A great gift

This morning I am truly thankful.  For my wife, she is my best friend, the one I laugh with, live life with.  She is beautiful, patient and kind, gentle and strong.  The Lord has blessed me with a great gift. 

It has been way too long....Post 4 eyes

So its true, after 32 years of living life with two eyes, I shall soon have 4.  I wondered why things were really blurry, turns out, I needed glasses.  It slowly snuck up on me, very gradual thing, but once I saw with glasses, I was literally amazed at the difference.  You can tell where I am going with this..... :).   Mankind is born into a world where we see very blurry, we smack into things, we hurt others, we get hurt.  We are separated from Almighty God.  Sin.  In Gods great love and mercy He sent His Son to redeem us and bridge the gap to a relationship with God.  John 3:16.  Quoted, many times on neon colored signs at football games, yet its significance is many times passed over.  I recently watched Amazing Grace the movie, in the extras it talks about the creation of the song amazing grace, this song has been sung at funerals, recited on the battle field, sang in churches with tall steeple's, and yet its meaning is lost.  I once was blind but now I see, we don't know we can't see until we have the truth revealed to us of what it means to truly see.  This Christmas season, remember that great moment from Charlie Browns Christmas- The reason is Jesus, he came to bring sight to the blind and light the way for us to come back to him.

I'm not here- John Eldridge/C.S. Lewis

"I'm Not Here"                   
                        Incredible. What a self-indictment. "Nothing dangerous is happening here." Those men have already been taken out because they've swallowed the Enemy's first line of attack: "I'm not here-this is all just you." You can't fight a battle you don't think exists. This is right out of The Screwtape Letters, where Lewis has the old devil instruct his apprentice in this very matter:
My dear Wormwood, I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence. That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves.
 As for those who want to be dangerous (cutting-edge), take a close look at 1 Peter 5:8-9: "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
What is the Holy Spirit, through Peter, assuming about your life? That you are under spiritual attack. This is not a passage about nonbelievers; he's talking about "your brethren." Peter takes it for granted that every believer is under some sort of unseen assault. And what does he insist you do? Resist the devil. Fight back, take a stand.

Seen but not Understood

Have you ever felt as if someone was watching you?  Especially when you are doing something that you would need to explain?  For example, have you seen those people who wander around talking to themselves?  Maybe you are even walking down the street and you wonder..."Are they talking to me?"

Maybe they are in their car chatting away at a red light, you slowly look over to catch a glimpse of who they are talking to....uh nobody is next to them.  Ah ha! but they turn their head and you see this little piece of plastic in their ear, the bluetooth of course.... (I have no idea why the word tooth is in that word) but if you didn't see that you could think they are crazy, even worse what if you are on the opposite end?  One of the things I can say that I hate is being misunderstood.  Especially if I look like a schmo. 

In my life I have gone through heartache, what seems to be extreme pain but there is no bandage to put on it.  No quick fix.  Pain of the soul can create havoc inside you.  I have had people see me, wondering why so emotional or say just shake it off.  "Seen but not Understood".  We so long to be understood and really to Understand.  We read God's word, His real alive and active word, but sometimes we just see words and don't understand.  We see His truth and yet don't understand because our circumstances aren't lining up. 

The Fact is Jesus understands, scripture tells us that we don't have a priest who isn't able to sympathize with our problems, but instead was tempted in every way we are but yet didn't sin.  He also endured pain, physical, emotional, real pain.  The Son of God was "Seen but not Understood" by many.  I believe today it is still the same.  God's word tells the story of His redeeming of the world through His Son on the Cross so that all may come to know Him. To Know Him.   Problem is we try to look upon things of this world with our own eyes, our own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5-7 says to trust in the Lord with all of your heart, to lean not on your own understanding, it goes onto say that He will direct your path.  I don't pretend to understand the things of this life so I can see God in them.  Rather my heart is directed to see God Himself, through that experience, my heart and spirit gain peace and understanding.  "We don't need more faith to understand, but rather a greater understanding of who we put our Faith in." Faith is a gift of God.  Reality is we are dead in the water without Him.  Reality is that with Him, we are loved, accepted, 100% Children of God.  He gives us the choice, our way or His?

