"...I found the one my heart loves..." Song of Solomon 3:4
5 years ago today, Scott and I were married on a beach as the sun was setting in the distance. Our lives became one in the presence of God, family, and friends. A perfect day to say the least.
Since that day, our lives has changed so much. We have chosen to surrender our lives to Christ and to accept his will for our family. In doing so, we have grown closer together as husband and wife. Our love for one another is immeasurable. Our relationship is secure. We have FINALLY found the secret to a solid marriage...choosing to serve Jesus Christ.
I love you Scott!!! You, Ashton, and Lawsen are my miracles that God gave to me to treasure here on earth.
Happy Anniversary!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
"The Goal"
"I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached the goal, but I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead. I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above."
Philippians 3:12-14
As I become more mature in Christ, I realize I want more. I'm not happy with just showing up for church on Sundays, worshiping God, and going home. Being a Christian is so much more than that. It's a continual relationship with God that flourishes through prayer and reading the word. It's having an attitude of praise, whether you are with other Christians or by yourself. It's not about "look at me", it's about look at what Christ can do when you surrender your life to him.
If you have truly accepted Jesus Christ into your heart, you can't possible be the same person you once were. You should have a changed heart. Your thoughts, your actions, your goals all become different. Your wants and desires change. You want to be pleasing to Christ and want to learn more about him. The gray areas of your personal opinions and convictions become more black and white. You stop riding the teeter totter of life that has one foot in the world and the other occasional seeking God. It's a sanctification process that people who don't believe won't understand. You'll be called judgmental and radical. You will be condemned and ostracized at times. Is it hard to be a Christian? Absolutely! But I believe in a God who sent his son to die upon a cross and forgive my sins, so that I could have everlasting life. How many of your friends, co-workers, or family members would do that for you? Now that's radical.
If you claim to be a Christian, start acting like one! Many people refuse to come to Christ because they are turned off by the words and actions of so-called Christians. Anger, gossip, and arrogance are the very things that cause the world to view Christians as hypocrites. I don't want to be viewed as that type of Christian. I want the world to see the love and compassion of Christ in all I do and say. We need to get serious about our commitment to Christ and the way that we live. Do Christians sin? Absolutely! But if you claim to be a Christian, you won't want to stay in your sin for very long.
Start running the race that Christ has called you to run. Press on to the top of the steep hills and catch your breath as you go down the other side. Cry out to Jesus to help you overcome the battles within you. Strive to reach the ultimately goal...everlasting life with your father in heaven!
Philippians 3:12-14
As I become more mature in Christ, I realize I want more. I'm not happy with just showing up for church on Sundays, worshiping God, and going home. Being a Christian is so much more than that. It's a continual relationship with God that flourishes through prayer and reading the word. It's having an attitude of praise, whether you are with other Christians or by yourself. It's not about "look at me", it's about look at what Christ can do when you surrender your life to him.
If you have truly accepted Jesus Christ into your heart, you can't possible be the same person you once were. You should have a changed heart. Your thoughts, your actions, your goals all become different. Your wants and desires change. You want to be pleasing to Christ and want to learn more about him. The gray areas of your personal opinions and convictions become more black and white. You stop riding the teeter totter of life that has one foot in the world and the other occasional seeking God. It's a sanctification process that people who don't believe won't understand. You'll be called judgmental and radical. You will be condemned and ostracized at times. Is it hard to be a Christian? Absolutely! But I believe in a God who sent his son to die upon a cross and forgive my sins, so that I could have everlasting life. How many of your friends, co-workers, or family members would do that for you? Now that's radical.
If you claim to be a Christian, start acting like one! Many people refuse to come to Christ because they are turned off by the words and actions of so-called Christians. Anger, gossip, and arrogance are the very things that cause the world to view Christians as hypocrites. I don't want to be viewed as that type of Christian. I want the world to see the love and compassion of Christ in all I do and say. We need to get serious about our commitment to Christ and the way that we live. Do Christians sin? Absolutely! But if you claim to be a Christian, you won't want to stay in your sin for very long.
Start running the race that Christ has called you to run. Press on to the top of the steep hills and catch your breath as you go down the other side. Cry out to Jesus to help you overcome the battles within you. Strive to reach the ultimately goal...everlasting life with your father in heaven!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"Shine Your Light"
"You are the light that gives light to the world." Matthew 4:14
Every Tuesday night, a group of faithful Promise Land members gather at 6:30 p.m. to shine their light in the world through visitation. I have to admit, I've never been a big fan of visitation. I've always felt like it's a bit intrusive. Most people don't want to be bothered by people they don't know when they come home from work and are trying to relax. Boy, have I been wrong! God has certainly given me the one, two punch on this one.
It wasn't until last night that I began to realize visitation can help the people who maybe don't go to church or who feel intimidated by coming before a large group of people to accept Christ. Visitation often allows people a chance to meet Jesus in the comfort of their own homes, where they are most vulnerable.
Last night was an incredible night for one man who has been struggling with alcoholism. After being sober for over 100 days, he was on the verge of taking another drink. He wanted so badly to abstain, but the chains of his addiction were overwhelming. Throughout the day, he had even called a friend to stay with him until his wife came home to prevent him from giving in to the power of alcohol. He was depressed, fearful, and broken.
