to Him whenever I need Him or just want to talk with my Heavenly Father.  

God, please continue to hear my prayers.  When I am praying about something foolish, please let me know.  I want to glorify you with my prayers and requests. 

The Things Of This World

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
~Romans 12:2

Do I want earthly pleasures or what is promised in Heaven?  Sometimes I get busy pursuing something in this life which takes away from doing what the Lord wishes I would do.  Don't get me wrong, it's important to take care of my family and friends, by while doing that, I find it easy to overlook what God wants.  And that not a good thing.

This verse really strikes home for me (though I'm not sure that striking home is even a phrase...).  I have seen my attitudes change since I became a Christian.  I no longer use certain words, certain types of humor, I don't watch the same TV shows, etc.  I hope it's not seen as being a snob, but the things I like have changed.  I'd like to think that is a good thing.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving me this life and showing me that there is another way to live that life.  God, please watch over my family and friends and help me to keep walking the path I have taken.

Hope

 I saw the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. ~Acts 2:25-28

King David was speaking as a prophet about the Messiah yet to come in this passage. Jesus would be buried but his body would not be confined to those that have died.  Jesus would be resurrected and join the Father in heaven.  

And I hope to be in that same heaven. Despite setbacks in this life, God has been good to me and my family. We may grumble at times, but this life has been OK.  But it pales in comparison to what we will see in heaven.

God, please accept me in heaven.  Please accept my family in heaven and keep us walking in Your ways.  Whenever I drift, please let me know it so that I can get back to walking in Your favor.  Lord, I don't always use the right words to covey what is in my heart, but I rest assured that You can see inside of my heart when the words don't come to me.  God, I glorify you, thank you and love you.

Spreading The Word...

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  ~ Acts 1:8

Acts was written as the new church grew.  The verse hit home with me. It says "when the holy spirit has come upon you..."  Wow!  Do you think they knew what was coming?  The Holy Spirit is a wondrous thing!  And they were to spread the Word across the known world and eventually to places they didn't know.

I think we all, as Christians, need to resume/keep doing what the Apostles did.  We need to spread the Word of God.  We need to be 'witnesses.'  That's what I took from this verse.

God, please allow me to be filled with the Holy Spirit at all times and empower me to share all that knowing Christ can do for for people.  Even if it's only one person at a time. Although I don't get out much, please let me witness for You.  Lord, please make me an instrument of Yours.  Amen

The Lord Is Always There And We Should Praise Him

~Psalm 145:17-21
17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The LORD keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

David was singing God's praises.  Psalm 145 is filled with good news about God.  Verse 9 states that "the Lord is good to everyone.  He showers compassion on all his creation."  That is something to praise.  David, in verse 21, says that everyone on earth will bless his holy name.  I think we all should.

God is waiting for us to call upon him.  He loves us.  I think that's a pretty good start to a relationship with Him.  He hears us when things are bad as well as good, or even when we're in between those two!  I stand in reverence and awe at God; for that is how I define "fearing God."  Although, I certainly fear Him.  That's why I repent of everything I have done that may make God upset.  And if you are not sure whether you should repent something, just ask God.  The point is God want us to talk with him and praise Him.

Lord, I call to you and fear you and love you.  You are a God that can create fire or be known by a whisper.  God, I ask to you find me suitable for your power and love and that I may continue to revel in your Word each day.  Amen.

Elvis

Well I never thought I'd write about Elvis on this blog.  My other blog is full of Elvis references, but not this one.  That is until today!  Elvis died on this day in 1977 and I'm going through Elvis music and I rediscovered all of his gospels classics.

Gospel music was something that Elvis loved to sing at Graceland.  Well, when he wasn't shooting out TVs with a .45.  I had heard some of them before, but since my walk with Christ began anew, I am really getting into all of the gospel songs he recorded.

So, thank you Elvis for recording them and thank the Lord that I can really understand now what he is singing about!!!

Here is one of his songs from early in his career :-)

Laugh A Little...I Promise It Won't Hurt!!!

I listen a lot to KGSN and they have an encouraging thought every day.  Today's ET (that's my own abbreviation, but you can use it.  Actually, I think ET means something else, too) was from the Book of Job.  I used to think that was a book of classified jobs.  I know, that's an old joke, that's why I added the word "classified."  But, it didn't help it!!

