As this year closes and the New Year approaches, where you put your hope and how you have peace in the midst of these times will truly test your faith.
Isaiah 53:4-5 (King James Version)
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
As you watch this video, frame it with how we can have peace in the midst of adversity, oh and have tissue close by...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Rudder
"He went to Jared's"...You've heard the commercials. Well, the closest one around here is at The Mall of Georgia.
The boy's and I wanted to get mom something special from the three of us, so we made the journey over. Thing is, about three miles from the mall, traffic is at a dead stop. The next three miles took about 40 minutes to traverse. But it was worth it. We got mom something we hope she'll like. I am guilty for being one of the huge number that treat Christmas as a commercial holiday. However...
Jesus did not come to Earth so we would have a bunch of presents under the tree, a day off work, or a fantastic feast. He came so that we could have a relationship with the God of the Universe, and to give us a place in eternity. When he arrived on that chaotic night in the manger, he brought with him hope for you and for me. Hope that there is a God who cares. Hope that we will live with him forever. Hope that this world is not the end.
I am clinging to that hope like never before, and appreciating God's presence in the world, and in my life, like never before. We can all rejoice in the birth of Jesus, because it signals the incarnation of hope for all of us.
I hope mom likes her gift.
The boy's and I wanted to get mom something special from the three of us, so we made the journey over. Thing is, about three miles from the mall, traffic is at a dead stop. The next three miles took about 40 minutes to traverse. But it was worth it. We got mom something we hope she'll like. I am guilty for being one of the huge number that treat Christmas as a commercial holiday. However...
Jesus did not come to Earth so we would have a bunch of presents under the tree, a day off work, or a fantastic feast. He came so that we could have a relationship with the God of the Universe, and to give us a place in eternity. When he arrived on that chaotic night in the manger, he brought with him hope for you and for me. Hope that there is a God who cares. Hope that we will live with him forever. Hope that this world is not the end.
I am clinging to that hope like never before, and appreciating God's presence in the world, and in my life, like never before. We can all rejoice in the birth of Jesus, because it signals the incarnation of hope for all of us.
I hope mom likes her gift.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Rudder
If praying is hard for you, just pray like this:: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:9-10
Do you think we were instructed to pray that things on earth would be like they are in Heaven if it wasn't possible? Now at Christmastime, Jesus came here bringing gifts 2000 years ago. He came in order to penetrate this dark hopeless realm the with the light of hope. He came to bring healing to marriages, replace sadness with joy, and fill meaninglessness with purpose. He came to change things for the better for a world that had no hope outside of God.
Ever since the '05 Mustang came out, my son has expressed his desire to have one...I've always said if we are able, we'll get him one when he graduates... College. What if he just drove the gift without taking the time to learn about it? What if he didn't know he could take it out of 1st gear and go faster? Or drive it at night because it has lights?
Christ didn't come to merely give us a ticket to Heaven (a car that you drive only in the daytime at 20 miles per hour). He came to bring us much more-the Kingdom of God on earth. We, as The Church, do not exist just for Heaven, but for earth as well. The cross has a vertical line (Love God) and a horizontal one (Love your neighbor.) If it existed only for Heaven, then each of us would immediately be taken to Heaven. There would be no reason for us to remain on earth. So why has God allowed us to receive this new birth and remain on earth? It is so that we might bring the Hope of Christmas into our world-our families, our workplace, and our communities, and yes, even our enemies. Life begins at the Cross. Especially at this time of year.
Do you think we were instructed to pray that things on earth would be like they are in Heaven if it wasn't possible? Now at Christmastime, Jesus came here bringing gifts 2000 years ago. He came in order to penetrate this dark hopeless realm the with the light of hope. He came to bring healing to marriages, replace sadness with joy, and fill meaninglessness with purpose. He came to change things for the better for a world that had no hope outside of God.
Ever since the '05 Mustang came out, my son has expressed his desire to have one...I've always said if we are able, we'll get him one when he graduates... College. What if he just drove the gift without taking the time to learn about it? What if he didn't know he could take it out of 1st gear and go faster? Or drive it at night because it has lights?
Christ didn't come to merely give us a ticket to Heaven (a car that you drive only in the daytime at 20 miles per hour). He came to bring us much more-the Kingdom of God on earth. We, as The Church, do not exist just for Heaven, but for earth as well. The cross has a vertical line (Love God) and a horizontal one (Love your neighbor.) If it existed only for Heaven, then each of us would immediately be taken to Heaven. There would be no reason for us to remain on earth. So why has God allowed us to receive this new birth and remain on earth? It is so that we might bring the Hope of Christmas into our world-our families, our workplace, and our communities, and yes, even our enemies. Life begins at the Cross. Especially at this time of year.