Knock, knock...here come the faithful Promise Land members, bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ and shining their light on someone in need. To make a long story short, the chains of addiction were broken last night. The man who had been so close to taking another drink, drank of the living water and was healed! He cried out to Jesus and asked for forgiveness and was saved. He has a new life in Christ and will never be the same!
I challenge you to share your faith and be the light we have been called to be. Don't be fearful of what people may think. Through Jesus Christ, you have the power to change lives!
P.S. Pray for our Visitation ministry. They need our support, encouragement, and prayers weekly.
Every Tuesday night, a group of faithful Promise Land members gather at 6:30 p.m. to shine their light in the world through visitation. I have to admit, I've never been a big fan of visitation. I've always felt like it's a bit intrusive. Most people don't want to be bothered by people they don't know when they come home from work and are trying to relax. Boy, have I been wrong! God has certainly given me the one, two punch on this one.
It wasn't until last night that I began to realize visitation can help the people who maybe don't go to church or who feel intimidated by coming before a large group of people to accept Christ. Visitation often allows people a chance to meet Jesus in the comfort of their own homes, where they are most vulnerable.
Last night was an incredible night for one man who has been struggling with alcoholism. After being sober for over 100 days, he was on the verge of taking another drink. He wanted so badly to abstain, but the chains of his addiction were overwhelming. Throughout the day, he had even called a friend to stay with him until his wife came home to prevent him from giving in to the power of alcohol. He was depressed, fearful, and broken.
Knock, knock...here come the faithful Promise Land members, bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ and shining their light on someone in need. To make a long story short, the chains of addiction were broken last night. The man who had been so close to taking another drink, drank of the living water and was healed! He cried out to Jesus and asked for forgiveness and was saved. He has a new life in Christ and will never be the same!
I challenge you to share your faith and be the light we have been called to be. Don't be fearful of what people may think. Through Jesus Christ, you have the power to change lives!
P.S. Pray for our Visitation ministry. They need our support, encouragement, and prayers weekly.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
"He Knows"
"I say this because I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!" Jeremiah 29:11-13
Ever wonder why you go through "bad" things in life? I know I do. And I must admit, my first instinct is to cry out...why me? I'm a good person. I didn't ask for this. It's not fair. Sound familiar?
As I grow in Christ, I'm beginning to see, it's not always about me or my selfish wants and desires. It's all about him! What we consider to be "bad" things may ultimately be a "good" thing for us or for someone else. God is in control and knows what he is doing.
Consider this...God may be using the storm in your life to bring you to the point where you are broken and ready to be accepting of his will for your life. When we have our own agendas, he can't do his work. He needs us to be open and willing to listen.
He may also be using the storm in your life to help someone else. Today the Lord used me to help someone that is going through a similar storm that I experienced 20 years ago. How crazy is it that God knew 20 years ago that I would be sharing my experience with someone else today? That just blows my mind. That's how awesome our God is!
While God's plans are not always the plan we would have for ourselves, it's always the better path. If you are making choices that you know are not pleasing to God, search your heart and repent! Everyone sins (both Christians and non-believers). The difference is, if you are a Christian, you feel convicted and ashamed. You won't want to bathe in your sin for too long before you realize you need to take a bath. Ask the Lord to forgive you and you will be forgiven.
The Lord tells us in Jeremiah that if we search for him, we will find him. We just need to ask. It's then that we will begin to see the plans he has laid out for us and the work he is doing in our lives.
Good or bad, our experiences make us who we are. Allow the Lord to move in your life in a mighty way using your experiences to change your life and help others in need.
Ever wonder why you go through "bad" things in life? I know I do. And I must admit, my first instinct is to cry out...why me? I'm a good person. I didn't ask for this. It's not fair. Sound familiar?
As I grow in Christ, I'm beginning to see, it's not always about me or my selfish wants and desires. It's all about him! What we consider to be "bad" things may ultimately be a "good" thing for us or for someone else. God is in control and knows what he is doing.
Consider this...God may be using the storm in your life to bring you to the point where you are broken and ready to be accepting of his will for your life. When we have our own agendas, he can't do his work. He needs us to be open and willing to listen.
He may also be using the storm in your life to help someone else. Today the Lord used me to help someone that is going through a similar storm that I experienced 20 years ago. How crazy is it that God knew 20 years ago that I would be sharing my experience with someone else today? That just blows my mind. That's how awesome our God is!
While God's plans are not always the plan we would have for ourselves, it's always the better path. If you are making choices that you know are not pleasing to God, search your heart and repent! Everyone sins (both Christians and non-believers). The difference is, if you are a Christian, you feel convicted and ashamed. You won't want to bathe in your sin for too long before you realize you need to take a bath. Ask the Lord to forgive you and you will be forgiven.
The Lord tells us in Jeremiah that if we search for him, we will find him. We just need to ask. It's then that we will begin to see the plans he has laid out for us and the work he is doing in our lives.
Good or bad, our experiences make us who we are. Allow the Lord to move in your life in a mighty way using your experiences to change your life and help others in need.
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