I have nothing to complain about

““Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. They spend their days in prosperity, then go down to the grave in peace. And yet they say to God, ‘Go away. We want no part of you and your ways. Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?’  “Yet the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished. Do they ever have trouble? Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger? Are they driven before the wind like straw? Are they carried away by the storm like chaff? Not at all!”

Job 21:7-9, 13-15, 17-18 NLT -- http://bible.com/116/job.21.7-9,13-15,17-18.nlt

I have a very dear friend going through a tough time right now. Although his trials are not quite like Job, they are real and very much undeserved. I have been reading Job for a few weeks and I , happily, can not relate to Job. I really have nothing to complain about. Sure, I've had some trials, but even the worst trials of my life can not begin to compare with Job. Very few people have dealt with such calamity. Maybe I'm just blinded by my blessings, but my tragedies are very few and far between. That's what makes it so painful when I see my friend struggling. It's just not fair. Why am I protected? I am no different than he, yet he struggles and I don't. Better yet, like Job states, why do the wicked lead the life of luxury. Why do those that outwardly reject God feel no wrath? I just don't understand!

Dear Heavenly Father, I'm sorry for my doubts, my weakness, and my questioning your plan. Yet, I know you do have a plan. I trust you. I love you. I am embarrassed of the life you have given me. It's only through your pure grace that I am where I am today. I deserve worse than Job. Please Lord reveal your presence to my dear friend. I know he dearly loves you and is trying to remain strong even through his doubt and questions. Reveal your love to him in a powerful way. Give him comfort and provide strength to his family as they stand with him. Bond that family together and draw them all closer to you. Reveal your plan. Make it clear where his future lies. Guard his heart with your great and powerful name! Amen!

Can't predict the future

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:13-17 NLT)

We just can't predict tomorrow. We can't predict stock market prices, the weather, the economy, or any number of life's activities. There is no such thing as a real "fortune teller". No matter how hard we try to control the future, we just don't have that kind of power. As a Christian I try to manipulate the future through prayer. If I just pray the right prayer, I will earn the right to control God! 

You know God is better than that. 

So what do we do?

We trust in the Lord. Our Heavenly Father knows the plan. He has great plans to prosper us. He has told us that. Now we just have to believe it. We need to connect with Jesus. We need to follow the spirit of the Lord within our hearts and minds. We need to act on his promptings and then just let life happen. It needs to change from my plans to his plans. My prayers need to be that the plan is revealed to me that I might do the will of God. When I'm in charge it is a "false" power. God has the real power and the wisdom of the future. Let him make the plans. Let him be the navigator of your life.

December 19th, 2014 was planned long ago!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

The events of Ćhrist's birth, life, death, and Ressurection were ordained before the world began. God new everything, knows everything from the beginning of time to this very moment. Last night we were blessed with the arrival of Jordan, permanently into our family. My daughter McKenzie, Jeff, and the rest of the family welcomed this young man, permanently, into our family. The adoption will not be final for 6months, but he is one of us. 

Just like God ordained the sacrifice of his own son, he has planned for Jordan to be with us. It's not by chance. I don't know all the details of Jordan's life. I don't know the circumstances of his birth mother giving him up. I don't know the life he has led. God does and for reasons only God knows he has brought this wonderful boy into our lives. I guess I can really say that about all our daughters and our grandchildren. He has appointed us to be a family. So many people take for granted the precious life we live. We all neglect to realize the awesome plan working right before us. This precious moment, December 19th, 2014 we have been granted a precious gift, to see into the heart of God with the wonderful life of Jordan. Praise God. Dear Lord, continue to bless Jordan. We ask that you use his life in a special way that he can share your love like others can not. Protect him and let him know he is always loved. Bless our entire family may we all serve you, answer your call and be open to your mighty works. Thank you Lord! 

God is my Coach!

