Straight To The Heart

I Just Passed A Pig Farm And Thought Of You

2012-01-15T14:04:00.000-06:00

I am the good shepherd and know my sheep... John 10:14

While driving back to Minnesota I passed a pig farm in Wisconsin. The pungent smell was overwhelming and over powering.It permeated the car and made me nauseous.

I immediatly called a good friend and said, " I just passed a pig farm and thought of you." Of course her reaction was, "Whaaaaat?"

You have to know my friend. She is high fashion, dressed to the nines on special occasions and a very classy lady. So I had to do some quick explaining. You see, she has a very sensitive sense of smell. Like a guard dog she could always sniff things out. Knowing my friend so intimately made it easy for us to have a good laugh about the situation.

We both agreed that if she would have been in the car one of two things would have happened. I would have either had to hit the gas pedal and out run the smell. Or, I would have had to pull over at some point as she would have lost it.

I relate this to you because we have a Father in heaven that knows us intimately too. Just think for a moment that there are over six billion people on this earth. Yet, He knows what our thoughts are before we think them. He knows where each of us is going and what we will be doing before we leave the house. We have an amazing force on our team that can send the calvary when ever we need it.

I saw this two days ago. My youngest son is doing everything he can to turn his life around. He has declared that he has a drinking problem and has come to us for help. Three months ago he made some wrong choices and recieved a ticket for minor in consumption. The officer said he would recieve a court date and yet for three months nothing came.

So we decided to go to the court house and find out what was up. To our amazement his court date was set for 13 months later. This allows him plenty of time to get his life in order and stand in front of the judge nine months sober, cleaned up from treatment and a job. Did God hold back the waters and part the seas. I believe He did

I am amazed at just the thought Lord

How you intimately know us.

There is no reason to worry.

There is no reason to fuss.

It goes beyond understanding

All the things that You can see.

This is just another reason

You never cease to amaze me.

You overwhelm me in the morning.

I will praise You late at night.

Come my precious Father

Guide my steps and give me sight.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

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Eyes Wide Open

2011-11-13T23:59:00.002-06:00

Romans 5:3-4 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that the tribulations brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven charachter, hope.

I was driving back from a ten day training session in Albany, NY. when I recieved a call from a friend saying she was in the hospital. I was so upset that I had to pull to the side of the road as I couldn't see through my tears. This pour child has had no less than two operations in the last few years and they are worked related injuries. She has had to battle workman's comp, suffer the loss of her job, lost her insurance because work comp stopped paying her and she couldn't afford the cobra costs.She is subject to physical therapy a couple of times a week and has been poked and prodded like an animal. She is fighting to save her house, her car and any sanity she may well have left.

This last winter she was near death with a viral infection and now a hospital stay that will run into the thousands without insurance. And let us not forget she has sleep apnea from a deviated septum and another operation is in order. Her resolve and continued faithfulness to the Lord amazes me every time I look at her.

Somehow my friend has walked gracefully through this suffering and carried her head held high with a contageous smile that lights up any room she enters. I applaud her for maintaining her sense of humor as the tough times continue to reign down on her.

As I pulled back on the freeway I was reminded of a book that I read when I was just becoming a Christian. The book was called, " At Least We Were Married." It is about a young couple that met at a Christian conference, got married soon after and as they were driving to their honeymoon destinaton they got in a car accident and his new bride died. Yet, this amazing man, as he laid in his hospital bed used his suffering as a platform to lead his nurse to Christ.

Suffering allows us to draw closer to Christ as it rivets us to His heart. In our own suffering we see just a glispe of Christ reflection in the mirror. Any sorrow, grief or pain you may experience are fleeting moments in the span of eternity. The mountains you may have to climb on earth peril at the glorious mountains we will have the pleasure to hike in heaven.

God does not allow suffering to break us but to build our character to equip us with the tools to fulfill His plan for our lives. It is very well then the prelude to our ministry. Of utmost importance is our reaction to such suffering. If we allow it to be a catalyst to the very bowls of our spirtual awakening then God is pleased. If we go kicking and screaming into the night with complaining, bitterness and dispair then Satan has dug in his grip and will break out his biggest tool bar to pry you away.

David himself declared, "The suffering You sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principes." Psalm 119:71. Hence he was tuned to Christ, listening for how Christ would use his circumstances to touch others.

Suffering opens a window of opportunity to share our story and declare God's glory. The multiple hurdles in my friend's life may well be God saying, " Look around. Walk with your eyes wide open." Live beyond your circumstances so you can love beyond expectation. Declare the power and the grace of God to the nurse, the doctor, the receptionist at therapy.

One of my favorite verses is Daniel 12:3, Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of Heavens, and those who lead others to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. Shine on my dear friend, shine on.

Keep your eyes wide open

When the tough times come.

Don't shrink back and don't you run.

There may be someone God wants you to know.

To plant a seed then help it grow.

Shine on in brightness like the brightest star.

So God can show you just who they are.

Just place your suffering in the hands of Christ.

The maker of this world and the ruler of life.

Let your light so shine for all the world to see

That Christ does live through you and me.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

He's Coming Home

2011-11-06T11:53:00.002-06:00

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. Luke 15:24

After spending a week back home visiting my boys this summer I found myself at the airport with time on my hands. My mind flew to the Lord in a fiery prayer for my son. My nineteen year old son was coming home. Home to a Heavenly Father that loves him.

My son, my rebellious son, was learning that when we obey and give eveything over to God that is precious to us God will abundantly bless us. He is finding that the Heavens will pour out and abundantly bless him and multiply his requests by the thousands. He is finding that when we surrender all God gives us all.

Six months ago my son was living in his car during some of the coldest winter days Minnesota could throw at him. Unaware to me he was pursuing a life of drugs and heading no where fast.

Today he is dying to himself and surrendering his cherished hopes to Christ. He has read his bible from cover to cover. A month ago he called me in broken down tears well convinced that he had had a heart attack and that God allowed him to stand back up for a purpose and a plan for his life.

My son is learning that when we trust in a God we can not see that God see's and knows all and will make a way for us. Six weeks ago he called me as he was stranded in North Dakota. A friend had come to take him back to the cities. On the way up she had a flat and threw the spare on. On the way back they had another flat and they were stranded in a small town in North Dakota at 8:00 on a Saturday nite. When I asked him why he called me in New York he said " I knew you would not sleep until you found a way to help us." And sure enough God arranged the details for help as he was only 30 miles from family.

So my son, my precious son, I state to you that all of your struggles this past year have been planned by a loving God to teach you to trust, call you home and promise you a better life. Each small step you dare take, inspite of all the calamity that surrounds you, will become a strong foundation when you come to Christ with a confidence that can not be shaken.

Father,

We look to You with confidence
Because we choose no other way.
We tried to live life apart from You
And all we found were hard days.

Silently we surrounder.
And live by Your commands.
Take us now sweet father
And lead us by your hand.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

Beyond A Faint Echo

2011-03-24T12:15:00.000-05:00

Thou oh Lord are our Father Isaiah 63:16

While waiting to meet a friend at Starbucks I had the opportunity to meet a father and daughter that had just come from the library. Sophia held three pictures in her hand as she danced around the room with her six year old enthusiasm. The three pictures were a guardian angel, a rainbow and a whale. She barely took a breathe as she told me a story about each picture.

As we said our goodbyes her father said " I may work for a pharmaceutical company but my real passion is my children." Their love was obvious and as we parted Sophia hugged her father Bruce and shouted, " I have the best dad ever." What a great example of earthly love this was.

As I walked away I had to ask myself some hard questions. Is my love for my heavenly Father this obvious? Is my love open, exhuberent, joyful and alive like Sophia's? Do I dance with excitement to be in His presence? Am I openly declaring to anyone that will listen that finding God is the greatest thing that ever happened to me?

As Sophia danced and pranced around the room it was apparent that her real thrill was being at her father's side. And her father said he intently listens to what his children say and then writes down what he calls " Pearls of Wisdom." We have a Father that intently listens to our every prayer. He desperately wants to hear from us. He knows us well and wants to pour out rivers of blessings to us.

Ask yourself if your heart is fixed on Jesus. Is your adoration evident? The very power of your soul must reach for Him. Call for Him in order to love Him with all your heart. For He must be your treasure to love with reckless abandon. May your love be louder than a faint echo. Declare His goodness, reflect His glory and dance in the very presence of Him.

Father,

I want my love to be so evident

So blatent and true

That when people are around me

They will only see You.

May I dance in the very knowledge

That You are my King.

There is no other reason

That I could possible sing.

You are my breathe that keeps me going

When nothing else is right.

Come my precious Savior

Fill my heart and give me sight.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

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One Heart Beat Away

2011-03-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

.He was despised, and we did not care. Isaiah 53:3.

I heard a siren for the first time in six months and it reminded me of tragedy. Someone, somewhere would be facing tough times and hard days. Isolated in small town USA tucked back in the woods of New Jersey and living in one of the affluent counties of the state I seldom have to think about suffering.

I am reminded of a tragedy I want to keep one heart beat away. A tragedy I want to cling to. An injustice that I have allowed to be far removed from my busy activities. I am talking about the tragedy of Christ.

As I dig deeper into the reality of Christ's death and as I allow myself to indulge into the pain that He suffered for my sins I can't help but weep. Simple minded me has forgotten all that He has done. Ungrateful me has failed to pin myself on the cross next to Him.

The glory of Jesus Christ and His greatness is not something I want to forget. I want to be consumed by the Savior of the world. I want to be overcome by the one that calms the storm. I want to be touched by the beauty of the gospel and moved by the simplicity of the message.

Marriages, Christian or not, crumble eveyday. Tragedy strikes everyday. Sirens sound to draw attention to the failures of this world. We must continue to build our house upon the rock. We must continue to allow God's word to guide our every step. We must be diligent in asking God into our lives everyday.

Plow deep into who He is and what He has done. And plow deep my friends, plow deep.

Father,

I want to plow deep into Your word
And remember all You've done.
Never to forsake You.
And never forget Your Son.

The tragedy that You faced
Buried way down deep.
Touched by my Savior
Now I bow and weep.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

Do You Have A Story To Tell?

2011-03-19T21:17:00.002-05:00

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

With the senseless tragedy in Arizona I can't help but wonder why? Why would a loving God allow such pain to enter into the victims lives? Why must their family endure such agony? There are people hurting all over this world. And there are people struggling in our own back yard. The only difference is the spot light is not shinning on them.

As Christians we are commanded to comfort others. Yet, we can not comfort unless we have been through the fires of life. With that said every divorce has a reason and a purpose. Every lost love can be used for Christ. Every medical emergency is a reason to call out to Christ.Every struggle that you may be facing right now can be a beacon to call others to the throne.

My fellow Christians God wants to use you and it may be in the bruising of the reed. We can not sew up the wounded heart or bind the hurting soul unless we ourselves have climbed the mountain of difficulties.

So it is through your struggles that you are the chosen. Could it be that God has chosen you to be the great comforter? Could it be that He has written your name before comforter and messenger behind it?

His unfailing love brought you out of the dungeons of your life and gave you a new song to sing. Let us not forget that it was in the aftermath of the deepest struggles of your life that the Great Physician arrived at your door step and administered his soothing balm. Always remember that all of your sorrow is completely erased by His unfailing love and forever grace.

You can not truely comfort

Until you have felt the pain.

You can not feel the sun basking

Until you have stood in the rain.

Slay me, beat me, break me Lord

So I can understand

The precious gift of all Your love

And the soothing of Your hand.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

The Moment I Shall Weep

2011-03-16T08:34:00.002-05:00

It has been granted to you... to suffer Phil. 1:29

I watched the Hallmark movie tonight called The Lost Valentine. There was a scene that reminded me of an old friend. It was his job to deliver the gruesome news that a loved one had died while serving his country. Day after day his job was to put one foot in front of the other, walk up the side walk and deliver bad news knowing full well what was going to happen as soon as the door was opened. He said that he knew that what he was about to say would bring people to the point of weeping.

Can you imagine such an assigment such as this? Do you feel the pain that layed behind his message? Can you hear the grieving weeping of the mother, the wife before the words were spoken?

This man carried these haunting thoughts with him well beyond his discharge. He was torchured to the point of painpills, sleepless nights and hopeless thoughts. And the pain killers only numbed reality for a moment.

I find this story a loss for the kingdom with so many possibilities. And I can't help but ask myself " What If." What if he would have walked back up that side walk with a different message. What if he would have had a heart to evangelize and saw himself as a guiding light in the midst of the storm? What if he would have entered as the grim reeper but left with the message of the Messiah? Tears of tragedy turned to tears of happiness because he was a part of the miracle of redemption.

I write these words with the heart and hope of an evangelist. One day you may be on the other end of devistating news. A dear friend just found out she had cancer and called you. A coworker lost her husband due to a instant heart attack. If so, after you lend a sympethetic shoulder give them the boulder, our rock to stand on. A rock that can not be moved.

When I was young I always wanted a carving tool that I could use to burn my name into wood. God uses our heartache to show us the many hues of grace. Make yours a beautiful sight.

Father,

We exhault You

And patiently await

The very moment You call us home

To walk through heavens gate.

Although troubles may surround me

And my world is all in flames

I will patiently wait on You my Lord

And remember Your coming again.

So slay me if You must.

Cut me oh so deep.

But turn not Your back

Upon my tears

The moment I shall weep.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

Remember The Prize

2011-03-15T08:20:00.000-05:00

Remember The Prize

Do you not know that those who run in a race, all run, but one receives the prize. 1st Cor.9:24

Thanks to a friend I had the opportunity to see a video post about Dick and Rick Hoyt. This was a father committed to helping his disabled son run over 1,000 races. They even participated in decathlons. When I watched the story unfold I couldn't help but see the joy in the son's eyes as he looked into his fathers face as they ran. His father was consumed to run for his son as it was obvious it set him free, drew him close to his father and unleashed his soul to fly higher than he ever could on his own.

I had to ask myself do I feel that way about my heavenly Father? When He carries me over the valleys of my life do I adoringly look up to Him? Do I feel His heart beat next to mine as He pulls me close? Am I willing to put in the time of study, prayer and memorizing scriptures to know Him intimately? Am I committed to the cause of Christ to run the race for life. Do I want nothing more or desire nothing less than to run the race with endurance for the sake of the High Priest?

"Your strength will equal your days." Daily, God will give you strength to run the race. Strength to pursue Him when you are exhausted. Strength by leveling the playing field at work. Strength because He will go before you and fight your battles.

The prize for the Christian is Jesus Christ. The disciplines we lay down everyday will result in having a deep, close, strands that will not break relationship with Christ. When the world says, " Why are you waisting your time" remember the prize.

Late at night when I draw my breath

And I am one day closer to facing death.

May the verdict be that I spoke of Christ.

May others know that He is my life.

For the race we run is not about winning.

Or keeping score of all of our sinning.

But the real race that I must run.

Is telling others about His son.

May I be restless as I can possibly be

When His very presence does not consume me.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

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God's Glories In Unchartered Land

2011-03-14T07:11:00.000-05:00

God's Glories In Unchartered Land

Exodus 34:2 Be ready in the morning

When you think about it each day gives us the opportunity to experience the ordinary, the inique and the tragic of life. And the good news is God is ever present in each occasion. Long before our feet step outside our door we are told to be ready in the morning to greet God and step up to heaven.

Long before our car gets caught in traffic our mind should be caught up in greeting God.We need the ultra touch of an undefeatable God to carry us through our day. The ordinary becomes incredible. The boring becomes charged with our mission and His desires for our life. The drab of each day begins to slip away and we give God the opportunity to use our specific gifts to spill evidence all over the canvas that we are His that day.

Each morning we give time to our Father we obtain the right to turn our free time into unique God moments, to see the very movement of His hand and hear His still small voice work within us. Deposit time in with God and turn tragedy into triumpth.

Abandon yourself in the morning and I dare say there will be undiscovered horizons just beneath the surface of your mind. I do believe you would see God's glories in unchartered land. You would hear Him calling you ever so closely. And each window you would choose to look through you would find God looking back at you.

Father,

In the morning I will embrace You

And call upon Your name.

Change me, arrange me

So I won't be the same.

I'm claiming every promise

And committing every way

To walk this land

With You at my side

Every single day.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

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One Day You Will Fly

2011-03-13T12:28:00.000-05:00

And who soever was not found in the book of life was cast into the book of fire. Rev20:15

The other night I was awakened at 3:00 A.M by a noise in my kitchen.I kept hearing clanging and clanking and I was not sure what was gong on. I walked out to a roommate that was on a mission. He had the oven completely torn apart and was cleaning every crevice of it. He had mentioned that while wiping something up he discovered the oven was one step away from a house fire. His quick actions may have avoided a tradgedy.

We have all looked tradgedy in the eyes. At ten years old a tornado touched down in Minnesota and ripped my neighbors from thier home. I awoke to find his skull crushed by a pontoon boat and his leg hanging from a tree. Some tradgedies can be avoided. If only the work-a-holic husband had taken time to get his heart checked. If only the furnace had been serviced, the co2 monitor installed. If only the drunk driver would have taken a cab.

There is another tragedy that awaits many that walk right beside us. It is the walking tradgedy of the lost. This is the tradgedy of their souls cast into the lake of fire. The believer does not have to spend much time thinking of this. Or does he? Just because our names are written in the book do we stop thinking of the reality of seperation from Christ? Should we not anguish for thier punishment and does that not compel you to open your mouth and speak? Is your heart so far removed from this pain that it does not compel you to get off the Face Book addiction and pray, gain knowledge and find compassion for the lost?