Scared or Compelled?

Do you live life afraid or compelled by truth?  Over the years we as Christians have been brought into the kingdom of God on a Fear basis.  Let me explain, when the turn or burn item comes up, its natural to not want to burn in a lake of fire for eternity.  Also this is a truth of the gospel, but not all of it.  I repeat not all of it. 

Christ himself said, "Eternal Life is that they may know me and He who sent me".- John 17:3.  When we speak of Eternity and the issue of Salvation, it is absolutely essential to speak of this verse.  If we believe that God is a relational God, that He died upon the cross because He loves us, why would not include "Relationship" when describing the Gospel?  How great it is to not be headed to eternal separation from God, dare I say even greater it is to Have the living God, call you His child and to know him.  We obey because of His great love for us, we are compelled because there is "a fire shut up on our bones".   Where did this fire come from?  Did we "stir" it up?  Absolutely not.  This is the power and love of Almighty God that has set our hearts ablaze. 

When was the last time you let God set your heart ablaze?  I'm not talking about throwing bibles around at people like Frisbee's, but you see people as God sees them.  That He is in Love with them, He wants to restore them.  They aren't just someone to "convert".  My friends, it is OK, rather it is essential that we first receive from the Lord His Love, before we can display it. 

What resonates?

There is something in each human soul that resonates at certain things.  Its like the bell of a clock tower has been rung inside our hearts.  For me, it is the deep reality and presence of God.  It shakes everything up, the sound our life makes is a beautiful sound announcing the arrival of God.  God has planted something in us that waits for his touch, only he can bring the music to life. 

We resonate for something more, something greater than day to day motions.  We were made to resonate the beauty and wonder of Christ.  I have been taken lately with a song by Phil Wickam, called "your beautiful".  My friends, don't settle for your day to day motions thinking you don't matter, thinking that God doesn't have a plan for your life.  "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him." - John Piper.  People around you need to hear the music of your life that God has put there, Trust Him to lead you and let it out.  People are longing for more.  May the Lord grant us all courage and passion with each step. 

3 months!

Its amazing how time will fly, it has been 3 months to the day that I married Eve, love you!!!

2 Months!

2 Months ago from today I married my best friend, I love you Eve.  Looking forward to many months and years ahead!!!

Agreements

Agreement (as defined by dictionary.com):

1. the act of agreeing or of coming to a mutual arrangement.


2. the state of being in accord.

3. an arrangement that is accepted by all parties to a transaction.

 
Would you say that an agreement is mutual?  That it is being of one accord?  Accepted by all parties involved?  A transaction?
 
John Eldridge in His book "Walking with God" talks about the agreements we make with the enemy about ourselves and who God is.  With the above definition in mind this is HUGE for us as believers.  To actually think that I could make an agreement with the liar of liars?  An agreement could be simple as thought that "God doesn't love you" or " You dont have what it takes" "You are all alone".  How often do we challenge our thoughts?  Or as my dad recently put it, doubt our doubts?  Our lives as followers of Christ are anything but normal, but what is the normal we live in?  Romans 12, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  There will be partial agreements put out there for you and I to agree with or push back.  Gods Truth is the only thing that brings LIFE.  If it feels that you are dying inside, ask the Lord to show you His truth, and to reveal any lies that you have agreed with.  LIVE LIFE LOVED my friends. 

I'm Married!!!

I'm a married Man!!! Wahoo!!!  Check out our photos!!!

http://davidmolnarblog.com/

unraveled

Do you ever find yourself fighting the hands that want to heal you?  Do you find yourself becoming skeptical of how good God is?  Do you wonder where is God in all of this?  You aren't alone.  When we hit the waves of doubt or of pain, it is our natural reaction to run and hide.  If scripture says that God is our Refuge and Strength an ever present help in times of trouble, there has to be a reality to that.  God is not speaking in mere theory here.  If it feels like your life is unravelling, take heart, it may just be just like Lazarus, God is bringing new life and taking off the old clothes that He wants you to be free of.   Be willing to fall apart at the seems its ok.  You are ok, to fall apart into the hands of God can be the most amazing thing you could encounter.  His pursuit of your hurt and heart is relentless, could it be true?  That God is actually that loving?  That personal?  He heals all our wounds and redeems our life from the pit.  Let him unravel things in your life, there is healing and hope in his wings. 

