He Knows Your Name

My wife and I decided to start a family. That's when God spoke to her (Kim), "Your child will be a warrior." (Yeah, God speaks to people - especially my wife.) And so we went about our merry way living our lives day to day.

Over the course of time we were considering names. I can't remember the choices for a boy, but I'd always loved the name, "Kelly," for a girl. From childhood I just thought it was the best name.

And so we had one of those baby books with the names and their meanings in it. (You've probably had one.) And on another day I said, "Let's look up and see what the name 'Kelly' means," just for fun and not thinking anything of it. And so I thumbed through the book to "k." And then what we saw ~ we were quite fascinated by it. (You will be, too.) "Kelly" means "warrior woman." (Isn't that just wild?) And so we went about our merry way living our lives day to day (again).

And we wanted to do it the traditional way of not knowing the sex of the baby prior to birth. (Remember that?) It was a long one that first labor for Kim and then a C-section. (I'm so sorry honey.)

But finally the baby came.

I'll let you guess what we named her.

She is 20 now and quite the firebrand for Christ and country ~ just like He (Jesus) said. Wow. (Follow her on Twitter: @warriorwoman91. She wanted me to mention that.)

"Your eyes (God) have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." (Psalm 139:16)

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Marks of a Defective Faith - Part 2

I'm continuing a discussion of faith in this second of a two-part blog post series. (To read Part 1: click here.) I'll be highlighting three final marks of a defective faith from three parables of Christ. To be defective means there's a flaw with whatever it is you're talking about. Right? I remember I drove away a used car I bought in Minneapolis from the used car dealer. And right when I got out of the parking lot that's when it began to spit and sputter and miss and cough. No lie. Can you imagine having something like that happen to you? (And then imagine having to explain it to your wife!) Did you ever buy a lemon? - a car that had problems - that was defective? Some people's faith is a "lemon." If it's marked (characterized) by any or all of the following three things it is...

Three More Marks of a Defective Faith:
(I gave you the first three in Part 1)

Mark #4: When You Think Gaining Stuff/Notoriety Is A Higher Priority Than Caring For The Less Fortunate.

In our Lord's parable of "The Sheep and The Goats" (Matthew 25:31-46) we are given a peek into eternity. We see Judgment Day. At that time Jesus will be looking over His followers. And what He's going to be interested in seeing is how much money we made? No. What we did for a living? No. What car we drove? No. What house we owned? No. How many followers we had on Twitter? No. How many friends we had on Facebook? No. Christ is not going to be looking for any of those things. Quite to the contrary. Those are the things that the world measures by. Right? Those are important things to the world. But not to Jesus. Sometimes we need our priorities rearranged. Are you putting people's needs ahead of gaining stuff/a name for yourself?

Mark #5: When You Think Just Because You're A Christian You're Better Than Others.

In our Lord's parable of "The Publican and the Tax Collector" (Luke 18:9-14) we are given a peek into an attitude that can overtake church people. Even Christians can begin to get caught up with themselves if they're not careful. I mean, when you've overcome tough habits and conquered them and replaced the old habits with new good ones like you ought to as a Christian (and as undoubtedly the Pharisee/religious person in the parable is representative of this very thing) and then you don't do things that sinners are known for doing anymore. "And, after all, those awful wretches and despicable individuals that live like that. How can they do such things?" And, of course, we're not like them. We don't go to movies. We don't go to carnivals. We don't go to bars. We go to church. We go to Bible study. We go to prayer meetings. Aren't we just so good? No, we're not. We're just forgiven. "'Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" (Matthew 7:3)

Mark #6: When You Think God's Okay With Your Refusal To Forgive Someone.