To be lost in Hell the Hebrew word in the Old Testament is olam which means eternal. The Greek word in the New testament is aei meaning always. Our family and our friends will face endless punishment. They will be in a state of everlasting burning. Isaiah 33:14, shalll never see light Psalm 49:19. I believe if the sinner were to know of Hell before he got there he would repent.

The other day I saw a catipillar on the ground slowly making his way up my driveway. I thought how foolish of me if I were to pick it up and explain" One day you will fly. One day you will be a beautiful butterfly. You will not be crawling around on the ground but you will have wings to float where you choose. You will be re-born, regenerated."

When we see the lost may we see with spiritual eyes. The sinner set free. A new creation in Christ. A walking miracle.

One Day

One day the lost shall be found

And up from the ground

They shall fly.

The old heart lost

Transformed and transfixed

The old self slaughtered to die.

A miracle in waiting

The sinner starts stating,

" I was blind but now I can see."

My Father, my Savior

My first love, my last

I will never be a tradgedy.

Brad McGill

All Rights Reserved

One Day You Will Fly

2011-02-20T22:32:00.002-06:00

Do You Have A Story To Tell?

2011-01-25T20:02:00.000-06:00

It's In Gods Hands Now

2010-07-13T14:01:00.002-05:00

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.John 16:37

"It's in God's hands now." I find myself whispering this phrase more often then not lately. And I am finding a great inner peace as my soul rests in His most capable hands. Each major decision resounds in comfort that my Father has gone before me, surveyed the situation and knows exactly what to do.

I came out to New Jersey with money in my pocket and a great desire to rebuild my career. The money is gone and I have been stiff armed and stone walled regarding jobs. As I pound the pavement I pray for eyes that will let me see God's direction. I seek a patient heart that waits for His desires for my future. And again I say, " It is in His hands now."

I walk without worry as I serve a God that has always come through for me. I laugh with joy as I place my needs at His feet and know in my heart that, " It's in God's hands now."

As a believer I claim a life of peace, a world of tranquility. Biblical promises come tumbling down and reveal a God that works all things to the good. I choose to look beyond the pounding demands of each day. When I handed God my heart He graciously gave me salvation. How could I possibly think He could not handle my concerns now? Each problem I face and each mountain I climb reminds me not to worry as, 'It is in God's hands now.

Father,

I raise my eyes to heaven
And I can clearly see
The movement of your hand
Always taking care of me.

When the world says I should worry
And I'm not clear which way to go
I whisper, " It's in God's hands"
And I still choose to follow.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

An Amazing About Face

2010-07-11T10:13:00.002-05:00

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19,20

I was visiting with a friend the other day and she was sharing with me about a time in her life when God in His universal presence created an amazing about face in her marriage.

Due to unconfessed anger she had not spoken to her husband for two months. They were reaching the critical stages of their relationship. The obligations of seven years of marriage stacked with the responsibilities of twins pressed heavy on their marriage. They were on a fast tract to becoming another statistic in the obituary of divorce.

But God in His amazing omniscience entered into the scene. And He used a non-Christian to make things happen. Her sister had gone to a seminar and passed a book onto her. She refused the book and wanted to wallow in her own self pity. Her list of discontent was growing as she heard the words resonate in her mind. Her " I can't believe he did this" and " You know he shouldn't have said that" was enough to make any marriage weak. Satan was doing his part to fuel the fire and dry up the love in her heart.

But she said the book that God designed to save her marriage kept showing up everywhere. One day it was on the kitchen counter and the next day it had been moved to the coffee table. She felt like the book had legs and it was following her around.

She finally became so frustrated of trying to dodge the book that she broke down and shouted at it. Finally, she caved in, she surrendered. With God's piercing convictions of her mistakes laid at the alter her tears washed her clean.

After hearing her story I drove home touched by a Father that knows us so intimately. It is an overwhelming comfort to realize that He is intimately involved with our daily lives. He can arrange incredible circumstances for our benefit and His design.

I get excited to think that Satan can set our hearts in one direction and God can break through to convict us to do the opposite. Yet, just like my friend found out, it still comes down to our breaking, surrendering and yielding our will to the Father. She brought a willing, wanting and waiting heart and God did the rest.

When Satan Steals Our Hearts

When Satan steals our heart from Christ
and we're completely filled with anger.
We need to call upon the Lord
and recognize the danger.

Bowing down and looking up
is what we need to do.
Then God can work His miracle
and He'll come shining through.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

When We Walk On Water

2010-07-09T21:53:00.002-05:00

Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out " Lord,save me." Matthew 14:29-30

The other day while driving home I saw two cars within a miles radius stalled at the side of the highway. It was a humid saltry day in Jersey and it was apparent they couldn't handle the heat. They shut down, stalled out and could not function.

I couldn't help but ask myself, " What happens when I face difficulties, tough times and overhwelming circumstances?" Do I heat up, get angry and shut down? Do I melt down and turn away from Christ? What words come out of my mouth in the midst of my overwhelming circumstances? Is it praise or profanity?

Sometimes, in the midst of our struggles the glow of Jesus robe is beyond our sight. Our sight works against us as we look around, like Peter and only see the obstacles. We feel the weight of our burdens. We wonder, doubt and live in unbelief. The power in God's hands becomes beyond our understanding and it should not be.

This should be the time of faith, blind faith. Faith that says, " I don't have the answer but God does." We can not overcome our tough times by measuring the depths of the waves or the power by which they roll. This sense of drowning allows our problems to swell above our heads. Overwhelmed, lost and afraid we shut down.

Does it sometimes feel like God has you in the school of suffering? I know hard times are usually not thought of as good times but our greatest growth often comes from our deepest sorrows. Our Father knows just how much heat to apply to turn our imperfections into perfections. I have refind you in the furnace of suffering. Isaiah 48:10.

Let us not run from our afflictions but embrace the fire that destroys the qualities that God chooses to remove. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, He will still be with you to teach you. Isaiah 30:20.

When the Lord calls you to walk on water have faith and walk. Never look away. Eyes forward, hands held high and a heart that reaches out to Jesus.

Father,

The waves are rising
Above my head.
I'm trying to claim
All that You said.

I'm embracing the fire
And rejoicing in the the pain.
My lips will praise You
Inspite of the rain.

I'll trust in You
And all that You've done.
You've called me your child.
The battle is won.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

I Get It

2010-03-29T22:56:00.001-05:00

" Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him." Revelations 3:20

Before I had moved out to New Jersey a friend spent countless hours trying to explain the roadway system to me. They said, " We don't have left hand turns.To go left you have to go right." You can diagram that on a kitchen napkin all you want but I would have still given you the deer in the headlights look. I just couldn't grasp it over the phone. Not until I moved to New Jersey and actually experienced the turn arounds did I get it.

I remember the same feeling when I was searching for truth. I found all the different labels for Christianity confusing. All the numerous denominations seemed to polarize me. And all the do's and don'ts of religion repelled me.I just didn't get it.

But when I experienced the love of Christ I got it. When I recieved the forgiveness of our Father I got it. When I sensed the comfort of a guardian angel then I got it.

Looking into the eyes of a Joe Melton and seeing his agape love did it. Seeing a successful businessman like a Don George who genuinely cared about my salvation did it. Experiencing the tenacious commitment of a John Dewey sealed it for me.

It took awhile, but I finally cut through the man made religiosity and I got it. Realizing Christianity was not about denominations or man made rules or do's and don'ts but about accepting God's free gift of salvation did it for me.

If you have ever seen a painting by Holman Hunt you will get it too. The painting is a picture of Jesus. It has a glorious stone archway. The bricks are covered with a shimmering green ivy and Jesus is placed before a big, think heavy door.

Beneath the glorious painting were the words, " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him." But there was a bit of trickery to the picture. The artist astutely left something out. There is no door knob to the picture. Only from the inside out could the door be opened.

God came to my door and knocked.. When I finally got it I opened the door and let Him in.

Father,

I finally got it
And chose to let You in.
And bathed in the blood of Christ
You washed me of my sin.

Oh what a glorious day
When I chose to let you abide.
I opened up my heart
And asked You to reside.

A Sweet Melodious Song

2010-03-28T01:24:00.000-05:00

My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth Psalm 122:2

With the beginning of Spring and the warmth of the sun I was reminded of my childhood days growing up on one of the largest lakes in Minnesota.As a teenage boy I spent my days chasing cruiser waves with my Boston Whaler.There was something about the sun on my back and water spraying in my face that captured me.

I used to find great thrills nose diving my boat deep into the rolling waves. The challenge was to ride the crest of the wave to the very edge without flipping my boat. I was one of those kids that could care less how cold it was,how late it was or how big the wave. I just wanted to be out there.

One particular stormy day I found myself trapped. The wind had kicked up. The rain was pounding against my face and panic began to set in. My small boat was not big enough to cut through the racious waves that had grown out of control and I was in trouble.Every time I headed for shore my boat was whipped and thrown towards the rocky coastline.

This was before the days of the cell phone. I was unable to call for help. I was scared beyond what my teenage mind could handle and not sure what to do.

At that very moment what I did not know was that my father saw the struggles I was having. He quickly sent my older brother out with our ski boat to cut a wave for me to follow a safe path home. My earthly father was watching over me and he knew just what to do.

And so it is with our all knowing heavenly Father. He knows where we are at all times. We are never beyond His sight and He knows the precise moment to send us His help. Each day, each hour He is with us. He never leaves our side. His loving arms are outstretched to surround us, care for us and protect us.

The rough roads He will make smooth. The high peaks will become low lands. The storms of our summers will be reduced down to bring us showers of calming relief. We are bound to Him with strong cords of love and His eyes are always upon us.

Our sorrows will become a sweet melodious song. Look upon His face and hold fast to the glory you will some day get to experience for the rest of your eternities.

Father,

The storms that come into my life
Are sometimes out of control.
They flip flop my life
And make my head roll.

But You my precious heavenly one
Have eyes that always see.
And in Your amazing magnificent love
You are watching over me.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

What If

2010-03-09T18:09:00.000-06:00

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel said, Speak for your servant is listening. 1st Samuel 3:10

While driving today I found myself straining to listen to the words of a new Casting Crown song. I found myself listening intently to every word and I had to ask myself, "What If?"

What if we spent our days listening to our Father intently? What if we strained to see His desires for our lives?

What if the cab driver prayed for each person that was going to enter his cab? And what if he looked into their eyes and silently asked, " How can I help you meet Jesus today?"

What if every time we shopped we did the same? What if every transaction and exchange of our change could become a God moment for someone today? Each person we come in contact with has cares, concerns and worries. What if we could direct their thoughts towards Heaven? And what if we could see them like Jesus does? Weren't we all lost and alone before we met Christ?

What if the corporate president cleared his desk and sat and prayed for his co-workers today? And what if the teacher prayed for each child that would enter her classroom?

I recently read of a man that was on aplane. His desire was to close his eyes and relax. But soon into his flight he felt a tapping on his shoulder.

The little mentally impaired girl began to chatter. " Mister, are you happy today? Mister, do you go to church? Mister, do you know Jesus?" All through out the flight he watched her. Who ever she met she asked the same questions.

What if WE had the heart of this child."

What If

What if I showed no fear
When talking about Christ?
What if I spent my time telling others
How He can change their life?

What if I had the heart of a child?
And the faith of a mustard seed?
And what if In God we trust
Was more than just a creed?

What if I saw with my heart
And not just my eyes?
And what if I really loved Christ
Without compromise?

What if I believed
That my friends really were lost?
And what if today was the day
I said,"He died on the cross?"

WHAT IF?

No Matter What Our Struggles Are

2010-03-06T18:17:00.000-06:00

weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.Psalm 30:5

As a child growing up on Lake Minnetonka it was a daily routine to go fishing. One morning while still half asleep I cast anchor without realizing the rope was not tied down. So adrift I went tossed which ever way the wind desired.

As Christians, we have the anchor that drives all maladies away. No matter what trials we face we can stand strong and be courageous. We need not be tossed about by life's challenges. Our Father does not want us to shrivel up like plastic wrap near a hot fire. It actually offends Him when we shrink back.

We have seen the hero's of 911. We have heard their stories and bought their books. When God sends cancer to your door show courage in the storm. Display strength when your loved one walks out. We can be that light that leads others through the darkness of despair.

Those that sow hope will reap their just reward. The sun will come up tomorrow. It always does.Darkness will disappear. It eventually does. Those trials will become a fleeting moment erased by God's hand.

Christian, God is all we need no matter what dungeon your head rests in. Sing this in the valley and soar above the mountains.

Father,
I will walk with courage
when the storms of life come.
I will rest in Your loving arms.
I will not run.

The world will see a man
completely dedicated to You.
No matter what my struggles are
I know You will bring me through.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

When Was The Last Time?

2010-03-02T20:37:00.000-06:00

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 2 Ch. 20:18

Some time back I received a text from a friend. She had been listening to a song and it stirred her. Her text was short and to the point. She said, " When was the last time you laid your face down in total surrender?"

Don't you love it when God sends people into your life to ask the hard questions? I had to admit it had been awhile. The question is why? What has stopped me from laying my heart prone on the floor? What has stopped me from closing my eyes, seeing His blood stained garment and being a Christian that mourns for God's perfect Son?

Our Father waits for those times when we bow in total surrender. It is in these times that He can breath His breath of life into our weakened body.

We are where we need to be when we stop, drop and lay everything at the alter. We are where we should be when we put on His blood stained garment. We are where we want to be when we seek those times and make them the top priority of our day.

I invite you to do this at once. Fellowship with Him before the phone rings, the kids call and before your heart makes excuses.Cry out in desperation as you let the tears flow. Place Him back on the throne where He belongs.

Place Him on the throne
Where He belongs.
Find it in your heart
To sing a new song.

Do this everyday
And do not stop.
Go ahead now Christian drop.

Give Him all the honor He deserves.
Let Him take your heart
And show you how to serve.

Onward Christian soldier do it now.
Lay your heart upon the alter.
Come and bow.

Brad McGill
All Rihts Reserved

You Are my heart

2010-02-26T17:08:00.001-06:00

I will love thee Oh Lord Ps. 18:1

As a writer there are times I would have to say when I know I am not leading the pen. Today was one of those days. I was knee deep in my work. I had eight houses to set up to show a client. This particular client had already looked at forty houses and still nothing. Short sales and mold tend to be the culprits.

Somewhere in the midst of all that brain power came these words, " You are my heart." I put down my computer and began to contemplate one word. INTIMACY. I remember asking myself when was the last time I had poured my heart out to Christ? And why don't I do it more often?

To be intimate with someone means to have a deep heart felt connection. A thirst, a hunger for. A strong desire combined with a time to set aside all else and dwell upon, contemplate.

And how do we do this with a Savior we can not see? We do it by pouring out our heart to Him as if He was right beside us. It calls for a crying out from the heart. An invitation to invade our thoughts and actions. A request to have Christ come in to the inner portion and reside in us.

So I ask you to do just that. Do it with out fear or wondering what others might think. Just close your eyes and feel His gentle request to lead you and love you. Ask Him to destroy your fears, wash your guilt away and show you how you can love Him in a new way. Unashamed, unrestricted and rejoicing in your new spiritual hunger for Him.

You Are My Heart

Let me hear your voice today.
Take my hand and lead the way.
I proclaim I will not stray.
You are all I need.

May my eyes see only You.
Make it clear what I must do.
Let Your love come shining through.
You are in my heart.

You're my every thing.
The reason I sing.
My eyes
When I can not see.

My lips will declare
You're always there
Loving me.

Is Your Door Shut?

2008-12-07T23:16:00.000-06:00

But you when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Any of us Christians that have a deep commitment to grow must also have a strong desire to pray. And the key to prayer is closing your door. A closed door means you have entered into the sanctuary to fellowship with our Father. A closed door means you have shut out the outside world and it's influences.

Now, deep within the inner chamber you can meet God face to face. Undisturbed and alone with God you may now listen for that still small voice. It is here where we meet the Holy Spirit. It is now that He can guide and direct us.

It is sad to say that many of us fall into a mundane rut when it comes to prayer. We call it prayer when we shoot up a two minute talk with Father. We can it prayer when we cry out, "Oh Father help me." Let us remember that our Father wants to reward us when we openly, diligently close the door, shut out the world and put Him on his throne. Won't you do that today?

How wrong I have been to call it prayer,
When I give you just bits of time.
Yet, in my worldly justification,
I would seldom call it a crime.

May my heart be totally honest.
In the fact that my door was not shut.
Please set my heart on eagles wings.
Don't let me pray in a rut.

Brad McGill
All Rights Reserved

When Was The Last Time?

2008-10-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. 2 Ch. 20:18

Last week I received a text message from my fiance. She had been listening to a song and it stirred her. Her text was short and to the point. She asked, " When was the last time you laid your face down in total surrender?"

Don't you love it when God sends people into your life that will ask the hard questions? I had to admit it had been awhile. And the question is why? What has stopped me from laying my heart prone on the floor. What has stopped me from closing my eyes, seeing his blood stained garment and being a Christian that mourns for God's precious Son?

Our perfect Father waits for those times when we bow in total surrender. It is in these times that He can breath His breath of life into our weakened body.We are where we need to be when we stop, drop and lay everything at the alter. As Christians we are where we should be when we put on His blood stained garment. We are where we want to be when we seek those times and make them a top priority of our day.

I invite you to do this at once. Fellowship with Him before the phone rings, before the kids call and before your heart makes excuses. Cry out in desperation as you let the tears flow. Place Him back on the throne where he belongs.

Place Him on the throne
Where he belongs.
Find it in your heart
To sing a new song.

Do this everyday
And do not stop.
Go ahead now
Christian drop.

