Take it in

You can recommend people do something, but they are going to do what they want to do. As we study the letters Paul wrote to the church, one can't help to think if we get(understand) all that is in those pages; and if we will let the Word of God take hold on us there should be some major life transformation happening. I read God's Word for life transformation, and I preach for life transformation. I would love for people to dedicate themselves this year to come and graze this rich pasture called the Epistles of Paul. ---Just in a short time, the first letter we studied, Galatians, has put stuff on me I can't shake. For instance, "the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love..." And "since we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." Last Friday I found myself with three other guys from LTC and twenty others from elsewhere in a two hour class to prepare to help with the homeless. We went to work Tuesday for three hours meeting with homeless to see how we could help. These things I say, not to brag; but to show how life transforming God's Word can be when we open to it. ---I praise God for those who are obedient to God's Word. Do what God wants...that is the purpose for those who are in Christ!

The Day Has Come

So it is 2:04am on the day of my daughter's wedding. I knew this day would one day come. I'm a guy that chooses my words carefully, and I was wondering when they would come. I held out writing this at first because I thought perhaps it was the chicken fajitas talking to me, but nay it is the day. (sorry for the rhyme) Teresa, Brittany and I have grown up together, and now it is time for little bird to fly away. This causes conflict within my being. Even though she has pretty much always been a freebird, it is hard to let go. She has grown into a wonderful young woman, and I am so proud of her as I am of all my kids. But this is about her, because it is her big day and her guy (Johnathan) that she will share it with. As corny as it sounds, we don't lose a daughter; we gain another son. We gain the son that we prayed for ...for so long. We've prayed that all our kids would meet and marry the person of God's choosing... a person that loved Jesus Christ with all their heart. This is an answered prayer, and I give God the glory. Thank you Lord. Because God has answered this prayer all the things that I used to worry about This Day don't matter anymore. I gladly hand Brittany over to Johnathan and pray that they indeed do more in God's Kingdom work than they could alone. The Day has come, and it is a glorious day. It is a beautiful day that reminds me of that Day when God the Father will hand His bride the Church over to the groom, Jesus Christ. Now that is something to sing and shout about! Nevertheless, I'm sure old dad will shed a tear or two now that this day has come. I love you Brittany and Johnathan!

Abba, Father

And another thing...that whole "Cry out Abba, Father" privilege due to our Sonship and being filled with the Holy Spirit keeps ringing in my mind. Besides calling God daddy, and besides crying out like a raven (knowing God hears us); we can look into Mk.14:36 where Jesus calls out Abba, Father. Abba is the Hebrew name for father, while father comes from the Greek pater. Why does that matter? In this time of sensitivity and great emotional distress Jesus calls out to the Father in his native tongue. Awesome! ---I was getting a haircut recently and I went on a Saturday (note to self: never do that again). There were atleast 8 little boys under three foot tall waiting with parents to get a haircut. They were getting restless and I thought if one of them fell down and got hurt he would cry "daddy" and although we would all look...only one would go to him with his arms open wide. So it is for us now...we who are in Christ and full of the Spirit can cry out Abba, Father and he will answer. ---This isn't just good reading material. Try Him out! Whatever the need...Do it!