What Do You Love To Do?

IF
Money
Education
Time
Resources
Etc
Etc
Etc

Were NO issue

What would you be doing with your time ?

Are you doing it now ?

All of it ?
Some of it ?
Any of it ?

If not,

WHY NOT?

U Me & The Donkey

I came across this former pastor's blog
By Ron Martoia
Hope you enjoy it !!!


Pain brings us to a place where we wrestle with the true stuff of life.
Death, relational fracture, meaning, who I am, deep disappointments
(this is not the way I thought life would turn out!)

all of these give us transformational opportunities why?
Because we come to realize we have been on autopilot with some assumptions…and those assumptions always determine how we understand the self.

The WHO AM I question.


What are some of the assumptions you have operated with over the years that you have come to realize in your awareness were actually causing some of your suffering or preventing you from experiencing full life?

One of my big assumptions

• If you obey God you will be blessed and life will be better and easier for it!


Recognition of our assumptions that inform how we form our identity help us loosen control and dissolve the pain coming from those assumptions


Obedience brings blessing…I can’t tell you how many people I know that have experienced deep pain over this issue because they came to realize after years and years that they were disappointed with God because this was the hidden assumption.

SO

What are you assuming?

My Prayer

Breathe On Me
(By Todd Fields, Christy Nockels and Nathan Nockels)
the song that we sang today in church really had an impact on me

VERSE 1
Find me here in this place - Son of God, Saving Grace
At this hour, all my days, breathe on me, breathe on me
Morning Star, shine Your light - as I walk through this life
God of pow'r, God of might - breath on me, breath on me

CHORUS
Forever, You are my reason for living - Merciful Savior unending - Breathe on me

VERSE 2
When I'm weak, You are strong - You breath in me will be my song
In You my King I belong - breathe on me, breathe on me

CHORUS 2
Forever, You are my reason for living - Merciful Savior unending - Breathe on me
Forever, You are the God of my story - Write every line for Your glory - Breathe on me

BRIDGE
Breathe on me, breathe on me
When I am weak, You are strong - Your breath in me will be my song
When I am weak, You are strong, You are strong

OUT
Find me here in this place - Son of God, Saving Grace
At this hour, all my days, breathe on me, breathe on me
More specifically the Line that reads

The 2nd line of the 2nd chorus had the greatest impact on me today
You are the God of my story,
write every line for your glory

May every line be lived out
Starting today

Even if I have to stop
and redo it
over and over again
before I get it right

Every line ~ 4 ur GLORY !!!

:)

Father Knows BEST

As I was reading today I came across this story in a devotional book that I read often called Streams in the Desert. The excerpt is from the April 17 Reading Pages 158-160

The hand of the LORD has done this. (Job 12:9)

A number of years ago the most magnificent diamond in the history of the world was found... It was then presented to the King of England to embellish his crown of state. The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut by an expert stonecutter.
He took this gem of priceless value and cut a notch in it. Then he struck it one hard time with his hammer, and the majestic jewel fell into his hand, broken in two.
That one blow with the hammer had been studied and planned for days, and even weeks. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, defects, and possible lines along which it would split had all been studied to the smallest detail. And the man to whom it was entrusted was one of the most skilled stonecutters in the world.
The blow was no mistake it was the capstone and culmination of the stonecutter's skill. When he struck that blow, he did the one thing that would bring that gem to its most perfect shape, radiance, and jeweled splendor. The blow that seemed to be the ruin of the majestic precious stone was actually its perfect redemption, for from the halves were fashioned two magnificent gems. Only the skilled eye of the expert stonecutter could have seen the beauty of two diamonds hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.
Sometimes, in the same way, GOD lets a stinging blow fall on your life. You bleed, feeling the pain, and your soul cries out in agony. At first you think the blow is an appalling mistake. BUT it is not, for you are the most precious jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled stonecutter in the universe.
Someday you are to be a jewel adorning the crown of the KING. As you lie in His hand now, He knows just how to deal with you. Not one blow will be permitted to fall on your apprehensive soul except what the love of God allows. And you may be assured that from the depths of the experience, you will see untold blessings, and spiritual enrichment you have never before imagined.

