I love the movie Forrest Gump. Forrest always had something happening with his life. As I look at my life with God, I am so amazed at how every day is a new adventure. It is like when I get a box of chocolates and it doesn't have a top that tells you what you are about to eat. Every chocolate is a surprise.
When I wake up in the morning I know 2 things for sure. The first is I am still alive and the second is that God loves me. I never know what the day will hold for me. I could end up helping someone dig up a water line to try to find a leak or I could be shooting at a coyote while I thought I was deer hunting.
It sure makes life fun when you are willing to go wherever God leads you or do whatever God wants you to do.
In Isaiah 6:8, the Lord asks, "Who will go for me? Isaiah repsonds, "Here I am send me."
There are thousands of different ways God calls us to be his servants or messengers. There are millions of people to whom he might send us.
Whether it is to your co-workers across the room or to strangers across the world.
If your life is is not a daily adventure, why not try what Isaiah did and say:
"Here I Am Lord Send Me!!!!!"
Just a thought!!!!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Things we take for Granted
I love my dad and his passions for life and for God. He has made a huge impact on my life.
My dad has diabetes and has lost the sight in one eye and on Monday had to have surgery on the other eye and will have to have another eye surgery on Sept 9th.
My dad loves God and has an awesome ministry at the local bar in his town. He has led many people to Christ and has helped quite a few people with their lives. He has even picked up the ones that can't drive and taken them and their families to church.
I talked to my dad today and asked how his vision is now since the surgery. He said he can only see shadows. He said he can see the outline of people and can see where the wall is. He said when he got up this morning to read the Bible he couldn't see the words.
I know that if my dad can't sleep he would get up and read his Bible and pray. In the morning he would get up and read his Bible again and spend time with God. In fact when I was in school my dad would get up every morning and read the Bible and have prayer with us before school. The Bible is a huge part of who my dad is.
I asked my dad how he felt about not being able to read his Bible. He said it is in God's hands. If God wanted him to read again then God would take care of it.
My dad told me that he was hoping to be able to see well enough to to walk 2 blocks to go minister to the people at the bar.
I love that my dad wants to read the Bible and minister to people even if he can't see. People finding God is more important to my dad then even his eye sight.
I wonder how many people have a Bible and they never even open it or maybe they only open it once a week or once a month but never read it on a regular basis.
I wonder how many people can see and go wherever they want to go but will not minister to people even around them.
Sometimes I think we take even our eye sight for granted.
Just a thought
It Is All Good!!!
My dad has diabetes and has lost the sight in one eye and on Monday had to have surgery on the other eye and will have to have another eye surgery on Sept 9th.
My dad loves God and has an awesome ministry at the local bar in his town. He has led many people to Christ and has helped quite a few people with their lives. He has even picked up the ones that can't drive and taken them and their families to church.
I talked to my dad today and asked how his vision is now since the surgery. He said he can only see shadows. He said he can see the outline of people and can see where the wall is. He said when he got up this morning to read the Bible he couldn't see the words.
I know that if my dad can't sleep he would get up and read his Bible and pray. In the morning he would get up and read his Bible again and spend time with God. In fact when I was in school my dad would get up every morning and read the Bible and have prayer with us before school. The Bible is a huge part of who my dad is.
I asked my dad how he felt about not being able to read his Bible. He said it is in God's hands. If God wanted him to read again then God would take care of it.
My dad told me that he was hoping to be able to see well enough to to walk 2 blocks to go minister to the people at the bar.
I love that my dad wants to read the Bible and minister to people even if he can't see. People finding God is more important to my dad then even his eye sight.
I wonder how many people have a Bible and they never even open it or maybe they only open it once a week or once a month but never read it on a regular basis.
I wonder how many people can see and go wherever they want to go but will not minister to people even around them.
Sometimes I think we take even our eye sight for granted.
Just a thought
It Is All Good!!!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Insights from Children's Camp
This week it was my honor to speak at our children's camp. The best thing about the camp this week was to watch children get excited about Jesus Christ. So many times adults put so many rules and regulations on having a relationship with Jesus Christ and they miss out on the love and joy of the relationship.
As I watched the children this week I saw what Jesus meant when he said we need to be like children to come to Christ. I watched children laugh and clap and enjoy worshipping a huge God.
when is the last time you have laughed and truly experienced the joy of the Lord or just clapped because God is awesome.
Just a thought.
Remember it is all Good.
As I watched the children this week I saw what Jesus meant when he said we need to be like children to come to Christ. I watched children laugh and clap and enjoy worshipping a huge God.
when is the last time you have laughed and truly experienced the joy of the Lord or just clapped because God is awesome.
Just a thought.
Remember it is all Good.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Slow Down and Listen
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context? One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing the best music ever written on an almost priceless instrument, how many other things are we missing?
God has a wonderful day planned for you everyday. This question is do you have the time to enjoy it or are you too busy trying to make your own day the way you want it. The problem is once we have made our own day we blame God for it not turning out wonderful. This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.
Just a thought.
Remember: It Is All Good
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context? One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing the best music ever written on an almost priceless instrument, how many other things are we missing?
God has a wonderful day planned for you everyday. This question is do you have the time to enjoy it or are you too busy trying to make your own day the way you want it. The problem is once we have made our own day we blame God for it not turning out wonderful. This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.
Just a thought.
Remember: It Is All Good
Saturday, June 20, 2009
It is a Front
Things I learned from traveling to Woodsfield.
I went to have lunch with a friend of mine this last week in Woodsfield. This friend took me to a business where he knew the owner was a Christian. The owner is actively leading people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This owner takes people to his office and talks to them about where they stand with God. In fact the owner has led some of his employees to Jesus Christ.
The cool thing about this owner is that he told my friend that his business is just a front for what he really is doing. I said a front for his other activities and he said yes and I asked what other activities.
The owner said that his business is a front for reaching out to the lost and helping them find their way back to God through Jesus Christ.
I love this and thought about how many of us use the business we are in to reach our co-workers and those around us for Jesus Christ.
What is you front?? What do you use to help change lives around you???
It is just a thought.
Remember: It is All Good
I went to have lunch with a friend of mine this last week in Woodsfield. This friend took me to a business where he knew the owner was a Christian. The owner is actively leading people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This owner takes people to his office and talks to them about where they stand with God. In fact the owner has led some of his employees to Jesus Christ.
The cool thing about this owner is that he told my friend that his business is just a front for what he really is doing. I said a front for his other activities and he said yes and I asked what other activities.
The owner said that his business is a front for reaching out to the lost and helping them find their way back to God through Jesus Christ.
I love this and thought about how many of us use the business we are in to reach our co-workers and those around us for Jesus Christ.
What is you front?? What do you use to help change lives around you???
It is just a thought.
Remember: It is All Good
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Can We Be Free???
A verse in the bible that has always been an interest to me especially as a teenager is in Proverbs. It is Proverbs 26:11 in the New Living Testamant it reads like this, "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness."
