"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
It was about this time a year ago that I got mad at God. Most you didn't know it, its not my style to publicize such a personal matter, but God and I were not on good terms. I think it's more accurate to say that I was in the wrong place, but not God.
I was at a point where I felt like I needed to be in different place and doing something different. I became angry, frustrated and and maybe a little bit confused. At times my anger may have seemed rooted in the place, but it was not, it was at God. Selfishly, I believed I needed to be somewhere else, hence God was "wrong," which mad me mad.
This season of anger lasted about the entire month of December. As the new year approached I sought counsel from other friends who had be in the ministry longer. The counsel was pretty simple: are you asking God, "How do I need to be serving God and not Jeremy?" Are you asking "do I need to learn something new, if so, let me be receptive?" and "is there something else You need to show me through someone here?"
God had more in store for me at the camp; I just needed to get over myself.
Jesus says, "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" John 16:24. I may have been praying, but I was not praying correctly, it was out of anger and my will, not His. God wanted me to surrender my anger and surrender my will to Him.
At the end of the month I decided to "let God." I was ready and willing to do whatever He asked me to do, whatever I needed to learn and seek out whoever I needed to seek out.
I was refreshed and renewed at a place I didn't think I needed to be, but really it was right where God wanted me to be.
During the next four and a half months at the camp I learned so much about God: His purposes in my life, how to serve Him better and also to serve those around me; all for His glory. I came to a better understanding that speaking His words into people's lives was part of His plan. To help equip others, encourage, and do life together. I learned to listen to the Holy Spirit, speak when prompted by God, not me.
God's plans and purposes are way beyond my feeble plans! God wants us to have a deep and rich relationship with Him. He is constantly communicating with you and I, and it's our job and responsibility to be attentive to His leading and follow.
I am thankful for my "time of anger," but more thankful I decided to surrender and allow Him to grow me!
If you're in a position where you're angry or upset with your job, yourself or maybe your family, it is time to allow God to teach you something!
Rick Warren says, "It's not about you."
Surrender your life, surrender your will and ask Him what you need to be doing. Allow Christ to rule, not YOU.
It took me almost a month to realize that I was more worried about me than I was about God. That may be where you are today.
Ask God, what do you need to be learning, how could you be serving Him and if there's someone who can help you. Begin to earnestly pray, seek Him and His will. He will lead you.
Blessings.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Church According to Acts 2:42-47 - Part 1
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching..." Acts 2:42
In Acts 2:42-47 we catch a glimpse of what the early church looked like. The word church or ekklēsia, commonly confused with a structure, is a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly (this assembly might be in a home). This group of people, know as the ekklēsia have a common denominator, their faith is in Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, "...I will build my church..." Before the word ekklēsia or church is egō. This is used as a primary pronoun of the first person; Jesus identifies the church as His (my, me, I). Our church must be founded in Him.
The example set in Acts 2:42 says they "devoted themselves". Devotion means to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing. What were they devoted to? God's word. The apostles' teaching is God's word. Most of the eyewitness heard Jesus teach and several complied His words in what we know as the Holy Bible.
Devoted to God's word. I can just imagine what this group of people did: reading and meditating on God's word morning, lunch, afternoon, evening, nightly and early hours of the morning. They had devotion to His word.
I consider some of my own devotions and confess, I am not near this devoted to God's word. I think think of a few things that get my time: Facebook, Twitter, Texting, Instagram. You may have a similar list. Consider the hours your might spend on these applications. I make attempts to reminder myself to fire my YouVerion bible app, but more often than not I slip back onto another application.
God wants you and I to rearrange our priorities as the early church in Acts 2:42 showed us. We need to devote ourselves to God's word. I heard someone say, we might be considered the generation who wasted the most time. Wow, what an indictment. Are you ready to be considered that generation? God created us for much more than mismanagement of time.
He wants you and I to have a relationship with Him. The only way we can have that is by spending time is His word. With Jesus as our foundation, we must begin to learn about Him through the word and Spirit. That's how we get to know one another, we spend time talking to one another. Devoting ourselves to God word stretches our faith, builds it up and deepens our relationship with Christ.
Ekklēsia, are you ready to devote more time to God's word?
Check back to see what else the early church did and please feel free to drop a comment with some additional insight.
Blessings.
In Acts 2:42-47 we catch a glimpse of what the early church looked like. The word church or ekklēsia, commonly confused with a structure, is a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly (this assembly might be in a home). This group of people, know as the ekklēsia have a common denominator, their faith is in Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, "...I will build my church..." Before the word ekklēsia or church is egō. This is used as a primary pronoun of the first person; Jesus identifies the church as His (my, me, I). Our church must be founded in Him.
