Been A While

Been a while since I've logged in and posted anything. I guess life gets busy and we forget to do some of the little things that we enjoy. I'm doing quite well and I am so grateful for Gods love and His mercy in my life. My wife and I have been trying to have another child after going through a miscarriage last November. That was a horrible experience but I know that through all the pain and questions that God is in control and He has a perfect plan for my family. And most importantly we trust Him!!! I'm grateful to be able to pen my thoughts and hopefully help others and encourage them in their walk with Christ. Regardless of your circumstances and your walk in life, Jesus loves you and He died for you so that you may be free and live for Him. God Bless everyone and I'll be writing more soon. Micah 7:7 New Living Translation (NLT) 7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Good vs. Evil

I had a little epiphany this morning while I was doing the dishes from breakfast. You know, one of those times where the Holy Spirit spoke something into my heart and it was like a light bulb went off inside my head. To back track, recently my friends and family have been under attack in a major way. I'm not gonna go into specifics, but let's just say that the devil is working overtime trying to hurt God's people and His church. We are standing on Gods promise to never forsake us and we know that He will work everything out for our good and for His glory. This morning I felt the Lord tell me that the difference between good and evil is that evil never rests!!! It hit me like a ton of bricks... Now don't start analyzing and think I'm off my rocker here. I'm in no way saying that God takes breaks and rests or that He isn't always there working things out on our behalf. It's not God who takes breaks, it's His people who do! That's right, stop and think of all the times that you've skipped church to watch you favorite team play on Sunday. Think of all the times you were too "busy" to read your bible or pray. Think of all the times you felt that nudge from God to help someone in need and simply said "I'm too busy!" Now you see where I'm coming from. 1Peter 5:8 tells us how the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us. The devil never takes a break, but he loves it when we do. When we decide to chill and not read The Word, or relax instead of talking to God, or when we turn our back on those in need so that it won't inconvenience us, we have openly given the devil space to take advantage of. We all get tired and we all feel down from time to time. But these are the times to cling to our Savior with the most fervent devotion so that He can give us rest and peace that passes all understanding. We as Gods people have to take a stand and not rest on our faith. We have to take the enemy on head long everyday and be ready to serve the Lord at all costs. Don't let the enemy get a victory today by your inaction or because you want to take a break. Thank God that He never takes a break and is there for us whenever we need Him!!! Psalm 13:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT) 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Strength...

I don't have to worry about anything anymore! God is with me and He's here to strengthen me in every situation. I recently was invited to a bachelor party for a friend of mine from work. I was extremely nervous about going because I didn't want to go any place that might be in direct conflict with my core values and beliefs. Plus the fact I know that I have an addiction to alcohol and therefore have no business being in a bar or tavern. I decided to go and bring a fellow coworker who is a Christian with me. We all had a blast and it was a great witness to our coworkers to see us go out with them, not drink, and have a good time while sipping on diet coke!!! Was it difficult being in that setting? Sure it was. I spent most of the time in my former club life in a bar or ice house with my buddies. Was the urge to drink overwhelming? NO. Honestly I prayed that God would help me to have no desire to drink and He absolutely came through. It's like I told a coworker who is constantly ribbing me for being a "Jesus Freak", if I drink one beer or go to a strip club with you guys in your eyes and the eyes of everyone we work with I'm a hypocrite. He agreed that it would look bad. I'm not saying that a Christian can't have a drink every now and then, but in this setting they wanted to see if I was strong enough to stick to my guns and my faith. The impact of all those guys going back to work and telling everyone how much fun they had with the us, "Jesus Freaks" who didn't drink, has been awesome. God will strengthen you in every situation and will work them out for His good and your good. You have the ability to be strengthened in any situation. All you have to do is ask! Psalm 16:8 New Living Translation (NLT) 8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Been a While...

I haven't posted in a while... No excuses, just typical busy summer with work and the awesome family. But I can tell you that God is great, Jesus is our only hope and that no matter what happens in life God is there for you. I have been focusing on seeking God and living my faith no matter where I am or who I'm with. I want the Holy Spirit to speak to me and through me. I'm praying that God will move in a mighty way in my life and my families lives. I will continue to seek Him and live for His will in my life. God bless you all and more posts are soon to come! John 14:1 NLT Jesus, the Way to the Father 14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

Where Do You Want Me?