Give Him all the honor
He deserves.
Let Him take your heart
And show you how to serve.

Onward Christian soldier
Do it now.
Lay your heart upon the alter
Come and bow.

Do You Have It?

2008-09-27T19:16:00.000-05:00

We rejoice and delight in You. Song of Solomon1:4

This summer I had the pleasure of spending time with an amazing young man. I spent some time down the shore on Long Beach Island in New Jersey. I was up close and personal with truly an amazing kid.

Timothy is my fiance's son and he has been involved with the Surflight Theater for six years. This year he played John Davidson's son in one show. But the amazing thing about Timothy is he was also involved with two other shows at the same time.

Imagine the talent to have three different story lines and multiple songs running through your head. And what really impressed me is I never once heard Tim complain of things being too hectic.

With a schedule that included practice at 10:00 A.M., a show at twelve, lunch and then two more shows he never lost his joy to be on stage. His light shined ever day I was in his presence.

Just as Timothy spent his waking hours on stage we as Christians do too. We are the presenters of the message of Christ. The world is our audience and reads our life. When the spotlight shines it's bright lite upon your face are you glowing for Christ? Do you have the joy of the Lord and the enthusiasm of a child?

Joy comes from a deep contentment flowing out from us. Does contentment reign in your heart or are you anxious and unsettled? Has Satan stolen your love song for Christ? Or has he entered into the audience and heckled you right off the Christian stage? He prowls, he lurks and he waits to steal our joy. Let us not forget we are called to be street mintrials for Christ. Just as my friend Timothy never complained put on the comforter of Christ and let's tell the world how He has changed our life.

We are the presenters
Of the message of Christ.
He is our reason
And He is our life.

Our life song, our love song
Presented on stage,
Oh never let Satan
Enter with rage.

This joy, our love song
For all the world to see.
Come now Oh Christian
Come sing with me.

Hide It Under A Rock Oh No

2008-09-10T20:24:00.001-05:00

vuhjdIf anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. John 7:31

Susie called the Billy Graham call center with a laundry list of issues. She was routed to the regional center located at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.

" When we answer the phone we get to the bottom line and ask, " Did you call to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" explained Dave Gibson, pastor of missions and outreach at Grace and the volunteer who answered Suzie's call.

She explained to Gibson that she had called to accept Christ but didn't feel he would accept her because she abused her child, was an alcoholic and a drug addict, had been married several times , and was thinking of killing herself before she picked up the phone.

I said to her, " Jesus died for your child abuse, Jesus died for your alcohol and drug programs... even when you are cursing Him, He died for you." Minnesota Christian Chronicle

I can't help but ask myself what if? What if we answered our phone the same way? Would we be labelled a radical kook? Should we even care?

We call dwarf people the little people. Let us not be little in our witness. Let us not be small in our desire to present our Lord, know our Lord or live our Lord.

Call me a fanatical with a violent desire to show His love. May we be a light upon a hill calling people home. Hide it under a rock oh no. Summon yourself to boldness. Self talk your way into doing it. Hell is their destiny. Hear their voice from Hell before they are there. Feel their anguish. You are a Christian. Speak.

We are noticeably boisterous when we find something we believe in. Be strong in your belief that Christ is the answer to all human conditions. Let not one friend not know that you are of Christ. Let not one board member not know that you have a relationship with Christ. Don't hold back. A sinners cry will haunt you. Let His love invade you. Hide it under a rock oh no. Never!

Summon yourself in boldness.
Do this in Jesus name.
Tell your closest friend
That you will never be the same.

Hide nothing under a rock.
Be bold and let it show.
Live the love He has given.
It is time my friend
Let's go.

Are You Overwhelmed?

2008-08-04T20:54:00.000-05:00

"God our God" Psalm 67:6

Usually when we here the phrase, " I am overwhelmed" we immediately run to the negative with our thoughts. We instantly think, " They must be overwhelmed with life."

The list of worries is one breath away. Lack of finances that worry us to death. Medical issues that might make everyday a challenge. Relationships that become pulled apart and broken. Disobedient teens that make us want to run away to a far off island.

Yet, there is another way to use this word. I am overwhelmed by Christ. Overwhelmed by the beauty He has created that awaits me out my front door. I am overwhelmed by His goodness. I am touched by His constant care. I am moved by His presence, breathless over His forgiveness.

Us Christians have short memories. Too often our love becomes seasonal. We are distracted by life. We fall short in being a Christ seeker. Christ becomes a secondary matter. Not one moment is spent grieving for Christ on the cross.

I want to be in this overwhelmed state everyday. Oh Christian, let your memory be rekindled. Be overwhelmed with me.

Father,

I want to be moved by Your presence.
Touched by Your love.
I'm a citizen of Heaven
And my home is above.

When life takes my thoughts
Away from You.
Overwhelm me again.
Do what You must do.

Is It Time To Come Down?

2008-07-27T15:07:00.000-05:00

For necessity is laid upon me: yea woe is me if I preach not the gospel. 1st Cor 9:16

As a young insurance agent I was captured by the excitement of my first convention. Round trip airfare to Monterrey California for my wife and I proved that it was real. The red carpet treatment was rolled out as we arrived to find champaign tucked in our hotel room. The room was complete with our bed covers rolled down and mint chocolate on the pillow.

A bus was chartered to take us deep into the mountains. My eyes wandered to the highest snow capped peak as I watched the sun gentle touch my glass of Riesling. Utopia was one breath away and I never wanted to leave.

This is how it feels when we feel the presence of the Lord. This becomes those still shots of our Christian walk when God becomes so real and precious.This when all of our concerns and worries are washed away.

But just as I had to come down off the mount and enter back into the mainstream of life we too must come down. For the very reason of our existence rests in our ability to communicate Christ to the world. It becomes a true act of love to leave our love fest with Jesus.

There is a great love in the ascension. There is a greater love when we descend and take what we have been given to the lost, the hungry and the empty. This becomes our greatest test of surrender.

Is it time to come down off the mount? Is it time to take what God has inspired you to do and do it? We show our commitment to Christ in the valley. We live our commitment when we rise up early to listen, to walk and to let Christ touch us.

I don't know about you but my selfish flesh wants to remain on the mountain top. But only I am touched up there. God wants the multitudes. The rarity of the brushing up against Christ will not be enough. But oh go light a candle and watch the fire grow.

Some have been called to teach. Go teach. Some have been called to lead. Go lead. All have been called to love. So love.

Father,

It is in the selfishness of my flesh
That I want to live on the mountain top.
But You can only reach one there
And it does not lead to a bountiful crop.

So I will choose to descend.
To give out what You have given.
Now make me a shinning star.
So I can help others start living.

Are You Injured?

2008-07-24T23:34:00.000-05:00

Behold we go up to Jerusalem Luke 18:13

I have a teenage son that is prone to injury. Evey time i look at him he seems to have a new scar or a new bruise. Yesterday I took a close look at him and he had scrapes all down his back. When I asked him what happened he said," I decided to slide down a driveway just to see if I could." This crazy child of mine seems to have a reckless abandon with no regards to his safety.

As Christians we sometimes walk around like this. We somehow allow our relationship with Christ to be broken. We become filled with self desires. We seek fulfillment in things. We desire friends and love from others more than our daily search for our Father.

If we do not hold these things in their proper perspective our relationship with Christ becomes injured. Jerusalem will always bare the mark where Jesus reached his highest pinnacle to do the Fathers will. " I will seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me. " Rise to the occasion. Let God manifest Himself in you and through you.

If these words are not in your heart and on your lips then you have some mending to do. Ask the hard questions. Are you farther along in your relationship with Christ today? Is Jesus vibrant and the most important aspect of your life? Are you taken up by God? Does He still take your breath away with just the mention of His name?

Father,

How I long to do Your will
And seek only Your ways.
Repair my damaged heart
So I will not stray.

Destroy my earthly desires
So I can honestly say
" I will seek not my own will
But the will of my Father today."

Through The Voice Of Sorrow

2008-07-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

What shall I say God save me from this hour? John 12:27

Ever since my wife walked out of my life I have allowed my house to be the gathering spot for all these restless wayward teens. I have to admit these walls have heard a lot of laughter. Yet I still can't help but wonder.

I wonder which one is going to be the first to genuinely ask me about Christ. Which one is going to be the first to surrender to the cross?

You see, not one of them have known sorrow. Not one has trudged through the valley. Not one has survived the hurting emotions of a spouse leaving. Not one has felt empty and alone. Not one has worked their fingers to the bone only to loose their house from a changing economy.

I am sure many of these teens will climb the corporate ladder to success. Some will be successful business owners. Oh they are so ready to set the world on fire. But I did not find God in my days of $200,000 income. I was too puffed up for that. I was too filled with myself for Christ to ever invade my soul.

It is through the voice of sorrow that God calls us. Although our hearts ask, " Why Lord must this be"? In our humanness we fail to recognize that even Christ could not stop the agony He was called to endure.

God allows suffering so that we can come along side those that are suffering and in an encouraging way present the gospel. It either brings us closer to the cross and we end up cradling the throne or we end up rejecting Christ and chasing the world and it's ways. Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him, in doing good as to a faithful creator. 1st Peter 4:19.

Our heartache becomes gateways to the world. Let us rejoice in the fire of our sorrows. Let us take every anguish to Christ and ask how He intends to use them to nourish others, touch others and move others one step closer to the cross.

Even Though I was Unaware

I knew a man when I was young
That spoke of Jesus Christ.
And even though I was unaware
His presence changed my life.

His house was filled with laughter.
He gave all that he could give.
And even though I was unaware
He taught me how to live.

His joy was always evident.
He often had a song.
And if by chance I had a bad day
He could sense that something was wrong.

This friend has touched me deeply
As he has shown me Jesus Christ.
And even though I was unaware
He forever changed my life.

Which Way Is Your Magnet Pointing?

2008-07-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

So that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom but on God's power. 1st. Cor 2:5

Although it has been many years since I was in 7th grade science class the impact of polarity still rings true with a great message. Turn the magnets in the positive direction and along they go in co-existence. But turn them against each other and look out.

Applying this to Christian principles we can easily see that we need to erase our double mindedness of our lives. To be in polarity with Christ we need to solely seek the Lord with all of our heart. If we will draw near and receive His closeness He will lift us up and exalt us.

There is no short cut to the process because the only way to intimacy is to humble ourselves in complete brokenness. So which way is your magnet pointing. Are your feet running to the cross everyday? Do you sing a song of repentance on occasion or often?

When our Father hears the prayers of repentance He will look down upon us from heaven and then and only then will He release His blessings. God is waiting to do so much. Run to Him.

Father,

Like a big magnet
I want to be an attraction.
I've lived the life of resistance
And I have been a distraction.

I surrender everything.
I give You all of my heart.
Wash me and cleanse me
So I can shine with a new start.

Well It's About Time

2008-07-12T19:17:00.000-05:00

Come unto me Matthew 11:28

As a parent of a teenager I have spent many a restless nights wondering where, when and if my teenager was going to be sleeping at home that night. I have droned on when I talk to him as to the why that he must call me and let me know where he would be crashing that night. I have to admit I get tired of clocking him and chasing him down.

So last night when he called and actually asked for my permission it was a ray of hope on the path to maturity. Finally he got it. Finally he thought of his father waiting and wondering at home. All I can say is, " It is about time."

When I hung up the phone I couldn't help but think of our heavenly Father. I felt a deep closeness to Him as I compared the patience that I have had to exercise and the patience He must exercise with us everyday. At times as my son has walked on the edge of disaster I have had to stop myself from jumping in and taking control of his life. For it is in these life decisions that he learns the hard lessons of life.

How equally difficult it must be for our Father to hold back blessings and allow us to fall away only to see us come crashing the gates of heaven asking for redemption.

Come unto me. Just like Father I want my son to come to me, lean on me, believe in me and love me. And so does our Father. And it's about time.

Father,

Your patience is unmeasurable.
A voice in all my trials.
My rock providing shade.
But not for just awhile.

Your love is never ending.
A place to run home to.

With eyes that never stop watching
In all the things I do.

Do You Need Refreshment?

2008-06-30T23:04:00.000-05:00

"Quench not the spirit." 1st Thess. 5:19

In 1965 The Florida Gators football coach was frustrated. During the heat of the summer practices the team was sluggish. With a hope and a prayer he asked the team doctor for some help.

Robert Cade and his associates created a lip smacking, thirst quenching drink that changed the sports world in a most refreshing way. Out of a need and a request Gatorade was born.

As Christians we have the same quenching in the form of the Holy Spirit. Sent to refresh us, guide us and direct us unto the wishes of our Father. Without the Holy Spirit we walk the streets as an orphan. With it we live with a hope over flowing within us. With out it we are miss guided and miss directed as to Gods calling. With it we are sure we are compelled and called for a purpose.

God gave us the Holy Spirit as a counselor to allow us to be united in Christ through the Spirit. His voice becomes an announcement and a declaration that we will never be alone. And because of this we can do great things by means of the Holy Spirit. What a glorious promise this becomes. What an incredible gift has been bestowed upon us.

This positional truth becomes that as Christians He has placed the very spirit of God in us. It is this spirit that will convict you of your sins. It is the gentle tapping of the spirit that reveals truth. This truth when acted upon performs a change in us that elevates us to become more like Jesus. It is only by the work of the Holy Spirit that this cleansing change will illuminate us to bring glory to Christ.

If you live your Christian life with out the Holy Spirit then something is missing. You will never experience the fullness of the Christian life until you cry out to Father in an honest way and request that this visitor become a resident for the rest of your life.

Open the door
And let the Spirit in.
Let His indwelling love
Help you to start again.

Feel His gentle touch
Placed upon your heart.
Let the Spirit guide you
And become your only chart.

Hear His silent whisper
Deep into the night.
Ask for the Holy Spirit
To set your world right.

And How About You?

2008-06-14T22:19:00.000-05:00

Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Mark 14:18

As a young childhood actress she won the hearts of many. With a killer smile and curls that captured you who couldn't fall in love with her. Her singing was pitch perfect and she never missed a dance step.

As an adult Shirley Temple went on to win the hearts of many across the world as she was an ambassador for the United States. Who better than her to present the United States as a loving and caring country. With dignity and grace she spent her life promoting our country.

The emphasis of the passage above comes as a command from the King of Kings. This demand to follow is an adamant request from Father. It comes with a desire to see all of us as ambassadors for Christ. Such an act of surrendered obedience delights Him.

The King has to be in His kingdom. God's intention and will for us is to make us into something we could not be on our own.

So how about you? Does your heart beat with the heart of Jesus Christ? When it does He will give you great purpose. He will show you how to imitate the very heart, soul and mind of Christ. You and I are the second incarnate of Jesus Christ. This is why we are called, " Jars of clay." It is so that He can mold His heart, His soul and His mind deep within us.

So how are you measuring up? When you go to your sons baseball game is it with the mind of Christ to share the good news? When you step into your office do you mentally stop and say, " Prepare ye the way?"

Are you a good fisherman?

Father,

I want to be an ambassador for Christ.
Dedicated to change someones life.
I want to be a fisherman of men.
I want to reach out again and again.

When my mind says I'm not worthy.
When satan speaks his lies.
Help me to be an ambassador for Christ
And make Jesus my battle cry.

A Vacuum Of Love

2008-06-08T09:23:00.001-05:00

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God Ephesians 4:30

There is a popular saying that goes, " Christians are not perfect just forgiven." Unf0rtunenately, we have to invoke this saying far to many times. In our foolish wandering we do stupid things. In our rebellious acts of nonsense we grieve the Holy Spirit.

A void is created when we make decisions to grieve or hurt the Spirit. In addition we destroy our witness and our life song for Christ. If there is ever an example of one step forward and two steps back it is when we in our humanness cancel out this vacuum of love that God has richly provided for us.

Rather than grieve the Holy Spirit I want to feel God's Holy hand pressed upon my heart. I want my mind to be illuminated in unique divinity. I want to stand morally perfect before the throne in order to enter boldly into the sanctuary.

All that God has done, is doing and will continue to do will stop . Is it worth it? This tight vacuum of love should not, must not be destroyed. Continue to build the temple of God and be clothed with majesty.

A vacuum of love
Is what God has given.
A map for the future
To show us clean living.

So don't grieve the spirit
And step away from Christ.
Nothing is worth it
As it will change your life.

Make Godly choices in all that you do.
A Heavenly rainbow will always follow you.
Directed by Christ in the steps you should choose.
Guided by the Spirit a Christian can not loose.

The Great Invitation

2008-06-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

Then Jesus declared I am the bread of life John 6:35

When my brother was drinking it was common place that he would make statements that would never come true. " Sure I will pick you up and give you a ride home" really meant " You better plan on hitch hiking because I won't be there." It took me awhile to understand that I couldn't count on him in the state that he was in.

Sometimes, we have all made statements about attending a church . " I'll go when my life is more in order." I'll come when my life is together. " But God is ready to meet us in our ugliness. He wants to come to us right in our messed up order. He wants to meet us in our confusion.

God met Nicodemus at his highest point of accomplishment but in his greatest need. Like the woman at the well God finds us in our messed up full of sin life. This where He meets our needs and hears the cry of our heart.

No matter where we are at we all need a Savior. Only Christ can bring true satisfaction. When we fully believe and fully receive Christ we become spiritually satisfied to allow Him to lead and direct our paths. It is not an issue of understanding. The issue is we have a rebellious heart. When we take ourselves off the throne then it is time to put Jesus there. Will you do it today?

Father,

I made all the excuses
And played all the games
To live my life without You.

But now my Father
I can't comprehend
Not doing the things
You ask me to do.

