“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12 NLT. http://bible.com/116/psa.90.12.
I feel like my life has been running 100mph. I think if I would look back at my posts I would see there have been many times in my life where that is true. I run from one meeting to the next. I feel my life is like a hit and run accident. Sadly the speed of our lives gets in the way of bringing people to know Jesus. You can't share Jesus in a 30sec. sound bite. We need to change, narrower our focus.
Life is brief. If we look at what we spend our time on, we will see much of it is frivolous. We need to reflect and pray on what we fill our lives with. How am I spending my brief moments on this earth? How much of my time is spent furthering the kingdom of God?
Stop! Slow Down! Hear the voice of God! Filter your activities through the wisdom of Jesus!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
You don't always get what you want!
“All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.”Hebrews 11:39 NLT. http://bible.com/116/heb.11.39.
I think there is a song out there, from the past, that says "You don't always get what you want!" Even if you have wonderful faith, you are not going to get all your wishes. Don't get me wrong. You will always get what you need according to God's plan. Time is the variable and faith means you believe in God's timing. When you turn your life over to the Father, he is in charge and sometimes his plans are not yours.
I trust God, explicitly! I know how he has provided even when things looked bleak, impossible. Here I am and thriving completely. He knows all and sees all. His plans and his timing are perfect. Give him a chance, follow his lead! Relax! He's got this. Do you really trust him or are those just words?
I think there is a song out there, from the past, that says "You don't always get what you want!" Even if you have wonderful faith, you are not going to get all your wishes. Don't get me wrong. You will always get what you need according to God's plan. Time is the variable and faith means you believe in God's timing. When you turn your life over to the Father, he is in charge and sometimes his plans are not yours.
I trust God, explicitly! I know how he has provided even when things looked bleak, impossible. Here I am and thriving completely. He knows all and sees all. His plans and his timing are perfect. Give him a chance, follow his lead! Relax! He's got this. Do you really trust him or are those just words?
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
My friends in faith!
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each otherʼs faith.”
Romans 1:11-12 NIV. http://bible.com/111/rom.1.11-12
I have such valuable friends in my life. My life is so much better because of those friendships. It starts with my best friend, my wife, Stephanie. It continues with so many people of faith. My hope is that I can be an encourager to them. I want to be a voice in their lives that directs them closer to God. I want to see there for them and I deeply need them to be there for me.
Life is not complete with out deep, spiritually based, firendships. Valentine's Day is about love. That love is not just for that one special person. Our love is to be shared with our family, friends, and colleagues.
Thank You Lord for blessing me with strong friends in faith. My relationship with you, Lord, is stronger because of those friends. Amen!
Romans 1:11-12 NIV. http://bible.com/111/rom.1.11-12
I have such valuable friends in my life. My life is so much better because of those friendships. It starts with my best friend, my wife, Stephanie. It continues with so many people of faith. My hope is that I can be an encourager to them. I want to be a voice in their lives that directs them closer to God. I want to see there for them and I deeply need them to be there for me.
Life is not complete with out deep, spiritually based, firendships. Valentine's Day is about love. That love is not just for that one special person. Our love is to be shared with our family, friends, and colleagues.
Thank You Lord for blessing me with strong friends in faith. My relationship with you, Lord, is stronger because of those friends. Amen!
Friday, February 10, 2017
We need to build bridges of love and kindness!
“But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.””
Acts of the Apostles 4:19-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.4.19-20.nlt
It's been a little over a month since I posted a political post on social media. In some ways it's been the hardest thing to do and in other ways it has been the easiest.
I still have a passion for politics. I am very opinionated. But, I have been convicted by my faith in Jesus Christ to stop the "polarizing " political posts. I have been able to follow that commitment for a little over a month. I have had to fight the urge to jump in the battle. But I believe it is necessary to sit out the constant war of words in our country.
Why?
Our country is deeply divided like never before. Families, coworkers, friends, and aquaintences HATE each other because of their political beliefs. I found myself getting meaner and meaner with every post. I found myself wanting to destroy the other side regardless of who they were.
It's just not worth it.
I love my colleagues. I certainly love my family. I will NOT post anything that may divide us. if we want our politicians and leaders to work together, we better show them how. If we want solutions to our problems, we better show that we value each other above politics. Anger, resentment, and hate will not help spread the love of Jesus. We need to build bridges of love and kindness. We need to concentrate our lives on serving others even those we disagree with. I want to encourage all my Facebook and twitter families to stop ! Think before you post! Stop offending! Start loving, even your enemy!
Acts of the Apostles 4:19-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/act.4.19-20.nlt
It's been a little over a month since I posted a political post on social media. In some ways it's been the hardest thing to do and in other ways it has been the easiest.
I still have a passion for politics. I am very opinionated. But, I have been convicted by my faith in Jesus Christ to stop the "polarizing " political posts. I have been able to follow that commitment for a little over a month. I have had to fight the urge to jump in the battle. But I believe it is necessary to sit out the constant war of words in our country.
Why?
Our country is deeply divided like never before. Families, coworkers, friends, and aquaintences HATE each other because of their political beliefs. I found myself getting meaner and meaner with every post. I found myself wanting to destroy the other side regardless of who they were.
It's just not worth it.
I love my colleagues. I certainly love my family. I will NOT post anything that may divide us. if we want our politicians and leaders to work together, we better show them how. If we want solutions to our problems, we better show that we value each other above politics. Anger, resentment, and hate will not help spread the love of Jesus. We need to build bridges of love and kindness. We need to concentrate our lives on serving others even those we disagree with. I want to encourage all my Facebook and twitter families to stop ! Think before you post! Stop offending! Start loving, even your enemy!
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Get a life!
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:12-13 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.12-13.nlt
I love teaching and getting to know my students. My relationship with them is the most important part of my service as a teacher. I would do anything for them. Yes, if necessary I would lay down my life for them. But, I don't foresee that as something I will be asked to do. I feel it is safe to say that very few of us will be asked to lay our life down for a friend.
So why is this verse so important?
What if laying down our life for someone doesn't mean death? What sacrifice am I willing to make for my family, my friends, or my students? Am I willing to give up personal time to serve my students? Am I willing to give up leisure time to serve in ministry? Am I willing to do without in order to financially support my church or charity? In some ways it might be easier to give up your life than sacrifice time, money, or energy for the kingdom. The Lord needs us to give up ourselves, to give up our life, and replace it with service to others. We rarely are asked to make the ultimate sacrifice but we are constantly asked to live our lives for the kingdom instead of our selfish pursuits.
John 15:12-13 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.12-13.nlt
I love teaching and getting to know my students. My relationship with them is the most important part of my service as a teacher. I would do anything for them. Yes, if necessary I would lay down my life for them. But, I don't foresee that as something I will be asked to do. I feel it is safe to say that very few of us will be asked to lay our life down for a friend.
So why is this verse so important?
What if laying down our life for someone doesn't mean death? What sacrifice am I willing to make for my family, my friends, or my students? Am I willing to give up personal time to serve my students? Am I willing to give up leisure time to serve in ministry? Am I willing to do without in order to financially support my church or charity? In some ways it might be easier to give up your life than sacrifice time, money, or energy for the kingdom. The Lord needs us to give up ourselves, to give up our life, and replace it with service to others. We rarely are asked to make the ultimate sacrifice but we are constantly asked to live our lives for the kingdom instead of our selfish pursuits.
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