Receive

Several weeks ago I was talking with some friends about the word receive. What does this word make you think? How do you respond? Generally it seems to have a positive connotation. We love to receive gifts, flowers, compliments, letters, etc. I threw in the mix a questioning on whether or not receiving could be a difficult experience. Now if your mind begins to reel in a resounding yes just slow down for a moment. Obviously we receive things we don't want. I don't need to make a list. I'm sure you can make your own. Is there a possibility though that we can mesh the first two concepts though. Receiving something that is positive yet difficult. What's this you say??? We can tend to blow through life when things are simple and easy going. When everyone's health is at its peak, when everyone is having a good time, when finances are breathing easy, and when relationships are smooth. What happens though when this isn't the case? What about when things are difficult and seemingly not going your way? What if that relationship that you thought was going great started to struggle? If someone had some difficult things to say would you receive them well? Would you think it positive? There are times when we have to receive some of the most difficult things that we were not ready for. It can often times blindside us without warning. Can it be a good thing? I say yes. Difficult? Absolutely. But how much are we grown and stretched to something we didn't think we could be in the easy times? Not much. Its when you are faced with the events in life that you never thought you could push through that make you the person you never knew you could be. I challenge you, though it may be hard, to welcome those defining moments. To take those difficult gifts that life throws your way and receive them well.

God bless!

Inspiration to GO

Failing to Love

So at church today we talked about love. What it looks like to love people. How God loves us and how others witness God's love by the way Christ followers display their love for one another. I was pumped. I loved the message. I love the idea of looking at how God's word calls us to love one another. I said my Amens, I nodded, I agreed. And before I left the doors of the church....I failed. Someone did something that wasn't that big of a deal and I took it personally. I felt as though I had a right to be angry. I felt like I was hurt and it was that person's fault and that they were wrong and should feel sorry about it. The fact is that I reacted poorly and in the end I was in the wrong. When it comes down to it I agreed with the sermon because my spirit in which God dwells wants what He wants and wants to be who He calls me to be. My flesh however is intensely weak and inherently wicked. No matter how much I may want to love like Christ, if my flesh rises up to take control then I will fall on my face in an embarrassing mess.

If I may, I would like to ask for your prayers. Pray that I am daily on my face before a God that loves, in every aspect of the word, to perfection. Pray that God would draw me so close that I would passionately desire a life that looks like Christ rather than human imperfection. For those of you whom I have hurt or wronged, I'm sorry. Please forgive my weakness in my desire to satisfy my desires rather than a life sacrificed.

I promise you that I will continue to fall. The only good that I can think that comes from that is that it forces me to once again be on my face which is where I should be from the start.

God your grace allows me to keep moving forward despite failure. Your love leaves me speechless.

My daddy is showing off!

So I had a conversation several weeks ago with a friend about a sunset we had both seen that kind of amazed us. So if you see a post that looks similar to this don't think that I am copying it. With my new job I have been able to see my father's handy work in action. I've been able to see a lot of sunsets and sunrises lately. Here are but a few that I would like to share with you.

Be Thankful

So everywhere I seem to turn lately people seem so unhappy. When I am at work people are cursing their computers, talking about each other behind their backs, constantly griping about doing their jobs. When did people become so unhappy? I went to bread co for lunch the other day and the lady said hurriedly "Have a nice day." I cordially replied "You too." When I said that she muttered under her breath "Not until I get out of this place." What has happened? Life has seemed to so burden people that they've forgotten how to be happy. They've forgotten what it means to love what they do. Sure life is stressful. Sure the economy is bad. Take a moment though and look around. It has been so beautiful lately. Go outside and just look up. Be thankful for something....anything. It's time people. Life is passing you by too quickly to just tolerate it. Enjoy it!

Scriptures that have been weighing heavily on my heart.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not abandoned. Struck down, but not destroyed. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33

A blog on Christians trying to be Relevant

http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/worship-service-idolatry-on-sunday-mornings-part-8/