Spiritual Journey

A new way to post and to live

2012-02-09T08:02:00.000-05:00

Well my friends, I've been inspired, after hitting the ole doctors office recently, I've realized I need to be eating healthier. So its been about 1 month, my wife and I have revamped our diet, let me tell you I feel much better, in only a month! All that aside I think I will share a bit of the new way of living as I go, here is what I will tell you.

Eating healthy and taking care of your body is honoring to God, many of us overlook it and think oh whats the big deal. Take some time to study what you are putting in your body, "high fructose corn syrup" = poison. God never intended us to fill our bodies with junk, as the temple of the holy spirit we should be taking care of it. I want to be around for my family and hopefully kids in the future ;). Its sobering to know that we are finite, but also good to remember, what choices will you make today? Peace love and uh...tofu (ok that is going to far....I dont endorse tofu, nasty nasty yuk yuk).

The purpose of "Study"

2012-01-11T14:38:00.000-05:00

When did the gospel become a topic to debate? When did it become an item to pull apart and have a "smart" conversation about? This question has been brewing in my heart for a while now. Yes I'm sure someone will comment about how we need to study and show ourselves approved, I agree. Study is different though than becoming a philisophical thinker who prides themselves on neat big words. Our lives are to be impacted by hearing the voice of the Lord and obeying. We obey out of his love for us. If we dont understand that as Christians, we are no more than pharisees who are stuck in the law. Let us experience Christ.

A great gift

2011-12-21T09:06:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-30T20:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-17T14:50:00.002-04:00

"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

2011-10-12T13:55:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-09-14T10:27:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-09-12T13:26:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-07-29T09:43:00.000-04:00

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

2 Months!

2011-06-29T08:22:00.000-04:00

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

Agreements

2011-06-13T15:01:00.000-04:00

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!!!

2011-05-16T10:48:00.000-04:00

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

http://davidmolnarblog.com/

unraveled

2011-04-18T10:52:00.000-04:00

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....

2011-04-18T09:21:00.002-04:00

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

24 Days

2011-04-05T11:39:00.000-04:00

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

2011-03-22T13:51:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-03-11T08:08:00.002-05:00

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

2011-03-08T14:49:00.000-05:00

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

2011-03-02T07:37:00.000-05:00

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

2011-02-22T15:23:00.001-05:00

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...

2011-02-21T10:06:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-02-12T11:36:00.002-05:00

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

2011-02-11T14:57:00.002-05:00

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

2011-02-01T09:48:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-01-26T13:07:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-19T14:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-14T08:05:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-11T12:18:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-05T09:54:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-02T10:59:00.000-05:00

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.

Just one look...

2010-12-29T14:31:00.000-05:00

Paul was on the road to Damascus, all it took was one look upon the Saviors face...and his whole world was changed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwXHnbt9prc

The Poor in Spirit

2010-12-28T09:55:00.000-05:00

"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Another translation reads Blessed are those who know their need for God for they shall receive the Kingdom of Heaven. Poor in Spirit = Recognizing your need for God. How do we get to that point? With so many things out there it can be hard to discover that need.

When you ask most people what they need, they would say food, a car, a house, a job, etc. Mostly are monetary things, they aren't bad at all, but I don't think it hits the depth at which we were meant to live and rely upon God. What we need is connection with Jesus Christ, what we need is a freshness in our hearts and lives because of His touch. Its amazing how things can change for me when God touches my heart or the root of what is going on. Outside circumstances may not change, but my view towards them can. We can't spend our time managing others or circumstances, etc that will leave us empty of freedom. SIMPLE, can your life fall under the category of simple? Its hard to look at it like that, Father let us see our need for you, and what a wonderful thing that is, because you desire to love us to overflowing.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

The Fam:

Good times

Enjoy

2010-12-23T10:35:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1vLEbbgD2g

Why does santa hath clawths?

Where does this note find you?

2010-12-21T15:37:00.000-05:00

I have eaten way too much cookies, etc. Christmas isn't even here yet and I can feel the sugar pulsating in my body. Right now my room is has presents all over, I almost broke my face (yes that is a term I can use) stepping on one of the boxes when I walked in my room the other day. It is open confession time, yup its true, I am a Celine Dion fan. Its true its true, before you choose to never speak to me again, hang on just a bit longer.

There are tons of Christmas songs out there, seriously how many times can we redo away in a manger, anywho I was listening to a Christmas CD the other day in which my favorite song "O Holy Night" was being sung by yes you guessed it, CD (that is Celine Dion for your normal folk). It was as if the Lord put his hand on my worries, thoughts, concerns, fears and said "shhh can you hear it? can you hear the beauty in the moment of when my Son was born into the world?" There is a sweetness to the season of Christmas, it comes from a divine night that we celebrate, a divine life that would come to reconcile us to an Almighty God. The Power of God in the sweet soft breath of a newborn child. May the Lord breathe upon you and your family during this time.

Love demonstrates Action

2010-12-20T10:10:00.000-05:00

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God shows very clear that He is about demonstrating who He is. God is Love. We so often get into the model of action motivates Love. When it is put that way it can sound like a car is what makes gas go. It makes no sense. What fuels us as believers is not trying to do so we can be, it is recognizing who we are and that fuels what we do. To put is simple, we are only faking it when we are trying to do something because we think that is what we should be doing. At the heart of action is surrender, receiving, and recognizing. Love demonstrates action, it is what propels us, it isn't a feeling but a fact that we live loved and we are affirmed by God and Him alone.

