Hey...What happened???

Post your story. God got to you or used you to get to someone else? What happened? Maybe you're working on someone or got totally disrepected while trying to be Jesus. (They're not all ready when you are...) We'd like to here about it....You may be checking this out and be really put off by the (so-called) christian you met.... Give me that to!

Who's Really There...???

I've shared a few things with you guys. Most of these things have been a product of some close relationships that God uses to grow me and them. But, this blog isn't for the churchy to be churchy somewhere else. Most people, when it comes to God (even the ones who profess to be followers) are stuck in the weeds. It's hard to see over the high grass.(take it from me...I'm 5ft 3.) If I'm really going to reach out to those around me...I've got to be willing to get in the weeds, to stretch out my hand. Am I living life in this loosly held religious fascade, or am I reaching through the high grass? If I can see the grass but I'm too far off to feel the blades. I may never know the joy of seeing someone be changed by Jesus Christ. When I'm standing by the weeds around my circle....do I know who's really there? If I can't answer that...then I need to look in the mirror...and ask the same question.

Painting...Rand McNally

Several years ago, one of my biggest struggles was that I wanted to see the... "down-the-road". I knew God had a plan and had called me to certain things, but I was childish and impatient. I desparately wanted to be livin my life according to whatever plan he had for me. The problem came in getting side tracked with asking Him to show me a little of that plan. I'm not talking about a vision that God wanted me to share and accomplish. I'm talking about where exactly to step. I didn't want just know about the bridges I was to cross, I wanted to know exactly when i would encounter them; what they'd look like and how to get past them. Unlike Abraham, who took a journey to only God-knew-where...based on a promise...
I wanted to promise I'd take the trip if he'd show me a little of the map. That doesn't sound like the canvas of a walk -by-faith...it sounds a little more like a paint-by-numbers. I had to learn (thanks Greg) that giving your life to God is not a stop at some cosmic gas station, to pick up your personnal Rand McNally map of life. It's an adventure and I have to trust that God's plan will come through. That's faith.

What'd he say that looked like?

You are so right Doug! Hopefully, when we wake up in the morning we can ask ourelves..."what's that gonna look like today?" I don't think people aren't put off by God, I think they're put off by me when I don't live what that looks like. Check out Isa. Chapter 58...then let me know what you think.

If I claim to follow God...am I live, or am I memorex?

The F-word.

Hopefully you've read some of this blog and know where that comes from. If after lookin around, the F in our name doesn't look like Freedom, Faith, Father, Fun, Ferver, Forward, or F-e-nomenal then hopefully you can see & exercise some Forgiveness. When I ask myself if I'm awake....these are some of the F-words I look for.

The biggest one I try to avoid is Fake. (I really wish judgemental and religious started with F)

...All the Numbers.

About a month ago I was taking my daughter (Kaylee) to school. By the way, she's just turned five. She asked me..."Daddy, what's the biggest number in the world? What do you think it is? Thinking really hard, she guessed..."69 GAGILLION!" As lovingly as I could, "...Now add one". I could see that the light was coming on. I felt proud and smart. Then just as I was about to apply to teach at the Sylva learning center...she turned...."Well, since I can't think of the biggest number in the world...I just love you all the numbers!" That is without equal...my greatest -I love you Daddy moment to date! I hope one day I can love you God, as much as she loves me. After all...you made all the numbers.

...The Right Questions?

If I asked you what love was...what words would you use to describe it? Would you try to recall what you heard someone else say? Would you give me an example of someone like mother Teresa, Gahndi, Mamma, or maybe Jesus? Would you describe their lives,...or something from the History Channel? The question could really be about anything. Most of us describe things, especially, attribes or admirable traits like that. Some people answer with "...well it's when you..." When we use words like this, it sounds like vague generalities. It's not personalized, and so not something we take personal. I used to be great at this. That kind of conversation kills the time, but doesn't change lives. Love changes lives! People don't want lectures or concepts when it comes to love. Love is not a concept! It's a verb...an action word. Love is not something you fall into, it's something you do! When you don't do it, it is not visible! Did you get that? That means that as far as you are concerned,(-as an example) you are not included. When Greg and I talk about stuff, the first and last question asked is always, "What's that look like? What did that look like in Jesus' life? What's that look like in my life" I want to ....OK. What's that look like? I want to be someone who reaches out to....OK. What's that look like? I want to reach all of the plates in my cabinets. OK. (Steve...without a ladder, that doesn't not look like you. Sorry.) You get the picture. Everyone that knows me, knows that phrase. They usually know when my answer should be...it doesn't look like me right now. God doesn't place his love or wisdom, just out of reach. Everything applies! All things are possible...If I'm giving each day to God, I have ask myself...what's that look like? If we are the hands and feet of the God of the universe...what's that look like?