Lighting A Dark Day

Fifteen years ago my life change drastically. My daughter was born seven weeks early and I worried, prayed, and cried. By the grace of a loving God my daughter was not only fine but has thrived. I remember like it was yesterday how little she was, so small the bassinet couldn’t be use so I wrapped her up and she slept next to me in a dresser drawer placed on my bed. After a few months her smile gave me the answers to the reason we are alive. It is not for our happiness, it is for the glory and honor of our Creator. He blessed me with that smile, and the smile of all my children. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Today the enemy attacked the heart of our nation, destroying lives of countless individuals with one mindless act. It needs no further explaining right now, but it does need to be recognized. People are questioning why, pondering different outcomes, damning the one man who shattered God’s love today. As a believer, I know God’s love is perfect and perfect love casts out fear. Today we fear. We fear for our children, our families, the families involved in this tragedy, and where we will be as a nation tomorrow. I can only give one word of advice, PRAY. The only way to not have fear is to love God perfectly, something sadly we are incapable of doing. But we can pray. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:7b

People asked were God was today. Sadly God was there, holding his arms open for a man in need of a savior who rejected Him. This man already dead, cast from God’s perfect love, and God just wanted him to stop and come home. Today, He wept. John 11:35. The bibles shortest verse says it all. God has not left us he weeps with us. Go home; hug your wife and children. Talk about how much your family means to you. Make time to step away and catch part of a band concert on a slow work night. Find joy in your loved ones. Rejoice in a Savior big enough to heal even this heart-breaking selfish foolishness. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 I love every one of you and I hope someday my life is a complete reflection of His love. Blessings to you and your family on this dark day, may Jesus be your light. 

Taking out Love!

They said He was a troublemaker. They said He was a liar. His best friends betrayed Him. One even turned Him over for money. He went to trial where people made up stories about Him. The judge was not sure what to do but to avoid a riot sentenced Him to death. When they executed Him, the people made fun. They spit, they kicked and hit, they yelled and screamed profanities at Him, and when they were tired of watching Him they stuck Him in the side with a spear and went home to talk about their day over fish, bread, and wine.  

The story about is about a man who lived a life 2000 years ago. He had every right to be bitter, to be upset, angry, frustrated, and even resentful. Instead His exact words were, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” Forgive them? Forgive us? This was the day that we murdered LOVE.

So why tell this story today? Well honestly it should be shared by Christians every day. However, today a young man attempted to take his own life at the Baraboo high school. Fellow students stated he always seemed happy. He may have even been happy but does he have a relationship with the One who tells him he is valuable? God made us in His image; to Him our life is like His life. I do not know this young man who was in so much pain today that he felt this was the way to end it. I do not know if he has a personal relationship with a Savior that is strong enough to help him through any trials or issues he is dealing with. I can say that my prayers go to his family, the staff and students at school, and most importantly to him. Today he was spared from taking out Love. I hope that someone shares with him his value, the value to all those who love him, but most importantly the value that our God says he is worth. He is worthy of grace, a gift that is given for free because Love already paid our price.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

FWP...

1. Bad cell phone reception

2. Broken dishwasher

3. No air conditioning

4. Having to wait on children

5. Getting order at drive thru wrong

6. Speeding tickets

7. Out of coffee

8. Waiting past appointment time at doctor’s office

9. Cable/Satellite goes out

10. Not enough time in the day/too busy/over scheduling

11. etc….

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Above is a short list of First World Problems (FWP), the things we complain about all the time that really mean nothing when it comes to salvation. These things are the thief, coming to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus came to save us from these things, to give us a life that is full in a Kingdom designed for us to worship Daddy.

 I struggle with FWP all the time as most people do. It is always good to make this little list, to take an inventory of what you are struggling with. The above list is random and some things that I have or do struggle with on a daily basis. Through prayer and petition we can find freedom from these struggles in a desire to be with Jesus.  

Happiness found?

I find with all the people I talk to that many in today’s society are not happy with who they are. They want newer shoes, name-brand clothing, flashy new cars or the latest hybrid, the five star services, the modern but old school home, and the latest distractions. Those are just things; people are also disappointed with their hair, or lack of, their size, their looks, and bodies as a whole. Sadly, people are also disappointed in their own dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Why?

God wants us to be happy people. He does not guarantee it but He desires it. God also does not put these pressures on us, we do. God’s word tells us in Genesis that, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. If we are made in the image of God, why do those other things matter so much to us? Separation.

God wants us to take care of our body and we should consider what we need to do if we are under or over weight, but God does not judge us for that. I struggle with being overweight and know that as a temple made in the image of God I need to work on that in my life, so where is my separation? I over-indulge in things like candy and sweets and I focus more energy into being idol then working diligently. I understand my shortcomings and know I need to start the work. I do not need you to admit to me what sin, what separates you from God but He does. He needs to know if He is going to help. So if my over-indulgence and laziness are two things I need to work on I have to take it to God in prayer and ask for strength to move on. This is no different if your separation from God comes by way of things, dreams, or other appearances. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

I am not always happy with the person I was, the person I am, and sometimes worry about the person 

I will become. I do know that if I walk a life that God desires me too there is less to not be happy about. 

I sin; my sin causes separation between me and my Savior, not because he put it there but because I did. 

Discuss with God the separation between the two of you, ask him to pull you close again, and work on the

 things that separated you to begin with. If we only wanted God as much as He wants us we would find true

 happiness.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,

 that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 

I FAIL! God does not!

I talk a great game, and play well a lot of the time. Sometimes I get caught up in old ways, old schemes, old worldly places. Sometimes I forget that I am called to be a man of God, to live by faith, and love like He does. I FAIL! Sometimes God tells me who I am to him, and while I hear Him, I don't always listen. And I FAIL! God loves me even in my failure but does not like it when I continue to do so. Life is not often easy, but with faith in God to show you who you are, it is worth it.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24                                                           

How BIG is your Savior?

Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1Timothy 1:15

I fail daily, I screw up, I crash and I burn! I attempt to be the man that the bible tells me to be, but I often do not even live up to the man my dog, Tucker, thinks I am. It has been said and with great joy to my heart; Jesus did not come to save perfect people. I am a very good sinner, but I have a much BIGGER Savior.