Update of countdown - thanks Jamin....

Wowzas.....12 days.....

24 Days

24 Days, there are 24 days until I get married.  This is something I have thought about for a very long time.  It is one of those occations that you wonder if it would ever come.  The thought of seeing my bride walk down the aisle, to be in that moment in which words can't describe.  To be with someone who I will spend the rest of my life with.  It is an amazing time, it seems like I was just counting down the months, now it is days, soon it will be hours. 

I wonder how God views us in the light of this, we are his bride, oh how he longs for us, for that day of being united with him.  I am sure I will see so much of God through this new season, I am thankful for you Eve.  I am thankful for my family and friends for standing with us.  God Bless.

My greatest gift

I have been given many great gifts in life.  A Denver Bronco uniform when I was younger, a sony boombox, new clothes, etc.  Things like this fade, there are two gifts that I have received in my life that I have done nothing to deserve.  The first is my relationship with Jesus Christ, He is my all, my salvation, my healer, my redeemer, my hope.  The second was given to me in such a poetic way from the Lord, he has given me a gift of a woman in my life, her name? Eve.  I only heard of this name growing up in church, really never knew an "Eve".  It is just a great picture to me that God would lead me to a woman with this name, the first name given to a woman.  A picture of elegance, grace and beauty, a helpmate, a friend. 

I am thankful for many gifts in my life, Eve I thank the Lord for you.  5 weeks to go. 

A borrowed post - Thanks Jamin!

C.J. Mahaney - Grace and the Adventure of Leadership.


1 Corinthians 1:1-9 - Paul’s attitude and affection for the Corinthians was shaped by his divine perspective of the Corinthians. “I always thank God for you” (vs 4). This was a correction letter.

Do not adjust individuals who you do not have a divine affection for. (you will always find difficult individuals in your life).

Lessons on Grace from Paul and Divine perspective.

1. Paul had an understanding of the call of God

3 times in the 1st 9 verses Paul references “call” call = divine summons.

Paul was reminded of the prior activity of God in their lives which allows you to appropriately see the present deficiency.

This will give you the faith for change and perseverance for the process.

2. Paul was more aware of evidence of Grace than areas in need of growth.

Vs 4 – “I always thank God for you” high priority on thanksgiving.

Note: paul mentions thanksgiving (line per line) more than any other author pagan or Christian.

Paul, thanked God for their spiritual gifts… but he later needed to correct this area of their life. (peoples greatest strength is often their biggest weakness)

He gave thanks for those evidences of grace.

1 thess 1:2-5 another example… he was specific (1 Thess 3:9… how can we thank God enough for your).

If all you see is negative when you look upon people or individual, that is self righteousness on your behalf. (look how you view your spouse, children, friends, ppl you service, etc…) Application: ask them does being with you make them more aware of their weaknesses or do they feel better about themselves.

People need to be extended Grace as they are growing, recognize that God is at work instead of if they are finished with growing or not.

God Honors leaders who follow these principles

3. Paul had Confidence in the Grace of God.

“He will keep you strong till the end” (vs 8) because “God is faithful” (vs 9). If you looked at the Corinthians you would not have had that confidence… except because God is faithful

A man

Quick and to the point, I had this nice paragraph written, but I am going to be quick like a bunny on crack.  To be a Man, is to be one who truly understands His position to God and responds to His calling upon his heart.  Men, hear me, God Loves you, Believes in you, He has put you where you are for a reason.  People around you dont need someone else, They need you.  Comparison to others is not of God.  The slate is wiped clean,  A man my friends is only what God says he is, everything else is a lie. 