Not a single blow can hit,
Till the God of love sees fit.

It’s A Choice

Reading from Feb. 24, 2010
Numbers 14-15; Mark 3

TOPIC: Obedience

SCRIPTURE: "The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)

OBSERVATION: In case you didn't read this chapter, I'll fill you in on the context so that these words will hopefully sink in a little deeper.
Jesus has been healing many people. And He came to a home and the crowd had gathered to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. N0w that is crowded!!!

Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for you.
Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you – my mother and my brother. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:33-35)

For any family to function well that has to be some
BASIC shared elements
In this case we see that
there is no way - for us
to come to God
that does not involve
o
b
e
d
i
e
n
c
e



APPLICATION: Will you do something not for me, but for yourself
Take a minute to do this
Mentally ~ go back in time
How far you ask?

a day
a week
a month
a year
a decade
a lifetime

I don't care, You pick, it doesn't matter to me


As you are looking back over your life

Isn’t it true ???
that you would have avoided
your biggest regrets
IF
you would have
ONLY
OBEYED
???
In that moment

I don't know if you know this but
We are called to obey
day by day,
moment by moment.
Even in the moments
when it feels like we are dying
Which we are
To SELF that is

OBEDIENCE
it is truly the only way to really live.

The Questions Is:
Will I obey when obedience means doing something uncomfortable?
Now that's a tough one isn't it?
I'll leave you with that

Have a great day!!!
Remember even that is a choice

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to realize the full impact of this truth

Pre-Launch

Reading from Feb. 23, 2010
Numbers 12-13;Ps.90; Mark 2

TOPIC: Confirmation

SCRIPTURE: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands." (Ps. 90:17)

OBSERVATION: As I read through Ps. 90 the last verse caught my attention. Especially in light of the fact that not only is the word confirm repeated but that the entire statement is repeated. Many times through scripture when something is repeated it is important. Which means we ought to pay at least a little attention
The words that follow popped up when I looked up the word confirm in my Thesaurus
Corroboration; Verification; Substantiation; Proof; Authentication; Evidence; Affirmation; Authorization; Approval; Sanction; Endorsement; Ratification; Attestation; Agreement Consent; Permission; Certification; Support;; Evidence; Testimony; Validation


APPLICATION: I don’t know about you but it sure does help knowing that God’s got your back when you are going into a new:
Project
Ministry
Relationship
Challenge
Territory
_____________ (U fill N the blank)

With that in mind
Before
we
That’s me
&
U

Before we launch
into anything

Why don't we check with HIM 1st
Just to make sure He’s in agreement with our:
Plans
Thoughts
Intentions
Actions
___________ ( U fill N the blank)

Don’t you think that’s a good idea?
Me too

So, let’s do it

Let’s get His permission
BEFORE
Not AFTER
NOT DURING

BUT

BEFORE
we launch

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, my prayer is simply a repeat of Moses’ prayer. Please Father let your favor be upon me and confirm the works of my hands Yes I repeat PLEASE confirm the works of my hands.

My Hope & Prayer

Reading from Feb. 19, 2010
Numbers 5-6; Ps.22; Acts 26

TOPIC: Conversion

SCRIPTURE: “I wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am….” (Acts 26:19)

OBSERVATION: In this verse the Apostle Paul is doing his best to convince King Agrippa that his testimony is true all the way through. King Agrippa responds to one of Paul’s questions by saying “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian. And then Paul follows up with ABSOLUTELY
I wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am…

APPLICATION: SO - How r u doing at
Influencing?
Convincing?
Persuading?
From my reading I believe the Holy Spirit wants to remind us to
Be like Paul & be a persuader

Persuade means to succeed
O Don't you want to succeed at this (I know that you do)
So
STOP right now and think of that person or those people
that you love that do not have a personal relationship with Jesus

NOW
Think of them entering into Eternity without that relationship

IN LIGHT OF ALL THAT
Let's get back to the definition of the word Persuade

Persuade means to succedd in convincing somebody to do something, especially by reasoning, pleading, coaxing or by giving them good reasons for doing so

SO
Get to it
Remember Eternity is at stake!!!