2 Timothy 2
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

The military teaches the soldier must obey, without question, the commands of his officer. Likewise, the athlete is to do everything the coach asks. That rule is just as important as the rules preventing off sides. I believe hard work always pays off in the end. But, hard work against what the coach wants is not "hard work". If we work hard pulling against the Lord, I can assure you, it will not be rewarded. We must try to please the Lord. We must seek his willin our lives and act upon that will. We cant get tangled up with civilian, worldly plans. We need to be in prayer for guidance and wisdom. We need to search the heart of God and make it our own. God is our leader. God is our coach. God is the creator and he alone has the plan. Reveal it to us Lord Jesus! Amen!

I am what I am!

1 Corinthians 15

 ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ¹¹ Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Can you relate to what Paul is saying? There have been many times in my life that I feel so inadequate for the task God has placed before me. I, too, look at myself of being unworthy. I can look back at opportunities missed or ignored. I can look back on selfishness that overruled the plans God has for me. But by the Grace of God, I am what I am. God's grace is so wonderful it has affected me in amazing ways. It is grace that enables me to get past my poor choices, my weaknesses and my sins. Just like Paul, it is grace that gives me the motivation to work even harder for the Lord. When I dwell on my inadequacies the Devil is pleased. But God's grace enables me to overcome and work harder for the kingdom of God. The Devil can't stand that!

That is the message we have to share with the lost this Christmas. God sent his son to Earth to make the greatest sacrifice he could. He wanted to demonstrate to us what his Grace was all about. Jesus didn't deserve to die the death of a criminal. We do! Yet, he took our crimes upon himself. None of us are good enough, yet we are all recipients of that same grace.

Thank You Lord. I want to serve you more today than ever!

God's Geometry!

Acts 28

 ¹¹ After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. ¹² We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. ¹³From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. ¹⁴ There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.


What a trip for Paul, bouncing from port to port, being shipwrecked, hitching rides on strange ships. I always taught, as a geometry teacher, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. If you want to get from point A to point B you follow a straight line. God doesn't always follow the rules of Math.


Paul is a perfect example of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He didn't whine, he didn't complain, he didn't pull a "Jonah", he just went where God took him. I know from my own experience, it's not always easy to follow the path God has laid before us. The path is not like an Interstate Highway. It's more like a meandering river.  But, every part of the plan is important for the purposes of Christ. There is nothing by chance. When we are committed followers of Christ, we must relinquish control of the plan. We need to be willing to trust in the Lord to take us where he wants us to go. We might scratch our head and wonder. We might even question him. But, he is perfect. His plan for us is perfect. Geometry doesn't matter.


If we let him be in control and willingly follow where he leads, we will be on the greatest adventure ever. We will see people, places, and do things we never imagined. But, the blessings will be amazing. Praise God he is in control. Praise God he has a personal adventure planned just for me. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

Coincidence?

Acts 16

 ²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²⁷ The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

 ²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

How lucky for Paul and Silas! It just happens that there was a violent earthquake that was strong enough for the prison doors to fly open, the chains to fall off, and they were not injured. How amazing. What a coincidence!

The rest of the story is that the jailer accepted the gospel message and his whole household was saved. 

There is nothing on this earth that is by chance. God has set all things in motion and is in complete control of all things. There are no coincidences. There is no such thing as Luck. I committed my life to Christ when I was 12 years old. I asked God to take over my life and to fill me with his spirit. I haven't always been a great servant. But God has always been in charge and he has brought me to where I am right now. He planned me to be married to Stephanie. He planned my career moves. (I would never have believed what I have done and am doing.) He has planned my family and their families. He is in charge and knows what he is doing. I can take no credit for the blessings I have received. He is my savior and has wonderful plans for me still. 

Why don't you ask him to take over your life and see where his plans will send you? He created the universe an he created you. What makes you think he doesn't have a plan for your life. Give him a chance and just see his power revealed!

Fighting against God

Acts 5

 ³³ When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. ³⁷ After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. ³⁸ Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Gamaliel was a wise man. Many of us could take his advice. We often forget that God is in charge. We feel like we have to fight his battles for him. But, he is God. He not only fights his own battles, he wins them all. 

