God’s word - what an incredible gift!
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalms 119:18
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalms 42:1-2
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6
I share these with you because they are some of my favorite scripture. These verses drive me; they fire me up and ignite my passion for God. They also convict me to my core.
It’s my desire and prayer to have a heart like the heart God used to record these verses for us.
I confess my heart is not even close to that, but God is able, and willing.
Thanks for reading and have a blessed weekend.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Just In Time!
How about Maryland’s lady basketball team??!! Down by 13 points at one point in the game, they fought all the way back, and with around 20 seconds left in regulation they had cut Duke’s lead to a slim three points. That’s when Maryland’s freshman guard Kristi Toliver took over. She took the inbounds and drove down the court and with 3.8 seconds left she buried a three with a Duke hand in her face to tie the game and send it to overtime. Then in overtime she hit two clutch free throws to put the game away, and to give Maryland the National Championship. The girl has ice in her veins! By the way – that’s a compliment. It means she can take the pressure and remain calm.
I really enjoyed watching the end of that game a lot more than the guy’s National Championship game. And why not – it’s our story. Only our story was more than winning and losing – it was/is life and death.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
What’s my story? When I was dying in my sin, with no way to save myself, Jesus died in my place. I went from death to life because He stepped up (under great pressure and pain) and took my place, at just the right time.
He did the same for you!
How about Maryland’s lady basketball team??!! Down by 13 points at one point in the game, they fought all the way back, and with around 20 seconds left in regulation they had cut Duke’s lead to a slim three points. That’s when Maryland’s freshman guard Kristi Toliver took over. She took the inbounds and drove down the court and with 3.8 seconds left she buried a three with a Duke hand in her face to tie the game and send it to overtime. Then in overtime she hit two clutch free throws to put the game away, and to give Maryland the National Championship. The girl has ice in her veins! By the way – that’s a compliment. It means she can take the pressure and remain calm.
I really enjoyed watching the end of that game a lot more than the guy’s National Championship game. And why not – it’s our story. Only our story was more than winning and losing – it was/is life and death.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
What’s my story? When I was dying in my sin, with no way to save myself, Jesus died in my place. I went from death to life because He stepped up (under great pressure and pain) and took my place, at just the right time.
He did the same for you!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Ouch! That Hurts...
This morning as I was shaving I heard Kristin talking to me from the other room. I turned to leave the bathroom to ask what she had said, but when I turned, I walked into the corner of the bathroom door with my forehead. OUCH! I really dislike hitting my head on things, this particular time it was the kind of impact that made your teeth hurt.
Like I said, I really dislike hitting my head on things – but I’m 6’5”, so I have to tell you I’ve done it a lot, and often. A few hours later Kristin, Kendall and I were at the church building. Kristin and I were doing some cleaning, and Kendall was playing and having fun. As I was mopping the back hallway I bumped my head on the corner of this big grey metal alarm box thing that is mounted about six feet off the floor, and sticks out from the wall about 10 inches. (Who puts these things right in the way of guys like me?) In case you didn’t know, it almost always hurts when you bump your head – but especially when you bump the back of your head on the pointy corner of a big grey metal alarm box thing. This time it was the kind of pain that causes you to immediately grab and hold the place where it hurts, while every muscle in you body tightens because of the pain. I know – I really need to be more careful.
Does your head ever get in the way? We are surrounded every day by people who are hurting, and too often we are people who think with our head instead of responding with our hearts. We wonder if they are really in need or just want a pity party. We entertain the thought that if we help we may get taken advantage of. Or if I give these few bucks to them, they may buy cigarettes with it. We plan planning meetings so we can get organized to help those with needs -- yet our hearts seldom get us engaged in helping
We even think too much when it comes to our church family. “I wish they didn’t sing that song. Why do they raise their hands during worship? Should I give them a hug or just shake hands? If I go forward to request prayer, what will they think?” We are way too sensitive to what others think! I know that what others think is important. But not nearly as important as what God thinks. And sometimes – I think we can all confess – we listen to what our head is telling us about a situation, instead of following the Spirit of God as He is prompting our hearts.
Golfers have a saying – “he’s thinking too much.” You’ll usually hear this said about a golfer who has plenty of golf knowledge, but instead of putting the knowledge to proper and practical use, the golfer instead -- while trying to play – thinks so much about all the options of each opportunity he has, that his mind actually deters him from playing well. He is distracted from his objective because of over thinking. What he really needs to be doing is just getting out there and doing what he knows in his heart is right to do.
