The Image of God

 The Image of God.  What does it mean to be in made in His image?  Does it require a commitment on our part or was it just a one time thing?  Do we live in His image?  Are we living the life that God has for us?  Are we at the level where God wants us to be?  These are questions that we must ask our self when we think about the image of God. 

Are we taking His image and using it to take our spiritual man to the next level.  The level where God wants us to be.  The level where we show God through our actions, our thoughts, and our prayers.

The Image of God.  What does it mean to be in His image?  Are we the only person that can stop our self in becoming the man or woman He wants us to become?  The answer is yes.  It should make us feel good that our past can’t stop is, our problems can’t stop us, our circumstances can’t stop us, other people cant stop us.  Only me myself and I can stop me from becoming who God intends for me to be, and that is in His image. 

How many times do we look at this as an opportunity to bathe in self-pity?  Or make excuses that start with the word if,  if I had more money, if I went to a better school, if I wasn’t so tired or busy I could do more for God. 

When I think about this in relation to my marriage, no matter how wonderful it is, it could still be better.  You can move to the next level even in your marriage.  What about our jobs, our relationships, our finances, our relationship with God?

 Are we really satisfied with where we are or do we really want to walk in His Image? 

 If we are truly hungry for God it requires us to do several things:

 1.    Have a greater responsibility: everyone must be responsible for themselves.  We must take the blame ourselves and be responsible for our actions. I must make a conscience decision to follow Him and not merely rely on others to get me through it.  

2.    We must have a greater commitment:  There will be plenty of opportunities to quit! But when you make a commitment, quitting is not an option.  It may seem hard to keep commitments but God always honors His!  

3.    We must have greater discipline: Discipline is a must.  Discipline helps us say yes to the important things and keeps us from becoming lazy. Discipline in life allows us to stay focused on the task at hand. 

4.    We must have a greater sacrifice.  No great thing is ever accomplished without sacrifice.  Jesus said to find your life you must be willing to lose it.  Jesus did just that!  

5.    We must be accountable to one another.  Everyone must be accountable to someone.  Tom move to the next level in anything, the accountability becomes greater.  Jesus said to whom much is given much is required. 

6.    We must take risks: Life Is full of risks.  The greatest hazard is to risk nothing.  Because the person who risks nothing, has nothing and is nothing. No matter what image we may resemble today, we will always be striving to walk in the Image of Christ.  

Lord help me to be molded into your Image.  Help me not to get too busy to stop what I am doing and listen to what you are saying.  Help me not to hear just hear your voice, but help me to respond to it!  Thank you for keeping us, and help us to move closer to you! 

The Dreaded flu

I know that this may seem like a horrible topic write on, but I have to give thanks to God in advance for getting us through it.  It is times like these that we all fall on our knees to God and beg for His mercy.  But the thing that really stirs me up inside is why is it that we always feel like we have to wait to get His attention.  Only in the desperate times do we feel we can call on Him.  As I have laid in bed the past few days, I know that God has had to had his laughs at my expense, as I can remember sleeping for longer than I have ever slept.   Even since my teenage years. But then I wonder does God know when we have just had enough and forces us to stop and be thankful for what we have been given.  In my case, I know the answer is yes.   He did.  And it made me realize how great our God is.  

I have found out that I never want to be in the middle of a storm or trial or in this case sickness, where I haven't called upon the name of God in a long time.  It is in these times that we need God to answer right now.  Today one of the hardest things hit me, I was the one that made my son sick.  Peyton is right now sick with the same flu I have had for the past few days.   It bothered me, it worries me, but the God thing that I stand on is doesn't surprise my God.  It doesn't even worry Him in the least little bit.  This past week has been a very busy one, so much to the point I feel like I have barely seen my sons, but I know that I have a Father who has been with them every second of every day.  

