Runners To The Ready!!!

FEAR!!!

2005-04-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

Okay fellow bloggers and readers,

I have a question to post to you as I am finding it difficult to grasp something of the old testament.

What does it mean to "Fear God?" I am not sure I have the answer. What do you all think?

The bible tells us to fear God and he who fears God will do his commands and so on. So again, what does it truly mean to fear God?

I Get the Idea!!!

2005-04-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

First, let me say, I have returned to the blogging world. I had endeavored to read through psalms and found that I could not get motivated to read it for anything. I never thought I would say that about psalms, but after reading through the first half of them, I had heard enough of "Lord, save me," and "The wicked..." or "why are you far from me..." and so on. It was wrather quit annoying!!!

But than I had to take a step back and really think about what I was reading and the lesson that God was showing me. You see, that is what we do to God all the time. We always come before him wanting, whining, demanding, wailing, and so on of Him and often we forget to praise Him. Yet he wants us to do that anyway. He also wants our praises but he is our father who is willing to sit there in his Devine chair and listen to the burden of our hearts, our wants and our desires, our strifes and our pains, but we need to tell him about our joys and our happiness and praise the works of his hands as well.

I reallize that I have a patience issue that I need to work on, not that I can ever reach God's level, but I must "run the good race," attempting to be as Christ-like in this matter as possible. The verse that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 13:4, "Love is patient, love is kind..."

Lord I come before you and ask for patience. Patience to wait on your will, patience to hear people out, patience to remeber that which you have done for me, and Lord I am soo thankful for all that you have done for me. In Jesus Name.

God Gave Me a Word

2005-03-28T22:46:00.000-08:00

To My Beloved Family in Christ Jesus,

I come before you today in the name of Christ Jesus, in remembrance of what he has done for us and of the promise that this holiday grants each and every one of us who call on the name of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Every year there are three days that we commemorate; Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter, and they are not just holidays meant for merry making but they are special days where we are to remember the sacrifice that was made for us.
Christmas is significant because it is the day that Jesus the Christ, our savior, was born God in the flesh. Luke 2:9-11, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today, in the town of David, a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
That is the miracle and the gift of Christmas. Many people doubt the signs that were given and their hearts are hardened by what their expectations were, which limits what God can do in their eyes whether they realize it or not. You see, not only was Christ heralded by John the Baptist, he was also announced by the angles, the three Wisemen, feared by the Roman dictator Herod, David, Isaiah and so on, and so on, and so on. Christ alone fulfilled something like eighty three separate prophecies in the Old Testament, what those of us who are Israelites, in the Old Testament sense, would call the Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim. Which today we translate as; the Pentateuch or the five books of Moses, The book of Writings, and The Book of Prophecy.
Yet what of Good Friday, what is this you ask. Many of us who believe in Christ know, but there are some who do not. Good Friday is the day that Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples, beaten with 39 lashes, the maximum allowed under the Roman law at the time, with instruments that would gouge the flesh and make the hair on the back of your neck curl. He was then forced to carry his cross to the site where the Romans where to crucify him. He was without food already for three days, was probably dehydrated, having nothing to sustain him, yet he was forced to carry this cross that probably weighed more then most of us can even consider lifting. He was then laid on that cross to have three nails, though they were probably closer to stakes, the length of one of our 20 ounce soda bottles driven through his hands and his feet. Once they lifted that cross, the only thing holding him up there where those nails. This kind of death was designed to cause the most pain and suffering possible and usually lasted for several days. Yet this painful an excruciating hanging was not what wounded Jesus most. It was what he was going to the cross for, every sin, every hurt, every wrong that we have committed to one another, to friends, family, acquaintances, people we have cheated in someway or another, anyone with whom we have come in contact and then those we have not as well. He took the all this yet the gravest sin he took was sin itself, sin in the purest sense, separation from God. We hear this in some of the last words he says, “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachtani,” which translates, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” But even unto death he was in control of his life. The bible tells us that Christ was on that cross for just a few hours. Yet how do we know that he was in control of that as God in the flesh? His last words on that cross were, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Then it was finished, Christ breathed his last breath on that cross. Yet something else powerful
happened as well. “The curtain to the tabernacle was ripped in two.” Why is that important? Because it signifies that the Law of Moses has been full filled, that now, we no longer to go through the leaders of the temple to talk to God, to seek repentance, forgiveness, and redemption, we can now, talk directly to God through Christ Jesus, laying all our burdens down at his feet. Hold on a moment, I am getting a little ahead of myself.
You see, there is one more thing that you should know first. Easter is celebrated throughout history because it is the day the Christ rose from the grave!!! “But when they entered they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men whose clothes gleamed like lightening stood beside them…Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” Luke 24:3-6.
That is the promise that we remember, that there is everlasting life through Jesus Christ our God, life beyond what we serve in preparation for on this earth, life of peace and everlasting joy where we will be able to bask in the glory of our God for tens of thousands of years. There is life through forgiveness, forgiveness to be found through Jesus. Anyone who thinks their burden is too great or to small, must think again. Every whip, every lash, every scorn, every thorn, everything that Jesus went through while still on earth, was for the sole purpose of bridging the gap of our sin to the Father’s holiness. By definition, if we have sin in our lives, be it large or small, then we cannot have a relationship with God…that is under the Old Testament. Yet God foresaw this problem and created a means through which we could have a restored relationship with him, and that is through Christ Jesus, the Messiah. All we have to do to return to God is to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, and ask him to forgive us of the transgressions of our past. That’s it!!! What an awesome privilege it is to carry everything to Christ. Wont you join me if you have not already?
To those of you who are already believers, you may wonder why I have taken the time to go through all of this, which most of us already know and I honestly cannot tell you why except that God placed these words on my mind at 3:00 this very morning and I was compelled to. Can you think of any better reason? I sure can’t!
I wish you all a very Happy Easter and I pray that the Lord is not only with you, that you are with him as well. I have been so very blessed by each and ever one of you that I fear that my words are not adequate enough to express my appreciation and my love for you all. Once again, Happy Easter to you all.
With love in Christ who was resurrected on this glorious day

A Glimpse at the Heart of Hearts

2005-03-22T21:31:00.000-08:00

As I am sitting here, trapped in my thinking about a special someone, wanting only to hold her and be held, I think of all that God has done for us and what he has shownus in so many different ways that we have yet to stand back and understand. At the root of this blog this night is Love. What does it mean to love? I have never eally stopped to think about it, brought up in this world by someone whose heart is calloused and has never truelly known love. Yet, I am writing this note with the gal to think I have? No, I say to you that I am merely contemplating what I know based on experience and knowledge from the Bible.

But how would I define love? Wrather, by what actions would I define love? Love is the desire to reach out and hold someone, to bring someone close to you who complements who you are to complete who you are. Love is wanting to sacrifice for the other, wanting to protect the other, wanting to care for the other... and so on. But there is so much more that comes to mind here and that is what purpose God created love for.

He wanted us to Love him unconditionally yet we place conditions. He gave us free will to choose him or the dark road. His love is that of one never giving up hope that someday, one who is lost will return home. How many times does God reach out for us onl wanting us to reach out for him? How often do we fail to run to him to want to embrace the father that he is? Jesus in his time spent much time on the individual, how muc more does or father in heaven wish to do the same?

My heart and my mind are twirling through a whirlwind of thoughts about this love, the love of the father, the love of others around us, and the love of someone special. What are your thoughts? Have I lost it, or am I just lost to it?

Why are you far from me God?

2005-03-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

In my alarm I said,
"I am cut off from your sight!"
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
When I called to you for help.

