I had a "Giant Cavernous Aneurysm" behind my left eye. I went to Dallas for surgery and it was killed...however post op my eye is unresponsive. It is if I am looking out of a steamy shower door. Some days it is better than others. Please pray that my sight will be restored. God has been putting words on my heart that I feel I must put on paper. The following thoughts are those I feel that the Lord is speaking to me lately. Enjoy.

July 30, 2005

Love Song

Check these lyrics. This song has meant a lot to me lately and is worth finding if you can. I'm not sure who wrote or sings it. It was redone on a CD from New Life Church.

LOVE SONG

Where can I go?
Where can I run from you?
You’re everywhere
You know all my thoughts
You see through my skin
And still you come to me
So I sing a love song to you
So I sing a love song to you

From heaven above
To earth down beneath
Your love rains down on me
You know all my thoughts
You see through my skin
And still, you come to me

So I sing a love song to you
So I sing a love song to you
So I sing a love song to you

You walk on waves
You run with clouds
You paint the sky for me to see
Your majesty your majesty is why I sing
This is a love song to you to you
This is a love song to you

My life’s a love song to you, to you, Jesus
My life’s a love song to you

You walk on waves
You run with clouds
You paint the sky for me to see
Your majesty, your majesty is why I sing

July 28, 2005

He Brought The Wood, They Brought The Stones

Stephen got stoned. I’m not talking about drugs; I’m talking about rocks. Question: Are you willing to get stoned for Christ?

I went through a long period of my young adult life when those around me thought I was a “good guy.” I was often described this way, but was rarely described as a “Christian.” I just didn’t talk a lot about my beliefs. I tried to live a good life where people would hopefully characterize me as different. I’m all about living your life in a way where someone, someday might possibly ask you why you’re different. It rarely happened.

What if you could bypass being stoned to death, but instead deal with the possibility of laying your pride on the line. What if those around you noticed that you are a walking, talking believing modern-day Stephen.

Talk about faith. In spite of his fate, Stephen stood before a hostile crowd and proclaimed the goodness of our God. He heralded the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Christ. Unabashed, he stood before the hostile crowd, proudly claiming his heritage. He brought the wood that day. Stephen was willing to die for the cause of Christ…and he did.

Something interesting happened that day. Just before the rock throwing party began, Stephen looked up to Heaven. God opened the sky, revealing Heaven to give Stephen a taste of what he would call home in mere moments. Stephen got a peek behind the curtain to see the glory of God, with His son Jesus standing at His right hand.

I believe that God does the same for us today. When we are willing to step out in faith and let those around us know how proud we are of our Father, I believe that God will open the curtains of Heaven for us. The blessings of Heaven will be showered on those who take a stand for the Lord.

Just as Stephen did, proudly proclaim your heritage. Be proud of your family tree, but remember, it looks different than those who do not follow Christ. There are no branches, but rather your tree looks peculiarly like a cross.

July 24, 2005

Signed, Grace



Your doorbell rings. When you open the door there is a gold envelope sitting on the doorstep. You open the invitation:


Dear Friend,

You are invited
To a celebration of life.
Although you are not required to attend,
Your life will forever be changed if you choose to.
The deepest needs of your heart will be fulfilled at this celebration.
One will take your place in death,
So that you will never have to die.
You will be saved this day.
You can’t miss it.

Location: At the Cross
Time: Now

Signed,
Grace


“What in the world does this mean? I’m invited to a ‘celebration of life?’ I’ll be changed forever and will live forever? ‘One will take my place in death? I will be saved this day?’ There are no directions, and the time is now. How will I find the Cross?”

You are intrigued by this invitation. You can’t get it out of your head. You decide the only way to find the Cross is to search for it. To your surprise, you open your front door to find hundreds if not thousands walking down the street with the same gold envelopes in hand. Joining in the masses you walk briskly in anticipation of the destination.

After some time, you reach your goal. A line has formed that ends at, what appears to be the Cross. As you inch closer, you notice that those who have gone before you return with tears running down their cheeks, their hearts filled with an obvious joy and eyes filled with a hope unlike you’ve ever seen. Your heart beats out of your chest in anticipation for what you will soon experience.

Drawing closer, you see that it’s not just a lonely Cross, rather there’s a man hanging in obvious pain, covered in blood. “This must be the man who is dying so that I won’t have to,” you think to yourself. A lump forms in your throat and tears well up in your eyes.

Your time has come. You step up and slowly look up into the the man’s eyes. The One who hangs before you stares back with eyes filled with a compassion and forgiveness that you will never fully be able to explain.