Morning Prayer

MORNING PRAYER



MORNING SCRIPTURE:

You whom I love dearly, let us love one another. Love is from God and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7



SHORT PRAYER:

Father, cure us from the sickness that taints our understanding of love and decieves us to see love as trivial, frivilous or inconsequential. Rather, help us to truly believe that love is of the highest order and is the most excellent way.



INTERCESSION, REFLECTION or SILENCE:

Take 5 to 10 minutes to listen to God's voice. At any moment, when you are distracted you can recapture your thoughts with this phrase: "Love is from God."


: This Devotional was done by a good friend of mine Gavin Long, check out http://www.athomewithgod.org/

Love

So I recently was online looking at tons of different books on sale, everything from what it means to be a man, how to make sure your marriage is good, being good at prayer, the church, etc and so on.  There was a book that I came across to which I read some excerpts, the title of this book caught my eye, anything to do with the love of God and peoples view/pursuit of it I am all over it. 

As I began to read my heart became heavy, here is the reason.  There are many things in life that we are uncertain about, will I have a job tomorrow?  What do people think of me?  How long will my car last?  How much longer will I live?  But the question remains of what does God think of me?  There have been different ideas of what God thinks and I dont intend to "settle" per say the different views here but more so to put my thoughts/experience and what I see as truth in the word of God.  Most importantly for consideration.  Here is my thought, you ready?  Yes?  Hmm....

1. "When will it be settled in our mind and hearts that God loves us?"
2. "Is Gods love conditional to the believer? How about to the unbeliever?"

The reason I ask these two questions is because of what I read in the excerpt I spoke of earlier, its the idea that "If you really love God you would _________".   Now here is where I am coming from with that.  Scripture is clear they will know we are Christians by our love....but wait....for one another.  Let me ask you a question, do you want to love someone who says, "Hey you can't you get it through your head that I did this for you?  Yes you, gosh you are so selfish, I gave everything for you".  If I were to say that for you, what does that bring, guilt?  Condemnation?  For the "love" people!  We love because He first loved us.  It is talked about that many Christians are stagnant, lukewarm, etc.  Then its going into a stint of these people are just selfish people who need to own up to their own sin and just realize that they are sinful.  Now hear me on this, sin is sin, Christ was crucified for our sin, to pay the debt, sin is serious business.  But here is the clincher for me, If I truly understand Gods love for me, I wont want to sin or be drawn to the things of this world.  But I can't tell another Christian, "why can't you get it?" "are you stupid?".  The harsh words of Jesus came towards the Religious of the day, not those who were stuck in sin or going about their lives the ho hum life.  It was to those who thought they had it all together.

I am  still processing through alot of this, but there is one thing that we MUST believe Christians, its the FACT that God loves us, only God can convince us of that.  We can't pound it into each others heads, we can't convince ourselves so we can act better so it proves we "love" God.  How does God feel about you right now?  Are you at peace with the FACT that Jesus Christ died for you and if you have put your trust in Him as your savior, your Lord, your complete payment that He loves you 100% and is pleased with you?  At some point we must stop looking at the past saying if only, Jesus took care of the if only, you dont stand condemned, for if we stand condemned than Christ's sacrifice is null.  Yet it is not, true freedom is that we are convinced by Almighty God himself of His love for us, and that frees us up to obey him in truth and in power.  God wants to relate to you, he wants to reveal himself to you, He longs for you to know three words that shake the gates of hell.  "I LOVE YOU".

I'm waiting...

Hear the song "While I'm waiting?" or maybe its "I'm waiting", the point is the message of this song.  I dont like to wait....seriously in NYC this weekend, there is a wait for everything, I'm so used to looking at the end of goal of going to a place to sit and eat and I hate the waiting part. 

My waiting for the Lord is seasoned with something different, meaning that there is just as much He wants for me in the waiting than in the destination.  Sometimes when all you can muster out is "Jesus Help Me", you wait....you dont curl up in a ball on the floor, you dont stop your life.  Yet you wait....there is communication from Him while waiting.  Waiting for His touch, His move, a glimpse of His face, His provision, His direction, it all is wrapped up in a package of God being the Alpha and Omega, He is there at the beginning and end, and guess what He is there in between, our God is the same yesterday "The beginning", Today "The present", and "Forever" the future.  God prepares a table for us in every season.  Today may this be a prayer for you. 
"Jesus, Help Me".