This is an awesome verse and it make so much sense to me. In our society we have down graded sin. We want to be politically correct so we say we have made mistakes or didn't understand but oh no we did not sin. Or we will be okay with white lie saying that it is not as bad as really lying.
Since we have down graded sin it doesn't seem so BAD. So we continue to sin over and over again.
We validate this by saying that everyone sins and we can never be free from sin.
To which I would love to respond. In 1 John 1:9 It say that " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins amd cleanse us from all wickedness. " Some versions may say unrighteousness, I just say sin. It means if we confess our sins, God is faithful and will cleanse from all our sin.
My question is, at the point where the Bible says he will cleanse us from all our sin, are we completely sin free at that time. I say yes, if not then Jesus did not die enough for our sins. If Jesus Christ did die enough for our sins, which I think he did.
So another question to ask then is if we are truly sin free at the pint of God's forgiveness, Can you go 1 second without sinning?
Can you go 10 seconds? Can you go 1 minute without committing a sin?
To which I say I think we can. Especially through the power of the Holy Spirit.
So instead of being like a dog and returning to the vomit or committing sin over and over again.
Why not try to see how long you can go without sinning.
Just a thought.
It is All Good
This is an awesome verse and it make so much sense to me. In our society we have down graded sin. We want to be politically correct so we say we have made mistakes or didn't understand but oh no we did not sin. Or we will be okay with white lie saying that it is not as bad as really lying.
Since we have down graded sin it doesn't seem so BAD. So we continue to sin over and over again.
We validate this by saying that everyone sins and we can never be free from sin.
To which I would love to respond. In 1 John 1:9 It say that " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins amd cleanse us from all wickedness. " Some versions may say unrighteousness, I just say sin. It means if we confess our sins, God is faithful and will cleanse from all our sin.
My question is, at the point where the Bible says he will cleanse us from all our sin, are we completely sin free at that time. I say yes, if not then Jesus did not die enough for our sins. If Jesus Christ did die enough for our sins, which I think he did.
So another question to ask then is if we are truly sin free at the pint of God's forgiveness, Can you go 1 second without sinning?
Can you go 10 seconds? Can you go 1 minute without committing a sin?
To which I say I think we can. Especially through the power of the Holy Spirit.
So instead of being like a dog and returning to the vomit or committing sin over and over again.
Why not try to see how long you can go without sinning.
Just a thought.
It is All Good
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Through the Eyes of Christ
When I was feeling God calling me to be a pastor and into full time ministry there were a lot of people that criticized or made judgements about me. They could not see what God saw in me.
I will never forget how much Bishop Gerald Bates did for me as a pastor. He saw me through the eyes of Christ. At our church conference he talked about my heart that is for helping people come to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He affirmed me in who I was.
One day at our church family camp and I was walking beside Bishop Bates and there was another pastor who saw us talking and who said, "look at Nate trying to get in good with the Bishop."
I will never forget what the Bishop said. He told the other pastor that I didn't need to try to get in good with him because he was already on my side. It meant the world to me that he saw what I could be. He saw my potential not my faults.
I try every day to see people for what they could be if God got a hold of their lives totally. I believe that we can love the sinner and hate the sin. It does not mean that we agree or accept the sin but it does mean that we can still love past it.
Each one of us has expectations for people around us but we can decide whether those expectations are postive or negative. We can think others are worthless or wonderful. We can make the decision to expect the best and actually look for the good instead of the bad.
When you see the people around you what do you see?
Can you see them through the eyes of compassion and love of Jesus Christ?
Just a Thought
Remember: It Is All Good
I will never forget how much Bishop Gerald Bates did for me as a pastor. He saw me through the eyes of Christ. At our church conference he talked about my heart that is for helping people come to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He affirmed me in who I was.
One day at our church family camp and I was walking beside Bishop Bates and there was another pastor who saw us talking and who said, "look at Nate trying to get in good with the Bishop."
I will never forget what the Bishop said. He told the other pastor that I didn't need to try to get in good with him because he was already on my side. It meant the world to me that he saw what I could be. He saw my potential not my faults.
I try every day to see people for what they could be if God got a hold of their lives totally. I believe that we can love the sinner and hate the sin. It does not mean that we agree or accept the sin but it does mean that we can still love past it.
Each one of us has expectations for people around us but we can decide whether those expectations are postive or negative. We can think others are worthless or wonderful. We can make the decision to expect the best and actually look for the good instead of the bad.
When you see the people around you what do you see?
Can you see them through the eyes of compassion and love of Jesus Christ?
Just a Thought
Remember: It Is All Good
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Silent Servant
I only do 3 or 4 weddings a year because I like to invest a lot into the counseling before hand. I ask the couple to give me at least 6 months before they get married to do the counseling.
They have to complete a compatibility test and read 2 books besides do a homework assignment every time we meet. This may seem excessive but somewhere in our society we have lost the accountability and serving our partners.
It seems like in so many couples the man wants the wife to be submissive but yet he doesn't want to live up to the other part of the scripture which says he will lay down his life for his wife as Christ layed down His life for the church.
It seems like men want to control the women not share or be equal with the women. They feel that their wives are more a posses ion than a help mate. They feel that their wives should be a slave more than a partner.
NO where do I find that this is the way God intended marriage to be.
Every once in a while I come across a man who is totally different from this way of thinking. I want to call this person the silent Servant.
As I was counseling one couple who are living together, I asked the woman how she got her toothpaste out of the tube and she said she always squeezes from the top. then I asked the man how he got out the toothpaste to which he said he squeezes and then rolls it all to the top. The woman looked at him and she couldn't believe it. He said how do you think you were always able to get the toothpaste from the top.
He said it bothered him that she did it but he felt it wasn't a big enough thing to complain about because he loved her so he just kept doing it. I asked him how long he had been doing this and he said for 2 years. I asked her if she knew he had been doing this for her for 2 years and she said she had no idea but she wondered how come she always had tooth paste at the top.
I love this. So many complain about little things and then there are others who just go ahead and take care of the problem with nothing said.
What kind of person are you???
The world needs more silent servants especially from the husbands.
Just a thought.
(I do not agree with people living together but I do believe in marrying people to get them out of this situation.)
It Is All Good.
They have to complete a compatibility test and read 2 books besides do a homework assignment every time we meet. This may seem excessive but somewhere in our society we have lost the accountability and serving our partners.
It seems like in so many couples the man wants the wife to be submissive but yet he doesn't want to live up to the other part of the scripture which says he will lay down his life for his wife as Christ layed down His life for the church.
It seems like men want to control the women not share or be equal with the women. They feel that their wives are more a posses ion than a help mate. They feel that their wives should be a slave more than a partner.
NO where do I find that this is the way God intended marriage to be.
Every once in a while I come across a man who is totally different from this way of thinking. I want to call this person the silent Servant.
