There are times in my life where I look at the 26 years that God has given me here on this earth and I feel like a failure. I feel like I have done so little with what He has given me and that I've let Him down. It's like when you give someone responsibility for a big project and when you see what they've done with it...it's junk.
There are moments in my life where I feel like that project.
Where I feel like junk.
Watch this video..it is a little long, but will challenge you.
There are times where I look in the mirror and see myself. An imperfect man who is often scared and afraid. Who sometimes questions if God is big enough. Who sometimes finds himself guilty of moving away from God rather than toward Him. I let my mistakes and failures turn me into a creation that is different than the masterpiece God originally created me to be. I let this world weigh me down and get the best of me. But the prize that we seek isn't of this world. The prize that we seek is Heaven. Something this world cannot offer us.
It is when we look in the mirror and see the creation we have become...that we need to be chiseled. We need to let God take the chisel into our lives and chisel away everything that is not of Him.
What in your life do you need to let God chisel away?
Just know that YOU are God's original masterpiece.
If you've never heard of The Skit Guys you should definitely check out their website. They're crazy talented.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Christmas Caroling
Last night our church split up into teams and went out into the community and sang Christmas carols to individuals in our community that are either shut-ins or we've been made aware that they might need a little bit extra Christmas cheer.
As the new guy on staff I felt this was one of those events that I was obligated to attend. I was a bit frustrated that I had to sacrifice missing some football games in order to attend. I wasn't really looking forward to having to go into people's houses that I didn't know and sing to them.
It was in our second house that God really spoke to me. It was in the act of a 92 year old woman opening her door with the biggest smile on her face that God spoke to me. I was reminded in that moment that this night was more important than a football game or watching TV. The woman proclaimed that she was so excited to have us and that we could do whatever we needed to get comfortable. She was just happy to see a group of people come to see her and share their love with her.
I watched as this woman held the hand of a lady singing with us and with the other hand she wiped tears that fell from her eyes.
It is in these moments where we step out of our comfort zone that God reveals himself to us. The moments where we realize that our lives aren't about doing what is easiest for us. The moment where we see the impact of showing God's love to another human being can have on a person.
There are people all around us that are lonely this holiday season. Go find them and share the love that you have been blessed to experience.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO BLOG ON THIS TOPIC
As the new guy on staff I felt this was one of those events that I was obligated to attend. I was a bit frustrated that I had to sacrifice missing some football games in order to attend. I wasn't really looking forward to having to go into people's houses that I didn't know and sing to them.
It was in our second house that God really spoke to me. It was in the act of a 92 year old woman opening her door with the biggest smile on her face that God spoke to me. I was reminded in that moment that this night was more important than a football game or watching TV. The woman proclaimed that she was so excited to have us and that we could do whatever we needed to get comfortable. She was just happy to see a group of people come to see her and share their love with her.
I watched as this woman held the hand of a lady singing with us and with the other hand she wiped tears that fell from her eyes.
It is in these moments where we step out of our comfort zone that God reveals himself to us. The moments where we realize that our lives aren't about doing what is easiest for us. The moment where we see the impact of showing God's love to another human being can have on a person.
There are people all around us that are lonely this holiday season. Go find them and share the love that you have been blessed to experience.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO BLOG ON THIS TOPIC
Thursday, December 8, 2011
A Trip to the Zoo
My daughter is 6 months...TODAY! How in the world has it been 6 months already?
Anyway, as a part of being 6 months old she has to go to the doctor for a routine check-up. Sadly this will be one of those check-ups that requires shots. The shots are always harder on my wife and I than they are on her. She is usually back to normal within a few minutes, but listening to her cry makes me want to throw up.
Since we lived in Florida when she was born (in June) and then moved when she was 3 months old..we've not really done a "family outing activity." We've taken her out to places, but never to do an activity. Tonight we're taking her to Christmas at the Zoo at the Indianapolis Zoo. I'm excited to introduce her to polar bears, brown bears, tigers, walruses, sea lions and even though she saw dolphins while we were at the beach...those dolphins didn't do awesome tricks like the ones we'll see tonight.
