responding....

When you hear that voice inside what do you do? I am beginning to hear things more clearly and it is not the food talking!

Today, I heard this "I have brought people to you, now you need to bring people to me." See the witnessing thing has never been my strong suit. Just let my actions speak. For me it is the easy way, never having to step from my comfort. I know that He has plans for my life, comfort is not what's important. I have a bold confidence, not there before. I have the ability to meet people through compassionate understanding, I have been there & I have been forgiven.

Just the other day I was sitting at God's Nectar House (Starbucks) with a new friend, had to thank God, because as I listened to him, it was clear He is using me. I was where he was just a few years ago. Our prayer has always been that He uses our testimony to serve His Kingdom...He is!

To this point it has only required being willing. He is now requiring more from me. I see how God is using my mistakes for His glory. The things that once separated me from Him are now what draw me closer......

I responded, at the very moment He spoke; the person He needed me to speak to was directly in sight. Can not just let my actions speak, I have to voice my actions. He loves me that much...to surround me with people who need to know!

what counts....

Perspective of judgements....
Galatians 6:15 "....what counts is a new creation."
Shame and guilt have kept my life devoid of His power, freedom and grace.
I could never seem to seperate myself from judgement I placed on myself. I must step out of His way, He has shown me value in the new creation I have become. The Victory is won, He doesn't throw our sin back in our face, that's been ransomed, paid and forgiven. "There is no ressurection without a crucifixion." Let go of my understanding and allow His power in the provisions. I appreciate Perry's practical truth in the week2 message from "God is....."series.

So what counts is a new creation, I must remember actively that I am a new creation. Stop bearing the burdens He has already lifted. Stop holding on to what does not belong to me. Start living for today, start believing God is......

Change...

"The place between hope and change....is pain." Real Change Campaign (week4) The difference today I used to believe a message was all it took, "why does it not root?" Then I hear something that describes the very difference in my life today. I used to think God's transformational power could come from a message...because I just wanted to be fed and changed.

A sermon can offer hope
Hope fosters a decision
Decision ministers change
Change demands that I do something more than just listen.....

Stop waiting for the answer, start moving towards it.

expectations....

Sandra and I have had conversations about expectations, that others place, that we place on any given situation. I was struck by the profound revelation, "having no expectations is even an expectation." Communication is what will bring the greatest opportunity to grace. Sometimes you have to speak to the unspoken.

An example, last night someone told me he would be in early to make up 4 hrs. missed. So at when I arrived to find he was not here, my expectations went unmet. At 7:45 (15 min. early)when he arrived "early" I thought it really would have helped if I had asked "what does early mean?"

Sandra had a conversation with someone about how we didn't meeting her expectations, when they were never spoken; only expected. Fact is we never will live up to the expectations of some, if you answer one there will always be another. I lived my childhood insecure by unmet expectations placed on me. Most of which were never spoken, imprisoned by others self imposed out of fear, insecurity a lack of self esteem.

It is easier and I am better at not speaking what needs to be spoken. It is the same thing spiritually for me, when I articulate to God what I carry, it is the only way I allow Him to take it from me. Often it is what's unsaid that can hurt the deepest, so why not just say it, He is just waiting to exceed my expectations; if I ask. That's Grace!

In me, not on me.....

Visiting Starbucks this morning someone mentioned her daughter that suffers from an eating disorder. I asked more, since she was speaking about it. She said "she is anorexic." Immediately my heart felt burdened, pained for this girl. Immediately my response was "I will pray for her," as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 came to mind "pray without ceasing."

What burdens my heart most is that Satan uses the power of our affliction and sin to bind us in the bondage. The bondage of shame and guilt that holds us back from the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We are blinded to receiving the grace He paid in the ultimate sacrifice of death on the cross. The fact is we're wrong in our perspective, pray that we may see through His eyes. "See God in me, not the filth that was on me."

Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace" he sings "My God my Savior has ransomed me." He has paid the price, even if I feel no worth, He knew the cost He would pay. It was never the cost....it was all the value! My commission as a believer and father is to make sure I do not miss the opportunity to share the value. The cost can keep us captive, the value will set us free....

broken....

Had lunch with a friend today, when I suddenly realized God was speaking to me. We were talking about life, real life "can not always win life." The real deal, smelly stuff you do not want exposed kind of life, because you are way vulnerable life, what will they think of me life. When He dropped this revelation into my lap, there is 2 kinds of "BROKEN."