Do you ever feel like a dry cracked sponge? Yet you wonder why you can't perform the "duties" of the christian life? We weren't meant to live that way, He is the vine we are the branches, we draw moment by moment from the very life of Christ within us. A follower of Christ is concerned with only one thing, Listening to the Heart of their heavenly Father and responding. The rest my friends is religion and will only add to your dry spell. Let this Christmas be a time of hearing the heart of those Christmas Carols, of Gods Love demonstrating action, receive that message, respond to what that message compels you to do.

Friday Boot Day

2010-12-17T08:47:00.000-05:00

What a day to wear boots, snow on the ground, the crunch beneath my feet ahhh...where is my horse. Either that or where is my coffee and a nice fire? At my work I have this massive wreath in my cubicle, fake but a bit of Christmas cheer nonetheless. So far in life what I have learned is that seasons do come and go, there is a reason for that, God allows each season because He knows we need them. With that being said lets enjoy the season we are in, soak it up.

Did you know that God can turn your desert into a green lush field? Sometimes the very place we are at is our end point of redemption, we just don't see that God is renewing the "ground" right under us. Keep your eyes open, that "Oasis" you see may not be an illusion.

Closet Fears

2010-12-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

I can remember feeling like something was going to grab my feet or hands when I was little while I was on my bed. I must have looked like an Olympic high jumper in action. I knew I had to jump at least 3 feet before the bed and at a steep angle to make sure I was in the clear. It was then that I stayed in the middle of my bed, sometimes putting the covers over my head.

I figured if I would just lie still I would be ok, that if my covers were over my face I would be ok. Now I have these random thoughts or fears that I will trip while I'm walking, mostly at work, but even in public. Tripping at the most awkward time, etc.

There are fears that we had when we were younger that plagued us and we would let on to others that no such thing existed and sometimes even make fun of younger siblings or friends who were open about their fears. What is it in us that makes us want to make fun or attack someones fears? This somehow can make us feel better about our own and divert our attention away from ourselves and what we face.

I look back at being afraid of the dark and what may be in the closet or under the bed and it is just a memory, but to others it is "reality". My father once told me "Pain is Pain, it doesn't matter how big or how small". I think the same goes for fear, I would say Fear is Fear, no matter how big or small. It is the seed that is just as big as the tree, it just is easier per say to get rid of the seed. All that being said, Scripture points to the place of not fearing anything. My ideas of coping with fear have probably looked alot like the child I once was with my covers over my head.

Joshua 1:9- Be Strong and Courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go.

God knows we will face fear, things that could discourage us, but He asks us to remember a very crucial thing. He is with us. We are going to be ok, no matter what you face today in your life, His word for you is clear and unchanging, "I will never leave you or forsake you" "Trust in me with all of your heart". Complete trust is what he asks for, what is given in return is Jesus himself.

Changed

2010-12-14T08:12:00.000-05:00

A devotional from Max Lucado-

"Changed by His Majesty"
“We were…eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16, NKJV

Have you seen Jesus? Those who first did were never the same.

“My Lord and my God!” cried Thomas.

“I have seen the Lord,” exclaimed Mary Magdalene.

“We have seen His glory!” declared John.

But Peter said it best. “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

Well Hello Wednesday

2010-12-08T08:07:00.000-05:00

This morning it is 24 degrees where I live, cold to some, a tropical breeze to others. Me however, yes, it is a bit chilly, wind cutting through your close, O what fun. When I arrived at work I went about my routine, getting my french vanilla coffee, proceeding to my desk to get the computer fired up and ready for the day. That's when it hit, an email saying "bagels and pastries in the kitchen", before I knew it I had a chocolate croissant in my mouth, doh! I figure most sweets are afraid of me in the world, they have heard of my reputation, I will devour them, its not a case of if but when.

To completely change topic I was reading this morning and it struck me, the name of Jesus. Meaning "The Lord Saves". Anytime we say His name we are proclaiming that the Lord saves. He does He does He does! Wherever you are at in your life right now, hear this words, "The Lord saves _______" Put your name in the blank. If you have given your life to Christ and trusted Him as your saviour your name belongs in that blank. What you have been saved from is one huge deal, what you have been brought into is a double whammy! Father give us eyes to see our place in you, to know that our identity is settled and we are your children and you are working on our behalf. I have a feeling that the Lord may surprise you today, be open to how he may show up. We live loved, lets live.

Not alone

2010-12-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

"A sign shall be given, a virgin will conceive

A human baby bearing undiminished deity

The glory of the nations a light for all to see

That hope for all who will embrace His warm reality

Immanuel our God is with us

And if God is with us who could stand against us

Our God is with us

Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death

A glorious light has dawned

For all those who stumble in the darkness

Behold your light has come

Immanuel our God is with us

And if God is with us who could stand against us

Our God is with us

Immanuel

So what will be Your answer? Will You hear the call?

Of Him who did not spare His son but gave Him for us all

On earth there is no power there is no depth or height

That could ever separate us from the love of God in Christ

Immanuel our God is with us

And if God is with us who could stand against us

Our God is with us

Immanuel

Immanuel our God is with us

And if God is with us who could stand against us

Our God is with us

Immanuel" - Michael Card

Rugged

2010-12-03T12:53:00.000-05:00

There are things in life that I thought I would not experience, for example, living in Texas, for all you Texans just settle down, I know TEXAS is life to you. I lived there for several years and found out its not too shabby, now its no Montana or Colorado, but its nice. Another thing is what I wear, specifically shoes, specifically........boots. Thats right.....I am rugged....woof. "That's the story"

Great Googaly its December!