Get to giving everyone a good reason
(lets make that a GREAT reason - OK?)
for starting and growing in a relationship with Jesus
Be the reason they want to know Jesus
Be the reason they want to love Him

This reminds me of an Al Denson Song entitled Be
The Lyrics Read:
Be here in my eyes So others may see The beauty and presence
of Your love In one who was blind but now believes
Be here in my heart Flow through my blood Strengthen my soul
and wash me clean A living example of what Your grace has done
I will walk beside You I give You my life And when others seek to find You
May I be a light that shines
Be here in my hands Give me Your touch Use me to comfort
and to build Shelter for those who need Your love Breathe words to my lips
So I may speak Echo Your truth and living words Lord, make me all I can be
I will walk beside You Jesus, I give You my life And when others seek to find You
May I be the light that shines
Be here in my heart Flow through my blood Strengthen my soul and
wash me clean Lord, make me all that I can be Lord,
please make me all that I can be

So what are you waiting on
Start today
Why not right now

Be intentional about persuading
( I hope this goes without saying
but please do this in the right spirit)
A Spirit of Unconditional LOVE

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to do everything within my power to persuade everyone I come in contact with.

Now That's What I Call A Relationship

Reading from Feb. 18, 2010
Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

TOPIC: Chatting with God

SCRIPTURE: “ …the LORD spoke with Moses…”
(Num.3:1,5,11,14,40,44; 4:1,17,21)

OBSERVATION: If you follow my blogs at all I have a question for you
Did you notice anything different about the SCRIPTURE section?
Typically I only pick 1 or at the most 2 verses however
At least 9 different times in just 2 chapters it reads that
God carried on a conversation with Moses.

APPLICATION: Don’t want to have that type of relationship with God?
The same type of relationship that Moses had?
To be able to be in daily communion with HIM

Did you know that God
Wants to speak to you?

Yes the same God
that spoke to Moses ~ so often

Wants and longs to speak with you
Yes I said you
Just as clearly and just as often
As He spoke to Moses

SO

Has HE spoken to you recently?
If so
What did HE say?

Has the frequency and length
of your conversations increased over the years?

If NOT
When was the last time God spoke to you?
How long ago was that?
What did HE say?

If He hasn’t spoken recently
Why do you think that is?

If you’re not sure
Or
If you are just unable to discern
Which voice is God’s
I’d love to chat with you
about Chatting with God

If you’ve never heard from HIM at all
Does that concern you?
If not
Shouldn’t it?

I believe it should


PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am soooo glad that you are NOT mute. Thank you for speaking to me. Don't ever stop!

The Able

Reading from Feb. 17 Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

TOPIC: Team Development

SCRIPTURE: Take all the men 20 years and older who have the ability to fulfill their God given role. Then pick one man from each team that has leadership abilities to help you. (Numbers 1:2-4)

OBSERVATION: According to Eugene Peterson Numbers Commentary - We need a lot of help, and in the church world, we always will. We need organizational help. When people live together in community, jobs have to be assigned, leaders must be appointed, inventories need to be kept. Counting and list-making and rosters are as spiritual as prayer, instruction and justice from God’s perspective.

APPLICATION: So, has God told you to do what He told Moses to do?

To select a certain group of people to help you?

If so
Have you?

If NOT
Why not?

If you have selected them
What are their names?

How long ago was that?

Are they aware of it
Or
Have you only selected them in your mind?

What are their roles?

Are you actually allowing them to help you?

If God has told you to do this and if you have followed through on it
Then I would love to hear from you
To see how God has exponentially expanded your influence and impact
For HIM

Once again
If HE’S told you to do this and you haven’t completely followed through
Then there’s no time like the present

Don't ever forget
Teamwork makes the dream work

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please lead me to the right leadership people that will come along side of me and help me to lead in the areas that I am personally responsible for.