How can this be? How often do I think something like, "God, I don't know why you are far from me now..." I simply must take a step back and remember that when I think he is not there, that is when he is making himself most visible, that is if I open my eyes wide enough to see his grace and my heart wide enough to accept it. I always tell people about the foot prints in the sand and how God is carrying them and I believe that, yet when it comes to me, I say, he is not doing that becasue I deserve it not. Yet I know that is foolishness because His majesty is so wonderous and so divine that he sent his own son, his own son!!!, down to the cross so that he could have a realtionship with me. Makes me step back and think, how about you?

A Response of the Heart

2005-03-11T00:43:00.000-08:00

I just read Thomas' blog and I have to take a step back and do some thinking and digesting. First, Thomas, thank you for making your heart so transparent for us. I think you should all take a moment to read his blog at www.tribelog.blogspot.com .

Now my response...
...I have to wonder how many of us have missed or have very little regard for out parents. I thnk back and all I can say about my dad and is that we have a business relationship and nothing more. I have never been able to confide in him and I guess that his past relationships have pushed me away rather than brining me closer to him. Truth be told that I have had a better relationship with most of his former wives than with him. Why this is I am not sure. Hearing what Thomas had to say about how he feels about his family and the kind of relationship that they have, I step back and hope and pray that when the time comes, that I will have a family that is that close. Granted that there are hard times, what I mean is that I would like to be approachable by my kids and my wife. I do not just wanted to be business but I want them to be able to confide in me, to trust that my love is great for them and I need to ake sure that I have the staunch will and the courage to let them know always simple things like "I Love you." So you see why my wheel are turning...and this is not ment for a sob story but I do a question to pose to you married people, people with kids, and people in dating relationships. If you do not fit into the category above then I would add your family as well.

The question is this: How often did your parents tell you that they loved you, how do you think that shaped you and do you tell either your family, spouse, girlfriend...that you love them enough? How often is enough? How often is too little? God gave us all hearts with the capacity to love and I cahllenge you all, myself included, to make known your love to other people. God is perfect love, and through him, we can truelly show what it means to love and be loved to a world lost and decrepid in modern day relativism.

"For God so loved the world..." John 3:16
"Love is patient, love is kind..." 1 Corinthians 13:7
"Love the Lord thy God..." Duet. 6:5
"Love your neighbor..." Mattehw 19:19b

Just barely a scratch over the multiple verses speaking of love in the bible. So what do you all think? How have all your past experiences shaped that decision?

Father God, give us the wisdom, courage, and words to tell our family and others about our great love for them, we pray this so that we may create a relationship similar to that of you and your son. Your words say "I and the father are one. He is in me and I am in him." WE ask that surely as you are in each one of us, you will help us to make visible our love for others. Thank You Jesus for going to the cross for our sins in order that we may love, and thank you father God for sending your one and only son that we may become sons and daughtes through your son. I Him name we pray.

Blameless in the Site of the Lord

2005-03-07T03:10:00.000-08:00

"Vindiacte me, O Lord,

For I have led a blameless life;

I have trusted in the Lord

Without wavering.

Test me, O Lord, and try me

examine my heart and my mind;

For yoru love is ever before me,

And I walk continually in your truth.

I do not sit with deceitful men

Nor do I consrot with hypocrites;

I abhor the assembly of evil doers

and refuse to sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence,

And go about your altar, O Lord,

Proclaiming aloud your praise

And telling of your wonderful deeds.

I love the house where you live, O Lord,

The place where your glory dwells."

Psalm 26:1-8

To know that David could be blameless in the eyes of God and free of sin. It is amazing that God granted David foregiveness for his sins and yet, even though David broke every commandment EXCEPT "Love the Lord your God," God still called him a man agfter his own heart. God then provided us with a way. The only way to him. The ultimate sacrifice., Jesus Christ. Yet there is something I noticed about this psalma dnt aht is that David stays far from all of those who are not of God, while we are commissioned, through Jesus Christ, to go to those same type of people and share the Gospel, that is that our sins have been paid for and all you have to do to gather that payment is to seek out Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. How awesome is that?

Lord I pray that you would fill me and others with the an itch Lord, a constant itch that is satisfied only with sharing your word with other s and giving our testimonies that we may be used to enlarge your kingdom. Grants us the courage and increase our faith to be able to do just that. Thank You Lord.

What is "Love"

2005-03-05T03:16:00.000-08:00

"The word love is often abused these days. It is used in the context of close, cozy feelings; of ecstatic, exuberant sexual passion; and of conditional commitments. From the Christian point of view, what is this thing called love? How do we get it and how can we give it awa to others who need it?

Complete the following sentence; I feel mpst ;pved when another person (a) gives me a hug (b) bring me a hot meal when I'm sick, (c) really tunes in and listens to me, (d) Shares him or herself, (e) gently confronts me in an area where I need help. (g) {Fill in the space with your thoughts and meditate on them}" Spiritual Gift by Hazzel Offner

I think this is a good question for all of us to ask our selves and to think about. Who are we and what is God's design for us to learn of the love he gives and we are able to give others eternity once again.

The Lord's Staff

2005-03-04T03:01:00.000-08:00

"Good and upright is the LORD ;
Therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
And teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
For those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, O LORD ,
Forgive my iniquity, though it is great. "

Psalm 25:8-11

The Lord uses his staff, the staff of a shephard, to lead us, His sheep, to a right relationship with him. If we willingly comebefore him, desiring a relationship with him, he guides us and prods us along the right corridor or the right path. He gives us the knowledge we need to know the difference between His ways and ours. It is then our step to decide to folow in the foot steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Are you ready/ I am.

Lord Jesus, lead on and I will follow. I pray Lord that all of us would be able to follow the path you have laid before us and allow us the wisdom and courage to follow in your footsteps. In Jesus' name.

Clean Hands an Pure Heart

2005-03-03T04:51:00.001-08:00

"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who does not lift up his soul to an idol
Or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
And vindication from God his Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
Who seek your face, O God of Jacob"

Psalm 24:3-6

When I read these words, I cannot help but sit back and shake my head in shame and wonder at what the Lord has done for us. I know that if not for the grace of God and his son Jesus Christ I would not be able to ascend that Holy hill that is God's. How many of us have idol's or impure hearts or... that would set us apart from God? I know that I do and that I have to continually turn everything over to Him, it is His anyway and I must learn to be a better custodian for that which he has provided for me. Do I really have much in the way of idols? No. Yet, is there something that happens in my life that takes precedence over him? I think for me, I fail to come to him in all situautions and to spend time with him on a regular basis. Yes, this blog is one of those ways that I spend time with the Lord, but we all must be careful, I include, that we do not let this be our only time with Him.

Lord, my prayer is that we would all, myself included, would be able to include you more in our lives. That we would be able to bring you into our day at the very beginning and that we would keep you with us throughout the day.

Defining "Sex" as a Christian aught to see it

2005-03-03T00:41:00.000-08:00

"We need to do a better job at defining sex as chritians."

Okay everyone, ready for more controversie?!?!
You said the words Thomas so I will ask everyone the question.
Y'all ready?

As Christians, what does "sex" mean? What is sex, what actions are considered sex, and which actions are not?

I ask these questions because there are many people out there these days who have no idea what the difference is and assume that as long as someone does not get pregnant, than anything goes. We know that is not biblically sound, so let us define what sex is and so educate this generation and the generation of believers that will be having those same questions and who will need to know the truth as God sees it. Those of you who are parents and answering, call this preparation for when your kids get older. :)

This also is challenging me to attack the bible and dig out everything God's word has to say about it. give me some time on that but it will come.

Until then, lets get going.

Boundaries

2005-02-28T23:23:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

WHile I am talking about datind and the like, I though I would get your ideas on what clear boundaries are. I have made up my mind and have defined what they are for me. I was just wondering what they might be for you all.

My boundaries say there is no physical intimacy until the alter when the words "I Do" are uttered by both parties. That is no sex, no kissing and so on until marriage. The only exception is hugs.

That is something that lets someone know you care without getting compromising in God's eyes.

