Truth

Tomorrow night at Thrive I am speaking on... "What is Truth?"

We tend to think that Truth is subjective. That there is no absolute truth in the world anymore. But that is not true. There is an absolute standard for Truth and his name is Jesus Christ! So I will be talking more about that Wed night so don't miss it!

So in that same vein of thought here are some things that I have found to be true.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong. 

There is great need for a sarcasm font. 

How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? 

Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to. 

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste. 

I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. 

I think the freezer deserves a light as well. 

I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in. (I do this every time) 

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text. (disclaimer...DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE :) ) 

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters! 

Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever. 

They have the technology to automatically send you a ticket if you run a red light. Yet they can't figure out how to make it change if you're the only one waiting there. 

 I would rather pay more for an item than to have to wake up at 4 am to go shop at Wal-mart with crazy customers on Black Friday. 

Our generation doesn't knock on doors. We will call or text to let you know we're outside. 

My GPS says "Estimated Arrival Time." I see "Time to Beat." (true for any man) 

Cell phones ruined pushing people in the pool. 

 Every phone should have the same charger.

God help us

Saw a quote today from one of my favorite authors/speakers Francis Chan.

“Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.”

Ouch. I got me thinking a little...some people want God to take away their guilt, shame, hurt, basically all the consequences of THEIR sin yet they don't want to surrender their life to that same loving God. They want to continue doing what they do and just expect God to bail them out every time. God help us to be a people that want a real relationship with you and not a bunch of lukewarm Christians who only want what you can do for us.

So Connected your Disconnected

Today after lunch I went by Starbucks to get a coffee and do some reading. I never do this because 1. I don't drink coffee, but since it feels like winter outside i thought it sounded like a cool thing to do....and 2. I never have time to do this (which i really didn't today but i thought i would make time) So anyway as I am sitting there enjoying my nasty cup of bitter coffee I began looking around. The place was full of people sitting and doing the exact same thing. But what I began to notice was that everyone had their faces buried in their laptop or Ipad. Even the groups of people that were there together were not having any sort of conversation.... they were all looking at a screen. They were connected to either Facebook, instagram, pintrest, twitter, Google plus, email, or whatever social media website they may be a part of. They were connected. But it got me thinking. They were all so connected that they were totally disconnected from the real people sitting across from them. What great opportunities they had to engage one another in meaningful conversation but instead choose to engage in this fantasy world of cyber friendships. What has happened to our society? It has become a sad time when we as humans value the companionship of our electronics instead of valuing each other. How many times have we been out to eat with our families and friends only to have everyone staring at their phones looking at FB? How much better could our relationships be in life if we would only put down those things long enough to have real experiences with each other? If Jesus were here in 2012 as a living breathing human i cant see him connecting with you through Facebook. I can see Him showing up at your house or taking you to Outback and being genuinely interested in what is going on in your life. Jesus was about loving people, and part of loving people is taking the time to be involved in their lives....not their cyber life....but the real thing. So challenge yourself to disconnect from all those things long enough that you can truly be connected with those that you love and love you. Social media is not a bad thing...I thank God for it...but when it takes the place of real friendships it is wrong. When you are with your family and friends make yourself put the phone or ipad away and take those precious moments that God has given you with those you love to listen and laugh with them. Because none of us know exactly how many minutes we may have left with them.

God speaking through my droid

I have this APP on my droid called Holy Bible, and everyday it puts up a random verse for me to read. And I cant tell you the number of times that "random" verse has spoken to my life. God can use the strangest things to speak to us and use us.

Today this verse popped up

Romans 12:3-8

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

I have been thinking about this verse a lot this morning because this lets us all know (and its EXCITING) that we all have a place and a purpose in the kingdom of God. All of us...not just the preachers, teachers, and full time church staff but ALL OF US! And everyone is just as important as the other!

So the question you may be asking yourself today or everyday is what can i do? How can i be used by God?

And the answer is this...anyway you can. Look for opportunities today that God presents you.

Maybe its coming across someone who is down and needs some encouragement and you speak those words of hope into their life....

Maybe its hearing of someone who is financially struggling and you have the means to help....

Maybe its listening to that small still voice inside that's telling you to call that person just to let them know you love them and you are praying for them....

Maybe its randomly paying for someones lunch that you don't know or leaving that waitress that is having a really hard time a huge tip even though the service wasn't that great...

Maybe its just smiling at everyone you meet...

God can and will use you in every opportunity if we will just listen and obey....and can you imagine what would happen if we all did that???? We would all finally become the Body of Christ, different people working together to serve one purpose.

Have a great day

back to reality

I didn't post anything last week because I was on a cruise...rough I know!
Its rough coming back to 40 degree weather and rain when I am used to sunshine and 80's....so give me sometime to get back into the swing of things and I'll hopefully get back to posting soon.

but for now enjoy some pics

Peace that passes all understanding

Yesterday I posted a verse on my Facebook that i have been thinking a lot about lately....

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7


Now this verse is one of the best to read because it sounds so great right? No one wants to worry or fret about anything and if we are all honest with our self this is a verse that we probably need to read daily. But I have found in my own life that this verse is one of the hardest things to actually live out. I mean to actually not be anxious, worry, stress, or freak out about anything sounds like it is impossible. I know in my life I have constantly worried about things that 1. I cant control and 2. make me think of the worst possible outcomes that usually never come true. Its only human to worry....about fiances, relationships, health, purpose, love, self worth, image, etc etc etc....

I thought about the phrase in this verse that says THE PEACE OF GOD. What is exactly is the peace of God? To understand it we have to look at what Paul was actually saying when he used that word peace.

eirene- This word in its original Greek means....one, peace, quietness, rest, and set at one again.

So what Paul is saying is that the REST of God or the QUIETNESS of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

What an AWESOME thought!! You see I have learned that you yourself can not stop worrying about your situations. They are to big for you....but when we go to God (by prayer and supplication) giving HIM complete control of the outcome (because that's what we worry about, if we saw the outcome was OK we wouldn't worry), then HIS rest, peace, quietness (which we will never understand) will guard our hearts and mind! The outcome then wont be as important to us because its not about our outcome but HIS! therefore no need to worry or fret for your life is not your own it is in Christ Jesus.

We serve a great an awesome God.

Father allow us to put all our trust and cares in You. I know a lot of us are going through some difficult times, but help us in our time of trouble to know that you work all things together for good for those who love You.

time to get back on track

OK so I know its been a LONG, LONG, LONG time since I last blogged. And I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart. I know that some of you haven't been able to function properly because you haven't been able to read my awesome insights into life. But your fears can now be put aside....because I'm back! Blogging is something that I really want to continue doing this year. As an outlet for me to share what God is doing in my life, in my ministry, and in the lives of the people I love. I'm going to be doing somethings a bit different to keep it interesting, like doing occasional video blogs and such. So for the 1 or 2 of you that will actually read this...thanks!!

Oh and check out this website.
http://heatherwilson.moonfruit.com


Its a website of one of the most amazing girls I know, Heather Wilson, doing some great things for God. You can check out her blog as well, and if God leads you maybe even support her in someway....whether that be financially or through your prayers (which are always needed).