The example set in Acts 2:42 says they "devoted themselves". Devotion means to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing. What were they devoted to? God's word. The apostles' teaching is God's word. Most of the eyewitness heard Jesus teach and several complied His words in what we know as the Holy Bible.
Devoted to God's word. I can just imagine what this group of people did: reading and meditating on God's word morning, lunch, afternoon, evening, nightly and early hours of the morning. They had devotion to His word.
I consider some of my own devotions and confess, I am not near this devoted to God's word. I think think of a few things that get my time: Facebook, Twitter, Texting, Instagram. You may have a similar list. Consider the hours your might spend on these applications. I make attempts to reminder myself to fire my YouVerion bible app, but more often than not I slip back onto another application.
God wants you and I to rearrange our priorities as the early church in Acts 2:42 showed us. We need to devote ourselves to God's word. I heard someone say, we might be considered the generation who wasted the most time. Wow, what an indictment. Are you ready to be considered that generation? God created us for much more than mismanagement of time.
He wants you and I to have a relationship with Him. The only way we can have that is by spending time is His word. With Jesus as our foundation, we must begin to learn about Him through the word and Spirit. That's how we get to know one another, we spend time talking to one another. Devoting ourselves to God word stretches our faith, builds it up and deepens our relationship with Christ.
Ekklēsia, are you ready to devote more time to God's word?
Check back to see what else the early church did and please feel free to drop a comment with some additional insight.
Blessings.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
A Man and a Baseball
Last Saturday, Landon found one of my collectible baseballs still in the plastic. This Houston Astros baseball was white with the old logo, but no signature. I thought I might put it on the shelf one day, you know, to look at. Landon said, "Dad, I want to play with this white baseball." I sternly replied, "No!"
Kari sometimes reminds me that the Holy Spirit can speak through her to me. Well on that day she said, "Jeremy, what are you going to do, put it on a shelf to let it collect dust. Go outside and play."
Considering Deuteronomy 28:1, I thought to myself, this is an opportunity to obey. I know it might seem simple or petty to some, but this baseball held me captive to a thought: maybe, just maybe I was going to do something with this baseball and it was more important than enjoying life. What might happen: I break my son's heart and take away an opportunity to play in the backyard and introduce him to a game I enjoy.
I quote I Corinthians 10:31 because I believe that this was a moment to give God the glory. Instead of putting that baseball on the shelf I got to spend time in the backyard with my son throwing, catching, laughing, and enjoying life. Thanks to Him, the giver of life!
It quickly could've turned into a missed opportunity to play baseball with my son. If I would've stuck to my guns and been bullheaded about putting the ball on the shelf, I believe I might have denied God the glory.
The Scripture says, "in whatever you do..." My initial thoughts in response to Landon we're not glorifying to God. I will not be taking that baseball to heaven with me or any other item that I might put on my shelf. I realized that I need to go outside and play baseball with this ball and treasure the moment God has given!
Are you holding onto something and not living life, denying God the glory? Take it off the shelf, dust it off, toss it around some and put some dirt on it.
Life is meant to be lived; in that recognize where it derives from and give Him all the glory...even if its just a baseball!
God bless.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Jesus Rocked the Boat!
"And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him." Luke 5:11
Jesus is in the business of rocking our boats.
Simon Peter, James and John, three of the twelve disciples, referred to in this passage "left everything" to follow Jesus (job and family). I think it is a similar call He asks you and I to follow Him; we must leave everything behind.
I can think of several things to leave behind, here are a few thoughts:
Money or Job. God wants us to rely on Him so much we must be willing to leave behind money or an amazing job.
While serving at the camp I learned it was pretty comfortable serving there: no rent, no water bill, no electricity bill. Don't get me wrong, it was hard work, but a pretty amazing job when you looked at the many ways the camp takes care of those who serve there.
We came to a place where if we wanted to followed God, obey (Deut. 28:1), we had to leave somewhere we were comfortable to serve Him right where He wanted us.
Guilt and shame. Not only does Jesus' blood cover up our iniquities, He asks us to leave it behind. Our past is taken care of by His blood, there is no reason you and I should allow Satan to use it against us. Cast out these thoughts and leave them behind, if we don't than we are disobeying His command.
Our selfish earthly selves. God wants us to be transformed! The desires of our heart must begin to change; for in His service our sensitivity to the spiritual realm must increase.
"as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
What we leave behind is the things we see and we need to begin to focus on the spiritual realm. Living for ourselves, focusing on flesh things, hinders us from following Him.
Leave it behind. Follow Him.
Our you ready to let Him rock your boat today? The call is there, "...[leave] everything and [follow] Him." How will you let go of what's holding you from surrendering all today?
My prayer is we allow ourselves to leave it and follow Jesus more today than yesterday.
Blessings.
Jesus is in the business of rocking our boats.