Well it’s been a few hours since my head got in my way. How about you, does your head ever get your way?
FYI – this is my second post in three days. Please hold the applause, I would like to tell you to get used to it, but you probably shouldn’t. Anyway, thanks for visiting and have a great day.
This morning as I was shaving I heard Kristin talking to me from the other room. I turned to leave the bathroom to ask what she had said, but when I turned, I walked into the corner of the bathroom door with my forehead. OUCH! I really dislike hitting my head on things, this particular time it was the kind of impact that made your teeth hurt.
Like I said, I really dislike hitting my head on things – but I’m 6’5”, so I have to tell you I’ve done it a lot, and often. A few hours later Kristin, Kendall and I were at the church building. Kristin and I were doing some cleaning, and Kendall was playing and having fun. As I was mopping the back hallway I bumped my head on the corner of this big grey metal alarm box thing that is mounted about six feet off the floor, and sticks out from the wall about 10 inches. (Who puts these things right in the way of guys like me?) In case you didn’t know, it almost always hurts when you bump your head – but especially when you bump the back of your head on the pointy corner of a big grey metal alarm box thing. This time it was the kind of pain that causes you to immediately grab and hold the place where it hurts, while every muscle in you body tightens because of the pain. I know – I really need to be more careful.
Does your head ever get in the way? We are surrounded every day by people who are hurting, and too often we are people who think with our head instead of responding with our hearts. We wonder if they are really in need or just want a pity party. We entertain the thought that if we help we may get taken advantage of. Or if I give these few bucks to them, they may buy cigarettes with it. We plan planning meetings so we can get organized to help those with needs -- yet our hearts seldom get us engaged in helping
We even think too much when it comes to our church family. “I wish they didn’t sing that song. Why do they raise their hands during worship? Should I give them a hug or just shake hands? If I go forward to request prayer, what will they think?” We are way too sensitive to what others think! I know that what others think is important. But not nearly as important as what God thinks. And sometimes – I think we can all confess – we listen to what our head is telling us about a situation, instead of following the Spirit of God as He is prompting our hearts.
Golfers have a saying – “he’s thinking too much.” You’ll usually hear this said about a golfer who has plenty of golf knowledge, but instead of putting the knowledge to proper and practical use, the golfer instead -- while trying to play – thinks so much about all the options of each opportunity he has, that his mind actually deters him from playing well. He is distracted from his objective because of over thinking. What he really needs to be doing is just getting out there and doing what he knows in his heart is right to do.
Well it’s been a few hours since my head got in my way. How about you, does your head ever get your way?
FYI – this is my second post in three days. Please hold the applause, I would like to tell you to get used to it, but you probably shouldn’t. Anyway, thanks for visiting and have a great day.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
God is so Good!!!!
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20-21
So, we left Tulsa, Oklahoma around 4:30 on Saturday evening to return home. By we, I mean Scott Gampp, Sam Mcdonie, Eddie Mcdonie, and myself, I know -- I know, I must have been nuts. (Kidding guys) As soon as we were out of town on I-44 the temperature gauge on my truck began to rise. It moved to about ¾ of the way to overheating really fast. We stopped and checked the engine coolant, but it was fine – so the other consideration was the thermostat. Since we were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and if we could’ve found a garage it probably would’ve been closed – we traveled on. But not without praying! I couldn’t imagine traveling and not praying – let alone traveling, having car trouble and not praying.
So, we left Tulsa, Oklahoma around 4:30 on Saturday evening to return home. By we, I mean Scott Gampp, Sam Mcdonie, Eddie Mcdonie, and myself, I know -- I know, I must have been nuts. (Kidding guys) As soon as we were out of town on I-44 the temperature gauge on my truck began to rise. It moved to about ¾ of the way to overheating really fast. We stopped and checked the engine coolant, but it was fine – so the other consideration was the thermostat. Since we were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and if we could’ve found a garage it probably would’ve been closed – we traveled on. But not without praying! I couldn’t imagine traveling and not praying – let alone traveling, having car trouble and not praying.
I believe God should be involved in every part of life, I’m not saying I do that well – but I know it’s true. So the next several hours and the next several hundred miles were spent having a blast with the guys, listening to great Christian music, and staying in constant prayer asking God to bless our trip home, and that He not allow us or my truck to be damaged on the way.