So my encouragement for you is to do something memorable this holiday season with those special to you. Make memories that you'll never forget. Take pictures and videos so that when you're older you can look back and smile at these precious moments.
Anyway, as a part of being 6 months old she has to go to the doctor for a routine check-up. Sadly this will be one of those check-ups that requires shots. The shots are always harder on my wife and I than they are on her. She is usually back to normal within a few minutes, but listening to her cry makes me want to throw up.
Since we lived in Florida when she was born (in June) and then moved when she was 3 months old..we've not really done a "family outing activity." We've taken her out to places, but never to do an activity. Tonight we're taking her to Christmas at the Zoo at the Indianapolis Zoo. I'm excited to introduce her to polar bears, brown bears, tigers, walruses, sea lions and even though she saw dolphins while we were at the beach...those dolphins didn't do awesome tricks like the ones we'll see tonight.
So my encouragement for you is to do something memorable this holiday season with those special to you. Make memories that you'll never forget. Take pictures and videos so that when you're older you can look back and smile at these precious moments.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Car Accident - SLOW DOWN!
Today I was driving in to the church for our monthly board meeting. I looked up ahead when I saw a car going VERY fast around a corner. The thought came to my mind, "Man, he's going way too fast around that corner in that old pick-up." All of a sudden the pick-up decided it had had enough of the sharp turn and veered across the highway and careened into the guardrail on the opposite side of the road.
I slowed way down and watched as red break lights began to light the way in front of me.
After driving by the accident I thought to myself...too many times that is me. There are too many times in my life where I'm out of control. Where I'm going too fast for my own good. Where I need to slow down and gain control of a situation before I act. There's too many times where I put the peddle to the metal and race around a corner. We can usually get ourselves out of those sticky situations, but just like this truck...it only takes one corner and one guardrail for there to be damage.
So how are you doing? Are you flying down the highway out of control? Is your "Cruise Control" on and you're enjoying the ride?
Too many times in our lives we just need to slow down and enjoy the ride.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Overcome - Brett Blondell
One of my good friends just released a new CD on iTunes today...check it out! They make great stocking stuffers!
Brett Blondell - Overcome
BrettBlondell.com
Brett Blondell - Overcome
BrettBlondell.com
Airbrushed
The first time I watched this video...I was blown away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2gD80jv5ZQ
Even in my limited amount of time in student ministry I have already experienced the results of the imagery that our media places on beauty. The results of teenage girls buying into the lie that unless they look like the women on the cover of magazines that they're not beautiful.
Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
When we realize that we're created in the image of God...it changes everything. We stop worrying about the fact that we feel we don't have perfect skin. We stop worrying about the scar from when we were little. We stop worrying about the crooked tooth or messed up lip.
We can rest in the fact that we're perfect just the way we are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2gD80jv5ZQ
Even in my limited amount of time in student ministry I have already experienced the results of the imagery that our media places on beauty. The results of teenage girls buying into the lie that unless they look like the women on the cover of magazines that they're not beautiful.
Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
When we realize that we're created in the image of God...it changes everything. We stop worrying about the fact that we feel we don't have perfect skin. We stop worrying about the scar from when we were little. We stop worrying about the crooked tooth or messed up lip.
We can rest in the fact that we're perfect just the way we are.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Follow the Leader
Today we had our first actual snow where it stuck to the ground. I have a meeting tonight here at the church so I came in a little later today. By the time I got on the road it had been snowing for a good amount of time.
As I traveled down the road I noticed that it was MUCH easier for me to drive when I was following the tracks of those who had been ahead of me. As long as I stayed in their path then it was pretty smooth and I felt comfortable, but the minute my wheels exited their path...I had to slow down. I had to be cautious because there was no path.
Growing up I remember thinking that the older people around me didn't understand anything. I thought they had long ago forgot what it was like to be a teenager. As I matured I realized that they weren't as dumb as I thought they were.