As I was counseling one couple who are living together, I asked the woman how she got her toothpaste out of the tube and she said she always squeezes from the top. then I asked the man how he got out the toothpaste to which he said he squeezes and then rolls it all to the top. The woman looked at him and she couldn't believe it. He said how do you think you were always able to get the toothpaste from the top.
He said it bothered him that she did it but he felt it wasn't a big enough thing to complain about because he loved her so he just kept doing it. I asked him how long he had been doing this and he said for 2 years. I asked her if she knew he had been doing this for her for 2 years and she said she had no idea but she wondered how come she always had tooth paste at the top.
I love this. So many complain about little things and then there are others who just go ahead and take care of the problem with nothing said.
What kind of person are you???
The world needs more silent servants especially from the husbands.
Just a thought.
(I do not agree with people living together but I do believe in marrying people to get them out of this situation.)
It Is All Good.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Encouraging One Another
Yesterday I went to a Quad Race to watch JD Hesson race. It was fun to watch and sometimes pretty exciting when they went over the huge jumps. People were standing every where and some even out on the insides and outsides of the track.
JD had a friend there Trevor. These 2 were awesome for each other they helped each other sweep off the starting area for the other. They laughed and talked about the races with each other.
My favorite thing to watch in these 2 friends was when JD was racing. JD was in first place but Trevor said to us that JD looked like he was getting tired. Trevor said he would be back and Trevor took his broom walking out into the track area. He put himself where JD would be sure to see him.
When JD came around Trevor was waving to Jd. Telling him to keep going. Trevor stayed out there until JD finished the race to encourage him on.
IN our world I think this is a rare thing. To have someone to cheer you on. To have someone go out and put himself in harms way to help you be successful.
It seems so many people want to bring you down or criticize you just so they can look or feel better about themselves.
One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 4:29 "let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth only that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
When we lift one another up and encourage them it not only benefits the people being encouraged but those around also benefit by seeing it.
Is there someone around you who could use some encouragement?
Is there someone you could stand by and wave them on and tell them to keep going?
If you can't find someone. I am always here and I can use all I can get.
It Is All Good
JD had a friend there Trevor. These 2 were awesome for each other they helped each other sweep off the starting area for the other. They laughed and talked about the races with each other.
My favorite thing to watch in these 2 friends was when JD was racing. JD was in first place but Trevor said to us that JD looked like he was getting tired. Trevor said he would be back and Trevor took his broom walking out into the track area. He put himself where JD would be sure to see him.
When JD came around Trevor was waving to Jd. Telling him to keep going. Trevor stayed out there until JD finished the race to encourage him on.
IN our world I think this is a rare thing. To have someone to cheer you on. To have someone go out and put himself in harms way to help you be successful.
It seems so many people want to bring you down or criticize you just so they can look or feel better about themselves.
One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 4:29 "let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth only that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
When we lift one another up and encourage them it not only benefits the people being encouraged but those around also benefit by seeing it.
Is there someone around you who could use some encouragement?
Is there someone you could stand by and wave them on and tell them to keep going?
If you can't find someone. I am always here and I can use all I can get.
It Is All Good
Friday, June 12, 2009
Breathe
I remember many years ago when I was riding in an ambulance and having troubles breathing. They told me that if I did not stay awake they were going to have to put a trach in my neck. I was trying so hard to breathe and was having a hard time staying awake and I was so tired from trying to breathe. They started to make marks on my necks. We finally got to the hospital and no trach. Praise God.
They found out that I had epliglotitus. Which means all the air goes into your stomach and not your lungs. It was a rough few days until they figured out what was going on. For a few days I had a temp over 103 and not breathing very well on my own.
I don't know about you but sometimes when I go to the hospital I feel like a test subject or a guinea pig. I feel like sometimes it is their best guess that they go with and that there is sometimes no certainty.
Well, I have learned to appreciate breathing more and more. I realize that I am dependent on breathing. If I wake up and I am breathing I know it is going to be a great day.
I wonder if we appreciate being able to breathe. Sometimes we take so much in our lives for granted. The next time you take a breath make it a deep one and thank God for it.
In fact when you get ready to take this deep breath, think about breathing in God.
I crave God in my life the same way I crave a breath of air.
What do you crave in your life?? Do you crave God??
Just a thought.
It Is All Good
They found out that I had epliglotitus. Which means all the air goes into your stomach and not your lungs. It was a rough few days until they figured out what was going on. For a few days I had a temp over 103 and not breathing very well on my own.
I don't know about you but sometimes when I go to the hospital I feel like a test subject or a guinea pig. I feel like sometimes it is their best guess that they go with and that there is sometimes no certainty.
Well, I have learned to appreciate breathing more and more. I realize that I am dependent on breathing. If I wake up and I am breathing I know it is going to be a great day.
I wonder if we appreciate being able to breathe. Sometimes we take so much in our lives for granted. The next time you take a breath make it a deep one and thank God for it.
In fact when you get ready to take this deep breath, think about breathing in God.
I crave God in my life the same way I crave a breath of air.
What do you crave in your life?? Do you crave God??
Just a thought.
It Is All Good
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Cleaning the House
Today I went to an allergist and immunologist. They were checking to see why I am sick so much. So they do this allergy test by running this thing across you back. It has 70 some different things that you can have allergies for.
When they are done running this thing across your back they look and see what reacted or swells up due to being allergic. They found out I am allergic to 4 things. Dogs and Cats, dust mites and mold. So they started me on a nine month regimene of taking shots once a week to try to build up my immune system against these allergies.
The other thing they talked to us about is trying to stay away from mold and dust. They talked about cleaning the house and trying to get rid of anything that can hold dust.
So begins the search for these dust mites and mold in our house. It is going to be some work. Cleaning everything from top to bottom. Getting rid of everything that could cause me to get sick.
Some of us spring clean and go crazy. While others clean to get ready for garage and yard sales.
How often do you clean your house? When you clean do you do surface cleaning or really go in and hunt for the dirt and grime??
If you don't have regular times of cleaning house, you can accumulate many things and mucho junko. Things can get out of control. We start to find it hard to move around, because there is so much clutter. We need to take time and start going through each room one at a time and cleaning out the junk.
However, if you don't start to do this, it only gets worse. Often times it can be overwhelming.
It kind of brings up an interesting question.
How often do you try to clean out your heart??
Do you do a surface cleaning or do you really try to let God into the hard to reach places of your heart??
We may need some help getting things cleaned up. Getting wise counsel, meeting with a mentor or a coach, can be a huge help.
Asking God to help is vital, He will take all our junk from our lives and get rid of it like the garbage man does with our garbage.
So what room in your heart needs cleaned out? What junk do you need to throw out? What needs to be cleaned and scrubbed? Start today, you will be glad you did. What a great feeling it is to have a clean house.
If I am going to keep from being sick, I will need to clean the house thoroughly and need to keep the house clean.