2010-12-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

So I had my first cup of egg nog last night, ahhhh...that is a sign that Christmas is near. I dont know what it is about egg nog that makes it all just come back to me, but whamo, shabamo it does. What's your moment that brings Christmas back to you? There begins to be this anticipation for something large to come, for a special time of closeness, warmth and wholeness. For many this season brings the opposite, many it speaks to them of what they didn't or can't have. Be it posessions, friends, a job, etc.

I'm reminded of when Jesus speaks to the woman at the well and He tells her that if she knew who it was who was asking her the question everything would change. This is a great opportunity for us as believers this season, a hug, a smile, a gift, a moment to say "Jesus truly loves you" While the world screams to people what they can't have or dont have, Jesus came to offer LIFE.

My Bad Dawg....

2010-11-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

No I dont have a dog, and if I did he wouldn't be bad, I recently read an article of about a NFL football player who blamed his dropped pass on God. The pressure was on in overtime and he drops the pass. When I read this I respond in way of saying, are you kidding? God made you drop that pass? Responsibility. Sometimes we can stay in our "safe zone" when we dont take responsibility for things, by pushing the blame away, it doesn't land upon us. This is by no means a doom and gloom thought for today but instead one of honesty.

In order for us to experience everything God has for us there comes a point to where we own up to our own actions, thoughts, etc. Christ's grace is more than enough for us, but really to understand His grace and forgiveness fully, we have to come to grips with our own decisions apart from Him. That is what makes His Grace, Forgiveness, Peace and Love so amazing!

So what....we can make poor decisions, does that define our worth? No, it should cause us concern but not undermine who we are. We are ID'd as Christ's own, His children, bought with a price. We need to only respond out of that identity to walk out true LIFE. Next time the pressure is on, you are in the "endzone" to win it, remember, God is most concerned about His relationship with you than you looking great in front of screaming fans. How empty and dull it actually is when we settle for what the world thinks of us based off what we can do, versus what God says about us based on whose we are. "In Him we Live and move and have our being".

R.A.W.

2010-11-23T10:51:00.001-05:00

No the title is not about a new version of UFC or old skool WWF. Have you ever worn shoes that make your heal raw?  Or you have work hard and your hands get raw, etc and so forth. That is no fun, it really affects your day to day life.

In a different way RAW or (Ready And Willing) can be seen in our walks with Christ. Sometimes we just feel completely sore and raw. We think the pain is bad and that God is upset with us and so we repent, and walk in condemnation for feeling the way we do. If RAW means ready and willing then maybe Gods purpose is really to allow us to become Ready And Willing.

What are things that you think of when you read that?  Be ready to give it all? Sell everything you have? Be willing to be a martyr? Do we stop and wonder how martyrs of the past or people who gave up material possessions did it? Or why? Is it because you are a "real" christian if you live poor? Or that you need to look for a way to die for Jesus?

I have been thinking about this lately, I believe what the most important thing that Jesus Christ is after is not your sacrifice, but rather your obedience. Now hold your thoughts here, I'm not talking about tithing, witnessing, etc. I believe those things are very important, but the importance I am talking about here is to be obedient in the area of receiving from God. I believe why anyone who laid down their lives or lived in the slums for Christ is not because they went to do it to be a good Christian but rather they had received something so amazing from Christ that they were compelled. Compelled by His love in them, circumstances will happen, it is up to us to just respond to what God asks of us. Let Him worry about the details.

To make it short and sweet, God loves you, it is not selfish nor is it wrong to make it your first priority to receive His love and grace. Why else would we be able to walk in obedience?  We obey because He loves us, not the other way around.   Lets be Ready and Willing.

Screaming so quietly

2010-11-22T08:15:00.000-05:00

What is normal? To each person "normal" could be what they live in or grew up in. There is a different standard if you will on which each person measures what it is to walk in what is normal. To me normal is getting up, getting ready for work and driving, the same route, expecting the same things of work as the week before. The list can go on and on. Have you ever had that notion that what is normal may not be true? If I am color blind, (which I'm not and I'm not poking fun at anyone who is) but that doesn't change that the color is actually there, regardless of my perception. We have things that are screaming so quietly at us, telling us what is normal, it pushes us, pulls us.

Could it be that what is meant to be normal, is actually experiencing and knowing God? Our feelings can lead us around like a dog chasing a squirrel that he just can't catch. Focus on what you know, not what you don't know, for some reason we have come to the conclusion that we can think things out and make them reality. What if reality is looking at us right in the face and God is saying, "Let me remove the stray thoughts and distractions from your mind, and listen". May God define our normal today.

Everyone else...bad drivers

2010-11-19T12:32:00.002-05:00

Ever heard someone say, man people here in (insert state or city) have no clue how to drive? It truly is amazing how we hear that everywhere and we can say that with such confidence. Today while driving around for work a guy was tailgating me, he kept "throwing his hands up in the air", I mean this guy was a great mime! Only I don't think I would allow him around children, he didn't seem very nice. After a few seconds of him doing this I wondered to myself, uh...what's you're deal dude? I'm just driving here, take a chill pill.