Have you ever faced a tough decision and fretted and stressed about it? I certainly have. I constantly worry if I am following God's plan for my life. Am I listening to God or my own sinful, selfish thoughts. Really, this is a silly question for a Christian. When we turn our lives to Christ and trust him to guide us, we don't need to worry or fret. If it's of God it will happen. If it's not, it will fail.

I trust God to guide my life through the mine fields. I trust him to get me through the tough times and continue to move me forward in his plan. I Love the Lord and know he is FOR me, not against me. I don't have to fight God. I know he wishes the best for me and my family. I know that I must accept all my life as a part of his perfect plan. He knows what's best for me. I trust him even if it's painful. I trust him even when the darkness seems to envelope me. He is my Lord and Savior. He has power over all things and over everyone. I do not need to worry. God is in control! I'm not going to fight him. I'm going to trust him.

Master Builder

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

 ¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
   the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
   the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
   and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
   for he grants sleep to^[a] those he loves.

We are building a new High School in Garrett. A lot of planning goes into constructing anything. They have started pouring the footers and before you know it, we will be seeing walls go up.  We have a school representative watching over every step of construction to make sure things are done the way we want them When you spend millions of dollars on a project, you want to make sure every dime counts. You want the best people building and you want to make sure the quality is the best.

Our community has put a lot into our school. The school is the center of all that goes on in Garrett. Everyone has a stake in what is going on during this construction project.

God is the Master Builder. He has a plan for our lives. He has a plan to build you and I into the men and women we need to be. If we don't let him do the building, if we try to do it on our own, we become nothing. We act like we know what we're doing, but we don't. We labor in vain. Only Gods plan is perfect. The people of Garrett love our community. Yet, we are nothing if we don't center our community around God. Our school can receive all types of awards, but if we don't depend on the Lord for guidance, our efforts will fail. All the work we do is in vain if we don't follow the plan the Lord has laid out for us. He is the Master Builder. Let's let him do his work in us!

Gods Work -- My Work!

Psalm 90 (New International Version)

 ¹⁷ May the favor^[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
   establish the work of our hands for us—
   yes, establish the work of our hands.


I have had several jobs in my life. I am guessing more than most. When I graduated from High School, I got married and went to college right away. I was bored so I quit and went to work. I got a job in the Cable Television Industry. I had several jobs there and moved up the ladder all along the way. When Steph and I moved back to Indiana, my priorities began to change and decided to go into education to work with young people. I have taught at 2 different schools, then got into administration and have been in administration in 2 schools.

It is truly amazing to me how God has directed my path through the years. I can track myself from one job to another and one career to another. I quickly realize that God has been in control. If I map my career and it's twists and turns there is no way I could engineer it. It is almost unbelievable that one position led to another and another and another until now. If we try to calculate the odds I would end up Athletic Director at Garrett High School, you have no other choice but to give credit to God.

I praise God that he has established the work of my hands. He has designed the career path I am on. He designed it specifically for me. When I gave my life to Christ, I gave not only my "Faith Life" but all my earthly life, including my career. He has taken my committment and designed this adventure for his glory and his purposes. I know I am an Athletic Director right now. But, I can expect that my life is not over yet and there will be other twists and turns. I look forward to the unexpected. I can accept all things God sends me because I know he has a perfect plan for me and my life. Praise God!

Pay Back!

Psalm 79 (New International Version, ©2011) 

¹⁰ Why should the nations say,
   “Where is their God?”
   Before our eyes, make known among the nations
   that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
¹¹ May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
   with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
¹² Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
   the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord. 
¹³ Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
   will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
   we will proclaim your praise.

Don't you wish that God would be more vocal and make his presence known? I wish Evil would get destroyed more and the righteous would be the victors more! I am sure you know someone or a group of people you wish would feel the power of God 7 times over. Why? Would it make you feel better? Would it really be productive? Is that truly the attitude God wishes of us?

