Living a Changed Life

First, I want to thank all of you who boldly decided to say, "GOOD RIDDANCE!" to your past.  The responses for the January 1st post was overwhelming!  Many of you shared deep hurts and addictions.  We are praying for you as you conquer these issues in your life.  It's not too late to claim your life back!  If you would like to share and ask for prayer support, please leave your requests anytime or send an e-mail.

EXPOSING THE RECOVERY MYTHS 

How many times have you tried to break the chains of despair in your life?  A dozen... 20 times?  You fail every time only feeling worse about yourself than when you began the recovery process. Here are tested, real answers to living a changed life.

Recovery is a process.  Although helpful, it's not just a one-night conference or a book about recovery.  It takes conscious thought to make the right decisions.  It takes deliberate actions to change old habits into new.  It even takes strength to get back up when you fail.  Recovery is not a magic potion, that if you drink it, everything will instantly and magically get better (that would be nice though).

Recovery takes work.  Think how many years you've held on to your past pains.  Think how long the grips of your addictions have controlled you.  Years of deep wounds that have festered and spread over time.  Take all those years and think of the damage it has caused in your life and in the lives around you.  Logically, it will take hard work and time to begin the healing process.  There are no quick-fixes.  Only raw, straight-forward perserverance to take back the life you desperately deserve.

Recovery takes Humility.  Pride is the biggest offender that holds us back from obtaining the healthy life we are desperately needing.  Pride, you say?  Yes.  How long have you been telling yourself, "If I just try to read another self-help book I will find the secret formula to releasing my pain."  "If I just stop drinking, looking at porn, or smoking this stuff for a few weeks I will stop having the cravings."  As you try to be noble to your own cause, you fail every time.  Pride... your pride has told you that you can do this all on your own.  The reality is it's too big for you to handle.  Humility says, "I need help!  I can't do this by myself.  I need others to help me with my recovery."

Recovery takes God.  Here's the good news! God never intended you to go through life alone.  He created you because He wanted to talk with you, share with you, and help you through the most hurtful parts of your life. Turn to Him with all your needs. Pray and turn open your bible to see God's words of hope (Psalms is a good start). Combat your thoughts about yourself and your current situation with hope and promises from God's word.  Lastly, surround yourself around encouraging people who will support you and hold you accountable through your steps of getting healthy.

Look at what the apostle Paul said God revealed to him through humility, "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

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How Are YOU Living the Minutes of Your Life?

525,600 minutes in the year.
How will YOU be using them?

Time is counting down...

What was 2009 like for you? If we are all honest with ourselves and took inventory of our lives, we will come up with several "mistakes" we've made. What areas of your life do you need to change?

• Your marriage. Is it holding on by a thread of mercy? It's time to re-new your vows and start fighting for it. Do whatever it takes to gain it back.
• Your boyfriend or girlfriend. Are you in a bad relationship? feeling used and tossed away? Stop settling for just anybody. Start asking for God's best for your life.
• Your addictions. Does it have a lethal hold on your life? Take the right steps in conquering your addictions. Get the help you need. You deserve better!
• Your finances. Do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders? Get the counsel you need to budget better. Seek advice from successful people and don't be afraid to ask for help.
• Your battered heart. Is there pain from your past? Feeling unloved, abused and broken. It may be time to forgive those that hurt you and start forgiving yourself. Try to let go and start a new life- boy, it's not easy but it is freeing once you do. Get connected to a Church or a small group.

Let 2009 be the "GOOD RIDDANCE!" Year.  It's time you rid all the garbage and "dead-weight" in your life.

Make a list. Release all the past pain and regrets with every word you write and with every thought that enters your mind. Talk it over with yourself and with God. Release all your mistakes, all your pains, and all your regrets.

The Bible says in Psalm 116:16 "... you have freed me from my chains."

Tear it up! (For a better effect, burn it!)  Yell out loud, "GOOD RIDDANCE!" Promise yourself that you will do whatever it takes to be successful in finding healing for your life. Find professionals, seek counseling, and surround yourself around people who truly want to see you succeed.

Make a pledge to yourself that God wants more of you and He will give you a new life.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

How Are YOU Living the Minutes of Your Life? . . .


** Many of you have shared some deep issues you are consciously getting rid of in you life.

THANK YOU for being brave and sharing your story with us.  We are praying with you!