In our Lord's parable of "The Unmerciful Slave" (Matthew 18:23-35) we are given a peek into the heart (of some). It's a selfish heart. It's a bitter heart. And in the story a king wishes to settle accounts with his slaves. One slave owes the king ten thousand talents. To understand the depth of payment required to settle accounts, you need to know the worth of a "talent." A single "talent" was equal to 20 years worth of wages. Do the math. 10,000 talents times 20 years equals 200,000 years worth of wages. Let's say you make $20,000 a year. That means one talent equals ($20,000 times 20 years) $400,000. Then ten thousand talents equals 4 billion dollars! Bottom line: The slave can't repay such an enormous debt. But the king forgives the debt of the slave any way. (It's a picture of God's forgiveness of us.) The problem is the slave goes out afterwards and demands payment of a (in comparison) $7,000 debt he's owed from a fellow slave. Think of all the people in your life that have hurt you. Now think of that one person that's hurt you the most. And now consider, as much as these have pained you, their debt to you isn't even a drop in the bucket to how much you've hurt God in your unbelief. "'He who is forgiven little, loves little.'” (Luke 7:47c)

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About "Fixes" (Are You in a Fix?)

"Then the Egyptians chased after them (the Israelites) with all the horses and chariots of Pharoah, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea." (Exodus 14:9)

A "fix." Simply put, it's a place where we find ourselves trapped. (Been there? Done that?) Think back to the fixes you've found yourself in. (Are you in one now?)

In Exodus 14 God directs His people into a "fix" (a corner). He's freed them from Egypt. (That's great.) But now God places them in a trap. (So what's up with that? Doesn't God know what He's doing?)

Of course, we know how the story turns out. (Btw, all stories turn out like that if you love Jesus. See Romans 8:28.)

And let me just give you a few more thoughts about "fixes." Sometimes God puts us in fix because He's got a higher purpose behind the scenes and we need to be in a fix so He can accomplish what He wants to accomplish and He couldn't accomplish it unless we were in a fix. Make sense? (Read it again to let it sink in.)

Think again back to the fixes you've found yourself in. Evaluate: What was God's part in it? (I happen to be in a fix right now. It's one of the tightest traps I've ever found myself in in my life, quite frankly. Btw, America is in quite a fix right now, too.)

And sometimes we're put in fixes just because we're serving and obeying God and living our lives surrendered to Him. (Read that again, too, to let it sink in.) We are required to just do what God tells us to do and not worry about the rest. (Like tithing.) If we end up in a "fix," we end up in a "fix."

Some people are out of the will of God. They won't submit to the "fixes" God has planned to put them in. (Read that again to let it sink in. I know I've been saying it a lot.)

One last thing about "fixes" to not forget: God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

"The sons of Israel went through the midst of the [Red Sea] on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left." (Exodus 14:22)

(Picture above in the public domain: HERE. PD-US)

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Tworship Heat Map

That's me in Sonora towards Yosemite (technically up the hill in Mono Vista) :)



(click to enlarge)

Parable of the Jogger

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

I am a jogger. That's me jogging at Christmas time in the clickable picture (or a very skinny Santa!). I get up in the morning and I run. (Not every morning. I'm getting older.) I've been running now for well over three decades.

I've run in the day. I've run at night. I've run in the rain. I've run in the snow (deep snow). I've run in the heat (100s+). I've run in extreme cold. (I think 17 degrees in downtown Minneapolis is still the coldest. We've had some lower 20s that I've run in here in the foothills towards Yosemite.)

I've run when I felt good. (I like those days the best.) I've run when I had a pulled muscle in my leg (ouch). I've run with a twisted ankle (double ouch). I've run with a sore neck and bad back. (I know. I should have taken those days off.) I've run and fallen down. (I pride myself on not falling, but it happens.) I've slipped on ice and landed on my rear. (Ooo. I can still feel that one.) Another time I dislocated my shoulder in a fall in a field where no one could hear my calls for help. ("Can somebody please help me? Somebody?")

I've been chased by dogs (including ravenous chihuahuas). I've been bothered by drivers getting out of their cars. (I won't go into that.) I've seen dead deer (road kill). (I had to break the news to one person about their cat lying crushed in the street. I hated that.) I've even been hit by a truck that ran a stop sign. I know it sounds crazy. (Thankfully, I saw it coming.)

There are just a ton of analogies from a jogger's experience (mine) that relate to the Christian life (mine, too).