The ET is: Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.  Of course it meant much more in the context of Job's story, but it really rings true to me. I love to laugh.  In fact, the funniest things I have seen are the hits to the "man-area" on America's Funniest Home Videos (can I say that??  Well, I am the writer, so I think I can).  I laugh sooooo long at those.  And they are the big belly-bustin' type of laughs!  Although, I pretty much laugh at everything.  And making other people laugh is an even better feeling!!  I try to do that a lot, too!

I think this would be a great life-verse for someone like me!!  Praising the Lord AND laughter - I can't think of anything better!!  Although, deep fried turkey wrapped in bacon may come close!  I am just kidding.  Well, kind of...

Hebrews 4:16

Hello.  Sorry I took the summer off (you know because there are SOOO many people that read this...)  That was joke.  Told to you with confidence.  Confidence is what I am going to write about today.  Nice segue huh?  And I don't mean the electric bikes!  Actually, calling it a 'bike' is not really that accurate.  Let's call them 'standing up straight while electrically moving things.'  Actually, I think segue is a fine definition. But that is not what this is about...

When I read Hebrews chapter 4, something about verse 16 struck me.  It says "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."


Now, I am confident when I tell jokes (even bad ones), I offer up my BBQ to people with confidence, I tell people I have never seen any part of the Twilight series with confidence and I am still an LA Clippers fan with confidence.  


But one thing I am not confident about sometimes is my praying to God.  Whether it's in times of trouble or despair, I lack confidence when I am talking to the Lord.  I guess you could say that I kind of fear the Lord sometimes (which I thought was a good thing).  I need to remember that God is our heavenly father and he knows what is best for us and WHEN something is best for us... in HIS plan.  


So, have a great day and go to God with confidence!!

Those Were The Days!! Or Were They?

We all have said something akin to "those were the best days, etc."  And while they may have been great memories from high school, your wedding and the births of you kids, they are now just memories.  You can look at pictures of them, but don't dwell too much on them.

That is a problem I have had.  I look back to when I could drive or speak without trouble and think they were the best of times.  But I am learning that each day I have is just as good as the one before. So, I will take off the rear-view mirror and just focus oh what lies ahead!!

I read a verse this morning that really struck me today.  Ecclesiastes 7:10 - "Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions."  It really is great advice.  Of course it is, it came from the Bible!!

Have a great weekend!!

Mornings

No, that is not me in that picture!!  If it was I would not be using the intraweb right now.  I'd be thanking the Lord for his beauty!!  I love being the first one to wake up.  Though it doesn't happen very often, especially while the twins are in school.  But the twins are out of state this week with my parents, so I am the first to greet the morning sun in our household.

I try to spend that time with my coffee (for those that know me, it's a must, otherwise I would be mumbling my words and bumping into to things) and the Bible.  My church has a daily reading plan and that is the perfect time for me to read.  With the house quiet the words and verses seem to 'pop out' more and let me really understand and reflect on them.  And then I pray for the day ahead and whatever else on my mind.

It starts my day off right!!!!

 

Today is Election Day...

Today is election day in California.  Whether you want the blue or red or the "Bacon Party" to win (my favorite), there is ONE election for you that will stand out when all is said and done.

That election is whether or not YOU have voted for God.  His party platform is The Bible!  It teaches the ways to walk in God's favor.  I pray that you will "vote" for God.  It can change your life!!

The Glorious Outdoors

I haven't written in a while, so here we go...
I was in the outdoors this weekend.  Or should I say that I was out the outdoors this weekend??  When I say I was outside, I'm not talking about my backyard!  I was out and about in nature!

My parents live in Running Springs.  It's a mountain community and it so great to be up there.  It's peaceful, easy-going and oh yeah, it smells really fantastic!  I was there because my brother was out from Arizona to fish with my Dad at a trout tournament in Big Bear.  When they weren't fishing we got to spend some time together, which was nice.