Where You Are

Reading from Feb. 16, 2010
Lev.26-27; Acts 23

TOPIC: Faithful

SCRIPTURE: "That night the Master appeared to Paul: 'Its going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best. You've been a good witness for me here in Jerusalem. Now you're going to be my witness in Rome!' " (Acts 23:11)

OBSERVATION: Jesus basically said to Paul, Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with what I have asked of you here. Now I am going to send you to a new place.

APPLICATION: Here are a few questions for you to think through
1.) Have you been a good witness for Jesus ?
In your home ~ Spouse; Children; Siblings; Parents; In-Laws
To your neighbors@ Work & Social gatherings

2.) Have you been faithful where you are?

3.) Can you be trusted with more responsibility?

4.) If Jesus appeared to you today
Would HE say well done to you?


If so get ready and be prepared the opportunities are just around the corner

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful here and now, and help me to be ready and willing if you call me to other things.

Relational Foundation

Reading from Feb. 10 ~Acts 17

TOPIC: Sharing the Good News

SCRIPTURE: "We want to hear more about this Jesus." (Acts 17:32)

OBSERVATION: It was the Apostle Paul's regular practice to go into synagogues and share about Jesus. He would take time to start with the Old Testament writings and explain how Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of being The Messiah. He would connect the dots by move from what they knew to the unknown. When we share Jesus with others, we would do well to follow Pauls example and begin where people are, affirming the truth they do know, and then we can build on that foundation.

APPLICATION: Paul paid attention
to the people he was interacting with!
Paul would try to find common ground first
When you go about your daily routine
Do you know your audience?

SO
in your recent conversations with the unchurched
(NOTE: You know what that implies, right?
It implies that you've actually had a conversation with an unchurched person)

SO

If you have
&
If you are building a relationship with them
&
I soooo hope you are

if you are not
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring someone into your life
TODAY
And if you are serious about this type of relationship
HE WILL
SO Get Ready

Ok back to where I was
If you are building a relationship with an unchurched person
Eventually the time will come when
You'll actually share with them about your relationship with Jesus
Much the same way
you would share with them about the relationship you have with your spouse or kids
It should come up naturally


NOTE: Take what I am about to say in the context of the passage
In what I am about to say I am in NO WAY saying that you are only to share Jesus with someone that you have a relationship with. Ok?
Ok let's continue

In sharing Jesus with people in my past I've found that

It was a good thing, for me, to build upon the foundation that was laid through the relationship that had already been built.

Simply put: Don't rush beyond your relational foundation!

Remember this is NOT a command
As always you need to be spirit led
and yes at times the Spirit will lead you to speak to a total stranger about Jesus

I've found that, at times, for me, before I share certain things with people
Its a wise thing to think through the relationship
to make sure the relational foundation is strong enough
to bare the wait of truth
that I'm about to share.

Did all that make since? I hope it came out right
O well if it didn't just let me know as I'm sure you will

I believe with all my heart
that
if you are taking the time to
really build a relationship with an unchurched person.
Loving them where they are spend time praying for them and serving them
being genuine in everything you say and do.

NOT JUST TRYING TO GET THEM TO COME TO CHURCH
If thats all you ever do . . then . . . I believe
They will be tempted to look at you
the same way
some people
look at used car salesmen.

However if you are in the relationship for the long haul
No matter what happens
You will eventually hear that person say to you
(maybe not with the exact same words but in the same vein)

what Paul heard
"We want to hear more about this Jesus"?

