"Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry." ~~King Solomon

"When a person cannot deceive himself the chances are against his being able to deceive other people." ~~Mark Twain

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting." ~~Elizabeth Bibesco

Calm me with His love

What is it about His love? It is so calming. I know He is here to save me. He is so happy I am back. He sings to me and calms me. All is well!!

Now that is good stuff. So very simple but powerful.

May I delight in His love. May He calm me as He sings to me.

Jerusalem will be told: 'Don't be afraid. Dear Zion, don't despair.

Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you.

Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. Zephaniah3:14-17

"Religion idolizes concepts and avoids personal experience." ~~Bill Johnson

“Nature is pleased with simplicity.” ~~Isaac Newton

"Things don’t have to change the world to be important." ~ Steve Jobs

[categories personal]

"If you need a performance appraisal to tell you how well you're doing--then you're not doing very well!" ~~Tom Peters

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.” ~~Henry David Thoreau

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~~Leonardo Da Vinci

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” ~Mother Teresa

 

Provoked to sarcasm

Am I one Jesus brings into the room with Him or am I the one provoked to sarcasm and left out of His presence? This is an essential question. Imagine telling Jesus he didn't know what he was talking about. Oh my goodness.

Peter, James and John got in. I want to be one of the ones who goes in with Jesus. I don't want to be sarcastic with what our Lord can do. Nothing is impossible for Him!!

He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John. They entered the leader's house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: 'Why all this busybody grief and gossip? This child isn't dead; she's sleeping.' Provoked to sarcasm, they told him he didn't know what he was talking about.

But when he had sent them all out, he took the child's father and mother, along with his companions, and entered the child's room. He clasped the girl's hand and said, 'Talitha koum,' which means, 'Little girl, get up.' At that, she was up and walking around! This girl was twelve years of age. They, of course, were all beside themselves with joy. He gave them strict orders that no one was to know what had taken place in that room. Then he said, 'Give her something to eat.' Mark 5:39-43 

"Large, naked raw carrots are acceptable as food only to those who lie in hutches eagerly awaiting Easter." ~Fran Lebowitz

Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 17

The story could change in any number of ways over time so let the record show: Yes, by all indications Mark Richt really was in danger of losing his job after Georgia's season-opening losses to Boise State and South Carolina. Ten games and two-and-a-half months later, his team just finished off the longest winning streak of Richt's career.

My how things can change.

"The same people who want 60 minute worship services rent 2 hour movies & watch 3 hour ballgames. It's about our heart's focus!" ~ J. Bull

God can do anything

I have ideas. I imagine, "what if". Some of this stuff is pretty cool!! Does it seem to be far fetched sometimes? Yes, it does. But God can do anything. He can go way beyond my ideas, my dreams. And, He does it through His Spirit which is already at work within me. Wow!!!

May I not limit God to my dreams. May I lean in to hear what He has in mind. It is more than I can ever imagine. His desire for  me is greater than my desires for myself.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians3:20

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit." ~~Wilma Rudolph

"If you're bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals." ~~Lou Holtz

The promise

Our Father's promise is not just for me. It is for my relatives and anyone who God invites to the table. The new agreement is that He has made me accepted in His sight. And, anyone I touch, through His power, has access to the promise too. Starting with my family and to anyone else He invites.

His word is true. He is faithful to His promise. He invites me move in closer. Lean in and hear His promise. The promise starts close to me. Then to those I care most about. I need the courage to believe. I need the love to persist. He is mighty and He will deliver on His promise.

Woo Hoo!!! He is so amazing.

"On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence." ~William Jennings Bryan

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." ~W.J. Cameron

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks

Now this is something to be thankful for. I am qualified. No doubt about it. God has done it for me. He sent His Son, Jesus the Messiah and it is now complete. Nothing else for me to do qualify to be a child of God. He has done it all. It is finished.

In my "work" and sometimes "family" life, I have to qualify myself. I have to prove myself. I have to demonstrate I can get it done. That is the way it works.

God's world is different. It doesn't make sense to us but it is reality. I can share in the inheritance that my Father is preparing for me and all the saints. He has done it. There is nothing I can do to make it happen myself.

This is some good news.

Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Collosians 1:12

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." ~~ Albert Einstein

Shouldn't we be afraid?

You know, if you really think about it, we should all be terrified of God. Anybody that can create the Universe with a word, light up the stars by the millions and breathe life into mankind is simply awe-striking. The sheer power of our God should have us all on our knees trembling in fear, shouldn’t it?

