a new year, a new season

The wonderful thing about a new year is that sense of newness. That sense that you now have a second chance. Every year end I find that I do some serious reflecting, or soul searching if you will. It is a great time to take stock of the blessings in your life and to look over the things that were (or were not) accomplished.

Although 2010 was great year for us in lots of ways, I can't help but look at the year ahead with great anticipation. I feel a real sense of direction and have a clear determination about the things that God has laid in my path for 2011.

A couple of things that I am committed to and looking forward to this new year..........

Blended ~ a daily Bible reading plan. I read regularly but I am pumped about this plan

365 ~ A new self portrait everyday for the calendar year of 2011

Fitness ~ This is my last year in my "30's" so I wanna go into March 2012 as a healthier, thinner 40 year old.

blessings,

dave

10 Signs that We Don’t Believe in the Power of the Holy Spirit

I read this today after having a similar conversation with a friends recently.  

Courtesy of Tony Morgan ~ I was thinking about how little we talk about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christ-followers. I began to consider how I live out my life, and, I was convicted…which, by the way, is one indication that the Holy Spirit is active in our lives. I thought it might be good to consider the conversation here especially as it relates to leaders in the Church. Based on that, here are…

1.We are experiencing anxiety and bitterness in our lives rather than joy and kindness. (Galatians 5:22-23)

2.We can’t remember the last time we prayed for the people we lead. (Romans 8:26)

3.The churches we lead aren’t growing and reaching more people. (Acts 9:31)

4.The churches we lead aren’t outreach focused. (Acts 1:8)

5.We think it’s our responsibility to convict people of sin. (John 16:8)

6.We are stuck in sinful patterns rather than pursuing the things of God. (Galations 5:16:17)

7.We think we have the power to change people. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

8.We are more concerned about the rules than we are our freedom in Christ. (Galations 3:2-3)

9.We think we can explain the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-12)

10.We are creating division and aren’t promoting unity within the Church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

It might be good to begin the week and this next season of ministry by studying and praying through this list. My prayer is that your life and your ministry would continue to experience its fullest potential in the power of the Holy Spirit.

dave

There's no other place

Just heard this song and was reminded that our hope is not in this world, but the next.  Keep your eyes on the Eternal Kingdom of God almighty!  Never look to man for the answers, we come up empty every time.


When I'm all alone, And the weight of the world is more than I can bear on my own
When all my plans have failed, and I suffered defeat
I'm down on my knees, I can't get to my feet

Your love breaks through, and reminds me of the hope that I have in You. That I have in You

There's no other place that I'd rather be. Than safe in the arms, the arms of my Savior
There's no other place where I can be free. So I run to the arms, the arms of my Savior

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, like I can't take anymore
I've thrown up my hands, all I see is the floor
I've looked to the north, the south, the west, and the east
But as far as I can see, I can't find any peace

Your grace breaks through, and reminds me of the hope that I have in You. That I have in You

Life shouldn't be something to dread, cause I know You still know
How many hairs are in my head, and so I run to You, and so I run to You


Lincoln Brewster "The Arms of my Savior"


 

Know the Word

Lately I have been challenged more and more to know God's word.  Not to just hear it or to glimpse over it in a daily devotional, but to explore it for myself 

One of he first things that I realized is that knowing God's word is a dangerous thing.  It teaches us, it guides and instructs us.  It literally has the power to change us. Seriously?  Read John 1 

So if we begin to read God's word daily, shouldn't we then be able to learn God's word and His word to our lives?  We should!  But many times we don't.

The problem is that we expect other people to tell us or show us what God is all about.  We trust preachers and teachers to instruct and inform.  We wait for a spiritual moment or an event that will enlighten us.  Too many times we do not take the time or make an effort to sit down to meditate and read through God's word for ourselves.  

Most Americans own a Bible. In fact, 92% of households in America own at least one copy.  Of those households that own a Bible, the average number of Bibles is three.  This includes not only the homes of practicing Christians but hundreds of thousands of atheists as well.  Although most Americans own a Bible, use of the Bible varies significantly.  In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally.  The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. Wow 37%! So do we really "know" God's word?

Ponder this; If you are a Christ follower, then people should be able to look for—and find—fruit in your life. Why? Because a disciple of Jesus Christ will produce spiritual fruit. Jesus said, " 'My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father'" (John 15:8 NLT). Jesus also said, "'By their fruits you will know them'" (Matthew 7:20 NKJV).

Love one another, create fruit.  It's in the good book.  It's God's word. 
dave

Be thankful

In my quiet time this morning I was reflecting on appreciation. Last night was a pretty late night for me. I left the church around 10:30 or so after we finished a rare, late, band practice. On my way home I got a text from my wife telling me that she had gotten sick and she was not feeling any better. Anyone who is married with children knows how important a stay-at-home mom is to the delicate structure of family life. So aside from the natural concern for her health and well being, I went into “What can I do” mode.

What can I do? I realized that the boys and I are totally are dependent on her. She fills so many gaps and holes in our household that we many times do nothing and magically things get done. Wow! Do we live our lives depending on someone or being co-dependent? There is a difference, look it up.

Our culture is such that it has provided a way for all of us to live our lives expecting other people to do everything for us. We are dependent on so many things. We depend on having gas dropped into the ground for us to pump into our cars, food stocked on store shelves. We even depend on news and entertainment being “on demand” and piped directly into our homes and cell phones.

So what? It’s the American way! I agree, it has certainly become the norm. I am not suggesting that we all move out into some far corner of a vast wilderness and learn how to hunt and kill our own food. And that we build our own houses and plant our own crops. I am simply offering up one simple thought…………be thankful.

While I looked at my wife resting this morning I was reminded of how wonderful she is to do all that she does for our family. She never complains, she never has a second thought. Why? If you asked her, she would tell you that she is thankful to have her boys in her life. Thankful.

So if you have not done it lately, take a moment and thank God for all of the people in your life that you are thankful for. Then go one step further and tell them how much they mean to you. Call them, text them, facebook them, or whatever it takes to let them know that you appreciate them.

thank•ful –adjective - feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

Blessings,

dave