Whew was it hard to roll out of bed this morning at 6:15 - 6:20 - 6:30 - 6:35 - shower and run with coffee. I played some Third day a little extra loud on my way to church this morning, hoping to get my blood flowing as I downed my coffee. I was running 5 minutes late and the church trailer was not there yet - I am glad - I don't like to be late for anything. Thank my mom for that! After a few minutes of being at church ready to get motivated and geared up - I paused for maybe 30 seconds - thanked the Lord for giving me this opportunity to serve Him and serve those in my church family and for all the new faces coming into the doors this morning. I needed that shot in my arm - got everything setup - Its Communion Sunday and Pastor Jimmy called up 4 gents to help pass out Communion. What an honor to do this. Band was rocking, new faces in the house and it was especially touching to sit with my friend Alice at the 11:00 service. Jimmy had a funny story of him going and seeing KISS back in 1996 and had everyone laughing. It was a good day - praying for even a bigger day next Sunday. This being a holy week - the week before Good Friday and Easter Sunday - I hope to spend a little extra time with God in prayer this week. We are spending Easter with some church family and Carol, Kyle and I are really excited about this. I hope to have a few Easter thoughts this week to share with everyone. Its the reason of the season - Jesus.
I just have to say after the last 2 awesome days - We are all WORN out - but its an awesome feeling and we wouldn't have missed any of this for anything. Mom I know you were with us yesterday and today - if you were here in person instead of cheering us on from heaven - you would have taken us up on the offer to be there at the Easter Egg Hunt. I think about all that we have missed out over the last year with church, serving - you accepting Jesus - our long talks of Jesus and being a Christian and what that really means. I know many times when I call my aunt Sharon and uncle Buster - its a revival on the phone!! I know thats how it would have been mom. These are awesome times but I do miss you- especially during all of this - you would have been right there in the middle of it and loving it! I also can't help but to think that dad would have accepted Jesus by now because you always had a way to talk to dad. With Jesus being THE big part in your life - it would have been only a matter of time. I think about that day when I took you to see Pastor Jimmy - Your awesome day accepting Jesus. Dad stayed at the house and had no idea what was happening and why. He still might be thinking the same things - even after all that has happened and the last year has passed. My prayers continue for him, for his health and for him turning over himself and finding Jesus - experiencing the greatest life changing gift he will ever experience. Life would do a 180 and turn in so many good directions and his life would have the love and peace that he only hears about from others. My heart hurts for the lost ones mom in our family. May God take leadership of our families and lead us in a new direction in life. Only then will we truly know what love is and what serving each other before ourselves really means.
Have a good week everyone - set your minds and hearts on Jesus.
Lord thanks for an awesome and inspiring weekend...... our priorities are with You.
Amen
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
What a day its been....
Please check my photo album to see some of the pictures of the 2007 R2C2 Easter Egg Hunt. Today was simply amazing. Sorry for the folks we invited and didn't come. YOUR loss - It really was something to see today. I am betting there was over 4000 people registered and probably another 1000 who just walked up from the side lots, parking in the grass and the fields - many did not come through the registration area. There where so many smiles - so many friendly people - people asking where our church was, can I get more information, thank you - this was so awesome. It really was a great day - a day a church - a family of people come together and share something with those in the community. Its an outreach of what Jesus instructed each and every one of us to do every day of our lives. To spread His love and to spread His word. I am praying for huge crowds the next few weeks as people take the next steps and finding out who Rocky River Community Church is. We are a church for people - come as you are and relax - enjoy the music, a hot coffee and some friendly smiles. We met two families today - one from Illinois and the other from Alabama. Long way to come but glad they did!
Thank You Lord for an awesome day. I thank You for the outreach today as we reached out to the community. Many times today we looked at each other in amazement - looking around at the thousands of people - cars lined up and out of the park where we couldn't even see the end of the line - The smiles on everyone's face - Lord thank You for a church who cares about people. Thank You for giving us what we need to make a difference in a world that is broken but when things like this happen Lord - its hard to hold back the tears because its about You changing the lives of so many folks. I am still in awe here Lord at a hard days work - serving You - serving the church and our family - and serving the community. There is no other place we would rather spend..... Serving others!
