Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Schools

Ok so i'm running/jogging/walking...at times crawling my way around Murfreesboro taking in the crispness of the morning in search for that runners high. It's just a cool way for me to connect with God and roll the day's, week's month's activities around in the ol noggin.

This morning, this thought or question came blasting to the forefront. What happened to the schools? No i'm not going down the road in how people desire to take God out of the schools by eliminating prayer, or how some folks are desirous in eliminating Bible clubs in schools around the nation. I'm asking, "why are the schools getting these fancy names?"

It seems that if a particular school is starting to decline in popularity, we change the school to a magnet or whatever the buzzwords of the day are that scream quality to the world and deems that school worthy of our children attending. What are we basing our decisions on? Is it the building, the faculty, the students, the area, the atmosphere or climate of the school?

I don't know. I really don't. This medium is not for the debate of such things, but to maybe get us to look inward. Let's look inward for a second to see if we are living out what Paul reminds us of in his second letter to the Corinthians in chapter 5 verses 13-16...go check it out? i'll paraphrase for the sake of space in this format.

Paul is saying look if we look crazy (not like the world) well guess what? we are! and here is why. Jesus!! Yea because we are CONVINCED that Jesus died for all and that since we no longer live for ourselves but for HIM...so we are going to stop evaluating or we will no longer look at folks with our worldly goggles. (warned you it was a paraphrase)

So that we will think of others in a higher manner than we do ourselves. WHAT that's not in there? hahaha...i know, but it is in Phillipians 2:3. Think of the places you do not desire to be and then let's ask ourselves the question why? When i'm truly honest with myself it's because of my lack of living out the verses we just plowed through. i "think" i'm better...uuggghhh..anyone else?

Lord we pray for those of us that have placed ourselves above you and our fellow man and made decisions based on the "world's standard" not yours.... Father we thank you for placing us with you through our belief in Jesus Christ. For you thought alot of us to send Jesus, it's now our turn. Amen

Monday, April 5, 2010

Post 40

As i typed the title, i realized that this really can mean several things; like yes i'm over 40 years old, sounds like a cereal, some golfers would love to post a 40 on 9 holes, but this is in regards to a post i shared with you guys back in March.

You see i shared that in observance of the 40 days leading to Christ's resurrection, i was refraining from sweets. You can scroll down a few blogs to catch up. Well Easter was yesterday and man o' man did we celebrate. No not by eating bunny ears (although those are quite tasty) We gathered with our brothers and sisters across the globe to celebrate our Risen Savior. I thought our skin was going to pop off at times,with our hands raised, eyes closed and my bride after we sing He's Alive is just about to put her fingers in her mouth for a good ol southern whistling salute of her Praises to the King....she refrained hahaha...

Well it's Monday. The celebration continues, as we know that for over 2000 years our Lord reigns!

I must share that this year my senses were heightned to the resurrection as i journeyed through the fast. You see as my body would crave the sweets, (which still has not gone away)i would think of Jesus. As the days came closer and the week of His triumphal entry, i literally would place myself in the setting and play out where i thought i might be, i would ask myself, "how quick would i have ran" when asked about Jesus. Would i have been like Peter and have Jesus tell me to get behind him? Or would i have been one of the crowd asking for the release of Barabas instead of Jesus.....I don't have to wonder that anymore.

You see in the days leading up to the resurrection this verse was revealed to me. Revelation 19:6-8 Look at verse 8. The she is us folks...those of us that have said yes and believe to Jesus, those of us that recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That fine linen, well when you dissect that word in the original greek language, it is a bleached white linen (spotless without blemish)Our spotless, without a blemish Savior places this on me and you. Go ahead jump and do a chest bump or side bump with someone.....gang that is why He emptied Himself out of that tomb to conquer death, so HIS bride (the body of Christ)can live everlasting to everlasting with our bridegroom Jesus Christ without a blemish.

What's that? oh yes, i did eat a piece of nanny's (my mother in law's)amazing , that is submerged in eagle brand milk, creamy white icing with coconut flakes drizzled cake........oops sorry i fell down for a second hhahaha. But the struggle through the 40 was way much more than about not eating sweets. It is SO WAY ABOUT our reflection on Jesus and seeing that HE IS STILL ALIVE.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Good Friday

Gang,

Wow what an incredible two days and tomorrow's forecast looks like it will be another beautiful day. During the day tomorrow take notice, mark your calendars set reminders with your phones at 09:00…..12:00 to 3:00 pm…read Mark 15 and you will see these times. A couple of weeks ago we discussed preparing ourselves and how Christ has prepared rooms for us, so as we set our faces toward the incredible celebration on Sunday I/we must first travel through a Friday.

Mark 15:42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, [fn] the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached,

Let's join together and prepare. This for some folks will be there one or two times a year to walk through a door of worship barn, praise God for the ones that come to 1307 Rutherford boulevard. There will be some folks we haven't seen in awhile PRAISE GOD! renew friendships, for there is always room at the table for one more. I think for some Easter serves as a Christian new year, for those that feel they have "blown it". In a way it is similar to how people would load up each year, in observance of Passover, and travel to the Temple to offer sacrifices for the yearly sins…..Wow what a blessing we now have in Jesus who after washing the disciples feet on that Thursday (tonight) stated in John 13:35-36 (NLT) Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples v36 Simon Peter said "Lord where are you going?" and Jesus replied, "You can't go with me now but you will follow me later."

Man, can't wait to see my room, how about you?