Mother Teresa or William Wallace?

Another excerpt from John Eldridge:

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Is Jesus More Like Mother Teresa or William Wallace?

Now-is Jesus more like Mother Teresa or William Wallace? The answer is . . . it depends. If you're a leper, an outcast, a pariah of society whom no one has evertouched, if all you have ever longed for is just one kind word, then Christ is the incarnation of tender mercy. On the other hand, if you're a Pharisee, one of those self-appointed doctrine police . . . watch out. On more than one occasion Jesus "picks a fight" with those notorious hypocrites.

One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are healed of your sickness!" Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised and thanked God! But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. "There are six days of the week for working," he said to the crowd." Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath." But the Lord replied, "You hypocrite! You work on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from their stalls on the Sabbath and lead them out for water? Wasn't it necessary for me, even on the Sabbath day, to free this dear woman from the bondage in which Satan has held her for eighteen years?" This shamed his enemies. And all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did. (Luke 13:10-17 NLT)

Does Jesus tiptoe around the issue, so as not to "rock the boat"? Does he drop the subject in order to "preserve church unity"? Nope. He walks right into it, he baits them, he picks a fight. Christ draws the enemy out, exposes him for what he is, and shames him in front of everyone. The Lord is a gentleman ???

(Wild at Heart , 24-25) 

From John Eldridge

Few Have Felt So Pursued


Few have ever felt so pursued. Sometimes we wonder if we've even been noticed. Father was too busy to come to our games, or perhaps he jumped ship altogether. Mother was lost in a never-ending pile of laundry or, more recently, in her own career. We come into the world longing to be special to someone and from the start we are disappointed. It is a rare soul indeed who has been sought after for who she is-not because of what she can do, or what others can gain from her, but simply for herself. Can you recall a time when a significant someone in your life sat you down with the sole purpose of wanting to know your heart more deeply, fully expecting to enjoy what he found there? More people have climbed Mt. Everest than have experienced real pursuit, and so what are we left to conclude? There is nothing in our hearts worth knowing. Whoever and whatever this mystery called I must be, it cannot be much.



"In fact," we continue, "if I am not pursued, it must be because there is something wrong with me, something dark and twisted inside." We long to be known, and we fear it like nothing else. Most people live with a subtle dread that one day they will be discovered for who they really are and the world will be appalled.



(The Sacred Romance , 83-84)

In the Zone

Ever zoned out before?  Maybe its with a friend or in school or at work, hopefully not driving.  But you find yourself completely in a different frame of thinking and it could be for just 1 second but its enough to make you feel a disconnect from what ever is in front of you or around you.  I've done this, be it in a church service, etc.  There are times when sports figures are at their best, they are "in the zone", nothing can stop them, they seem to just be a natural at what they are doing. 

Consider this, there are times when we don't "Feel" like we are in the zone with the Lord and what He has called us to do.  Here is an important truth, Galatians 2:20 "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, the Life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."  We are in "the zone" with a new nature and we are new creations, it would be one thing for me to try to go out and put on a show of being a football player when I would get crushed!  Its not in my makeup to be a football player.  What is in my makeup and in yours if you have trusted Christ as your savior and king, is that we are children of God, He makes us be able to say to this mountain move and it will move.  We are made to walk out the character of God to the world.  Christian you are in the zone whether you believe it or not.  God said it  "It is finished".  "Paid in Full" you are in the zone.  Walk as Children of Light, walk after the spirit.

It seems to me...

