Chaos of Life

How many times have you found yourself completely overwhelmed by the busyness and chaos of life? I have found that to be ever more present in my life now that Brooklyn is here. It seems like the more I try to do to get control of the chaos, the more chaos seems to come. I am not complaining so please don't read that. I love everything about my life. My beautiful wife God has blessed me with, two great kids that I couldn't be happier about, a loving church family and great kids in our youth ministry.

What I have begun to realize is the fact there are some things you just can't take for granted. In other words, my priorities in life should be focused on things that are eternal, not the overwhelming difficulty or grief we face because of financial problems or disagreements with our government.

Jesus gave us some bold words to help us understand how much He cares for us. Matthew 6:25-34,

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.z

So in the chaos of life don't forget that God has so much more in stor efor you and He is not going to froget who you are and what you need.

Refuge

Big Thanks to everyone who helped today at the Refuge. We are slowly getting there. We still have quite a bit of painting to get done, but ya'll did a great job today. For the rest of you who didn't show up, where the heck were ya? Kidding. The Refuge is looking great, and I can't wait to get things up and running. It will be looking pretty awesome.

Just a thought on the Refuge. Think about the numerous opportunities to use what God has blessed us with to make His name famous. Do your best to invite your friends. They can come expereinced the relaxed and casual atmosphere while also being challenged by the word of God. My prayer is that God will use each one of us to make a huge impact in the lives of those around us. Have your way oh God!

The Battle for Holiness

In the midst of the chaos we call life, the battle for holiness has been taking place. Sadly, many of us, myself included don't realize the seriousness of this battle. This battle if not engaged in will destroy the life of a believer quicly. Christ called us to be holy and set apart. Jerry Bridges says, "Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the Character of God." So how does a Christian focus on holiness. How do you live a life of holiness in the trying times we all face daily?

First, I beleive we have to take sin seriously. I have been guilty in the past of looking at other people and thinking "I'm better than them." Don't fool yourself. I think we have all done that at some time or another. When we take sin seriously, we begin to realize that much of what we allow into our lives are things we take no resposibility for. We play the blame game or point the finger at someone else. This lack of responsibility has made it easy for us to accept the idea that we could never be holy. However, I peter 1:13-16 speaks out on much of this revealing the truth that each of us has a responsiblity to take on sin and strive for holiness.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

When we prepare our minds for action and focus on self control and take personal responsibility we set our selves up for victory through obedience to Christ. This battle for holiness is a struggle all of us face. However with a strong faith in Christ, and obedience to His word we can be holy just as He is holy.

Great God!

Every time I begin to take God for granted He blows me away. Today Brooklyn our daughter was born, and it is an amazing process. How anyone can begin to deny a God after watching everything that takes place over a nine month period and then the birthing process is completely crazy to me. It can;t just happen by accident or happen chance.

Anyways, I loved hanging with my wife, son and new daughter Brooklyn today. She is absolutely beautiful. Looks like her Mama I think. Thank goodness she does. Man God is so awesome!

Encouragement Day 13

As we are continuing through our 40 day Revolution take time to encourage someone in school today. Offer them some positive reinforcement or encouraging words. It may be someone who is being made fun of or has just had a bad day. You could do this in person or even write them an encouraging note.

Pick someone you maybe don;t normaly hang out with, someone who is down on themselves and just needs a little bit of positive encouragement. You will be amazed at how far an encouraging word can go and how effective it is in someone's life.

Hebrews 3:13 - But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.