A special thanks to Chad Stutzman who I got some of ideas.
It is all Good.
When they are done running this thing across your back they look and see what reacted or swells up due to being allergic. They found out I am allergic to 4 things. Dogs and Cats, dust mites and mold. So they started me on a nine month regimene of taking shots once a week to try to build up my immune system against these allergies.
The other thing they talked to us about is trying to stay away from mold and dust. They talked about cleaning the house and trying to get rid of anything that can hold dust.
So begins the search for these dust mites and mold in our house. It is going to be some work. Cleaning everything from top to bottom. Getting rid of everything that could cause me to get sick.
Some of us spring clean and go crazy. While others clean to get ready for garage and yard sales.
How often do you clean your house? When you clean do you do surface cleaning or really go in and hunt for the dirt and grime??
If you don't have regular times of cleaning house, you can accumulate many things and mucho junko. Things can get out of control. We start to find it hard to move around, because there is so much clutter. We need to take time and start going through each room one at a time and cleaning out the junk.
However, if you don't start to do this, it only gets worse. Often times it can be overwhelming.
It kind of brings up an interesting question.
How often do you try to clean out your heart??
Do you do a surface cleaning or do you really try to let God into the hard to reach places of your heart??
We may need some help getting things cleaned up. Getting wise counsel, meeting with a mentor or a coach, can be a huge help.
Asking God to help is vital, He will take all our junk from our lives and get rid of it like the garbage man does with our garbage.
So what room in your heart needs cleaned out? What junk do you need to throw out? What needs to be cleaned and scrubbed? Start today, you will be glad you did. What a great feeling it is to have a clean house.
If I am going to keep from being sick, I will need to clean the house thoroughly and need to keep the house clean.
A special thanks to Chad Stutzman who I got some of ideas.
It is all Good.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Grace Golf
I love to golf. I don't ususally take it very seriously. Last week I played at Salt fork and scored 104 and 2 weeks before that I golfed a 98. This is my second and third time out this year so I think it is okay.
I tell people a bad day at golf is better than a good day at work. I believe this is true. I love being out especially at Salt Fork which is kinda a tough course but you get to see deer walking around on the fariways.
I was thinking today about this thing I like to call "Grace Golf" About 5 or 6 years ago I was golfing with another pastor who takes the game quite a bit more serioulsy than I do. We were playing golf at Crystal Springs over by Hopewell.
(For those that don't know golf. Par is the amount of shots they think you should be able to get the ball from where you tee off to when it goes in the hole.)
We came to this par 4 hole and on the second shot you had to hit the ball over a pond. Well this pastor hit his second shot into the water and asked if I had another ball. of course I said yes and tossed him another ball, which he proceeded to hit in the pond. He asked me again if I had another golf ball, To which I said yes and got another ball out of my bag and threw it to him. and you know what happened, splash it was dancing with the fish. This pastor was getting mad and continued to hit a few more of MY golf balls into the pond.
Finally this pastor hit one on the green. (the area around the hole you need to putt into) He was celebrating and then after 2 putts finally got the ball in the hole. When he finally got it in the hole he yelled, yes I got a par. It only took me four to get it in he said.
I am not going to tell you how many he should have had but I guess since it was MY GOLF BALLS that went into the pond those shots didn't count. I thought now that is grace because I didn't say a word and wrote down a 4 for him. lol
So I have decided as long as I have more golf balls in my bag you get another free shot. So as long as I have more golf balls you get another grace shot. Or a free do over.
Grace is something we can't do anything to gain it is a free gift. It doesn't count against you. The Great thing about God's grace is that it is never ending. You have a free redo as many times as you need. God is the God of do overs and he doesn't count them against you.
If you ever get to play golf with me you will be able to have the best game of your life because I have hundreds of golf balls I carry in case someone needs a grace or free shot.
Come play some grace golf and get the best game of you life.
It is All Good.
I tell people a bad day at golf is better than a good day at work. I believe this is true. I love being out especially at Salt Fork which is kinda a tough course but you get to see deer walking around on the fariways.
I was thinking today about this thing I like to call "Grace Golf" About 5 or 6 years ago I was golfing with another pastor who takes the game quite a bit more serioulsy than I do. We were playing golf at Crystal Springs over by Hopewell.
(For those that don't know golf. Par is the amount of shots they think you should be able to get the ball from where you tee off to when it goes in the hole.)
We came to this par 4 hole and on the second shot you had to hit the ball over a pond. Well this pastor hit his second shot into the water and asked if I had another ball. of course I said yes and tossed him another ball, which he proceeded to hit in the pond. He asked me again if I had another golf ball, To which I said yes and got another ball out of my bag and threw it to him. and you know what happened, splash it was dancing with the fish. This pastor was getting mad and continued to hit a few more of MY golf balls into the pond.
Finally this pastor hit one on the green. (the area around the hole you need to putt into) He was celebrating and then after 2 putts finally got the ball in the hole. When he finally got it in the hole he yelled, yes I got a par. It only took me four to get it in he said.
I am not going to tell you how many he should have had but I guess since it was MY GOLF BALLS that went into the pond those shots didn't count. I thought now that is grace because I didn't say a word and wrote down a 4 for him. lol
So I have decided as long as I have more golf balls in my bag you get another free shot. So as long as I have more golf balls you get another grace shot. Or a free do over.
Grace is something we can't do anything to gain it is a free gift. It doesn't count against you. The Great thing about God's grace is that it is never ending. You have a free redo as many times as you need. God is the God of do overs and he doesn't count them against you.
If you ever get to play golf with me you will be able to have the best game of your life because I have hundreds of golf balls I carry in case someone needs a grace or free shot.
Come play some grace golf and get the best game of you life.
It is All Good.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
In the Scope of Eternity
I love volleyball and tonight was way to much fun. It seems though some people get so serious. They start losing and get intense. Okay maybe I was serving the ball a bit harder when we were down a few points. But when it got close I hit the ball out of bounds.
It is like in some peoples lives. Some people get so mad and upset about things that are so unimportant. Like they have a hang nail, or thier chocolate cookies are cooked to long to which you should feel like a god and you are being offered a burnt offering. But really I have almost died a few times and so I have a new thought or phrase. In the scope of enternity.
What would happen if we all would process all of our descisions through the thought, in the scope of eternity is it important????
I think if our children had cancer it would change the way we look at things??
Or if we were told we were going to die in a month would we change the way we look at things?
Let me ask you in the scope of eternity what is truly important to you?
I hope it is your relationshop with Jesus Christ and your childrens relationship with Jesus Christ.
Just a thought.
Remember "It Is All Good"
It is like in some peoples lives. Some people get so mad and upset about things that are so unimportant. Like they have a hang nail, or thier chocolate cookies are cooked to long to which you should feel like a god and you are being offered a burnt offering. But really I have almost died a few times and so I have a new thought or phrase. In the scope of enternity.
