Abide

Love - not an emotion, not a feeling, not a passing symptom caused by hormonal surge. True love is only demonstrated through Gods love for us. My prayer today is that God will grant me the faith to truly live out John 15-9-17.................... Only then can I experience real love, and only through that love can I love others.

John 15:9-17

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

looking up

I snapped this photo on my phone while walking along the water front in Seattle over the weekend. I often find myself gazing up at the clouds. Not always the safest thing to do while walking, but I find I am drawn to it like a painting that draws your gaze and causes you to ponder the inspiration of the artist. God's creations are all around us and I never cease to be amazed by just how much he cares about even the smallest things in life. I am truly grateful for the creative ways he chooses to reach out to each of us. My prayer today is that I will never stop seeking his presence as I walk  through this life.

Acts 1:10-12 (NIV)
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Sowing of Seeds

Today I was traveling over the pass at 4:30 AM on the way to the airport and found myself very thankful for four wheel drive and studded tires. Chains were required for non four wheel drive vehicles and I had planed enough time to make my 8AM flight to NY. Inside my tuck I felt safe, in control and insulated from the storm that raged around me. My life is not always so planned out. At times I feel more like I am driving a three cylinder with bald tires a cracked windshield and bad wipers. That is no way to head into the storms life throws at us. This made me think of Matthew 13:3-23. My pray today is that I would be intentional about where I sow, for without proper planning and preparation a-lot of hard work will result in nothing but blisters.

Matthew 13:3-9  and 13:18-23
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
 ..............................................
¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

seeds of faith

I have been reading the book "The Purple Pig and Other Miracles" . I am only 50 pages in, but thus far it has truly been challenging my commitment to prayer. The book outlines just how powerful prayer is, not just in times of need, but as a premise for all that we do in the name of Christ. The Word of God is powerful! Prayer is the language of God, it is our lifeline for communication with him. It is my prayer that I would take this fact seriously and practice what we are called to do; In all things and in all conditions may I praise the Lord,

Psalm 126:5-6
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

The Promise

Psalm 55:22
22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Eyes of my heart

A view via the eyes of my heart

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

It is my pray that God would help me to see more with the eyes of my heart.

Promise

I love this promise

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Freedom, power, movement

When I read the below verse I think of freedom, power, and movement. Imagine claiming this verse and walking it out. Imagine being anointed by the Lord to proclaim the good news, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom. There is real power in Gods word and it gives me shivers. What is holding me back? What is keeping me from claiming this verse? My prayer today is that God would reveal the things that are distracting me from his work...

Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

When Worlds Collide

Amazing things happen when two worlds collide. Hearts are changed, eyes are opened, and lives are never the same. My wife just got back from a trip to Haiti where she spent time in an orphanage. The photos and story's are amazing and her life will never be the same. I find her enthusiasm contagious and notice my life changing because of her and others willingness to go. It is my prayer that I would spend more time on God's plan and less on my own...

Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Leap of Faith

^{John 7-37} On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Faith is an all-in experience. It is one of those things that you must leap into. There is no testing the water first. My prayer today is that (I, YOU, US, WE) would see and experience the living water. This drawing is dedicated to the team serving at Child Hope in Haiti. You have already said yes and taken the leap of faith, may the Lord guide you to the next step/leap and keep the living water flowing......

flight

My prayer today is that I would simply be able to let go.....................

Courage

Courage can be manifested in many forms, and true courage is never self serving or manipulative. Typically when I think of courage I ponder impossible situations and odds, heroic events, and super human acts of bravery. You know the front page sort of stuff that captures all of our attention. God has been working on my heart and teaching me that the type of courage he desires from me is much quieter, and not the type that would make a good viral YouTube video. He has been asking me to share what is most precious to me. He wants me to reveal my light, stand firm in my faith, and share with those who I encounter throughout my day. God is asking me to step out of my comfort zone, stand up and simply allow Him to work through me. My prayer today is that I would have the courage to reveal the light that is burning within me, not only when it is safe, but at those time that I am unsure and want to retreat.

