I Speak

     So, God moves me to speak to people sometimes. And it seems that, every time he does, there is more going on than meets the eye. It still amazes me that when I speak to someone, I've went through something similar in my life. 

     The other day I was led to talk to a young man that reminds me a lot of the old me. Our conversation was pretty deep and heart felt. I could tell that Jesus was tugging at him, and he needed direction. Not necessarily my direction, but the direction of Jesus. As we talked, the young man proceeded to tell me how he wanted to do this or he wanted to be that. Sadly, just like the old me and many other people, he wanted to reach that destination first, before rededicating his life to Christ. He was pleased when I told him that Jesus was waiting, and would help him resolve his reservations. He appreciated me taking him aside and talking to him. But I'm not sure he realizes it meant a lot to me as well. 

     I have realized more the past couple of months that we all have something to learn from others, regardless of how far they are in their walk with Christ. I needed to stop worrying about the reaction when I ask "Can I talk to you for second?" I needed to stop worrying about whether or not I had all the right words. I just needed to move when Jesus says move. Speak when He says speak. The result, when I listen, is always three fold. The other person is more receptive to Jesus moving in their life. Also, relieved because someone spoke with them. I usually learn a lot from the conversation and can relate to help. And Jesus is able to do more work on the heart of both parties. 

Claim Without Belief

     There has been a growing problem within the church for decades. I'm not really sure what the root cause is, or even when it started. I do know that it has gotten worse, way worse, over the past few years. 

     How many of us know someone who lives a mess, tainted with the ways of the world, no repentance, and not a good fruit to find, yet, they claim to be Christians? How many of us know that person who lives a life, absent of Christ, but drops a request for prayer here and there and has everyone fooled? I know I do, and I'm sure many of you do, too. 

     There are millions of people out there who have fell victim to the devil's lies and think a simple claim will get them to Heaven. A simple claim that, in reality, only gives them comfort of some sort of rescue from the sins they love to commit. A claim without belief is worthless. Truth is, if that claim was true, they would back up those claim with abounding truth. That claim would be evident in the way they live. Sadly, these people are so far from Christ it's scary. I know for many of these people, they face hard times and difficult situation, prayer is requested. Do they not know that Jesus does not hear the prayers of a sinner? He does not know the sinner. A believer can pray on their behalf, and a believer will be heard. What blows my mind about that is this, if you think prayer helps, why are you not living for Christ? 

     

A Believer

I Believe

     So, the other day while at work with a Christian radio station playing, a guy says, "Somebody is a believer!"

     I do not know the guy personally, but I do know he is a believer, as well. The strange thing is when he said it, I had a flood of thoughts running through my brain. 

     I believe in God, the Father. Jesus? Holy Spirit? I stand firm. Was that all there was to believe? Is saying I believe in Christ enough? I let my thoughts run wild with this question. 

     I believe that there is an almighty God that sent down His only Son to perform miracles on this earth. I also believe that this Son was the one who I, the filthy sinner, hung on the cross for my salvation. Is it true that this Jesus I believe in is relevant and present today? OF COURSE HE IS! I can't help but to believe whole heartedly in Jesus. I believe with all that I have that He performed a miracle on my spine when my surgeon told my wife I had a 98% chance of being wheel chair bound. I believe that when my neurologist was looking for that tumor that had steadily grown on my brain for two years, Jesus had a hand on it. As I was facing brain surgery after that last scan, I believe that Jesus performed a miracle and took it away. I believe that through the grace of our Holy Father and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified and cleansed by the blood of Christ so that we can be worthy of a Kingdom that is not of this earth. 

     So when the questions arise if I am a believer....... YOU BETCHA I AM!!!!!

The Fruit

     Every day I walk along and I see people abusing the title of Christian. I'm not sure where people got the idea that, if they claim to be Christian, they can live however they want and it's all ok. It's not. It's not ok to live the same filthy life of sin that you did before you were saved. In fact, if in your mind it isn't crushingly convicting to live the same way, there is a very important question to ask yourself. "Do I really have Jesus in my heart?" 

     Saved. It means exactly that, saved from your life of sin. Now, I'm not saying that you're going to lead a perfect life after salvation, no one does. We are not perfect. However, we should strive every day to be as close to the model Jesus gave us when He walked the earth. And when we fail, repent!! Don't just walk right back to the same sin over and over. If that's what we are going to do then what's the point in being saved, right? And if we truly have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, how can we? 