Simon Peter, James and John, three of the twelve disciples, referred to in this passage "left everything" to follow Jesus (job and family). I think it is a similar call He asks you and I to follow Him; we must leave everything behind.
I can think of several things to leave behind, here are a few thoughts:
Money or Job. God wants us to rely on Him so much we must be willing to leave behind money or an amazing job.
While serving at the camp I learned it was pretty comfortable serving there: no rent, no water bill, no electricity bill. Don't get me wrong, it was hard work, but a pretty amazing job when you looked at the many ways the camp takes care of those who serve there.
We came to a place where if we wanted to followed God, obey (Deut. 28:1), we had to leave somewhere we were comfortable to serve Him right where He wanted us.
Guilt and shame. Not only does Jesus' blood cover up our iniquities, He asks us to leave it behind. Our past is taken care of by His blood, there is no reason you and I should allow Satan to use it against us. Cast out these thoughts and leave them behind, if we don't than we are disobeying His command.
Our selfish earthly selves. God wants us to be transformed! The desires of our heart must begin to change; for in His service our sensitivity to the spiritual realm must increase.
"as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
What we leave behind is the things we see and we need to begin to focus on the spiritual realm. Living for ourselves, focusing on flesh things, hinders us from following Him.
Leave it behind. Follow Him.
Our you ready to let Him rock your boat today? The call is there, "...[leave] everything and [follow] Him." How will you let go of what's holding you from surrendering all today?
My prayer is we allow ourselves to leave it and follow Jesus more today than yesterday.
Blessings.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Say you have Christ, so what?
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
"So what?"
This life is meaningless without Christ and yet many parade their "faith" or attend every service, but never figure out its all about Him and not us.
If you aren't dead, I think these three phrases are accurate descriptions of loud, worthless and useless counterfeits. Not saying God cannot change them, but love comes from Him, therefore they are missing something!
What's missing?
"I have been crucified with Christ..." Galatians 2:20
The concept of death with Christ is sometimes over looked. Eternity in heaven and deliverance from hell seems to be bonus features of our faith (obviously great things), but God wants you and I to live a certain way now. He wants us to obey is words and commands.
"...It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
So what? If our death is so important, how does it look daily?
Daily we submit our countenance, attitude, mood, reactions, thoughts, self indulgences and allow Christ to rule these area of our lives. When He is doing the living, it is He who shines and receives the glory.
If others don't see Christ, than it begs the question, so what? Are you a loud, worthless and useless Christian counterfeit?
If you don't see a difference, than we need to ask the Spirit to reveal imperfections; areas of our life we have not surrendered to Him. A friend of mine calls this process identifying red flags and another calls it identifying bad seeds.
Surrender these things to Christ and begin to live in the grace and freedom that come through dying to self.
So what?
"So what?"
This life is meaningless without Christ and yet many parade their "faith" or attend every service, but never figure out its all about Him and not us.
If you aren't dead, I think these three phrases are accurate descriptions of loud, worthless and useless counterfeits. Not saying God cannot change them, but love comes from Him, therefore they are missing something!
What's missing?
"I have been crucified with Christ..." Galatians 2:20
The concept of death with Christ is sometimes over looked. Eternity in heaven and deliverance from hell seems to be bonus features of our faith (obviously great things), but God wants you and I to live a certain way now. He wants us to obey is words and commands.
"...It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
So what? If our death is so important, how does it look daily?
Daily we submit our countenance, attitude, mood, reactions, thoughts, self indulgences and allow Christ to rule these area of our lives. When He is doing the living, it is He who shines and receives the glory.
If others don't see Christ, than it begs the question, so what? Are you a loud, worthless and useless Christian counterfeit?
If you don't see a difference, than we need to ask the Spirit to reveal imperfections; areas of our life we have not surrendered to Him. A friend of mine calls this process identifying red flags and another calls it identifying bad seeds.
Surrender these things to Christ and begin to live in the grace and freedom that come through dying to self.
So what?
Are YOU dead?
"...It is no longer I who live, but Christ..." Galatians 2:20
No longer. Pretty simple, the Greek says, no longer, no more, no further. When we put in Christ, we, I, is no more.
According to the Greek, "I" is very specific (I, me, my), it does not mean anything else, no other pronoun, beside I. That is our sole responsibility to understand that it is not me doing the living, but Christ.
The word for "who live" is zaō.
To live (in Christ) means the following:
1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2) to enjoy real life
a) to have true life and worthy of the name
Real life only comes through the death of ourselves. Christ must be doing the living for us, because if we our left at the helm, that means we are in control...and you don't want me (my flesh) in charge!
To begin the day, the question is, are YOU dead?
No longer. Pretty simple, the Greek says, no longer, no more, no further. When we put in Christ, we, I, is no more.