As Christians we see so much evil in the world. It seems like they have all the success. It seems the righteous are always the martyrs. It seems like evil, on this Earth, wins. It really is quite arrogant. To think that we know better than God. To think that we can second guess his plan like we second guess the decisions of a coach or boss or co-worker. God knows best. He knows when to praise and when to punish.  He knows what we can deal with. He knows all.

Lord, Please forgive me for my selfishness and my arrogance. Please help me t accept your plan as the ultimate righteousness. Lord, I have seen the power of your plan and I know your Love. I have seen it in my own life. I have seen how you can take death on the cross and use it to save us. I praise you for who you are and ask forgiveness for who I am. You have already won the ultimate victory. We don't need to win another battle, because the victory is ours through you. Thank You Lord! Amen!

This stuff drives me crazy!

Psalm 77 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?
   Will he never show his favor again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
   Has his promise failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?
   Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

 ¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
   the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 
¹² I will consider all your works
   and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

 ¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
   What god is as great as our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles;
   you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵ With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
   the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

This song has been pretty popular on the radio lately. It is me. But, this song drives me crazy. I have forgotten my coat some place at least 3 times in the past couple of weeks. I used to forget my keys a lot. I haven't done that much lately. I have been known to get picked up for 45 in a 35, on occasion. The weather has really gotten to me lately. I have spent so much time watching the Weather Channel lately, I feel like Jim Cantore is family! The life of an Athletic Director in Spring time is not good. I get frustrated pretty easy. It's amazing how easy these little things get to me. I let these little set backs, these little, trivial events, drag me down. Satan loves it so much to see me brought down by such minor things. What would I do if something major happened to me?

I think God sends even these little events to us for a reason. We have lessons that need learned all the time. God wants us to grow. Sometimes that growth has to occur with major events in our lives. Sometimes, God sends these little events to teach us also. We don't like it. If we could choose, we wouldn't choose to go through them. But, we're not God. He knows what he's doing. We need to trust him and his infinite wisdom.  It's so easy to forget what God has done for me. I have a short memory. God doesn't want to smack me with a 2x4. Sometimes I need smacked with a 2x4. But, sometimes a little more subtle "nudge" is all I need. God knows when I need smacked and he know when I need a nudge. I'm thankful he chooses to nudge me, it doesn't hurt as bad as the 2x4.

Hiking off the trail!

Psalm 17 (New International Version, ©2010) 

¹ Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. 

Hear my prayer— 

   it does not rise from deceitful lips.
² Let my vindication come from you;
   may your eyes see what is right.
 ³ Though you probe my heart,
   though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
   my mouth has not transgressed.
⁴ Though people tried to bribe me,
   I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
   through what your lips have commanded.
⁵ My steps have held to your paths;
   my feet have not stumbled.


I have been starting to plan our summer vacation 2011. Stephanie and I always take a long vacation in the summers via Motorcycle. We camp and really enjoy the time spent in the beauty of God's creation. We really enjoy taking hikes. Stephanie's idea of a great hiking trail is not the same as mine. I have more of an adventurous side than Stephanie. So, sometimes I will go on a more advanced trail and Stephanie will wait until I get back. This year I did that on one of the peaks at Glacier National Park. The temperature was about 40 degrees and the area was still covered with snow. So I took a hike back to Hidden Lake while Stephanie stayed at the Logan Pass Lodge. I have never hiked on snow before and it was amazing. It was also scary. One slip and I could just see myself sliding down the mountain onto the Jagged rocks at the bottom. I made sure of every single step and I did not venture off the path. Here are some pictures of the trail.

The rangers warned of going off the path. I know it's hard to believe, but people don't think, all the time, and several people venture off the trail. Every year the rangers have to go rescue someone. Sometimes these "adventurists" die from their poor choices.

God is just like those rangers. He has prepared for us a certain path. Even if we stay on the path it can be adventurous and even a little scary. But, if we decide to strike out on our own, we are in for big trouble. I am constantly amazed that people think they know better than God. Here is the creator of the universe and his plan is being questioned by one of us. How crazy is that?  Stay on God's path. Watch your step. If you can do these two things you will have a wonderfully exciting and adventurous life while walking with the God of Heaven and Earth.