So what are or where your boundaries?

The Knight of God's Table

2005-02-28T05:12:00.000-08:00

" This God--his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? The God who girded me with strength, and made my way safe. He made my feet like hinds' feet, and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand supported me, and thy help made me great. Thou didst give a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." (Psalm 18:30-36)

when I was reading this, I had to step back and think about it as it applies to us today. There is much here that is a promise to us as well as an encouragement. First, God is our shield and promises to be our shield if we take our peace in Him. Second, He is our firm foundation that cannot be broken. Third, God strengthens us to do His work wahtever that may be. This next part though, try to envision. He trains us, builds us up in our strength in Him, privides us with the bronze bow of truth, the Holy word of God, Gives us a shield that says "Saved by the blood of Jesus Christ," Lends us His right hand of power, and then holds us up so we will not falter. talk about the strength we could gain from the Lord our God if we simply trusted enough in Him. I am girding my armor of salvation nd trusting God to guide my feet. Will you do the same with me?

Questions of the Inexperienced

2005-02-27T22:08:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and dolls,

I have a question to pose for all of you. There is someone in my lief who is very special to me and I would like to pursue a realtionship with her that may lead to getting married. How do I begin? I know it is rather open ended and vague, but I did that for a reason. I have my ideas, but what do y'all think?

Battle of the Mind

2005-02-27T02:55:00.002-08:00

"How long, O Lord?

Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

And every day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?"

(Psalm 13:1-2)

Ho many of us have ever felt like David did at this time? I know that often or at least it seems like it is often when it happens that I struggle with just the same type of things that David struggle with. Some times when we are going through life and one thing after another happens that really hinders out ability to see what God is doing in our lives and to see the things that are in our lives that are interfering with our relationship with him. I know for me right now, that started out being my current job that I really do not like, yet God has used this time for me to be able to focus on Him. The sorrow that I feel in my heart is that I am not able at this time to spend much time with my family, that is with my family in Christ. Since I have taken this job, I have had to give up a couple of different bible studies and the opportunity for socializing more with people after these various studies or events. OUr enemy, the one we all face, is Satan. He is constantly trying to pull me down from my realtionship with God. I have been pushed and prodded in several different ways and though I am able to refuse through Christ, there is always one or two things that break through our defenses and set me back at square one. It seems that this happens most when things are unsettled for me. Over all though, I focus on "trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding." Or the foot prins in the sand, that when it seems as God is non existant, know that he is probably carrying you through your problems though you cannot decipher between everything you are facing. "The Lord is my shephard." Will you let him be yours too?

That Which Sustains

2005-02-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me form his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again becasue the Lord sustains me."
(Psalm 3:3-5)

.
.
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." He gives us the breath to breathe. he is our daily bread. We cannot live life without him. So why do we try? Toooften I find that I am stuck in a rut where I think that I can make many small decisions throughout my daily life anf I bring only the big stuff to God, yet I find that the more and more that I do this, the deeper and deeper I get into trouble. Now I find myself in a situation that I do not really care for in many different ways. I have had to give up much simply to pay the bills and I know that there is more to life more purpose than that. I am learning to trust God on a different level. I am learning to put everything before him becasue if I try to so it myself, I will fall flat on my face. As it is, I am struggling to recover from my last fall and it will take some time. "The Lord is my shephard" I place myself in his capable hands and I pray that he would grant me the grace and the wisdom for thinking I can do most of it myself and the wisdom to know I cannot, the courage to take action and cahrge after what he has placed in front of me.

So let me ask you, Where do you need to trust the Lord more?

For You and Me "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachtani?"

2005-02-25T01:27:00.000-08:00

"The diadem of pain

which sliced your gentle face,

three spike pierces flesh and wood

to hold you in your place.

The need for blood I understand

Your sacrifice I embrace.

But the bitter sponge, the cutting spear,

the spit upon your face?

Did it have to be a cross?

Did not a kindeer death exist

then six hours hanging between life and death,

All spurred by a betrayer's kiss?

'Oh, Father' you pose,

heart-stilled at what could be,

'I'm sorry to ask, but I long to know,

did you do this for me?'"

(Max Lucado)

"I did it just for you."

For you and me Christ suffered the ultimate pain, "Eli, Eli, Lama sabachtani?" "My God, my God, why hast thuo forsaken me?"

Just to sit back and think about this sets me trembling. Trembling in shame, trembling in fear, trembling in the depths of my sole. That Christ would go to the cross and willing take all the sins of the world to himself and willing being the ultimate sacrifice. Christ's greates possession was his relationship with the father, yet he even gave this up when he was crucified that there rest of us may have the opportunity to get to know our Father in heaven. For this, I am eternally greatful and I wonder, how much of what we know, do we not truelly see? Rather, are we keeping ourselves open enough to see what His plan for us is. I think it is the very we least we owe Him. Yet we will never be able to repay Him either.

Hey You!!! Listen Up!!!

2005-02-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

"Listen to this Job; stop and consider God's wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightening flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who isperfect inknowledge?" Job 37:14-16

To start, do you ever ge the feeling that we are missi9ng much of what God does for us? I do and to me, this passage is substituting Sam for Job. How many times do we wander down the street and not think about everythig that God has created for us? I truely do not know how many times I have walked under the clouds, waded in the ocean, taken for granted the night sky... You fill in the blank. To me this passage says, hey slow down and look around. Remember to count your blessings, wnjoy the beauty of the flowers the magical aura of the stars the cool breeze the graces us on a warm summer day, the rain that brings cleansing and nourishment to our land our lives, and so on. It also tells me that I need to trust God more!!!! I know I am not alone here but I pray that God will help me to trust Him more and that hew will use me to show all of you how that is done or the grace by which he blesses us when we do.

Getting What We Deserve

2005-02-20T05:44:00.000-08:00

"Then he comes to men and says, I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light." Job 33:27-28

God's grace is sufficient. It is more than sufficient. How awesome is it that we have been redeemed from doing what was wrong in the sight of the Lord? If we truely got what we deserved, where would we be right now? I am not sure I really want to know. Perhaps it is something that we should all think about from time to time because it will help us to rememeber that God is with us and fighting fro us on a daily basis. He sent His only begotten son down to die on the cross in order to have that relationship with us. I think that we find it hard to fathom what that really means. How many of us would give up our first child, our only child, or pet, or whatever holds much value for you in order to save the world from themselves. I know that I would have an incredibly hard time doing something of this caliber because for me personally, I am more of a sentimentalist and if I had to give up my relationships to other people, I do not know what I would do. Thank God that he wants a relationship with us and through us with other people.

Thank you Lord jesus for going to the cross for our sins. Thank you God for offering your son as a sacrifice to redeem my soul though it is scarcely worth it. Lord I am a sinner and I confess those sins to you Lord, refine me, put me in the refiners fire and cleanse me for your purpose. Help me to be set apart to you. Help me to be Holy in your eyes. Thank Lord. In Jesus' name.

Running The Good Race

2005-02-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

"But he knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps, I have kept to his ways without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips, I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." Job 23:10-12

I think back about what Job is saying and I have to assess myself. I take a step back and here is wat I will be able to say, "But he knows the way I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth pure as gold onl through Jesus Christ for I am a mar in the ye of a ruby, the cloudy murky shade of diamond, the type that could not be purified except through Christ Jesus. I have kept to his ways, and though I turned aside from time to time, I always returned to him with a repentent heart. I have departed from some of the commands of his lips though not others and I am continually refined in the holy fire that is Jesus Christ and the holy spirit. I would love to say that I treasure the owrds of his mouth more than my daily bread but the truth is that society has taught us to value food more than life.

