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...  :)