This great divine invitation
Spoken from my heart to Yours
A broken down heart of salvation
Allowed me to walk through the doors.

On The Edge Of A Miracle

2008-06-04T08:39:00.000-05:00

because they saw His miracles John 6:2

When my younger brother was in seventh grade he walked into the shed to change a file tip. He mistakenly pointed the sharp tip towards him and pulled with all his might. The tip released and struck him dead center in his eye. This began an event that would change his life forever.

Rather than wait for an ambulance my mother threw us in the car and started a white knuckle ride for the hospital an hour away. When we caught up with my father he continued the journey by running stop lights and screaming like a mad man behind the wheel.

The doctors took one look and prepped my brother for surgery. And this became his claim to fame as he became one of the first patients ever to have stitches in his eye. I knew I was on the edge of a miracle as I watched these miraculous events unfold.

As Christians, everyday, we are on the edge of a miracle. God longs for us to be a part of the miracle of redemption. One word of truth softly planted on some ones heart may be just what is divinely called for.

One song of joy sung to a lonely passing stranger, one caring touch to someone overwhelmed with struggle. One voice, one song, one touch and one heart brings our useless life to the edge of a miracle and paints the picture of what God can do.

Imagine what the world would be like if rather than looking for our needs, our wants and our desires we looked through spiritual eyes. Oh Christian, won't you see the one that is ready to surrender. Can you see the one that is ready to free fall right into Daddy's arms. Will you become a part of the miracle of redemption?

Father,

I want to be used
In the cause for Christ.
To spend my time
Planting seeds to change a life.

This miracle of redemption
happens everyday.
I want to be a part
Of bringing Your Sons rays.

So please just opem my eyes
And help my heart to see
The stranger that is lost
Is sitting next to me.

Desperate To See

2008-06-01T21:53:00.001-05:00

Test me in this... and see if I will not open the flood gates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room for it. Malechi 3:10

While on a trip to Colorado to see the sites we stopped at Busch Gardens. Although it was a cold rainy day we still decided to take the log ride. In an effort to stay dry I started wrestling with a friend to cover up. My glasses got knocked in the water gone forever.

Ask me if I brought a spare pair for the trip. With out my glasses I am blind as a bat. My sister found an old pair of tortoise shell green glasses for me. I looked the part of a man half crazed. But I was desperate to see.

Like wise, I am desperate to see my Father. I only desire spiritual eyes to see what He has planned for me.

Why don't we live each day this way? Why do we doubt that Father wants to come with a bushel basket to fill our cupboards full of blessings?

Come on now. I am going to ask you to think differently. The upright will have good things in possession. Prov. 28:10. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. So do we if we recieve it, believe it and claim it.

When God removes the flood gates
And the blessings start to flow,
I will be amazed
This I surely know.

My God, my love , my Savior,
The evidence is here,
I am ready to just claim them
And shout a hallelujah cheer.

The Voice Of Patriotism

2008-05-26T11:34:00.000-05:00

There we saw the giants Numbers 13:3

For those that hear the voice of patriotism it comes with a voice that says, " I have to do this." It is not a soft whisper but a loud shout. It is not a gentle movement but a strong violent torrent that pulls them out.
This compelling thrust pulls them away from loved ones, apart from what is safe and calls them to fight the giants for us.

I say thank you for a heart that is willing to defend freedom and defeat the enemy. As the battle field rages on it takes a special person to do what they have done and I thank God daily for their brave heart.

It Takes A Special Person

I wanted to say thank you
For all you've done for me.
For giving up the life you've known
In pursuit of liberty.

Each day I have my freedom
All because of you.
It takes a special person
To do the things you do.

When night time comes
I rest my head
Knowing you are there,
So willing to lay your life down
For a stranger over here.

Please know that God is with you
As you fight the enemy.
And everyday you do all you can
To try to keep me free.

Please know that while you're there
We haven't forgotten you.
Yes, it takes a special person
To do the things you do.

As night time fades to evening
And with the setting of the sun,
Our prayers are always with you
YOU are the special one.

Can You Relate?

2008-05-21T21:19:00.000-05:00

Tell me the secret of your great strength. Judges 16:6

Can you relate to a man such as Paul? Has the circumstances in your life ever beaten you down? Have you ever tasted a deep disappointing defeat? Have you ever walked a road lined with trials?

Our toughest times deepens our faith and allows us to over come our greatest loss. Prized possessions May disappear. Tough days and rough nights may follow. But it is by faith that we will survive.

Take Paul's trials away from Him and His agony becomes useless. But make him a martyr for Christ and ride his holy wave all the way to heaven. Be a witness inspite of. Inspite of any crushing blows against you. Inspite of circumstances beyond human comprehension and inspite of what we can not see.

If you crush an acre of fragrant flowers you will receive cache of fragrant perfume. What beauty, sweet child of God, will come from you allowing God to have His way?

Father,

When adversity comes
And I face defeat
Keep my faith strong
And always up beat.

In Christ, not self,
I stand upon the rock.
Let my words be strong
And may the world stand in shock.

Have You Called Lately?

2008-05-17T12:30:00.000-05:00

Every one who calls on the Lord will be saved. Joel 2:32

Have you ever know anyone to cry out to the Lord in their lost confusion and then fall right back into their old sin pattern? Like a puppy dog whining for attention they come with a whimpering heart.

What they fail to realize is that in the saving process God is looking for something from us. He wants a relationship. As casual as good conversation around a kitchen table He wants to fellowship with us. As rewarding as a room full of laughter He wants to reminisce with us.

So have you called Him lately? The same longing we have to talk to a old friend we should long for Him. He wants to be involved with every aspect and every corner of our plans. Send God an invitation to touch you in your loneliness. Call Him into the battle field of your mind. Let Him disconnect you from Life's entanglements. Ask Him to destroy strongholds and break relationships that are unhealthy for you.

Have a cuppa and let Him consume you and carry you to new heights of service. Run straight to His heart with all of your worries, all of your heart ache and all of your headaches. We foolishly search in vain for anything that does not have His hand written on it.

Any concerns we have can be placed upon His shoulders. The door will be opened, the window will rise. The glorious sun will touch our anxious cold heart but only if we call.

Oh Father,

How foolish of me to shoot up a prayer
And then just walk away.
To close my eyes to the very fact
That You want a relationship today.

My Father, Oh Father forgive me
For I have played a fool.
I sought advice from the world
And I have followed all their rules.

So now Lord this is my promise
To talk to You each day.
I simply want to know Your heart
And let You lead the way.

The Beauty In The Seed

2008-05-16T19:13:00.000-05:00

I planted the seed but Apollos watered it and God made it grow.1 Cor. 3:6

When I was twelve years old I decided I decided I needed to make some money so I sent a way for a mail order box of seeds. I talked my dad into up fronting me the money and reassured him I would double the money. I never sold one packet of seeds and my dad was stuck with the loss.

What I lacked was vision and confidence. I failed to vision how beautiful those seeds stuffed in a packet would look in the garden. I also failed to realize that the people buying the seeds would be extremely happy.

I lacked confidence in myself that I could go up to someone and confidence them that they needed what I had. My fear kept me home on the couch dead in my tracts. If I would have seen a flourishing garden then all of the sales would have fallen into place.

Perhaps it is our lack of vision that stops us Christians from planting seeds for the Kingdom. For who would see a Franklin Graham in a renegade teenager. Who would see a Saul in a Paul. And who could see a rich man being stripped to nothing and find the patience of Job.

The bible makes reference to sowing seeds as spreading God's word. God showed me how simple this can be just today. With summer coming and my teens at home I decided to move from an outside office to working at home. As I was gathering my things and taking trips to my car I had left my bible and my concordance on my desk. One of my co-workers passed by and i saw him linger distinctly at my desk. Then he took a moment to ask me where I went to church.

Praise God the door was open. I had the confidence to speak up for Christ and I gave him the name of my church and directed him to our website. As I walked I had the vision of seeing him on Sunday.

Can this be done without having a passion for Christ? I think not. Can this happen without wearing the miracle of redemption on our sleeve? I dare say no. Our love for Christ compels us into service and in it's simplest form that is all it takes.

Father,

I want to know You deep in my heart
So others will to.
I want to sow the seeds of redemption
In everything that I do.

This world needs a Savior
And His name is Jesus Christ.
Like a fool I've lived without Him.
But now I have made Him my life.

A Resting Place

2008-05-11T16:44:00.000-05:00

they have forgotten their resting place. Jer. 50:6

One of the enduring parts of the movie called, " The Notebook" is their resting place. Bought for a dime on the dollar was a house calling out to be a home. In the beginning it was their hide away and their sanctuary to hide away from the harsh realities of life.

Then this home became their dream as it painted a picture as a place to run home to. We found it to be Noah's foundation when Allie walked out of his life. It grounded him and gave him hope that someday his Allie would come home to him. And in the end it became their resting place.

And so it is with Christ. He is our foundation. He brings us our peace, tranquillity and happiness in an otherwise rudderless life. He is our shelter to run home to. Just like Noah waiting for Allie He waits with open arms wanting us to come home from our wandering days.

The wind that blew us away is not equal to the gust that brings us home. Come home to Christ for He is your resting place.

My Resting Place

Might I rest right here
In this easy chair?
Forgetting my worries
And erasing my cares?

Send your gentle touch.
Bring your easy hand.
Just calm me down.
Come settle this man.

The day has been tough.
The road too long.
But I am here right now
And it is where I belong.

You are my resting place
From the human race.
A place to run home to.

Each mountain I climb
Each victory I have
Is all because of you.

You are my resting place
From the human race.
A place to come home to.
Without you here to comfort me
I don't know what I would do.

Come now and send your smile
That can steal me away.
Come now and sit by me
So we can rest and pray.

My life is perfect
When I hold you every day.
So now it is time
For me to stop and say
That I love you.

You are my resting place
To the human race.
A place to run home to.
Each mountain I climb.
Each victory I have
Is all because of you.

You are my resting place
To the human race
A place to come home to.

Without you here to comfort me
I don't know what I would do.

I know there are times
That you don't understand.
The depth and the thoughts
Of this complex man.

All thats important
And all you need to know
Is I love you now
And I need you so.

And if in a moment
I could not see.
If in that moment
All breath was gone from me.

You'd be the reason
I'd make it through the night.
All would be perfect
And things would be right
Because I love you.

You are my resting place
From the human race...

I Want To Be Fat

2008-05-06T20:01:00.000-05:00

Each morning everyone gather as much as he needed. Ex. 16:21

Unfortunately in earthly terms our society has turned everything into eye catching beauty. Whether we gaze upon the opposite sex, a car or something we hunger for we look for that eye popping attraction.

For me, a heart that is fervent for Christ is beautiful. Show me someone that feasts on the word and is out of control in presenting the gospel and I am all ears. If they are a glutton for encouraging others then I want to dine with them.

Just show me someone who's earthly body is busting out at the seams for Christ. Lack of this means they are spiritually anorexic. It also means they are shallow in their conversation, weak in their desire and short on time for Christ.

God has prepared a banquet table. Come feast with me as we indulge in Him. Let's get fat together consuming Christ. Bring Christ a hungry appetite that can never be satisfied. Be fat and over eat and watch how beautiful you become.

Father,

I want to be fat in consuming You.
I want to be a glutton
In everything i do.

When people look at me
And see me over flowing
I hope that they will say,
" He can't stop growing.

May my appetite be evident
For all the world to see.
That they will want to be fat in You
And revel in their gluttony.

Daddy Talk To Me

2008-05-03T18:53:00.000-05:00

Ask the Lord your God for a sign whether in the deepest depths or the highest heights. Isaiah 7:11

Has Father ever given you a sign? Years ago I had written a few things that I thought warranted publishing. I was led to a rep for a Christian greeting card company called Morning Star. Determined to meet their rep and drop some of my writing off I got in my car and statrted driving.

I had chosen two things I had written one summer morning as I arose at 5:30 A.M. They seemed God inspired as it was one of the moments where the words just rolled out of me and looked perfect on the pages.

One was for a friend of mine that was getting married. I remember saying to the Lord that I wanted to give my friend something special. They had a relationship that really showed the Lord shining through them. The other thing I wrote that morning was for someone special but I didn't have anybody in my life at the time. I remember saying, " Lord, if I had someone in my life this is what I would say to them today.

As I drove in search of the rep I got lost going down one way mazes. Almost at the point of giving up I pulled my car off the road and prayed, " Lord show me where to go." When I razed my head I saw a beam of light busting through the clouds and shining on a building.

Convinced that God was speaking I headed to the building and asked for the rep. Her receptionist said that she worked by appointment only and that she thought that she was not in. I asked her if she could check, " Just for the fun of it." To her surprise the rep was there.

As we visited that day her words were chilling, " You know I am not supposed to be here right now. But since I had a broken appointment I decided to come back to the office." We both felt the presence of God in the room. Out of the forty things I left with her that day the only two that were published were the two that I wrote that morning. My friend became the inspiration for a wedding card and the other was made into a valentine's card.

Is God speaking to you right now? Does He want to move you in a certain direction? We are not puppets to Him. He waits for us to call out to Him. Look for the parting of the clouds. Wait for Him to move a mountain. There is no reason not to ask for something big, unbelievable and impossible.

We can not stop the raging sea but we can have our boat in the water ready when the sea is stilled. God wants to give you a miracle but first we must stand as the selected saint and say, " Daddy talk to me."

Daddy talk to me.
Father where should I go?
I bring to You
A surrendered heart
I'm waiting
Just let me know.

My petitions are sincere
My patience ever more.
I'm waiting for my miracle
And to See what You have in store.

To Know, Know, Know You

2008-05-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

as the Lord loves Hosea 3:1

Years ago there used to be an old love song that had the phrase, " To know ,know, know you is to love, love, love you yes I do." To know Jesus is to love Him. To know that He drapes His arm around us as we walk through the valleys is to love Him.

To welcome the Prince of peace and embrace the Savior of the world is to love Jesus. Jesus is not a name in a popular book but a vibrant essence to enhance every breath you take.The more you know, know, know Him the more you love, love , love Him and I do. How about you?

Therefore brethren we have an obligation Rm. 8:12. Does it seem out of reach to love as the Lord loves? My fellow sinful saints it is not in the act of our love but our intent to love that God looks at.

God sees our heart. He knows how often our thoughts dwell on His goodness or if we wander away everyday. He knows if we give Him quiet moments or if we skitter and scatter aimlessly about.

This act of loving Him comes as natural as breathing if we abide in Him. Find the time to cultivate a burning love or else life becomes unacceptable. Weep for His commitment to the cross and you will love Him incessantly.

Father,

Tears roll down my cheek
As I weep for all You have done.
In these quiet moments
I stand with the Savior, the Son.

I plead with You my Father
To take my love deep into Your soul.
This is my desire
And it is my only goal.

Deep Into The Darkness

2008-05-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

All that night the Lord drove the sea back. Ex. 14:21

Even though I grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis my parents were from Fargo N.D. It was common practice for our family of seven to trek back to Fargo for visits. Come rain or shine nothing would stop us.

On one frigid wintry night we were four hours from home and my father stopped for gas. The temperature had fallen to thirty below. When my father crawled back behind the wheel the drivers door would not close. The lock was frozen and we were apparently stranded. My father took off his belt and wrapped it around the arm rest and for four hours he had to hold the door closed as he drove.

Deep into the night as the frigid cold pushed to get in we were protected by my fathers strong loving arms. As my eight year old heart nodded off to sleep I knew I was safe.

We are more than safe in a Father's arms who never sleeps, never tires, never gets weary. He goes day and night on our behalf. His omniscience is our rock to call upon when the cold winds blow. His omnipresence allows us to feel the warmth in our cold heart. His strength over turns even our largest obstacles and gives us the power to persevere. Plain and simple He is the promised peace that never runs dry.

The season of your life
Might be of darkness.
The condition of your heart
Could be starkness.

But frigid times will never last
When we reach for the light.
So come to God
With a world of faith
And he will give you sight.

What Type Of Hammer Are You?

2008-04-29T21:32:00.000-05:00

unto us was the gospel preached Heb. 4:2

In the old testamate three different Hebrew words were used to describe a hammer. The Halmuth was used to drive the tent begs deep into the hard dry ground and was known to be a heavy mallet. A tool used by the gold beater was know as the Patish. And the pointed hammer used by the general workman was called the Maggabah.

When presenting the gospel what type of hammer are you? Are you a Halmuth? Do you use abrasive strategies and drive the gospel hard against the unbelievers resistant soul? Are you diligent like the gold beater? Or are you like a light to the common man pointing others to the cross

Let us be bold in our example but gentle with our message. Let us be strict in our purpose and passionate with our words. This gospel that we know so well should be proclaimed every where with great urgency, boldness and a hope for the future.

Father,

May I be bold in my witness
But gentle in my delivery.
May I stand amongst the loss
And always speak of Calvary.

May I never be a hammer
pounding at the gate
But always come with love and hope
So people can relate.

The Beauty Of The Art

2008-04-28T20:49:00.000-05:00

Thy will be done. Matthew 6:10

The art of pottery is listed as one of the most ancient of crafts. Pottery dates back to as late as 5,000 B.C. There are numerous illusions as to the potter in the Bible. The illustration of the wicked is used to show the brittleness of pottery and how God has the power over the wicked. Psalm 2:19

For a good potter to create a beautiful vase he must know his clay well. This illustration shows how well God knows humanity. God's power is likened to how a potter has the power to create or destroy.

I have never had the occasion to ever do any pottery but there are elements that we can draw upon in relationship to our Father being the potter. It is His desire that we become completely dependent and fully trust when He has us upon His wheel. Any shaping that He is attempting to do or any flaw that He needs to root out must happen before we can become the prize piece in the art gallery.

