IF

One word consisting of only two letters, yet according to God's word, life changing.  God's word is a map for our lives.   A perfect and flawless love letter to each one of us.  A guide to hope, joy, and eternal salvation.  Yet reaching that destination is sitting on this one small word.  That word......."if".  That word reminds me of the free will that God has given us.  That word separates the now from the eternal.  It gives us the choice.  So daily we ask, which side of the "If" will we live?   "But IF we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. " (1 John 1:7 NIV)

Momentum Change!!!

So many times we see great athletes, teams, leaders, etc., who at some point when all is against them, they have a moment when the momentum changes. Things shift into their favor and its as though they can't be stopped. As we read through God's word those moments of momentum change. When we read it, see it, and understand it. Two powerful words signify this. "But God..." Those two words are the momentum changer! Game changer!!!
Here is your stone!!! "But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 CEB). That moment, life changes!! Whatever you face today or are facing in your life, know this. BUT GOD!!! He will change the game. We have to know He is calling the plays!!!

Next Step

We will all face times in our lives that taking that next step on a journey seems like the most frightening step yet. We question ourselves, wonder if its just our personal desires or God's plan. How will we go to that next step? How do we deal with that fear?
Here is your stone!! ""But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”" (Matthew 14:27 NIV).
I love that my savior is there to IMMEDIATELY get involved and to encourage my steps. Today, Immediately, Take Courage!!

What we need and fail to see.

As a man there are interesting challenges and very specific truths. Simply put, men fail at relationships, especially if they involve too much work. I mean we can hang with the best of them, but putting effort is hard at times. Challenge is that many men feel they really don't need the relationships; wrong!! Men, we need to invest and make efforts. We never hesitate to hang with the guys for a game, but what about the Gospel! Think about Paul - he had Barnabas, Timothy, and Luke. Who do you have?

Here is your stone!! "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." (Romans 1:11, 12 NIV)

Make it happen, make it real, get deep and be open. It is like a large oak tree, they run deep in their roots and stand strong. That allows them to stand firm in many storms of life. We need those type relationships. Let it grow you and glorify Him!

Step!!

Can you imagine if in our lives if there was so much STUFF going on around us? I mean family issues, or work issues, or health issues, or fear and frustrations? How hard is that to imagine? Honestly it probably isn't that difficult for many of us. The daily storms that we battle through!! There are so many things in our life that become so powerful that we begin to question the strength of our own structure. Yet we often find ourselves seeing all of this Storm damage and not really seeing that Jesus is right there.

Here is your stone!!
"But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” "(Matthew 14:27 NIV).

In the middle of all of the elements of a storm. Peter took a step, not a blind step, but he saw Jesus there in the middle of it. The same Jesus who can calm the storms and make them go away, can also allow that storm to help you take a step of faith and grow forward. What ever storms we are facing and seeing today, may not calm down right now, but in taking a step out and placing the trust in Him and not a man made solution (our boat) you change the focus from the noise maker to the Creator.
Ready to walk?

I sure hope..,,,

Well we are just about 1 1/2 weeks into 2013. How is it working so far? Many of us came into this year with thoughts of all kinds of Hopes and dreams. Remember when we were kids, we had hopes and dreams that were often way out there, I'd ask you to share some of them if you want!! Of course as we "matured" we became more understanding of the world, reality, and possibilities. Ahh how we longed for that time to be a grown up!! But let's wait a minute.... Lets think about what we REALLY HOPE for these mature days. I mean when are we loosely using that term.... "I hope gas prices go down, I hope the government gets it together, I hope my team has a better season next year, I sure hope......." Are we too mature in the flesh to really HOPE in the spirit?
Here is your stone!! "...But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?" (Romans 8:24 NIV).
Lets hope for life change, marriages being strengthened, families becoming stronger, leadership in men within their homes... Let us HOPE for God to be the center of our fleshy lives and the lives of every person we see and know. Lets live in Hope.

Clear vision!

We have all heard the statement, "Take a leap of faith." . But have we ever really thought about how much faith we have? Comedian Tim Hawkins jokes and says he worked at a Christian Amusement Park at the ride, "The Leap of Faith", a bungee jump with no bungees! Says they closed it down since it appeared some customers "didn't have the faith." It is funny, but think about faith. We say we have it, but just how much do we rely on it? How often is that next "leap" really dependent on faith?
Here is your stone!! ""Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;". (Matthew 9:29 NIV). Jesus healed the blind and mute, but His statement was not, "Be healed!" The healing was 100% driven by faith. So we don't know if their faith was so strong that their speech was clear and their sight was 20/20, but we know they were healed. I wonder if in that situation, would I gain 20/20 vision? Speak clearly? How about you? We say we have faith, but are we living and telling others the way these healed ones did? Are we drawing crowds to see our King? Live it out!!!!