Father God, I thank you Lord for watching over me and the gudiing me throught he rough times. Father, I am ever reminded that you are carrying me on the beach becasue I am unable to stand let alone walk alone. Father I pray that you would continue to teach me to calue your daily bread more than food for we know that your daily bread sustains life not extinguishes it. Thank you Jesus.

The Power of Christ in Us

2005-02-19T01:22:00.000-08:00

"If we are the body, Why aren't his hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching?...Why is His love not showing, Jesus is the way..." (Help me out, I do no know who wrote this song.)

This question has been bugging me a bit since that night that Mike visited Tribe and we had an awesome time of prayer. I will tell you what. Never have I fe4lt so moved by the spirit before to pray and you kow somehting else? We were in there for 40 minutes and it felt more like 10!!! The power of God. It shows that when we get focused on the things of God and praying for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those who are not apart of the family, Christ blesses us fo that. Part of waht we did that night was laing on of hands and so on. We need more of that in our world today. We need more of what Christ taught us to be, how to pray, and how to heal our fellow siblings in Him. And the key in all of that is forgiveness through Christ Jesus. I encourage you all to join a "praying community" at www.communityprayer.blogspot.com

Lean On Me

2005-02-07T23:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I wrote about going through many struggles and trials and not understanding what it was that God wante me to learn from it. I feel like He has shown me that I need to rely not only more on Him, but more on others as well. This came about through several differnt ways. But first, as a young child, I was taught pretty much to fend for myself and to work hard in order to always provide for myself. I was also taught to "suck it up" or "Take it like a man" you know the usual things parents say to kids when they are young. What this has led me to do, however, is to lack trust in other people, to lack relying on others. I spent so much time internalizing everything that I have to spend twice as much diggging it up, wrenching it out, and giving it to God. I also am learning that as I rely on people more, that would help me to become more honest with myself and so on.

As a young adult, I was taught about work and making money to purchase stuff. Yet as a Christian, I am ever learning to trust God and I think that he is providing people for me to lean on to help me carry my burden. Yet my burden is so much lighter today. You know waht they say, "New day brings new hope."

My hope in this is to make all of you aware of where you may be lacking or feeling the most trouble and goign to God with it as I do...

Father God, I thank you Lord fir the day and the wisdom you are slowly imparting on me. I thank you for my trials though I do not understand them. I pray Lord that you would grant others the wisdom to see where they muy need to retrofit the skills that you have taught us or that our parents have taught us when we were still young. In Jesus Name

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

2005-02-07T01:38:00.000-08:00

Will it not end?!?!?!?

What an amzing week!!! First I take a job I dont want, just to make ends meet. Then I find out what kind of classes I am taking this semester and see how much time I have to place into those classes just to do halfway decent. Then I find out I owe the government money, then I get chewed out for nto calling someone enough this week, like I am not busy or anything, then I get accused by my FAMILY that I am trying to cheat my grandparents. All this on top of the accusations at my old work two weeks ago, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!

Let me go coherent for a moment. I think I am begining to understand what Job was going through when he says, "My days are swifter then a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy," Job 9:25. Indeed I have felt little joy lately and have been rather depressed. I do not say this for any kind of sympathy or that stuff, those of you who know me, know that I am not that kind of person. Yet, I have felt my joy fleeting from me, and I cant help but wonder what is next? My car, my apartment, my ...? Yet, God has a purpose, this I know, what that is, I have yet to figure that out. Yet though Job often dispairs, I know the end to that book and I need to make absolutely sure that I trust God to pull me through this. I am tired and in my distress, I have lossed much patience with certain people, yet I am "running the good race," the best way I know how.

You know, God has also placed on my heart kids. a while ago, I felt God speaking to me about having kids or maybe working with them and it was so clear that he has that in store for me. Everywhere I turned there was another young-un standing, sitting, crawling, sleeping, and so on, and all I could do was smile and think, "I cant wait till I have my kids." Yet though I am feeling rushed, it is still His timing and that is something I am adamant about. Maybe, God is helping to experience Job and the various things he went through in order to gain a better understanding of who he is as Father God.

Lord, I pray that you would open my eyes and grant me some wisdom to understand what is taking place at this time in my life and the purpose you have there as well. Thank you Lord for the cross and thank you for making yourself available to all of us who call on your name. In Jesus' name.

Asking Forgiveness

2005-02-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

"If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target?" Job 7:20

When we hit times that we may consider hard times, we often do exactly what Job is doing. Yet, we do not ask God similar questions in times when we are doing well. Asking God to illuminate where there is still sin in your life is another radical step to take. And take it we should. Yet, why do we do this only when He punishes us enough for it? Why do we not continually seek Him out and ask forgiveness for sins for the day or sins that we have committed that we may not know were sins? Why not ask God to reveal any blemishes in us and to show us what they are so that we may become revived in Him on a daily basis? I know that this is something that I try to do yet, sometimes He has to hit me over the head hard so that I will pay attention!!!

Father God, I pray Lord that you would enlighten me to where I have sinned, I ask Lord for the forgivenss of my sins Lord and for the sins of others, rather that you would help them find their way to you to confess those sins. Lord I pray for wisdom in discerning where it is that I need to work on to glorify you. In Jesus Name.

(This post is for thursday, February 3rd reading, I was house sitting)

Talking to the Father

2005-02-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

"But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." Job 5:8-9

When I sit back and think about these words, I am still in wonder at the ability to talk straight to God without intermediaries. I am in wonder about how God made Himself available to us, that is through Jesus Christ, and I am still amazed at how God could love a sinner like me. I can but barely grasp a prescious little about God's love for us and yet I am still in wonder at waht I can see. How awesome God is that he heals our wounds, heals our hearts, lifts us up into his arms and carries us when he falls down. I began to understand this in my watching over some children, I began to see how God could open my heart enough that I could love those kids as Christ loves us, and yet that is only the beginning. When one trips and falls, you want to rush and pick them up, when someone is struggling, you jsut want to give them a hug and tell them that it would be okay. And it goes on and on. Like when you yell at your kids or discipline them, it tears you apart inside becasue all you want to do is reach out and love them. God ahs also been doing this process with me, that is opening my heart to share the love of Christ, towards those of us who no longer walk in diapers or have graduated high school. In thinking of all that above, I cannot help but wonder how much God has saved me from and how much he has given me that I take for granted.

Father God, first, Lord, I thank you for all the things you have provided me that I have taken for granted. I thank you for the clothes on my back, the car that I drive, the people I know and so much more. Lord I pray that as time goes on, that I would remember to thank you for what you have provided for me, for what you have built for me and the life you are laying out before me. In Jesus Name.

(This post was for Wednesday the 2nd of February, I have been house sitting)

White as Snow

2005-02-01T22:23:00.000-08:00

"Can a mortal be more rightouess then God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?" Proverbs 4:17

Yet is it even possible for man to be considered righteous before God? Or a man as pure as God? The answer to both questions is no, yet we are provided another way to be made pure, to be made holy as He is holy, tp be made white as snow. That opportunity is Jesus Christ yet I fear that we often for get that it is by "faith" that we are saved, not by works or words. Yet even saying that, the memories of what Jesus went through in order for us to have communion with GOd on a regular basis send shivers up and down my spine. "For God so loved the world..."

Lord I pray that yyou will always keep me in wonder of your majesty and your saving grace. Help me to come to nkow you more and use me to bring other people into the family. In Jesus' name.

Self Deprivation

2005-01-31T22:11:00.000-08:00

JOb 3

I did not right the whole chapter down since it all applies, you will just have to read it.

Anyhow, why do we allow ourselves to fall into a bottomless down-roll-spiral which we have coined these days as depression? Why must we look towards, cursing ourselves or why do we sekk to punish ourselves when things do not seem to be going right? I think in this case, Job is being stretched by Satan to a big bending point and God allows the trial of Job, trusting and knowing that Job will persevere. Yet there are still fundemental things that we have to be wary of and those things are our thoughts. If we allow our minds to slide downhill, than we will have a hard time of digging in our heals if we are not relying on His power and the grace that he freely grants us.