At the critical point in our shaping we must at once say " I surrender." The beauty of the art hinges on our response. Remember that all anxious striving on our part is not compatible to trusting. As you lay upon the potters wheel look up and say, " Thy will be done" and say it from your heart to His.

Father,

All trust is placed in You
As I lay upon the wheel.
I will close my eyes and I will trust.
I will not squeal.

I am anxious my sweet Father
To see what You've created.
My beauty rests in Your hands
And I know I'll be elated.

I Don't Know Why But God Does

2008-04-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

Abraham staggered at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able to perform. Rom. 4:20,21

The first time I built my house I moved my family in and then got the shock of my life. I walked into the local bank to convert my construction loan to permanent financing and the banker told me I needed another twenty thousand dollars. Back in the early nineties that was a lot of money and more than I could round up.

When I asked the banker how this could happen he said, " I got so busy I never looked at your file." My first reaction was to crawl over his desk and throttle him. But instead I leaned back in my chair and said, " I don't know why this is happening but God does and that is good enough for me."

The next three months I scrambled around until I met a man that was able to put the financial package together to save my house. This tragedy became the gateway into not just doubling my income but tripling it.

Christian does God have you in the midst of what appears to be bad news right now? Is He asking you to change, do something altogether different or uncomfortable? What seemed to be the worst of my life turned out to be the best for me. I was called on to learn more skills and was given an opportunity to create a better life for my family.

God has His reasons to drag us through the storms of life. His ways are not our ways but some day with faith in a Father that can do no wrong it will all make sense.

Father,

What seemed to be the worst of times
Have turned to be the best.
So I will walk with Holy confidence
When You put me through the test.

Blessed assurance is the song I will sing
When You put me through the fire.
With a hope in my heart
And a faith at my feet
That I will reach for what You desire.

We Must Evacuate Ourselves

2008-04-26T12:01:00.000-05:00

Whether you turn to the right or turn to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, " This is the way; walk in it. Isaiah 30:21

I was wanting to get some quiet time before I got out the door and I caught myself saying, " O.K. Lord we have twenty minutes before I want to leave." Have you ever done that? Have you ever tried to put God on a time table.

I immediately stopped what I was doing and ran to my prayer closet. How foolish of me. How ridiculous to try and put God on a time table or schedule. We can't put God on a schedule. He operates on His own perfect timing.

We can not think" Oh I shot up a quick prayer why is God not answering me?" Real quality quiet times means we evacuate ourselves. We must empty ourselves of all concerns of this world.It is impossible to meet Christ in the heavenlies until we forget that time exists.

Once we allow ourselves to get lost in His presence His soothing hand appears upon our shoulder. All wounds pressed upon you by this ugly world will be closed with His healing touch. The sweetness of life will come rolling back into your restless heart and peace will come once more.

Father,

How foolish of me
To try to demand
Answers from You
As if I command.

Lord,

How I long to know You
To hear Your voice,
To feel Your presence
So I can make the Kingdom choice.

Lord,

Just slow me down
And erase my cares.
All that I want
Is to know You are there.

The Answer Lies In The Heart

2008-04-25T08:13:00.001-05:00

there fore the Lord wait Isaiah 30:18

Sometimes I look back on my fifty four years and wonder. I wonder why God waited to come to me and cultivate my heart. You see, at sixteen I moved from small town U.S.A. to a city fives times what I was used to. I was alone, unhappy and afraid. It would seem like the logical time for God to have entered my life but he waited.

The answer lies in the heart. God often comes to the broken hearted . At sixteen I had never given my heart away. But by twenty one my heart had been pushed out the window and lay on the sidewalk shattered in a thousand pieces.

It took God to come along and pick up those broken pieces and mend them back together.It took God to show me that people let you down and He never will. It took God to paint me a picture of what real love looks like.

And then like the master gardener that He is ,He planted people in my life to press seeds of love into my heart. He knew the perfect time. He waited for those seeds to germinate. The Lord will fulfill His purpose in me. Psalm 138:8 And indeed He did.

Father,

Sometimes I stop and wonder
Why I had to wait,
Before You called my name
And I could walk through heavens gait.

But now I understand
The perfection of Your plan.
I had to have a broken heart
Before I would hold Your hand.

God Knows

2008-04-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

He knows the way that I take. Job 23:10

When I agreed to help my brother-in-law move to California we routed the trip for a quick stop in Vegas. I was under age so it was no big deal to me. This was before the days of having a casino in every town so there was a big attraction to him. To this day I still remember the illumination of the city for miles and miles.

He knows the way that I take. Did you catch that Christian? God knows. He knows the road that leads you away from Him. He is not surprised by anything that we do. Not one sinful act catches Him off guard or by surprise.

Because He knows we can never be lost. His eye is constantly upon us. His hand is always available. His arms are like a loving father reaching down to his infant child. What a picture of love this is.

The most decadent sin, the darkest valley, our most unpardonable act washed in His blood.

Father,

Your eye is constantly upon us.
So I rest now in Your care.
You light my path with Your presence.
Where I am going
You have already been there.

I rest now in Your arms.
And completely trust in You.
Light my way and showme
All that You want me to do.

What Do You Hear?

2008-04-18T21:27:00.000-05:00

Eternal encouragement 2 Thessalonians 2:16

When I was going to college I lived in the heart of the city because the rent was much less. Not two blocks away was the fire department. Often I would be awakened by the blazing sirens of the fire trucks as they roared by. At the time I grew to hate that sound because I would relate it to the tragedy on the other end.

It seems that the sound of sirens blasting never brings pleasant thoughts. We never can relate it to joy or laughter. It always comes with tragedy. Or does it?

Behind every tragedy lies the opportunity for God to conduct a miracle. The reality is that tragedy can instantly turn to rejoicing when we sing the glory of His name. The weak CAN become strong because God gave the dying man breath.

The mind of a man that is lost says, " God is not in this tragedy." While the mind of the saint thinks, " My God IS in this tragedy." Simply because our Savior lives hear His eternal encouragement and believe our God can do anything.

As you read these words
Are your sirens blaring.
Do you walk in a daze
Constantly staring?

Has your joy turned silent
And do tears reign down?
Have you forgotten His glory
And that He still wears a crown?

Eternal encouragement
Is what He wants to bring.
Now reflect the joy
And continue to sing.

Instant and Spontaneous

2008-04-15T21:11:00.000-05:00

On that very day Abraham... as God told him Gen. 17:23

Years ago I decided to gather some people at my house for fun and fellowship. At about 9:00 P.M. one of my friends began to open up and say how much she missed her sister. Her sister was six hours away as a youth counselor at camp. So I looked at her and said, " Let's go surprise her. Let's take a road trip. " Six spontaneous teenagers piled in my car for the anticipated glory at the other end.

We rolled into that small town at four A.M. and caught the sunrise over her cabin. Her sister was in absolute shock that we would do such a random act of spontaneity. Just that one smile was worth the long trip.

Let's face it obedience is not one of the favorite words in the dictionary. When I request things from my children I hear all the reasons they don't or can't or shouldn't be called upon for the task.They either argue their position or procrastinate the day away.

Does this sound familiar? Have you ever treated your heavenly Father that way? Has God showed you something that you have failed to be instant and spontaneous with?

I want to have an instant heart with Father. I must remind myself that God is incapable of leading me to something bad for me. Resistance comes when I want to run ahead of Him. He might be calling me into something difficult to enter into or walk through but His ultimate purpose is to make our walk stronger and our faith deeper. Being instant I show God a heart that is trusting without doubt or fear. I show Father that I am ready to be led and willing to obey. Be instant today.

Father,

I will storm the gates
Do what I must do.
I'll be spontaneous and instant
When I think of you.

With a willing heart
And fire in my eyes
I will run to heaven
With heart felt cries.

Do You Recognize This Heart?

2008-04-12T14:35:00.000-05:00

He who refreshes others will he himself be refreshed Proverbs 11:25

I have a friend that was being pulled in two different directions. Her oldest son was due to graduate and you know what that means. Tuxedos, limousines, dinners and dance all led up to a crescendo of pictures with the parents.

This tradition is a time to rejoice in the revelry of the moment. Proud parents primping and preparing their teens for the multitude of pictures. A time for the parents to reminisce, laugh and catch the joy of years gone by.

But my friend had to walk away from that crowning moment in her sons life. She had to sacrifice her fleshly desire to linger and celebrate. She had to miss the laughter of this moment. This single mom torn in two different directions also heard another voice.

her mother needed a ride to the hospital to be with her father that was recovering from open heart surgery. So she had to leave the revelry and the girl with the giving heart had to go. Do you recognize a heart such as this? God does.

Later on we will receive our just reward. Later on the jewel from the giving heart will illuminate the path for another. Even when others are silent and don't seem to appreciate it we must keep on. God's foot prints of servant hood left a mark in the sand for us to follow.

These tired and battered people that God leads us to are refreshed with our giving heart. Hurting souls are awakened when our giving is draped with such love. Restoring a faith that was wounded is the first steps towards loving Father. All of the incredible dynamics are in motion when we rest in the arms of sacrificial giving. Don't quit.

You earned a crown lat night.
Even if no one spoke.
You sacrificed your wants
And carried someone elses yoke.

Although it wasn't easy
Or even what you expected,
You sent a message that God is love
And that won't be rejected.

His Eye Is Upon Us.

2008-04-10T21:10:00.000-05:00

I love them exceedingly Psalm 119:167

I was watching my one year old grand son the other night and wow what a night. I had forgotten the constant care and attention one must have to care for a toddler. From one edge of the house to the other he cruised around exploring, touching and investigating things. I found myself consistently walking behind him ready to catch him if he falls.

It makes me think of our heavenly Father. How peaceful it is for us to know that He loves us just the same. Thankfully we are not left to wander aimlessly. Oh how beautiful it is to know that His constant eye is upon us always ready to catch us if we fall.

His loving kindness embraces us when we fail. His word is forever available to guide our rebellious steps. His voice is a caring echo for us to follow. His encouragement is never ending and leads us home. As often as I hold my grandson, pull him close and sing a tender lullaby our heavenly Father does the same.

Father,

We are the object
Of Your affection.
The choice
For all Your love.

We are identified
With Jehovah.
Our God and Savior
Up above.

Your constant eye
Is upon us.
Your loving care
Never ends.

You are our one
True love song.
And our love
Will never end.

Oh My God

2008-04-08T23:03:00.000-05:00

children cease from fear Josh. 22:25

I was up at my office last night opened my e-mail and I received a message that one of our largest lenders was closing up shop. I shared the information with the owner and he was absolutely shocked.

His exact words were " Oh My God." He was visibly shaken from one cheek bone to the other. There is such uncertainty in the air with the economy and the housing market that you would have to be a spiritual giant for it not to concern you.

So my mind has to ask, " Where does your heart go when earth shattering news hits?" Does " Oh my God" come tumbling out in a battered and shattered way? Or does it literally roll off your tongue with, " Oh MY God?"

Do you catch the difference? One is a " I can't believe this is happening to me. What am I going to do?" And the other is a reverential awe that God is in control and God is able. One falls flat on their face and rolls into a ball like a little child and the other declares with complete confidence, " I know that thou art God."

One feels like they are standing in quick sand and going under and the other says, " My ancestry is Abraham, my friend is Joseph and I stand with Paul. " Let me simple say we are all an eyelash away from disaster. We are all one screeching halt away from a major accident. We all could be diagnosed with a death shattering disease tomorrow for tragedy knows not age or gender.

But we can stand without fear by simple believing in God's sovereign holiness. This silent testimony rejects demoralization, defeats uncertainty and lives with a heart beat that says, " Oh MY God is able.

Father,

I know with all certainty
That You are able.
I stand upon the rock.
I know this is stable.

Inspite of all uncertainty
My heart will still choose to sing.
And I will rest in complete confidence
From all the peace that You will bring.

Into The Face Of Suffering

2008-04-06T09:31:00.000-05:00

The end of a matter is better than a beginning. Ecc 7:8

Have you ever looked into the eyes of suffering? I do this twice a week. It started two years ago when my business came to a dead stand still. In the wake of mortgage companies shutting down I was desperate for some cash to put food on the table.

So I began to give plasma for money. Once I got back on my feet I made a promise to God that I would continue giving and then give the money away. I have seen that money used by a homeless mom that needed to have money to go on job interviews. It has been used to help a mom that didn't have a furnace. Then there is the mom that didn't have a dryer with three kids at home.

Now I look at the scars on my arms and it reminds me of another man that walked this earth and attained scars driven by His loving heart. When laborers go out into the field and find others that have trials God's love shows up.

Suffering is God's tool to drive His need for a Savior deep into our soul. We all endure low days and tough times. When we suffer our faith either rises or falls. But deep within that sorrow comes the chance for a smile to explode into laughter.

Sorrow is a request from our heart to bring a comforter. Trials take a man that of little faith and turns him into a giant for Christ. Your weakness is a message from God that he will bring His full portion.

When a child, any child, first is learning to play a new instrument screeching sounds always fill the room. But with practice, preparation and perseverance this child plays a beautiful song. The end is better than the beginning. What song is God preparing you for? Wait my child for this beautiful song.

Oh Father

I can finally comprehend
And now I understand
The reason for my suffering
And the movement of Your hand.

I thank You my sweet Father
For teaching me to smile
Even in the worst of times
And all my difficult trials.

Now Lord when I walk
I have assurance You are near.
And all because
Of Your consistent love
I never walk in fear.

Let's Promise

2008-04-02T20:21:00.000-05:00

him faithful who had promised Heb. 11:11

In ancient times it was customed for the betrothed to have attained a dowry. It contained all the valuable items to be passed on at the wedding day. It held treasures stored up for a future anticipation of the joyous celebration. It came with a promise, a desire and a commitment.

Is it time to make another promise? How about if we promise to give our hearts full force for the Lord? Let's dedicate a desire and a hunger to do God's holy work. Can we re-commit to learn the word by heart? Can we sacrifice our time and give up our pleasures to fellowship with Father.

A full dowry indeed would be delivered to the foot of the cross if we made these choices. True treasures of understanding and a closeness that would be equal to the love from a mother would be known to all who commit.

If you truly open your mind to hear God's voice you would understand we serve a God that never fails. You would not procrastinate one more minute in such a promise. You would earnestly proceed to present to the Prince of this world your everything.

Father,

I have made promises before
And failed miserable.
But now with great intent
I can clearly see.

My eyes are set before me
With a promise everyday.
To reach beyond the mountains
And follow what You have to say.

Let Him Occupy

2008-03-30T21:32:00.002-05:00

them that have been occupied Heb 13:9

When I was building my house seven years ago it came time to dig the well. When I asked for the cost the owner could only estimate the final bill. It depended on how deep they had to go before they hit water.

This made me ask a question. How deep would God have to go before you experience the living water? How deep does he have to drive the word before it touches your heart?

Have you turned calloused, superficial or distant from God? Are His visitations on occasion or do you constantly seek to dwell beside still waters? I guess what I am saying is do you long for His voice?

Sometimes the rush of the day and the things that we allow to become priorities push God to the side. So ask yourself this question, " Does God reside at the center of your world?

Brothers and sisters, Holy saints I can relate. I was so far out of balance that God had to take someone dear to my heart away. Before he chooses to take what you hold the most dear to your life away repent. let the living water be something that refreshes you daily.

When we choose to idolize anything and everything but Father he will act. When we seek worldly riches and not His richness He will move. When we choose to give Him moments and not a constant occupation He will respond.

Let Him reside, take ownership, and dominate. Let Him occupy.

Father,

Brake me down.
You know what to do.
To make me repent
And come running home to You.

Let me find the living water
Right at the surface.
I surrender all
And make You my purpose.

Fill me with Your presence
And touch my wandering heart.
Come now Lord I'm ready
We have so much love to impart.

When Was The Last Time Your heart Was Broken?

2008-03-26T23:28:00.000-05:00

them that are of a broken heart Psalm 34:18

When was the last time your heart was broken? In our humanness we think of a person that might have broken our heart. We most naturally reflect to the agony that was brought upon us and try to bury the hurt from another.

But what if we were to relate this to the spiritual sense? My hope is that we are broken daily. For it is in this brokenness that we give God our all and make Him our all. But unless we are willing to be broken we can never give 100%.

It is only at the throne that we can find this brokenness. God's grace is poured out there. If we are to define this brokenness it is having a heart that is moved, touched and shattered constantly by life's daily events. This brokenness is wrapped in a boldness that calls out to all believers to commune at the cross.

So this is a request to throw down a commitment that can't be matched. And if you do you will have a holy closeness to Father. You will want Him more and seek the world less. Each day you will have a hunger that can not be quenched until you commune.

This brokenness will allow you to experience the presence of Christ as you fellowship with the keeper of your soul. His humanity will become your humility and you will be changed forever.

If I have convinced you that it is in this broken heart that you will find Christ then do something about it. Call out to Father in a new way. Declare with all your heart that this is a great day, a new beginning and a new life in Christ.

Father,

I hunger for Your touch
And I will not rest.
For it is only in Your presence
That I am truly blessed.

Remind me of this daily.
Bring me to the throne.
My heart is laid before You.
I am ready to come home.

Tension Chokes Out God's Voice

2008-03-25T21:53:00.000-05:00

Let the people renew their strenght Isaiah 41:1

Growing up on one of the largest lakes in Minnesota I spent my summer hours skiing. I would often find my friends early and attack the waves. The goal was to be an accomplished trick skier and be good enough to be chosen to ski in the major summer event- the Aquatential Festival.