The other thing I got to do was taking some awe-inspiring walks.  Now, I have walked up there before, but never to give praise to God about what I was seeing.  On Sunday my Mom and I walked around a botanical path in Running Springs.  There was such a diversity of trees and plants that I had to give God praise!  On Monday we walked around Lake Gregory (which is where this picture was taken.  Granted not by me.  Yes, I Google images, not ogle...but doesn't everybody??).  I stopped more than a few times to thank God for all He created that I was witnessing.  Maybe I am indeed growing in my faith!  How could you not when I think off all that I was seeing and experiencing!!

This was taken from Psalm 111 verses 2-4:
2 Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

HE Would rock at Jeopardy...

IBM's Watson is a pretty wise computer (I almost called him a dude).  He plays Jeopardy.  Anyone who can play Jeopardy is very wise, well that's what I use to think.  (For the record, I can clean up if the category is "Rock and Roll,' which it seldom is!!  I should write a letter to Jeopardy's producers about that injustice...)

But God is so much wiser, even when he's not trying to be!!  For in 1 Corinthians 1:25 it says "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

God would rewrite the record books when it comes to strength and wisdom!  What's the record number of cars that someone pulls with teeth?  It doesn't matter (for many reasons), but God would obliterate the record. Einstein was brilliant and Yoda was very wise (ok, that's not a real person...or is it?) but they would seem like dunces to God even when he isn't trying to show us wisdom!!

That is pretty incredible!!

Are You Sheepish Towards God?

Ok, ok that was a dumb title.  But at least I didn't go with "Are You The Black Sheep in God's Family?"  Right??!!

I was reading John 10 about how Jesus is our shepherd- so, sorry for the sheep jokes. They were cheap.  Ok, I'll stop rhyming.    Jesus was saying that the sheep know their shepherd's voice and they follow him.  They will not listen to a stranger.

In John 10:7-10 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved.  He will come in and go out and find pasture."

Jesus' word and examples are what we strive for.  If we follow him we will know that we are on the correct path.  That is a comforting thought.  Do I want to be saved?  Yes.  Do you want to be saved? I'm pretty sure.  Jesus shows the way!!

At least I didn't end this post with a 'counting sheep' reference!  Oh wait, I just did.  Sorry...  :)

I Missed Church This Week

I missed church this week!  Go ahead, send me your hate mail.  Actually don't, my mail server can't handle the traffic!!  :-)


I've missed church before (a lot), but this weekend I MISSED it.  And by missed, I mean missing the experience.  Not missing it on the calendar.  I sure hope you know what I am saying here.  I was trying to be witty, but admitting you're witty probably means you aren't being as witty as you thought.  So, this paragraph dealt with missed and witty.  I missed being witty!  Oh come on, you giggled a little bit...


Enough of me writing to entertain myself!!  I used to think that praying to God was enough 'me' time with the Lord.  I was of the thought that I didn't have to go to church if I was praying a lot.  Maybe that is the case with some people and that is fine, but I really have come to like church!  And not just because they have coffee.  That's a joke too.  I am in the habit of explaining my jokes...


I like the songs, I like what the pastor says and I like knowing that we are all there for one purpose - to praise and give thanks our Lord.  There is something about looking out and seeing all those people and knowing that they are there for the same thing that you are!  And it's not for a sale on soda at the grocery store!


Church really does boost your spirit.  Granted, it's up to you the rest of the week, but I think being at church helps that.  So, if you have not found a church, take some time and go to a few churches in your area and find the best fit.  I promise it will be worth it!!


My church plays the service online throughout the week.  It's nice to know if I missed it I can still 'attend,' which I will be doing this week!!  I look at church as a way that 2 Corinthians 13:11 says to be: "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Prayer - It might be the best conversation you ever have!

This one will be short.  It is the National Day Of Prayer!!!!  In my surfing of the intraweb a saw this verse today, and it seemed to fit perfectly!!

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. — Psalm 5:3

How To Get Into Heaven...

As I search for things to write about each day I am growing (though not in height, I am the king of the height-challenged) in my relationship with God.  So if it seems like I am just skimming the surface of God's word, I probably am.  I hope that this blog will lead me into deeper thoughts and I will have something important to say.  I am not trained in the Bible but these are my thoughts. Writing about God's word is new to me, but I am enjoying it!!