It became a battle of wits (my imagination vs what he was displaying). Oh for all of you to be a fly on the wall of my brain....OK maybe not a good image. My point being is this, how quickly I took on someone Else's deal or problem. In life we will be going about our days and someone else will come along and "waive their hands in the air", tell you to "get out of the way". We take it personal, if you are like me, our response is "What!!! do you know who you are talking to?"

When we think we are in charge of making life happen for ourselves, making the world spin, we can freak out on just about anyone or anything. We quickly realize we can barely do anything by ourselves, we weren't meant to. We weren't meant to. "In Him we live and move and have our being"- Acts 17:28. Next time we see "the worst driver in the US" before us or behind us, may it remind us, that we live and move and have our being in Christ. I pray that the man behind me today in traffic comes to know the Life of Christ, was I mad? um yes...but that doesn't mean that He is less worthy of the Love of God. What a day. Tonight I see my best friend. Have a good Friday my friends.

Meeting up

2010-11-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

Coffee.....bagel.....slowly...eating...mmmmm. A nice tasty bagel, coffee and slumping down in your cubicle at work. Today unlike yesterday is sunny outside, tons of leaves falling. Its pretty cool where I live because the leaves almost cover your entire car when you come out of the house in the morning. A few months back I had put a post on my facebook, (which I no longer have) and it talked about what we have gotten used to as Christians.

For example we have gotten used to the idea that we are alone in our lives, sure we go to church, pray, read the bible, but there seems to be that nagging feeling that we just aren't up to snuff. That really God is waiting for us to just get it, then we can finally know Him. One of the areas I think we have gotten used to that is highly dangerous is the thought that if we don't keep up our end of the "bargain" with God we are on the "bad" list. Why? Romans states that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Is Gods faithfulness contingent upon His character or ours? I am definitely not saying that we aren't to walk in obedience, etc. What I am saying is that there is a connection to God that cannot be broken. I wake up and spend my time praying, and seeking God, but really....I wake up and He is seeking me. All the time He is seeking my heart, my affections, my hurts, hopes and dreams. To put our desires our hopes in the dumpster is to throw away part of how God has made us. Read this sentence slowly, "God loves you right now, right where you are at, He isn't waiting for you to be better, He loves you, He has plans for you, He is conforming you into the likeness of His Son, He delights in you. Scripture says He will rejoice over you with singing and quiet you with His love.

Could God the creator of all things? Be the one seeking us out? Could He be wanting a deep relationship with us? Could that be His main focus? Too good to be true? What have we gotten used to? Who wants to meet up with who.

In times of.....

2010-11-16T16:26:00.000-05:00

Today has been a rainy rainy day, good thing I've been inside but when I think about it, I'm not so sure. Today was a sweater day at work for me, "very smart Russ, wear a sweater on a day you are inside in the heat". Its interesting how our environment can determine our view of success in situations. Had I been out in the cold "Brilliant Russ! Just Brilliant!" One thing is true, our environment, our world, our situations dont change the Truth of God. There is a Truth that goes beyond, feelings, fears, hopes and dreams. That Truth is also The only way to God and true LIFE. Jesus.

When we are following Christ, success isn't defined by the results, but by our obedience to His moment by moment whisper. His yolk is easy and His burden is light....in all times.

Come on in

2010-11-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

Its seems to be easy when we have guests coming over to answer the door. We know they are coming and have made the preparation, made our house look good, thrown all the "stuff" in the closet or bathroom or where ever we think they wont go. In a devotional I received this morning it talked about Jesus standing at the door of our hearts and knocking. We can answer the door, feeling good about him coming in, but maybe to just a certain point.

He goes gently over to the door that has the "stuff" behind it. We quickly bring up how nice our living room looks, he responds "yes I know, I healed you there remember?" His very turf or area that he has brought his healing hand to we sometimes will take credit for or forget that He was the one to heal us. Are we willing to open that closet door? Can we trust Jesus to handle our deepest hurts and fears? I know that I am very quick to want to divert him to different rooms, but really unless I allow him into those areas, I'm not allowing Him to be ALL that He wants to be to me. It can be scary, stir up pain, but there is a reason and a purpose behind his question, and His question is "Will you let me heal you?"

Superstition vs. Christianity

2010-11-09T09:39:00.000-05:00

We hear the song superstition by Stevie Wonder and we sing along to the beat but as christians we laugh at the idea of superstition. I wonder if it hasn't crept into our thinking as believers. For example, if you have ever had the following phrase go through your head, "if I do this, then that will happen". What I am talking about is different than cause and effect, for example, if I hit my head against a wall it will hurt. That isn't superstition. But when we begin to project into the future if I "feel" this way or "dont feel" this way, that can be our road to what we believe is true.

We can act like we are in control of the outcome of our lives but are we really? I believe we do have a free will, but within that, who ultimately holds the script to my life? I can look at a decision and say "I hope I dont choose the wrong path, because if I do, my life will be over so to speak." My friends, this is not biblical, the only decision that Jesus says to make sure you make the right one is to make Him Lord of your life. Whether or not you choose to eat pizza or cheerios may not have the same weight.

