The Sweetest Frame

It's been nice to have a day to find a few moments to rest and to reflect. From today's reading... Psalm 143: 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  11 For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. I am reminded over and over again that my life is to be for His Name's Sake.  And I love that. Lord, as the Psalmist says here, please show me the way and lead me on level ground.  May your name be hallowed with this life I have to give.

These words are hard, but familiar John 12:25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. But these words seem almost new... John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be . My Father will honor the one who serves me. Where have you "found" Jesus? There you will find contentment.

My kids are going crazy about Julian Smith TV - http://www.juliansmith.tv/ Anybody know anything about this guy? :)

If you could have whatever you want, what would it be? Double Stuff Oreos, A College National Championship, One good night's rest... 1 Kings 3:5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “ Ask! What shall I give you?” If I'm asking you this question - you shouldn't expect too much. But if God is asking then it becomes a powerful, life-changing question. I think this question shows if we are desperate for God or not. It shows where our passions lie. What do you want?

Really enjoying this song lately. Some songs just make you burst forth in thanks. O The Blood is one of those for me.

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing when you are convicted by your own sermon. Today we were looking at our passion for knowing Christ and living a life that reflects the glory of God. It seems easy for me to get side tracked. I don't know how effective I will be, but I'd like to do more creating and reflecting and less consuming. Life is too short spend it watching re-runs. :) What do you do to help keep yourself from wasting time on insignificant things?

Some times I find myself frustrated with the pace of our new ministry. Today, I took part in the funeral of a dear friend, Dale Donoho. Dale was a great encouragement to me. I felt today that I actually helped some people, I comforted them in their time of grief. I also enjoyed so much seeing the church minister to Dale's wife, Judy and the rest of the family. It felt significant. On my drive home tonight I was reflecting about the day, and realized something. In my time at Calvary, I was part of both Dale's Mom and Dad's funeral. I was also a part of both Judy's Mom and Dad's funeral. This stuff didn't happen overnight, not even in a couple of years. It was years of friendships, and prayer, and doing life together, that helped this moment today feel so significant. My brother gave me some great advice tonight. He said - you shouldn't compare the end of your last ministry with the beginning of a new one. It takes time.