And we don't always "feel good", but we must keep running the race of faith (/following Jesus). Right? And even when the snow is deep and the cold is extreme, we must keep running. And even when our ankle is twisted, our neck is sore and our back is bad, we must keep running. When we fall down, we must keep running. When no one can hear our cries for help (/listens to us), we must keep running. When we're being chased (by "barking" circumstances), we must keep running. When we're "bothered" (assailed by principalities and powers ~ and sometimes including people, too), we must keep running.

Were you about to give up?

"Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home."

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5 Blogging, 5 Twitter and 5 Facebook Tips (for believers)

BLOGGING

1. What's your passion? (Marriage/family, end times/prophecy, Christian living, etc) That's what you need to write about. Sprinkle in your own life stories highlighting what God's done.

2. If you wait for perfection, you will never publish. (Nobody's perfect.)

3. Recycle blog posts via other technologies. Turn it into a video blog, too? Or slideshow? ( See slideshare.net) Or podcast?

4. Write as you talk. Pretend you're having a conversation with a friend. (Subscribe to the A Heart For God blog for examples: click here. Thanks for subscribing.)

5. Pray for Jesus to energize you. ~from 11 Tips About Blogging (plus one bonus)

TWITTER

1. See tweeting as a fulfillment of prophecy. (I do!) "'This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.'" (Matthew 24:14)

2. Don't miss the power of Twitter lists. There is an intimacy to them where you can spend time with a smaller group listening and learning. ~from 21 "More" Twitter Tips from @aheartforgod

3. So what if your Twitter stream is overwhelmed with Bible verses (use Biblegateway.com to post your own) and expressions of praise during #Tworship services, etc (9 pm Eastern Time USA, weeknights). After all, the world hammers us with their hashtags. :P

4. A plan to help you gain thousands of Twitter followers based on the acronym "T-W-E-E-T": T-ools, W-rite, E-ngage, E-ncourage, T-ime. ~from My Twitter Speech-Part 2 (140 Characters Conference ~ Twain Harte). (For: 5 tips to help you gain 50,000 followers on Twitter, click here.)

5. There are people out there (in the Twitter sphere) you will never know (until the next life?) that are hanging by a thread. With your every tweet give them hope.

FACEBOOK

1. Facebook is the latest whipping boy in some churches. (It is the past revival that persecutes the present.) Don't be stupid. Use it for God's glory.

2. Where does the Millennial generation ("Y") go when they have spiritual questions? The internet. Pose those questions yourself as status updates (Is there a God?, Why do good people suffer?, Is there a purpose to my life?, etc) and give answers, too. (You'd be surprised who's listening.) Respond to comments.

3. It is a marathon to gain an audience on Facebook (versus other social media platforms) and not a sprint. Pace yourself. ("Facebook is like playing football in the sand." ~A famous person once said)

4. To gain "Likes" on your Facebook page, offer an incentive (free eBook download; exclusive content via fan-only gate; prize raffle for the 1st so many "likes", etc). (To read about my surprise drawing, click here.)

5. Online relationships will never replace offline ones. (They were never meant to.) But there are real people with real needs on Facebook, too. Be a friend. Add value, interact, appreciate, pray for. Be led by the Spirit.

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Held in His Arms

My kids are almost all grown now. I remember when I used to hold them in my arms (back in the day). I would carry them around (dads, isn't it true?) and wherever it might be. As they got bigger (and heavier), it would hurt my back. ;)

I would hold my kids in my arms in the store. (Not all three of them at once although they would want that.) I would hold my kids in my arms at the park. I would hold my kids in my arms at the pool. I would hold my kids in my arms in the rain and snow. (That's Theresa 12 years ago in the pictures. Click to enlarge. I still call her: "Baby boo." She looks at me quizzically.)

I would hold my kids in my arms at church, at home, when they went to bed, when they had a bad dream, in the day or night, in the front yard or back, when they got hurt, were scared, when their mom was gone from home, when they were happy, sad, felt danger or despair.

I would hold my kids in my arms.