When we start living our lives like there is nothing we can learn from those around us...we're on dangerous grounds. We get our wheels outside of the path and begin carving our own path. Are we in control? No. We're at the mercy of where our wheels take us...often times we find ourselves calling someone to pull us out of a ditch.
Some of the greatest minds have been from the type of people who aren't afraid to venture onto their own path, but what is important is remembering to learn from the mistakes of those who created the original path.
As I traveled down the road I noticed that it was MUCH easier for me to drive when I was following the tracks of those who had been ahead of me. As long as I stayed in their path then it was pretty smooth and I felt comfortable, but the minute my wheels exited their path...I had to slow down. I had to be cautious because there was no path.
Growing up I remember thinking that the older people around me didn't understand anything. I thought they had long ago forgot what it was like to be a teenager. As I matured I realized that they weren't as dumb as I thought they were.
When we start living our lives like there is nothing we can learn from those around us...we're on dangerous grounds. We get our wheels outside of the path and begin carving our own path. Are we in control? No. We're at the mercy of where our wheels take us...often times we find ourselves calling someone to pull us out of a ditch.
Some of the greatest minds have been from the type of people who aren't afraid to venture onto their own path, but what is important is remembering to learn from the mistakes of those who created the original path.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sister Wive's Song
My wife watched Sister Wive's tonight and thought the song at the end of the show was very beautiful. After a little research we were able to find the lyrics. It appears to be an updated version to an old hymn, but only one verse of the original hymn. The bold is the verse that was used during the show.
1 Verse
Songs of praise we bring to our Savior King, Who hath said " Let little
children come; For of such" said He, "Shall my kingdom be." Kingdom
of the ransomed, bathered home.
Chorus
We will sweetly sing of our Savior King, till the echoes reach the vaulted skies! To the
Lord above, Prince of Peace and love, Shall our sweetest songs of praise arise.
Lyrics by Charlotte G. Homer
2 Verse
Tho' so young and small, Jesus loves us all, And His smiling face o'er
all we see; Gently day by day, still He leads the way; Blessed
Jesus, we will follow Thee.
Chorus
We will sweetly sing of our Savior King, till the echoes reach the vaulted skies! To the
Lord above, Prince of Peace and love, Shall our sweetest songs of praise arise.
3 Verse
Then glad songs employ, songs of praise and joy, To the Lamb who loves
children so; Let us each be true, live and serve Him too, And more
like the Master daily grow.
Chorus
We will sweetly sing of our Savior King, till the echoes reach the vaulted skies! To the
Lord above, Prince of Peace and love, Shall our sweetest songs of praise arise.
1 Verse
Songs of praise we bring to our Savior King, Who hath said " Let little
children come; For of such" said He, "Shall my kingdom be." Kingdom
of the ransomed, bathered home.
Chorus
We will sweetly sing of our Savior King, till the echoes reach the vaulted skies! To the
Lord above, Prince of Peace and love, Shall our sweetest songs of praise arise.
Lyrics by Charlotte G. Homer
2 Verse
Tho' so young and small, Jesus loves us all, And His smiling face o'er
all we see; Gently day by day, still He leads the way; Blessed
Jesus, we will follow Thee.
Chorus
We will sweetly sing of our Savior King, till the echoes reach the vaulted skies! To the
Lord above, Prince of Peace and love, Shall our sweetest songs of praise arise.
3 Verse
Then glad songs employ, songs of praise and joy, To the Lamb who loves
children so; Let us each be true, live and serve Him too, And more
like the Master daily grow.
Chorus
We will sweetly sing of our Savior King, till the echoes reach the vaulted skies! To the
Lord above, Prince of Peace and love, Shall our sweetest songs of praise arise.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Do I know you? That's my King!
Have you ever found yourself in the awkward situation where someone calls you by the wrong name? I don't mean just getting your name mixed up with another person, but where the person genuinely believes your name is something completely different than what it is really is.