I pray in Jesus name,
Amen
Thank You Lord for an awesome day. I thank You for the outreach today as we reached out to the community. Many times today we looked at each other in amazement - looking around at the thousands of people - cars lined up and out of the park where we couldn't even see the end of the line - The smiles on everyone's face - Lord thank You for a church who cares about people. Thank You for giving us what we need to make a difference in a world that is broken but when things like this happen Lord - its hard to hold back the tears because its about You changing the lives of so many folks. I am still in awe here Lord at a hard days work - serving You - serving the church and our family - and serving the community. There is no other place we would rather spend..... Serving others!
I pray in Jesus name,
Amen
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Eggs are ready to roll....
Well tomorrow is the big day. Rocky River Community Church's Easter Egg Hunt @Frank Liske Park - Cabarrus county - largest Easter Egg Hunt. We are expecting over 7000 folks to be coming out. We have hired police officers to help with traffic along with our many police officers that attend our church. We have over 30,000 eggs to distribute - local businesses have donated so many door prizes - Easter bunny is going to be there with pictures taken for free. Everything is free.... we have 5000 Frisbees with our church information - and we are expecting big visitation the next few weeks. WOW - we have 30 or so awesome people at the church office tonight serving and putting everything together for tomorrow. Land is staked out where the hunts will take place - this is going to be AMAZING!!!! Carol you have done an awesome job - on the radio - on 91.9 radio station web site - all the local news papers - flier's all over town and in businesses - magazines - signs posted at the busy corners of our community. Its been a wild ride....and a team committed to God and His Word.
I will be posting pictures in the album - along with a blog entry that should be the best ever! God - YOU are awesome....... this is going to be an event like no other!
Father I pray for an awesome day tomorrow - for all the people that will be with us tomorrow - and for those families. May we do something big for You - May we reach someone tomorrow for You. May Your word sweep over our community. Help us Lord accomplish this tomorrow. Thank You for loving us Lord - may we do something SO big tomorrow - its going to be amazing.
Amen
I will be posting pictures in the album - along with a blog entry that should be the best ever! God - YOU are awesome....... this is going to be an event like no other!
Father I pray for an awesome day tomorrow - for all the people that will be with us tomorrow - and for those families. May we do something big for You - May we reach someone tomorrow for You. May Your word sweep over our community. Help us Lord accomplish this tomorrow. Thank You for loving us Lord - may we do something SO big tomorrow - its going to be amazing.
Amen
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Its not just a lunch.....
Please pray for Kyle - he has the dreaded stomach flu - my wife and I were so proud of him this week. He came home from school and he told us his classmate did not have any lunch today so he shared his lunch with her. The next day he offered to buy her lunch when she again showed up with nothing to eat. I don't know why she has had this happen the last few days, there is something going on in her life and I pray its nothing big. Just something a family must get over and move on. I pray Jesus is in this home and for my asking her tomorrow~ If she needs help with lunch - I will buy her lunch the rest of the year - she is one of my kids on fridays when I go see them. I so much enjoy that time of smiles, of no worries about school, friends, home or parents. Just me and some cool kids! I think about how my son just took it upon himself with no prompting to do this for his classmate - a friend - this is something Jesus would have done. Did he learn this from us? Sunday school? Where does this come from?
I may have to ponder that some more but I do pray he continues with his big heart - his Jesus like actions and it shows to other kids around him. Thank You Lord for an awesome son and a big heart like Yours!
Friends -most of us are adults reading this blog - but is this something you would do for a friend? Someone you dont even know? Think about how life changing this is for someone who needs a hand, needs some help - it may just turn their life around and to know they are loved and someone cares enough about them to do something. This is the message Jesus wants us to know and to be the example. Serving others -
Love you all and I pray you are making a diffence in the people around you - amazing at how little effort it takes to change the direction of a life. Might make all the difference in the world to someone.