According to the Greek, "I" is very specific (I, me, my), it does not mean anything else, no other pronoun, beside I. That is our sole responsibility to understand that it is not me doing the living, but Christ.
The word for "who live" is zaō.
To live (in Christ) means the following:
1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2) to enjoy real life
a) to have true life and worthy of the name
Real life only comes through the death of ourselves. Christ must be doing the living for us, because if we our left at the helm, that means we are in control...and you don't want me (my flesh) in charge!
To begin the day, the question is, are YOU dead?
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Concerning the Election
Jesus is Lord; no man will separate you and I from Christ.
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Watch what you say, represent Christ. May Christ in you draw people near, not push away.
"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene..." 2 Timothy 2:14-17a
Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray for our leaders, friends, and family. God knows what He is doing, even when we think we know better.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
No need to worry; take your requests before God and let Him rule, not us.
"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6
Blessings.
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Watch what you say, represent Christ. May Christ in you draw people near, not push away.
"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene..." 2 Timothy 2:14-17a
Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray for our leaders, friends, and family. God knows what He is doing, even when we think we know better.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
No need to worry; take your requests before God and let Him rule, not us.
"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6
Blessings.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
You, Me, Jesus and Zacchaeus: Part One
"He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:1-10
I found it interesting that Jericho is one of oldest continuously occupied locations on the planet. It has been dated back to between 8000-7000 BC.
In Joshua 6:20 it says, "So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city."
Most all archaeologists agree that the wall fell down and they date the destruction of the wall to the time of Joshua (1400 BC).
Jesus enters this old historic city and begins to tear down walls!
Jesus continues to spread his message in order to seek and save the lost. Verse one says he was just passing through, but Jesus is always concerned about redeeming men and women.
When I think about just passing through, I blow through a blinking light small town and get where I am going without hesitating. If I stop to get gas, that is as long as I am in town; I am just passing through. Jesus might just be passing through Jericho, but he sees it as an opportunity to minister to someone.
Do we take the time to minister to others? Our friends, our family, our brothers and sisters. Are you and I in the business of tearing down walls and living like Christ?
We can sit back and just allow our life to just pass by or we can begin to live for something more. Jesus calls Zacchaeus, you and I. He seeks to save the lost. Are you ready to come down from the tree and begin to live in Jesus?
If you already know Him, than are you waking up daily and living for Him? Lets begin to take Jesus' example and stop passing through, but tear down walls by spreading His love, His forgiveness and His grace to those we know. There is power in His name, we just need to begin to live it.
God bless.
I found it interesting that Jericho is one of oldest continuously occupied locations on the planet. It has been dated back to between 8000-7000 BC.
In Joshua 6:20 it says, "So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city."
Most all archaeologists agree that the wall fell down and they date the destruction of the wall to the time of Joshua (1400 BC).
Jesus enters this old historic city and begins to tear down walls!
Jesus continues to spread his message in order to seek and save the lost. Verse one says he was just passing through, but Jesus is always concerned about redeeming men and women.
When I think about just passing through, I blow through a blinking light small town and get where I am going without hesitating. If I stop to get gas, that is as long as I am in town; I am just passing through. Jesus might just be passing through Jericho, but he sees it as an opportunity to minister to someone.
Do we take the time to minister to others? Our friends, our family, our brothers and sisters. Are you and I in the business of tearing down walls and living like Christ?
We can sit back and just allow our life to just pass by or we can begin to live for something more. Jesus calls Zacchaeus, you and I. He seeks to save the lost. Are you ready to come down from the tree and begin to live in Jesus?
If you already know Him, than are you waking up daily and living for Him? Lets begin to take Jesus' example and stop passing through, but tear down walls by spreading His love, His forgiveness and His grace to those we know. There is power in His name, we just need to begin to live it.
God bless.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Encouraged to Mature in Christ
"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:1, 9-12God wants us to be spiritually mature in Him. It is simple to accept His gift of salvation, but to hone the fruits of the spirits, bearing fruit, is maturity in Christ. Easier said, allowing Him to rule and you and I dying to our flesh. The definition of maturity is:
- the state of being mature; ripeness.
- full development; perfected condition.
This passage compliments Galatians 5:14-17 because when asked, Christ told us in Luke 10:27 "And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
To make Hebrew 6-11-12 happen we must understand the foundation of this maturity. Galatians encourages you and I to love one another with a love the come from Christ, not man. It's love that loves in all circumstances. Offense or no offense, the love carries on.
15 warns us if we don't get this we will harm each other instead of love. Referring to community, biting hurts. We bite people sometime on purpose or not on purpose and we can respond a few ways to the bite: bite back, ignore it or forgive it. The passages communicates to not bite, but if there is a bite how do you and I respond?