Have a "GOOD RIDDANCE!" Story? Please share them with us.


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Change: It's Not Easy

"God's Chisel" - SkitGuys.com

As the new year is approaching, we talk about our new resolutions.  The changes we will make to become a better person.  If you want to be a better person for God ask Him to chisel away all the "dead-weight" in your life.  All the addictions.  All the past hurts.  He is wanting to change you back into His masterpiece.

Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

God has a Grander kind of living for you. He has instilled in you skills to bless others around you for His name sake.  Realize the special gifts He has given you.  You are unique in design.  Will you live a life of purpose or continue to live the same meaningless life you've been living for so long?

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

Look in the mirror and see how God sees you.  Believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. YOU are God's MASTERPIECE!

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Steering Wheel VS. Spare Tire

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"
~ Corrie Ten Boom

How often does prayer become our last resort, our final plea? When things are going well, we don't pray at all. As a matter of fact most of us forget about God all together, until our lives come upon a pot hole in the middle of the road. Maybe even then we don't give prayer a chance.

Do you look at the pot hole and find a way to avoid it's potential damage or do you just speed up and drive right over it because you are in too much of a hurry to avoid the disaster in the road?

As the popular Carrie Underwood sang, "Jesus, take the wheel!", we need to allow Him to steer our lives. We need to slow down or sometimes stop on the side of the road in order to hear God tell us where we need to go, safely. As we drive recklessly through life- we drive right into the pot hole, coming away with ruined suspensions and a flat tire. Then, and only then, do we reach in the trunk out of desperation for our lives. Somewhere beneath the stinky shoes, golf clubs, baby strollers and fast-food wrappers we get to the spare tire.

Prayer is what gives balance in our lives. It's what changes the deflated, discouraging issues into promising possibilities.

Prayer isn't something you tuck under your soiled problems and extracurricular activities. Prayer is what should be driving your life. Every idea. Every decision. Every move you make, that is significant, needs to start with prayer.

Prayer channels our earthly issues towards heavenly wisdom. Prayer taps in to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit in order to conquer our life issues.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

The Bible says, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." He knew that in order to stay in-sync with His Father, God, Jesus needed to talk to Him often, because He knew God is all-knowing and sees the greater picture for our lives even before we do. Jesus said, "Not my Will but Yours." Allow prayer to be the steering wheel for your life. When you come to those pot holes in the middle of the road, you will be prepared and not shaken. You will have God as the driving force for your life. He will never leave you and He will never turn His back on you. That is a promise!

The more you know God and His attibutes, you will come to realize how lost you will be if you don't allow Him to direct your life.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)


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Peace and Rest for Your Soul

"In You" - MercyMe

About 7 months ago, this blog came into existence in allowing you to find a place to stop and rest. It's a compilation of great biblical insight, humor and food for your soul. The internet is full of bad news and views. I want to share with you the Good News! The focus has been to encourage you in taking a moment to think about God. The Creator of the universe and the One who shaped you- breathing life into you. Learning about this loving God who sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us out of our current hurts and our past pains.

This song is the fingerprint of what this blog is all about. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

In Jesus, you can find peace and rest for your soul, eternally.

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." vs. 29-30

Thanks to all who visits the blog regularly. Together, we can share in the experiences of our Rescuer and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

~Spread the Word!

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"$20.00 Bill"

This story has been sweeping the internet. A few weeks back our Pastor presented this illustration in church. It is very uplifting and the truth of the matter is very powerful. Take time to read it- it will really make you think about how God sees and values you.

$20 Dollar Bill

"A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, 'Who would like this $20 bill?' Hands started going up.

He said, 'I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.'

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, 'Who still wants it?' Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, 'What if I do this?' And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. 'Now, who still wants it?' Still the hands went into the air.

'My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.

You are special- Don’t EVER forget it.' "


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"Unfailing Love" - Chris Tomlin

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)

As you look back at 2008 or further, you will find regrets. You are holding on to guilt, heart-ache and shame. This is not a place God wants you to stay- ridden by regrets. God loves you. If you reconcile with God, he will release you of all your guilt and shame. No matter what you did in your past- God is always waiting to forgive you.

Please listen to this song by Chris Tomlin, titled "Unfailing Love". Meditate on the words and believe!