Randy~
Philippians 2
1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.
I may have to ponder that some more but I do pray he continues with his big heart - his Jesus like actions and it shows to other kids around him. Thank You Lord for an awesome son and a big heart like Yours!
Friends -most of us are adults reading this blog - but is this something you would do for a friend? Someone you dont even know? Think about how life changing this is for someone who needs a hand, needs some help - it may just turn their life around and to know they are loved and someone cares enough about them to do something. This is the message Jesus wants us to know and to be the example. Serving others -
Love you all and I pray you are making a diffence in the people around you - amazing at how little effort it takes to change the direction of a life. Might make all the difference in the world to someone.
Randy~
Philippians 2
1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Positive living..........
The Apostle Paul share with us Ephesians 4:
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The Lord has called us to be a light in dark places. The world is a dark place and sin is rampant. Negativity is everywhere we look and basement people are at every turn. Its easy to get caught up in the worlds view - the news is a good example. A few months ago I gave up the paper. I check out what is on sale on Sundays, the home section on Saturday and the garden section on Thursday in our local paper - that is all I read. My bible takes my time in the mornings now as I eat breakfast, have my coffee, pray for my day and the day ahead for my family, my small group and for my church. I pray for any additional prayers that are pressing on my heart that day. I thank God for my mom and where she is. Priorities have taken an adjustment the last year especially. I don't care to watch MSNBC, Fox news and CNN. Its because if you want to be depressed and see everything that is wrong in the world - start there. God wants us to live in prosperity and in His light. To be the light in the dark world around us. Its hard to be the positive person in every situation and be thankful for everything in our lives - good or bad. There was a comment recently made to me because of a prayer that I send out sometimes via email - "Hey - let me know what your God does with your prayers - let me know if God shows up and does anything with them, but don't hold your breath." Sad when all some people have in their life is the hope of others. The happiness and fulfillment in life is all based on others. Sickness is only cured by doctors who have been trained by other doctors - who take money from drug companies, who see as many patients as they can, who are sometimes only out for the buck - you are leaving your health and cure - on them? Sad..... when the God of the universe is waiting on you to call His name. Sad when you tell me - where is this God when mom is sick? She never did anything to anyone - sad that the world is going to hell and you say - I am too old to do anything about it. Everything around me is falling apart BUT as long as it doesn't affect me - I am not getting involved. God has called us to be the light in a dark world. To reach out to others and be Christ like in what we do and say. Why would God show up and give you the miracle in your life if all you have done is turn away from Him during the good times? Why would God answer that prayer and heal your cancer or sickness when you say "don't hold your breath? Funny thing is, God will show up and do those things if You put your heart and soul in His hands. That's the kind of God we all have - not just me or my brother and sister at church. He is OUR God - for everyone! Continue to watch and do the things that drag you down loved ones and you will never get out of the pit that you find yourself in right now. Negativity is easy to fall into - frowns are easier on the face and requires less muscles to move than does a smile!!! Be the light in a dark world.... many are waiting on you, depending on you and searching for you. God included...... He is waiting ..... just humble yourself and drop your pride friends.... its keeping you from God. Pride in thinking that church is for women and children - pride that says I am too old to make a difference - pride that says I cant let anyone see me like that. Jesus is cool in case you havent noticed!!!
My uncle Buster is a man who has lived a life of faith. He has done so much for the Lord over his life and He is a God loving man in his heart and soul. You can pick him out of a crowd - he serves and does good things for his church, his family and those in his community. He has led probably hundreds of people to Jesus over the years, many of which he probably doesn't even know. Buster will make a difference in the world until his time comes to answer the call from heaven. He is making a difference in many lives - a significance on the world. He is not too old to do anything and God continues to bless this man in so many ways. Its an honor to know him and I am thankful for his prayers for years and years on my behalf. God answers prayers loved ones - I am testimony to that!!! Don't you want to be remembered in such an awesome way - a positive way - making significance and a legacy for those in your life and those around you?