After reading this morning in the word, I see Moses getting specific instructions from God to give to the people.  They are supposed to set aside time to honor God and to give Him the due respects.  But then I find it even more interesting when one person asks him, what do we do if we are unclean?  God then responds with they can still celebrate the passover, but they must do so at the appointed time.  

Isn't there a need for an appointed time for us to meet with the Master.   I feel like we are all so unworthy of celebrating and worshipping Him for who He is but I know that He cares about even the small things in our lives.  He cares about each one of us so very very much.  We all nee dour appointed times so that we can stop and just listen and give back to Him a little of what He has given to us.  So even if sickness does come, and it might, just no that you have God's full attention and maybe now He has yours too!  

The past week has caused me to realize that without Him, I am definitely nothing.  When I am weak, He is strong.  He has been there to hold my family together when I haven't been around, and has protected my baby and my wife from this!  I plead the blood of Jesus of them so that they do not get this sickness, and that Peyton will be restored to health asap.  

God I thank you for allowing me to have access to You at all times.  We no longer need the sacrifices as of old, but we must never forget that all of us are unclean. The good news is that you can wash us white as snow, and nothing can ever separate us from your love.  I pray for the health of my family, and my extended family, as they have been a great help in the time of need. I thank you for the love and support of a church family that knows how to pray, and ask that You be with each of them.  Be with us and wash this house free of germs.   AMEN. 

Brayden Josiah

I have to say that today has been one of the greatest days of my life.  My wedding day being the first and the birth of my first son Peyton is right there with this one.  I can't explain to you How great our God is.  When you see the birth process and see the end result, I don't see how anyone can ever say there isn't a God.  I thank God for allowing us to be a part of His creation.  

Brayden Josiah was born at 1:11PM  and weighed 7.5lbs and 20 3/4 inches long.  I have always said there was no way to ever love another like I love Peyton, well I definitely know now that isn't true.  There is nothing like the feeling of your own flesh in blood in your arms.  These babies are totally dependant on us to provide for them.  It just reminds me of how much we have to depend on God for everything.  Without Him, we are nothing.  

Just remember today, as God brought a new baby into the world, yet again, the greatness of our God.  It is never too late to come home to a Father who has His arms open wide.  I thank each of you for the many prayers, and ask that God watch over each of you.  I couldn't be more proud of my wife Christina, my son Peyton, and now my son Brayden Josiah!  

The Big Day

Well as I sit here in the hospital room, waiting for our son to make his grand entrance into the world, my heart is overwhelmed with responsibility, with joy, with emotion.  I can't even begin to express what Peyton has meant to us.  He is the joy of our life.   There isn't a day goes by that he doesn't make me smile and just to think in just a few hours, I will have a new bundle of joy.  I have often times stopped to think why would God choose me.  Why would He choose us to be parents of such an awesome creations.  The more I begin to think that God loves us so much that He trust us with His creations just proves the kind of creator we serve.  

God chooses us to be a part of His creation.  Then we have to choose to serve Him or do our own thing.  There is nothing that is more rewarding than serving Him.  I know that I have failed many times, but God has always been faithful to be there when I have not.  Today, I can't imagine the love that it had to take for God to send His son into this world.  A world full of sin.  There are many parts of me that wishes we could totally surround our children from the filth of this world, but then that is why we serve such an awesome God.  

In just a few hours, Brayden Josiah will join our family.  I know that it will impossible to love Him like our creator loves us, but I will do my very best to be the best Dad I can to him and to by little buddy, the big brother, Peyton.  I can only sit here and Thank God for the gift of life, and can only imagine what this new bundle of joy will mean to our lives.  

We have definitely had a whirlwind of days the last few weeks, and I am sure this will be no exception, but I am ready to see all of the new challenges that another gift from God will bring. I can't close this post without saying to all of my family and friends thank you for all your love and prayers.  I pray that each of you renews your relationship with our creator and know that no matter what it is you are going through, God will be here.  I know He is with us now in this room, and He will be with us always.  Nothing we do can ever separate us from the love of God. 

