It has been so long since I have blogged. I guess I just forget. So where do I start....hmmm....I guess thanking God for His hand upon my life.
I am thankful for my parents who gave me so much and I never had a chance to adequately give back to them.
I am thankful for my family, though imperfect, we are "normal" compared to many others.
I am thankful for God's call upon my life.
I am thankful for my mind...that I can concentrate and process the things of God.
I am thankful that God's mercies are new every day.
I am thankful for a roof over my head, food in my stomach, a car to drive and the many things that make my life easier.
I am thankful for a best friend who stands by me, loves me and is rooting for me always.
I am thankful for my Lead Pastor who is a pastor, co-worker, mentor and friend. I trust her.
I am thankful for my church family.
I am thankful that if I put God first in EVERYTHING He will see me through.
May a day never pass by that I miss thanking God, through good times and bad, God will NEVER let me down!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Remembering
In the Bible there were several times when people would stop and make an altar or pile of stones as a means of remembrance. The thought was that when the children would come by that place they would ask why it was there. The adult would then share about God's goodness, His provision, or a miraculuous event that took place there. We need to always remember.
Last night I was blessed to reconnect with some people I lost contact with a number of years ago. Our paths all crossed at Rhode Island School of Photography in the early 90's. This June will be our 15th year since graduation. It amazes me how time has flown by. Our lives are all very different now, but the common bond that brought us together enabled us to both reminisce and catch up.
I had forgotten so much... names, events, funny stories. But with a little conversation much of that came back. Good times and hard times, laughter and wonder. We now have added a new chapter onto our lives and hopefully will connect again....sooner than another 15 years.
I look back at myself then a photographer and now a pastor and know that every event in our lives builds us into the people we become. Not perfect, but certainly unique. Paths crisscrossing along the way. I am thankful for the experiences I have had and look forward to the future that God has in store for me!
Last night I was blessed to reconnect with some people I lost contact with a number of years ago. Our paths all crossed at Rhode Island School of Photography in the early 90's. This June will be our 15th year since graduation. It amazes me how time has flown by. Our lives are all very different now, but the common bond that brought us together enabled us to both reminisce and catch up.
I had forgotten so much... names, events, funny stories. But with a little conversation much of that came back. Good times and hard times, laughter and wonder. We now have added a new chapter onto our lives and hopefully will connect again....sooner than another 15 years.
I look back at myself then a photographer and now a pastor and know that every event in our lives builds us into the people we become. Not perfect, but certainly unique. Paths crisscrossing along the way. I am thankful for the experiences I have had and look forward to the future that God has in store for me!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
What is your temperature?
I was praying for a friend the other day that they would not be lukewarm in their walk with the Lord. I was quickened to examine myself. What is my temperature? I want to be hot (passionate, on fire, etc.) for God. I don't want to be lukewarm. In the book of Revelation God says that He would rather a person be hot or cold, not lukewarm. The lukewarm He would spit out of His mouth.
So I began to pray about being "hot" after God. I most certainly don't want to be cold much less lukewarm. But it occurred to me, in order to move from lukewarm to hot means that the heat needs to be turned up. When you turn up the heat, things become uncomfortable. It is almost impossible to stay in the same position, place, or level. I think of those that walk on hot coals, you don't see them stop and rest, camp out or fall asleep. They need to keep moving, keep focused and intent on reaching their goal. That is the way our Christian walk should be...moving forward, focused on God and fixed on reaching the goal. With a solid relationship with God, daily following after Him and relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance we can finish the race well. And we will her those words - well done good and faithful servant.
What is your temperature?
So I began to pray about being "hot" after God. I most certainly don't want to be cold much less lukewarm. But it occurred to me, in order to move from lukewarm to hot means that the heat needs to be turned up. When you turn up the heat, things become uncomfortable. It is almost impossible to stay in the same position, place, or level. I think of those that walk on hot coals, you don't see them stop and rest, camp out or fall asleep. They need to keep moving, keep focused and intent on reaching their goal. That is the way our Christian walk should be...moving forward, focused on God and fixed on reaching the goal. With a solid relationship with God, daily following after Him and relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance we can finish the race well. And we will her those words - well done good and faithful servant.
What is your temperature?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A New Year
Have you ever had good intentions to keep a resolution and within the first week have already blown it? I have. As a kid I would give up at that point. Realizing it was broken I would just let myself off the hook and move on.
I think that happens too often today. A new plan, a new adventure, a new strategy to change ourselves into the person that God wants us to be .... one strike, one mistake, one "fall" and we throw in the towel and claim it's too hard and we will never be able to make it.
But that is not what God wants for us. He never said we had to be perfect - for He alone is perfect. He simply asks us to seek Him first, follow His commands, and if we mess up to come to Him and ask for forgiveness. We also need to ask for His strength and help for us to live rightly. With God all things are possible.
So as this New Year opens let us not just throw in the towel if we mess up, but lets ask God for His strength, power and help to press on to that goal.
I think that happens too often today. A new plan, a new adventure, a new strategy to change ourselves into the person that God wants us to be .... one strike, one mistake, one "fall" and we throw in the towel and claim it's too hard and we will never be able to make it.
But that is not what God wants for us. He never said we had to be perfect - for He alone is perfect. He simply asks us to seek Him first, follow His commands, and if we mess up to come to Him and ask for forgiveness. We also need to ask for His strength and help for us to live rightly. With God all things are possible.
So as this New Year opens let us not just throw in the towel if we mess up, but lets ask God for His strength, power and help to press on to that goal.
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