First Things First

Take a listen when you get a chance, who's feet are you sitting at?

http://www.hopecf.net/audio/2009/081609%20-%20Russ%20Underwood.mp3

New Season

Well my friends, it has been awhile since I last posted, I am in a new season of life. Lets just say I feel like the the tortoise rather than the hare.

My pace of life has slowed way down, which has been good, but offers a dilemna that I will leave you with.

Are you sitting at His feet? Or focused on the doing of things? What order do you have this in?

So here I am

Welp, I am about 1 week out from my time at Teen Mania, it has been a good 4 years. Alot has been crammed into it, great friendships, great memories, hard memories too. I now face a good amount of change, a change of pace, of what is familiar. I'm not too sure what is ahead, but I am taking it one day trusting.

Oh look a cookie!

A thought

Sometimes we feel that we have to have something to offer God to come to Him.  Think about this, God made everything we see, feel and touch, out of nothing.  The next time you feel that you need to bring something to him, remember your first step is realizing you are the created, He is the Creator.  Regardless of the past mistakes you have made, God is the Redeemer, He makes all things new.  "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come."  He makes all things new.

Yet another Preproduction passed

We have just finished another pre production at Teen Mania for Acquire the Fire.  Have seen another dedicated team of Ministry Team work selflessly to create an event that will impact thousands of teenagers this spring.  When I look at the team I see young people who's hearts beat for God.  They beat for what He beats for, they make my job worth it.  To all MT who may read this, keep pressing in, keep working hard, you are the elite, God has called you and is proud of you.  I am honored to work alongside of each of you.  God is worth your all, and He will never ever let you down.  

Breathe

Fellowship=breathing life with God.   This is my prayer today, this is my journey.  When all the dust settles I can't move one inch in my spiritual walk without breathing with God.  When desire gives birth to action with God, we meet change.   Each day we have a decision, shall we go to the right or to the left?  Listen for the voice of action and change, sometimes He is quiet, sometimes he is loud.  He is always love and always just.  "His divine power has given us, everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us, by His own glory and goodness."  Breathe in LIFE.

Why our Heart beats

We all beat for something, our hearts beat for things in the future, marriage, friendships, recognition, the unexpected.  At what point do we deter from God desires to ours? Scripture does say that God will give us the desire of our hearts, but we tend to look past the first part of that verse...."Delight yourself in the Lord".  As I look around I see people longing or "beating" for things.  The teen that dresses to look older, the heavier set person dresses to look skinny, the skinny dress layered up to look "full".  

There are those that beat to be the best in sports, music, academics, etc.  Sure it is good to compete, to excel and want to be the best and sharpest.  But when that defines who you are it can be gone as quickly or quicker than it came.  Here is what I am getting at, Jesus Christ is what defines my worth.  Jesus Christ defines my success.  Scripture says "fear of man will prove to be a snare".  When we pursue things out of a desire to fill a need that Jesus desires to fill, it will end in disappointment.  God can use alot of these things to bring peace, excitement, and joy.  But it is never meant as a replacement of Him, it is more "icing" on the cake.  My friends, the table is set for us to feast in the Lords presence,  he wants to teach you, heal you, touch your weary hearts, but you have to do your part, come to him.  "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls."