I have been struggling since yesterday afternoon. I have been tempted to rely on my own wisdom and not trust in the Lord. As always the Lord is faithful. The lessons He has been impressing upon me, just got a more realistic example. I am in need to trust in Him all the more as my perception of the best scenario came shattering down.
I heard today from someone at our church that they would be leaving. This is someone that I had come to trust. The Lord had worked through both him and his wife mightily to restore me to the church. Their patience, encouragement, and faithfulness are an expression of Christ's love. The Lord has called them to depart from our church organization. The Lord does not do these things lightly. In turn, this must be intended as a blessing both for them and us, as this is God's will.
In there absence a void will be created in our church, a significant one at that. It is here that I pray the Lord is working. This void is a call to others in the church to step forward, to grow, and mature. The Lord has blessed Crosspoint with this family, and now God is calling on others to provide that blessing while sending our brothers and sisters to others where He has need of their faithfulness.
He has been glorified and will continue to be glorified. I want to thank this family, and if you are reading this, then you know who you are. I pray and will continue to pray that the Lord will brightened your path and God's glory will be seen wherever He leads you.
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
Never forget the cross
I wrote and deleted a rather long blog post tonight.
It was about people who call themselves the leaders of the christian movement nationwide, but they are not. The world thinks they are, but the love of God is not in them. In my thoughts on this, I had to stop and dislodge a fairly large beam from my eye.
I was upset to see them try to solve the problems of this world by worldly means labeled in christian terms.In expressing my thoughts on this and laying out my idea on how to solve this issue, I realized I was doing the same.
"But for the grace of God, there go I." How easy it must be to trap men. These men were once devout men that went into these fields with great purpose. The devil is a viscous opponent and how he worked to deceive and played on their pride. I was wrong to criticize them as I did. We must pray for such men all the more that they have been given such a platform to sway the hearts of so many.
God has allowed these men to represent the Church. What a wonderful opportunity for Him to display His power and change them. The christian church in America is falling apart. People are leaving in droves. The false gospel has taken its toll and when it no longer satisfies, the people seek a new experience. Nothing has changed in all the years from Christ to now. People need to see the love of God lived out faithfully in front of them. We are the vessels of His light to the world. We are an example of the gospel expressed.
The rise of the Atheism movement has allowed for a clear line to be made visible. God has turned this country over to its desires, as this country has requested. In His grace he has allowed this nation to fall away. Now once again, the Light shines all the brighter in this new darkness.
The tragic event in Charleston was disturbing. However, the response of true Christians shook the world. Christ was seen in that moment and so many were brought back to Him. When real Love is expressed through the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers life, it is power to convict of sin, to draw men to Christ and to redeem the lost.
We don't need more laws. We don't need better plans. We don't need the schemes of politicians and the promise of a new movement.
We need Christ.
Christ alone saves.
Want to stop abortions? Live the gospel. We know that laws won't stop it. There were abortions before Roe v Wade. Want to stop Gay marriage? Spread the good news. Gays were here before the courts made their ruling. Want to stop predatory lending? Love the lost and downtrodden. Want to ease the problems of Prison populations? Pray that God would reach out to them.
We must go to the lost and live among them. Paul didn't just tell people about the cross, he lived the cross.
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." - I Cor 2:2
It was about people who call themselves the leaders of the christian movement nationwide, but they are not. The world thinks they are, but the love of God is not in them. In my thoughts on this, I had to stop and dislodge a fairly large beam from my eye.
I was upset to see them try to solve the problems of this world by worldly means labeled in christian terms.In expressing my thoughts on this and laying out my idea on how to solve this issue, I realized I was doing the same.
"But for the grace of God, there go I." How easy it must be to trap men. These men were once devout men that went into these fields with great purpose. The devil is a viscous opponent and how he worked to deceive and played on their pride. I was wrong to criticize them as I did. We must pray for such men all the more that they have been given such a platform to sway the hearts of so many.
God has allowed these men to represent the Church. What a wonderful opportunity for Him to display His power and change them. The christian church in America is falling apart. People are leaving in droves. The false gospel has taken its toll and when it no longer satisfies, the people seek a new experience. Nothing has changed in all the years from Christ to now. People need to see the love of God lived out faithfully in front of them. We are the vessels of His light to the world. We are an example of the gospel expressed.
The rise of the Atheism movement has allowed for a clear line to be made visible. God has turned this country over to its desires, as this country has requested. In His grace he has allowed this nation to fall away. Now once again, the Light shines all the brighter in this new darkness.