Are you where God want's you to be? Do you know how to tell the difference? Just what does He want me to do? These are all questions that every Christian has asked themselves. Some of us know exactly where we are supposed to be and exactly what God wants us to do. Others of us... eh, we're not so sure. Trust me, you have to seek God and His will for your life in order to know where He wants you to be. We have each been given gifts from God that He intends for us to use. 1Corinthians 12:7-10 outlines special gifts given to each of us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Which gift do you have? Do you know? Have you asked God to let this gift be evident in your life? If you haven't then now is the time to ask and to receive from Him! Another question we always ask ourselves is "Am I where God wants me to be?" Well, are you? Sometimes we have to understand that in order for Him to move us to another place we have to find contentment and purpose in the place we are currently in. You are at your current job for a reason. You can make an impact on your coworkers and those around you on a daily basis. You may not believe it but you are in full time ministry! You work a full time job, you interact with Christians and non Christians alike everyday. You are God's instrument every where you go. If you can learn to be happy and seek out what He wants you to do in the place you inhabit now, He will surely show you greater things and give you so much more to do for the glory of His Kingdom. I feel very strongly that God wants me to work with bikers and with people who are considered outcasts to society. I feel this calling strongly on my life. However I currently know that God wants me to read my bible, pray and gain knowledge and strength in Him before He puts me where He wants me to go. So... I do my best to show His love at work, church, home, the grocery store, etc. etc... I'm content in seeking Him, Listening and learning from the Holy Spirit and waiting for Him to show me where to go and what to do. I know He will open a door for me and I know that I'm doing His work in the field He's placed me in today! So, today is a new day. Seek out His will, wait on Him and let Him open the door to where He wants you to go! 1 Chronicles 16:11(NLT) 11 Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.

Nanny

My family has called my grandmother Nanny for as long as I have been alive. In fact almost anyone who knows her calls her Nanny. I don't know if you know what her name means to me, but it means prayer warrior and godly advice giver. It means lover of lost souls, care giver to anyone in need, friend who never looks down on you, and the one person who can see past your sins and poor choices in order to give you a pearl of wisdom that will help you realize how much God loves you. I hold her in the highest of regard and have the utmost respect for her Christian values and God fearing lifestyle.
Recently the evil effects of on set dementia and Alzheimer's disease have begun to rob her of her ability to remember and process information. I have seen her go from a confident woman of prayer to a frail, confused shadow of her former self. It's a situation that is causing immense heart break for my family. My father, who is an old grizzly bear, has been reduced to tears on several occasions. To see the pain in my aunts eyes and to see them, and my father, realize that their mother is slowly fading away has been excruciating for me. I have had moments of doubt and fear. But as sure as I sit here today, I know that God is in control of this situation. He has Nanny in His hands and all this is going to work out for His glory!
It's hard... So hard in fact that I have been crying and wondering how I will get by. It's times like this that I remember Nanny's favorite scripture: Daniel 10:12, Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."
When I read that I remember that He is answering my prayer. I remember that Nanny would want me to rely on God, just as she has for so many years. I remember that no matter how hard it gets He has heard my cries and answered my prayers!!! The day is coming when she won't remember who I am. I know on this day that He will be with me and will hold me and my family in His arms.
I love you Nanny and I know that your presence at your current home is blessing to all those around you. I know that your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to see you and pray for you have shown the love of our Savior to all those around you. God is in control and He will speak to the hearts of all those who come in contact with you. I love you Nanny.

It's All Mapped Out...

It's been funny lately how the Holy Spirit has been working in mine and my families lives. I used to think that sometimes things just happen and you just roll with the punches. Until recently when God showed me that a Christian's steps are truly ordered by Him.
The other day my wife went to get change so she could pay for some cupcakes that we were having decorated by a friend for my daughters 6th birthday party. The cashier handed her a large bill and told her she didn't have any smaller bills. When my wife called me and told me the story I immediately felt the Holy Spirit tell me that it wasn't an accident, it was planned. I told my wife what the Lord had told me and we agreed to give our friend that large bill. Why? I don't know, I just know that God wanted her to have it and I wasn't going to ignore Him! The same thing happened a while back when I went to the gas station. For some reason my pump wouldn't accept my debit card, so I went to a station down the street. I bought my gas, went inside and got some gum and an energy drink. On my way out a guy on a really nice Honda 1800 was getting gas. I stopped and talked to him about his bike and before I left told him he had a great bike, that I hoped he had a great day and God bless him. That guy smiled from ear to ear and looked like it lifted his spirits to talk to me. Is it a coincidence that my card didn't work at one gas station and worked perfectly fine at a station 3 miles away? I think not!!!
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart just yesterday and told me that He is always with me. There's no mistakes, nothing that He isn't involved in in our lives if we believe in Him. From every turn in the road, to our route to work, where we buy our gas, who we speak to during the day and every event that makes up our day. Remember next time you have a minor inconvenience that it could be God's way of pointing you in a different direction for your safety or for you to show His love to another person. Remember He's interested in every detail of our lives because He LOVES us!

Psalm 37:23(NLT) The LORD directs the steps of the godly.He delights in every detail of their lives.