His gentle eyes draw you close. As a tear runs down his bloody face, he calls you by name. Your knees buckle, falling face first before the Cross.

After a moment, the man utters, “Thank you for accepting the invitation that Grace sent to you. Today I will breathe my last, so that you will never have to. Today I will forgive every wrong thing you have ever done, and will remember those you commit tomorrow no more. Today I give a gift of the Holy Spirit. And with this gift you will never be the same. Return home and tell others about me. We will see each other again soon. I love you.”

You begin weeping relentlessly. Impulsively, you crawl towards the foot of the Cross, kissing His legs and His feet. You back away far enough to look into His compassionate eyes once more. Composing yourself, you ask, “I owe my life to you. Who should I tell others is the One who saved me?”

“Tell them that I Am The Great I Am. I Am The Way, I Am The Truth and The Life. I Am the One who died so that they would not have to. I Am their Friend. I Am Jesus.”

As you walk back home, you too perceive that you are now one of those people who have been changed. You glance down at your shirt, noticing that it has been stained with the blood of the One who saved you.

You thank Grace for your invitation. You have been changed…forever.

July 23, 2005

What Happens When A Squishy Pillow Explodes?




Actually, in a move that would have any parent freaking out, Luke placed the squishy pillow on top of his lamp light bulb and it burned a hole in it. Yep, we had a major talk. Nate found the aftermath and kept saying “Snow…snow.”

One of those moments in parenthood that you don’t want to laugh, but you just have to.

July 22, 2005

A Mighty Stallion

You’re simply not good enough to get into Heaven.

Your God does not save you because of what you’ve done. It would be fairly unimpressive to have a god who saves us because of our works. It would be a heartless god that would offer this gift to one with the ability to talk their way, or bribe their way into salvation.

It is a great God who would save us because we can’t save ourselves. We are a weak people. You left the side of God when you entered the world. As we live, God gives us the free will to choose to live with Him or without Him. Some choose to stay away from His side for longer periods of time than others, but eventually everyone will long to find their way back to His hip. Either in this life or the next, everyone will bow before Him.

What an amazing gift that is given when we surrender…give up…wave the white flag. We live in a self-serve world. In our lives, we can live sufficiently all by ourselves. Self-serve ice cream, self-serve gas, self-serve check out, self-serve bill pays, and on and on. But salvation is not self-served. Your feeble attempts at self-salvation are over. It’s time to lay everything on the table. Empty your pockets before the Lord, and acknowledge that you are spiritually bankrupt without Him.

Unpuff your chest, believing that you are worthy of this gift. You’re simply not. Is your way working for you? How are you doing without the unconditional forgiveness offered by your Creator…and He is your Creator, you just haven’t broken yet. You’re still that unbridled, uncontrolled stallion wandering aimlessly. It’s time to break, and yield control to the One who made you. Become a stallion filled with His Spirit. Never before could you imagine a nobler steed.

You will be refilled with a love never experienced before and a love impossible to acquire without the infusion of the Holy Spirit.

Brokenness becomes greatness.

July 21, 2005

Get Out Of Jail...Free

The next time someone asks you if you’ve spent any time in prison, say “yes.” You have. I have. Sin was our prison. You were in the clink…the slammer. You were placed behind the prison of guilt and unforgiveness and were shackled to a world of misery. It was a dark and lonely place.

You cry out in submission to your Father. As you sit in the corner of your cell you hear the key inserted in the cell and the door slowly open. The light coming from the door was blinding. As your eyes adjust to the light you see Jesus standing there. He has come to pay your bail. You’re free.

Sometimes I wonder if we take our “time served” for granted. Life gets busy. It’s a hectic world we live in. Sure, we pray. Sure, we are thankful for our blessings. But, do we truly understand the magnitude of what was done on that lonely cross 2,000 years ago? We have been freed. Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last! Truer words have never been spoken.

If today you find yourself still sitting in your dark cell, I ask why. Your time has already been served. All you have to do is acknowledge who served it and call out to the one who paid the price.

I pray that the conviction of where you sit and what awaits you will penetrate your soul. I pray that the thought of another day without your Creator being your guide and your Master will have you crying out the name of your Savior. He waits at your cell door with keys in hand longing to free your shackled life. In this game of Monopoly of life, Jesus stands at the door with your “get out of jail free” card, but you have to desire it. You have to want it and cry out for it.