The tragic event in Charleston was disturbing. However, the response of true Christians shook the world. Christ was seen in that moment and so many were brought back to Him. When real Love is expressed through the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers life, it is power to convict of sin, to draw men to Christ and to redeem the lost.
We don't need more laws. We don't need better plans. We don't need the schemes of politicians and the promise of a new movement.
We need Christ.
Christ alone saves.
Want to stop abortions? Live the gospel. We know that laws won't stop it. There were abortions before Roe v Wade. Want to stop Gay marriage? Spread the good news. Gays were here before the courts made their ruling. Want to stop predatory lending? Love the lost and downtrodden. Want to ease the problems of Prison populations? Pray that God would reach out to them.
We must go to the lost and live among them. Paul didn't just tell people about the cross, he lived the cross.
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." - I Cor 2:2
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Blue Belle Blessings
What a blessing a broken car can be.
My car has been in and out of the repair shop for the last month. It has actually spent more time at the shop than in my driveway. I am thankful that the Lord has provided me alternative transportation while I wait for the repairs to be completed. However, I have been so blessed by how I have gotten to witness the change he has wrought in me. Not once during this entire time have I gotten angry. This is not my nature.
"When a problem comes around, you must bend it to your will or destroy it." - Todd from days past.
I have always been a man of extremes. Feast or famine. All in or all out. Full speed or sound asleep. Burn the candle at both ends or enjoy the darkness...
God has been using this car to demonstrate the extremes. Even the problems it was having are a matter of extremes. When it started it sounded like a thousand sparrows on gerbil wheels trying to take flight. Once it got up to speed and warmed up the engine would go back to normal sounds. However, as I move it up to highway speed and new sound like steel balls on a grindstone would start coming up from the driver's side wheel. It was rather unnerving of an experience to drive that car.
However, the Lord was my Shepard and there were no outward appearance of issues, no rattle, and no shimmy. So, being far from home and with a promised companion to assure safe delivery, I turned over the trip into His hands and relied upon Him to get us both safely home.
The Lord was faithful and that ride home was a true blessing. We both got to share how God was working in our lives and experience His faithfulness together.
I can report now the root cause of the car troubles. First, the bird sounds was cause by the new serpentine belt that was from the wrong manufacturer. It was fine to be in the car, but cheap and prone to making those bird sounds. It would have worn out much sooner than the quality belt that was ordered. They are replacing that. The grinding noise was caused by the flap that directs the air around the tire. When they replaced the axle, someone didn't fasten that back properly and when it got to highway speeds the flap would rub against the tire. So these great big problems that sounded like a car was going to fall apart were nothing more than empty noises, signifying nothing. My friend and I were never at any risk during the trip.
This is how Christ meets us. God is the only true mechanic, and when we see things that happen in our life, we are prone to respond like its the end of the world. Yet if we trust in our Mechanic, then we know he would never put us on the road with a faulty life. Sometimes he gives us those warning sounds to let us know that we need to keep the engine running and go at his pace. Not so slow that we never get where He is leading us and not to fast that we overrun His plan for our lives. He leads us as the good Shepard, prodding us when we need to move and hooking us to pull us back to His flock.
Thank you Lord for the blessing of faulty cars.
My car has been in and out of the repair shop for the last month. It has actually spent more time at the shop than in my driveway. I am thankful that the Lord has provided me alternative transportation while I wait for the repairs to be completed. However, I have been so blessed by how I have gotten to witness the change he has wrought in me. Not once during this entire time have I gotten angry. This is not my nature.
"When a problem comes around, you must bend it to your will or destroy it." - Todd from days past.
I have always been a man of extremes. Feast or famine. All in or all out. Full speed or sound asleep. Burn the candle at both ends or enjoy the darkness...
God has been using this car to demonstrate the extremes. Even the problems it was having are a matter of extremes. When it started it sounded like a thousand sparrows on gerbil wheels trying to take flight. Once it got up to speed and warmed up the engine would go back to normal sounds. However, as I move it up to highway speed and new sound like steel balls on a grindstone would start coming up from the driver's side wheel. It was rather unnerving of an experience to drive that car.
However, the Lord was my Shepard and there were no outward appearance of issues, no rattle, and no shimmy. So, being far from home and with a promised companion to assure safe delivery, I turned over the trip into His hands and relied upon Him to get us both safely home.
The Lord was faithful and that ride home was a true blessing. We both got to share how God was working in our lives and experience His faithfulness together.
