Telling it like it is.........

“Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.””

John 8:23-24 NLT

http://bible.com/116/jhn.8.23-24.nlt

Sometimes I just don't say the right things. I don't use the politically correct words. I often am too blunt, straight to the point. It's not popular to deliver the truth when it may cause stress on an individual or group. So, people are afraid to tell it like it is. That is also true bout sharing the gospel. People don't like to share because it can make others very uncomfortable. The result , people will die an eternal death. 

Christians wake up!

 Time is short! 

No one will be saved if we are unwilling to share the powerful truth of the gospel. We can't dance around the ultimate consequence of sin. 

Our sins, left unforgiven,  will drive us to the grave. We will not see eternity. We will not live in paradise. We will die! Jesus told the truth, in love. We need to do the same. The salvation of the world is at stake!

Oh to be young!

“When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless. Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.”

Ecclesiastes 11:8-9 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.11.8-9.nlt

It's ok for kids to have fun. Being in education, I see so many students stressed and exhausted. They run from school to extracurricular activities, to homework, and then try to have some fun. They run circles around most adults with schedules that are packed full in a NORMAL day!  

Many have said it -- "When are we going to let kids be kids?" We are trying so hard to make them into tiny adults. Why? Maybe your motives are pure. Most parents want the best for their kids. They want a life filled with joy and they worry about not giving their kids all the opportunities to get ahead. But, we forget to make sure they enjoy life and they have joy as apart of their daily routine.

My greatest advice from an old guy to a young Christian, enjoy every moment of your life. Life is a blessing. Life is a gift from above. Take it all in. Savor each waking moment. You can go around stressing about every decision, every barrier, and every trial. Or you can sit back and consider all things as pure joy! We need to take it all in. We need to celebrate every moment and as you "mature" don't stop. Take the time to smell the roses, enjoy the presence of friends and family. Rejoice in every day of your life. Our lives are blessed!

Praise God for our youth and the promise of a future in eternity!

I just don't understand!

“Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.”

Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.11.5-6.nlt

Sometimes I just don't get it. My daughter moved back to Indiana over 4 months ago. Since that time her family of 6, two dogs, a fish, and a now deceased hamster has shared our home. They are more than ready to get back to living on their own. They can't do anything until their house in Missouri sells. There in lies our frustration. We have fervently prayed over this simple request. Why Lord? Why won't God answer this request? 

A friends grandson is down at Riley, suffering from an unknown illness. We have prayed for wisdom for the medical team. We have prayed for healing. We have prayed non stop to the Lord. No answer. Why?

A colleague's son suffered a severe brain trauma  few weeks ago. He has been on the road to recovery with the miraculous hand of God. People have been in prayer for him as well. Today he has surgery. We will be in prayer throughout the day. Why does this family have to go through this ordeal?

I have seen the power of God through all parts of my life. I trust in the Lord even though I don't always understand him. I know he is working even when I don't see it. I admit I get frustrated, but that does not mean I don't trust him. I do. My Lord is great and powerful. He loves me and knows what's best for me. I will continue to plead and pray, but I pray for God's will more than anything. 

I love you Lord. I trust you! I am honored that you are with me through every moment of this wonderful life you have given. Amen!

Waiting for better weather

“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”

Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.11.4.nlt

I have visited many states. While in Maine this summer one of the people shared a comment about Maines forever changing weather. The same comments are made here in Indiana and most states. Weather is changes. So, being a motorcyclist you will ride in some bad weather or you just won't ride at all. The number of predicted great riding days are few and far between. So, I often head out for a ride when my chances are good I'm going to get wet. 

In order to change this world, we must do things differently or be doomed to repeat our sins of the past. First and foremost we need to listen to the Holy Spirit inside us to guide our lives. If we do that, changes will happen. If we wait for perfect weather to share the gospel message, it will never happen. We need to boldly go to share the Lord, even if we don't get it quite right all the time. We can't wait! The time is now!

Need to know?

“In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.”

Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 NLT

http://bible.com/116/ecc.8.16-17.nlt

What is God up to? I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. This world is crazy. Our country is changing. We have huge racial issues. We can't even agree that all lives matter. Law enforcement are chastised for keeping the peace and the political divides continue to grow. Yet, I know God is still in control. 

We just don't have the wisdom of God. 

Our eyes are not sharp enough, our ears not sensitive enough, our minds not smart enough to know, see, or hear the plans of our Heavenly Father. 

Faith!

We must have faith. If we, as children of God, are in the center of his will, we will be protected from the craziness. We will be led on the path through to eternity. It is not necessary to know the will of God. We don't need to know his thoughts or his plan. It is only important to follow the promptings of his spirit. I have prayed many times to know his will or have it revealed to me. It's the wrong prayer! I should be more concerned about being in his spirit, being open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit, than  actually knowing his will. We can not know the will of God completely. We must be open to the speaking of the spirit for direction and guidance. We should always leave the details of the plans to the God who created all things.