The first is the kind of broken most people may know...they think they are broken; when in fact they are only embarrassed. There is a big difference, how do you respond to that feeling of broken. You still want to hide it, manipulate it, and shade what people really see, it's prideful. The kind that ultimately keeps people and peace away. The kind that seperates you from the Grace of God.

The other kind of "broken" is the real thing, the kind that can find power through weakness. The kind that feels like you like you've been run over. The kind that praises without saying all the right things. The kind that draws you closer to others, in humility. The kind that can provide the hope needed to remember His faithfulness even when you do not feel it. The kind that seeks prayerfully. The only kind that can provide HOPE even if you are still taking on water.

So as I enjoyed yet another blessing from God, a friend who gets it! I have been both kinds of broken, one is far better than the other. I am grateful He has brought people into my life who understand it's not what you have done, it's what He is doing! Best of all neither one of us noticed it must have smelled! It is Grace to win, not grace to sin....

give to grow...

Matthew 25:14-30 speaks of the parable of the talents, more specifically for me the one who took no risk with while the others took a risk of uncertainty. The others took that faith lead risk, that they may grow in faith. They risked it all so that God would act on their action.

Thanks Holly for making this so clear, in your message, "PURE." I am surrounded by great people. People who seem to be available, willing to allow God to use them as assets in the lives of others. By that very response and action of availability they are avoiding spiritual stagnation. They are the ones growing, the ones I am drawn to. See God will use you, only you stand in the way of that power. Sandra said something last night to me, she has been entrusted with something. Though she may wish to bury it in the earth (she knows what I am talking about) many feet under the soil! She said, "I may not care about this....., but I care about the relationship." What Sandra said was a simple statement with powerful impact on me, essentially you have to risk....you give to grow!

Here's revelation to me; you grow spiritually by investing yourself into people, using the gifts, talents and resources God has invested into you. Avoid spiritual stagnation by allowing Him to use those very gifts, do not hide them in the sand. He will then show you, He can then use you, He then can feel your worship! As Pastor Steven said this past Sunday, worship is equal parts revelation and response.....

ah....yes!

The old familiar predicament of searching for potential employees, balancing a sense of humor and integrity! Here is a direct quote from a resume'! So good I had to post it as life is just simply funny sometimes....

"Self employed, owner of ------.,(til this fine economy of ours went into the crapper)
I'm located in Waxhaw and would be willing to provide references should this actually go anywhere....
....but I'm headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Wednesday and will be out of contact til the last race is done..... and the last beer gone!"


See in my industry, here in "NASCAR country," there are only a couple of things that take priority over a serious job hunt! Race weeks & beer, Hunting Season & beer! Comforting to know I have 2 full weeks before I have to make my final decision about his employment with us!

Holy Spirit....

When praying for some friends, over circumstances in their lives that it would be easy to pass judgement, clearly not mine to pass. I would miss the entire lesson of loving others!

Could it be that because of our insensitivity to the working of the Holy Spirit, we often fail to recognize the inner ministry of God in other people's lives?

I came across the story of Hannah & Eli in 1 Samuel, when it became clear for me. Whenever we are tempted to judge another person, I must remember how Eli misunderstood Hannah. Because we cannot fully understand others, we often misinterpret their motives and conduct. Since God alone knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, He alone fully understands what motives our behavior.

Simply, I remember Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"

Would it not be better to love others.....than to judge others?

Skipping....perspective

Now just the other day I was holding hands and skipping in a parking lot with one of my daughter's. When someone stopped me, literally stopped me and asked "why are you skipping?" I responded "why wouldn't I?"
1. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve at the non-conference THR3E, all day I was skipping, what a blast to honor and serve God's anointed.
2. That night go to men's group, discuss "The cost of your calling" a message of Pastor Steven's
3. Work is beginning to turn around. Sat in another job meeting when I realized His Provincial timing. Began thinking how will we ever be able to keep up? (been awhile since last had those thoughts!)
4. Heading to a wedding with my best friend, my heart still skips (like a falling chair) when I think about her!
5. My life is surrounded by incredible people
6. My life is blessed with God's Grace
7. My life is filled with restoration, forgiveness, & repentance....I am a new creation in Him!
8. My life is filled with opportunity to PRAISE HIM & Rejoice
9. Did I mention getting away with my bride?
10. Hey Jamie, thanks you've helped my to know how to "choose joy!"

"why wouldn't I skip?"

If you see someone skipping, stop them and ask "why are you skipping!"