Praise Him

When you are satisfied in God, praise Him.
When you are confused by the circumstances of life, praise Him.
When all the world is beautiful to you, praise Him.
When pain is your constant companion, praise Him.
When you are overwhelmingly depressed, praise Him.

In all circumstances of your life, every emotional high and low, before every corner you turn whether in fear or with great anticipation - you can never go wrong and will always be encouraged... when you praise Him.


Psalm 148
Creation's Praise of the LORD
 ¹ Hallelujah!
    Praise the LORD from the heavens;
    praise Him in the heights.
    ² Praise Him, all His angels;
    praise Him, all His hosts.
    ³ Praise Him, sun and moon;
    praise Him, all you shining stars.
    ⁴ Praise Him, highest heavens,
    and you waters above the heavens.
    ⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for He commanded, and they were created.
    ⁶ He set them in position forever and ever;
    He gave an order that will never pass away.
    ⁷ Praise the LORD from the earth,
    all sea monsters and ocean depths,
    ⁸ lightning and hail, snow and cloud,
    powerful wind that executes His command,
    ⁹ mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
    ¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
    creatures that crawl and flying birds,
    ¹¹ kings of the earth and all peoples,
    princes and all judges of the earth,
    ¹² young men as well as young women,
    old and young together.
    ¹³ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for His name alone is exalted.
    His majesty covers heaven and earth.
    ¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for His people,
    praise from all His godly ones,
    from the Israelites, the people close to Him.
    Hallelujah!


How I long to praise Him with all of creation. To see the mountains praise Him will be such a wondrous sight! What part of His creation are you excited to see praise Him?

What Fault Did You Find?

God asked me a very interesting question today from the book of Jeremiah:

"Here is what the Lord says:
   What fault did your fathers find in Me 
   that they went so far from Me, 
   followed worthless idols, 
   and became worthless themselves?"
Jeremiah 2:5

What fault do we find in Him that leads us to go astray? The answer is, None.  There is no fault in our God, the Creator of all things. Therefore, the fault must lie in us. The sinful nature now born in each and every human being, turns us from Him. How interesting that our soul which longs so desperately for Him is at constant war with the sinful flesh which can not stand to be in the presence of His holiness. (James 4:1-7)

I am reminded today that every time I find I've been following anything other than God, it is worthless. "Repent!", I am reminded. Otherwise I will become as worthless as they.

"Don't collect for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.... No one can be a slave of two masters, since he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can not be slaves of God and money."
Matthew 6:19-21, 24

"Day" Dreaming

Today I've been daydreaming about the Day. The day I will get to see Jesus face to face.

At first I think I will study His toes. Granted I don't really know what will happen, but I think most likely I will fall at His feet. Perhaps I'll even be allowed to wash them as the prostitute did with my tears of love and gratitude. (Luke 7:37-50) I kinda hope so. He has forgiven so much...

Ooooh..., and we'll eat! (Luke 22:15-16)  I've been waiting a few years for a good meal with Him, but Jesus has been waiting for me, and you, since just before He was crucified: What a joyous meal that will be! (Revelation 19:6-9) Perhaps I'll even get to dance with Him.... and dance before my Father.

There is just so much to dream about for that great Day.

And I can't wait to hear Jesus laugh....

That Thang That You Do

Why?

That is the #1 question in our house.
Truthfully, it's always been my number one. I want to know why.
It has helped me to understand my youngest. When I/he ask why we should do something we are told, it's not out of a challenge of authority. We just want to understand the principle behind the matter so that the best course of action can be accomplished both now, and in the future without having to be told again. (Well, I doubt the 7 year old has thought it out that far yet, but I have.)

So when I ask, "Why study/read the Bible?" I need more than the "Because you're suppose to" answer. Is it the best course of action? If so, which is the best method? When are the best times? And so on and so forth... Why? is the smallest question one can ask, which essentially asks it all.

There is actually one other question you need to answer - completely honestly - first: "What is your main objective in life?"

What were the first two or three things that popped in your head? Most likely, though we hate to admit it, one of them is your main goal. The honesty comes in realizing that. So now we can ask, "Why should I read/study the Bible?"