My point is this, sometimes we get paralyzed by fear because of not wanting to make the wrong choice, I would ask you this, do you think there could be sometimes in life that either decision you have to make is fine and the Lord is waiting on either side? Really could God be that big? Could he be so on top of things that you dont have to be in control or worry? If he is a redeeming God, which He is, He has the market cornered on it, redemption occurs daily, moment by moment, not giving us the freedom to do whatever we want, but to be freed up to make a mistake or succeed in our lives. He is faithful to complete the work he has begun in each of us. Notice how I ended that sentence with a period, HE is faithful, its not our faithfulness. Let your mind and heart rest today, ask Him to see where superstition may have crept into your heart and beliefs, as Max Lucado writes:

"Hope is not what you expect; it’s what you would never dream....Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it’s far greater than that. It’s a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction."

Gods not waiting for us to get our act together to give us hope, we dont trust our ability to make ourselves ready for God to move, we trust His spirit in us.

The Final Word

2010-10-21T08:32:00.000-04:00

Ever been around children who seem to be at the same level as their parents on "authority"? Have you been the parent or child? This back and forth on the final word. I believe there is something deeper within us that wants to be heard moreso understood. We haven't quite learned the way to communicate it though. For one person it is shutting down and running away, for another, yelling.

Let me pose a question, were we as mankind meant to have the final word? Yes there are decisions to be made, places to go, jobs to be done, etc. Let me put it a different context, "In the beginning was the word, and word was with God, and the Word was God." In a loud voice Jesus cried out on the cross "It Is Finished". If something is finished, it is done, complete, not lacking, etc. What we as humanity cry out for, Christ has already done, he has heard our cry even before it left our lips. "He humbled himself taking on the very nature of a servant and became obedient to death, even death on a cross". Christ came into the middle of our heart wrenching dilemna of "does anyone, anybody hear me or see me?" His answer is Yes, It is finished, I have the last word. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Him. He has the last word. God ran to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2WhRD9TZ-U

Setting it straight just right

2010-10-19T09:27:00.000-04:00

What about things being not straight drive you crazy? Is it the picture on the wall? The painted trim in your house? Maybe the way your husband/wife drives? There is within us this desire to set "it" straight. In some form or another we all experience this, alot of interesting habits develop from this.

Habit 1. You get in your car, you tweak all the mirrors "just right" (that being said you maybe move them 1/8 of an inch)

Habit 2. For the ladies it may be that one pesky curl in your hair that sits "just right". (While us men sit there befuddled not seeing any change and not seeing any reason for the big deal, anywho)

Habit 3. For the Men it may be setting it straight is getting out in the wild. Be it flyfishing, hunting, camping, etc. Something about just getting out there can set things right.

Some Habits may appear light hearted others more engrained and serious. The fact is we all have a desire/need for things to be right. One problem, we weren't born right. Scripture says that "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." How frustrating that would be if that were the end, that we have this desire for things to be right, for our spirit to know that we are ok, not just ok, but created for something or even someone amazing but there didnt exist a cure.

There exists a Just, Perfect, Unblemished, Pure, Cure. That sets "it" straight, that as scripture records, "restores the years the locusts have stolen", that "heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds" that brings "freedom for the captives". Our security is found not in what we dont know, but what we know, or more importantly who we know. Jesus Christ. What do you know of Christ? What do you know of His Character? Put feelings and emotion aside for a moment, what do you know of Christ. The truth is this, He has set "it" straight just right. To live off what we know of God instead of what we dont know of life is truth.

Rescued

2010-10-14T08:31:00.002-04:00

"In a flawless operation that unfolded before a hopeful, transfixed world, 33 miners who were trapped for more than two months deep beneath the Chilean earth were raised one by one Wednesday through a smooth-walled shaft of rock."- this is first line today in the headlines. I have been captivated by this story.

Yesterday I watched live as they pulled out the 20th miner from 2,000 feet beneath the earth to safety. One of the miner was quoted to say to the effect of what an amazing thing it is to breathe the air and see the stars. When one of the miners came out a rescuer said this to him ""Welcome to life". Welcome to LIFE, I cannot help but think about my rescue that occured some 2000 years ago. Trapped beneath the weight of sin, seperated from God, each man and woman and child was what seemed to be hopeless and without aid.

This plan was planned since the beginning, with great care, perfection and precision. Just as the rescuers sent the pod down to the miners in the earth, our great God sent His son to the earth, not only to it, but in it. Jesus knows what its like to be buried under the weight of sin, he bore the weight and said...."Welcome to LIFE". My friends, brothers and sisters, Welcome to LIFE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhpQ8_q5awo&feature=related

Steps of Faith

2010-10-11T10:34:00.000-04:00

What does a step of faith look like? Is it our job to determine its merit? Or is it just to step, and that is what defines is "success" or not, not the result of our obedience, but the act of it. Remember this scene from indiana jones? Its not our job to find something to stand on, but to hear the voice of the Lord saying, "step forward and trust me".

Fall is here

2010-10-07T09:44:00.001-04:00

Leaves are changing, what a great time of beauty, the forest and trees and vibrant in color. For many of us, what we see outside doesn't match what we see or "feel" inside. Today as I got in my car to drive to work I stopped and just looked at creation all around me. It was a peaceful moment, seasons bring change, it reminds me of different ups and downs in my life.

For some this can be a season of great joy because it has to do with an event that brings great joy, for others this can be the start of a season that reminds you of loneliness, pain and heartache. I think about the woman at the well in scripture, each day was a "season" for her, she walked by herself to a far off well to get water. Each day reminding her off who she thought she was, how people viewed her, etc. For her, it could have been fall or spring, etc but it was a season of being alone. Here is where Jesus meets her, He meets her on her turf. He replaces her old day to day experience with a new one, not just any experience, but one of LIFE. Remember what he offers her?