Lord, I thank you on this awesome day in You.  I thank you for the gift of life.  I thank you for guiding us this far, and know that in the next few hours, days, weeks, and months that You will be our strength.  I pray for the delivery, for Christina, for Brayden, for the doctors and nurses.  I know Your hand will be with them.  I thank you for a peace and strength for Christina and that you will help her to endure to the end.  I thank you for this new addition to our family, and pray that You watch over his grand entrance into the world. I pray for the new big brother Peyton, so that he will be able to understand that Brayden will never take his place, but rather have a place just like his.  I pray for family and friends that are traveling here, and pray that you guide them all the way.  Lord, most of all I thank you for saving me so that on a day like today, I know where our strength comes from, our Help comes from You!  Be with us.  I love you Lord.  Amen 

The Source of the Problem

Today as I was reading in Mark chapter 7, I found a very interesting passage of scripture that made me begin to look at my own life. For many years I have heard of talk about the Pharisees of the Bible, and how they were religious, but yet did not follow the full commands of God. Often times they can be seen directly questioning Christ himself. But it wasn't until this morning that I realized have we not at times been Pharisees of sorts? I mean the biggest thing that is known of the Pharisees was there taking their scriptures and applying it to their lives as they saw fit. This passage in Mark really stirred me up though when Jesus in fact responded this to the Pharisees:

Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bulls eye in fact:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,

but their heart isn't in it.

They act like they are worshipping me,

but they don't mean it.

They just use me as cover

for teaching whatever suits their fancy,

Ditching God's commands,

and taking up the latest fads."

That looks to me like a picture of churches today. How many times have we been guilty of coming to church and did just that, put on a show. Deep down inside knowing it was just that. There was no act of obedience to God, no desire to truly enter into His presence, no heart of worship, just a mere act that was put on to satisfy the people around us. Wow, I can say that I have been guilty as charged. I have had those days where nothing was true and pure and made worship something that God never intended it to be. I have been in churches and heard messages that simply touch the simple things of life that only are pleasing to the ear and never truly deal with the commands of God. I have seen it time and time again how the so called Christians of the world are so far from the ways of God, that others choose never to come to our churches because they see how so called Christians act.

So how then can we say that the Pharisees were wrong and just act like we are OK. I think this scripture should make us look at our own life and make sure that are worship always revolves around Him. If we cannot obey the ways of God, it will be impossible for us to ever truly hear His voice, or for us to even be in His will. I am reminded of the children of Israel when God made a covenant with them, but they refused to follow His commands. It was because of the their disobedience to the covenant that God made with them that they had to go through battles and trials without God's cover. If they would have just listened the first time, God would have been with them always. The same thing is true for us. God has made promises to us and to our families, and we must be willing to follow his commands, and worship Him for who He is, not just act like we are doing so. God desires the praises of His children, and he deserves every second of it. As the children of God, we must be careful not to fall into routines, or try to do things our way, and we must be careful to listen for the voice of God.

God it is my prayer that I never get in a hurry or worship or prayer with You. I pray that I will always remember that worship is not about me at all, it is all about you. May everything that comes out of my mouth glorify you and let bit of pride fall before you. May I do everything in your Name, and never let me fall into the trap of the world in my teachings, my lifestyle, or my worship. Search me, clean me, use me. I thank you for loving us in such a way that you have never given up on us, even when we have tried our own thing. May you be with us this week, as the new life that you have given to us comes into this world. May I be the husband, father, son, brother, and friend you have called me to be. Thank you for the blessings you have shown to me and my family, and may we always remember who the Blesser is and where the blessings come from.

