Vacation is over:(

Just got back from vacation and am feeling the weight of what's next. I began thinking about this coming week with all of the things I'm going to need to do. It's a mixed bag. I'm excited and a bit overwhelmed at the same time. I have a flood of ideas coming through my mind and feel the need to jot them down as to not completely forget what could be. There is definite work to be done, and I'm not sure about the hours I have to prepare. There are meetings to attend, things to move and plans to be finished. All in all, I'm not even close to being ready to start. I guess I'd better get going and do something productive today so that when Monday comes I'll at least feel I was prepared for that. :)

A decision has been made!

Today is Sunday August 12th. This morning my daughter went forward to make public her decision to become a follower of Jesus. I figured I would mark the occasion by writing down this decision and sharing it with the world as I know it. She has been expressing her desire to know Jesus, and I have been asking her questions regarding what she thinks it means to be a Christian. I am confident in what God is doing in her, and I am excited to be a part of her baptism. I always believed this day would come, and I am praising the King of Kings for allowing me the opportunity to be her father and to share Christ with her directly and indirectly through our lives together. Her decision is the greatest one she will ever make. She now begins a journey that will take a lifetime to experience.

I'm with the band

Not really, but it's something I'm trying to get started. Over the years I've written music and have had the opportunity to play with many great musicians. Getting a group together and playing shows and venues would be down right fun. Music has been just that, fun! Why not make it public. So as I stated on my Facebook status, I want to start a band and put together some tunes and hopefully have some people listen. Let me know if you are really interested and let's make some music!!!

What went through his mind?

Today I listened to the story of Abraham and Issac. I understand that Abraham was listening to God and followed the instructions given to him.  I really kind of wonder what was Issac thinking? He is being obedient to not only God but also his earthly father. He was willing to lay his life on the alter so that the will of God would be fulfilled. I am amazed at his willingness to surrender all of who he is to see his earthly father obey God. As a child of an earthly father I wonder if I would allow myself to lay down my physical life so that he would be able to obey a request of the Lord.  I see a parallel of God doing the very thing with Jesus Christ. God sacrificing His son so that relationship could be restored with His creation. I know it's not exactly the same thing but God being obedient to Himself so that restoration would be accomplished though His son Jesus.
I know from an early age I was taught by my parents the importance of being obedient. Sometimes I understood why I needed to listen and do as instructed, but there has been those other times that just didn't make sense until after the fact. As a parent I see the the lessons being revealed to me. I see the point of following through.  I am thankful that God has afforded me the opportunity to see Himself revealed and listen and do as He would have me to do. I'm thankful to Abraham's story and to his son who was so willing to obey.

Where are the Hands and Feet?

Today I saw a video that hit me between the eyes. It was a video from Floodgate media that described what happens in the parking lot of a church after the service dismisses. As I watched I began to think about my own conversations that take place after Sunday service. The questions that I ask, the statements I make about what just took place. I know that most of them are probably selfish and pointless and don't really matter. What does matter is how my faith becomes action. When I am able to get beyond myself see what is right in front of me, then and only then do I begin to be the hands and feet I have been called to be. I Think about 1 Corinthians 13 which is known as the love chapter. It says in simple terms that if I do all there is to do that is good, but do not love, it's useless. I have learned over the years that love is an action word, a verb. There is a catch. I cannot love on my own. I know I want to be loved and that those right around are just like me in that respect.  We all want to be loved.  I can simply begin by just saying a kind word, or reaching out to help someone in need.  It's still selfish if I hope to get something from it.  I want to love without any expectation.  Without seeing what I will get out of it.  I know that this is attainable.  I do this for my wife and kids.  I just love them.  I cannot define why or how.  I just do.  I need to see all that is around me as thought they are my very flesh and blood and see their needs and respond. 

Summertime!

Quick little post for today.  It's still summer and I am taking it in.  Currently it's 97 degrees outside and I'm in the cool of my home.  This summer so far has been good.  Spending time with my wife and kids, trying to get a few projects finished.  It's so tempting to do nothing.  Don't really have anywhere to be and getting motivated can seem difficult at times.  Everything I need to do costs, and I'm really not in any position to spend.  I know there are things to accomplish this week and am aiming to do so.  Wish me luck!!!

Happy Easter!

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, every Sunday morning, Christians around the world celebrate this fact. It is the reason we have church on Sunday. Do you ever consider this when getting ready each and every week? We are always quick to recognize that Easter is "The Day" in Christian history. When the women arrived at the empty tomb early that morning and being told by the angel, "why do you seek the living among the dead?" That was news. It was the best news for those who were followers of Jesus. It still is the best news, Jesus is Alive! I know that most of us probably are not thinking about about Easter except around the month of April, but I just wanted to remind those who might read this that every moment we are alive that Christ has conquered death! We join together as the body of Christ each week in our respective churches as a direct result of Jesus and His resurrection. We are His people, we are the body of Christ. When we choose to accept Jesus as Savior, when we decide to make Jesus our Lord, we are being brought into new life. We are resurrected from death and are given life eternal. The resurrection is the beginning, it's our beginning. You as a believer have life, due to Jesus. Celebrate His resurrection! Celebrate your resurrection in Christ. He has given you life, each day is Easter for the believer. Never forget that it is because of Jesus we are alive. Happy Easter!!!