Friday~~~~

Wow, what a week it has been. I missed YCI this morning and this is now 2 weeks I have not been able to make it. There is nothing like 100 or students saying good morning, high fives, smiles, hugs, good mornings etc to brighten the start of the day. Next Friday for sure :)

Last night Bible study was great and its just amazing how God puts pieces of His word together to make things complete. I have not had a season in my life as of yet, where His word seems to be so real and so alive. I am very grateful for that and this season of growth and learning I am in. I think when we are lined up with Gods vision and purpose where its our vision and purpose - I think it gives the Lord more room to work, you see things more clearly, you have boldness to speak and you expand your comfort zone to include more things - specifically more things of Him.
2 Corinthians 4:3- If our Message is obscure to anyone, its not because we're holding back in any way. No, its because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they wont have to bother believing a truth they cant see. They're stone blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

I was sitting listening to one of my brothers at my Bible study speak last night and he was talking about how some folks have been coming up to him saying - Dude, why are you smiling all the time? This new project is going to take weeks to finish and your smiling? - See to my buddy, he was out of work for many months. Close to losing his home, his savings and his family - YES he is smiling - did you hear what just happened? This new thing is going to take WEEKS to finish! That means he gets to work there for a few more weeks to finish the project!
Sometimes in life we need a new perspective - we need to be reminded that we are not entitled to everything, our way, our timing, receive receive receive - Sometimes things are taken, lost, given away or even - people walk away and right out of you life.
I recently had a close student of mine who we have not been close for very long before leaving my old church to go to Elevation Church and I knew our walk was not that deep, I did not know the family all that well as things were just starting to get some traction. Splat - defriend of facebook, cold shoulder now when I see them at school, - nothing in return. Not even a thanks, goodbye, or a reason. Hard to accept but if people are going to walk out - you have to be ok and let them. It was surface stuff probably and the relational roots had not dug in or even grown for the friendship to stick around. Its times like those that we have to remember that God is our rock. He is our foundation. He is what we strive for to show others in and through us. Its not about us, its about sharing Jesus with the people in our worlds. We are messengers, errand runners, bringers of the good news of Christ to people who need it. Not everyone is going to be receptive to it, not now maybe but over time - possibly. 15 years down the road maybe, a ton of prayers being lifted for that person... just maybe in this life time.
We must align our faith with our actions and in our words - because we are that brightness of the Message the shines for Christ to a dark and broken world with so many struggling for purpose, passion of some kind in this life and meaning.
Yes, Im smiling because I have received the greatest gift anyone could have ever asked for and Gods face is of Christ who is all bright and beautiful. So as these folks in your life look at you - do they see Christ in you?

You will not be able to reach everyone but you can show everyone what and who you believe in and what you stand for. A follower of Christ presses through the tough spots, prays behind the scenes for those we are not reaching at this time all showing the perserverance that we strive for in finishing the race. Strong and steady and in for the long haul. You have something that others want even if they dont yet see it clearly today.
I am excited for this weekend. I am especially excited for one of my kids who comes in and out of my life at times will be going to church this Sunday with us. I can see her heart being softened and her willingness to Gods word to penetrate her heart is changing her. I love what I see in the road ahead if she can just stay the course. If she can just stay focused. If she can just ignore the rumors and hurtful words of stupid and self centered people .... I think what is breaking her heart today, may very well one day be her mission field.

In the end never get tired of doing the right thing. In the end, its all that matters.
happy weekend everyone,
Lon~