Experience freedom. If you’ve been freed, vow today to never take it for granted. If you’re still in bondage, cry out.

Your God awaits your call.

July 20, 2005

Update from Dallas

I just got back from Texas with great news. I saw Dr. Replogle, as Duke was out of the country. I went to get a CT Scan and the results were great. Ding dong, the aneurysm is dead! He was very encouraged and felt like I was doing very well in my recovery.

As far as the eye, he feels like we need to give it several months before there would be a need for concern. This was music to my eye. I was given the o.k. to drive, so that is a huge relief.

Thanks for praying. I'm posting a rerun below, but this epipheny was a big discovery for me...I love my new God.




My New God

I miss my daddy. I miss his unshaven face. I miss his less than Colgate fresh breath. I miss the way you could tell that he hadn’t showered by the way his hair looked. I miss how happy he was to see me, no matter what kind of day he had. I miss most everything about him. Dad got homesick and went to be with Jesus a few years ago. He died doing what he loved to do most…eating.

My perception of God has changed lately. Maybe it’s the longing for my own dad again. I don’t know. But, it seems like this God is better than the one I grew up with.

A simple knock on His screen door ushers me into His presence. This one has a favorite recliner. My new God’s feet have slippers on, not some royal wooden shoes with a royal emblem on them. My new God’s face is a little unshaven. His skin dark with wrinkles. Perhaps the wrinkles come from pacing the porch of Heaven, squinting to see which of His children will come over the horizon next.

I no longer have to sit beside Him, but He calls me to crawl up on His lap. He holds me so close that I can feel His breath on the top of my head. For the first time, I am so close I can feel his heart beat through His flannel shirt. We don’t even always have to talk. Sometimes we just hang out and rock. It feels secure here. As a matter of fact, there is no place I would rather be…in the arms of my Abba who loves me unconditionally. He loves me for who I am, not who I should be.

After dad died, I was overwhelmed by things would come up that would remind me of him. I remember hugging my uncle with his unshaven face, and less than fresh breath. I could have stayed there for a while. It probably would have freaked him out, but it felt very comfortable.

The more I get to know my new God, the more homesick I get. I love Him a lot. I can’t wait to meet Him, but until then, I’ve got three little boys that need to feel their father’s unshaven face, sense his breath on the top of their heads and smell his less than fresh breath.

Take a chance. Get out of your chair and crawl on up. Your new God is waiting.

July 17, 2005


This is the life!


Suzi and Luke exploring creation


Luke and I searching for trout


A Colorado sunset over the Collegiates


Cottonwood Lake in Buena Vista, CO


Suz and I at Cottonwood Lake

July 16, 2005

Extreme Makeover: Home Addition


Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is in town building a home in the Springs. The family and I went down today to check out the build. The “reveal” will be tomorrow at noon and the house looks great. The security guard at the front gate felt sorry for me and my patched eye and let us into the VIP area of the build site, while everyone else was about a ¼ mile away. It’s amazing that these guys build this house in about 5 days. It was a great day and Gabe had an absolute blast, even though Ty didn’t come over our way.


Blessed Be His Name

“Quit writing all of these stories and tell us how you are!” I keep getting these emails, so a quick update. By the way, my hope is that through my journal you can get a glimpse of how I am.

In the words of James Brown…I feel good. I think the doctors think my progress is incredible…I just had not envisioned what all was entailed once your head had been opened up.

My surgery was on a Wednesday. I was moved out of the I.C.U. within 24 hours and dismissed from the hospital within 36 hours…after a major invasive brain surgery! That’s fairly mind-blowing…forgive the term. I went to recover at my sister, Jamie’s house for recovery.

I can’t say enough about the Hackney’s and their incredible hospitality. Brian and Jamie opened their home to us in a way that is indescribable. We felt completely welcome…and that’s amazing for the nearly 3 weeks we were there. I love them deeply for the way they welcomed me and my family in such a hard time.

So, four weeks post op, how do I feel? The majority of the time, I feel great. I feel weak from time to time, mainly when we have left the house for an extended period of time. I have not become familiar with viewing my world through only my right eye… yet. I pray often for complete healing, but until that time, I am learning to live with this handicap. Thanks to all who have emailed or called and told me how “cool” the eye patch looks, but for now, I don’t ‘feel’ cool…but rather a pain in the posterior. I have to get accustomed to issues such as depth perception, catching a ball my kids throw to me, etc. I am getting better every day, and certainly stronger each day that goes by.

I return to work full time on the 25th of July. I look forward to going back to work and having a semblance of normality. Focus on the Family has been amazing during this time. I can’t say enough: Flowers, prayers, huge tins full of popcorn, candy, etc., food and meals from the moment we entered Colorado. In between our wonderful neighbors, and our friends at Focus, we have been welcomed back and are extremely blessed.

So, that’s the update. Thanks for all of your prayers, and ask that as you enter your prayer closets you would remember to pray for sight for my left eye.

We serve an AMAZING God. Blessed be His name when I’m found in the desert place and walk through the wilderness. When the darkness closes in, still I will say blessed be His name. Blessed be His name, on the road marked with suffering, though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be His name!

If He’s the God of the sunshine, He’s the God of the rain. So, today and always I say, as for me and my house, we will always serve the Lord…regardless of our circumstances.

July 14, 2005

Goodbye Friend


One of my best friends died today. My dog, Tyson the boxer died in the night. He was our first child, and lived for 9 years. He was a comfort during my recovery. He knew when I was struggling and would react appropriately. When I hurt, he would come close. I feel a hole in my gut. He was a big part of this family.

He truly was the best dog a family could have. He is a companion that my 3 boys grew up with and grew to love as the fourth brother. Our children rode him like a horse…all the while, he allowed it to happen, knowing it was part of his duties here on Earth. I will miss him…a lot.

It’s been a hard day with many tears shed before 8 a.m. Our boys understand the depth of loss, and I feel for them. My heart aches twice…my loss and the loss for my family.

Tyson, you’ve been a good dog, and my heart hurts that you are no longer here to wrestle with me. He will be buried high on a mountain. You will be sorely missed as part of this family.

I love you, boy.




A Letter From Tyson

Dear Master,
You have been my teacher, my friend and most beloved companion. I was like your child, totally dependent on you for all my needs. But I never grew up and moved away as children do, I just grew to love and need you more each day, each month, each year.


I never went hungry because you gave me dinner and gave me water each day. When the weather was bad I found comfort in the warmth and safety of your home. I delighted you by learning tricks, but what you may not have realized is that I loved learning from you because I lived to please you. The touch of your hand stroking my fur made my life worthwhile. Though I barked at noises in the night, the postman's footsteps and the ringing of the doorbell; the voice of my master was the one sound that I cherished most. Your moods became my moods. When you were sad or lonely, I nuzzled closer to comfort you .


There were times when you became upset with me because I soiled the carpet, chewed on a piece of furniture, or barked too much. But do not feel bad about those times when you scolded me - I needed to learn right from wrong, and I always understood when things weren't going your way or when you'd had an unpleasant day at work. There is no need for you to harbor guilt or remorse on my behalf. You loved me and blessed me with more happiness than most animals will ever know. Instead of wondering what you could have done differently, remember the funny things I did and the happy times we shared together. Though it is hard for you to understand, I was ready to pass on from this life.


Our time together was short, but if we'd had fifty years together, you still would have not been ready for me to leave. So please, Master, share your life with others. Do not refuse the opportunity to give another lucky pet the love you have given me. No other animal will ever take my place in your heart, but there is another one who needs you and will grow to love you as much as I did.


I am now at peace and no longer feel pain. You gave me a wonderful home and a happy existence on this earth. So please be happy - go on with your life and give your love to others. Although I no longer share your world, I will always live in your heart and you in mine. Farewell dear Master,

Tyson

July 13, 2005

The Ride of Life

I was unable to do anything to keep my son from hurting himself.

My oldest son, Gabe had learned only 2 days before how to ride his bike without training wheels. I could not have been prouder of him. I watched as he wiggled back and forth, trying to keep the rubber side down. Tears welled up in my eyes, as I was overwhelmed with an inexplicable pride. I was clapping, jumping, yelling and looking stupid…but it was my son.

He had this patented move that he would perform when he wanted to stop the bike. He would stop peddling and quickly jump off to the side and manually stop.

Going in a straight line became routine for him, but after a couple of days, it was time to learn to turn.

We loaded up the bikes and went down to the local high school. Wide open spaces, with no traffic due to the summer season. I went over the exact course he should take and where he should begin his turn. Off he went.

He was building up speed and I yelled to him to begin his turn. He did and gradually began turning back towards me. I noticed that he was really going fast and then it happened. He became fearful and tried his patented Fred Flintstone style of braking. Disaster.

Because of his high rate of speed he was unable to successfully dismount, but instead his momentum dragged him about 10 feet along the asphalt. His poor knees and elbows were bleeding. Wailing and crying ensued as I ran as fast as I could to pick him up off of the pavement. I carried him back to the car and doctored up his strawberries with the first aid kit. My job was to encourage and comfort, not to point out his poor choices.

I later thought that this is exactly the way it is with God. He cheers enthusiastically when we make the right choices and accomplish things on this earth. However, God leaves the decisions up to us. That is the way it’s been since the Garden of Eden. When we make poor choices, He watches in sadness, unwilling to disallow the consequences. It pains Him to watch us fall and hurt. But after our wrong choices and subsequent results, God is quick to pick us up and offer us the comfort and healing that only He can give.

Our God is a God who loves us, even when we make bad decisions. He is the perfect Father, and understands that rescuing us from poor choices teaches us nothing. Our Father is a compassionate Dad, and He alone offers restoration to the brokenhearted.

In this ride of life, we’re quick to wonder where God is during the consequence stage, unwilling to recognize that it was our choice that put us there. Trust that God will bring you comfort and complete healing…He will.

July 11, 2005

Baby Steps

“Baby steps down the hall. Baby steps into the elevator. Baby steps out of the elevator.”

Do you remember the movie, “What about Bob?” Bill Murray was a complete freak, and was unable to go out into public without a Kleenex in his hand for doorknobs, and shaking hands, etc. He had to give himself pep talks just to enter an elevator and walk down a sidewalk, avoiding each crack along the way.

There are days that I feel like Bob. My faith walk is limited in scope. I am physically, spiritually and mentally spent. The thought of taking more than that one little step is enough to send me over the edge. I have just enough faith to walk that one little baby step that day.

I think God’s alright with baby steps. He gives us the example of providing a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. Baby light. He didn’t hand each of us search lights to carry around to illuminate the next mile of our path. He instead hands us a lantern that will guide our next step only.

So, as an encouragement, I want to tell you when you are at the end of your proverbial faith rope, hold on. Ask the Lord for one more day of manna. The Israelites did, and He listened. Don’t hoard up your bread or you’ll be eating maggots by morning. One day…that’s all He asks.

“Baby steps to the feet of my Savior. Baby steps to believe He provides manna for me and my family today. Baby steps to believe You, oh God, will rescue me. Amen.”

When you find yourself here, if it’s all you can do, take a baby step, believing that He will do what He has promised you.

July 09, 2005

Death Does Not Bless

Imagine someone comes to you offering to show you a candid camera video of your life. As it relates to your praise and worship to God, what does it look like?

This guy has followed you in your car, your church, your work, your house. His whole mission has been to show you who you really are…a liver of a life of worship or not. He pops the DVD in the player and pushes play. What do you see?

Are you watching the tape of a person who is passionate about his Maker? As you sit in church, do you worship with passion, or is do you look like you’re sucking on a pickle? Do you praise Him for who He is and what He has done for you, or are you thinking of how to best beat the Baptists to Spring Creek BBQ for lunch?

How’s your thought life…because this camera captures this as well. Do you give God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit more than a passing thought during the day? As you sit at work and make critical decisions, do you believe that our God can help you make them? And, do you thank Him for each blessing received?

As you continue watching the DVD, the next chapter shows your home life. How do you interact with your spouse and children? Does it resemble a love that was modeled as Christ loved the church, or is it self-serving and manipulative?

The movie ends. Knowing that we live this life for the sole intent of blessing our Daddy, what did the movie look like? How did you do? I’m not talking about perfection; I’m simply asking what did the overall theme look like?

As one who follows Christ, praise is not an option. We are directed to:

“Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him from the heights! Praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens; old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 148

Doesn’t sound like an option…does it? It isn’t and it shouldn’t be. We exist to praise and worship our Lord, regardless of our present circumstance.

I bow before you today Lord. And when I don’t feel like praising you, remind me of who you are and my nothingness without you.

Be alive and grasp why you are who you are.


Back in wonderful Colorado!


Mom got all the boys patches...like Dad

July 07, 2005

My Goliath

There was a little boy named David, down by the babbling brook. There was a little boy named David, five little stones he took.

Remember the song? Do you ever have “David envy?” I mean here’s this kid who goes before his giant with 5 “little stones” and a slingshot. He proceeds to the battlefield, fully confident that the Lord’s hand will defeat the giant, and grabs a stone. A STONE…one…uno…not two, but one. That’s all it took for David to peg Goliath right in the forehead. He won…with one dadgum stone.