I worked as the After School Coordinator for private school. One Friday where one of the parents, that I had known for the entire school year, picked up his daughters and as he was leaving stated, "Have a great weekend Peter!" I remember thinking he must have been talking to someone in the hallway so I didn't think much of it. The next time he picked up his daughters I saw him walk in and he greeted me "Hey Peter! How are you doing?" The thought finally hit me that I was Peter. I was the guy he had said goodbye to a few weeks before. It was weird though because we had seen each other many times throughout the school year. I let it slide though because I thought maybe he was just confused or something....and it seemed every time I saw him he would say "Hey Peter!" Lesson to everyone....unless you're 100% positive...just stick with "Hey Man!"
I mention all of that because Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus is asking who people say He is. There's question as to whether Jesus is who He claims to be...or...if he's some guy named Peter...well not really Peter, but some people though He was just another prophet.
Simon Peter replies, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Have you thought about who Jesus is? About who He is and how it impacts our lives?
This video was released a while back, but after reading through this verse today it has a deeper meaning.
THAT'S MY KING!
Jesus isn't just another guy that walked the earth. He is more than that. He's more than anything we can understand or comprehend.
I worked as the After School Coordinator for private school. One Friday where one of the parents, that I had known for the entire school year, picked up his daughters and as he was leaving stated, "Have a great weekend Peter!" I remember thinking he must have been talking to someone in the hallway so I didn't think much of it. The next time he picked up his daughters I saw him walk in and he greeted me "Hey Peter! How are you doing?" The thought finally hit me that I was Peter. I was the guy he had said goodbye to a few weeks before. It was weird though because we had seen each other many times throughout the school year. I let it slide though because I thought maybe he was just confused or something....and it seemed every time I saw him he would say "Hey Peter!" Lesson to everyone....unless you're 100% positive...just stick with "Hey Man!"
I mention all of that because Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus is asking who people say He is. There's question as to whether Jesus is who He claims to be...or...if he's some guy named Peter...well not really Peter, but some people though He was just another prophet.
Simon Peter replies, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Have you thought about who Jesus is? About who He is and how it impacts our lives?
This video was released a while back, but after reading through this verse today it has a deeper meaning.
THAT'S MY KING!
Jesus isn't just another guy that walked the earth. He is more than that. He's more than anything we can understand or comprehend.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
The other day I saw a tweet from Max Lucado that said:
A nice fuzzy towel
Clothes
Hair gel
Deoderant
A kitchen with food...even if it is half empty with food that isn't my favorite...it's better than nothing right?
Television
A couch
A house
Indoor plumbing
Heating/Cooling for our house
Our garage
Our car
Gasoline
The list of ways we're each blessed could go on forever.
My wife and I talked for awhile about this quote as I prepared my devotional. I couldn't get over the fact that if this quote was the way our world worked...it would force us to be appreciative. If we weren't appreciative of something then the next day it would be gone. We take so much for granted that eventually we would only be left with the things that we really appreciate.
When we take our focus off what we don't have...it makes it easier for us to focus on how much we've been blessed.
"What if you woke up this morning and had only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"
I used the quote as the main point to a devotional I gave this morning at a community Thanksgiving meal. I challenge you and stop to think about this idea and how it would change our lives if it was true.
For me...I'd learn to be thankful for a lot more. I'd come to realize that God has blessed me way more than I realize.
He's blessed me with:
My wife
My daughter
My family
A bed
A pillow
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Electric Shaver
A warmer showerA nice fuzzy towel
Clothes
Hair gel
Deoderant
A kitchen with food...even if it is half empty with food that isn't my favorite...it's better than nothing right?
Television
A couch
A house
Indoor plumbing
Heating/Cooling for our house
Our garage
Our car
Gasoline
The list of ways we're each blessed could go on forever.
My wife and I talked for awhile about this quote as I prepared my devotional. I couldn't get over the fact that if this quote was the way our world worked...it would force us to be appreciative. If we weren't appreciative of something then the next day it would be gone. We take so much for granted that eventually we would only be left with the things that we really appreciate.
When we take our focus off what we don't have...it makes it easier for us to focus on how much we've been blessed.
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