The temperature gauge stayed about ¾ of the way to really hot, though it fluctuated from time to time, going a little higher, then a little lower. It was a really good thing that Scott knew the trick of turning the heater on full blast to take some heat off of the engine – it really worked! We were really hot – but it helped keep things in-check a little. Yeah, I know, I don’t know too much about the workings of cars/trucks. I know a little, but not much.
Anyway – on we traveled through Springfield, Cuba, and St. Louis, Missouri. Then we plowed through the great state of Illinois, not much to see there – especially at night. After that we headed to and through Indianapolis, Indiana. (Sorry Colts fans -- from a Steeler fan.) Several hours and several hundred miles and all is going well – the gauge has raised a little but it’s still not spiked yet. After Indianapolis we drove to Columbus, Ohio to pick up Scott’s car – then a few hours south to Minford/home. Approximately 920 miles and around 14 ½ or 15 hours later and we’re home safe. What a God! I’ve had times when car trouble means you are stranded immediately . But by His power that thermostat worked well enough, or He just kept the engine cool enough to go that great distance without being stranded and without any damage to the truck. The next day I took it to the garage to see just what the problem was. The mechanic checked it out, replaced the thermostat, and said all was fine. We serve and are loved by and amazing God!
So, what do you expect when you pray? Do you really believe that God will work in your life as you have asked Him to, or do you struggle with doubt? Maybe you think you are of little importance so why would God listen and answer your prayer. You may even think you’ve lived in such a way that God doesn’t care, and therefore doesn’t hear you, and if He did hear you then He wouldn’t answer your prayer just to punish you. No matter the case – if you struggle with doubt, think that you’re not important to God, or think God doesn’t hear you for other reasons; I have some really good news. There is great hope. God really is trustworthy, you are important to Him, and there is nothing you could do that could make God not care for or love you. Maybe that’s hard to believe, trusting is pretty hard for most people, especially when ask to trust even when you cannot see who you’re trusting in.
If you struggle with faith, you’re not alone… God knew we would struggle with our faith in Him. I believe that’s why He gave us His word, and packed it with rich stories of Him working in powerful ways in the lives of people who were also struggling in their faith. And it’s in his word you find that faith in Him is of utmost importance. If you’ve never read the Bible I want to encourage you to read it, it will change your life. If you are reading it please continue -- you’ll be blessed.
So, where does this faith in God come from? Faith in God is a reward or gift given to us as we come to know Him through His word, in prayer, and watching Him in the lives of His children. But ultimately faith is a product of being in His word. That’s where you come to know the heart of God. It’s the same in life, if you believe in someone, it’s because you’ve grown to trust them through time spent, and the relationship that developed through that. Faith in God is the same; we grow to trust Him by spending time with Him.
So, what do you expect when you pray? Do you really believe that God will work in your life as you have asked Him to, or do you struggle with doubt? Maybe you think you are of little importance so why would God listen and answer your prayer. You may even think you’ve lived in such a way that God doesn’t care, and therefore doesn’t hear you, and if He did hear you then He wouldn’t answer your prayer just to punish you. No matter the case – if you struggle with doubt, think that you’re not important to God, or think God doesn’t hear you for other reasons; I have some really good news. There is great hope. God really is trustworthy, you are important to Him, and there is nothing you could do that could make God not care for or love you. Maybe that’s hard to believe, trusting is pretty hard for most people, especially when ask to trust even when you cannot see who you’re trusting in.
If you struggle with faith, you’re not alone… God knew we would struggle with our faith in Him. I believe that’s why He gave us His word, and packed it with rich stories of Him working in powerful ways in the lives of people who were also struggling in their faith. And it’s in his word you find that faith in Him is of utmost importance. If you’ve never read the Bible I want to encourage you to read it, it will change your life. If you are reading it please continue -- you’ll be blessed.
So, where does this faith in God come from? Faith in God is a reward or gift given to us as we come to know Him through His word, in prayer, and watching Him in the lives of His children. But ultimately faith is a product of being in His word. That’s where you come to know the heart of God. It’s the same in life, if you believe in someone, it’s because you’ve grown to trust them through time spent, and the relationship that developed through that. Faith in God is the same; we grow to trust Him by spending time with Him.
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