Father God, Help us to see the choices you have laid out before us, and help us to persevere through depression, remember you in our happiness and remember most of all your Love for us, not to mention the freedom to choose you. Thank you for the Cross and all it signifies. In Jesus name.

Testing 1--2--3 Testing

2005-01-31T01:15:00.000-08:00

"When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and symphathizze with him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him, they began to weep aloud and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, becasue they saw how great his suffering was." Job 2:11-13

Two heads are better then one for if one falls, the other can pick him up. Do we have people today with whom we can rely on to pick us up if we get into some sort of difficulty? Or someone who will ride the rough road with us? I think this is important for us to think about with regards to our life in Christ because if you have no one to help you through, chances are you are missing out on what Christ stood for, love, relationships, and a family of believers. Yes there are many other things that Christ iembodied that we need to bring back to there here and now, but we are simply going to focus on relationships for a moment. You see, priror to coming to Christ and Hope Chapel, if I asked myself this question, I would say that there would be no one to hold me up. Yet as I was introduced to Hope, God used the people there, the church body, as a way for me o have something to lean on. Yet more than that, GOd has providded with me with awesome brothers and sisters in CHrist Jesus that help me to know if something happens, I would not be alone. Yet there is something else this bible passage talks of and that is humilty. The bible says that when Job's friends came, they tore there clothes in dust and ashes and joined him through his sorrow. We see three people here who were fond of Job and they came to share in his suffering and pain. All it really comes down to is that is how far we are willing to go for each other.

Lord I pray that you would give me guidance and wisdom to fall back on something different then when I started. I pray Lord for those wout there who have no one to lean on and I pray you will cast a healing and comforting hand over them. Lord I thank you and praise you for the nuturing you have provided for me. In Jesus Name

Petitions of Forgiveness

2005-01-29T23:41:00.000-08:00

"When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the mornig he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each one of them, thinking, 'Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.' This was Job's regular custom." Job 1:5

Well to begin, I was and am a little fearful about reading Job. I am not sure exactly why, except that God may be using Job to teach me to "Fear" him. I have never "feared" reading the bible before and it has me at odds I must say. I think God is growing me and teaching much to me through His words and Job is the person he intends to use to hammer somethings into my thick skull! I am scared of reading Job or at lest very wary of it. Why hsould I feel God teaching me and growing me through His word? It is what I want more than anything so why do I have to be afraid of it? Is it because he is preapring my heart to fear Him or maybe that He in His power has decided he would use this book to set me on the right path or... I am not sure, yet I know that I will be pressing into Him even more. So to move on to the bible verse for this day...

...I find this verse speaking to me becasue I just recently asked someone if we are responsible for the sins of other people? Namely or friends, family, acquantances and so on. Yet, the answer that I think it ultimately comes down to is that we need to prayer for our fellow believers to be made aware of, to have their hearts soften to hear where they are falling. Yet I know that I am leaning towards the same of non-believers as well regardless of relationship because God has called us a nation of priest into a world that needs so much healing. Jesus said many times "be at peace, your sins are forgiven you." As Christians who are seekign to become more and more Christ-like, would it be out of place to say something like, "friend, be at peace, your sins are forgiven you in the name of Jesus Christ." As for the healing aspect of the Holy Spirit, shou7ld we not seek for or rather grant forgiveness through Christ and then attempt healing since that is what Jesus did every time? I wonder...

Father God, I pray Lord that as you bring me through your servant Jobs testimony, that you will grant methe wisdom to hear what you are saying, to learn the truths of what you are teaching me. I pray Lord that this fear I have of reading your word would only be because you have placed it there with the intention of growing me or whatever your intentions are. I ask Lord that you would use me to minister to other poeple and that you would grant me us the understanding to really and truelly know what kind of power lies in the name "Jesus Christ." Thank you Jesus.

Operation Preparation

2005-01-28T23:53:00.000-08:00

"Then Esther sent tihs reply to Mordecai, 'Go gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.'" Esther 4:15-16

Preparation is the key!!! How many times do we all enter into a situation without even praying about it? Why do we insist on living our lives as if we are totally in control of it and we know whats best? In all things and all decisions, we should be going to God first. I know there are many situations I have put myself in that could have gone more smoothly or would have worked out better if I had gone to the Lord almighty first. Why dont we go into those situations with His rod and His staff to comfort us and protect us? As I am saying this, I realize that I have not completely sought God's will in my next employment opportunities. I thik we all need to examine our own hearts and see where it is at that we all need to learn about going to God first in preparation for what may come. Any time there is going to be a battle, people would put on armor, sharpen swords, put on chain mail and so much more. So why do we go into spiritual battles without the armor of God?

Father God, I pray Lord that as desicions come into place for us be they alrgge or small, that we would seek your will first and foremost. Father I pray for guidance and understanding in these things as well. In Jesus most powreful name/

Humbleness and Humility

2005-01-27T23:53:00.000-08:00

"On the twenty fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads." Nehemiah 9:2

When reading through this passage in Nehemiah, I had to sop and think for a minute about how the Israelites were repenting. I have probably read this verse or rather verses of the like many times. Yet I have never really thought about the ritual and never really have looked for understanding around it. Now I look at those words, and I think of humbleness and humility. How many songs do we have out there that say "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord..." and other types as well? Well, I step back and I see that God wants us to be humble before Him. He wants us to leave everything at his feet, yet He wants us to do it in away that could seem incredibly embarassing. That is the humility part. If we can come to God broken and exalting Him, then he can work with us and usually chooses to do so. If we come at Him with our pride and let other things say that we know better or whatever else, then he will usually chooses not to interfere with us because the broken or the ones that need putting back together and they are often the ones who are already at rock bottom so humility will make it possible for pride to do its work. As my friend Thomas said, though I think he wa partly getting back at me for criticism, :) If we really want God to work on us, we should essentially draw a circle on the ground and kneel in the center of it, focussing on prayer and not moving until God Almight gives the proper directions to follow. As for myself, I know I need to work on the humility thing more and to go to my knees on a much more regular basis with the Lord.

Father God, I pray Lord that as you continue to work on me and the heart you have given me, that you would mold me like the clay that I am. Lord use me for your work, but also teach me to exalt you through that time. In Jesus Name

Forgiven from Above

2005-01-27T01:46:00.000-08:00

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. Standing on the stairs were the Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani-who called with loud voices to the LORD their God. And the Levites-Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah-said: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting." Nehemiah 9:20-24

Sometimes when we take a step back, we fail to realize what precepts we are breaking or what a truely sinful people we are. So my question is are we akways forgiven? My answer is yes. How can I be so sure that God has forgiven me? First, the bible tells me tha he will not put more on my shoulders than I can confront and God will alwaus proveide more than that of the blade. God is teaching us amd stregnthing our faith and peace in Him that way when we face newer trials and succeed, GOd then sets us up to face some of those trials as a way for us to continue to grow a relatioip based on faith and Love with our GOd Almighty.