Drop the pride today and live for God. I'll be in the balcony - cheering you on.....
The Lord delights in your prayers requesting His help.
He delights in your prayers of faith and uses them to move aside the obstacles that stand before you.
He uses your prayers to thwart the evil intentions of others against you, to destroy the works of those who seek to persecute you,and to demolish the devil's efforts to destroy you and steal from you.
God has given you a very powerful tool in prayer - it is a tool that activates the forces of heaven on your behalf and builds a wall between you and the forces of hell.
Charles Stanley~
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The Lord has called us to be a light in dark places. The world is a dark place and sin is rampant. Negativity is everywhere we look and basement people are at every turn. Its easy to get caught up in the worlds view - the news is a good example. A few months ago I gave up the paper. I check out what is on sale on Sundays, the home section on Saturday and the garden section on Thursday in our local paper - that is all I read. My bible takes my time in the mornings now as I eat breakfast, have my coffee, pray for my day and the day ahead for my family, my small group and for my church. I pray for any additional prayers that are pressing on my heart that day. I thank God for my mom and where she is. Priorities have taken an adjustment the last year especially. I don't care to watch MSNBC, Fox news and CNN. Its because if you want to be depressed and see everything that is wrong in the world - start there. God wants us to live in prosperity and in His light. To be the light in the dark world around us. Its hard to be the positive person in every situation and be thankful for everything in our lives - good or bad. There was a comment recently made to me because of a prayer that I send out sometimes via email - "Hey - let me know what your God does with your prayers - let me know if God shows up and does anything with them, but don't hold your breath." Sad when all some people have in their life is the hope of others. The happiness and fulfillment in life is all based on others. Sickness is only cured by doctors who have been trained by other doctors - who take money from drug companies, who see as many patients as they can, who are sometimes only out for the buck - you are leaving your health and cure - on them? Sad..... when the God of the universe is waiting on you to call His name. Sad when you tell me - where is this God when mom is sick? She never did anything to anyone - sad that the world is going to hell and you say - I am too old to do anything about it. Everything around me is falling apart BUT as long as it doesn't affect me - I am not getting involved. God has called us to be the light in a dark world. To reach out to others and be Christ like in what we do and say. Why would God show up and give you the miracle in your life if all you have done is turn away from Him during the good times? Why would God answer that prayer and heal your cancer or sickness when you say "don't hold your breath? Funny thing is, God will show up and do those things if You put your heart and soul in His hands. That's the kind of God we all have - not just me or my brother and sister at church. He is OUR God - for everyone! Continue to watch and do the things that drag you down loved ones and you will never get out of the pit that you find yourself in right now. Negativity is easy to fall into - frowns are easier on the face and requires less muscles to move than does a smile!!! Be the light in a dark world.... many are waiting on you, depending on you and searching for you. God included...... He is waiting ..... just humble yourself and drop your pride friends.... its keeping you from God. Pride in thinking that church is for women and children - pride that says I am too old to make a difference - pride that says I cant let anyone see me like that. Jesus is cool in case you havent noticed!!!
My uncle Buster is a man who has lived a life of faith. He has done so much for the Lord over his life and He is a God loving man in his heart and soul. You can pick him out of a crowd - he serves and does good things for his church, his family and those in his community. He has led probably hundreds of people to Jesus over the years, many of which he probably doesn't even know. Buster will make a difference in the world until his time comes to answer the call from heaven. He is making a difference in many lives - a significance on the world. He is not too old to do anything and God continues to bless this man in so many ways. Its an honor to know him and I am thankful for his prayers for years and years on my behalf. God answers prayers loved ones - I am testimony to that!!! Don't you want to be remembered in such an awesome way - a positive way - making significance and a legacy for those in your life and those around you?
Drop the pride today and live for God. I'll be in the balcony - cheering you on.....
The Lord delights in your prayers requesting His help.
He delights in your prayers of faith and uses them to move aside the obstacles that stand before you.
He uses your prayers to thwart the evil intentions of others against you, to destroy the works of those who seek to persecute you,and to demolish the devil's efforts to destroy you and steal from you.