God's laughing!

Psalm 2 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ Why do the nations conspire^[a]
   and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
   against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
   and throw off their shackles.”
⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
   the Lord scoffs at them. 
⁵ He rebukes them in his anger
   and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
   on Zion, my holy mountain.”

Sometimes you just have to laugh:  The other day I was sitting down in one of our swivel rocking chairs. I leaned back a bit too far and the chair tumbled over backward with me in it. It just happened that Stephanie was coming around the corner. She couldn't contain herself. She had to laugh at her graceful husband.  Laughter is Godly. Sometimes you can't help but laugh. But, sometimes laughing can get you in trouble.

I've had parents and students in my office to discuss a serious issue like failing a drug test or an athletic code violation. These discussions are pretty serious business. On occasion, I hear some pretty amazing excuses and some pretty wild stories. Believe it or not, every student that tests positive tells me it was their first time. Even if the results indicate excessive use, they always had "just  one beer". It's at times like these, it takes all my power to keep from busting out in laughter. (Stephanie should have had more control of her laughter the other day!)

God has to sit on his throne and laugh at our vain attempts to "Rule the World".  Most of us don't have such grand thoughts as ruling the world, but we do THINK we're in control of our own little world. We think we can do whatever we want against an unseen God. We think we can live however we want and ignore God's commandments. He just laughs at us! I'm not just talking about non-believers. We "believers" act the same way.

Just so you know, GOD IS IN CONTROL.

Maybe we should act like it. Otherwise, God won't be able to control his laughter!

Dear Lord, Thank you for this new year. Thank you for being in control of this mixed up and crazy world. We know that you win the ultimate battle and that the we have nothing to fear. You are victorious and we need to shout for joy. Maybe we should even laugh out loud knowing the battle is over! Amen!

Are you Crazy, God?

Luke 1:33-35 (New International Version, ©2010)

³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
 ³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
 ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.


How can this be? That is a really good question. She might have said, "Are you Crazy, God?"
Our God is amazing. I could say he is very "Creative", but saying that about the God of the Universe seems crazy in itself. His mind is infinite. We are so limited! One of the most popular sayings now days is "You have to think outside the box."  God thinks outside the box. The Christmas story, The miracles of Jesus, The sacrificing of his son are all outside the box.
Why is that we have a hard time thinking outside the box? We are capable of so much more than we know. God has created us to think like him. He has created us to serve. He has NOT created us to be limited by our circumstances. Could you serve as a missionary? Why not? Are you limited because of time, finances, job, family? I know I could come up with so many excuses why I can't do something. What if God asked you to quit your job and go into full time ministry? What excuses could you come up with to squelch the idea? We miss so many blessings because of our limited vision. We miss so many blessings because of our limited faith.
The story of Christmas is filled with people who took risks at the direction of God. The faith of Mary to follow through with such an outlandish plan might be the most amazing.  The Faith of Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, the wise men, and the shepherds all are great examples.

During this Christmas season take some time to pray to your father in heaven. Ask him to help you think outside the box. Ask him to open your mind to the unique plan he has for your life. Ask him to give you the strength to take the Leap of faith to pursue that plan.  I can guarantee you will be blessed in so many different, amazing ways.

Snooze Alarms!

Revelation 3 (The Message)

 ¹ Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks: "I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you're dead, stone-dead. ^2-3"Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there's life in you yet. But I wouldn't know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God's work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God."If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I'll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.

I was a Math teacher. I have to admit that some days I assigned busy work just to keep my students from getting on my nerves. This work would be helpful in their Math studies, but it wasn't always necessary. But, most of the time I tried to make sure my students had meaningful homework. I always let them work on it together. I would always be available to answer questions and used this work to make sure the students understood the material. I have known some teachers who give more busy work than meaningful work. Some of my colleagues have been copy machine experts. They spent most of their time copying worksheet after worksheet of problems for students to complete. Even if a student has mastered the material, they still have to go through the process. I also know of teachers who teach everything by video. They have a video day every friday and can adapt any feature film for their own personal lessons. 