God has a plan for you. He loves you so much that He created you. You are intentional in design- and He will never give up on you.

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"The Christmas Shoes"

THE CHRISTMAS SHOES



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A classic song released in 2000, by the Christian music group called Newsong.

The Christmas Shoes is a story about a young boy who wants to purchase a pair of shoes for his dying mother. He understood the sacrifices his mother has made for him in his short life. The boy was overwhelmed by his mother' to

When faced with not enough money he turns to a man who is standing in line behind the him. The man reaches in his wallet and pays for the shoes. These aren't just ordinary shoes, these are shoes that are a token of the boy's love for all that his mom has done for him.

The boy understood the sacrifices his mother has made for him. She went without so he wouldn't have to.

The stranger who gave sacrificially to the boy understood the importance of family, helping others, and the feelings of sacrifice and love.

Why the shoes? The boy wanted his mom to look beautiful when she meets Jesus in Heaven.

What does Christmas mean to you?

It's about sacrifice - it's about loving God. It's understanding that giving is a greater gift than receiving. God's greatest sacrifice - His greatest gift was sending His Son for you.

Share this video message with your friends, family, and loved ones!

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What? No Paper Plates?

This is the first year we had Thanksgiving at our house. It was a big feat to do the turkey and a couple of sides. I am not just saying this, my wife made one of the most tender, juicest turkeys I have ever eaten. Her green bean casserole gets a blue ribbon in my book too!

We learned how hard it is to host a Thanksgiving dinner. Several piles of pots, pans, plates, cups, forks, knives, and spoons. Then, there are more plates and silverware from the desserts afterwards. Yes, I am having flash backs from the Big Event!

Maybe it's the 'man' or ol' bachelor in me. Looking at the process, (yes, losing focus of being thankful), I thought to myself, "Why couldn't we just use paper plates?"

Do you know how easy it would be to use paper plates-- or how about plasticware? Now, I don't want any blog comments from the "green" activists. P.S. They make plastic cups too! It would be so cool to have a paper and plastic Thanksgiving! (Now my wife would argue this point).

Paper plates are under-estimated. They aren't like they used to be 10-15 years ago. They aren't like the old, white, flimsy paper plates with ribbed rims- they are much more durable. They even have fancy floral patterns, which would match the thanksgiving motif. They even have faux silver or gold lining around the rim of the paper plates for the more "upscaley" gatherings.

You don't have to scrape off your leftover scraps. You don't have to wash them. When you are done eating; all you do is toss it in the trash. Same thing after dessert is served- just grab another paper plate, eat, and toss.

Paper plates are cheap and are easily disposed of. Nice porcelain plates or fine china are not so easily thrown into the trash.

How do you think people in our country feel today?

Do they feel like paper plates or fine china?
Do they feel valued, taken good care of, with their attributes being shown off to family and guests?

Or, do they feel cheapened, used, and tossed away?

There are so many people who feel like paper plates. They've been called names. They've been betrayed. Devalued. Maybe they feel cheapened because of their own poor choices of abusing their bodies with promiscuous sex, alcohol, or drugs. They want to give up on life. Maybe they feel so worthless inwardly and by those around them; they feel suicidal. There is hope for them!

Ask yourself this question: "Are you a paper plate or fine china?"

Let me answer that question for you. You are priceless, fine china. God doesn't make paper plates; He only makes masterpieces! You may not feel like it inside and when you look in the mirror, you may not see it. Allow God's words to convince you today!

You are special on the deepest molecular level.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

God thought you up. He dreamed about you. What you would look like- How beautiful your smile would be. He instilled in you gifts to glorify Him and to inspire those around you. God gave you a sense of humor and has filled your very being with love.

Verse 16 goes on to say, "your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

The Bible says God planned out a fulfilling life for you before you were ever born! God, the Creator, thought you were so important that He breathed life into you- He brought you into existance.

Verse 17 and 18, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."

He knows every inch of you- inside and out. He is wooed by you. God is happy with the way you are made. It is up to us to use the gifts He has given us and to find the purpose He has for our lives.

Like the Mastercard commercial:
Facelift: $10,000
Tummy tuck: $15,000
Realizing you are wonderfully and beautifully made: PRICELESS!

I Corinthians 6 says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Somewhere along the way you lost focus. You started believing the lies. You began to lower your standards to match what you were feeling inside.