But, Love has been added to the equation. While we are on our knees, it is God's Love that lets us feel His hands on our cheeks. And He is turning our face upward to Him. He is telling us that He loves us and He is saying that He even knew us before we were born. And we can hear Him. And there is no need at all to be afraid.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult" ~~Seneca

"You don't save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain." ~~Leo Durocher

Our Father would rather do it right than do it quick!

Our Father would rather do it right than do it quick! He is in the "doing it right" business.

Now, in a culture of "I want it now", that may come as a shock. He knows what He is doing. He is doing it right. He is doing it. I can count on that. He is a strong man. Mighty in every way. He is doing it and doing right. I must lean in to hear Him and what He wants. Nothing is impossible with Him.

He so ROCKS.

“More time on the problem isn't the way. More guts is." ~~Seth Godin

“More time on the problem isn't the way. More guts is. When you expose yourself to the opportunities that scare you, you create something scarce, something others won't do.” ~~Seth Godin

Meet Max

"So much of what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to work." ~~Peter Drucker

Can't keep quiet about God

God is speaking. He is moving. Will I keep quiet about what I have seen and heard?

God had used Peter and John to heal a lame man. The story is stunning. They were arrested for it. After spending the night in jail, they were bold beyond belief.  They drew the line in the sand with the religious leaders. Do we listen to you or to God?  They chose God.

May I not keep quiet about what I see God doing.

They (the religious leaders) called them back and warned them that they (Peter and John) were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, "Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there's no question—we can't keep quiet about what we've seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20

"Carpé diem quam minimum credula postero." ~ Horace (Roman poet)

Translation: Seize the Day, put no trust in tomorrow.

He whispers to me

The LORD comes to me and whispers to me not to despair. He is present with me. He is here. He is always here, even when I don't know it.

He is strong like a warrior. Strong like an Iron Man. He is not decrepit. He is here to save me. He is very happy I am his child. He calms me with His love. He delights me with His songs. He lifts my soul as He whispers to me not to despair. Nothing is impossible for Him.

"Baseball is like church. Many attend few understand." ~~Leo Durocher

Listening to John Foley, Blue Angel pilot

Vision
Clarity
Liberation

That is the belief level.

“We don’t believe because we understand, we understand because we believe” ~~Bill Johnson

"Some people care too much, I think it's called love." ~~Winnie the Pooh

Words of strength and heart

John the Baptist was an amazing man of God. His words gave strength to people. His words put heart in them. Of course, they also offended the powerful. But John was faithful to the Message. His focus was on delivering God's message of hope. He did not focus on who he would offend in the process.

May I have his same faithfulness. May I speak words that give people strenght and heart.

There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message! But Herod, the ruler, stung by John's rebuke in the matter of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, capped his long string of evil deeds with this outrage: He put John in jail. Luke 3:18-20

Ronald Reagan on the equlity of all men and women

"Recognizing the equality of all men and women, we are willing and able to lift the weak, cradle those who hurt, and nurture the bonds that tie us together as one nation under God." ~~Ronald Reagan

Patriotic Neighborhood

Out for a walk with Gizmo and love what I am seeing.

Leaning In: A Poem

I am not where I want to be.
I am leaning in to hear
the Lord more clearly.
I want to get closer.
I want to hear Him clearly.

I want the completeness
that comes from knowing Him.

So what can lead to that?
What is the path I should be on?

Trust.
Trust steadily in Him.
Trust completely.
Trust in what He says to me.

Hope.
And hope more.
Hope unswervingly.
Hope without the doubt
that can creep in.
Hope.

Love.
Love extravagantly.
Love without fear.
Love perfectly in His love.
Love like He loves me.

The best of all of these
is His extravagent love.

"While faith brings answers, enduring faith brings the answer with character." ~~Bill Johnson

"Only enduring faith taps into the mystery of compound interest." ~~Bill Johnson

"Focus on something that stirs your soul, it's hard to excel at anything that you don't love." ~~Susan Rice

Nick in Las Vegas with custom car

A couple of weeks ago, Nick was in Las Vegas for a car show with a car he and his class built. Yes, that is built themselves.

I'm proud of you Nick!!

Life Starts with my Heart

My life starts with my heart. That is the center of everything. Nothing else matters so I need to be vigilant over it. I should guard it like I guard nothing else. Since everything flows from my heart, I need to be careful not speak out of both sides of my mouth. I should completely avoid careless banter that can hurt others and me. Little white lies hurt my integrity and I need to avoid them at all cost. Gossip hurts others and so it damages my heart.