Some christians are also great at busy work. I get the feeling that some people believe the more work you do, the better your chances of getting preferred seating in Heaven. These "Busy Bodies" are long on Content and short on substance. I kind of picture them as the modern day Pharisees. They get so bogged down with the details of their faith, that they never actually develop a relationship with the Father. Some of these people spend more time in service to their church than they spend in bible study, prayer, and building a meaningful relationship  with their Lord in Heaven. 

It is entirely possible for us, as Christians, to get bogged down in the process and lose site of the goal of our lives. When God speaks to them and tries to get them to put their faith in action they just hit the snooze alarm, pull the covers over their head, roll-over, and go back to sleep. We can't do this. We need to listen for Gods voice, we need to spend our time with him, get our marching orders from him, and be about the task of doing his work. That is our only goal. Their is no other work as valuable as the assignment we have received from God. I need to stop wasting time on the "fluff" and concentrate on what is important! Sometimes it's alot easier to hit the snooze button than it is to get up and get to work for Christ. But once we take that step and get up out of bed, the rewards are amazing. 

Dear Lord, Be patient with us in your work. We know that we work for you but many times we follow our own agenda. Help us Lord to focus on your assignments and taking your word and applying it to ou every day lives. Amen!

Bad Boss?

1 Peter 2 (The Message)

 ^18-20You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.^21-25This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. 


Have you ever had a bad boss? Maybe one that micro-manages the whole organization? Or doesn't follow through with commitments? Maybe you have a boss that is great with computers or operating the business, but does a terrible job in relationships with employees? I have been really lucky in my career to have some great bosses. Kim Lobsiger, Brent Lehman, Matt Smith are all great principals I have worked for. They were always great at balancing the important things of life and leading their employees. But, I have had some bad bosses , too. (I won't mention their names. They MIGHT be reading this right now!)
I am not crazy about this message from Peter. I need to be a good employee even with a bad boss? Yep, that's what it says. Do you mean I shouldn't undermine them or try to create problems so they will leave? You mean I shouldn't just let them fail so they will have to get another job? Wow! That's not fair and it's also not easy to do. But we are told to be good servants. I think that means we should be good employees too, even when it involves a bad boss. If we are treated badly, that's our cue to step up our performance, not to let down. Jesus is our ultimate example. He took on everything people could do to him and never stopped being good! He took so much more than we will ever face and he set the example. If he can suffer all that he did, even up to death on a cross, we can certainly endure a bad boss. So what are we to do?
Well, Jesus prayed for those who persecuted him.  These verses tell us that we need to continue to do a great job. We can still pray for this boss. But, we need to leave the "action" to God. Jesus let God set things right and you know the rest of the story. God certainly did set things right. God will set things right with your "Bad Boss". He is in charge of all things. You can endure. God will provide the strength. If you are faithful, continue to do unto others, (even your bad boss), God will fix things. Maybe the solution is to change this bad boss. Maybe the solution is to replace him. Maybe you are to be the catalyst to change things. Whatever the final outcome, if we rely on the perfect wisdom of the creator of the universe, he will take care of us. So tonight get down on your knees and start praying that God will provide his wisdom to your Boss. Pray that God will provide the guidance. Pray that God will change your boss. Pray that God's plan  will be revealed through the situations of your life, both the good and the bad. Pray that he will provide you with the strength to be a good employee!

Dear Lord, We pray for the "Bad Bosses" in our lives. We pray Lord that you will work your perfect wisdom in their lives. We pray that these bosses will come to know you and if they do know you, they will listen to your guidance. We pray for our own wisdom in helping these people in every way we can. Provide us with guidance how to respond and strength to be a good employee in spite of the situations we face. We know you have placed us where we are. Use us in your plans. Thank you Lord for your love. Thank you for your perfect wisdom, mercy and grace. We Love you and Praise you for the life you have provided. Amen!