One thing that was different about myself and my friends was as they were always anxious and eager to get out on the water I would linger. I would always wait for the calm days and the soft nights. For it was in these times that I could measure my progress and calculate my accomplishments.

Now as I consider my daily walk with Christ I look for the same peaceful waters. God leadeth me to still waters to calm the storms in my life. I wait for God to speak as my heart rests in Him. So often in our rushing we miss His leading. Tensions of the day lead us away from the cross. Tension often chokes out God's voice.

Like a flower reaching for the sun on a spring day all things need to be restored. For who hasn't had a dried up, crumpled up spirit? Who hasn't drawn a breath and found the difficulty in breathing slowly? Who hasn't heard the rush of traffic and failed to hear the whipping of a weeping willow.

Beside still waters, at the base of a mountain and in the stillness of the night renew your strength. A rested soul is a soul that shakes hands with adversity and still presents Christ to the world.

Father,

My soul cries out for rest
As I am weary.
My walk is but a crawl
And it is dreary.

Renew my strength my King.
Prepare my heart once more.
The joy shall come in the morning
As I go walking out the door.

Could You Do It?

2008-03-23T19:44:00.001-05:00

Christ died for the ungodly Romans 5:1

You want to know the amazing thing about the Easter message? Not only did Christ die for our sins but He did it while were still sinners. It is one thing to die for a righteous man, a good man but this retched, ugly man such as I stands amazed that I didn't have to clean up my act, say anything correctly or do anything. He came for the lost souls and gave them a home.

Here is the other amazing thing. So many of us try everything but Christ to fill our lives. Their attitude is " You name it I want to try it. You have it I want it." Oh our Father is so patient and so loving to wait for us to come to the end of ourselves. But we were never made to be satisfied by self. That is not the way God wired us.

A man unchanged by God is unable to understand the things of God. But when we allow ourselves to be filled with Christ we then can be redeemed into Spiritual life. God sent Jesus Christ to be perfect in every way. Having been saved we are in His deity and His perfection.

Then, when Christ invades your life He lives through you. God, who lives in us, does all the work according to His purpose. Everything we have been called to do is in you and we are prepared to do it.

Father,

I thank you for your invasion
Deep into my soul.
Now we walk together
And I am now whole.

The spirit lives within me.
And I have your perfection.
Now I will look to You
For all of my directions.

What Can I Say To You Today?

2008-03-22T16:27:00.000-05:00

our religion I lived Acts 26:5

Sometimes I think it must be very difficult to be a pastor. I am sure they must think that the flock has heard all of their words before. They must wonder if there will ever be a change. They must wonder what they can say to a seasoned Christian veteran that wears the arm band of Jesus Christ. I mean by now, very little of what someone says to us is really going to change us right?

I really hope that is not how you think? This pious Pharisee attitude is one step away from the fall. The Pharisees were filled with an outward righteousness and missed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Their self pride perverted the scriptures and blinded them to spiritual things.

I, for one, want to be stripped down to nothing. I want to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. I want to walk in His glory and not mine. The importance of daily prayer never changes. The value of using our gift never fades. The wisdom of quiet time never disappears. Being washed and moved to tears is never an evidence of weakness. It is Christ in you reaching in to do what He wants to do.

In reality their is nothing that mere man can say to you. But when we attune our ear towards heaven and can say, " I strolled with God today and it was the very best part of my day you will then know the value of knowing God and growing God in your life.

Father,

It is the fool that would ever say
I know all I need to know.
I am done with all this learning.
I don't need to grow.

Lord, send Your Holy Spirit
To show me what I need to know.
It is only when You invade me
That I can turn around
And let it show.

Are You To Weak To Walk?

2008-03-21T18:07:00.001-05:00

He gathered the lamb in his arms and carries them close to His heart. Isaiah 40:11

When my son was very young he came up with a monster cold and was having trouble breathing. Hearing him struggling and stirring at 3:00A.M. I got up to comfort him. I picked him up and went down stairs and held him close. His little body was heaving from frustration. Crocodile tears slid down his face as he looked into my eyes deep into the night.

I sat upright and rubbed his back. And a deep measure of tender love came forth as I held him close. I began to sing to him and could feel his body cave into mine. No longer afraid. No longer alone. He just wanted to be held.

We celebrate the soothing touch of another Father. This Good Shepherd cradles us just as close. He longs to be with us in a powerful sense of intimacy. The strength of His arms carries us to the other side of raging rivers inside of us. He protects us with the fierceness of a mother defending her child.

Only our Father understands the heart of the depressed, the ache of the despondent, the helplessness of the lonely. We may lay deathly ill with attendants all around us but we shall never lay in that bed alone.

His love is not a mechanical love out of obligation but a love that catches every tear. Behold this love, treasure the intensity,revere being close to His heart. Rejoice in a love that gives us strength to walk when we are too weak. This love, does it move you to tears?

I just want to be near Him.
Oh a love such as this.
It was bought by His love
And sealed with a kiss.

Forever He holds me
In His loving arms.
There to protect me
And shield me from harm.

My Shepherd I'll follow
Where ever You may lead.
Never to forget
It was for I
You did bleed.

The Gateway To God's Presence

2008-03-19T23:32:00.000-05:00

come before His presence Ps. 100:2

If you were to ask me years ago I wouldn't have been able to make this statement and that is that circumstances are the gateway to God's presence. Often times the circumstances that we are in take control of our lives rather than letting God take control of our circumstances. As human as it is we doubt what God's reason is for our struggles.

Look no further than Joseph to realize we need to adopt his attitude. For thirteen years after being stripped away from all that he knew as a child he labored. Torn violently from his father, sold into slavery, he eventually flourished. We must never doubt God's reason for our tough times.

Rather, we must develop a big view of God. We must continue to pursue God inspite of our situation. People often fall away in the difficulties rather doing all they can to stay close to Christ.

All efforts must be made to protect our character. Joseph refused to sin because he knew he would loose the presence of Christ. As Joseph resisted temptation he made the right choice. he never doubted God's goodness. He never raised a hand or a voice against Father.

He increased his desire to serve others. Serving is God's way of healing us in our life struggles. For it is in this serving that we are allowed to use our God given gifts.

Are you in the mist of the storm? Then double dose all of these lessons and come through with shining colors just like Joseph.

Father,

It is in your presence
That I want to reside.
No matter what my circumstances.
No matter how high is the tide.

I will run to You
And totally abide.
Knowing all so well
There is peace right at Your side.

To The Darkest World

2008-03-18T20:28:00.000-05:00

bear witness unto the truth John 18:37

When my Ex-wife and I went back to her native home I sat in a room full of her relatives and could not understand a word being spoken. Although they were speaking in their native tongue I was lost.

Sometimes when it comes to witnessing to others we are just as lost. We convince ourselves that we don't know the exact scripture so we are silent. We foolishly fall prey to the lack of biblical knowledge on a subject so we avoid and shrink away.

We fail to remember that God has promised a helper, the Holy Spirit. We are specifically instructed to not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say what ever is given you of that hour, for it is not you who speak but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

I find great comfort in those words. Indeed if we try to be a witness under our own power failure is sure to come for they see thee and not He. But if we step aside and let God be God then kingdom events will happen.

To the darkest world let us radiate His light. From the deepest pit let us proclaim , "we can crawl out." To the lost that can be found by Christ and Christ alone let us proclaim, declare and demand that Jesus is the one.

Father,

There are times etched in my memory
That I tried to speak the words,
But the only thing that came falling out
Were foolishness that sounded so absurd.

But now I understand
I do not walk alone,
All I must do is rely on You
And my words won't sound like groans.

Which Thief Are You?

2008-03-16T17:53:00.000-05:00

Lord remember me when You come into your kingdom Luke 23:42

I once had a man tell me that you will never know the true character of a person until they are squeezed. It is then that you find out what they have on the inside.

In biblical terms we saw that when the Savior hung between two thief's. One mocked him and challenged him by saying, " if you are who you say you are prove it." The other was wise enough to repent right on the cross and said a simple request to be remembered.

My question is are we mocking Him now? When Christ is not first in our lives we reject Him. When we become more concerned with what we will eat or our next pleasure rather than time with God we hurt Him.

How often does the tough times drive us away from Christ rather then to Him? We are practical atheists when we pray and He does not answer in our time and then blame Him. We are upside down and backwards. We should just believe and trust in His perfect timing.

Which side of the cross are you on. Have you rejected Him? Have you wandered away? Like the thief that was forgiven when we are stripped to nothing God still will call us to be with Him in paradise. God desires to bring you back into fellowship. Like the thief on the cross that was touched let Him touch you today.

Father,

Conviction of sin
means I'm not worthy
And I need a Savior today.

I admit my wayward ways
So there is nothing left to say.

Now my heart rejoices
I am on the right side of the cross.
I have handed You my heart
And now I count it but loss.

Washed In His Glory

2008-03-15T14:44:00.000-05:00

glory of the Lord appeared Ex. 16:10

When I was a struggling insurance agent I did something that changed my career for the rest of my life. I began to take note of how I was spending my time. Every fifteen minutes through out the day I would take note of what I was doing. From early morning to the end of the day I had an honest report of what I was doing with my time. I went from being in the lower third of the sales team to finishing number thirty seven out of three thousand agents.

Accountability was what it was all about. Now I am not proposing that you do that regarding your Christian walk. But let's be honest, on a scale of one to ten how often do you think of Christ?

I am not talking about having the Christian radio station on. I am not talking about sitting in church being fed. I am talking about being washed in His glory. The scar tissue of our lives, the mistakes of our past can not be broken until we do something. The roar of life must be quieted. The rush of life must be simplified.

We are the visible, tangible walking on earth fulfillment of His perfection. There is glory in His saints. By our praise, fruitfulness, service and suffering we glorify God. Connecting with God is vital on a daily basis.

God wants to know you in your brokenness. He wants to have you cry out to Him now. Not when all is well but now.

Father,

I can't imagine life
Without You in it.
I can't imagine days to quietly just sit.

Those moments are so precious
And vital in my life.
A time to get to know You
And let you wash away my strife.

My Lord, oh Lord
Just wash me.
Bath me in Your love
So I might feel Your presence
From the highest point above.

Where Does Your Soul Live?

2008-03-12T18:27:00.000-05:00

We live in Him 1st John 4:13

Every time we make the decision to come to Christ our soul finds its home. Every time we stop and step away from the hustle of the day our soul resides in Him. When we wipe off our feet and choose to come to Him we live in Him.

We own all of heaven when we just come. He has given us full ownership. All title work is already written in our name. The old covenant told Moses to not come any closer. Then Jesus came to give our souls a home. A new message was sent. Do not come close changed to come unto me.

Just come and your soul finds a home. Think of nothing else. Want nothing else. Believe in nothing else. Release all of your anxious moments. Let Him and all that He has done consume you, rule you. Want nothing but His mark upon your hand today. Be consumed by His presence and let your soul find it's home.

Father,

I want nothing but my soul
To rest in thee.
It is only in your Son
That this could possibly be.

Every anxious moment
Consumed by the fire.
My soul has found a home
And You are my only desire

Defining Moments

2008-03-10T18:21:00.000-05:00

The Lord will go ahead of you Isaiah 52:12

All of us have defining moments in our life that are life changing. Mine happened to me in 10th grade. My parents were fed up with my renegade brothers causing havoc in the small town we lived in and chose to uproot the family and move away.

I was thrown into the throngs of a new school and had no desire to be there. This school was three times bigger than my home school. I had no desire to know anybody so I completely withdrew.

By nature I am a very gregarious, out going, talk to anybody guy. But I would literally go days, weeks and months without talking to one soul in school. I was miserable and almost didn't make it out alive.

To survive I began to write out all of my feelings. Thus began my journey of being able to express myself on paper. It became my therapy and eventually my mode of survival.

Certainly God knew well in advance what He needed to do to capture me. He knew me well enough to take me to this level of pain so I could turn it into glory for Him.

If you are there right now realize that God is in control of every minute detail to glory the Kingdom. His perfect plan is well in place to achieve His ultimate end result. Surrender all so you can give it all. He has already laid the plans and gone before you.

How wonderful is our Lord
That knows us oh so well
That in His perfect plans
There are times we can not tell.

But in His perfect way
And by His perfect hand
He will direct our steps
In ways we may never understand.

Oh Lord, your ways are perfect
So I will just obey.
Move me Lord,
Lead me Lord,
This is what I pray.

The Lord Reigns

2008-03-09T21:43:00.001-05:00

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad Psalm 97:1

I can think of a whole lot of things that I am glad for. I am glad to make it through another day without major calamity. I am glad my children are safe and they didn't do anything foolish or irriversible. I am glad that my car made it one more day.

But I have to ask myself of the thousands of seconds that ticked off the clock today how much time did I rejoice in the Lord and declare that He reigns. I am ashamed of my answer. I am ashamed that I did not once think of His majesty today. Not once did I declare His glory in my life.

I am sorry to say that not once did I proclaim His victory over death. Not once did I fall on my face in amazement of His callig my name and putting it in the book of life.

Just like we forget the sun rises everyday and sets every night we take Christ for granted. Let us stop right now and rejoice in the reigning King of glory. Let us dwell on His love, His goodness and every promise fullfilled. Indeed the Lord reigns.

In all that I have
And all that I own
Let me never forget
That He sits on the throne.

Let the Lord reign
And the earth be glad
And never forget
All that He did.

The Impact Of Singing

2008-03-08T21:21:00.000-06:00

But as for me, I will sing each morning of your power and mercy. For you ave been my high tower of refuge. Psalm 59:16

I wonder how many of us realize the impact of singing to the Lord. God doesn't care if we sound like a lark or sing like a frog. It is freeing to sing if we don't care what we sound like. What He cares about is the condition of our heart.

When we sing with our heart we are set free to meet god in the heavenlies. Negative emotions can not exist in this state. Praise becomes a friend, a deep intimate friend. Satan is defeated when we sing. Chains are set free when we sing. We climb the stairs to the high towers when we sing. So go ahead make a joyful noise.

Father,

I can't go a day
Without sing Your praise.
It fills my heart with love
In so many ways.

Your mercy enters in
And I can feel Your power.
I climb the steps and rest
And find refuge in Your tower.

Life Through Death

2008-03-07T19:45:00.000-06:00

A restorer of thy life Ruth 4:15

It seems like such a simple act. All one must do is strike a yes when asked to be a doner. A chance to give life through my death. What difference does it make to me, I'm dead.But if I can give something, anything then take it all.

Does that sound familiar? There was another that thought that way. For over thirty years He had to live with his fate. He knew the weight that someday would fall upon Him.

Yet, His willing heart was the ultimate example of a care giver. A life from beginning to end born to sacrifice. It took far more courage to be a living sacrifice. Far more love to carry the cross up that hill. Far more discipline to not run away.

He paid the price for all humanity. He paved the way with crimson blood. This truth, this unmitigated absolute truth can not be denied. Let us walk worthy of these facts.

Let our light so shine that when we leave a room a voice will scream, " I want more of them because they show me Jesus. I want more of them because they are a voice of encouragement, laughter and love."

He paid the price for all humanity.
He paid the price with crimson blood.
There is no other explanation
But to simply call it love.

Life through death is now His offer.
His willing heart has paid the price.
All we must do is say the words
And then proclaim His glorious life.

My heart once dead now overflowing.
A heart once lost now found.
I need not hang upon the cross.
For He has given me His royal crown.

My King, my love, my glorious Father
It is now I understand,
Life through death is now your offer,
So now I'll take your outstretched hand.

It Comes With A Guarantee

2008-03-06T14:48:00.000-06:00

I will rejoice in thy salvation Psalm 9:14

Both of my boys are adopted but it almost didn't happen. When we sat in the attorney's office for the first time he explained the terms. His exact words were," Brad, here is how it works. You have no guarantee's. She may change her mind. She may get deathly ill and you are still responsible for the medical bills. It could cost you $8,000- $100,000."

To a financial planner those were tough words to swallow. Then he said, " If you don't want this deal then step aside because there are eight other couples that want this child."

The good news is that when we accept Christ as our personal Savior it comes with a guarantee. Nothing we do can ever do can cause us to loose our salvation. God's word is the bond. His promise is the seal.

As we open up the deepest parts of our lives to Him we walk with confidence and steadfast belief that God is who He says He is. To the most retched there is peace. To the lost they can be found. To the empty they can be filled with an abundant ever present love.

The Love Of Jesus

Was a life filled with hatred and anger.
Satan's army filled his empty heart black.
And the things that he did when he was a kid
made him think he could never go back.

So he walked in the shadow of darkness.
Did things you would not understand.
Out in the jungle with Satan
Was this boy trying to be a man.

But the love of Jesus is patient.
Oh the love of Jesus is true.
Yes the love of Jesus is constantly waiting
No matter what you might do.

Then one day as he stood in the quiet
He looked up saw his face in the mirror.
In that very moment he asked for forgiveness
Felt the warmth and the cleansing of tears.

And now he fights for the Savior.
Carries his cross everyday.
And the burning love can be felt from above
When softly we hear him say,
" Turn from the evil decepter.
Walk away and leave it behind.
let the love of Jesus cleanse you forever.
He is all you've been waiting to find.

Oh the love of Jesus is patient.
Oh the love of Jesus is true.
Yes, the love of Jesus is constantly waiting
No matter what you might do.

The Most Captivating Touch

2008-03-04T15:41:00.000-06:00

Seek ye me and ye shall live. Amos 5:4

I've heard it said by many a Chritians that they wish to travel to the Holy land. They wish to walk the every hallowed ground that Jesus walked. They want to take the journey and their desire is to commune with God.