God has given you a very powerful tool in prayer - it is a tool that activates the forces of heaven on your behalf and builds a wall between you and the forces of hell.
Charles Stanley~
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Bridges......
As I get ready to unload here and dump what is on my mind - I see that I have posted 100 articles - 100 heart felt thoughts and have shared 100 times myself with you to read and try to understand what I am feeling, not only for myself but for you and for the God who loves us. I think this is an amazing thing to be doing. I have had 1000's of hits on this blog - people from all over the world - people making comments - I encourage all of you to share your thoughts on all this - to open your mind up and try your best to understand what I am trying to share and spill out of my heart. Leaving myself open like this takes courage and faith in Jesus that I am not wasting my time but making a small difference to someone - and making a difference for Jesus in sharing His word. Thanks for all who read this blog and are faithful in your replies. Spread the Good News loved ones. Together maybe we are making a difference in the world.
Today I want to share with you Ephesians 4:
7So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 2Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
What words and instructions to live by! God has blessed and called us the peacemakers. He also has called us to reconcile the broken relationships in our lives, especially those who both parties know Jesus. Its not right to sit back and let things go by because we dont want to get involved or dont want to stick our nose in. I have been struggling with this because I have 2 parties in my life right now that I am in the middle of if I so chose to be - do I or don't I. It might be messy but if it works out and these folks get their lives back together and are where God wants their relationships to be - then it was worth it. Will it be hard to do? Will it be painful in some regards - I am sure. Scared? You bet..... I know the relationship between my brother and my dad is not what it could be. I know the relationship between my cousins is not where it should be. Can I do anything today that I have not done already? Is the problems bigger than me? You bet ya.... I dont know what to do with all this nor how to proceed. It will take effort and forgiveness for everyone to start over. What is broken and how did it get this way? I am not ever sure but I bet you also have someone in mind - a relationship in your life that 2 parties are not what they could be. We are called to make bridges for Christ. To love each of them and not lay down the laws. Laws seperates us and demeaner us. Love brings us up and raises the bar on what we should be doing.
Loved ones, don't you want to fix something that is broken? Have the courage to mend that broken bridge and restore that relationship with the loved one in your life - by Gods grace we can mend and heal. All it will take is a little faith and courage to step out from where you are today.
Lord I pray for the broken relationships in our lives and the relationships that are not what they could be. I pray for the courage for them to forgive and to forget - to move on past the hurts and misunderstandings that have taken place. Lord mend these broken bridges and bring them under Your wing and blessings.
I pray in Jesus name,
Amen
Today I want to share with you Ephesians 4:
7So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 2Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
What words and instructions to live by! God has blessed and called us the peacemakers. He also has called us to reconcile the broken relationships in our lives, especially those who both parties know Jesus. Its not right to sit back and let things go by because we dont want to get involved or dont want to stick our nose in. I have been struggling with this because I have 2 parties in my life right now that I am in the middle of if I so chose to be - do I or don't I. It might be messy but if it works out and these folks get their lives back together and are where God wants their relationships to be - then it was worth it. Will it be hard to do? Will it be painful in some regards - I am sure. Scared? You bet..... I know the relationship between my brother and my dad is not what it could be. I know the relationship between my cousins is not where it should be. Can I do anything today that I have not done already? Is the problems bigger than me? You bet ya.... I dont know what to do with all this nor how to proceed. It will take effort and forgiveness for everyone to start over. What is broken and how did it get this way? I am not ever sure but I bet you also have someone in mind - a relationship in your life that 2 parties are not what they could be. We are called to make bridges for Christ. To love each of them and not lay down the laws. Laws seperates us and demeaner us. Love brings us up and raises the bar on what we should be doing.
Loved ones, don't you want to fix something that is broken? Have the courage to mend that broken bridge and restore that relationship with the loved one in your life - by Gods grace we can mend and heal. All it will take is a little faith and courage to step out from where you are today.