Were your main objectives raising your children, to provide a good home for your family, to make something of yourself, or to learn all you can? Well, then the Bible can help- but not like you think it will. The principles in the Bible are great because they were written by the Creator of everything. He knows how things work best. If that is the only, or main, reason for you to read the Bible, you might as well place it on the shelf with every other self help for dummies book. The Bible was not intended to just help with your goals.

As a Christ follower, our main, #1 purpose in life should be to glorify God. This perfect umbrella covers the spreading of the Gospel, worship, serving Him, learning His Word, listening to the Spirit, humbling ourselves, and any other Christian principle you could think of as a Sunday School answer. And yes, it even applies to raising our children, providing for our family, and making something of ourselves. The only difference is that it comes from the viewpoint of God's eternal kingdom instead of a few decades on this current earth. When I think of it that way, am I so selfish as to only want to provide good for those I know and love for a few years? Or am I concerned with their eternal state?

So, I ask again...."Why?"

 ²⁰ From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. ²¹ For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
    ²⁴ Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:20-25

So In Love

Close your eyes and think about this... (Figuratively, of course. You'd have a hard time actually reading that way.)

What is it like when you tell your spouse, a family member, or a close friend, "I love you"?

Now, picture the difference in saying to them, "I am so in love with you." Honestly, might that not cut out a few of the people who you would have said "I love you" to? There is a difference in the emotion and devotion of those two phrases.

It is the same with our exclamations to God. We more easily tell God that we love Him, but how often have we sat back and declared to Him, "I am so in love with You." I've been blessed to have a few of those precious times in the last few weeks and they are quite vivid in my memory. Yesterday, I even had a member of my Life Group class mention that same concept. It was important enough a thought to bring it up aside from any lesson that may have been a reminder. It was as fresh on his mind as it was mine. I love when God works that way...


We need make sure to not fall into the rut of religion and forget the passion of our devotion.

Jesus said to the Pharisees and scribes who questioned Him about breaking rituals, "...Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men." Mark 7:6-7 They told God they loved Him. But were they so in love with Him? No.

Let's take some time to stop, think about it, and be so in love with Him today.

A "Scary Mary" Kinda Religion

I'm in visual mode.

Have you ever had those moments with God that just need a visual, or perhaps something tangible? That is where I am. So here is a video lesson:

What is Christianity?

As a slave of Christ Jesus, I know that it is merely a title given to those who have accepted Him as such, and a way to identify to others the relationship I have with Him. To the majority of the world, however, Christianity is what they have been told. Some are told that it is a cult. Others believe it's a crutch for fools who know no better. Still others see it as the mask untold horrors have been "justified" through in the name of.

This trailer is a great example of how most the world see the Christian faith. For the very few of you who have never seen the Disney movie, Mary Poppins, it's a sweet, funny musical with lessons about family values, love, discipline, and viewpoints. But, change the music and lace together specific cuts of footage and you have what seems to be a horror film. This, my brothers and sisters, is the image of Christianity being shown most the world by other religions, media, and - unfortunately - those who call themselves Christians but have seemingly never actually read the Bible or who think they can pick and choose the Scripture they want to follow.

I say all this to remind you that we need to have some compassion on those who view us in this light. They have never seen the real thing. Just a doctored trailer...

Tim on Hand Sanitizer

Been a little heavy lately, so thought this might be a little fun.

This is too funny!

Work Out

I was blessed to be able to go to a workout Boot Camp this morning in the gym of my church. It was excellent! Not only was I challenged to push through, but found my limits and accepted them: Well, after just another 30 seconds...

As my legs wobbled down the stairs to my van, do you know what I was grateful for? Weakness. I'll be honest- at first it really bothered me. I use to be able to do a lot of exercise and was in excellent shape. I remember when I lived in Alaska and taught myself to ski. I would go and go until my legs literally gave out and I had to slide down the mountain. But I did it! From bunny slope to double black diamond in three months. Back then I felt there wasn't anything I couldn't do! Do you know what the one thing I wasn't doing though? Leaning on God for my strength.

That's what I was pleased to be reminded by God about this morning. I am weak. Those little twinges and wobbles let me know that God is there to keep me standing strong- not me. The achiness let me know very well that my body is certainly not perfected yet and I am on a journey.