I've had it happen to me many times throughout my life
and look forward to it continuing

if you are doing these things they will eventually ask
and the reason they'll ask is because
they will have seen and heard Jesus through you
from the very beginning

So
Keep on Investing in that relationship
and if you're not
then start today
and when the time is right
And you'll know
Because it will be so natural
Invite them to take a step

For example you could invite them to one of our environments at church
Like Kidstuf or Married Life LIVE or a Sunday Morning Service
or To your house or to a restaurant for dinner or or or or
You get the idea

or you could even

Invite them to begin their relationship with Jesus
Yes you
Yes even if you are not a Pastor
You can do it


If you are unsure about what you would say or do
Just let me know
I'd be more than happy to walk you through this


PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to remember Paul's example as I go throughout my daily routine

His Timing His Way

I will periodically reach for a devotional book
that I keep in my book bag.
I don't read it every day
But
When I do
God seems to always use it
to make a
Deep Impact

Streams In the Desert
Reading From Feb. 2
Isaiah 49:2 says, "In the shadow of his hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver."

In the shadow -- each of us must go there sometimes. The glare of the sunlight is too bright, and our eyes become injured. Soon they are unable to discern the subtle shades of color or appreciate neutral tints, such as the shadowed sickroom, the shadowed house of grief, or the shadowed life where the sunlight has departed.
BUT FEAT NOT! ! !
It is the shadow of God's hand. He is leading you,
and there are lessons that can be learned
only
where He leads.
The photograph of His face can only be developed in the dark room.
BUT DO NOT ASSUME
that He has pushed you aside.
You are still "in His quiver."
He has not thrown you away. . .
He is only keeping you nearby till the moment comes when He can send you quickly and confidently on some mission that will bring Him glory. O shadowed, isolated one, remember how closely the quiver is tied to the warrior. It is always within easy reach of his hand and jealously protected. from Christ in Isaiah, by F.B. Meyer

May the Holy Spirit use this in your life !!!

One Month To Live Oxygen Mask

As I was reading tonight Day 5 Breathing First these are the things that I underlined in my book

The only way to accomplish
authentic living is first to take time
and focus on yourself.

God wants to cultivate energy

IN YOU

Spiritually
Physically
Emotionally
&
Relationally


What's holding you back spiritually?
Write it down
Ask God to give you an action step
Now Obey

What's holding you back physically?
Write it down
Ask God to give you an action step
Now obey

What's holding you back emotionally?
Write it down
Ask God to give you an action step
Now obey

&

What's holding you back relationally?
Write it down
Ask God to give you an action step
Now obey

One Month To Live Power Surge

As I was reading through Day 4 Connecting with the Ultimate Source
these are things that caused me to pause and think

C.S. Lewis's Quote
You don't have a soul. You are a Soul.
You have a body.

You don't have to
sweat and strive,
work harder, or
discipline yourself
to be more spiritual

Pruning and Constant Communication (prayer & confession) is an absolute ! ! !
and the only way to continually have GOD'S Power flowing THROUGH YOU

One Month To Live Time Squared

These are the things that caught my eye as I was reading through Day 3
Spending Your Most Valuable Resource

Ralph Waldo Emerson's Quote
Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds.
(This means killing time should not be an option for a Christ Follower)
Discard them and their value will never be known.
Improve them and they will become
the brightest gems in a useful life.

If you want to live with NO REGRETS, then
you may need to inventory your life and
see how you've been spending your time.
If you need help with that I have chart to help you evaluate yourself

2 Cor. 6:1, Msg Don't squander your time
because time
is your life!

May the expression
O I'm just killing time
be forever removed
from your vocabulary

One Month To Live Roller Coaster

These are the things that grabbed my attention as I was reading through Day 2 Riding the Big Dipper.

Life is measured by the moments that take out breath away.

Someday. One day. When. IF. Then it's over.
When are we (that includes you)
going to wake up
&
realize
this is
our one and only life
right here and right now?

These other words jumped off the page
Reckless Abandon; Ridiculous Faith;

Please do whatever it takes
To Make Your Life Count
(From God's Perspective That Is)

One Month To Live Introduction

These are the things that jumped out at me as I was reading through the Introduction of our Book One Month To Live

Wouldn't it be wonderful to spend your life
so that
IF
you discovered you ONLY had a month to live,
You
WOULD NOT NEED
to change a thing?

We must live in the tipping point between
The Everyday
&
The Eternal


SO

Do you know fully who you are
&
Why God placed you here now?