Don't lose heart

At times it is easy to question, step back, pause, retreat....  Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds me that Jesus paid the price.  All I have to do is keep my eyes on him.  My prayer today is that I would not let life drag me down and that I would keep trusting in God for my self worth. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Stand Firm

Standing Firm -- Hard, Easy, or a Roller coaster? I have been thinking about this question a-lot. For me it feels a bit like a roller coaster. At times operating in Gods power is natural and standing firm is simply a byproduct. Other times the fear of Man sets in and God's power seems to just drain out. I often wonder why I waist so much time measuring God's plan against what others might think. My prayer today is that I would stand firm not only at the easy times, but that I would stand firm during the hard times and when presented with the potential of judgement. I pray that I would rely on the strength that only God can give, and be willing to do and or go when He prompts.

Mark 13:1-10 (NIV)

1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

food that endures

Today I spent time reflecting on choices. I thought about how I spend my time, how I spend my money, and what I invest myself in. I find I spend a-lot of time thinking about stuff, and what I think I need. Stuff is not bad, but when it starts to consume my thought life, I know that my priorities have become skewed. Stuff only fills the void for a very short time. Once it is no longer new and simply represents a debit to my bank account, or worse yet a payment it quickly looses its luster. My prayer today is that I would long for the food that endures rather than that which spoils.

John 6:27 (New International Version, ©2011)

27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Through the praise of children and infants

I am often in awe of the simple yet powerful faith of children. They ask fearlessly for the impossible and genuinely expect that God will answer. When they praise God it is from the heart and without fear or thought of rebuke. When they worship it is free. Oh that I would have the faith of a child.......


Psalm 8 (NIV)

1 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c]
5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Yield in order to Soar

My flight into Kansas City this week was early. It was 2PM 62 degrees and I did not have a meeting until the next morning. Having traveled for the last 8 hours my legs were ready for some stretching. With the help of my HTC Incredible, Google Maps and a quick search I discovered a lake with running trails a few miles away. Worship music plugged into my ears I took off for a run through the woods around the lake. Five miles later I found myself within 100 yards of my car. That is when I noticed a bald eagle 100 feet off the top of a hill soaring in circles. Over the next five min I watched as he effortlessly rode the thermals higher and higher until he became a small dot in the sky. The eagle had accomplished this amazing gain in elevation through minute adjustments in his wings. Not one time did they flap. At that moment I felt like God impressed upon me the realization that this was possible because the eagle knows where his power comes from and accepts the fact that he must yield to it in order to soar effortlessly up. I began to wonder just how much time I spend working against God’s will in my life. My prayer today is that I would recognize Gods power in my life and yield to it allowing him to carry me away.

John 3:8 (NIV)
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

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.