And by the way, do you know why he had the extra four stones? Read the next couple of chapters. David needed the additional four stones to kill four other giant relatives of Goliath…I digress.

I must admit, I have “David envy.” At times it feels like I have backed my dump truck to the babbling brook and loaded it up. I then haul it onto my battlefield and dump out thousands of little stones. I turn towards my giant and begin hurling and hurling and hurling. Why does it seem that my Goliath has a steel plate in his forehead? I load up rocks and hurl them towards my giant and at times it seems as though they bounce off of his forehead, unable to effectively change my circumstances. Or worse yet, my giant “aneurysm” comes crashing down just long enough to have my giant “blindness” replace it.

I know the end of the story. I win. I have that promise from my Father. I fully believe we serve an incredible God who will answer this prayer as well. In my vulnerability and honesty, I must admit to suffering from “David envy” from time to time.

What’s your giant? Do you believe in the God who will take him down? Does your patience run thin when your prayers take longer to answer than you would like? I would encourage you to keep praying and believing that your giant will too come crashing down. We serve an amazing God who is still in the giant killing business. Nothing has changed. You know the end of the story. Keep praying, believing and hurling.

Today I load up another stone, and pray that this is the day my God slays my giant in the Valley of Elah.

July 05, 2005

My Love



She is the love of my life.
She is my sight in my blindness.
She is the stand in my gap.
She is the one who completes me.
She is my spiritual leader when I am frail.
She is my lighthouse when I am lost.
She is my direction when I am wandering.
She is my flashlight on a dark night.
She is my faith when I find myself faithless.
She is the light in a dark world.
She is my hope when I am hopeless.
She worships in light, surrounded by dark circumstances.
She is my sun on a cloudy day.
She is my rock on shifting soil.
She is my best friend.
She is my light at the end of a dark tunnel.
She is my certainty in uncertain times.
She is my answer when I question.
She is a mighty oak tree in a raging storm.
She is the oasis in the wasteland.
She is worship when I can’t.
She is called blessed by her children.
She chases after nail-scarred hands.
She is my beautiful one.
She is my soul mate.
She is my bride.

July 03, 2005

Freedom Without Bondage

True freedom. I love America. This country exudes freedom from its very pores, and encourages all to partake in its goodness. But unfortunately, America’s freedom carries with it conditions and limits. The definition of America’s freedom is basically wrapped up in its freedom from oppression. Go to any church you want…or not.

America offers you the ability to make legal choices.

Its freedom allows you to drink as much as you want. It also allows you to throw your guts up, lose your license or your life.

Its freedom allows you to enjoy relationships outside of your marriage. It also allows you to lose your wife and children and all you hold dear due to your poor decisions.

Its freedom allows you to forego an occupation. It also allows you to end up in an alley sleeping in the rain.

America has no ability to offer true freedom. Christ alone holds this key. America allows you to do stupid stuff and suffer equally stupid circumstances. As amazing as America is, it has its limits. Choosing to follow Christ offers no limits.

True freedom comes from following Christ. If you believe what He lays out before you as the way to act, the way to treat people, the ways to live, then you truly understand freedom. Not until you embrace this concept can you experience true freedom.

This Independence Day I encourage you to take a hard core look at your freedom quotient. Are you enjoying true freedom, or freedom with limits? God longs for you to experience limitless freedom. If you’ve never fully experienced it, you’re in bondage to your “freedom.”

July 01, 2005

Over The Hell Party

I just left my brother-in-law’s “Over the Hill” 50th birthday party. It was equipped with walkers, balloons, depressing cards and everything black.

As I sat there staring at all of the blackness and depression, I started thinking of the “Over the Hell” party that God has in store for His children. This party is the key to escape the Hell on Earth that so many walk through.

Some have been to their party, some have not. For those who have chosen to be a follower of Christ, they don’t regret it. Those who have not, have no idea what’s in store for them.

God’s party is ill-equipped with depressing balloons and cards; rather His party is decorated with life, grace, hope and redemption. At your party, you’ll find your life takes a turn, not only in the life after, but surprisingly in this life now. Your party is an infusion of power for this life. Power is given to make right decisions, power to live your best life now.

Your party will even have party favors. You walk away with the favor of God’s Holy Spirit. What an amazing gift. This heart inhabitant is the key to better understanding God. So many questions will be answered about why God is, who God is, what God is, and how God is. None of these questions will be fully answered, but you will begin to experience clarity in some of these areas.

Accept your invitation to your private “Over the Hell” party God has waiting for you. Your world will change.

 
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