The Rudder
Peace on earth good will toward men.
The real reason for the season. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Peace I give you not as the world knows.
Because He came, we can be confident and have peace in a peaceless world. When everything around us seems like it's falling apart...Peace He gives us.
Ps 46- 1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wlFeEtKbhM
The real reason for the season. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Peace I give you not as the world knows.
Because He came, we can be confident and have peace in a peaceless world. When everything around us seems like it's falling apart...Peace He gives us.
Ps 46- 1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wlFeEtKbhM
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Rudder
Brittney Murphy dead at the age of 32.
That was a shocker. You just never know when your time is up do you? That begs the question-Are you ready to meet your maker? Are you doing all you can do today.
There are only two days and they both start with a "T" This day and...That day. This day; today is the only one that matters.
That was a shocker. You just never know when your time is up do you? That begs the question-Are you ready to meet your maker? Are you doing all you can do today.
There are only two days and they both start with a "T" This day and...That day. This day; today is the only one that matters.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Rudder
Regrets from the past. Worries for the future what ifs. These are what feed anxious days and sleepless nights.
1 Peter 5:6-8 (New Living Translation)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Today is your only concern. Why squander the moment about what's done and gone, or may never even happen. I read somewhere that 93% of future what ifs never happen. When you can't enjoy the now because of yesterday and tomorrow it sucks and there is no joy.
By choosing to enjoy the present and live fully by casting those cares, concerns and controlling anxiety on Him, you are free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbcYyOsF50
1 Peter 5:6-8 (New Living Translation)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Today is your only concern. Why squander the moment about what's done and gone, or may never even happen. I read somewhere that 93% of future what ifs never happen. When you can't enjoy the now because of yesterday and tomorrow it sucks and there is no joy.
By choosing to enjoy the present and live fully by casting those cares, concerns and controlling anxiety on Him, you are free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbcYyOsF50
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Rudder
The 1% proposal.
As I go peruse through my journals for cool quotes, I realize many times I was so busy taking notes that I failed to notate who said what...
"The 1% marriage insurance plan-- As a couple, you need to come together on this and commit for at least 30 days, until it becomes a habbit and a lifestyle change. Everyday commit just 1% of your day to your spouse. That's just 16-24 minutes depending on if you consider a day to be 24 total hours or 16 awake hours. Take five minutes to pray, five minutes to make out, and the remainder for whatever happens next. Kids? That's what locks are for! They need to see that your spouse the most important earthly relationship"
1% may still seem like too much time to spend with your spouse working on your relationship, but then that serves to reveal just how far you have drifted apart and what you need to work on. Maybe it's the daily prayer part, maybe it's the intimacy part or maybe both? Remember three of your vows are to Love, Honor, and Cherish; I can't think of a more practical way to engage those vows...Nothing of true value comes easy, but depending on where you currently are, to move out of the rut--that journey takes effort and maybe even 2% of your time.
Jack LaLane (who must be like 100 now) recently said while being interviewed about his juice machine "I still make love to my wife three times a week." His wife then speaks up and jokingly says "Well, you try anyway."
As I go peruse through my journals for cool quotes, I realize many times I was so busy taking notes that I failed to notate who said what...
"The 1% marriage insurance plan-- As a couple, you need to come together on this and commit for at least 30 days, until it becomes a habbit and a lifestyle change. Everyday commit just 1% of your day to your spouse. That's just 16-24 minutes depending on if you consider a day to be 24 total hours or 16 awake hours. Take five minutes to pray, five minutes to make out, and the remainder for whatever happens next. Kids? That's what locks are for! They need to see that your spouse the most important earthly relationship"
1% may still seem like too much time to spend with your spouse working on your relationship, but then that serves to reveal just how far you have drifted apart and what you need to work on. Maybe it's the daily prayer part, maybe it's the intimacy part or maybe both? Remember three of your vows are to Love, Honor, and Cherish; I can't think of a more practical way to engage those vows...Nothing of true value comes easy, but depending on where you currently are, to move out of the rut--that journey takes effort and maybe even 2% of your time.
Jack LaLane (who must be like 100 now) recently said while being interviewed about his juice machine "I still make love to my wife three times a week." His wife then speaks up and jokingly says "Well, you try anyway."
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