what just happened....?

Seems somewhere in time life transformed from reading to living.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-7

When just then it all seemed to explain itself. Past, present and future. The passage goes on to explain the Paul, Silas and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians so that they may learn. They imitate what they learn, then carry that which they have learned to be modeled by others. Seems that's how life change happens.

As I prepare my heart to counsel with another brother this evening, I have a confidence in those who have shared and lived beside me. Life change starts by investment in others allowing God's love to speak. What's even better my bride is out with his fiance' tonight too. An awesome feeling to know how God answers prayer.

For way too long I was surrounded by believer's that leaned against the cross, it was hard for me to see His glory as the eyes of judgement were cast upon me. Now I am surrounded by those who kneel before the cross with their eye's of imperfection cast upon the cross. Do not just speak the words, live them.

As I rip off the words of Perry Noble, "keep running up the score God!"

a violinist....

While watching a violinist I was floored by his focus, his whole body seemed to be caught in that moment. While watching his facial expressions, I began thinking about the music he was playing. As if he was the only instrument playing, he was consumed; oblivious to the sounds & world around him. He trusted the training, rehearsal and knowledge to be completely in tune. He was confident in his craft, skills of others and calling that his only focus was in the present moment. He was not lost in the moment he was focused on the moment. So as the violinist's bow draws across the strings, all sacrifice to that point emboldens him to know he has what it takes to make the next note.

A question I hear from men struggling is how do you resist temptation? Fight then resist, know where the enemy lives among you. Scripture says when tempted; not if. To fight temptation, I actively participate in the moment, on my toes not on my heels. If I am not resisting temptation I may be entertaining it. Submitting to Him I will find confidence in His strength, I can identify where temptation enters and prevent desire from becoming sin.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ends the passage with ...he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

The gospel as a living ever changing force in my life. I have read the book of James for it's practicality & as my ipod plays podcasts in my ears, I listen to Essential James series over and over. Pastor tagged so many one liners that continue to transform my thoughts. Although the line that kept playing over is from Real Change Campaign, "I would rather change little by little than never having changed at all."

In Essential James, Pastor kicked it square. Revelation & application lead to transformation. So in reading James 3:17, I see how He has worked on me. Once living with wrong motives, closed minded, judgement of others, unanswered prayers...living life in utter disregard for the claims of God on my life. When my eyes are opened to the reality of transformation as these things slowly but surely cease to be a part of me. Just then the answer appears, "If we come near to God, He will come near to us and our lives will change." I have peace.......

Way to go God the score seems to be running up!

hope....or Hope?

After speaking to someone who remarked something to the effect of "I hope I will find peace and freedom from what holds me back." When truly the bottom line is "what holds me back....me" As if to say "one day I hope I can go to Disney World." Certainly not if you do not labor for it!

When I suddenly realized hope has become some misrepresentation of it's meaning. In it's own distorted way it means wishful thinking. If there is one thing that I have come to believe is look back in my life, call on history. When I have let go of what holds me back; faith and hope step in to allow His past performance to prove His future faithfulness. In this conversation hope stepped forward and offered the words "Hope is a confidence that God will do as He has promised."

I prefer to live in the hope of His return rather than "I hope Christ returns?" There is no question in that statement for He has responded every time I moved to Him. Steadfast in Hope, I am changed because of that Hope.

"A memory from my past can be just the encouragement I need in a difficult time. When in doubt, think back." (author unknown by me) "The scars of sin will be gone..." Philippians

independence day....

Been thinking about what freedom is; or what it is not because I have more experience in that category.
Freedom is less me and more Thee.
Freedom is not mine but Thine.
Freedom is more Thy than my.
I was in search of independence when what I was really missing was freedom.
As I begin to think about the grace in His pursuing me, I see freedom was paid by those who came before, who gave for the cost of freedom from the law. Christ sacrificed His freedom so that He could pay for mine. He was and is the only way to find freedom. Bought and paid...through that comes real independence, knowing the Father's love for me. An intimacy with God.

That's freedom to me
Mark 10:45 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."