You feel worthless because you have separated yourself from God. You have allowed the negative comments from those around you to control the lies in your mind. Jesus gave up everything, because He finds you priceless.

Honor God today! Tell Him, as hard as it may be, how thankful you are for all the great, silly and unique attributes He has formed in you - inwardly and outwardly.

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Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Big, juicy turkey. Mashed potatoes with lots of butter. Green bean casserole; crispy and runny. Hot sweet potatoes and the cranberry that plops out exactly like the shape of the can that it was stored in. Oh, and don't forget the hot apple pie and tender pumpkin pie. What a feast!

I am thankful for this great tradition and scrumptious food, but there is more to Thanksgiving than tradition and great food. . . much more!

Did you know the word "thanksgiving" is written 29 times in the scriptures? (According to the KJV version.)

The words "give thanks" is written 48 times in the scriptures? (According to the KJV version.)

I was always told if God repeats His words 2 or more times, then He is really trying to tell me something important. Having "thanksgiving" and "give thanks" saturate the scriptures, God is telling us something very important and we need to listen.

A.) We first need to exalt God; giving Him thanks for who He is and how He cares for our needs.
"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:28-29 (NIV)

It's easy to complain. It's easy to whine about the things we don't have. I guarantee if you sat down and made a list of all the things you can be thankful about, you could easily list 50 things to be thankful about. (That's filling the front and back of a notebook paper).

List the small things that you look passed because you are too busy or too selfish. Things you take for granted, like: a working car, a warm home, indoor plumbing, furniture to sit on, love, health, a job, your spouse, your kids-- God's creation: flowers, trees, your dog or cat, the cool breeze, snow, sunshine and puffy clouds. Whatever it may be, you have so much to be thankful for.

You are forgiven. You are saved by grace. God has put a joy in your heart.

B.) We need to show thanksgiving towards our fellow Christian brothers and sisters. Encouraging them. Upholding them in prayer. Realizing together we are one body in Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote this heart-felt letter to the leaders and deacons of the church in Philippi:
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Share the attitude of thanksgiving with those around you and you will become contagious. Let people be jealous about this wonderfully authentic joy you have in your life; drawing people to the realization that Jesus has transformed your heart and mind.

As verse 6 says, Jesus has started a new work in your heart and life. He is going to use you in great ways for His purpose. He is growing you. He is making you more and more like Him each day. That's something to be excited and thankful about!


"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." Isaiah 12:4-5 (NIV)


May today be a wonderful day of celebration with family and friends. Give thanks to the Lord today and forever more.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Looking Backwards

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Yes, you've messed up, but your different now. You've asked for forgiveness, you've stopped doing what has harmed yourself and others. It's time to stop looking backwards!

It's time to stop looking back at your pain- your failure- your betrayal- your old life. God is wanting to give you something better; something new.

There is a new beginning waiting for you if you are willing to grab hold of it.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

To amplify what God is saying to you in more modern words, read it from The Message: "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.

It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is!
I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands."

God's saying "I want to do a new thing- I want to start a new chapter in your life." In order to start a new chapter you must "forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." If you want a fresh beginning and start a new chapter, you must stop looking backwards.

God is speaking to you, "Let it go, give it over to me. Hurry, because what I have for you is springing up, it's bursting out! I will cleanse you of all the bad things you have done in your life. Bring me with you and I will give you springs of blessings."

God forgives you. . . it's time for you to forgive yourself.

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Season of Change

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 (NLT)


This weekend we met with some friends and headed over to a small, rustic town with great gift shops and food! What a joy it is to be with good friends! We really took in God's beautiful creation. Enjoying the crisp, cold breeze and seeing the leaves changing color.

It made me think about how God's impressions are all around us.

I think of the beauty of the fall season. Leaves changing from green to orange, red, yellow and brown. It's a glorious sight to see these trees illuminate in such array of colors! The sad part of fall- creation dies and goes into hybernation. This reminds me that winter is around the corner.

God's impression: Snow. It covers the ugly- it covers the dead. There are many references of Christ and His blood being represented as snow. He covers our filth, our dead selves with His blood.

Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (NIV)

Maybe your season has been filled with ugly habits. Your season has been full of regrets, turmoil, and heartache. Let the snow fall! Allow Christ's blood to cover your filth - your deadly sins. He will wash you and cleanse you- making you white as snow.