God holds you in His arms, too. (Who needed to hear it?) Let it sink in. #Godislove

"'I have loved you with an everlasting love.'" (Jeremiah 31:3b)

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I Was in the Room When She Died

The voice on the phone said, "She's dying." I was out the door. The family was there. We had been through this before. There were tears. There were prayers. There were hugs, smiles at memories. The room got quiet. The breaths became less and less. (Was she still even breathing?) The doctor was clear, "Anytime now." Goodbyes were said. I was in the room when she died. (Selah~pause to reflect)

And there is a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) You don't really know if you have it until death comes. It's coming. Don't put off receiving Christ one more day.

"To be absent from the body [is] to be (present) at home with the Lord" for all who believe. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

(To view: Straight Talk About Death, click here. Quick video blog gets you ready.)

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Chewed Up and Spit Out (A Rant)

I've noticed a disturbing trend. Of course, what do I know? My sphere of influence and group of contacts is very small. I know that. And I also know it's so easy to make overall generalizations that may or may not true. Nevertheless, I think there's something here. The disturbing trend I'm referring to is the tendency in the church to care so much for the unchurched, the lost, unbelievers ~ whatever term you want to use ~ to the point and to the exclusion of care for them after they get saved / come to Jesus. This is what I mean. You become a Christian and the (quote) "church" (I guess I'm really referring to some leadership in the church, not all) ~ they'll chew you up and spit you out on the altar of service to God (for lack of a better way of putting it). Whatever happened to shepherding the flock of God, too? "[Jesus] said to [Peter], 'Tend My lambs.' 'Shepherd My sheep.' 'Tend My sheep.'" (John 21:15-17)

Just One Sin

It won't matter. It won't hurt. I mean, in the grand scheme of things, it's just a drop in the bucket. Sure it is. No one's gonna know. How could they? Who's gonna tell them? If I look at that magazine. If I watch that show. If I buy that item. If I see that woman (or man). I promise. I'll only do it one time. Just this once. Then I'll never do it again. I promise I won't. I have self control. I have will power. It's mind over matter. I can stop any time I want to. You'll see. I'm not like everybody else. I'm different from other people. It can't happen to me. I can cut off this relationship. I can beat this drug. I can quit lighting up. Any time I want to I can. You'll see. I'm not addicted. "Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. (John 8:34) "'Come to Me (Christ), all who are weary and heavy-laden (with sin), and I will give you rest (I will forgive and release you).'" (Matthew 11:28)

Great is Thy Faithfulness

The brakes were gone. How could this be? She'd just finished a 1,500-foot mountain grade descent. The "she" was my 19-year old daughter.

And I am writing this today to glorify God and recognize His great faithfulness to us and in our lives.

It was a little after five o'clock (approximately the time of the mountain grade descent) that I remember something unusual happening. I was playfully tickling my other daughter (she's 11) and for some reason I was quoting Psalm 23 to her out loud starting with verse one: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." And I had the strange urge to continue quoting. Isn't that weird? But I don't usually do that is what I'm trying to say. I don't usually quote (and I would go on to quote) the entirety of Psalm 23 to my 11-year old daughter at just after five o'clock in the afternoon while playfully tickling her.

I mean, it was every single verse!

Don't miss the "daughter" part, the "timing" part (again, it was about the same time my 19-year old was coming down the grade) and what I'm convinced the Lord spoke to me about the next day regarding the whole situation.

I was praying Psalm 23 is what I was doing. I was praying the Scripture out loud to my one daughter, but it was really for my other daughter who was losing her brakes at just about the same exact time. I think you're hearing what I'm trying to say.

This is the God we serve. (I am tearful now.) He is a great and faithful God. He is greatly to be praised. (Oh, and by the way, my daughter was somehow able to stop her car.)