What would happen if we all would process all of our descisions through the thought, in the scope of eternity is it important????
I think if our children had cancer it would change the way we look at things??
Or if we were told we were going to die in a month would we change the way we look at things?
Let me ask you in the scope of eternity what is truly important to you?
I hope it is your relationshop with Jesus Christ and your childrens relationship with Jesus Christ.
Just a thought.
Remember "It Is All Good"
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Swim in God's Love
I have been sick for a short while, okay for quite a while and have gained some weight due to the steroids. I am starting to workout again.
I love to swim. I bought new goggles to swim with. This morning I swam 42 laps of the pool. Before you think how about what an aweesome feat that is, please know this it is a short pool. When I first started out my lungs were burning and my heart was pumping rather rapidly but the more I swam the les my lungs burned and my heart quit trying to pump out of my chest.
After I swam laps I just swam for fun. As I went under the water and stayed for a while I felt a certain kind of peace. It was quit and just felt so comforting just to be surrounded by the water. It makes me feel so small and the water so big. I felt that nothing in my life mattered. I was at a place of peace.
I started thinking about how I feel when I spend time with God and let His love surround me. I thought that the water around me must be like when God's love.
I read about what some children said about how big God's love is:
"God's love is so big, almost nobody can explain it," says Jamie, age 8. "It's bigger than 999,999,999 gallons of chocolate milk."
"God's love is bigger than people's love, dogs' love and everyone's love," says Catherine, 8.
"God's love will never end," says Kasey, 8. It's bigger than a hundred trillion, billion elephants! If I compare God's love to anything, God's love would be bigger."
God's love is bigger than the pain of our failure and sin.
When we're filled with God's love, there's no room for fear, guilt, hatred, bitterness, envy or the past failures that torment us. When we realize that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is greater than any sin we can commit, we start to live free. God's unconditional love has the power to transform us into agents of grace. It's the greatest motivation for holy living. Fear may modify one's behavior, but it can never transform a heart.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment" (I John 4:18).
Will you allow the bigness of God's love to give you eternal life as a free gift and to fill you with the abundant life God desires for you?
Will you allow God's love to surround you?
Just some thoughts.
It Is All Good.
I love to swim. I bought new goggles to swim with. This morning I swam 42 laps of the pool. Before you think how about what an aweesome feat that is, please know this it is a short pool. When I first started out my lungs were burning and my heart was pumping rather rapidly but the more I swam the les my lungs burned and my heart quit trying to pump out of my chest.
After I swam laps I just swam for fun. As I went under the water and stayed for a while I felt a certain kind of peace. It was quit and just felt so comforting just to be surrounded by the water. It makes me feel so small and the water so big. I felt that nothing in my life mattered. I was at a place of peace.
I started thinking about how I feel when I spend time with God and let His love surround me. I thought that the water around me must be like when God's love.
I read about what some children said about how big God's love is:
"God's love is so big, almost nobody can explain it," says Jamie, age 8. "It's bigger than 999,999,999 gallons of chocolate milk."
"God's love is bigger than people's love, dogs' love and everyone's love," says Catherine, 8.
"God's love will never end," says Kasey, 8. It's bigger than a hundred trillion, billion elephants! If I compare God's love to anything, God's love would be bigger."
God's love is bigger than the pain of our failure and sin.
When we're filled with God's love, there's no room for fear, guilt, hatred, bitterness, envy or the past failures that torment us. When we realize that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is greater than any sin we can commit, we start to live free. God's unconditional love has the power to transform us into agents of grace. It's the greatest motivation for holy living. Fear may modify one's behavior, but it can never transform a heart.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment" (I John 4:18).
Will you allow the bigness of God's love to give you eternal life as a free gift and to fill you with the abundant life God desires for you?
Will you allow God's love to surround you?
Just some thoughts.
It Is All Good.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Are You Lonely Tonight
In this world I think one of the saddest things is loneliness. I know sometimes even with people around me I feel lonely. If that makes any sense to you. sometimes I can be in the middle of a crowd and no one notices me or talks to me.
In fact this is how some churches are. They have many people in the church but they are not connected and someone new comes in and they end up sitting by themselves and no one talks to them. People are looking for some one to love them.
I love the Queen song "Somebody to Love" Here are the words.
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what youre doing to me
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just cant get no relief,
Lord!
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
I work hard every day of my life
I work till I ache my bones
At the end I take home my hard earned pay all on my own -
I get down on my knees
And I start to pray
Till the tears run down from my eyes
Lord - somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me - somebody to love?
(he works hard)
Everyday - I try and I try and I try -
But everybody wants to put me down
They say Im goin crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
Got no common sense
I got nobody left to believe
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah
Oh lord
Somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
Im ok, Im alright
Aint gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Someday Im gonna be free, lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
It was used in a movie called Happy Feet. About a penguin that was different. He wanted to be loved.
In the book "Blue like Jazz" It says if loving people is a bit of heaven then certainly isolation is a bit of hell, and to that degree, here on earth we have to decide in which state we would like to live.
Loneliness is something that happens to us, but I think it is something that we can move ourselves out of. I think a person who is lonely should and can dig into community, give himself to a community, intiate community, teach people to care for each other, and love each other. Jesus does'nt want us flaoting through space or sitting front of a television. Jesus wants us interacting, eating together, laughing together, and praying together.
How are you going to live?
Who will you build community with?
Who will you pray and laugh with?
It is all Good.
In fact this is how some churches are. They have many people in the church but they are not connected and someone new comes in and they end up sitting by themselves and no one talks to them. People are looking for some one to love them.
I love the Queen song "Somebody to Love" Here are the words.
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what youre doing to me
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just cant get no relief,
Lord!
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
I work hard every day of my life
I work till I ache my bones
At the end I take home my hard earned pay all on my own -
I get down on my knees
And I start to pray
Till the tears run down from my eyes
Lord - somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me - somebody to love?
(he works hard)
Everyday - I try and I try and I try -
But everybody wants to put me down
They say Im goin crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
Got no common sense
I got nobody left to believe
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah
Oh lord
Somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
Im ok, Im alright
Aint gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Someday Im gonna be free, lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
It was used in a movie called Happy Feet. About a penguin that was different. He wanted to be loved.
In the book "Blue like Jazz" It says if loving people is a bit of heaven then certainly isolation is a bit of hell, and to that degree, here on earth we have to decide in which state we would like to live.
Loneliness is something that happens to us, but I think it is something that we can move ourselves out of. I think a person who is lonely should and can dig into community, give himself to a community, intiate community, teach people to care for each other, and love each other. Jesus does'nt want us flaoting through space or sitting front of a television. Jesus wants us interacting, eating together, laughing together, and praying together.
How are you going to live?
Who will you build community with?
Who will you pray and laugh with?
It is all Good.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Go Ahead and Jump
To all that like my blogs, sorry for the long expanse between blogs. I have been getting better and the better I feel the more I want to do. This last Saturday, our church had a class for the adults and I ended up helping watch the children.