History does not confine God or define Him. Our goal should be God and God alone and not what His hand can provide at the end of the alter. We need not travel anywhere to find Him.

God is in the quiet moments at the end of our day. He is right beside you in everything that you say. Make God your goal. Seek not what He can give to you but what you can bring to Him. What can you bring to the cross today?

The most captivating touch I have ever felt is when my wife leaned upon my chest and gently kissed my bosom. Let God captivate you. Feel His presence and sense His security when we lean upon Him with our cares and concerns. And then, listen as He calls your name in the quiet.

Father,

May I feel your breath upon my shoulders
And Your touch upon my heart.
May I sense the quiet understanding
That we will never part.

I want and wait for nothing
But Your presense when I walk.
And to know and understand You
In our private talks.

Do You Want Intimacy With Christ?

2008-03-03T08:19:00.000-06:00

I die daily 1st Cor. 15:13

If I was to ask a room full of Christians how many of them would want to have intimacy with Christ do you think I would get a unanimous answer? Who wouldn't want a closer, vibrant walk with the Savior? Who wouldn't want a deeper undersatnding of His wants and ways?

Intimacy with Christ takes a commitment to purity and a willingness to die. When God calls us higher and demands more from us it comes with a voice. It is God calling to put you into the inferno. First we must be purified. Once the potter takes us off the wheel we must be willing to maintain that state.

All decisions are then weighed on the side of the cross. All choices aligned with a desire to stay close to Christ. Daily our desire becomes to stand clean before the throne.

The second element of intimacy is death to self. As apostle Paul said, " I die daily." Die to self. Die to the world and their ways. For some this is radical thinking. For others they are more than ready as their hunger for Christ has matched their willingness. Which one are you?

Father,

I fall upon my knees
And only want one thing,
Saturate my heart
It is for you I want to sing.

I'm ready to die to self
Every moment of the day.
Now I stand in the darkness
Listening to everything You say.

The Picture Of Success

2008-03-02T13:51:00.000-06:00

My beloved is mine and mine is his. Song of Solomon 2:16

If I was to ask my teenagers their definition of success I am sure it would have to do with the amount of money that you make. If I go to a hard charging executive it would probably have to do with the next sales contest, convention or promotion.

Seldom do we look at having a successful marriage as being a picture of success. But look at the failure rate today and the question is answered.

One of my favorite books is " Love In The Nineties." It is a book that depicts in award winning picturesa relationship that lasted over sixty years. Love letters that shine like road map were included to show the depth of their love. I can't get through the book without crying, hoping and believing that someday I will have a love such as this.

The message needs to be sent and the picture has to change for the next generation that marriage, family and our children is really the most important things in life. This is how we are going to change the world. This is the imprint that we can leave for them to follow.

To anyone else he'd be less than a prince.
To someone else she'd be the same.
But somewhere in the darkness
Love still calls out there name.

Been sixty years they've been together.
A million smiles have come and gone.
But they still touch in the middle of the night.
They still have it going on.

Now theres a picture of success.
Of working hard and getting less.
As the world chases silver
To be all that they can be,
I'll take their success story for me.

To some he'd be called kind of gruff.
To others she would be too.
But they still meet in the middle of the night
Wiith a gentle touch for two.

Ther're the greatest love song never sung.
The perfect srory never told.
And they still have it going on
Even thought they are way past old.

And late at night he worries.
he bows his head and prays.
He whispers, "Lord, protect her.
Because I am facing my last days."

She lays so quiet in the darkness.
As he hears her draw her breath.
He rests his head on the pillow.
And sees the secret side of death.

Now theres a picture of success.
Of working hard and getting less.
As the world chases silver
To be all that it can be.
I'll take their success story for me.

Don't Let Sin Capture You

2008-03-01T18:13:00.000-06:00

I will watch my ways Psalm 39:1

Have you ever considered the danger in a job that deals with toxic waste? One messed up procedure, one faint thought could cost them their lives. I had a client that had to deal with it everyday. When I went to his work to get a form signed I had the opportunity to see this first hand.

I was not allowed into the inner chamber. But I did see him in an envirometically sealed off room. He told me the hermedically sealed, vacuumed packed scientific suit he had to wear for protection cost thousands. Now there was a man that had to watch his ways.

As Christians we also have to watch our ways. Temptaion lurks at every corner. Satan knows our weakness and has already placed things specifically in our path. The question is will you step to the other side of the road? Or will you wait till darkness comes and rush to this temptation?

Some Christians feel that they are born to danger. But in reality there are two types of danger. There is unforseen danger. And there is danger that we are attracted to. One we have no control over. The other we bring trouble to ourselves by not making wise choices.

How do we deal with the second type? By putting on the full armour of God. By saying, " I have been here before and failed but not this time." Be stern in your words and strong in your stance. God will hear your plea.

I have been here my bretheren. It was not until I grew in my maturity that I was able to make kingdom choices. I had fallen from grace enough. I knew what to do and I decided I was not going to let sin capture me.

I've played the fool more than once.
Pretending I did not know.
Convinced my heart more often than not
That I would not loose control.

The Savior cannot reside
In a heart that occupies sin.
So I say Christian friend of mine
It is time to let God win.

Make the choice to flee.
Move as fast as you can.
Move your heart
To the foot of the cross
And then just reach for His hand.

Going A Little Farther

2008-02-28T16:54:00.001-06:00

Going a little farther he fell with his face to the ground and prayed Matthew 26:39

When we fall to the ground something happens. There is an overwhelming, uncontrollable pouring out of the heart. Almost to the point that our insides are turned inside out.

How earth shattering is this moment? How intimate becomes this day? Jesus is now revealed in an intimate way.Before He was your friend now He is your brother. Before you knew of Him. Now you know Him.

His presence becomes a constant force. Each choice is now weighed at the cross. His ways become your ways. His desires become yours. How precious become His thoughts to our wandering mind. How critical that we fall on our face and hear His voice everyday.

In the stillness I shall wait
To travel up to heaven's gate.
Heart once wandering
Soul once lost,
Given over
At all cost.

A face once grovelling
In the dust
I must know You.
I must, I must.

Giddy Is Good

2008-02-27T09:23:00.000-06:00

I will be their God and they will be my people 2 Cor. 6:16

I had the opportunity to have my grand son sleep over for the first time this weekend. He didn't just sleep over, he took over. You want to see adults get silly then put a baby in their arms. You want to talk about love out of control then just sit back and watch how easy a child crumbles the heart.

Joy walked in the room as soon as he arrived. All of lifes troubles, concerns and cares were erased. To have a love so free, so alive and vibrant.

When was the last time you acted that way with your heavenly Father? When was the last time you let Him thrill you? When was the last time you killed Him with affection?

This is an ingredient that others lack. But giddy is good. Like a small child that we hold in our arms let your feelings run out of control.

Our Father loves it when we are that way with Him. When we are set free to love Him it shows our adoration. Our gratitude overflows and falls at His feet. No matter what befalls me He is our everlasting help. He is our God and we are His people for eternity.

Call Him King and the great warrior has come to do battle for us. Call Him priest and He is the royal priesthood. Call Him servant and His love so shines.

Go ahead. Nobodies looking. Let your heart fly to Jesus and love Him up.

I am at peace and all is right
Because my Jesus is with me tonight.
And all throughout the day
When I think of my King,
My feet want to dance
And my heart wants to sing.

Jesus, oh Jesus
Nothing is right
Until I reach and find your hand
Then walk in the light.

I Am Learning

2008-02-24T12:58:00.002-06:00

I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find Titus my brother 2 Cor. 2:13

When a friend called me and asked for my help in moving her to Minnnesota from Florida I was on the next plane. I flew into the Miami airport at 10:00P.M. By 10:15 I was searching for her in the unfamiliar crowd of people. By 10:30 I was standing on the curb outside watching every hubcab. By 10:45 I began calling with an anxious beat in my heart. At 11:00P.M. I sat on the curb desperately praying as I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

Have you every felt that twinge of anxiety before.?I am learning things about my relationship with the Lord. In my desire to have an intimate, vibrant walk with Christ I must not get anxious. It is in these anxious moments I bring a doubting heart to Christ.

His fresh blood will sustain me. That crown upon His head will never fall off. He is the God of all ages that has called me from the darkness into light. I can lay all my burdens at His feet. When I enter my prayer closet all topics are open for discussion. Nothing is a waiste of His time. He cares for all aspects of my life.

The number one way to overcome an anxious heart is to trust. The deeper our roots have been driven in to trust Father the less chance we have of sucuuming to fear. The stronger is our faith the less we worry.

Ahh, so much to learn and so challenging is the journey..

Father,

When I fully trust in You
No matter the situation
Then I can give You all my worries
And make this proclamation.

That You my Father have everything
Completely under control.
And I will stop my worrying
Before it takes it tole.

Have No Regrets Before The Throne

2008-02-22T14:54:00.000-06:00

cmzfksell all that thou has Lk. 18:22

Has God ever come to you and said," Do just this one thing for me." Has He ever called you to something with a voice of distiction and clarity?" Sometimes the words are very difficult to swallow. They are often much more difficult to follow.

Has He asked you to give up a prestigeous job? Has He called you to another edge of the earth? He will never force you into the doing. He will never carry any bitterness if you refuse.

He is the ultimate authority. We have somehow lost that in our lives and in our home. We bend but do not break. We give but not everything. Until you stand naked before God with nothing but a pounding heart and a watchful eye you have not given everything. Be destitute before God and He will reward you with a future filled with hope. I say follow. Have no regrets before the thrown.

Father,

I give You my all
My everything.
I come to You naked
With nothing to bring.

As my eyes swell with tears,
As my heart pounds away,
Take me Lord,
I am yours today.

Would You Be A Hero?

2008-02-21T13:22:00.000-06:00

that we should not be condemded 1st. Cor. 11:32

If you joined the service and were sent to the front lines would you come back a hero? If you drove by a burning building would you go in to save a life? If there was a major castastrophe would you leave the comfort of your own home to save a life?

During the sixties our neighborhood was struck by a tornado. My seventeen year old brother took action. He walked into a neighbors home and found her paralized in hysterics. All around her was hot electrical wires.As she clung to the cubboards for her life Jim walked in and calmed her to the point of rescue. He recieved a citation from the mayor and was called a hero.

A year later he was working at a resteraunt on the beach docking boats. A drunk driver failed to turn the switch on to cool the motor before take off and the cruiser blew up. His mother was in a wheelchair on the dock and flung into the water. She had shackles on her legs and was going down for the third count when Jim jumped in and saved her.

These circumstances are super natural events in Jim's life but it is not the reason I call him a
hero. I call him hero because he overcame failure. I call him hero because he has overcome the demon of alcoholism. He is free from that vipor for almost thirty years.

What stronghold is God trying to call you out of? What pattern of sinful activity does He want to rip from your clutches? The victory has already been handed over to you if you claim it. We wear a royal robe. Go ahead put it on.

We all love to see the first snow fall. We embrace it with anticipation as it is rich in freshness. It is clean to all eyes that gaze upon it. But by the end of winter it is dirty and depressing. Yet, God never sees our uglily dirty rags. His patient forgiveness never ceases nor runs out. There is no condemnation upon our heads. Be bold in the blood of Christ. Walk away from your strongholds right into His loving arms. He is waiting.

There is a hero living way down deep
In every one of us.
But the truth is you may not see it
Because you are lost in the wilderness.

Claim the name of Jesus.
Put on the royal robe.
Now is the time my precious friend
For Jesus to bring you home.

It's Called Conviction

2008-02-19T18:51:00.000-06:00

Woe is me for I am a man undone. Isaiah 6:5

I never used to be like this. I could go days without praying. Or I could go weeks without even coming close to hearing the whisper of the Holy Spirit. And yes, I was involved with repetitive sin and still called myself a Chritian and thought nothing of it. I was dead in my transgression and the Holy Spirit came upon me. My soul awakened and correction became a friend and not a foe. Then something happened.

Conviction became a daily diet upon my table. God came to me revealing all of my ugliness and asked me to change. And when He is come He will convict the world of sin. It was when I moved into the presence of God that conviction spoke with a clear voice and I broke down. God doesn't have to force it. He doesn't have to come with a 2by4. He comes with a loving heart and a quiet spirit. Yielding to Christ at that very moment created memories that I cherish.

When He comes He calls. Listen with all your heart. Yeild at that very moment. Father has great plans for you and you alone.

Father,

It's called conviction
When You point out my sin.
And You always come
With a gentle touch
And tell me
To try again.

And you say,
"This time will be different
For I will walk with you.
And the next time
You are faced with that sin
I will carry you through."

Oh Lord, my love, my Savior
I stand now just amazed.
And I will ever praise You
Until my very last days.

The Hands Of Christ

2008-02-18T20:14:00.000-06:00

I wil very gladly spend and be spent for you. 2 Cor. 12:15

We have written songs about it. We have made movies about it. Philosophers have tried to define it and others have tried to grasp it. Books have told us how to determine if we are in it and others try to explain how to act if we loose it. Some tell us how we should feel if we find it. Still this elusive definition of love escapes us.

To break it down to it's simplest form love is a decision. We have to decide to spend quality time with our children. Their laughter is the gift they give back to us. We have to decide to get involved with Big Bros. and Sisters of America. And the decison we have to weigh out is whether the extra money we spend on a crumpling heart is worth it. We have to decide to leave the comfort of our house, step outside in fridgid weather and walk into the slums of the city to hand out hot coffee and a warm blanket. And in that decision we look for a heart that can be melted or a hand that needs to be touched or a frigid body waiting for a hug.

All of these decisions equate to the common denominator of sacrifice. What kind of sacrifice are you willing to make to be God's definition of love today? Tell God you are ready and He will send you. Sacrifice beyond comfort and He will show you. Live beyond yourself and He will call you.

Just as Jesus gave His heart we can too. For He was interested in the smallest of details of another. When we abandon ourself interest love shows up. It is the language that runs to the desolute of hearts. It has the voice of encouragement that only wants to give and ask nothing in return. It has no other movement, no other motion and no other motive other than to give. Let our hands never grow weary of doing good for these are the hands of Christ.

To the man on the street
With dirty, grimy hair.
That stumbles dead drunk against the curb
Because nobody cares.

We want to send a message
That is evident and true,
Just let us love you.
That's all we want to do.

We're there because God showed us
This is the face of love.
And this our definition
And it is sent from above.

When We Are Broken

2008-02-17T20:35:00.000-06:00

Hath sent me to heal the broken hearted Luke. 4:18

If I was to tell you I broke something today and couldn't fix it, you would probably advise me to just go buy a new one. Broken usually has a negative connotation.

But the word broken in Christian vinecular is good because it is sinominous with surrendered. It is in our brokeness that we meet Christ. It is when we surrender our strongholds that He steps in and takes control.

When our heart is broken He appears to soothe it. When our spirit is broken He comes to mend it and then blend it into His.When our plans are suddenly broken or altered it is because of His devine intervention.

In todays world something broken appears useless. But in our Christian worldwhen we are broken, God enters in, takes control of our plans and we fall upon His strength. This brokeness is the last step to allowing God to fully crush your spirit of self will and raise you up in His strength. May you experience the full expression of brokeness every day of your life.

Broken dreams
That sometime seemed
That there never was a plan.
Then God stepped in
And gently placed
His hand upon this man.

Tears shed
And words said,
" Why Lord must this be?"

"Because my son
You must be broken
Before you
Come to me."

I'm on my knee's and I'm looking up.
Now my Lord may i drink from the cup.
My prince, my love has captured me,
Oh my soul cries out for thee.

You're my blessing in the morning.
You're my song though out the day.
There is nothing i shall ever do
To ever walk away.

My love is over flowing.
My heart cries out at night.
My hands reach out to heaven
I am dancing like a kite.

My Jesus is so beautiful
He is my shining star.
I have found my love,
My reigning king,
I had searched both near and far.

I'm on my knee's and I'm looking up.
It's enought to drink from the cup.
My prince, my love has captured me.
Oh my soul cries out for thee.

Finding Fullfillment In An Unfulling World

2008-02-16T15:33:00.001-06:00

In the fullness of His sufficiency Job 20:22

I am one that likes to analize things. In fact I do it so much that my friends often tell me to stop thinking and come up for air. They often give me a hard time and tell me to come out and play.

One of the misconceptions of this messed up world is that we can find fullfillment in something other than Christ. I see this all the time at my office. I am surrounded with hard working, high flying achievers. They push and shove their way right to the top rung of success.

But so what? God could care less whether you are the CEO or the mail boy. He could care less if you are the priciple or the janitor. What He does care about is the condition of your heart. At the end of the day in the quietness of the night when your head hits the pillow and your heart takes flight do you think of Him? Do you desire to know Him in a intense way? Do you hunger for His guiding touch in your life?

Fullfillment breeds satisfaction and satisfaction brings peace. But true peace cannot exist unless you place your heart in Father's hands. I wish this peace for you with all my heart. It is my hope that you will feel His soft gentle touch upon your shoulders.

Come fly with me. Live beyond mediocrity. Come find the fullness of our eternal, incarnate, glorified Christ.

What are we striving for?
What are we chasing?
What do we care about?
What challenges are we facing?

Somewhere in the equation
We need to seek God's hand.
It is the only thought
That stands to reason
And make you a better man.

Love Is In The Air

2008-02-15T18:46:00.000-06:00

Bind the eyes of wisdom Duet. 16:19

Let's be honest. We all want to be loved in an intimate way. I have to admit there is an element of lonliness without romance in my life. We all love the excitement and enjoy the heart rendering attention of another. I am sure we all want to tumble into love and roll head over heals down the hill together.