I cannot love everyone, but He can. Verse 17 tells us how to love in such a way by walking in the Spirit.
"And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
God desires the we become serious about our faith in Him. Through faith and patience, we cannot do that if we do not live in the Spirit and love like Christ, not Jeremy. I don't love everyone, but He does!
God wants you and I to take serious is loving unconditionally, everyone, not biting one another and living in the Spirit. These are the ways to spiritual maturity.
Learning these things from Jesus' words, Galatians 5:14-17 draws us to Hebrew 6:11, where we are encouraged to carry on, inherit His promises through maturity in Christ.
God bless.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Graduation 2012: Texas State University
I am excited to be graduating from Texas State University. My mother, my wife, my sister in law, my little brother, two 1st cousins and many friends have all gone before me, but tomorrow is my day.
In 2006, Kari and I were dating, she looked my transcript over and said you lack 18 hours until you're done, but 10 of it is Spanish! In the fall of 2011, with a renewed excitement, I decided to delay no more; graduation was my aim.
Here we go! After all the paperwork goes through, I should have my
diploma in September (I think they mail all of them). I am ready to hang one in my office and Kari mentioned putting ours side by side at home.
I am very excited to close this chapter and proud to be a Bobcat from Texas State University - San Marcos.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged, pushed, pulled, prayed...thank you to everyone! Thank you all and all praise to the Lord.
God bless.
In 2006, Kari and I were dating, she looked my transcript over and said you lack 18 hours until you're done, but 10 of it is Spanish! In the fall of 2011, with a renewed excitement, I decided to delay no more; graduation was my aim.
Here we go! After all the paperwork goes through, I should have my
diploma in September (I think they mail all of them). I am ready to hang one in my office and Kari mentioned putting ours side by side at home.
I am very excited to close this chapter and proud to be a Bobcat from Texas State University - San Marcos.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged, pushed, pulled, prayed...thank you to everyone! Thank you all and all praise to the Lord.
God bless.
Monday, August 06, 2012
Where's Your Mind?
the mind: 1) the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring 2) understanding 3) mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking and feeling 4) thoughts, either good or bad
"And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God...with all your mind..." Luke 10:27 (edited for focus)
God has been teaching me about the importance of "getting your mind right!" Jesus is quoted above, concerning the greatest command, which also includes four other parts. What if we loved the Lord our God with all our minds?
We allow so much garbage into our minds; a comprehensive list might take days. I thought of a few things that may consume our minds: what I think about myself, what I think about others, what I think others are thinking about me, deciding to cave under peer pressure, music tunes and lyrics, images from print to web, the latest movie star, boy band, TV show, Justin Bieber, magazine advertisements, philosophies, politics, sports, facebook, twitter and more and more clutter.
And this is only a small list. Consider all the things you put into your mind.
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
We must prepare our minds. Prior to this passage in 6 and 7 we are encouraged to, ..."walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith..." If He is in us, than we need to become like Him. If I am cluttering my mind with just this short list, how can I walk in Him, or become rooted. If my faith is not established in Him, where is my faith?
Jesus wants to reveal Himself to you and I and this passage is clear, our minds must be on Him in order for this to happen.
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8
Concerning thoughts of the day, the encouragement continues, "...no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit..." It is easy to jump on the latest moral philosophy bandwagon and seem to Christianize or think it is Christ-like, but more often then not we can get caught up in something that is not in Him.
The world is out to deceive. John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." We must be on guard and weigh everything that enters our minds against scripture.
Where's your mind?
God bless.
"And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God...with all your mind..." Luke 10:27 (edited for focus)
God has been teaching me about the importance of "getting your mind right!" Jesus is quoted above, concerning the greatest command, which also includes four other parts. What if we loved the Lord our God with all our minds?
We allow so much garbage into our minds; a comprehensive list might take days. I thought of a few things that may consume our minds: what I think about myself, what I think about others, what I think others are thinking about me, deciding to cave under peer pressure, music tunes and lyrics, images from print to web, the latest movie star, boy band, TV show, Justin Bieber, magazine advertisements, philosophies, politics, sports, facebook, twitter and more and more clutter.
And this is only a small list. Consider all the things you put into your mind.
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
We must prepare our minds. Prior to this passage in 6 and 7 we are encouraged to, ..."walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith..." If He is in us, than we need to become like Him. If I am cluttering my mind with just this short list, how can I walk in Him, or become rooted. If my faith is not established in Him, where is my faith?
Jesus wants to reveal Himself to you and I and this passage is clear, our minds must be on Him in order for this to happen.
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8
Concerning thoughts of the day, the encouragement continues, "...no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit..." It is easy to jump on the latest moral philosophy bandwagon and seem to Christianize or think it is Christ-like, but more often then not we can get caught up in something that is not in Him.