Well, it was an experience and a half. I was on the gym set and was helping children one at a time cross on the monkey bars. Well at one point I had one child on almost the last bar and I hear this high pitched weeeee.
I turn and see one of the other children have jumped on the first bar and this child was 3 and the one I had in my hands I think was 4. (Later I found out both parents are looking out a window and see this.) So I hurry and put the one child down and go and grab the one who just jumped. It was a crazy time because I couldn't get both of them at once. I was afraid one was going to fall and get hurt.
As I thought about that situation. It made me remember how big God is. God is so Big he can hold each one of us up at the same time.
I thought there are many of us out there that keep jumping on the bar and want God to help us. The great thing about God is that he can help everyone at the same time.
God is not limited by time and space. He hears each one of our cries. He hears each one of our prayers. He will not let us fall. He cares about us all and loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His son so we would not fall.
Psalm 121:1-8 "I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."
You can read the rest at your leasure. Go ahead and jump God is there to help you.
It is all Good.
Well, it was an experience and a half. I was on the gym set and was helping children one at a time cross on the monkey bars. Well at one point I had one child on almost the last bar and I hear this high pitched weeeee.
I turn and see one of the other children have jumped on the first bar and this child was 3 and the one I had in my hands I think was 4. (Later I found out both parents are looking out a window and see this.) So I hurry and put the one child down and go and grab the one who just jumped. It was a crazy time because I couldn't get both of them at once. I was afraid one was going to fall and get hurt.
As I thought about that situation. It made me remember how big God is. God is so Big he can hold each one of us up at the same time.
I thought there are many of us out there that keep jumping on the bar and want God to help us. The great thing about God is that he can help everyone at the same time.
God is not limited by time and space. He hears each one of our cries. He hears each one of our prayers. He will not let us fall. He cares about us all and loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His son so we would not fall.
Psalm 121:1-8 "I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."
You can read the rest at your leasure. Go ahead and jump God is there to help you.
It is all Good.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Atrophy
I haven't played basketball in four weeks and then played Friday for over 2 hours and Tuesday night for over 2 hours. Now my calves are so on fire and sore. they feel like they could knot up any time.
I have read that when you don't use your muscles for a while you can get atrophy. Which means you have the loss of muscle tone and strength? It makes even more sense to me now after basketball.
I think it is like our walk with god if we are not using the gifts and talents that God has given us then I feel we will lose them.
Luke 19:12-27 God gives us differnt abilites to use for His glory. What are you doing with the talents God has given you?????
Just a thought.
Remember: It is All Good
I have read that when you don't use your muscles for a while you can get atrophy. Which means you have the loss of muscle tone and strength? It makes even more sense to me now after basketball.
I think it is like our walk with god if we are not using the gifts and talents that God has given us then I feel we will lose them.
Luke 19:12-27 God gives us differnt abilites to use for His glory. What are you doing with the talents God has given you?????
Just a thought.
Remember: It is All Good
Friday, May 15, 2009
Preparing for God
The last couple of days I have been working on getting some ground ready to put in a small garden with some corn and tomatoes. This ground has been grass and never been used as a garden so there is a lot to do. We have been pulling out the weeds and trying to kill what we could not get. When we tilled it to get rid of the grass, we came across many stones and it looks like this area used to be part of the driveway at one time. So we picked up and got rid of the rocks from the area.
Next we are going to put in some good soil and compost to make it rich soil for maximum growth.
After I was looking at this area I started thinking about our own lives in Christ Jesus. If we are going to have maximum growth with God then we need to start getting rid of the weeds in our lives. When we are done pulling the weeds then we need to let God kill the rest of the weeds we did not get and then we start working on the stones. One by one we pull out these things that have made our hearts hard. So we can be ready to listen to what God wants of our lives.
Matthew 13:1-23 Talks about the sower and the seeds I think it will help you understand better.
What do you need to get rid of in order for God to help you grow in your faith???
What do you need to do to prepare for God to move in your life??
Just some thoughts.
It Is All Good.
Next we are going to put in some good soil and compost to make it rich soil for maximum growth.
After I was looking at this area I started thinking about our own lives in Christ Jesus. If we are going to have maximum growth with God then we need to start getting rid of the weeds in our lives. When we are done pulling the weeds then we need to let God kill the rest of the weeds we did not get and then we start working on the stones. One by one we pull out these things that have made our hearts hard. So we can be ready to listen to what God wants of our lives.
Matthew 13:1-23 Talks about the sower and the seeds I think it will help you understand better.
What do you need to get rid of in order for God to help you grow in your faith???
What do you need to do to prepare for God to move in your life??
Just some thoughts.
It Is All Good.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Ride of Your Life
I read in Max Lucado's book "3:16 The Number of Hope," a story of an air force pilot who one day forgot to secure himself into the seat of his high-powered jet. he completed every other preliminary act. He satisfied his checklist from beginning to end. Yet he forgot to buckle his seat belt. His jet was configured in such a way that once the plane was airborne, the belt could not be secured. Ejection from the plane meant separation from his seat, and separation from his seat meant separation from his parachute and a face-plant at 120 miles per hour.
What would you do if you found yourself not having a parachute and flying a jet plane?
I was thinking that a lot of people do this. We live our lives daily doing things on our own. We don't take God with us or allow God to help us because we feel we can take care of it ourselves. Or sometimes we just get too busy and forget to spend time with Him and so are unable to connect with him.
Until we get in trouble then we want the parachute, then we cry out to God for help and ask Him to save us.
Let's ask God to be the Pilot and let him guide our plane.
It Is All Good
What would you do if you found yourself not having a parachute and flying a jet plane?
I was thinking that a lot of people do this. We live our lives daily doing things on our own. We don't take God with us or allow God to help us because we feel we can take care of it ourselves. Or sometimes we just get too busy and forget to spend time with Him and so are unable to connect with him.
Until we get in trouble then we want the parachute, then we cry out to God for help and ask Him to save us.
Let's ask God to be the Pilot and let him guide our plane.
It Is All Good
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Deserving Great Things
It looks like our new family car is going to be a red Mustang convertible. I have been thinking about this and it has been hard for me to think that God is opening a door for us to own such a car. I feel like I don't deserve to drive such a car. It is really hard for me. I love that so many people are telling me it is okay and God never said he doesn't want us to have nice things.
This reminds me of God's grace sometimes it is hard for us to understand that God could love us enough to send His one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. I have heard so many people tell me that they did not deserve God's love.
I am here to tell everyone that God loves you and wants great things for your life.
Ephesians 2:4,5 "But because of His great love for us, God, who rich in His mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(sin)- it is by grace you have been saved."
God wants to do great things in each one of our lives. We just need to be open for Him to move us towards greatness.
So when you see me drivng out in my new family car. Wave and know that I love that God loves you and me.