Lord I pray for the broken relationships in our lives and the relationships that are not what they could be. I pray for the courage for them to forgive and to forget - to move on past the hurts and misunderstandings that have taken place. Lord mend these broken bridges and bring them under Your wing and blessings.
I pray in Jesus name,
Amen
Monday, March 26, 2007
From the Balcony....
Do you think God changes lives? Do you think God changes the lives in your family or in someone you know? I think He does when given the chance. I am proof to that. As we go about our lives we are all at the ground level but many of us live in the basement and many live in the balcony. I am not talking about above or below anyone or the standards of living -I am talking about how we see things. Do you see the negative in everything, the bad in every situation? Its not going to get any better or why won't this person get it already? Living in the basement where nothing changes and God can't reach you.....Or do you live in the balcony where you encourage and motivate - you see the good in everything and in everyone. We all have faults but don't dwell on the fact that there are issues and problems - but focus on the good in every aspect of people. These are the people I want to be around - no matter what kind of day I am having or how I am feeling they just lift us up and encourage us, they have nice things to say and offer smiles and a helping hand to everyone regardless of the situations and the struggles that today brings. I think God has blessed me as an encourager - I try my hardest to focus on raising people up and telling them they can do it! To keep up the fight and pressure to succeed where they are today. Can't should be removed from the dictionary because it defeats us before we even get started.
The news of my friend Joe has been hard on me the last few days. To come together yesterday as a church family and lay hands on him, to pray for him and his family is something to experience if you have never been invited or close enough to someone to experience it first hand. I remember back when Jimmy called me to the front after the service and prayed for me and for my mom with a church family around me - Joe included. Carol, Kyle and I were not even members I don't think then but regardless the church extended the hands of Jesus to pray for us - for mom. Its taking part in this family that many non church people don't understand and don't see much value in it because they don't have anyone this close to them in their lives - until it happens to them. Then they see the value in it and cherish the moment.
No matter what we are facing today- Jesus has given us hope. Hope to press on and to endure together as a family - as a team. The balcony has a cheering section loved ones. No matter how hard the race is, we don't give up - we run through the pain as my old track coach used to scream at me. I am yelling for you friends - keeping the pressure up and the encouragement up. Sometimes I feel as if its - all I know to do.
2 Corinthians 4:
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”[c] 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus,[d] will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[e] being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Father - help us live in the balcony of life Lord - looking to encourage others and making a difference in their lives as we show them Your love and Your word. Never let us give up hope and help us press through our struggles Lord. Rise us from the basement and change our thinking - we know You change lives Lord - help those around us so that we may all be on the same page - the same cheering section looking down on the theatre of life. Nothing Lord is over - until You say - its finished.
Amen~
The news of my friend Joe has been hard on me the last few days. To come together yesterday as a church family and lay hands on him, to pray for him and his family is something to experience if you have never been invited or close enough to someone to experience it first hand. I remember back when Jimmy called me to the front after the service and prayed for me and for my mom with a church family around me - Joe included. Carol, Kyle and I were not even members I don't think then but regardless the church extended the hands of Jesus to pray for us - for mom. Its taking part in this family that many non church people don't understand and don't see much value in it because they don't have anyone this close to them in their lives - until it happens to them. Then they see the value in it and cherish the moment.
No matter what we are facing today- Jesus has given us hope. Hope to press on and to endure together as a family - as a team. The balcony has a cheering section loved ones. No matter how hard the race is, we don't give up - we run through the pain as my old track coach used to scream at me. I am yelling for you friends - keeping the pressure up and the encouragement up. Sometimes I feel as if its - all I know to do.
2 Corinthians 4:
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”[c] 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus,[d] will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[e] being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Father - help us live in the balcony of life Lord - looking to encourage others and making a difference in their lives as we show them Your love and Your word. Never let us give up hope and help us press through our struggles Lord. Rise us from the basement and change our thinking - we know You change lives Lord - help those around us so that we may all be on the same page - the same cheering section looking down on the theatre of life. Nothing Lord is over - until You say - its finished.
Amen~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)