Your way isn't working. Everything around you seems to be falling apart- you are slowly dying inside. Jesus is giving you a chance to have a fresh, new start. Pin all your trust on Him and give your dying self over to Him and He will transform your life- your very soul.

Will you pray this prayer today?
"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:2 (NIV)

Here is Jesus' promise to you!
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

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"The Voice of Adventure"

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1


In my morning quiet time with God I read this exerpt from Max Lucado's He Still Moves Stones:

"Jesus says the options are clear. On one side there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry for what you don't try, right? You can't fall if you don't take a stand, right? You can't lose your balance if you never climb, right? So don't try it. Take the safe route.

Or you can hear the voice of adventure- God's adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God's impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn't safe, but what is?"
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God's voice tells us to be humble. . .wise in our decisions. . .pray until you receive an answer.

What if God is telling you to Make A Difference- to take a risk for His name's sake?

The gentle Shepard who leads our lives is also labeled as the Lion of Judah. Jesus took risks- He fought for God and for us. God calls us to take risks, to put ourselves in "risky" situations in order to fulfill God's purpose. We can't go through life feeling safe.

God is saying, "GO!" Our love for God needs to be an action word. Love needs to be expressed- it needs to be shared with others.

Yes, it's scary to take risks. It's the blindness of our future that holds us back. It's fear itself- the fear of not being good enough, the fear of our finances, the fear that we will fail at trying.

I have news for you. If God tells you to "GO!" and it is God's plan for your life. Don't you think He will carry you through?

Read God's promise for your life:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

There are blessings waiting for you. Don't miss out on the adventure and treasures God has for you, because you were being too safe.

Go M.A.D. for God Today! (Make A Difference!)

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Outlets Without Power

Last week, Northern Ohio got hit with a massive storm with high winds. Our home lost power for 5 days. No electricity meant- no fridge. Come day 2, I had to throw away everything in the fridge and freezer because, milk, meats, and parishables were spoiled. No stove and no microwave made it impossible to cook anything. No T.V.- I missed my DIY shows and comedy shows. (Because that's a priority!)

It was very hard to go 5 days without power. You feel confined and helpless.

In the dark with candles lit, it gave me time to really reflect on my relationship with God. I thought, "What good is an outlet if there isn't any power running through it?"

We are outlets for Jesus Christ. Many of us are struggling with a spiritual power failure. We don't know how to change the darkside of our hearts. We fail to conquer the baggage in our lives. We allow weakness to drain our power source. Isaiah 40:29 says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (NIV)

More so, we become so busy and involved in our life's tasks that we are not being the light that God intended us to be in the world. We become the walking dead. We can walk around with the right tools, but without a powersource we're ineffective. God's word says, "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT). It is our duty as Christians to share the Good News with unbelievers.

Paul, an apostle of Christ, got it. He understood that Jesus is the Great Powersource for His life. This is what Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (NIV)

If you don't tap in to Christ's Power, you will be a spiritually dead outlet. You will feel confined, helpless and even useless in your life. You will feel the emotional and spiritual drain within you. Turn to Him "who is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine."

Plug in to the Power who created the universe. The Power that blew off the boulder of His grave and conquered death. "He is risen. He is risen indeed!"

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (NIV)

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"Whatever It Takes" with Passion - Part 2

It's not just about romantic love. It goes deeper than that--it's about passion! It's about what "wowed" your wife when you were first dating. How your focus, your words makes her feel #1 in your life. I agree that in time a more deeper, mature love is built. A stronger bond and a firmer foundation on Jesus Christ is stablished. Just like a diamond, a marriage has many facets (sides) that can be touched on.

This post is touching on one facet- "Exclusive, Passionate Love." The fact that somewhere along the way, men start to get too comfortable- taking for granted what your wife does on a daily basis. She was once looked at as a blessing, now she looked at as 'expectation'. The gratitude is gone.

I remember when my wife first tried her hand in the kitchen. She didn't have a mom that taught her how to cook. She worked hard and tried new things. I remember thinking, "She is trying so hard to make a special meal for me." She was expressing her love in a tangible way. I remember making a big fuss at how good the food was (which it was and still is!) and being so thankful for her loving hands making dinner for me... and now our kids. Somewhere along the way, I stopped being so thankful. I mean, our family would bless the food, scarf it down like wolves and give an empty, traditional "thank you" to my wife after we were done eating.