I can report now the root cause of the car troubles. First, the bird sounds was cause by the new serpentine belt that was from the wrong manufacturer. It was fine to be in the car, but cheap and prone to making those bird sounds. It would have worn out much sooner than the quality belt that was ordered. They are replacing that. The grinding noise was caused by the flap that directs the air around the tire. When they replaced the axle, someone didn't fasten that back properly and when it got to highway speeds the flap would rub against the tire. So these great big problems that sounded like a car was going to fall apart were nothing more than empty noises, signifying nothing. My friend and I were never at any risk during the trip.
This is how Christ meets us. God is the only true mechanic, and when we see things that happen in our life, we are prone to respond like its the end of the world. Yet if we trust in our Mechanic, then we know he would never put us on the road with a faulty life. Sometimes he gives us those warning sounds to let us know that we need to keep the engine running and go at his pace. Not so slow that we never get where He is leading us and not to fast that we overrun His plan for our lives. He leads us as the good Shepard, prodding us when we need to move and hooking us to pull us back to His flock.
Thank you Lord for the blessing of faulty cars.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Today's Lesson
People at work know about my daughter, my mother, my other family members. Do they know I also have a relationship with another member of my family, namely Jesus? He is an integral part of my life. He is with me in every moment. He is not just hanging out, but He should be living through me. So many times, I still take the controls and try to guide my ship to His destination only to run it ashore in frustration.
He is patient and when I learn to trust in his guiding hands to navigate my life, I see endless blessings. Last week, the Lord work wonders. Even through the trials with my car that remains "unfixable" His grace was there. I can still feel the struggle as I rove Him with Stephen from work. We both experiencing our need to rest in Lord and not upon our own wisdom. In trusting Him we received peace and what a great time to minister to each other that road trip became.
The trial of the grinding wheel, gave both of us an opportunity to place our trust in the Lord and see His faithfulness through to getting us home. Yet I think sometimes it is easier to give the big things over to the Lord and not the many small things. It is often a small thing that makes us feel we have the power to deal with it. The faith we have in the Lord when our lives are on the line is one thing. Expressing that faith when the only thing on the line is a misplaced word or misdirected emotion is where I want the Lord to lead me.
Faith like a mustard seed can move mountains and toss mulberry bushes into the sea. Faith in the little things is gift to those that wait upon the Lord. Lord, give me the grace to walk more closely with you and to shine Your light into the crevices and the corners. Teach me to trust in you with the moments in my life, not just the momentous events. Live through me, that others might see you and not this fleshy shell that fails you. Apart from you I can do nothing.
He is patient and when I learn to trust in his guiding hands to navigate my life, I see endless blessings. Last week, the Lord work wonders. Even through the trials with my car that remains "unfixable" His grace was there. I can still feel the struggle as I rove Him with Stephen from work. We both experiencing our need to rest in Lord and not upon our own wisdom. In trusting Him we received peace and what a great time to minister to each other that road trip became.
The trial of the grinding wheel, gave both of us an opportunity to place our trust in the Lord and see His faithfulness through to getting us home. Yet I think sometimes it is easier to give the big things over to the Lord and not the many small things. It is often a small thing that makes us feel we have the power to deal with it. The faith we have in the Lord when our lives are on the line is one thing. Expressing that faith when the only thing on the line is a misplaced word or misdirected emotion is where I want the Lord to lead me.
Faith like a mustard seed can move mountains and toss mulberry bushes into the sea. Faith in the little things is gift to those that wait upon the Lord. Lord, give me the grace to walk more closely with you and to shine Your light into the crevices and the corners. Teach me to trust in you with the moments in my life, not just the momentous events. Live through me, that others might see you and not this fleshy shell that fails you. Apart from you I can do nothing.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Sunday Recap
I had a great time today leading the Sunday school class. There was a part in the middle where I got lost in my train of thought and I was so thankful that the others in my class filled in the space and allowed me time to recover.
I can see where my calling to preach is so much more different than teaching. If I get the opportunity again, I hope that I can learn from this experience and grow in my ability to lead a class facilitation.
That being said, the Lord really spoke to me in that class. After all the work in preparation, He had so much more to share. It is truly amazing how deep the scriptures can be.
I really need to find a way to serve my church on a regular basis. I have been trying to figure out what I can do within the restraints that my life dictates. This blog is intended to supplement a little by providing an interaction point. I just haven't found a way to share my blog that doesn't sound self centered. "Hey everyone, check out my blog". I'll trust the Lord to open those opportunities.