Not asking much

““The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.”

Malachi 2:5-6 NLT. http://bible.com/116/mal.2.5-6.nlt

God does not demand much. I know, most of us grew up looking at God as the God of rules. I built a pretty good "thou shalt not.... " list that made me feel I was living life as if walking through a minefield. Around every corner, of my early life, I felt temptations and challenge to my safe, peace, and grace filled world. This first week of school is filled with listing rules and expectations. By the end of this week most students get the impression school is just about the rules. Hopefully we can change that opinion over the next 177 days of school.

All God wants from us is for us to treat him with reverence, do not lie or cheat, and to live quiet peaceful lives. The idea of walking with the creator of the universe is an amazing concept. But, that is exactly what he invites us to do. It should speak volumes about our God. He is about building a quiet, peaceful relationship. He just wants to be with us and love us throughout eternity. 

Praise God he loves me!

What do I get out of this? -- School Begins!!!!!!

“Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 2:21-23 NLT. http://bible.com/116/ecc.2.21-23.nlt

I could not sleep last night. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not sick, suffering, or in pain. I'm excited to get another school year going. Some might look at this as madness. Not so! I can answer the question, "what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?" 

Joy

Yes, I get pure , God filled, joy from my work. I can't express how much I really love going to GHS every single day! I am losing sleep tonight because I am excited to start another wonderful year at Garrett High School as a teacher.  I work along side an amazing group of educators. They are all hard working professionals. I can't count the number of hours we worked this summer to get ready for this moment. We are family. We pray together, cry together, laugh together, fight each other, protect each other, and push each other to be better educators. Life at GKB is wonderful and completely rewarding. I DO NOT dread going to school. The media portrays teachers as hating what they do. Well, that is not GKB. Praise God for this community, our school, it's teachers and support staff. What we do has great meaning! What we do impacts the lives of young people, our communities, and ultimately the world!

Dear Lord, Please guide our teaching staff this year. Give us the wisdom to deal with the mountains and the valleys of life. We have several students battling with critical medical issues. Be with them and their families. We also have students that deal with so many barriers every day. Barriers that keep them from being their best. Give us patience and wisdom in building relationships with all the students we serve. Be with our administration as they plan, support, and direct the path of our students and staff. Be with all the support workers, they are the unsung heroes that work tirelessly behind the scenes.  Help us to remember, every moment, that we are your voice and your hands in this world at school, at home, and in our community. WE need your Holy Spirit to direct our steps every single day. We love you! We honor you! We praise your holy name! Amen!

How to be blessed!

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”

Malachi 3:10 NLT

http://bible.com/116/mal.3.10.nlt

You probably get tired of me saying how blessed I am. You're going to keep hearing it. In reality I could receive even more blessings if I would just obey and follow the path God has placed before me. The word of God lays out a wonderful plan for each of us. Prayer brings clarity and specifics to our lives. Listening and acting on the directions of the Holy Spirit will provide blessings beyond our wildest imagination. Our store houses will explode!

I am trying to obey God. I'm not focused on the blessings. I'm focused on obedience. Blessings are a wonderful byproduct of obedience to God. I don't always get it right. I'm on a path to be more obedient, to serve my God completely!

Dear Lord, I love you. I am blessed and humbly want to serve you more every day. I know I don't deserve this wonderful life you have given. I praise you for yoUr grace! Amen!

Humility

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.”

Zechariah 9:9 NLT.  http://bible.com/116/zec.9.9.nlt

The age of humility is gone. Maybe it never existed. 

I know ONE true leader that humbled himself before his people. He even gave his life for his people. 

Jesus demonstrated real leadership. 

Today our political leaders know NO humility and do not care about being righteous, victorious, and humble.  Can you picture ANY of our current leaders riding on the colt of a donkey? I know plenty ordinary people who are humble servants.  Why can't our leaders , lead with grace and mercy? 

I would vote for someone who is genuinely humble. I would vote for someone who puts others before campaigning or grabbing headlines. I would vote for a leader that would have compassion for the homeless, our nations veterans, the orphans, and the widows. Instead they are focused on helping special interest groups, courting big money, and being "politically correct". Our nation and world are heading down a dangerous path. BUT, remember who our REAL LEADER is. Remember the sacrifice and service he made for all of us. Remember the home he has prepared for us and the eternal life we are granted. PRAISE GOD! Jesus has saved us from all of the turmoil and selfishness of this world.

Dear Lord, Give us a spirit of humility. Give us a servant's heart. Give us compassion for our fellow man, our enemies and friends alike. We need your spirit. We need your love, mercy, and grace. Guide me in your path. Walk with me and direct my steps. Amen!