Doesn't she deserve more? Doesn't God want us to always remember how much time and love she puts in to our lives?

Not just in meals, but in other areas of her life, I need to be specific in how I thank her. "Honey, the pork chops came out so tender- they're great!" "Honey, thank you for always doing the loads and loads of never-ending laundry. I appreciate you doing that for me and the kids."

Ephesians 5:25-28: "Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage." (The Message)

My wife, just like a little girl who dances around in her pretty dress, is saying, "Look at me. I want to be noticed. See how lovely I am."

I was losing my wife to the fact that I stopped noticing. I stopped pursuing her. I stopped loving her the way I did when we were dating.
- The 5 second gaze and smile across the room to let her know I love her.
- Long conversations where I would just listen and not give her advice... just listen to her frustrations.
- To give her non-sexual touches. Kiss on the cheek. Reassuring hugs. Cuddling her on the couch or in bed.
- Coming home with flowers or leaving a special thank you card on the table.
- Tickling and laughing together.

If you don't continue to captivate your wife one of two things will happen:
1.) A long, empty life together. You will co-exist, but as Dr. Gary Chapman says, "Your love tanks will be empty."
2.) There will be bitterness, then resentment towards each other. Eventually, you will end in separation or divorce.

All I am saying is, as men there can be preventative medicine. The medicine is "Exclusive, passionate love." Growing and maturing together doesn't mean "child-like" passion or romance needs to fade away.

I would challenge any husband. If you started to do these things, you will find your wife coming back to you. Eventually, you will find her attitude and response towards you changing. The both of you will have a more secure love for each other. You will find her happier and wanting to do more for you, because you notice her- she feels loved and appreciated.

Mr. Webster(dictionary) defines the word 'Passion' as: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. From Latin pati; TO SUFFER.

Do you have intensified, driven love for your wife? Are you overwhelmed with emotion for your lover? Like Christ pursuing us with reckless abandon, we are told as husbands to do the same. Express your love with such conviction. Dazzle her with your words. Love her with such intensity that you will guard her and your marriage with your life- your whole being.

Pati; TO SUFFER. This means even when we don't feel like loving her or you don't think she deserves this kind of love- do it anyways! Fight for her. Bring her back to a place where there is Love and Respect in your marriage. Love her like no other and she will see a man worth respecting.

It's your calling by God to do "Whatever it takes"! The Passion of Christ has been to love us so greatly, to the point of emotionally and physically suffering on the cross. We don't deserve His love and many still reject Him and call Him names, but Jesus did it anyways! He took on brutality and pain-- ultimately, sacrificing His life because He loved us so deeply.

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

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"Whatever It Takes"

Somewhere along the way we as men stop pursuing our wives. A woman's design is to be pursued. They want to be captured by your love. Since the day a girl is about 7, they want a prince to rescue them. They want to feel like a beautiful princess. They need to feel special and lovely. They want to be rescued, feeling secure in your love for her. She wants to know your heart is soley for her.

It's the hunt of the game. When we first date and want to get to know a girl, we do whatever it takes to show how much we love them. We send them flowers, give them a card with words that exactly explains how you feel about them.

Do you remember staying up until the wee hours of the morning just talking? The world around you stops and all you can do is focus on the beautiful creation in front of you. Even if she talks for hours straight, you engage her with your eyes. Even if the conversation isn't that interesting to you, you know it means everything to her that you are listening. You would hold her and encourage her with positive words of affirmation.

Down the road you get married. You got your prize and the 'hunt of the game' stops. Why not? You got what you wanted. Then, everything about you that she loves starts to fade away. You have her now and the passion you once had for her diminishes. Your eyes start to wander around the room when she talks, or you won't look up from the newspaper(or computer) when she is talking to you. You brush her off with an "Uh- hum" or give her a quick answer so you can go back to what you were doing.

The flowers that would absolutely make her day- stops. The special message in a card- stops. The loving eye contact- stops. Her world of feeling secure and loved- stops. The girl who once felt like a beautiful princess, now feels second rate. She feels ordinary and feels taken advantage of.