The world is out to deceive. John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." We must be on guard and weigh everything that enters our minds against scripture.
Where's your mind?
God bless.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
He is Ruler over All
Kari called me today and exclaimed, "I got the job!"
I am so proud of my wife for being obedient to the Lord and following through with an opportunity He laid before us.
This coming school year she will start teaching 3rd grade at Bremond Elementary. She is so excited!
As I spoke to my dad on the phone today he said, "Do you realize everything He has done for you to take care of y'all since the beginning?"
I can just imagine all the things we can see and even shared a few in a previous post, but what about all that we can't see.
One of my favorite verses in 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
We live in a world a spiritual where God takes care of EVERYTHING, seen and unseen.
We give Him all glory and praise today for continuing to show Kari, my family, our friends and I that He provides when those who follow Him listen, trust and obey.
It's been an amazing faith jump so far and we continue to look forward to all the things to come.
Thank you all for your prayers and love. God bless.
I am so proud of my wife for being obedient to the Lord and following through with an opportunity He laid before us.
This coming school year she will start teaching 3rd grade at Bremond Elementary. She is so excited!
As I spoke to my dad on the phone today he said, "Do you realize everything He has done for you to take care of y'all since the beginning?"
I can just imagine all the things we can see and even shared a few in a previous post, but what about all that we can't see.
One of my favorite verses in 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
We live in a world a spiritual where God takes care of EVERYTHING, seen and unseen.
We give Him all glory and praise today for continuing to show Kari, my family, our friends and I that He provides when those who follow Him listen, trust and obey.
It's been an amazing faith jump so far and we continue to look forward to all the things to come.
Thank you all for your prayers and love. God bless.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Just a Glimpse of Our Journey
When God called us to start something new in Bremond, we didn't know what it would look like. A church member asked, "what will you do to provide for your family." My response, "He is our provider and we have to trust that."
It has been an amazing month of serving Him at FBC and in our obedience, the way He provides. Here is just a glimpse of a few of the ways He has already provided.
To start, God provided a place for us to live for just utilities. What a blessing! We are so thankful for the couple who have been willing to allow us to live in their home.
God seemed to open the door for me to work at the school as a teachers aid. It was a good opportunity, but something about it just didn't seem right with the Lord. We decided God was telling me to decline the job. I declined the job at the school and another opportunity presented itself.
The church decided to offer me the cleaning position at the church. I started in July.
On July 4th we got a call from a church member who knew there was going to be an opening at the elementary because she was resigning. She said God put Kari's name her heart and that she would be willing to recommend Kari.
We prayed and God revealed to us this opportunity was indeed from Him.
She resigned, Monday, yesterday and the principal contacted Kari yesterday. She has an interview today, in fact as I write she is at the school!
Please pray for us now. Kari, as she interviews. For our ministry in Bremond. The people of Bremond. And that the gospel would be real to all those we get to know!
God bless.
It has been an amazing month of serving Him at FBC and in our obedience, the way He provides. Here is just a glimpse of a few of the ways He has already provided.
To start, God provided a place for us to live for just utilities. What a blessing! We are so thankful for the couple who have been willing to allow us to live in their home.
God seemed to open the door for me to work at the school as a teachers aid. It was a good opportunity, but something about it just didn't seem right with the Lord. We decided God was telling me to decline the job. I declined the job at the school and another opportunity presented itself.
The church decided to offer me the cleaning position at the church. I started in July.
On July 4th we got a call from a church member who knew there was going to be an opening at the elementary because she was resigning. She said God put Kari's name her heart and that she would be willing to recommend Kari.
We prayed and God revealed to us this opportunity was indeed from Him.
She resigned, Monday, yesterday and the principal contacted Kari yesterday. She has an interview today, in fact as I write she is at the school!
Please pray for us now. Kari, as she interviews. For our ministry in Bremond. The people of Bremond. And that the gospel would be real to all those we get to know!
God bless.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
"Mom, I smell something."
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
One of Landon's favorite questions is, "Mom, I smell something." No question mark, but he is asking what's that smell. Logan recently picked up, "chick'n hous, euu-we!" (translation: chicken houses).
Smells for our almost 3 and 2 year old are huge. Their little noses pick up on everything. When Kari puts her feet up in the car Landon says, "Mom, your feet stink." Logan says, "Whts dhat?"
My little nose picks up on a lot too. If you are around me long enough and we eat together, you might notice I smell my food and beverages. I don't know when and where I started it and maybe it's habit that I smell whatever goes into my mouth first, but why wouldn't you, it might be bad!
Good smells versus bad smells; that's what 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 referring to. If the boys smell something good, they say something. If the boys smell something bad, they say something either. What do you do when you smell something good versus bad? (go on, smell you computer screen).