My prayer today is that each of us would see the Lord bringing LIFE into areas of us that we are "alone". I believe that God's faithfulness is shown in its splendor when we are facing the eye of the storm and we hear a voice call out "Peace be still". Allow Him to lead you through those times, its in those times He whispers...."I AM".

Method vs. Relationship

2010-10-05T15:00:00.000-04:00

So...method we have lots of it around us. Processes, things set in place to ensure success and a certain outcome. What happens when we don't have a method? Panic? Anxiety? Stress? What about peace?

In talking about life, most if not all what we experience is on a relational level. Constantly interacting with people singular or plural. We have our methods at work, home, driving, eating, etc. When it comes to relationships, we all look for a method, the "how to" books seem to be enough to choke a camel. Don't get me wrong there is great wisdom and knowledge to gain from alot of books. But when we rely upon someone Else's experience to be true for us, we can be setting ourselves up for a possible let down, etc.

Specifically in what it means to walk with Christ. Now understand, there are biblical principles in which we live by, God's everlasting unchanging truth. You can't get around that, but understand, that is not method. Each thing we read in the word of God is alive and active, its personal to each account. I recently had a friend say, "I'm glad Jesus never healed someone the same way twice, because we would have denominations like "the church of healing mud on your eyes", etc. When we are talking about what God has done in our life, it can be easy to share method with people on how you "gained" victory. When scripture says "His divine power has given us everything, for life and godliness" I believe this speaks of the power of God that is alive, and active. We can't say in order to be a good christian you must "1, 2, 3". What that does it take the personal leadership of Christ out of our lives. Dependence upon Christ and His word and His spirit are key. Not dependence on "God did this for that person that way because they did this". We are only to be observant of others fruit, not their motive, can we really judge that? If God leads me to do one thing, it can be in freedom but another person can try to achieve a result based off what they see in me by "method" and they will walk right into a wall.

Sometimes its easier to go off other peoples revelation and manna, than seek and receive our own.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2U3PU-E32E&feature=related

Yearn

2010-10-01T09:01:00.000-04:00

Ahhh yes, for those who know me I am a non scary obsessed shane and shane fan. What draws me to their music is the depth from which they sing and write from. I dont want to draw on, so check out this link. Take a moment and breathe.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzKCp2tLqUo

All I need is you

2010-09-29T09:25:00.001-04:00

"Left my fear by the side of the road, hear you speak and won't let go, drawn to the voice of my savior once again". The chorus cries out "All I need is You, All I need is you Lord, is you Lord". In Christ we have received every we need for life and godliness.- Paraphrase 2 Peter 1:3.

To allow Christ to fill our needs, what a thought. We have been created anew in Christ through his sacrifice. Just as it is natural for our bodies to breathe oxygen, it is now a natural thing for us to desire God to fill us and be our source.

There is a calming when we find ourselves in the presence of God, "Shhhh...my child...shhhhh, it's okay, I'm here". Another part of the song says "you hold the universe, you hold everyone on earth." The one who holds the universe, holds us, and says. "My peace I give unto you, I will never leave you, you are the apple of my eye, I delight in you". The Lord is above our ways and thoughts, just as a child runs to there father when they are in need, so must we. Its who we are.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvL6evyRFgY

Healing

2010-09-28T08:55:00.000-04:00

Healing, physical, emotional, spiritual, mental? At what point do we or I justify for it to be ok for me to not express pain? The thought of "if I am a good christian I would feel this way". Many of us may know God by some of his traits, Awesome Lord, King of Kings, Savior, mighty God. All of which are huge! He also wants to throw into that mix that He is a King of Kings who heals and restors, He is a Savior who heals, He is concerned with your heart, hurts and pain.

I find myself wrestling with not feeling that I can go to the only safe place I know. Jesus says, "Come to me ALL who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you REST." Notice I highlighted two words. A walk with Christ is not how great we behave or sacrifice, it is how we respond to his love and out of obedience to what he calls us to. There is no, none, nada condemnation in Christ. Fear is not a motivation, He unending Love that pardons, heals, and restores is the motivation. What does God think about you? The world. - John 3:16

Prayer of St Francis

2010-09-24T08:40:00.000-04:00

"Lord make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is dispair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And when there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, but to console
to be understood as to understand.
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And its in dying that we are born into eternal life, Amen.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiXz3QI0SMM

Our footing

2010-09-22T10:51:00.000-04:00

Yesterday brought an unexpected event, while walking down the stairs at my sisters I quickly realized my footing was not "sure". Wearing dress socks and walking down carpeted stairs in the dark was a recipe for disaster.

I managed to cover almost every square inch of each stair with some part of my body as I came sliding, bopping, bouncing down. My response?.... ouch.

Having sure footing was crucial, especially when navigating in the dark. For us as believers having the understanding of sure footing is crucial. As the song goes, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Here is the great part of the idea of footing with Christ, HE enables us to have the footing we so desperately need. I can't put on my boots to climb the stairs of life by myself, if I try, I end up at the bottom of the stairs, ouch. Stay with me here but we have been given heavenly gear, armor, call it what you will. God doesn't call us anywhere that he doesn't equip us.

There are times that we dont know which way is up or down, but we do know who created up and down. I once heard this quote and it has stuck with me. We dont need greater faith, but rather a greater understanding of who we put our faith in. To conclude, we fall, we get back up, God teaches us, always always always teaches us, it is always for our good when He teaches us.