He also let me know how very worth it the pain is. Not only does it remind me to lean on Him for my strength, but that the pain is proof there is a refining process going on in me. I'm growing muscles/ strength (Romans 4:20), balance/steadiness (James 1:6), and endurance (Romans 5:3-4). He reminded me that when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

What an opportunity!!

Questions For Confirmation

Have you ever had God confirm something to you over and over? The point then becomes: Now what? What do you, or I, do about it?

The easy "Christian-church-goer" answer is: Well, you just do it.
Really? Even if it made you look crazy? Even if you feel others would never understand? Even if it meant you were all alone in it?

Seriously: What if God laid it on your heart to stop all the extra curricular activities you have for your kids such as, sports, dance, scouts, and anything of the like, and wanted you to focus on teaching your children the Bible and taking them to help with local mission projects? Would you do it?

What if He wanted you to give away things you needed, buy things you didn't have the resources for to give to others, or give money to a group or organization even though it meant having to do without more than just your latte for the week?

Here is the main question which must be answered: Are you really willing to give everything up for Jesus Christ? Not, just what you feel like He's "called" you to give up... Everything.

Until you are truly willing, can you honestly say you are living for Christ as His slave?

Worst Burglar Ever

Every time I watch this I laugh at how much this is like sin.

We get the hints that it's wrong, yet we trip over ourselves insisting we continue to follow those fleshly desires. Once we've fall into the full pattern- we're stuck. Good thing Jesus Christ came to set the captives free!

Enjoy :)

My Answered 9/11 Prayer

A heavy, heavy burden.

That's what I remember most about early in the morning on September 9, 2001.

I was desperate for my country to turn to the Lord and love Him for who He is, not for what He could do for them. I literally cried out for God to open their eyes whatever the cost. I prayed for Him to open my eyes to the love and devotion I should have for Him, and for how to share Him with a people who felt they could handle everything in their own power. I was so very new at trying to walk radically for Him, and had floundered so many times. Though I seldom get overly emotional in my prayers, it astonished me that I was weeping so hard for America to turn to God.
Please, God, give them the desire to turn to and lean on You!


As I left for work about half an hour later, I turned on the radio and heard what most Americans will never forget: A plane has just crashed into the Twin Towers...
Oh, God! Please help them!


Once again, in the mysterious way of our Sovereign Father, He used those who were against Him to draw others to Him. Did He cause it to happen? No. He allowed it to happen because of your and my free will. He is just, powerful, and compassionate enough to use what is meant to be against Him for His own good purpose.

The Old Testament is full of foreign kings and peoples who came against and conquered His people, the Israelites, when they had fallen away from Him in order to draw them back to Him. He allows this and uses them for our good. Is that easy to understand? No, it's not. But that's why He tells us through the prophet Isaiah, "⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
    and your ways are not My ways."
          [This is] the LORD's declaration.
    ⁹ "For as heaven is higher than earth,
    so My ways are higher than your ways,
    and My thoughts than your thoughts."   
     Isaiah 55:8-9

We are called to trust in only Him; to lean only on Him. And I have heard many stories of people who have placed their trust in Him because of the horrific acts on 9/11/2001.

Lord, I can not understand so many things about that day. But thank You for Your work in so many peoples lives that day and beyond. May we praise You forever for the time you give us. May we, as a nation, be drawn to You today.

Hovering Blobs

A few years ago Pixar came out with the sweet and futuristic movie WALL-E. The main character, WALL-E, is a robot who was left on the garbage ravished earth to clean up while all humans took a luxury 5 year space cruise. The only problem is that it is now the 700th anniversary of that 5 year cruise, and although life has recently become sustainable again on the ground, the ship's main computer (the first mate) has top secret orders to never again return since life on earth appeared hopeless when they left.

Over time, the humans aboard the ship have all begun using the hover chairs originally designed for the elderly. All they do is sit there, drink all their meals - and multiple snacks - through straws, and find ways to entertain themselves. They basically have become bored, hovering blobs, only following the most basic of instincts. They are immature.

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

The Problem of Immaturity

 ¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God's revelation. You need milk, not solid food. ¹³ Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. 

Warning against Regression

 ¹ Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, ² teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³ And we will do this if God permits.    ⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, ⁵ tasted God's good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt. ⁷ For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it, and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end.
    ⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them. ¹¹ Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, ¹² so that you won't become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.


