Home!

I am thankful that I know this song and will be using the thoughts of it in a lesson sometime in January.

In the meantime, I wonder?  Do you struggle, as I do, with things that bring you down and keep you from being as spiritually motivated as you would like to be?

I am thankful that I have a church home that I can rely upon when things don't seem to be going in the direction I was hoping for.  Just remember that if you are wanting to find your way home to God, the church family where I am ministering is waiting for you with open arms.  We're "gonna make this place your Home!"

Home
as performed by Phillip Phillips
co-written by Drew Pearson and Greg Holden, and produced by Drew Pearson

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
You get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

It's gonna be good!

Where Do You Stand?

How can I put this except to just say it. 

I was recently asked where I stood when it comes to some of the issues that have come up over the last several years that have seen a schism divide brothers in Christ.

So here goes!

I stand where God stands as I see His will in His word.  You may not agree with my thoughts on my views of God's word, and that is your right as much as it mine to have a differing view.  I have different views on some of the things some of my brethren in the churches of Christ accept and some that I accept go against what some of my brethren stand against.  The beauty is that I will answer for what I believe and teach.  I may not feel the way some do and I may completely agree with others.

The point is Paul told us that we will be judged by God and our lives on this earth will be accepted if we are covered by the grace of God and our home will be in heaven with our Father and His Son! 

If you are a child of God and you strive to live for God who am I to hold you to something I believe.  I will not be your judge.  God will be. 

Paul used the illustration of the eating or not eating of meat.  Can we insert issues in place of meat?  I'm not sure about you, but I will answer my God knowing that what I teach is according to what I have learned from His word! 

Romans 14:13 - 23  NIV
¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. ²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. (emphasis mine!)

I Can Only Imagine!

For the last week I have had the words to "I Can Only Imagine" going through my mind over and over again.  I love the song, but I can't get the message out of my mind.  I know that there are so many of my friends who are in heaven waiting for us to join them and waiting for Jesus to come back and collect His bride, the church.

Many people have gone on before yet there are so many I am concerned about.  I believe that each of us, as responsible humans, have the right to choose whether or not we follow God's word or our "interpretation" of it.  However, I believe that God has led me to know His word and has given me the talent and responsibility to share what I have discovered.  I can't wait to be with Him forever and praise Him for making me aware of His will for humanity.  I am one with Him and have been and continue to be forgiven of the wrongs I have done.  The consequences are still going to happen for the sins I have committed against Him and against those in this world that I have hurt, offended or out right sinned against. (I ask you all to forgive me if one of those is you.)

But, I can only imagine what that day will be like.  Where are you today?

I Can Only Imagine
Written and composed by Bart Millard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can_Only_Imagine_%28MercyMe_song%29

I can only imagine
what it would be like
When I walk, by your side
I can only imagine,
What my eyes would see,
When your face is before me
I can only imagine, I can only imagine

To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or In awe will I be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah, I can only imagine

I can only imagine, when that day comes
 

And I find myself standing in the Sun
I can only imagine,when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine,hum, I can only imagine

To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or In awe will I be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees Will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah, I can only imagine

To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or In awe will I be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
can you only imagine, can you only imagine
To bow at your feet
I can only imagine, I can only imagine,
I can only imagine

Being Drafted in the NFL

As of today I am declaring for the NFL draft.  

I have been told that I will be a high draft pick and guaranteed a position.  I know that there are those of you who don’t think that this kind of thing can happen, but in reality I want you to know that it can.  The NFL is where I am headed and have been for most of my life. 

I love the thought of being rich and having all my needs met and never having to worry about anything.  I have been given the opportunity to make my way into the lifestyle everyone would like to have but few take advantage of.

As I head into the NFL draft I can better my life and should be able to be a role model for those who come my way.  

My stats are 5’6” 230 lbs. I am slow and can’t run.  I have a bad arm due to a surgery a while back.  I have a bad back and other little aches and pains that I won’t mention.

So you ask, “What’s the catch? How can you be drafted in the NFL?”  

Answer?  I am not talking about the National Football League; I am talking about becoming a part of the group known as the “Not For Long” people.  

I don't plan on being on this earth forever but in a place where I am rich because of my Father in heaven and His Son's purchases for me.  How about you?  Are you a part of the NFL? 

I'll see you later!

Double the Size of Your Church

Wow!  What a concept!

Would you like to double the size of your church family where you attend?  It is simple in concept. The problem is we are usually pessimist when it comes to doing something simple.
If everyone in your congregation, or mine, just brought one person you would double the size of your church family.

Just say that you do it over a year.  If everybody brought one in a year to attend your church worship and become a part of your family you would double in a year.

Problem?

Yes!

We will get them to buy a product we sell, join our social club, attend a birthday party, or any number of things, but we can't possibly let them know about Jesus.

What in the world is more important to you than your eternal life?

Everyone is able to bring one.  You can double the size of your church.  It is possible.

However, it is improbable because we don't believe anyone else will try.  They may be waiting on you.

Think about it!

Busy!

Busy!  Yes, it seems that I am using that word a lot lately and yet I find I am spending less and less time doing what I deem productive work. 

My mind is filled with the thoughts of making things better and becoming more productive and in doing so I feel I am losing my grip on what little I have had control of in my life for so many years.  I can't make the decisions for everyone that I want them to see as their own.  I guess manipulation would possibly work, but I hate the thought of ever doing that.  Then I guess the next logical step would be to step back and listen to God.

My life has been a roller coaster of emotions for as long as I can remember.  Some memories I wish I could forget and others I wish I had never considered in the first place.  I have made some poor decisions and yet, I have been blessed "beyond measure."

My thoughts are so random at times I have a hard time focusing on the present for looking at the past and the future.

What is the remedy?

Stopping and spending some much needed time just talking to God.  Take time for the most important person in my life, my God and Father.  I know He wishes I acted like He was more important at times, but in reality, I have had to step out from under my own desires and step more openly in my mind toward doing what is best for everyone I touch with my life.  I must and have to pray more to revamp my commitment to Him.  For me to be who I want to be I am going to have to turn off my drive and turn on God's lead.

Busy?  Yes, but hopefully in a more productive and spiritual way.

I'll see you later.

What to Do?

There are many things that happen to us that we really never understand.  When that happens to me I try to go through this list of things to make sure I am keeping a proper perspective in my mind.  This helps me keep my spiritual focus when it seems a bit askew or if I feel threatened in anyway.

1. Pray about the situation.
2. Understand that you really aren't in total control of any situation.
3. Listen to those involved in your life who love you.
4. Keep an open mind concerning your status in the situation.
5. Don't react but walk through the situation and weigh out the possible outcomes as to the direction God would want you to chose.
6. Understand that you have and will continue to make mistakes.
7. Strive to be God's child in every situation that arises.
8. Know that even people you love and who love you are still human and have feelings as well, even when they seem to over or under react to your situation.
9. Know that this life is to be lived with a goal in mind that is yours to claim or refuse.
10. Take your time in making decisions and strive not to become overwhelmed with the possible outcomes on the good or bad side of things.
11. Understand that once your mind is made up on the problem you are facing and your plan to take care of it seems to be apparent, pray again and again.
12. Let God work through you, don't try to force the direction of the situation.  Allow yourself to look and seek God's leading and then follow what you see.

I hope this helps you the way it has helped me over the years.

I'll see you later!