Our aroma is HUGE. If we are not permeating Christ, than death is our stench. If we are permeating Christ, then life is our smell. Only by Christ's rule and reign of our lives (everything about it) and constant surrender, do we achieve this good smell.
Good smells start with our face. If our face is not surrendered to Christ than it might look sour, unpleasant, strained, stressed or unwelcoming. Our face welcomes those around us with a smile and welcoming eyes.
Become aware of the scent you are permeating, God's word says it can bring life or death.
God bless.
One of Landon's favorite questions is, "Mom, I smell something." No question mark, but he is asking what's that smell. Logan recently picked up, "chick'n hous, euu-we!" (translation: chicken houses).
Smells for our almost 3 and 2 year old are huge. Their little noses pick up on everything. When Kari puts her feet up in the car Landon says, "Mom, your feet stink." Logan says, "Whts dhat?"
My little nose picks up on a lot too. If you are around me long enough and we eat together, you might notice I smell my food and beverages. I don't know when and where I started it and maybe it's habit that I smell whatever goes into my mouth first, but why wouldn't you, it might be bad!
Good smells versus bad smells; that's what 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 referring to. If the boys smell something good, they say something. If the boys smell something bad, they say something either. What do you do when you smell something good versus bad? (go on, smell you computer screen).
Our aroma is HUGE. If we are not permeating Christ, than death is our stench. If we are permeating Christ, then life is our smell. Only by Christ's rule and reign of our lives (everything about it) and constant surrender, do we achieve this good smell.
Good smells start with our face. If our face is not surrendered to Christ than it might look sour, unpleasant, strained, stressed or unwelcoming. Our face welcomes those around us with a smile and welcoming eyes.
Become aware of the scent you are permeating, God's word says it can bring life or death.
God bless.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Welcome to Bremond!
"You are moving to a huge mission field..." Brother Stan on the community and area we serve in.
Beginning our third week living in the Bremond area and serving at First Baptist Church Bremond, we have already been blessed by some many people in some many different ways.
The blessings started with the moving crew who helped us get from Highland Lakes Camp to Bremond. It was an amazing picture of Christ like servant hood right on our front lawn, storage building unload and getting us into our temporary residence. Amazing!
We live by an amazing couple who have blessed us. They love the boys so much and the boys love them. We see them almost daily and between the cows and frogs Landon and Logan our learning to live a little differently and it's a blast!
Not forgetting all the others who have blessed us through prayer, time, money, food and just an encouraging word, thanks to each of you. It's been amazing to see how God provides.
Upon serving, the immediate need has been working with the student ministry. Our first Wednesday night 22 attended. Nothing I did or said drew these students to church, but the new facility built by the church to reach the community seems to have drawn interest from the students. It's a great opportunity to share and teach the gospel to many who might not have heard it. I'd say the church identified a way to reach the community and it has become a vessel in which the Lord is given glory and honor.
Pray for the students as they begin their summer.
Pray for Kari and I as we allow God to use us in our new community.
Some job opportunities have popped up on the radar (I currently serve part-time). Please be praying that whatever other income and housing God has in store for us, we would recognize and follow Him.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support. God bless.
Beginning our third week living in the Bremond area and serving at First Baptist Church Bremond, we have already been blessed by some many people in some many different ways.
The blessings started with the moving crew who helped us get from Highland Lakes Camp to Bremond. It was an amazing picture of Christ like servant hood right on our front lawn, storage building unload and getting us into our temporary residence. Amazing!
We live by an amazing couple who have blessed us. They love the boys so much and the boys love them. We see them almost daily and between the cows and frogs Landon and Logan our learning to live a little differently and it's a blast!
Not forgetting all the others who have blessed us through prayer, time, money, food and just an encouraging word, thanks to each of you. It's been amazing to see how God provides.
Upon serving, the immediate need has been working with the student ministry. Our first Wednesday night 22 attended. Nothing I did or said drew these students to church, but the new facility built by the church to reach the community seems to have drawn interest from the students. It's a great opportunity to share and teach the gospel to many who might not have heard it. I'd say the church identified a way to reach the community and it has become a vessel in which the Lord is given glory and honor.
Pray for the students as they begin their summer.
Pray for Kari and I as we allow God to use us in our new community.
Some job opportunities have popped up on the radar (I currently serve part-time). Please be praying that whatever other income and housing God has in store for us, we would recognize and follow Him.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support. God bless.
Monday, May 07, 2012
What does God have for You?
"I have found that there are 3 stages in every great work of God: 1st, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done." - H. Taylor
God is in the business of asking His people to do crazy things. They may not be crazy to Him, but certainly there are times when man just believes its crazy.
Moses left his native country of Ur to seek the promiseland.