Father, I ask Lord that you wold come into my life and pivk thorugh lifr looking fir times of reconciliation. I pray Lord that when we can confess anything in our lives that need confessing and then to take those experiences you set before us and use them to grow us in you. Thank You Jesus

Holy Discontent, The Start of a Revival

2005-01-26T02:34:00.000-08:00

""When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." Nehemiah 1:4

To be discontent with the staus quo means there is something going on that we think needs change. But what is it that needs that change? Are we willing to step out in faith or even take notice of those things? Nehemiah was not willing to let things pass by. He first asked about a situation. He then responded to that situation throug prayer and fasting. Then he petitioned God for guidance and wisdom. Why do we not employ these same tactics to day? Why do we not use the pattern of everyone in the bible? I am asking myself these questions as well as asking anyone reading this. I know that I have many ideas and things that I would like to kick off and get running, but I commonly use the excuse that either I do not have time, or who knows what else. So first, I must figure out what God's mission is for me at the here and now. Then I need to bring it before God in prayer and study. I need to step before the Lord and be used for whatever he intends but I cannot do that unless the Lord tells me what He wants from me,

Father God, I pray Lord for the ability to seek out the vision you have placed on my heart, I pray Lord for the wisdom of discernment and the ability to tell the difference between what I want and what you want, though I understand that sometimes our wants will coincide, Thank you Jesus

Faith with out Deeds

2005-01-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

"Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places"1 Kings 3:3

I will show you my faith by what I do; this is something that James talks about and he is pretty much saying that words do not have much meaning unles they are backed up. In this case, words followed by action. How many times do we go through life and sya we will do something but end up not doing it? Or how many times do we go through life saying, okay I will do this, yet after a few days or weeks, we revert back to our old patterns? This to me is speaking about insanity, that is expecting change without changing anything. Yet, we see shortly after this passage that God is faithful if we are faithful to Him. Our actions for choosing God and seeking the right relationship by changing parts that are not working, makes it possible for God to bless us. God has already chosen us, but we have to teach our mind, body and heart to choose God all the time and not just once in a while when it suits us best. This is something I have been learning more an dmore recently. God promises us that if we come to Him, He will come to us.

Father God, I pray Lord that I would come to you and renew my heart for you on a daily basis. I pray Lord that you would help me to remain focused on foloowing you and the precepts you laid out for us to follow. Thank you for choosing us once again by sending your son Jesus down to us so that we may have the direct communication with you. Lord I choose you and I pray that more and more people will choose you as time goes on and that you would use me to minister to those people as well. Thank you Jesus

God's Protection

2005-01-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the hornof my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour--from violoent men you save me. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." 2 Samuel 22:2-4

Why do these verses inspire me? I have been thinking a lot about the events of the last week and having a moment to remenis on what God has pulled me through makes me take a step back in awesome wonder at God's grace and mercy. He is an awesom God and I think we often forget to step back and remember the things that he has done for us, the protection granted, and the blood chilling yet life saving crucifixtion of Jesus CHrist that allows us to commune with God directly. I am encouraged by David's words because he is a man who lived many many moons ago and knows that God answers his prayers. He caalled out to God in times of distress, in times of Joy, in times of anger...I would almost say he prayed without ceasing as Paul calls us to do. he also talks about God taking his life into control and protecting and delivering him from his enemies or the poeple who are causing him troubles. I thik of this and remember, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for my names sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..."

Father God, first Lord I thank you for carrying me through the events of the last week and granting me peace with everyuthing going on. YOu know my heart, Lord, and you know my mind, I pray Lord that as time progresses you can strengthen my faith in you to be as David's Lord, that I could hear your voice and that I would be stirred to obedience. Thank you Lord for the cross. In Jesus name.

Gossip, Slander, and Misunderstandings

2005-01-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

"In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king. David thought, 'I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.' So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David's men came to the land of the Ammonites, the Ammonite nobles said to Hanun their lord, 'Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? Hasn't David sent them to you to explore the city and spy it out and overthrow it?' So Hanun seized David's men, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away. 2 Samuel 10:1-4

Sometimes the best of intentions are not enough. I have recenlty gone through trials at my now former full time job anc I cant help but think that even the best of intentions can be misunderstood. We see the same thing happening above with David and Hanun. David was merely expressing some sympathy and showing his kindness to the son of someone who had formerly shown him kindness. Yet, the son was influenced by certain people which totally misunderstood David's motive. This situation almost exactly parallels the situation at my last job. Now I am at the place where I need to make sure that I do not make the same mistake and turn a people away base on the same situation. How many times do we let gossip and other forms of slander slip by why the person being affected by that very bit of misinformation suffers from misunderstandings? How many people do we know that we have done that to or that do it to us? I wonder, as I try to live my life by Matthew 7:1 which says, "Judge not lest thou be judged by others, for in judging others, this is how ye shall be judged.? We need to band together and proffess to tame the tongue as Paul calls it and James as well. Or as Pastor Tom McC was saying tonight in church, let no unwholesome talk come...I think we get the idea.

Father God, as I come before you Lord, I pray that you will give me the wisdom to no judge other people, that you would give me the guidance to keep from slandering or even starting gossip of another person. Lord, prepare us all to overcome misunderstandings and what not through communication. Lord give us all the burning desire to ask question if we think something is amiss and help us to get the correct information from the source. Lord, teach us all the pwoer of taming the tongue and grant us the ability to lift each other up and not put them down. Lord I pray that you would give us the grace to see and understand this as well as give us the wisdom and mercy to be able to practice this. In Jesus' name.

The House of God

2005-01-21T22:43:00.000-08:00

"I will also give you rest from all your enemies. " 'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son." 2 Samuel 7:11-14

Here we stumble accross one of the many references to God's house as a prophecy of the future, of Christ and his throne. Though this verse usually speaks of Solomon, one of David's sons, I wonder why we could not apply this more liberally to Jesus Christ? i understand the danger of reading to much into the word, but I also think this may fit well. First, God is talking about David's offspring which definately means Solomon, yet we also now that Jesus, in the flesh, came out of the House of David. We know also that Jesus sits on the throne at the right hand of the Father, and that it is Jesus who judges as the bridge to the father. As for establishing the House of Jesus, well, I would call that being Christian and if we mean specifically the building, than look at the numerous churches throughout the world. But if we speak in the abstract and define Church the way Christ wanted it defined, the we mean the Church Body of which God is the Father and we are His sons and daughters. How awesome it is to see that we have a Maker and a Father with whom we can have a direct relationship.

Lord I thank you for the chance fo reme to have that direct relationshiop with you. I pray Lord that you would help me to convey my relationship with you to others Lord that they could see you through me, and Lord that I would give you all the glory and take none for myself. It is not me that I want to lift on high, rather Lord it is you who I want to exalty Lord, becasue you are the one who deserves it and not me. Thank you Lord for saving "a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, was blind," but now I am begining to see.

Honest Praise

2005-01-20T21:02:00.000-08:00

"When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets." 2 Samuel 6:13-15

When I think on the words placed in the scripture abofe, I cant help but wonder if we are worshiping God in the capacity that we are called to. David danced before the Lord with ALL his might. With ALL his might. When I read this, I would tranlate into something more common day and that is that David praised God with everything that was in him. Why don't we do this? Why don't I do this? For me I would say that I am bound by the expectations of the Church in corporate worship, yet when I worship God on my time with Him, I do not really let loose either. i wonder if it is becoming more habitual or more traditional and that is what the bible warns us all about. When was the last time you danced to worship? I know for me, when I serve coffee, I danced while the music is being played and often try to sign what I knwo with it as well. I find that when I do this, I am able to connect with God on another level.

Lord, I pray that as I come to you in praise and worship, that I will be able to cut loose and worship you in any capacity that you have shaped me for. I pray Lord that I would hold nothing back, and that you can use me to be the match in the kindling in the corporate sense. Lord, I pray for all of us who call you Lord anf Father, to give you the praise and glory that you deserve and though we are not capable of ever repaying you, we thank you Lord for the gift of salvation and ask that you would accept our praise offering to you and show us new ways to praise and worship you from day to day. Thank You Jesus.