Maybe, just maybe, God still has a suprise or two up his sleeve, He's not finished with me yet.

What's the Point?

2010-09-21T15:15:00.000-04:00

The point, what is it? Why do we or I strive each day. What are we striving for? Do we believe God will come through for us? Our brokenness is no mystery to God, He is fully aware of what we have and will go through, but the question is, what is the point? The point is this.... "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds." The point is to experience Him.

Some point we believe the lie that life is about just going through the motions. The only thing that truly moves us is the life of Christ. "Heal my heart and make me clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen, show me how to love like you have loved me".

What the world needs, is the Redemptive Story communicated to them. The Gospel my friends. Let us experience that daily. The Gospel.

Stuck

2010-09-20T13:18:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel stuck? Stuck in your habits, thoughts, way of life? We can get caught into the net of normalcy. When stress, anxiety, frustrations, lifes events come knocking on our door, what is our answer?

We can throw a habit of ours at it, maybe a thought, and even a way of life. I am convinced that we experience stress, anxiety and frustrations because of what we throw back at lifes dilemas. I have been listening to a song lately by Chris Sligh, "Only you can save". Jesus is supernatural, his love and direction are unending. When it comes down to it, our only true and real response is to fall into the arms of the Lord.

My blog is called spiritual journey, when I really reflect upon that, there is only one destination, it is not to a far away place, some far away land, but rather, into the arms of a loving powerful Savior and Father. My journey starts, continues and ends with me being carried by a God who will never leave nor forsake me. Allow Christ access to your life, all of it, because what we think is our own life, is nothing at all. Only true life flows from Christ, and that my friends is what he brings with Him everywhere he goes.

Whats next?

2010-09-15T08:36:00.000-04:00

The question of Whats next can be a familiar one. The idea that we are living for something that is yet to come is very prevelant in our society. What about when we stumble and fall? Do we look to what is to come of that? What we would say is yes, there is a consequence for each thing we do, while I agree with that, I think we miss the point if we just see it as consequence.

When a father disciplines his son, it is out of love and for growth for him. As believers in Jesus Christ we are not given a license to sin by any means, but rather the freedom to obey out of our love response to Christ. Jesus never ever ever, condems us, rather we receive from him correction, discipline, love, hope, healing, restoration. The next time you stumble and fall, remember that God has something in it for you, you can learn from it, grow from it, not walk in defeat.

As you watch this video, remember "For God so loved the world (all mankind) that he gave his one and only son.... We needed someone to run to us, to fix us, to walk with us.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqZtsLfHUM4

Contentment

2010-09-13T08:54:00.000-04:00

Godliness with Contentment is great gain. There is a burning desire within each of us to be content, to be enough, to have enough. I recently heard it said that we long for something more because this isn't inteded to be our end result here on earth, while I agree with that, I believe there is that Hunger that can only be satisfied by God and what He provides, and that can happen here on earth.

The Lord is in the business of Restoring and healing. That my friends is the Kingdom, we do have an amazing future to look forward to, but too many of us have bought into the lie that the desire to be known and to know are really not worth seeking out because we will be let down. Paul had learned to be content in all things, because His true hearts desires were met, all through Jesus Christ.

Have you ever experienced an event or relationship that was so amazing that everything else pailed in comparison? God Loves you because He loves you, because he loves you, because he loves you, because he loves you. When we say I'm not worth love, we haven't understood the loud and proud statement God made to us through Christ, "you are worth dying and living for". Is this a settled issue in your heart? It can only be settled by He that calms the raging sea. Today ask your father to begin to settle this in you.

No turning back

2010-09-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

The world behind me, the cross before me. - What an amazing verse, the cross covers us, it is our focus, beyond the cross is our continued eternal life with Christ. To many of us stop at the cross, we dont see the call of Christ beyond it. Christ didn't stay at the cross, He rose again to new life!

He has come to give us life abundantly, listen, he has given you needs and desires, dont push them down, but allow him to fill those. When we deny our God given needs we deny our need for God. Walk in peace today my friends, He loves you and wants to walk with you.

Comparing

2010-08-19T15:27:00.000-04:00

The other day I had a thought, as I thought about that thought it really made me think :). Anyways I was thinking about how we compare ourselves to everything around us. To the people, what they look like, what they have or dont have. Then we move on to even surroundings, we compare ourselves to the surroundings, "do I fit in here?" "Is this a spot for me?" Why is the standard always something else?

Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to father but through me. There is so much in this verse that we could dig into, but look at 3 words. Way, Truth, Life. When we compare our life with His Way, Truth and Life, we should see the only comparable solution to what we are looking for. We weren't made to compare ourselves even to each other, only to Christ, and the way we compare, or should I say relate to Christ is as His Children, so we can be adults with the world. Money, prestige, power, social status all compared to knowing Christ is as paul said rubbish. Let us be free to walk in who Christ has called us to be. To know we are loved and to let the world feel the awesome weight of that Love. Don't walk in fear.

Listening

2010-08-06T08:42:00.000-04:00

When I normally think of prayer I dont think of listening as much as I think of speaking. But if prayer is just me talking to God, or asking asking asking, where does that leave me? As if God were a vending machine that I go to? Yesterday one of my best friends reminded me that God only knows what we need, He only knows and He desires to give us that.