"For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)

Last Man Standing (A Declaration)

I'm gonna be there. I'm not gonna miss it. I'm talking about meeting Jesus and hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Close your eyes and picture it in your mind.) I will do whatever it takes. I will be filled with the Holy Spirit and continue to be filled. (Ephesians 5:18) I will lay off the sin that so easily entangles. (Hebrews 12:1) I will believe like the Bible says to believe. (John 3:16) I will trust in, cling to and rely on the Lord Jesus to save and keep me. I will commit Scripture to memory. I will meditate on God's Word and actively pursue it's application in my life. (Matthew 4:4) I will do what's right even when it's not popular or convenient to do so. I will worship in the secret place and not for the applause of men. (Matthew 6:5-6) I will endure persecution, ridicule, rejection for His great name. (Lord, help me, too.) I will suffer for the Gospel's sake. (Philippians 3:10) I will submit to the loss of finances and the insecurity that can bring (but I am more than secure in Christ). I will meet people's needs as I would my Lord's. (Matthew 25:35-36) I will be the last man standing. With me? (Picture of the 1944 landing at Omaha Beach in the public domain: HERE.)

Candidate for Antichrist - Part 2

(To read Part 1: click here.) He'll step into history at the time of the great apostasy (falling away from the faith). (2 Thessalonians 2:3) He'll be a miracle worker ~ but not by God's power. (2 Thessalonians 2:9) He'll perform a mimicking of Jesus' resurrection from the dead (scholars believe). (Rev. 13:3) He'll make a peace treaty with Israel. (Daniel 9:27) He'll break the treaty in 3 1/2 years. That's when all hell breaks loose. (Jeremiah 30:7) He won't let anyone buy or sell without his mark. (Revelation 13:17) He'll demand all of mankind's worship. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) He'll be Satan's masterpiece.

"But when you see the Abomination of Desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains." (Mark 13:14)

(Watch for "Candidate for Antichrist-Part 3" to come soon.)

(Picture in the public domain: HERE.)

Disarmed

Having been "[deprived] of a weapon or weapons, the means of attack or defense." Disarmed. It's what happened to the Roman soldiers when they came to arrest Christ. (Do you remember?) "When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground." (John 18:6; Amplified)

And there are other examples of "disarming" in the Bible. God disarmed Jacob in an all-night wrestling match. (Genesis 32:24) Moses disarmed Pharoah with the death of the firstborn plague. (Exodus 12:29-32) Stephen disarmed the wicked religious leaders with his testimony. (Acts 7:54) A blinding light disarmed Saul on the Damascus road. (Acts 9:3-4) And there are more.

What are you "armed" with? Common armaments: pride, shame, past hurt, superiority complex, "look at how spiritual I am" syndrome, how big or great your church is, lustful thoughts, pattern of / habitual sin, etc. Jesus would have us disarmed. Jesus would have us only armed with Him. "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14) (flickr picture by gwenael.piaser)

Is Your Fire Fading?

On a recent Sunday afternoon my eleven year old daughter asked my wife to come into her room. Once there (and alone) she put on the saddest face and said to her mother, "I think the message (in church) was about me. I think my fire is fading." (That's right. She's just eleven.)

The sermon was on fire. (That could be taken two ways?) It was based on two Scripture verses, Leviticus 6:13 and Matthew 3:11. The first is about the altar fire. Moses was to keep it burning continually. The second is about fire from heaven. Jesus was to give to everyone who believes the Holy Spirit ~ whose actions in our lives are similar to fire's. Fire consumes. Fire softens and melts (even the hardest heart). Fire also changes. This was the message my daughter heard. This was the message God used to draw her closer to Him ~ and to ignite. (Thank you, Pastor Craig, for preaching it.)

And even the most seasoned of Christians can become dull. (Is it you?) And their fire flickers and fades to glowing embers and eventually just smoke (and mirrors?). Puff. Do you need to get the fire back? It's pretty easy if you want to. Return to "first love." (Revelation 2:4) (flickr picture by bufivla)

When Sheep Beat Up The Shepherd

(This is a follow up to the post: "When Shepherds Beat Up The Sheep" -> click here.)

They are in the line of fire. They are on Normandy Beach pinned down. The heavy guns are trained on them. They won't come out alive. They are not meant to. (A professor in college told us: "Don't go in the ministry unless you're ready to die.")

And the very ones who are meant to be fighting alongside the Pastor (shepherd) have turned against him. (Huh?)

Here's how it happens. The devil says, "He's preaching too long." And the sheep start thinking and saying it. The devil says, "He's spending your tithe on luxury." And the sheep start thinking and saying it. The devil says, "You were in this church before him. What does he know?" And the sheep start thinking and saying it. On and on it goes. Minds muddied, hearts turned against the Pastor (shepherd).