Philippians 1:20 (New International Version)
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

step out

Do you ever have those moments where you feel as if your heart might just burst because you are so proud of something that your child has done. I had one of these moments the other day. I had shared with my 6 year old about a missionary that I met who is reaching out to a small tribal group called the Yagua in the Amazon river region. She uses a boat to get back and forth between the village and the town of Laticia. This trip takes her 3 hours and the boat she has been using needs replacement. That said I got up the other morning and my son had his piggy bank on the table and was counting his money. He looked at me and said "Dad, I want to give all my money to the lady who needs the new boat". He then proceeded to ask everyone we ran into that day if they would like to also give. At the end of two days he had collected over $40. As a Dad I am so proud of him and his little heart. If you would also like to help you can visit http://www.afamms.blogspot.com/ and click donate.

Humbled

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Strong words that ring in my ears as I read them. Jesus paid a price for us that we can never repay. It was the ultimate pay it forward. All I can think is Thank YOU.....

Philippians 2:1-11 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

body II

I was looking at the original sketch a few days ago and felt inspired to put brush to canvas. Painting has a different feel and I was curious to see how the drawing would evolve. My original post focused on Christ's sacrifice, and us as followers making up the body, each serving a unique function, but all dependent upon one another and ultimately connected to the head which is Christ.
John 15:7 (King James Version)
7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

As I painted this I was impressed with the pure, selfless act of Jesus's sacrifice. I felt great sorrow, but also hope. I was reminded that to truly live we must die to ourselves.

Romans 6:10-15 New International Version
10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Blur

Looking back on 2010 all I can say is that it was a blur. Time no longer seems to have the same holding power that it once did. I can remember as a child feeling the drag of the hours as I waited in anticipation for an event. Now the days, weeks and months just seem to fly by. Life is a ride that has no do overs, no safety net, and no rehearsal. 2011 is a new year and will most likely feel even faster. My prayer today is that I would seek Christ in all situations giving Him Honor Glory and Praise.

Revelation 19:11

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.

New Beginning same message

Lately I feel as if I am seeing some things for the first time. Almost as if a filter that was permanently mounted in front of my eyes has been lifted so that I am now sensitive to a new range of emotional color. My heart is being filled with love for individuals that frankly I would have never noticed before. I am very thankful that God has opened my eyes to a new set of needs and that He is making room in my heart. My prayer today is that God will continue to mold my heart and remove the worldly filters from my life.

2 John 1 1:6

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Body

I found myself pondering two verses today. The first is 1 Peter 2:24-25. In this passage we are reminded that Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross as payment for our sins. Through his act of sacrifice we are healed. Because of this we can live as Ephesians 4:15-16 calls us. For when we speak the truth in love, we will grow together as a body attached and dependent upon the head which is Christ. This reminds me of two things. The first, without Christs sacrifice for me, I would still be lost, and second, I need other to fulfill the work which God has called me to. The body is not made up of a single believer, but rather a group (joined and held together by every supporting ligament, growing and building itself up in love, as each part does its work)

1 Peter 2:24-25
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Ephesians 4:15-16
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Psalm 91

Pause, choose

Today I paused and thought about Joseph, a prominent voting member of the council. He did not agree with the decision to put Jesus to death and had secretly become a disciple of Jesus. I wonder what went through his mind as he prepared the body of Jesus for burial. I can only imagine he felt great grief and sorrow. His action must have sparked speculation among many of his fellow council members. It was at this point that he made the decision to do the unpopular, go against the grain and choose Jesus. Until that moment he had been able to hide his true self maintaining an otherwise "socially high standard". At that moment and in that place he crossed over. This makes me think of all the times I ride the fence hiding or diluting my true thoughts simply to appear socially status quo. Lets face it a Christian lifestyle is radically different that what the World is currently serving up as normal. Sometimes it is easier to just fit in, not make waves. It is my prayer that I would trust Jesus more than this world, that I would care more about what God thinks than my neighbor, and that I would stand up for what I know is true.

Mathew 27:57-60
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Brown Paper Sack

I found myself sketching on the back of a brown paper sack and was amazed at how the colors popped against the earth tone. I was reminded that this time of year brown paper sacks often hide special gifts from prying eyes. We are often just like brown paper sacks, plain and ordinary hiding the gifts that God has given us on the inside. Imagine if we turned our brown paper sacks inside out and let the world in on what God has planted inside us. My prayer today is that I would wear my gifts on the outside and use them in accordance with God's will.