Somewhere along the way, this princess you would guard with your life has taken on the role of a mother. Disheartened, she continues to cook, clean, and wash your clothes. Her passion for you starts to fade too. You once were a prince, now you are another 'responsibility' in her daily chores. The luster you once had in your marriage has turned into a "honey do" list and a discussion for the week's agenda.

Your wife, your lover, is your biggest ally. She is the help-mate God designed and gave to you. Just like Adam, God thought up the perfect match for your life. She desires to love you to her fullest. But, if you treat her like a mother, expecting her to keep up with the daily chores and take away the passion and the special gifts that once made her feel exclusive and important-- then no wonder her heart hardens and she starts talking to you like your mother. She becomes bitter, snappy with her words, demanding, and complaining often. Why is that? She's unhappy and is slowly dying inside.

She wants her prince back in her life. Your wife craves to be pursued again. She wants to know that you don't just see her as a 'cleaning machine', rather as a "help-mate".

Men, maybe you feel desperate and worn out. Maybe you feel like she doesn't appreciate you anymore. All you can do is fix the damage that is already done- before it's too late. Look back and see how you've failed as a loving husband. Look back and remember how you were able to capture your wife when you were dating-- and start doing them again.

Start with forgiveness. Let her know you've failed her. Let her know how much you appreciate her and love her. Let her know you will pursue her. Fulfilling her needs.

Never stop pursuing your lover. Guard her, fight for her love. . . do "whatever it takes"!


Honey, forgive me for failing you. I love you, but I can love you more. I will do "whatever it takes to turn this around". I haven't been the best husband and you deserve more. I promise to continue to pursue you and make you feel like the beautiful princess that you are. I will not stop fighting for our marriage. Thank you for your patience and endless love. Thank you for loving me for who I am and who I am becoming.

The Tender Heart of God

The heart of a father is strength, leadership, and discipline. Also, the heart of a father is tenderness and compassion. Whenever one of my kids fall and scrapes their knee or 'bonks' their head on the ground or coffee table, their whole world comes crumbling down.

The best thing to do is hold and craddle them until they quiet down. At that very moment, my child doesn't understand what has happened. One minute they are running around playing and giggling, then in a split second they injure themselves and cannot understand what their pain is. They are overwhelmed by emotion and their heart is hurt by confusion and insecurity.

How often we go through life happy and fulfilled. Then in a split second you open up your mail and find out that your house is foreclosing, the bills are piling up and you just don't have the means to pay them off - You just received a call about a dear one close to you has just passed away - Maybe your marriage is failing and there is such a loneliness in your life. Your heart is full of pain, confusion. . . and insecurities.

Our heavenly Father is there to hold you, comfort you, and He's singing a love song to quiet your soul.

Read this obscure passage that has changed my perspective, my love for God.

Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)

God will quiet you with His love. He is rejoicing and singing over you. Call out to your Daddy today! You mean so much to Him. The more you are hurting, the more fearful you are, the closer He gets.

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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Made Fresh Daily

I love Krispy Kreme Donuts!

My two weaknesses for desserts are fresh baked cookies and fresh, fluffy, chewy, delicious Krispy Kreme donuts. Not the sprinkles or the jelly-filled kinds. Just give me the basic glazed or chocolate glazed donut and I will be in junk food heaven!

There is a gas station by me that delivers fresh, Krispy Kreme donuts every morning. It's a treat whenever I can stop in and grab me a donut (or two). I haven't gone for a while because I am in a wedding and it's creeping up very fast. I need to make sure the tuxedo fits!

In this day and age of processed, frozen foods, it's nice to have something made fresh daily.

Today, in God's word, I was reading Exodus 16. This is when God's people are in the wilderness outside of Egypt and before entering the Promise Land. They were in the Wilderness of Sin for weeks.

The Bible says that all the men of the congregation were yelling at Moses and Aaron saying, and I paraphrase, "We miss our savory pot roasts, our loaves of bread. You say you are saving us from the armies of Egypt, but you are starving us to death! Are you bringing us out here to die?"

Well, God hears their grumbling and tells Moses, vs.4-5 "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."

Moses says to the people, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."

God instructed them to only take as much mana, flakey-bread, as needed and leave the rest. Well, as usual, greed and lack of faith kicks in and some of them start to stock up on the mana, because they wanted to save some for the next day. In vs. 20, it says, "However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them."