God Sight

2005-01-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Never Judge a book by its cover. I think about this, and I think about the many times that we put others through trial and through grief, be it God, mother, father, employer, friend and so on. As I continue my walk, I hope and know that God will examine my heart and use me for His work. I have recently faced a very uncofmrotable situation at work where I had to have a very difficult discussion as to my work performance with one of my big bosses. Going in to this, I knew that God had me here for a reason and I had been feeling liek it was time to depart from that company. After the meeting I had to face, I find myself being incredibly hurt by some of the accusations that came about that could have been avoided through some communication. I have since decided, probably more so this evening, that I am going to pursue other employment, but it still bothers me. As it were, I am not working today and I have called in sick for tomorrow with the hope of some guidance from God, and I thnk this may have been the way that He chose to get through to me. I still have much to learn and I rest somewhat okay with the knowledge that he is my guide, but it bothers still. I do not begin to know the Lords mind, but I pray that he will grant me the guidance, the insights, the wisdom, and the patience to be able to hear Him out and to wait on His timing .

Father God, I know not Lord what you intended by this, except that you want me to move on from this job, at least at this time, and I trust Lord that you will grant me the wisdom and patience to wait on your will being revealled to me. I know father that I often try to come up with answers faster and just read into the first sight of things, but I pray Lord that you will grant me the understanding to know your will and the obedience to foolow your will when the time comes. I thank you Lotd for this trial you have placed before me, using it to lean more into you, and I pray Lord that as time goes on, I can learn to find Joy in more of these trials.

"Be My Path, Be My Guide, Jesus"

2005-01-19T18:19:00.000-08:00

"The LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.' But Samuel said, 'How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.' The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD .' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, 'Do you come in peace?'" 1 Samuel 16:1-4

I wonder how many times in life we attempt to take matters into our own hands and to chase after our own selfish deisres or take the well worn paths that we know. I want to be at the place where Samuel is, that is, I want to be able to come before the Lord and for HIm to either show me the path or tell me the how to get around obstacles that may get in my way. I want to be at the place where I can trust the Lord to work and guide me and not the place that says Lord I want this, but my actions would dictate that I do not trust Him enough to provide it for me. A scripture that Jesus says pops to mind, "Oh ye of little faith..." Is my faith little? COmpared to those of Paul and Peter absolutely. Can the amount of faith I poses grow? Absolutley. Am I willing to trust God to grow me to that point? I would say yes, but I fear that I may not necessarily prove that to be true. Have I relied on the Lor din uncomfortable situations and trusted in Him to pull me through? Yes. Will I continue to do so? Yes. I just hope that as time goes by, we can all focus on the path and the directions that he provides. Does this mean we will never stumble? No. He is the one who picks us up when we do.

Father God, I pray that I would be more obedient to your will Lord. I pray Lord that you will be my guide and my path. Lord I want you to be my source and I pray Lord that you would grant me the wisdom to see how you are working in me on a day to day basis. I pray Lord that you will test me and help me to place more of the faith in you and I pray Lord that you would help others that are struggling with those same things to do so as well. Father, I want my actions to follow my words. Help me to make this so. Lord, I than you ahead of time, becasue I know Lord that you will increase my faith in you. Thank You Jesus.

"He Gives Glory to the Humble"

2005-01-18T21:39:00.000-08:00

"Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?'" 1 Samuel 9:21

"He brings glory to the humble, and crowns for the faithful, This is our God..."

That is the first thing that comes to mind when I look at the verse above. How many times do we see in scripture where God brings power and glory to the poor, the meek, the borken in spirit, and the youngests of sons? I think part of the meaening behind this is to not under estimate anyone. You never know what that person will be capable of in the days to come be it a week from now, or fifty years from now. I think this is also saying that those who humble themselves before God and lay down there lifes before him, baring themselves clean and taking responsibilty for who they are and who God has created the m to be, those are the people that would be exalted to the highest place. Jesus once said that any man who wishes to be first in the kingdom of heaven must be the servant of all. I think this is a battle we often face today through judgements and misunderstandings. I know this is somthing that I struggle with regularly and I see the big need for that to be done in the world today, am I doign this to anyone?

Father God, as I continue to explore my actions and my sub-conscious, I ask Lord that you would allow me to see whether or not I sell people short and whether or not I judge them at first site. Lord, I know what Matthew 7:1 says and you kow my mind and my heart are in the same place asa that, I pray Lord that you would rant me the ability to follow through with that.

The Stubbornness of Youth

2005-01-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

"Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.'" 1 Samuel 10-18

Why is it the kids never listen? THis is what comes to mind with th epassage above. When I think about, it makes me thik of many times in our pasts when we do something and our parents tell us what will happen if we do, but we, being who we are, are stubborn and absolutely must learn it for our selves. It is interesting how the Israelites did this in Smauel becasue Samuel warned them of what was to come and they did not believe him. Well, eventually, we see that it comes true when Saul receives the throne of Israel. So what is taking the place of king in our lives? I must ask myself, what am I asking God for that I cant be satisfied with relying on His aweesomeness? Whay is stirring in my pot, that turns God's stomache because the ingredients are sins that sepearte me from Him. These are questions I ask myslef as I continue to delve into the deeper recesses of my mind.

Lord I pray that as I come before you today, here and now, that I would learn to rely on you for all that I need and not the power of man, which is as a speck to your mightiness and power. I pray Lord for wisdom in knowing where my trust lies, in Man or in you. Open my eyes Lor dnad grant me the ability to trust you first and foremost with everything of what I am, be it the type of tea to buy, the right driving route to take, or waht country to travel to first. I pray Lord that you will be my guide and that I will not lean on the ways of Man for guidance in your work.

Insanity

2005-01-16T14:26:00.000-08:00

"And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, 'If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve Him only
, and He will deliver you out of the hands of the Philistines.'" 1 Smauel 7:3

Insanity; means to continually do the same thing while expecting to change.

Are we insane? I wonder as often times we cry out to God saying "Lord I screwed up, I want to change, and change me." Yet we get caught up in doint the same things over and over again. I know I have treaded this ground quite a bit and I keep saying "Lord change me," yet I do not or did not really do anything to show the Lord that I was sincere. However, I made a commitment a couple of weeks agao to God saying, "Lord cahnge me," and this time instead of expecting Him to change me, I started out by making change in my life at the hear and now. Like this blog for example, I needed to be in the word more frequently so I could be prepared for the things of the world and I was never really taking the time to do it before. But as all of you are my witness, you can see that I have been consistant so far. I also made a commitment to God essentially promising to remeber His temple, that is our bodies, th eliving temple of Christ. I committed to getting into shape and not eating ceratin foods at least until the easter services. This is just the beginning process of God setting me apart to him.

Lord, I pray that as I go through the changes to consecrate myself to you, that you would continue to keep e focused on the goal, and that goal being a relationship with you and emulating the things you showed through example in your word. Thank you Lord for the means to kkep me accountable to reading your word and I pray for all of us that have school coming up, or that are in school now, that we would remember to put you first in all things and to know that you are with us.

Are You Hearing God

2005-01-15T23:46:00.000-08:00

"Then Samuel said, "Speak for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10

How often does the Lord call on us and we are just to busy to answer? Or how many times have we heard the Lord but refused to listen to Him? When do we take the time to listen to God instead of talking to Him? These are some of the questions that I continually ask myslef to make sure, one, that I am not deceiving myself, and two, because I choose to be His desciple and how can I do this when I am not making myself available to hear Him and the things he is teaching me? With my schedule, I try to make sure that I am able to at the very least remember Him throughout the day and to do some minute prayers under my breath. But when do I actually sit still in silence and listen for Him? Am I doing this while I am reading His word and meditating on His word? In part, I would say yes, but I think there is something deeper than that. I think that we must also take some time to silently wait on the Lord, but what shape and form that would take I am not sure. It would probagbly very from person to person.

Lord, as I am before you today, I pray Lord that I take the time to quietly wait on your presence, to wait before you in quiet meditation for your will so speak to me and for my will to be obedient to yours to hear what you woold have me hear and to be able to apply what you have taught me . Thank You Lord for working in me and revealing more of who you are to me.