It Is All Good
This reminds me of God's grace sometimes it is hard for us to understand that God could love us enough to send His one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. I have heard so many people tell me that they did not deserve God's love.
I am here to tell everyone that God loves you and wants great things for your life.
Ephesians 2:4,5 "But because of His great love for us, God, who rich in His mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(sin)- it is by grace you have been saved."
God wants to do great things in each one of our lives. We just need to be open for Him to move us towards greatness.
So when you see me drivng out in my new family car. Wave and know that I love that God loves you and me.
It Is All Good
Friday, May 8, 2009
God Chooses You
When I was in 3rd grade there were 1st graders that were bigger than me. So needless to say when it came to picking teams for kickball. It seemed that I was always last. At times I did not want to play just so I wouldn't be chosen last.
A couple of months ago on a Tuesday night someone came up with the great idea of having captains and choosing teams for basketball. You will never guess what happened.
It came to the end of choosing teams and the other captain said you can have Nate. Yes, I was chosen last. It brought back so many memories of my childhood. Funny, as an adult being picked last still bothers me. lol
I thought about being picked last and then in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-17 I read that God chose me. God loved me and chose me. God chooses each one of us to be on the first team. NO one is chosen last in God's eyes. YOU ALL ARE FIRST PICKS. Be encouraged God has a plan for you and he wants you on His team.
Now back to the Tuesday night basketball when I was chosen last. We play games to 11 counting 1 point for a basket and 2 points for a shot behind the three point line.
Well that night the first game I scored 5 of our 11 points , the second game I made 8 of the 11 points, and that happened all night. Maybe at the end of the night I reminded everyone that I was picked last and yet was the leading scorer, just maybe.
Thanks for reading.
IT IS ALL GOOD
A couple of months ago on a Tuesday night someone came up with the great idea of having captains and choosing teams for basketball. You will never guess what happened.
It came to the end of choosing teams and the other captain said you can have Nate. Yes, I was chosen last. It brought back so many memories of my childhood. Funny, as an adult being picked last still bothers me. lol
I thought about being picked last and then in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-17 I read that God chose me. God loved me and chose me. God chooses each one of us to be on the first team. NO one is chosen last in God's eyes. YOU ALL ARE FIRST PICKS. Be encouraged God has a plan for you and he wants you on His team.
Now back to the Tuesday night basketball when I was chosen last. We play games to 11 counting 1 point for a basket and 2 points for a shot behind the three point line.
Well that night the first game I scored 5 of our 11 points , the second game I made 8 of the 11 points, and that happened all night. Maybe at the end of the night I reminded everyone that I was picked last and yet was the leading scorer, just maybe.
Thanks for reading.
IT IS ALL GOOD
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sometimes It Hurts
I took my son Sam to the doctor today because his back was hurting. It has been hurting for a few days and didn't want anyone to touch it. He could not get comfortable and no matter what we tried to do for him it hurt. The doctor suggested that he go to the chiropractor to have his back adjusted.
We took him to the chiropractor and his back was out and it hurt to get it put back in place. Once he got the treatment, he started to feel better.
It reminds me of how we are sometimes with God. We are living outside of what God wants and we are hurting. We can't get comfortable and no matter what we do it doesn't seem to help. We try everything we know of to try to help ourselves.
Until we allow God to adjust our lives, (and sometimes it hurts) we may never find peace and relief from the pain in our lives.
It is not what we may want for our lives but it is what God wants.
Mark 4:35-41 When the storms of life come there is only one who can bring a total calm.
Thanks for reading.
It Is All Good
We took him to the chiropractor and his back was out and it hurt to get it put back in place. Once he got the treatment, he started to feel better.
It reminds me of how we are sometimes with God. We are living outside of what God wants and we are hurting. We can't get comfortable and no matter what we do it doesn't seem to help. We try everything we know of to try to help ourselves.
Until we allow God to adjust our lives, (and sometimes it hurts) we may never find peace and relief from the pain in our lives.
It is not what we may want for our lives but it is what God wants.
Mark 4:35-41 When the storms of life come there is only one who can bring a total calm.
Thanks for reading.
It Is All Good
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Encouraging to Greatness
Some people have been telling me to help with my breathing i should be playing my trumpet more to expand my lungs and it brought back thoughts of when I was in 6th grade.
When I was in 6th grade I played the trumpet in band and I was not very good. I was like 10th out of 12. The band director was a rather mean man or so many people thought and he threw things at children not paying attention or messing up. Well half way into the year he had a heart attack. I went to the hospital to see him and took him a cactus because he could see it and it didn't need much care. I started to go see him on a regular basis and after the hospital at home. We built a relationship with each other.
Well at the same time we had a sub come in and teach band. He was not very nice to me and one day he had all the trumpets play one at a time and when he came to me. I tried to play but I didn't do very well. He told me I should think about quitting and that my lips were too big to play the trumpet. It was not only embarrassing but it hurt. ( He should have talked to Louis Armstrong)
Ephesian 4:29 is one of my favorite verses in the bible. It talks about instead of tearing people down we need to lift them up. Mr. Utley my regular band teacher did that.
My regular band teacher came back for the next year and when I started the 7th grade someone messed up my schedule and I wasn't in band or the sub did it I will never know. lol I went to the Band teacher Mr. Utley and he said come down during study hall and he would work with me privately. He not only worked with me on playing the trumpet but he taught me to play the baritone. He told me I had a gift and I could do great and that I should try playing the baritone in band. He taught me how to play the bass clef as well as treble clef. By the second half of the year I was back in band and became the first chair in the baritones out of 4.
There are many more stories of how people lifted me up and encouraged me. Since the 6th grade and going from being told to quit and having big lips to a man taking me aside and pouring his music into me. Leads me to now.
I have played professionally and now play all the brass instruments. I currently own 2 trumpets, a cornet, a trombone, a baritone, and Stephanie's french horn. I have come to love playing my instruments.
So if you have a chance and see an opportunity to encourage and lift someone up, Just Do it. You never know what someone else might have said to bring them down.
Just a thought.
When I was in 6th grade I played the trumpet in band and I was not very good. I was like 10th out of 12. The band director was a rather mean man or so many people thought and he threw things at children not paying attention or messing up. Well half way into the year he had a heart attack. I went to the hospital to see him and took him a cactus because he could see it and it didn't need much care. I started to go see him on a regular basis and after the hospital at home. We built a relationship with each other.
Well at the same time we had a sub come in and teach band. He was not very nice to me and one day he had all the trumpets play one at a time and when he came to me. I tried to play but I didn't do very well. He told me I should think about quitting and that my lips were too big to play the trumpet. It was not only embarrassing but it hurt. ( He should have talked to Louis Armstrong)
Ephesian 4:29 is one of my favorite verses in the bible. It talks about instead of tearing people down we need to lift them up. Mr. Utley my regular band teacher did that.
