Where Have I Been?

It has been quite a while since I have written anything here. I know that I would have liked to have written more this year but I just didn't. So, since I'm here I'll put something together that may or may not make any sense whatsoever.
Currently I'm reading a book entitled Jesus Brand Spirituality by Ken Wilson. I started reading it about a month ago, but put it on the back burner. This week I was able to get back to it and now I'm almost finished with it. It's not unlike other books I've been reading lately and it has helped in confirming some things that I'm finding myself involved in. It has been refreshing and as I continue to read I feel challenged and humbled at what it means to know Christ and live as a believer today and tomorrow as well. Until then...

They declared God Just!

Wow!!! I was just reading and something wonderful was revealed. As I was reading in Luke tonight I came across the story of where John the Baptist was asking weather or not Jesus was the Christ. Of course Jesus answered in the way only He can. 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” He then goes on and explains about how the least will become greatest. He states; 28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (i When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just,. Jesus was making it clear what the life of a believer can be. Even the tax collectors recognized how amazing Jesus is and how God is here for us all. When we begin to understand Jesus' mission and how God is reaching out, even today, we can open up and receive His gift of salvation and begin living out the gospel of Christ. 25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” God has made the way for us. We need to recognize Him and live out His way.

all scripture from the ESV bible

He's going to be enough!

Sunday evening always seems to be a great time to write and catch up with this thing. I guess I use the evening to think and prepare for what might be ahead. Each week brings its own problems and I know that compared to anyone else my problems are insignificant. Watching and reading what is going on in other parts of the world help you to put perspective back into your easy life. I can only speak from my own life and as little pain and discomfort I have ever felt in my personal life. I do know for a fact that my basic needs are met each and every day. I budget for the needs of my family and come what may. I realize more and more how really rich I am and how amazingly blessed I am. I'm not asking to be Job nor am I looking for prosperity. I simply want to live in the humility of Christ. All I am and all that I have belongs to God. I am supposed to be the steward of what God has allowed me to take care of. Which makes me more aware of the fact that if I have have more than enough then I have to earnestly seek out ways to sacrifice the money, the time, and the talents God has given me to take care of. I remember a conversation I had with someone who I consider to be wise and discerning. This person pointed out that whatever we are doing it's supposed to be to further the Kingdom. If it's not for HIM then why do it? That struck me and still strikes me on a regular basis. Right now this blog is to further the Kingdom. I do this not for myself, but for the simple fact that I want to engage others in a discussion of who God is. I'm not talking about church. I'm not talking about religion. I am talking about life, real life. I would be so bold as to say that if anyone who honestly sought out God they would find Him. I am discovering in my own salvation how much I do not know about God and who He really is. I am finding myself searching Him out and listening. As I read and as I listen I realize my relationship with Christ is a real thing. That may not make since to all, but as a follower of Jesus I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit and His leading in what I do, what I say, and how I live each daily. Now I say all of this and you may think my life is great. We'll honestly as of this moment it's not half bad. Do I stuggle? You better believe it. Do I sin? Sadly, yes! Do I have doubts? Regularly. Then what amazingly happens is God! He shows up in a way that is real. I know He has put things in my path for me to stop and to help me remember He's real and wants me. Loves me. Forgives me. That may sound trite, but isn't that what we all want; love, forgiveness, acceptance. So as this week goes and I try and fight the good fight. I know I'm going to need God to be God and that is going to be enough.