"Stir In Me"

2005-01-14T22:53:00.000-08:00

"The women gave birth to a boy and his name was Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol." Judges 13:24-25

The foundations have begun. The beginning of God working in our lives begins with our birth though we are often not aware of it. In reading this passage, I am reminded that everything has a beginning and in the beginning there was an idea and that idea was built up, and so on, and so on... But the real question is where is our beginning as a Christian? As a christian, I would say that our new beginning is when we are baptized and also when we accept Jesus into out lives. Onve we have done just that, we have been born again throught the blood of Christ. Yet we know this already. Do we really believe it though? Do we feel like our everyday business and stressful life is actually not so stressful? Are we able to cope with the day without breaking down for no apparant reason? When I ask myself these questions, my immediate response is yes. I constantly know that God is with me and that I am at least doing the majority of what he wants since I am at peace with the decisions that I have made. Those of you who know me, know that my schedule is usually quite chaotic. But I rest easy, knowing the our Father in Heaven is watching over me and cradling me in His arms whether or not we know it. I am reminded of a couple of popular things, first is the Footprints in the Sand, and the other is a video clip we played in church and the line I remember is "don't worry buddy, will make it, I love you buddy, we're gonna make it. We're gonna make it, I love you buddy... When I think of this, I think of God standing over my shoulder, cradling me in the palm of His powerful hands and I feel unworthy of His love, yet I accept it freely. Yet I know that I was also made worthy throught the blood of Jesus Christ and I am and forever will be eternally gratefull for just that.

"Father God, I thank you Lord for taking the time to cradle me in your arms, to lead me on the path that is reaching for the ultimate prize, you Lord. I thank you Lord for the gift and the grace of love that you offer to me and Lord I come before you humbled basking in your glory and remebering that which you have done for us all. I pray Lord that we would more readilly turn to you in thanksgiving and worship Lord and that we can be used as emissaries for you to introduce more people to your kingdom. For your glory and Honor Lord. Lord I pray that you would renew all of our hearts and build us up as a people to emmulate the love you shared with us.

2005-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "But Lord , [a] " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." ...When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD , he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD ! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" Judges 6:11-23

How often do we test the Lord throughout our everyday lives? I have to sit back and think about this and I wonder, do I ever test Him like Gideom did? I would have to say yes, but I am not sure. I wonder also if it is the same thing to pursue something, not have all the emds come together and assume it is not God's will for that point in time. For example, a couple of years ago I was setting myself up to go to Simpson College and everything went through fine without a problem, except for the financing. When finances did not come through, I just thought that that was God gently closing the door on bible college for that time. Is it a permanent thing? I do not think so and I will continue to pursue bible college as I can trying to align myself with his will. Yet I sit back and remeniss and I realize, that I have learned much and experienced much right here at home!!! Is he preparing me for something grander the my mind can feasibly picture right now? I don't kow, it is very possible. I do know, that I do not seek his guidance enough on a day to day basis for decisions large or small. So, to answer myself, I do not think I was testing God with the college thiing because I also feel that we sometimes have to pursue avenuies as much as we can and God may not tell us yes or no right away, but unless you go through the process, you will never know.

Heavely Father, may I be an open book before yo u Lord and may I come to you for all my decisions large and small. Lord, open the eyes of my mind Lord and help me to see where I have done this to you or make me aware of times when I may do this to you that I may change that thinking and align myself more with your will. Father, help me to seek your will and and grant me the wisdom to know when I am not so that I may understand and make changes accordingly. Father God, I thank you Lord for all you are doing in my life and I pray Lord that you will continue to wake me up, spiritually, to get to know you more and to ched any skeletons I may have in my closet.

Appetite for the Lord

2005-01-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8-9

How many of us actually spend our daily time meditating on God's word? And yet we find write smack at the beginning of the book of Joshua that we are commanded to do exactly that! I have embarked on a journey to know God more, and using this blog as an accountability tool. (Thanks Thomas for the suggestion) I have often struggles with being able to read His word daily and perhaps it is because when I do meditate onhis words, I struggle within myself to rectify that which I did not know was a sin in the past. Like reading his word daily. How many of you know that it is in the bible? I surely did not and I was raised on the Old Testament. I find that I am on a quest for cleansing and setting myself apart to God and I wonder if this is what openess or honesty is about. Could we be honestly mistaken. Can we honestly not know ourslelves through childhood and get left struggling to find out who we really are through adulthood? I ponder this and I wonder if I am any less open yet, to merely dwell on whether or not I am facing myself in truth or deceit is only something GOd can help me to see.

Lord, God, I come humbly before you this day and ask that you would show me any dark areas of myself, my life to which I have either not let you in yet or that I am not aware. I pray that you would reveal to me any actions that need changing any sin that still needs to be confessed. Father I pray Lord that I will also be able to hear your voice when the distractions of the world get in the way. May you humble me furhter and cleanse me of the ways of the world in Jesus' name.

Save the World!!!

2005-01-11T22:58:00.000-08:00

"At this, she bowed down with her head to the ground, She exclaimed, 'Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-a foreigner?'" Ruth 2:10

We have been commissioned to save the world!!! God gave us this commission through the great commission. Yet, I wonder, am I the foreigner in God's Kingdom? Do I truely know God? Can you truely have the holy spirit indwell in you without first becoming a local or someone who is no longer foreign to God? I would say that my failure in the past, to consistantly read His word and to listen to His voice, have made me as much of a foreigner as a Mexican in China!!! I fear that everytime I screw up or fail to continue the quest fro knowing God, I have essentially made myself a foreigner through sin. I question myself sometimes as to whether or not he is really there but I keep reminding myself of the things he has done for me. Even though he may seem distant sometimes, okay a lot of times, I realize that he is still in control. He is a refuge for the poor and a shelter from the storm. I cannot imagine what it would be like for me to continue to live without Him in my life. Yet I still remember the footprins in the sand and how when it seems as if he is furthest away, he is really carrying us on his shoulders or in the palm of his hands.

Father God, my prayer Lord is that you would fill me with a thirst to know you more. Lord that I could come to you with a hunger for more of your character and more of you in my life. Lord, I pray that as thoughts, however inspired, enter my mind that would tell me otherwise of your great love and mercy, that you would remind me in an instant of your mercy and grace. Lord I pray that I would not be a foreigner to you but a resident in your ever growing family.

Desecrating the Name of God

2005-01-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Duet. 5:11

How many times in our every day life do we misuse the name of God? What does this really mean? How do we misuse his name? Well, for starters, when ever we curse, whenever we pray for something yet the prayer is self seeking and not God seeking, we have misused HIs name. Whenever we swear using his name, we are misusing his name, and so on. When thinking about this and discussing it with others, we ask the question, what is God's name? The asnwer of course is YHWH. That is the personal name he has given to the Israelites to call him by. That was the name in the history of the Jewish people that all were forbidden to say unless it was the high priest and he was ministering directly to God. As someone who grew up Jewish, I had to step back and think about the ramifications it has had on my life. And it is simply this, that when I was a child still learning the hebrew language, I was taught to say the hebrew word for YHWH as Adonai. Well, you can imagine, that when you teach someone a generic name for God, a name that could relate to other gods and other people, that there is no personal relationship with the God of our fathers, that is the God of Abrajam Isaac and Jacob. Also, discribing God by describing him as the God of our decendants aslo seperates us from having that personal relationship with God. I also have to wonder if we do that today? Anytime we pray, and we pray in Jesus' name, we are talking to God. How often do we try to haggle with God as to us doing something for him in return for him doing something for us? As I exmaine my prayer life I hope you will examine yours as well, utilizing the Lord's prayer as the guideline.

Father, God, YHWH, I pray Lord that you would enlighten me and others to where we misuse your name and grantus the wisdom and the action to change that particular sin that is against the commands you have given to our fathers. Grow us Lord, through this process and search our hearts as we humble ourselves before you. In Jesus Name.