And so what if he preaches too long (just to speak to the first issue)? You fool. (Yeah, I said it. In Christian love, of course.) You fool. (There. I said it again. It's kind of like a slap to wake someone out of a stupor.) So what? You've fallen for the devil's lie. Can you not see far enough beyond yourself to the person who's in church for the first time, he is sitting in the far back row and God planned that overtime in the sermon (that you have a problem with because it's making you late for lunch) to be the very five minutes of preaching that's going to save him from hell and give him hope when he was about to end it all.

Whose side are you on anyway?

Carried by God's Word - Part 2

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." (Colossians 3:16) I recently called on the Twitter community to help me with a blog post idea I had. I asked friends and followers to send me their favorite Bible verses. I also wanted the reason behind the ones they chose. My purpose was to spotlight God's Word, but as I'm writing this today I'm finding that it's much more than that ~ it's a declaration of the Scriptures' power to affect people's lives. (Hebrews 4:12) With all my heart I believe there's a Bible verse (or two?) here for you. (It's just the way God works.) We, believers, call it our "life verse." That's when a person selects a verse in the Bible (and/or passage) and calls it their own because of it's meaning to them. They carry it around (in their head and heart) and it "carries them" back. Maybe you could use a little "carrying," too? You've come to the right place. May the Word of Christ impact you as it does us...

More Scriptures from Your Friends on Twitter:
(Click HERE for Part 1)

(13) Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strenghens me. (from @JanB4U)

(14) 1 Timothy 4:7. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. (from @BlancaV)

Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Reminds me of my priority.

(15) Isaiah 40:3. A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God." (from @growwithlaura)

It's part of my life purpose and inspires me to persevere through challenges and continue to help others along the way.

(16) Colossians 3:23. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. (from @FastJon23)

I know that every time I commit whatever I'm doing and work as if it is truly for the Lord, He blesses abundantly!

(17) Proverbs 27:17. (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (from @guysandmarriage)

Always reminds me to teach and be taught.

(18) 2 Corinthians 12:9. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (from @flipster48)

Meant a lot to me during 8 days in ICU. I was so weak I couldn't lift my head. God gave me strength to persevere.

(19) Psalm 103:1-5. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (from @JCsRG)

Those are some fantastic benefits! Who wouldn't want them?

(20) Philippians 3:9. (NLT) I no longer count on my own goodness or ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. (from @ThinkOnItDevos)

(21) Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (from @blastofheaven)

(22) 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you." (from @aaronpotratz)

We all have weaknesses that God uses to make us depend on Him and to make us strong in Christ. What love!

(23) Matthew 5:16. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (from @spreadingJOY)

I want to shine brightly for HIM!! I want my light to be seen as a reflection of Him that loves us unconditionally.

(24) Lamentations 3:22-23. (KJV) It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (from @aheartforgod)

A prophet spoke these verses over me. They have been a comfort more than once (to one of a melancholy and Elijah-like temperament).

(25) Revelation 22:13. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (from @Arquecy)

I've put it on the back window of many vehicles I've owned. That verse packs a lot of meaning. (Our life story starts and ends with Jesus!)

(Disclaimer: The author of this blog does not necessarily condone or condemn the Twitter sites represented here.)

Drunk Driving Dad (Were You in That Car?)

(The following is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.) A young boy was in his dad's car driving home. The problem was his dad was drunk. The boy gripped tightly to the seat each time the car drifted over the center line. (Can you imagine his feelings of fear?) Time and again it happened. The car drifted. The boy gripped tightly. The car drifted again. The boy gripped even tighter. Over and over it repeated itself. What could the boy do? It was an awful thing to do to a son. ******* They made it home, but only by God's grace. The boy was never the same. That's why I'm telling you this story ~ because of it's affects on the son. You see, his leadership failed him. The very one in charge of his life ~ who was meant to protect ~ put him at risk. How could a father do that? How could he? The boy cannot trust leaders even to this day. He even has a hard time trusting God. The truth is God is not like his dad. God will not put at risk him whom He's meant to protect. God can be trusted. God is faithful. God cares about His kids. Did you need to hear it? Were you that boy (or girl)?