I have no step by step method to get to heaven.  The church when Martin Luther was alive thought they had a way.  Buying a piece of paper to help you get into heaven.  That was more so that the church could make money!  And they made a boatload of it!!  Could you imagine the infomercial about buying an indulgence?!!  "For only $19.99 you can purchase your ticket to heaven.  And if you act now, we'll give to two for that price..."

There really is only one way - to follow Jesus and accept him into your life.  I know, go ahead and start quoting Stair Way to Heaven.  You knew I had to bring that up at some point!!  Though some of you wish I hadn't  :)

My church has daily readings and I am reflecting on one of those readings for this post.  In Matthew 19:16-30 Jesus tells a man who has asked how to get into heaven to sell everything he has (and give it to the poor) and follow him.  This was not what the man wanted to hear!  Because he was a rich man and would have to give away his fortune.

Jesus then said that through man it is impossible, but through God ALL things are possible!  Jesus finished by saying that for those that leave houses or fields for his sake will get so much more and will inherit eternal life.  It is up to you, but I think that is a small 'price' to pay for eternal life!  And besides, you can't take it with you when your days on this planet are over.  Though, I may still be buried with my PEZ collection - because no one else wants it!!  :)

Faith

Ok, this post is NOT about the George Michael song "Faith," nor is it about Faith Hill.  It is about having Faith in the Lord.  Faith to get you through the hard times and faith in knowing you will spend eternity along side God in heaven!

Faith in God can uplift your spirit.  Praying to God can give you solace and encourage you.  As Matthew 17:20 said "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

That is an amazing statement!  Just as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  So, whatever you're facing, if you have faith you know that someone (the greatest one) is in your corner rooting you on!


You gotta have faith.  Oh man, I quoted George Michael.  Sorry...  :)

My Time With My Twins

I am a very lucky person when it comes to children.  I have amazing daughters and I like being a father!  Granted, I say that on a morning when I woke 5 times for Lottie and the alarm clock didn't go off to get my girls ready for school.  But, keep in mind that I am focusing on the good things in this post :-)


This weekend the twins and I had the Father/Kid Campout with my friend's church.  I got to see the girls really enjoy themselves.  Both with me and the children of my best bud.  We took a walk around the lake, hiked to the Santa Ana River, roasted marshmallows and Peeps.  (That is a secret I've been holding close to the vest for a few years.  Imagine a toasted marshmallow with a Creme Brule finish.  YUM!!!)  


We also got to enjoy a water park (well, I got my head in the water, but the girls got themselves soaked).  Then we tried out 18 holes of mini-golf.  I have to say (as a matter of reporting, not to toot my own horn...if you believe that.  BWAHAHAHA)  that on the last hole I got a hole-in-one.    The girls REALLY enjoyed that and they beat me on several holes!  After six swings on any hole you were supposed to stop counting...which was a very good thing for me on SEVERAL holes!!


And, we got to sing and worship the Lord outside with BEAUTIFUL weather! I loved to see the smiles on my kids (and every other kids') faces throughout the weekend!  


The Bible says in Psalm 127, verses 3-5 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

I very much like my arrows!!  Even if they don't always shoot straight...  :)

How Do I Put This Tent Together??

This is one of my most favorite weekends of the year!!  (I think that's a real sentence...)  Well, I'll be honest, every weekend is my favorite!  But this one stands out.  It's my best bud's church camping trip with just Fathers and Kids.  And for the third year in a row, they've allowed me and the twins to come with them!  Lottie will hopefully go next year, once she's got that pesky potty training thing licked!

Because it's all men there, don't ask me how to get there. That's funny because men aren't known for their direction skills. Bada Bump Bum!!  BUT, ask us how to roast a marshmallow (or burn it, in my  case) and we can tell you all about that.

It's going to be men who love the Lord and love their children.  I'm am really looking forward to being with the twins, we just don't have enough time when it's just the three of us.  And they really, really like my best bud's kids.  And of course, I don't see my best bud near enough!

So I'll leave you with a Bible verse on fellowship: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Have a great weekend!!  Lord, please bless all who go to the camping trip so that we can admire the wondrous works around us and the people we are sharing it with.  Let us become closer to you this weekend and bless our time with our children and all of our friends.  Amen.