My regular band teacher came back for the next year and when I started the 7th grade someone messed up my schedule and I wasn't in band or the sub did it I will never know. lol I went to the Band teacher Mr. Utley and he said come down during study hall and he would work with me privately. He not only worked with me on playing the trumpet but he taught me to play the baritone. He told me I had a gift and I could do great and that I should try playing the baritone in band. He taught me how to play the bass clef as well as treble clef. By the second half of the year I was back in band and became the first chair in the baritones out of 4.
There are many more stories of how people lifted me up and encouraged me. Since the 6th grade and going from being told to quit and having big lips to a man taking me aside and pouring his music into me. Leads me to now.
I have played professionally and now play all the brass instruments. I currently own 2 trumpets, a cornet, a trombone, a baritone, and Stephanie's french horn. I have come to love playing my instruments.
So if you have a chance and see an opportunity to encourage and lift someone up, Just Do it. You never know what someone else might have said to bring them down.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Keep on Keeping on
Okay this blog thing is not as easy as it sounds I have rewritten this blog three times. lol
I was thinking that I got people thinking about what their shadow missions might be. Some of you might have been able to name your shadow mission while others are still wondering what theirs might be.
I want to share with you some ideas on how to defeat your shadow mission and live a victorious life for God. If you do know what your shadow mission is then you are ahead in defeating this mission that takes you away from the mission that God has for you. You can only destroy it once you know what it is.
Once you know what your shadow mission is you need to find someone who can help you overcome your shadow mission through loving and encouraging accountability.
I think if you have loving encouragment around you, you can conquer anything.
In Matthew 14, it mentioned about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water. Walking on water towards Jesus. Many, many people will tell you over and over again that the reason that Peter began to sink is that he didn't have enough faith.
I want to chase a different angle on this passage. I had a friend share this with me and it makes sense. As I look at verse 29 it says that Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. From that I gather that Peter had enough faith and because of it, he got an oportunity to walk on water. How awesome is that.
What Peter lacked was people on the boat cheering him on telling him he could do it. Instead I can see the other disciples telling him that he is crazy. Don't do it Peter it is safer in the boat.
I think that if someone would have been yelling out to Peter good job, Keep going you are almost there, Don't stop Peter you can do it, that Peter could have gone all the way to Jesus.
I know for me when people tell me that I can do it, that I am doing a good and encourage me it makes me want to conquer mountains. It makes me want to do more and do better.
I think we all need an encourager in our corner if we are going to conquer our shadow missions.
Keep on Keeping on
I was thinking that I got people thinking about what their shadow missions might be. Some of you might have been able to name your shadow mission while others are still wondering what theirs might be.
I want to share with you some ideas on how to defeat your shadow mission and live a victorious life for God. If you do know what your shadow mission is then you are ahead in defeating this mission that takes you away from the mission that God has for you. You can only destroy it once you know what it is.
Once you know what your shadow mission is you need to find someone who can help you overcome your shadow mission through loving and encouraging accountability.
I think if you have loving encouragment around you, you can conquer anything.
In Matthew 14, it mentioned about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water. Walking on water towards Jesus. Many, many people will tell you over and over again that the reason that Peter began to sink is that he didn't have enough faith.
I want to chase a different angle on this passage. I had a friend share this with me and it makes sense. As I look at verse 29 it says that Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. From that I gather that Peter had enough faith and because of it, he got an oportunity to walk on water. How awesome is that.
What Peter lacked was people on the boat cheering him on telling him he could do it. Instead I can see the other disciples telling him that he is crazy. Don't do it Peter it is safer in the boat.
I think that if someone would have been yelling out to Peter good job, Keep going you are almost there, Don't stop Peter you can do it, that Peter could have gone all the way to Jesus.
I know for me when people tell me that I can do it, that I am doing a good and encourage me it makes me want to conquer mountains. It makes me want to do more and do better.
I think we all need an encourager in our corner if we are going to conquer our shadow missions.
Keep on Keeping on
Monday, May 4, 2009
your shadow mission
As I write this I am both humbled and overwhelmed that people might want to look inside this mind of Nate Gibbons.
I think we are all put on this earth by God for a purpose but we need to realize it is for God's purpose not ours. I have been reading a book called "Overcoming Your Shadow Mission by John Ortberg.
I love that John shares that in the book of Esther, Esther thinks that her mission was to be the queen but that was her shadow mission her mission was to save the Jews.
Since reading this book I believe that most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, have a shadow mission or something that takes us away from what God has intended for us to do with our lives.
Here are the top ten shadow missions that John gives:
1. Just give me home, health, and a hefty 401(k)
2. Busy, busy, busy.
3. I don't care who is in charge as long as it is me.
4. Show me the money.
5. It is all about me.
6. Maintaining hidden addictions.
7. I'll think about it tomorrow.
8. Looking nice by avoiding conflict.
9. Climb the ladder first, put people second.
10. Shop til you drop.
I struggle over and over with the second one. Being busy. I find that I can be totally busy all the time doing great things. I forget to slow down enough to let God go in front of me. I am learning that instead of asking God to bless my plans I should ask God to go before me as a snow plow and create the path that he wants me to travel on.
I love though that I have people that will speak the truth in love to me and tell me to slow down and listen to God. Like Esther had Mordecai who shared with her in love that she needed to take care of her people the Jews and that God had put her in a position to do this.
What is your shadow mission? What is keeping you from doing what God wants you to do?
Who do you have that can lovingly help remind you when you go after your shadow mission?
Thanks for spending your time reading this.
I think we are all put on this earth by God for a purpose but we need to realize it is for God's purpose not ours. I have been reading a book called "Overcoming Your Shadow Mission by John Ortberg.
I love that John shares that in the book of Esther, Esther thinks that her mission was to be the queen but that was her shadow mission her mission was to save the Jews.
Since reading this book I believe that most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, have a shadow mission or something that takes us away from what God has intended for us to do with our lives.
Here are the top ten shadow missions that John gives:
1. Just give me home, health, and a hefty 401(k)
2. Busy, busy, busy.
3. I don't care who is in charge as long as it is me.
4. Show me the money.
5. It is all about me.
6. Maintaining hidden addictions.
7. I'll think about it tomorrow.
8. Looking nice by avoiding conflict.
9. Climb the ladder first, put people second.
10. Shop til you drop.
I struggle over and over with the second one. Being busy. I find that I can be totally busy all the time doing great things. I forget to slow down enough to let God go in front of me. I am learning that instead of asking God to bless my plans I should ask God to go before me as a snow plow and create the path that he wants me to travel on.
I love though that I have people that will speak the truth in love to me and tell me to slow down and listen to God. Like Esther had Mordecai who shared with her in love that she needed to take care of her people the Jews and that God had put her in a position to do this.
What is your shadow mission? What is keeping you from doing what God wants you to do?
Who do you have that can lovingly help remind you when you go after your shadow mission?
Thanks for spending your time reading this.
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