It seems to me that snow throws peoples world off its balance.  There are reactions of many that act as if they have never seen snow or even more so know what to do in it.  Have you ever been somewhere nice and comfortable when it snows?  Maybe a cabin?  A house in the woods?  When you go outside what do you hear?  Silence?  Little animals?  The icy drops of precipitation cascading down from the edge of the rooftop?  For me, I hear peace, we listen so much with our ears for everything that we forget to listen with our hearts in matters of the heart and of the Lord.  Yes God has spoken to people audibly but most of the time in scripture I find that God speaks into peoples hearts.  When things happen in the natural we tend to just write them off as just that, "natural".  Frozen rain falling slowly from the sky creating a beauty that man can't?  What about snowmakers you ask?  Are you kidding?  Snowmakers?  There is nothing beautiful or creative in that.   All creation cries out Holy, it cries out a significant point of Gods pure handiwork.  Snow my friends, isnt just a neat thing, its created by God, its a way of Him saying "Shhhh....calm yourselves, listen to my heart for you and this world"  There is a wonder and an awe of looking across a field covered in snow, if we could see through the Lords eyes, that same wonder, covers us, we are his handiwork.   My prayer is that when God is moving and showing himself all around us, that we will be spectators at the wonder of His touch.    Snow. 

Important Wedding Information

Friends, for those of you who don't know I am engaged to be married in just a few short months.  So much to do in so little time.  To those of you who already know thank you for all your kind words and excitement, Eve and I are looking forward to our life together. 

I also wanted to let you know that our wedding wont be a large gathering.  Due to capacity, size etc we aren't able to have alot of people attend our wedding.  I say this to say that if you don't get an invite from me to the wedding know that it is nothing personal and that I truly do appreciate you and I wish you could be there to celebrate with us.  There are so many of you who have been great friends and encourager's along the way.   Because of the nature of the size of the venue etc, it will limited to family and some friends.  Much Love to you all,


Russ

A word from Max

Let Him


Posted: 13 Jan 2011 10:01 PM PST

“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.” I Corinthians 14:1 The Message

Loosen up. Don’t you have some people to hug, rocks to skip, or lips to kiss? . . .

It’s time to retire. Not from your job, just retire from your attitude. Honestly, has complaining ever made the day better? Has grumbling ever paid the bills? Has worrying about tomorrow ever changed it?

Let someone else run the world for a while.    - Max Lucado

Once your in it

Once you are in it, can be applied to so many life situations, we never really know until "once we are in love" or "once we are in the middle of training for a race", etc.  But the whole idea of not knowing or to be said another way, not having the experience to enter into each experience in life.  Oh we try our best for sure, we study history so we dont make the mistakes of people in the past who were in our shoes.  People in war study past techniques, what worked what didn't.  In some ways we are in a guessing game for each day we come into, we are at a guessing game if, and that is a very BIG LARGE "IF" we are trusting in ourselves. 

God almighty, maker of heaven and earth, the creator.  The teacher "rabbi", counselor, and so many other names to describe who He is.  What I am continuing to see in my life is that I am made to learn, not to know everything at the beginning.  I am made to learn from Christ and His leading, many hope for the courage or the might, or whatever it will take "IF" they are ever put into a situation they dont know what to do.  Life in Christ is resting in Gods ability to provide everything we need.  He has already provided it in Jesus.  Head knowledge is good, experience is good, but being able to not lean on your own understanding and Trust Christ to lead you moment by moment, that is freeing and healing and the way we were made.  Dont worry about once you are "in it".  God himself promises to give you what you need when you need it. 

The Griffon

For all of you busch garden fans, the word "Griffon" may send chills down your spine by just the mention of its name.  While wanting to keep this a mystery to those who have no idea what I am talking about I will say this is a ride that has been a metaphor for life.  As I look back in my life especially the past year or so, I see how God has been asking me to trust him, amongst the ups and downs, the fast parts of life and the slow journey of coming to what looks like the edge of the unknown. 

If life is an adventure, we need to realize our God has gone before us (psalms 23)  and there is so much to discover, experience and be apart of.  Our life comes from Christ which makes our hearts come alive. 

Its official

More to come, perhaps a video, but I am officially engaged to an amazing woman who has captured my heart.  The Lords faithfulness continues to astound me.  I will give you a hint its the woman I am hugging in the picture of my blog, Eve I love you.