My Beginning As A Volunteer

Doesn't that picture look like something on a band album or ad from the 60s?  That's not what this post is about, it just reminded me of The Beach Boys "Smile" album.  No, that is also not what this post is about...  :)

What this post is about is bacon.  OK, I'll stop.  Last night I began volunteering at my church.  I'd been looking forward to it and while I didn't do much I REALLY enjoyed it!  I helped (with other folks) to work with mentally challenged adults to read bible verses and do an assignment based on what we read.


I wish I could have done more, but hopefully this was just the beginning.  Since I can't work because of the stroke, volunteering (especially for my church) seems like the next logical step!!  I want to volunteer more with the disAbilities group and other groups as the opportunities are presented to me.


I was the surfing the Intraweb (that's a made up word, but you can use it) this morning a read a verse that applied somewhat to volunteering.  It was Proverbs 11:25.  It says: "Be generous and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped."  I don't know about prosperous part for me right now, but I hope I helped last night!!


Lord, let me get more opportunities to help others and bless me with the thrill of helping other people.  Amen.

Waiting For The Rain

Well, we here in the Southland are awaiting rain and possible thunderstorms.  Granted this past weekend it was nearing 100 degrees, but I guess the fashion fairy likes changing it up.  I think that is the first time I have used the words 'fashion fairy."  Let's hope it's the last time!


All the news channels will have their doppler radars working and all of the on air reporters will all have rain slickers on.  To someone who lives in another part of this country they would think it's all pretty funny.  "April Storm 2012!!!!!"  And don't get me started about how slowly we drive in the rain!


Last time it rained my kids got to see an awesome rainbow from our patio.  My 2 1/2 year old was amazed.  She was literally dancing about a rainbow (granted she dances ALL the time).  The Bible says in Genesis 9:14: "And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud..."  After the rainbow disappeared, Lottie continued to ask about it.  And where was I?  Sitting on the couch watching a ballgame.  I can't remember which ball game, but I'm sure it was pretty important!!  Right???


But had I checked the word of God, I would have had a different reaction!  In Ezekiel 1:28 it says that "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake."


If only I had recognized that this would be a great time to the acknowledge the wondrous things God does for us.  So, if there is a rainbow after this "storm,"  (I used "hand quotes" to say that) I will be right alongside of Lottie taking in the beauty...and thanking God for the rain and for the awesome show he provided us when the rain stopped (and for the food I will probably have in my hand at that time...)    :-)

Psalm 109

A little about me (for those of you who don't know me (you're the lucky ones).  I am 38, have three daughters and a great wife!  I was born with a defect in my aortic heart valve and have had 2 open heart surgeries.  The first one was when I was 3 and the second one I was 31.  In addition, 2 years ago I had a stroke.  My twins were 2 1/2 when I had open heart surgery and my third daughter was only 6 months old when I had my stroke.

Looking back (which I try not do because I usually walk into things), I realize that I suffered these things so I can tell my story as it relates to the Lord.  There were 3 chances for me not be alive.  But yet, I now know that the Lord let me survive all 3 so that I can share His word!!  It took a while for me to realize that, but even a slow learner like me can catch on!!

It's timely that my pastor in church said on Sunday that when we become a Christian we don't do it a little at time or tip toe along (I am paraphrasing - trust me, he said it far more eloquently than I).  We go all in.

Soooooo, with that being said, here I go. I was looking at Psalm 109 on my church's website.  Psalm 109:30 stood out.  It says "With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise him."  So this is my "throng."  Granted I wish there were a lot more people reading, but that will happen on His time!! But, it's out there.  :)

So in prayer I thank God for all he has done for me and I will praise His name whenever I can!

A New Experience

 Well, this will be a new experience.  Writing about God.  I would write about Space Debris, my daughters and deep fried deliciousness on my other blog.  While I still like those things, I have a longing to make my life more Christ-centered now.  It most certainly will be a lengthy process, but I invite you to tag along...I will offer treats and water!!

Ok, that's not really accurate, but I invite you follow along for humor, the word of God and to make sure I use correct grammar!!