What we need isn't always what we want, but we assume thats a bad thing. When I was a kid I wanted to eat dog food, why? I have no clue, I thought it was what I wanted, I think too many times we are looking to get dog food, instead of God food. ;) The Lord is our Shepherd we shall not be in want. Allow God to challenge your thoughts of who He is today, eternal life is now. Abundant life is now, when you woke up this morning, God loved you, when you got to work, God loved you. As you read this God loves you. Christ is in you, the HOPE of glory. Let us keep our eyes on His face, His hand will guide us. For us to be willing to let go of our desires doesn't mean that God will squash them, its being willing, that is the key. Willing and wanting are two different things. Remember, we shall not be in want.

Fighting

2010-08-05T11:22:00.000-04:00

Well this tags onto my last post, fighting. I had mentioned areas that we sometimes aren't open to recieving from God. Another way to put it is how have we learned to fight off love? But maybe we dont see it as love, we have learned to cope, to keep "safe".

True freedom in Christ is allowing Him full access into your life, a HUGE part of that is allowing His love to saturate you. Sometimes we have hurt so bad in the past by someone or something, that we set out our guard dogs, no one would dare come to that area of our lives, and we learn to live life in self protect mode. A good friend of mine told me recently, or asked me this question, "Are you willing to put down your shield and allow God to be your shield?" Sometimes we fight the very thing or in this case the very hand that can and wants to heal and restore us. No more, oh thats just my personality or the way I am. He came to make all things new. In Him we live move and have our being.

Think about what you "feel" that will always be an issue, guess what? Its not your job to fix you, rest in the Grace of God. He can and will come through for you, beyond what you could ever imagine. Live Life my friends.

In the Morning

2010-08-04T08:18:00.000-04:00

Today is one of those days that coffee is one of your best friends. :) But the real important thing today is what is stirring in me. The idea, or more so the fact, that I was made to be loved and to love. In that order, I recently heard a sermon with the main point saying, let us come to God as Children so we can come to each other as adults. Humans are meant to fill that deep void, God is.

But lets think about that for a moment, God created you because He loves you, and He daily wants to express His love to you and through you to a world that needs it desperately. Here is the deal, we can't stir up a supernatural love, we can't make things happen in that arena, Ask the Lord today, "is there any area of my life Lord where I dont know how to receive from you?" You may be blown away at the response you get. Live loved my friends.

Hold me Jesus

2010-07-28T12:03:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the song by Rich Mullins "Hold me Jesus"?

"Well sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart

So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down I'm falling on my knees

And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin

I'm singing hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory"

I find myself shaking in life, maybe not on the outside but the inside, surrender to Christ is crucial in our lives, but when we really understand that we are surrendering to a God who loves us and has the gentlest touch, our perspective changes. Gods love is what changes our lives. It goes beyond reason or comprehension, that is why it is so amazing, it is from that moment that we desire and have the God given power to walk out life as He calls us to.

A new way

2010-07-20T10:25:00.000-04:00

Friends,

What do you think God thinks of you? Why do you think it? These are the questions that we all wrestle with each day whether we realize it or not. We can get into managing our lives, that we really tell God where he can go and where he can't. What if we aren't suppose to manage our lives? What if Christianity is not sin-management or even behavior-management.

What if our life was truly dependent moment by moment on the very life of Christ. We dont stir things up in ourselves, if that were the case, where does that put Christ. My friends, to be completely dependent on God means everything. Obedience is key, but only after His leading, we have created a culture of christian self reliance that is robbing us and the world of the life of Christ. He Loves you, what if your job is to be outrageously loved by God, then the fruit of the that is shown to the world. When did Christianity become about us doing?

First Things First

2009-09-28T16:48:00.000-04:00

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

2009-09-24T16:19:00.000-04:00

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

2009-07-16T21:42:00.000-04:00

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

2009-06-14T22:04:00.000-04:00

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

2009-01-16T23:08:00.001-05:00

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

2009-01-13T21:50:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-10T20:52:00.000-05:00

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."

Post Christmas order?

2008-12-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

9 days, lots of cookies, presents, movies. These were things that only filled in the small parts of my vacation home. The large part was this, Family and love. Its amazing to me how 9 days can fly by so fast and yet you can learn so much in that time. In my last post I talked the Love of the Father, it clicked with me last night that I can see glimpses of God in the natural. Specfically the love that I see from my earthly father, he is encouraging, supporting, protective, and wise.

I have always known people who didn't have a good relationship with their dad so they had a hard time with God being their father. I have missed for a while how God has shown me part of himself through the godly father I have. God gives us things in the natural to just give us a glimpse of His goodness and splendor, let us not look so far into the future or unknown that we miss what God has put right in front of us.

The day before going home

2008-12-18T16:30:00.001-05:00

So here I sit in my office, most of the interns here at Teen Mania have gone home for break as well as a good chunk of my staff friends. During this time of year I always look back and look forward. There is the thought of where did this year go? Then there is the thought, what will this next year hold?

I am convinced that this is a huge time spiritually as well. The enemy of our souls seeks to bring confusion and chaos, the Lord seeks to show us great and mighty things that are in store. My question is this? Why is it so hard at times to believe the author of truth? Why do we always lean towards lies? Here is what I am coming to find out about this....God loves us, we are His children (Romans 8:15-16). If we grab this, we can truly know that God is a great loving father, he desires good for us, we can trust him. What is it that challenges you? What is it that holds on to you night and day? Perfect love casts out fear.