God never intended to give them day old food. He was giving them the very best, fresh, flakey bread each morning. It was a bad idea for them to horde the food. They had very little faith in God's provision and they were willing to settle for the stale stuff, instead of the fresh food God lovingly provided for them each morning.

Now, I can't totally fault them- what if the land was full of glazed Krispy Kreme donuts? Seriously, would you like a warm, fresh donut each morning or a donut that has been sitting out for a day? You know my choice!

God is saying to you, every morning break open the bread of life(the Bible) and let me feed you with my goodness. Discover what God wants to give you each morning in order for you to get through your day. Digest the verses He has shown you so you can have strength to walk through your daily wilderness of life.

Allow God to "rain bread from heaven for you" each morning!
"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23(NASB)


P.S. To the dessert lovers: Did you notice that desserts spelled backwards is "stressed"? This has just confirmed that whenever we are stressed, we need to eat more desserts! (Or stressed from the pounds we gain from eating desserts.)

Have a great day in the Lord!

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Plan A or Plan B: Understanding Grace

EPHESIANS 1:3-7 (NIV)

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

This passage is not for a discussion about predestination vs. free-will. Today it's to show how intimate and loving God truly is. This majestic, all-powerful God thought you up before the creation of the world. God's plan A: He loved you so much that He breathed life in to you. He found you important and special and wanted to have a relationship with you... God created you holy and blameless. God adopted you into His family.

God wants to talk to you and share His love and wisdom with you. He wants us to love Him back and share our thoughts with Him. In plan A: God wanted us to be a part of His family and wanted us to fellowship with Him.


EPHESIANS 2:1-9 (NIV)

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Our plan B: Because of our sinful nature, we have chosen the things of the world. Craving lust, greed, selfishness, envy, hatred, and lying. We have chosen everything God is not. That is what has caused a wedge in our relationship with God.

The good news? God knew many of us would fall into the junk, the filth of this earth. He knew many of us would turn our backs on Him, even though He created us for the sole purpose of perfect fellowship with Him. God, being patient and loving- gave us a second chance. He has given us a special gift called Grace. Grace is not earned, it can only be given. He is saying to you if you pin all your trust in Christ, and believe He died on the cross to rid that wedge(sin) between us and God, then God will raise us up out of our dark, filthy place and bring us back home to Him. God always has plan A for our lives. It's a matter of us accepting His gift of grace, love, and eternal life with Him.

God loves you!

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Facing The Goliaths in Your Life

"3 Weapons to Conquer Your Goliath"

What are you facing right now in life? What Goliaths are leaving you discouraged and maybe defeated?

Is it unemployment, finances, your career or boss? Maybe its your hidden addictions to alcohol, drugs, or pornography?

Let's talk about a simple country boy who took on Goliath and won.

The Bible says in 1 Samuel 17:40-44:
Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.

He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.

He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

"Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" (NIV)

How often do your enemies and addictions taunt you? They make you feel inadequate. How often do you feel like you're defeated. These voices tell you, "I'm not strong enough." "I don't have what it takes."

You feel inadquate... worthless... and weak. These are all lies from the enemy- words from hell itself.

You are given the power of Jesus Christ to conquer all your sins. The bible says, "...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Here are the 3 Weapons to Conquer your Goliath:

In verse 45, David responds to the Philistine (Goliath) with these powerful words, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

The first thing David did in the midst of his conflict- he brought God in the middle of it. David said, "... I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty..." We need to stay focused. Don't get side-tracked by the trials in your life. Remember to always involve God in every issue you are facing!

The second thing David did was stay firm. He didn't run away from his conflict. He didn't coward from fear. The bible says, "David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him."

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

The third thing we need to remember is truth. Truth is what sets us free. Truth is how we can win the battles of our conflicts and addictions. Remember those "voices" that made you feel inadequate? Powerless? Even defeated? In the book of Truth, it says in Romans 8: 37-39:  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

It's time! It's time for you to defeat the Goliaths in your life. David knew something that so many of us forget; He saw his Goliath, but he saw God even more. David knew in human perspective the odds were against him. But, because of David's unwaivering faith in God, he knew the odds were against Goliath in comparison to God's almighty power.

Go, and equip yourself for battle! Then, run quickly towards the battle line and meet your Goliath. Knowing God will protect you, God will sustain you, and that He loves you!

God's Promise to you: Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)

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