So ... I should keep my eyes straight ahead and completely ignore distractions which take me away from you, my Father. If I watch my step and focus on what you want, the road will be smooth. It will straighten out in front of me. If I focus on my relationship with you, looking only at you, I will leave evil in the dust.

"We are what we believe we are.: ~~ C. S. Lewis

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~~Elmer Davis

When?

When has God had enough and gives up? When does He draw the line in the sand and say "That is it"?

When does he get frustrated and quit? When does He just walk away from it all?

Never!!

"I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness." ~~Mother Teresa.

"Freedom is never free." -Author Unknown

"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it." ~~Knute Rockne

Putting my foot down

I was a dupe of sin. I was stubborn, refusing to believe Jesus. I went around with a chip on my shoulder. But this is the season of reminder. God, my kind and loving Savior God, stepped in. He saved me from a life of hatred. He saved me from a life of selfishness. He stepped right in!!

It was completely His doing. I had absolutely nothing to do with it. He gave me a good bath and I came out a totally clean man. I was washed on the inside. I was washed on the outside. Clean inside and out!! My Savior Jesus poured out a whole new life for me. It is a generous life. It is a gift of right relationship with my Father. He has given me back my life. AND, woo hoo, there is more to come. An eternity of the glorious life. I can count on it. If is a fact Jack!!

So ... I am putting my foot down. I really am. I am taking a firm stand on all of this. I am putting my trust in God and concentrating on the essentials that are good for me. I am staying completely away mindless issues and the fine print. It gets me nowhere. I am radically trusting in Jesus. The HOLY Spirit that raised Him from the dead is in me. And with me.

I am putting my foot down.

"Leadership is a combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy." ~~Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf

The LIST

Sometimes we keep a list of other peoples wrongs. We can recite it chapter and verse. It can actually be quite long. My heavenly Father does not have a list of my sins. He doesn't keep one. He is love and love doesn't keep a list. That is the truth. Anything else is a lie.

May I love the way He loves.

Love doesn't keep a list of the sins of others. 1 Corinthians 13

"Busy does not equal important. Measured doesn't mean mattered." ~~Seth Godin

One of life's biggest temptations: The kid's chocolate treats on the counter.

"Never cut what you can untie." ~Joseph Joubert

A perpetual victory parade

Parades are so much fun. The bands, the floats, and the celebration of a special day. Everyone gets into it. The participants and the on lookers alike. Parades are a blast.

In Jesus, we are in one perpetual victory parade. We march through life, in Him, moving from place to place, always in victory. We are triumphant in His life of resurrection. The power that raised Him from the dead is in us and upon us. When the crowd sees us in His victory parade, they know it is Him who deserves the praise.

In the Messiah, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of the Messiah. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Songs from my heart

What excuse do I find to sing a song to God? I don't need one. Everything is a reason to praise Him.

May I drink in huge draughts of the HOLY Spirit. May I be filled with Him.

Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20

I hunger

I hunger for His touch. It is all about the relationship. He wants me to be a glutton for Him. He wants me to hunger for Him like I do a great meal. Hunger like I do for King Crab or a great steak or that amazing hamburger.

I thirst for His word. I hunger for His word. I can't do without it. I can't wait for the next meal.

May I hunger and thirst for you like no other. May I receive your nurishment.

Take Heart

Many days, there is a whole lot of worrying going on. Fear can cripple. How many times does God come to us and say, "Fear not"? That is one of His great themes. Trust in Him. He is in control. He didn't bring us this far to leave us now.

Here is the good news. Jesus has overcome everything. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. All is well. It is finished.

 

“But take heart! I have overcome the world."

----- Jesus,John 16:33

 

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." ~~Billy Graham

Never giving up

My heavenly Father never gives up on me. He loves me even when I haven't wanted to know Him. He loves me even when I wander off. He NEVER gives up no matter what.

May I love like Him. May I never give up. May I have His heart.

Love never gives up. 1 Corinthians 13

"The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." ~~Margaret Thatcher

"The best thing you can do is the right thing to do, next best thing is the wrong thing, the worst thing you can do is nothing." ~~Roosevelt

Rock solid guarantee

There is the saying "As good as his word". All God has to do to guarantee His promise to us to give us His word. When He says it, we can count on it. No ifs, ands or buts. It is done.

I can take it to the bank. He won't break His promise to me. He is faithful so I can be faithful.

When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. Hebrews 6:18