David danced naked in the streets.
Noah built a big boat and was delivered from a huge flood (see Evan Almighty for a similar telling of the story).
Jesus healed and raised the dead hundreds of times.
God delivered Paul from being the hated and feared Christian murderer.
Story after story reveal that God is in the business of doing crazy things.
My family and I continue this crazy journey and follow Him to serve in a little town named Bremond. Most of you will google map it and some won't care, but it is a crazy scary time for us.
God is about to do some more crazy in our lives and we are looking forward to seeing what's in store.
What's the Lord told you to do lately that might look crazy to man? Share Christ with your neighbor? Help a stranger? Smile at someone you might have ignored before?
If you have a crazy God story, share in a comment below.
Keep us in your prayers as we seek after the exact location He would have us live
God bless.
God is in the business of asking His people to do crazy things. They may not be crazy to Him, but certainly there are times when man just believes its crazy.
Moses left his native country of Ur to seek the promiseland.
David danced naked in the streets.
Noah built a big boat and was delivered from a huge flood (see Evan Almighty for a similar telling of the story).
Jesus healed and raised the dead hundreds of times.
God delivered Paul from being the hated and feared Christian murderer.
Story after story reveal that God is in the business of doing crazy things.
My family and I continue this crazy journey and follow Him to serve in a little town named Bremond. Most of you will google map it and some won't care, but it is a crazy scary time for us.
God is about to do some more crazy in our lives and we are looking forward to seeing what's in store.
What's the Lord told you to do lately that might look crazy to man? Share Christ with your neighbor? Help a stranger? Smile at someone you might have ignored before?
If you have a crazy God story, share in a comment below.
Keep us in your prayers as we seek after the exact location He would have us live
God bless.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Winds of Change
Over the past four months Kari and I have felt like change was coming. So much so, that I told a friend, "if the Lord doesn't move us before the summer, its going to be after summer." It was that evident that something was about to happen, I just didn't know when and where it would look like.
Earlier in the month I called and spoke with Bro. Stan of First Baptist Church Bremond. We chatted about their youth minister leaving and he asked me if I knew someone who might be interested. I replied, "I am." He asked for my resume and the roller coaster began with that phone call.
Another excited note: little did I know FBC Bremond had been praying for someone to call them. I normally see Bro. Stan once a year and had never spoke to him on the phone. The Lord had laid that church on my heart and I was obedient to follow His instructions. It was excited to hear about their prayer and realize that God had His hand in all of these things from the beginning. I encourage you to be obedient to the Lord, you never know what He has in store for you.
Sunday, April 22, we went in view of a call to FBC Bremond and I was able to share what God has been doing in our lives and the calling He has placed on us. We had a little fun, I opened with a fun game and proceeded to tell the body what the Lord had laid on my heart. It was awesome. We closed the service with a Q&A time and I was able to field several of the church bodies questions. The body voted unanimously and we accepted the positon as Family Pastor at the church.
Kari and I are very excited about the move. I would call it bitter sweet, because our time at Highland Lakes Camp has been amazing. We serve alongside some amazing people and will be sad to leave them, but we are excited about the new chapter God has in store.
Please be praying about our housing situation in Bremond. We really believe we should be in the town, but are still searching for housing. Also be praying for the camp as it prepares for the summer.
We are so thankful for all the many prayers and support we have already received.
God Bless.
Earlier in the month I called and spoke with Bro. Stan of First Baptist Church Bremond. We chatted about their youth minister leaving and he asked me if I knew someone who might be interested. I replied, "I am." He asked for my resume and the roller coaster began with that phone call.
Another excited note: little did I know FBC Bremond had been praying for someone to call them. I normally see Bro. Stan once a year and had never spoke to him on the phone. The Lord had laid that church on my heart and I was obedient to follow His instructions. It was excited to hear about their prayer and realize that God had His hand in all of these things from the beginning. I encourage you to be obedient to the Lord, you never know what He has in store for you.
Sunday, April 22, we went in view of a call to FBC Bremond and I was able to share what God has been doing in our lives and the calling He has placed on us. We had a little fun, I opened with a fun game and proceeded to tell the body what the Lord had laid on my heart. It was awesome. We closed the service with a Q&A time and I was able to field several of the church bodies questions. The body voted unanimously and we accepted the positon as Family Pastor at the church.
Kari and I are very excited about the move. I would call it bitter sweet, because our time at Highland Lakes Camp has been amazing. We serve alongside some amazing people and will be sad to leave them, but we are excited about the new chapter God has in store.
Please be praying about our housing situation in Bremond. We really believe we should be in the town, but are still searching for housing. Also be praying for the camp as it prepares for the summer.
We are so thankful for all the many prayers and support we have already received.
God Bless.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)