So it is with a voice of caution that I write these words. Gary Smalley wrote a book involving the love language of another. I want to address the spiritual language of another. It is so easy to begin the dance and enjoy the chase of love. When things become a green light and all systems are go because someone is interested in us it is then I say, " Be careful."

Satan is so good at taking us away from the cross. I speak these words from the hard lesson of experience and they come with a bucketful of cautions. It may be as subtle as a friend inviting you to skip church and go do something fun.

There is nothing wrong with missing an occasional Sunday service. But, when our pursuit of enjoyment becomes more important than seeking Christ, be careful. Slipping away from Christ can begin with a ripple and end up with a wave. Learn to listen with your mind because then you can discern the movement of the enemy. Check this wonderful person that you have allowed into your life and get a glimpse of their spirtual barometer

If they are not hungry for truth as a single person then how are they going to lead your household? Really, who's voice is speaking when they say, " I don't like to go to church by myself." I don't like it either but quite frankly, I don't like who I am or where I am headed when I stay away.

In addition, check this new flames prayer life. Do they have a sensitive ear to your spiritual needs? And do they humbly bow down and help you rise up to the cross?

As a speech major I spent a lot of time studying Non-verbal communication. messages are sent all the time. A wise person will listen to how lover boy reacts under pressure. Where are they at on the scale of patience? Pay attention to the speed that they travel Are they slow to anger and quick to forgive?

In additon, does your conversation touch on what God is showing, teaching and calling you both to do? If you surround yourself with someone that hungers in their soul to know Christ life will be so much more rewarding and fulfilling.

The bottom line and the toughest question is do they ignite your thoughts toward Christ? Will they be a good spirtual partner?

Father,
I have been led by my emotions
And foolishly followed my heart.
So I come to You my Father
Declaring I want a frsh start.

Just give me spirtual eyes
And help me clearly see
The one that You have chosen
To be a part of me.

Practice Makes Permanent

2008-02-12T20:22:00.000-06:00

Shall love thy neighbor Romans 13:9

There is an old phrase, and I bet you have heard it before, and it goes like this, " Practice makes perfect."But I have to ask, what if we are practicing the wrong things? I would much rather say, " Practice makes permanent." Therefore, we better be practicing the right things.

One of the right things to be practicing is to be other centered. So what do you say? Can you be other centered for one hour tomorrow? That means you are not going to think about food for yourself but food for the hungry. You are not going to think about the clothes you have but you are willing to give away the clothes you have to someone less fortunate. You are not going to think about the hurt in your heart but you are going to help mend the hole in someone elses heart.

Let God use you today. There are endless possibilities when we think this way. There are so many people hurting, emotionally, physically and spiritually that we could be busy all year. Surely you now just one that you could bring a smile to. Surely you know someone who needs a little more hope. See how easy it is to point someone to the cross?

There are a multitude of people that don't know how to continue. Can you hear their voices? Satisfaction comes in many shapes when we are doing the work of our Father. A sacrificial heart, a serving heart is a beautiful heart to behold.

The voice of the encourager needs to be heard. It unites the lost and helps them go forward. Go touch people. Not physically but spiritually because when you do at the end of the day giving becomes your gift to the world.

Before you,
I was afraid to give
I'd been hurt
So many times before.

But somehow,
You made it easy to trust,
Fun to give,
And
exciting to live.

Thank you friend
For giving me back
My smile.

You Can Barely See It

2008-02-10T15:24:00.000-06:00

Giveth heed to false lips. Prov. 17:4

I was pulling on a sweatshirt the other day and I glanced down and saw a slight mark on it. You could barely see it. Sooner or later enough marks and the garment becomes useless.

Multitudes of unconfessed sin make our witness useless. Like the car that needs an overhaul unconfessed sin can cause a spiritual breakdown.

One sin that comes to mind is manipulation. You can not see it with the naked eye. It is an action that happens over time. Those with addictive behavior seem to exercise it the most. Caught in this whirlpool of manipulation it sucks them down.

Rather than being sensitive to manipulation we fold up our tent, pull up our tent pegs and move one step away from Christ. And the enemy rejoices when we manipulate another. This behavior blocks our heavenly Father from leading and it stops us from listening to the Holy Spirit. Manipulation is man taking control rather than letting God lead.

If these words are speaking to you then it is time for a spiritual overhaul. Bring it to the Lord at once. Continue until the Lord breaks you of this habit because even though you can barely see it God does and it grieves the Holy Spirit.

Father,

I confess my desire to control
To always want to win.
I see now with my spiritual eyes
That You have labeled this sin.

Destroy my desire to manipulate.
Come now and take control.
I hunger for sincerity
And a pure heart is now my goal.

IN God We Trust

2008-02-08T08:48:00.000-06:00

Trust in Him at all times... Psalm 22:8

There is a phrase I say at least once a day. When someone asks me how I am I answer, " I am always good." This answer reminds me that no matter what the circumstances God will work them out to His good, always.

There is another phrase we should say every day. This phrase is tucked in our pocket, kicked around in purses and rides shot gun in our wallets. It is the phrase, " In God We Trust."The phrase, " In God" tells us the who, God is the only one worthy that should bare the trust. " We", encompasses everyone. From the crawling child to the rebellious adult all should fall upon, fall into and fade deep into His arms every night. " Trust", is the what of the message. It is the action of what we are called to do. Trust sounds the trumpet that we are confident in the Lord. It means we will walk with joy because we know Father will come through for us. It says we know we will be delivered and will triumpth because of God's goodness.

In God We Trust. Sarah understood it. Surely her barren body must have whispered it in the middle of the night. In God We Trust. David heard it echo off the walls of his cave as a refuge fearing for his life. In God We Trust. One phrase fits all.

When our mother passes suddenly. When our brother lays face up in a morgue. When the doctor can barely speak the words. When our spouse runs out of our lives.When injuries strike and our world is turned upside down. In God We Trust. Hope upon hope. Trust upon trust we will walk with high expectation for what the Lord will do.

Hope upon hope
We will wait upon the Lord.
We will join our hearts together.
Say it loud in one accord.

Trust upon trust
We will lay our hearts upon the alter.
Content to wait upon the Lord
Knowing He will never faulter.

Sensitive To Sin

2008-02-06T08:21:00.000-06:00

Yes I am always with you. Psalm 73:23

If I was to ask 1,000 people what they are striving for I dare say not one would say, " I am striving to be sensitive to sin." Who talks that way? I must say I have learned the hard way about sin. My stupid, stagnant, silly rebellious heart now speaks a new language. It is the language of a sinner that wants to be a saint.It is the language of a man that does not want to be a hypocritical fool any more.

This sensitivity comes as I draw closer to Christ. This happens when the Holy Spirit speaks, I listen and I leap for the cross. Now there is no other voice that I want to hear. No other hand that I long to reach for and no other eyes I wish to look into.

We are a new creation and I want to be clean everyday. I no longer want to rest my feet in muck and mire. When I sing I want to be in harmony with Christ. When I walk I want Him to lead my life.

Though sin will always occupy let it not have a foothold in our lives. Let it hold a broken bat in it's hands when it takes it swing. Let it not hold dominion over us again. Let us have a listening spirit that is sensitive to the cross. Like a young man in love may we long for His presence and may He always occupy our thoughts.

My God, my Father,my Savior
I want to be sensitive to sin.
No longer will I be played the fool
No longer am I going to let Satan win.

May Your presence be always with me
As You occupy my thoughts.
I was once a sinner
But now my heart has been bought.

There is no longer a dominion
That is present over me,
I was once a sinner
But now I've been set free.

Pay The Price

2008-02-04T20:09:00.000-06:00

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, then it will succeed. Prov. 16:3

One thing I like about our Father is He is involved with every aspect of our lives. He cares about our work and wants us to do well. To accomplish this success we must invite Him to be a part of it. I learned this the hard way as an early entrepenuer. I started selling insirance at twenty. I was a non-Christian at the time and trying to succed under my own power.

I accepted the Lord two years later but I still struggled. I was in the bottom third of the company rankings. Then I was inspired by a man to put everything in God's hands. I began to pray specifically for the agency I wanted some day. I took all aspects of my business to the Lord.

I finished the next year number thirty seven out of over three thousand agents. There is nothing left to chance with Father. What ever your goals, dreams and desires He wants to be intimately involved. But all glory needs to be given back to Him. Commitment is diving in with blind faith and trusting our Father with every step. The price of sacrifice to achieve what God has presented before you will be worth it as long as you ask in Jesus precious name.

If you will pay the price
To live the life
That others only might dream

If you will work with a passion
And give it your best
Inspite of what things might seem.

Then the moment will come
When you look dep inside
And you will know
You have given your all.

And the life God has fasioned
Carved out by your passion
Won't seem so empty and small.

When self doub and pity come knocking.
When lonliness and fatigue come to stay,
Pay the price of achieving,
Push all those negatives away.

Just whisper your dreams that inspires you.
Carry them with you each day.
Pay the price of achieving
And I know God will bless your way.

Above And Beyond

2008-02-03T15:22:00.000-06:00

He has told you what He wants Micah 6:8

Has God ever called you to something? Has He ever asked you to rise above the foundation you stand on and move beyond what you can see? Nehimiah understood these words. He was the simple servant in the castle of a King. His resume was short. Yet his desire was strong.

Far above his experience was his desire to obey. He didn't shrink back and he was not a man of excuses. He rose above and moved beyond his circumstances. To do great things for God you must mobilize your heart towards action. Your purpose will sustain you far after the taste of dissapointment. The very breath of Father will be on your back to carry you forward.
When we fill our lives with God's purpose courage miracoulosly shows up at your doorstep.

I knew a man that in high school was called the shadow because he was so quiet. But inspite of his inablity to speak and inspite of his lack of confidence at that time God had other plans. Of all things he became a salesman and God raised him up to be a great leader of that company.He was short in stature but God made him large in his opportunity to touch peoples lives. He often turned a weekend sales conference into an opportunity to present Christ. His tools were books, tapes and prayer. Often I would see him stay up into the late hours talking to any heart that was ready to recieve Christ.

He was the first man I ever heard stand in front of hundreds and declare that Christ was number one in his life. He stood in his million dollar house and said, " All that I have is because God has chosen to bless me. " To an unsaved silly single man that spoke volumes to my empty heart. He rose above and moved beyond to touch people.

What could you do
If God called you?
What might be done
For the Savior,
The Son?

Touched by the Lord
And driven by the King
Nothing can stop you
For you can do anything.

The Pathway To Social Acceptance

2008-02-02T13:21:00.000-06:00

I have accepted thee Gen 19:21

Last week I was thinking of the first neighborhood my children were exposed to growing up. A picture came to mind of the children gathered in the driveways riding their Hot Wheeler trikes. At that age there was so much innocence and joy. It was fun to watch them gather together to OHHH and AAAAH over the latest and greatest toy. Those toys became there pathway to social acceptance.

In older age this pathway to social acceptance became teenage drinking. Refuse it and you are ostercized. Accept it and you stand at the gates of trouble.

At some point we stand at another gate. This gate has nothing to do with being accepted by our peers. There is no social pressure to conform. The voice you here is not the voice of a friend. It is God's voice calling you.

Like the surf that stalks the shore He has left His mark in your life. From the very beginning of time and from the very first breath you have drawn He has left His imprint on your heart.

All rebellion comes from the seed of denial. Denial that He is the King and we are here to serve. Denial that He is in control and holds the key to all aspects of our lives. Stand in acceptance of these spiritual truths and our life takes on a new meaning. His purpose becomes our passion and He becomes the center of all that we do.

Father,

You have become my passion
The reason for my song.
My ears have become attuned to You
As You ask me to come along.

Come along to a life full of reason.
Come along and worship the King.
Surrender my earthly possessions
And watch all the joy He will bring.

The Masters

2008-02-01T21:14:00.000-06:00

Never be lazy in your work Romans 12:1

I was talking with my teenager the other day and of course the topic was grades. His comment was that he could care less about school which is obvious to me. We have covered the numbers and I have shown him the difference between a college education and not attaining one.

I believe the real problem is lack of motivation. I have to ask myself if I am like that in my spiritual goals. Am I dedicated to reading the word, living the word and doing what I know I should do? Have I even written down my spiritual goals so I can take them to prayer?

I remember when I first started selling insurance I went to my manager at the resteraunt where I was working and I told him what I was going to do. His words stung as he said, " I will give you six months and you will sell your friends and your family and then you will be back here." Now that was motivation because I wanted to prove him wrong.

The bible reveals Gods attitude with work when it tells us that lazyness leads to poverty. We are admonished to make the most of our time. God uses examples of the smallest of insects like the ant to get the most accomplised for his size.

Wise people hang a sign on their head that says " Let's begin. Let's do it now. Let's get going. God inspired ideas begin with a seed, a thought and an idea. They are wrapped in a passion that carries us through the toughest of times and end with a statement that we are working for the Kingdom.

The Masters

To be a master in your trade
Is more than just mere words.
It's more than one just simple deed.
It borderlines absurd.

It's working with a passion
As you strive to be the best.
Pushing to the limit,
To be better than the rest.

And yes it's often said,
"Mere words can not explain
The exhilerating high
That comes after all the pain."

So paint yourself a picture,
Believing your the best.
Strive to be a master
Accept the ultimate test.

The Grace Of The Cross

2008-01-31T19:03:00.000-06:00

The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant. 1stTim. 1:14

Years ago I had the pleasure of sitting on a varanda in Hawaii catching an early breakfast on the edge of paradise. I caught the glimpse of a double rainbow and marvelled at the beauty created by the Rembrandt of the universe.

As I think about that marvel it reminds me of another aspect of our Father. Nothing under our own power could ever put Heaven in our own hands. We deserve nothing and can not earn anything regarding attainig residence in heaven as grace is not earned.

We can understand the flowing of grace by standing in a rain storm. We have no control over turning off the down pour. Like wise God pours out His grace upon our souls. So why do we trudge around this earth as if we are doomed? Why does this abundant grace not overflow into a joyous festival? What stops us from rejoicing whole heartedly so that the world will know?

Once we have a heart like Paul we will understand grace. For it was paul that called himself the "Chief of sinners." You can see by his words and his heart that he understood grace.

Satans greatest ploy is to convince us we don't deserve the grace of the cross. Paul proved him wrong and went on to become the encouraging voice of the New Testement. So what could we do once grace flows like the blood in our veins? What storehouse of divine accomplishments is waiting for your name?

Filled with abundance
And touched by grace
It is my hope dear friend
That you will see it on my face.

Like a river overflowing
My Father has spoken.
And His are words
That can never be broken.

This grace of abundance
I now want to share.
For hidden in His grace
Is my Father's loving care.

There Are Days That I Am Tested

2008-01-30T18:47:00.000-06:00

Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith. 2 Cor 13;5

Years ago when I was selling a house the numbers were not coming up in my favor. The word got out that I was going through divorce and everyone low balled the numbers. I took the highest offer but threee days before closing I was still $13,000 short.

A friend of mine asked me what I was going to do. My answer was short and sweet. I said," I don"t know what I am going to do but God does and that is good enough for me." My friend looked sounded shocked and I could sense it over the phone.

A day before closing I recieved a call out of the blue and they said, " We have heard about your situation and we have a check over here with your name on it for $ 10,000. " The amazing thing is I never asked for their help. I cried like a baby and felt God's hand of deliverence.

It is one thing to say that we believe, but then we can't be grovelling in the corner on the edge of dispair. It is one thing to be down to our last pennies.,but then we must believe with all our heart that God will deliver. That is real faith. That is what it looks like.

Everyday in some way we are tested. God may chhose to test us in our obedience. For those that have identified their spiritual gift it might be a battle of wills to serve the cross rather then self. We can be tested to see if we will stand up to Satan and his claims. And last we can be tested to allow us to destroy idolatries.

Every time I try to do this under my own strength I will fail. But in asking, waiting and watching for God to deliver than all glory goes to Him. When we operate like this our spiritual muscles will grow. Let the cross convince you day by day that God is who He says He is. We must maintain at all times Faith in the cross, hope for a better day and trust that God is never a day late.

Father,

There are days that I am tested
And it seems beyond belief.
But deep down in my heart
I know You'll bring relief.

When the world says I'm a fool
To stand upon the rock,
May I be strong enough to walk away
And let them stand and mock.

You Fix Everything

2008-01-26T16:20:00.001-06:00

Who heals all your disease Psalm 103:3

As a college kid like most others i was broke. So when my car was in need of repair it was a major ordeal. Determined to save money I decided to fix it myself. My muffler had fallen and was kicking up sparks where ever I went.

I decided if I took a clothes hanger I could probably wire that puppy up. Not knowing a thing about cars I was out of my league. To make things worse, once I was under the car, I found a huge hole in the muffler.

So I went and found a coke can, cut off the top and bottom and was sure I could clamp that around the hole. Who needs a certified mechanic anyway?

Once the hole was fixed I crawled underneath the car to attach the muffler. I found the drive shaft was the most handy. To my chagrin I found out later it was also the most illogical place.

Four hours later, feeling quite proud of myself, I rolled out of my driveway. It took only one block for the wire to wrap around the drive shaft and ruin my great idea.

There is one great carpenter that knows how to fix everything. From our worries to our woes He holds the answer. We come with a broken heart He binds it up and fills us to overflowing with unequalled love. When our heart is anxious He calms the seas with just one breath. His tools are compassion, forgiveness and redemption and He never runs dry.

My great and glorious master,
My Father and my King,
I came to You in such a mess
And You fixed everything.

All questions quickly answered.
All worries tucked away.
I stand beneath Your shadow,
In humble obedience today.