I am avoiding social media, however, I know this is popular among members of my church. Perhaps, I should join Facebook again. I so disliked the invasive nature of the site. Twitter is well, almost the definition of foolish talk. It is not intended for true interactions. This will require some waiting upon the Lord. I will follow where he leads.
I can see where my calling to preach is so much more different than teaching. If I get the opportunity again, I hope that I can learn from this experience and grow in my ability to lead a class facilitation.
That being said, the Lord really spoke to me in that class. After all the work in preparation, He had so much more to share. It is truly amazing how deep the scriptures can be.
I really need to find a way to serve my church on a regular basis. I have been trying to figure out what I can do within the restraints that my life dictates. This blog is intended to supplement a little by providing an interaction point. I just haven't found a way to share my blog that doesn't sound self centered. "Hey everyone, check out my blog". I'll trust the Lord to open those opportunities.
I am avoiding social media, however, I know this is popular among members of my church. Perhaps, I should join Facebook again. I so disliked the invasive nature of the site. Twitter is well, almost the definition of foolish talk. It is not intended for true interactions. This will require some waiting upon the Lord. I will follow where he leads.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Peace like a river
Rivers have always been a bit of a mystery to me. All that water flows and never seems to stop. That is, unless the river loses contact with its source.
Today, I shared my testimony with my church family. Their love connected me back once again to that source. The peace of the Lord that flows through his body the church is refreshing. Home is where the heart is and what a peaceful home it is.
Today, I shared my testimony with my church family. Their love connected me back once again to that source. The peace of the Lord that flows through his body the church is refreshing. Home is where the heart is and what a peaceful home it is.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Quiet day
So happy to have a nice quiet day today. I was blessed with peace around the house and a time to recuperate after the long week. Looking for ward to Church tomorrow. What a strange thought after all these years. I pray that I would yield to the Spirit of God tomorrow and bring glory to Christ and God our Father. I mustn't muscle faith, but surrender to the mighty Lord to lead me. Not my life but His.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
In rage or in Christ
Today was a tough day for me. I struggled in and out of short
bursts of what I would call rage. This is unusual for me. I know I had some
issues with my medicine and sleep was fitful last night. These are reasons I
was more susceptible to anger, but not entirely the reason. The anger was
triggered by my work peers not meeting my expectations. I find myself
repeating instructions and conversations over and over again. A push from other
areas to get me to do their work for them, instead of them taking ownership of
the work assigned to them. I should say, they are asking me to bend the rules
in their favor. They keep at me trying to wear me down instead of accepting my
previous instructions to the contrary. Align this with requests to defend a
policy that I was enforcing by the manager that asked me to enforce that policy.
He had subsequently changed his mind but had not informed those of us that were
following his instructions of the changed.
"I know I sent an email..."
It was a struggle of a thousand points of frustration. Needle here and needle there. I would like to say I was victorious and that I trusted in the Lord. I did not. I tried to handle the issue. I tried to juggle all the issues and pokes and prods and eventually popped. The Lord's grace was there. He beckoned me to get away and get alone with him. I excused myself from the office and took my long overdue break and took a moment to pray.
Why was I angry Lord? I was defending my kingdom on this earth and not His. I was fighting to be right and to be the solver of problems. I was trying to be a hero, the hero. I was getting frustrated because I was failing. I was failing because I was working in my own power.
In the moment with the Lord, he always reminds me of this verse:
Isaiah 9:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
I am reminded every time by this verse that This child that
was sent, our Lord Jesus Christ will take over the government of our
lives.
- When we serve our Prince, He brings Peace.
- If I look at this needles not as problems but instead opportunities to serve my Lord and my coworkers then I can rely on this Wonderful Counselor to guide me,
- this mighty God to strengthen me in the inner man,
- this Father to direct my path so that when I am in these struggles, I can know where to go.
In order to lead, I must follow. In order to glorify God, I
must not seek my own glory. Service is the christian's expression of
love.
Father, thine is the kingdom.
Monday, July 6, 2015
By hook or crook
Acts 9:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
The Lord is patient. He has extended a length of patience to me beyond more than I could have hoped. Two decades of drifting turned to running, turned to rowing, turned to blindness, and yet I sought the wisdom of this world. Yet He waited patiently. He allowed my mind to uncover all that the world has to offer and in slaking my thirst at the well of human understanding, He let me see my need for His sustaining water of life.
Ecclesiastes 12:11-14
King James Version (KJV)
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
This Blog will have one purpose: Giving glory to God the Father. I pray that the Lord will use the gifts given to me to share from what He has walked me through to help point hearts and minds to Him.
Psalm 23:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Todd
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