Cheeto Cheese Puff

"though the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25

I guess everyone has eaten a cheeto sometime in their lifetime. They're the type of chip that you could eat just one, but what's the point. I mean, once you eat that first one, you already have that powdery cheese "stuff" on your fingers, so you might as well have a few more. Before you know it, half the bags gone. You reluctantly close the other half of the bag and commence the "de-cheez-a-fying" of your fingers, which, for most of us, involves licking, sucking, and scraping that "goo" off with your teeth (gross?. . .yes. . .enjoyable?. . . . .even more so). . . . . . . . . . . hours later. . . . . .you're still working at it. Even days may go by and still IT remains...that strange yellow "cheeto fungus" that accumulates around the nail of your fingers. No matter how hard you try...IT remains. The Word of the Lord is just like this wonderful morsel of cheese. . . . .sort of. You can read His word and it will be enjoyable at the time, but it goes much further than that. It continues to work in your heart, your mind, your very being, long after you put it back on the shelf. IT lingers. IT stays. IT remains. IT stands....forever. With you, for hours, day, even years. If you let it. If you allow this "Bible fungus" to grow in your hearts, it WILL change your life. Guaranteed.

A True Expression

As I was flipping the channels the other day, I ran across a televised worship service. I heard the worship leader say "Let these songs be our worship to You today, Lord." I began to think. My favorite scripture (Romans 12:1) commands us to offer our lives as our spiritual act of worship. It struck me that so often in my life, even though Romans is my favorite verse, I place so much emphasis on the things of my life being given to God in worship, instead of my actual life being given to Him. When I sing a song, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, "I hope He enjoys this song." When I should be focused on, "I hope He enjoys my life." and then let the song be an overflow from my life. Even though many churches call their music section of the service the "worship" segment, it can be so far from true "worship." When we realize we are not in control of our time here on earth and offer each moment to Him who is in control, then we are able to truly "offer [our] lives" as our "spirtual act of worship." Then, and only then, are the songs we sing, the prayers we pray, the smiles we give, an act of worship. But remember, they are only expressions of worship. They, in and of themselves, are nothing. May our songs be a true expression of the true joy we have in our Lord and Savior as we offer our lives in true worship.

Never Needed. Always Wanted!

Well, I'm in the middle of reading a book and a certain statement struck me. "Because God requires nothing outside Himself, we can know that He freely chose whether to create [or not] and what to create." (Life Answers. Hemphill. pg68) What a wonderful thought. The Sovereign God of the universe, who needs nothing to be made complete, still wanted us. He had the option to not create (and remain complete) or create us knowing, all too well, what was in store. What an amazing display of love!!

I know many times in my life, the things I do are skewed and tainted by underlying motives for what I think I need. Can you imagine how nice would it be to be able to love someone and know that it is a pure love--free from all selfish wants or needs? Moreover, how nice would it be to be loved in that same way? well....WE ARE!!! What security!!

To know His love for us will never change according to mood swings, attitudes, or ulterior motives. This statement really made me think. Someone who doesn't need anything from me and still wants me enough to offer His own Son to be with us, is someone who REALLY wants me alot. I hope and pray my relationship with Him--your relationship with Him--will be just the same....out of love...not just out of need. I pray our worldly relationships will exude those same traits. What a world this could be!

Birthday Wishes

Well, today is my birthday. I turned 27 today. I know I'm not that old in the whole grand scheme of things, but I do feel like it has passed by in an instant. It seems like just a few years ago that I was in high school and then college and now here I am...to Colorado and back...married working in Nashville. I guess it's true, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 Looking back there are so many things that I've done that has molded me into who I am and then there are things that I've done that I wish I hadn't done (watching too much TV for one). But you know, realistically speaking, I'm probably going to go home and watch TV tonight. What makes a person do what he does? Priorities? Environment? Habits? All three, I guess. Tim McGraw has a song called My Next 30 Years where at age 30 he's making some changes in life. Are you at a point in your life where you need to make some changes? Am I? More time with the family or friends? More time to take care of your self? What about more time with the Father? What will make us change? Why not let God move in you (and me) and allow Him to make these changes within us. May we live today for today and take advantage of every moment. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34

Settling In

My wife and I are finally getting settled into our new jobs and our new "routine" here in Nashville. The move from Colorado and the West seemed like a longer move that it actually was. After four months on "vacation," I finally got a job about the same time Danielle got her new job (of which she is enjoying). That same week, we also bought a new car (or at least new to us) and receive a new addition to the family (no...not a child...another cat.). God has been so faithful in His sovereignty to meet our needs when we need them. It hasn't been easy waiting for Him to meet those needs; however, it has been great seeing Him fulfill His promises and reemphasizing His love for Danielle and me. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

New Journal!!

Well, I am setting up a journal for me to post my thoughts on. Hopefully, as time goes on, this will be a place of reflection for me and a time of growth for those who may read these posts.