Do you imitate faith and perseverance? Or are you re-crucifying Christ by reading everyone else's opinions and interpretations on the elementals of the Gospel while still trying to make up your mind. Have you stood up for the Bible? God's holy Word made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ? John 1:14 Trust me, there are plenty of opportunities to defend God's Word. So many books today try and twist the Scriptures to fit their purposes. The problem is, you can't know the Scripture's to confirm or refute these statements unless you have studies the Word itself.  No, not someone else's thoughts on the Word, but the Word.

Studies, commentaries, and topical books can be great tools when we need a little help, but never - I repeat... never - let them replace Scripture.

Here's a test: How much time have you spent in the last week reading only the Bible? Now, how much time have you spent reading other material about the Bible?

Whose "Word" are you leaning on?

Hardened Hearts

Sometimes, my heart breaks, and I weep at the hardness of the human heart.
Both lost and Christ follower alike...

In those moments, I begin to understand the briefest glimpse of what God's heart endures for our sake, and I cry even harder loving Him all the more.

Praise You Father for your unfathomable patience with us. Your love and compassion blow my mind. I am so in love with You.

Altered

Should you let your perceptions of Jesus Christ be altered?

Honestly, that depends. What are your perceptions of Him? Make a mental list. What do you believe about Jesus Christ?

Really when it comes down to it, there is very little about Jesus Christ that we must never allow to be changed, and most of it can be summed up in two verses. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "³ For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,⁴ that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
There is a very important statement in there which is elemental: According to the Scriptures.

Whatever you may believe about Jesus Christ must be backed by the Scriptures. Otherwise you are placing Him in the small box of your limited expectations and are stifling His work in your life.

Take some time today to find one thing that you think you know about Him and search the Bible for proof. Allow yourself the time to be awed at His creativity, beauty, and majesty...then prepare for a wondrous work in your life!

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:26

Awake

Have you ever had a dream that made perfect sense to you only to wake and realize it was foolishness? No matter how real and logical it seemed only a few moments ago, when you wake up for real you are amazed at how silly it was.

Isaiah 29:5-8 

⁵ The multitude of your foes will be like fine dust,
    and the multitude of the ruthless, like blowing chaff.
    Then suddenly, in an instant,
    ⁶ you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts
    with thunder, earthquake, and loud noise,
    storm, tempest, and a flame of consuming fire.
    ⁷ The multitude of all the nations
    going out to battle against Ariel—
    all the attackers, the siege-works against her,
    and those who oppress her—
    will then be like a dream, a vision in the night.
    ⁸ It will be like a hungry one who dreams he is eating,
    then wakes and is still hungry;
    and like a thirsty one who dreams he is drinking,
    then wakes and is still thirsty, longing for water.
    So will be the multitude of all the nations
    who go to battle against Mount Zion.


There are going to be millions who wake up to the tragic reality that they had it all wrong. They all long for meaning, truth, and purpose thinking they found it in their own goals and ambitions. Only they are wrong. It can be found only in the person of Jesus Christ.

What of those who believe in God or Jesus, but deny Him the right to rule their lives absolutely?


Isaiah 29:13-16

¹³ The Lord said:
    Because these people approach Me with their mouths
    to honor Me with lip-service —
    yet their hearts are far from Me,
    and their worship [consists of] man-made rules
    learned [by rote]—
    ¹⁴ therefore I will again confound these people
    with wonder after wonder.
    The wisdom of their wise men will vanish,
    and the understanding of the perceptive will be hidden.
    ¹⁵ Woe to those who go to great lengths
    to hide their plans from the LORD.
    [They do] their works in darkness,
    and say, "Who sees us? Who knows us?"
    ¹⁶ You have turned things around,
    as if the potter were the same as the clay.
    How can what is made say about its maker,
    "He didn't make me"?
    How can what is formed
    say about the one who formed it,
    "He doesn't understand [what he's doing]"?


They - perhaps we - are warned as well. Do you serve God with all of you? Has He truly become Master and Lord of your life? Do you worship Him in Spirit and Truth?

John 4:23-24
²³ But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Praise Him today if you do, and pray for those who will be waking up to the nightmare. Pray for a heart for the lost.
If you do not worship Him in this way, fall on your knees, confess Him as the devoted slave of your Master, and worship Him in true freedom.