Back to business

Over the past few weeks I have seen God show up in more ways than one.  Without going into extreme detail I can say that the past few weeks have been well crazy.  The key to it all for me is knowing that God still sees and cares about everything going on in our lives.  I think about how many hours that I spend doing this and that and then realize that when the end of the day comes, I am just worn out and feel like doing nothing.  But then I think about the God that we serve.  What if God was like that?   I mean compared to God, our lives our simple.  We deal with work, family, friends, and then whatever extra we can squeeze into to our already busy lives, but God never stops to even take a break.  I mean right now as I write this and spend some quiet time with God, I have His undivided attention.  But what is amazing is that if someone all across the world is doing the very same thing, they also have His undivided attention.  Thankfully, we serve a God that is everything to everyone.  He is whatever we are searching for, He is whatever we are in need of, and He is always there.  In comparison to some of us, what an breath of fresh air.  

As the past few weeks have unfolded, my life and my families have been a whirlwind.  We have somehow managed to move the from a school building to a church (finally after about 3 years), I have managed to enroll myself in more classes ( not sure how that will go), we found out that our son (Brayden Josiah) will be born next Friday (unless God has different plans), and with the help of others, got through our first youth service with only minor scratches.  Even though it seemed as if there was no stopping to what has been a whirlwind of weeks, I find comfort in the fact that I have a God that has been with me every step of the way.  Nothing about this crazy time in my life surprised God.  He knew it all.  He wasn't searching for the how to book or scratching His head on what which way was up, He already knew everything about me.  The awesome thing is my God is past, present, and future all in one.  He knew me and my life before I was even born.  He has plans for me.  

Nothing surprises God.  I have found that whatever I have asked God for over the past few weeks, He has answered.  It hasn't always been like I would have like, but it has been with the loving arms of a parent.  I just wonder, what would happen if all that I did, was in sync with all that He wanted me to do.  What would happen if I truly lived every day like it was my last, and gave God all that He wanted of me?  

Lord, I pray that these thoughts would not be just that.  I pray that I would begin to live everyday in your will.  Let me hear your voice through all the chaos that life will bring.  Always help me to keep you at the center of whatever I am doing, and never let me forget who gave me life in the first place.  Lord I love you and thank you for the past few days and cannot wait to see what You have in store for my future, and the future with my new family!  Amen.   

God Is

Over the past week, I have seen God move in many different ways. I find it very interesting that wherever we go, whatever we do, whatever the need, God is. It isn't really a hard concept to grasp, but many people find this hard to believe. How can God be everywhere, always. Well without going into extreme theology, the best I can expalin it is He just is. We have to realize that God is. Whatever that means to us.

As I study the scriptures I find many pasaages throughout the Bible where God is obviosuly around, and present but the writers and mostly, us, the readers forget that He is there. After studying today, I was reading through several passages, and I know that often times we take several books in the Bible as history, and don't look at them theologically. Or I guess I should say with a purpose in mind.

I have seen God move in to many ways to just forget that He is. But why is it so hard for us to grasp. Why is it that we feel like we have to explain to God all of our needs, instead of approaching Him with the knowledge that He already is everything we need. What is it about our thoughts or misconceptions of Him that makes us think that some things we can hide from God and that if we miss simple things that He won't care. I have been drawn back to worship many times over the past month and I can't help but thinking that God just desires us to be as much in to Him as He is to us. If we could just get a glimpse of how much He truly loves and cares about all of our needs, then we would know that whatever it is, God is.

As one songwriter wrote, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. What that means to me is there will be times when we just don't feel like worshipping. When we don't feel like praying. When we don't feel like doing what he desires. But we have to remember He will be our guide and our strength because of the simple thought God is. If we could only grasp this simple but complex thought, our lives could be so much easier. We have to realize that God is in the middle of everything and we cannot push Him out of our lives. His only desire is for us to be with Him as much as He is with us.

Lord, I pray today, that I learn to trust the simple fact that You are. If I can learn to lean on that and know that no matter what the circumstance, problem or trial, you have the answer. Let me learn to trust You in all things, and let me have a desire to spend more time with you daily. Take all of me and make me into who you want me to be. Open up doors that no man can open and help me to see all that you have for me and my family. Be with all of my family and friends and