Carried by God's Word - Part 1

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." (Colossians 3:16) I recently called on the Twitter community to help me with a blog post idea I had. I asked friends and followers to send me their favorite Bible verses. I also wanted the reason behind the ones they chose. My purpose was to spotlight God's Word, but as I'm writing this today I'm finding that it's much more than that ~ it's a declaration of the Scriptures' power to affect people's lives. (Hebrews 4:12) With all my heart I believe there's a Bible verse (or two?) here for you. (It's just the way God works.) We, believers, call it our "life verse." That's when a person selects a verse in the Bible (and/or passage) and calls it their own because of it's meaning to them. They carry it around (in their head and heart) and it "carries them" back. Maybe you could use a little "carrying," too? You've come to the right place. May the Word of Christ impact you as it does us...

Scriptures from Your Friends on Twitter:
(Click HERE for Part 2)

(1) John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (from @prophetesstli)

(2) Isaiah 1:18. "Come now, andlet us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool." (from @GodsSunflower)

Love the reference to our sins being white as snow. I love the snow and it's a cool verse. :)

(3) Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (from @FaithMadeAlive)

*My favorite verse: Eph 2:8-9 - *..by grace alone through faith alone in CHRIST alone...not of works...nothing man can do..!*

(4) Ephesians 2:10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (from @mcProdigal)

(5) Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (from @BibleCat)

(6) 1 John 5:14-15. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (from @evangml)

Why? Because it informs me that my Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. I love talking to God!

(7) John 11:35. Jesus wept. (from @TrainPhreak)

He's just like us! He gets sad too!

(8) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (from @lasttrumpetlvng)

The rapture of the church. Verse 18 is particularly good: Encourage one another with these words.

(9) Hebrews 4:16. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (from @kristinamhansen)

Often I'm tempted to be "independent" but this tells me to RUN to God. Kills any thought of self reliance.

(10) 2 Thessalonians 3:10. (NIV) For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (from @bellapatriot)

(11) Song of Solomon 2:14. (KJV) O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rocks, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. (from @GodsLittle_Rose)

The longing in Solomon's voice for the need to hear and see the face to feel comfort from the one he loves. This is the reason why. This is my favorite scripture, as it touches ones soul to the very core..poetic...

(12) Acts 26:18. "To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." (from @accesssonora)

Bob, you are an evangelist through and through! May we all have your heart for the lost. ;D

(Disclaimer: The author of this blog does not necessarily condone or condemn the Twitter sites represented here.)

When Shepherds Beat Up The Sheep

Have you ever been injured in church? I'm not talking about tripping on the steps or getting a splinter from the pew (we don't use those anymore, but it fits). Rather, I'm talking about when the Pastor (shepherd) starts (quote) "throwing blows" from the pulpit.

Here's how it happens. The Pastor is upset over something. (He's human. That might be a revelation to some of you.) He carries his "upset" into church. He gets up to preach. He starts speaking. Everything seems normal up until - whammo! You don't know what hit ya. (And it wasn't the Holy Spirit that fell.) It came out of no where, left field, from over the rainbow. A cold cock (with words). POW! And you're on the ground (figuratively speaking). You're down for the count. 8, 9, 10. You're out! (Where am I?)

And when somebody says, "I'm not trying to make you feel guilty," it's because they are, they know they are and they know it's wrong. But I digress.

Now it would be one thing if none of us ever beat up (with what came out of our mouth) another person in our lifetime. (Romans 3:10) Then we'd be free to condemn, hold a grudge against, poo poo a minister who treated us wrong. Right? (I always like to do that.)

It's not that I'm condoning what took place. It's not that I'm minimizing your hurt. I'm just reminding you of Jesus' words: "'I do not say to you, [forgive] up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18:22) and "'For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.'" (Matthew 6:14-15)

Could it be there's a Pastor (shepherd) you need to show mercy to? (And if you're a Pastor reading this, maybe you need to confess your sin to your people/sheep?)