     The problem is people want to be saved from the consequences of their actions, without ever putting forth the effort to walk as Jesus commands us to walk. The Gospel is watered down in our churches. No one wants to be bold in preaching to the brethren or the lost, much less reproaching fellow Christians. We are to judge by the fruit of the tree. A good tree does not, and CAN NOT, produce bad fruit. And vice versa. 

     That's all I have to say about that at the moment. I could go on and on, but I won't. So, until next time, God bless you all. 

     

Work Week

     In this world, we work to pay bills. Sometimes it may even seem like we live.....to work. Sadly, in many cases, both parties in a marriage work to either make ends meat OR they have an overwhelming want for material things. The latter is more and more an issue of today's society. 

     Now, don't get me wrong here. I'm not bashing those who have to work to make it. I'm not even blaming those where both parties want to work. As for Jennifer and I, we choose to follow the Lord's intentions by way of the husband being the leader and bread winner, if you will, of the home. She chooses to follow my lead, and fully embraces the Proverbs 31 role. Looking at Titus 2:5, a wife is called to be workers of the home, even after the children are gone. In this, I am blessed. 

     So the other day, I was talking with a guy at work. He made a derogatory comment about me not being committed enough to work 6 days a week. I'm sure he was just playing, at least I'd hope so. I told him if, and it was a big if, he could completely debunk my reasoning for not working, I would gladly dedicate my days off to my job. I told him, 

     "My days off are dedicated to my wife, my marriage. Whether we are doing anything or not, that time is for us to simply be together. God doesn't ordain my place of employment. He doesn't ordain my title or even my paycheck. He ordains my marriage. I can't take care of my wife and marriage if I'm dedicating my off days to my employment. And while I love the place I work, it isn't worth robbing my wife of even more time than what is required. Again, while I love my place of employment, if it ever became mandatory to be here that much, or even frowned upon if I'm not, I would have to look for something else." 

     In his response of silence, and an ever so slight head nod, I assumed he understood. 

Resolutions

     At the end of last year a thought process began in my brain. I had been stressed all year. Some things were residual from events from the past, and others more current. I had allowed myself to be distant and disconnected from God. This was a place that I had known from long ago, and I didn't like it. It's dark and lonely. Not only had it suppressed my relationship with God, it affected my relationship with my wife, Jennifer. I had to make a change. A resolution, so to speak, but not just for the new year, for the rest of my life. 

     Moving forward, I have things in my life I need to nurture, to take care of. First and foremost, I need to stay close to God. I need to get my prayer life where it needs to be. Dealing with the things I allowed to creep in my head last year, I failed at these things. I found myself questioning His will for my life, or if He even had one. Instead of trying to handle things on my own, I need to rest on my faith that He can handle all things. 

     Aside from my personal relationship with God, I need to take better care of my marriage. This is the relationship that He has ordained. He gave me a beautifully wonderful woman as a wife, and I need not squander that. She is my help meet and I truly feel we have a mission to accomplish together. And together, with God, accomplish it we will. 

     And finally, I must concentrate on myself. My health plummeted dealing with the stresses caused by others. I gained weight. My blood pressure sky rocketed. I have to learn to invest in things that will have a return. And that's not being selfish by any means. It's more of a defense mechanism. 

     So, these are my three main goals for the future. Naturally, more will stem from these as time goes on, but these are my main plates.  

Support

I am sitting in the hospital, hungry, tired, nervous, and waiting. My wife is having surgery today. We have prayed and talked, and I have had an overwhelming peace about all of it. Until today. Nothing can take away the joy I have because we have an army of faithful brethren praying on our behalf. Nothing takes away the fact that I have full faith God has it in His hands, but I wonder as I look around this room. I have been on the brink of tears twice, and I am holding them back now. All around the room I see groups of people. Families, friends, talking, taking the edge off of the situation at hand. There is only one person not speaking, me. It's not out of any feelings towards others. Not at all. But more of a way of life that we have created. There's no one that understands each other better than each other. See, my wife and I are like an "A" frame. We are firmly leaning on each other and connected at all times. If it isn't in that order, or one of those traits is missing, then it's just not the same. Right now, she is heading to surgery, there's nothing I can do. She isn't here, now, to support me. I'm not there, now, to support her. Awkward isn't the word. It's a very lonely feeling as I wait to see her again. This is the first time I've been here like this, waiting for her. She has been here two or three times waiting for me. The unknown lurking in the air. It's hard. I do not like it. I am not a nervous person, but I am nervous. I am not a worrying person, yet, I am worried. She is the love of my life,  and I wouldn't trade my position here, now, for anything. It is a privilege to support her. It is a privilege to call her my wife. I like our "A" frame relationship. I am thankful to God everyday for such a woman as her.