Extravagant Beauty

I am so thankful for the intricate and extravagent beauty of the world we live in.  Each day I find myself being more and more amazed by the incredible complexity and connectivity of this world we live in.  In my Master Gardener class last night, I learned that there are 900 pounds of earthworms in just an acre of land.  That is incredible!  Our teacher made the comment that dirt is essentially living.  This comment was in reference to growing a vegetable garden and the many different types of organisms in the soil that all work together to help the plant grow and flourish.

An excerpt from Beautiful Outlaw articulates this so well saying

Imagine walking through a rain forest. Diving over a coral reef. Simply look through a microscope at a drop of pond water. Creation is pulsing with life. It is the life of Jesus, given generously for the life of all things. He is called “the author of life.” This is the life he offers us; this is the extravagance with which he offers it. Jesus doesn’t only give his life for mankind, he also gives his life to mankind. It is showered upon us daily like manna. 

Our God is so incredible!  He has lavished so much beauty upon us.  I look forward to the day of the new earth in glory.  There are so many wonderful things in this world and yet just think about how wonderful this earth will be when it is restored to it's pre-fall glory.  As spring is beginning to start, thank God for the many incredible sights and smells He will bring during the transformation from the death of winter to the new life of spring.


“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11 

Blessings,

Greg

My wife and I feel an intense calling on our lives for missions and full-time ministry.  We have created a fundraiser to help us overcome one hurtle to us being able to go to the mission field.  I pray that you will take a moment and check out this link.  I thank you for your consideration and ask that you seek the Lord's guidance in considering contributing to this fundraiser.  Thank you.

http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=3437&url=roadtofreedomforproclaimingchrist

Strength Through Living Daily With Christ

A snow angel made on a four inch thick layer of ice over a creek bed.

As I sit here in the dimness of dawn, I look out at our yard which is now completely covered in snow and ice.  I praise God that the ice we did receive was not wet and did not stick to the power lines.  I praise God that I have been blessed with a home to keep me sheltered from the bitter cold that is outside my windows.  I praise Him for keeping me, my wife, my family, and my friends safe despite the dangerous weather conditions we have had for days.

I know that my Lord is always there for me.  He is protecting me in ways I will probably never know.  He is teaching me constantly about who He is.  I am so thankful that God is real, truly loves us, and actively seek to develop a close relationship with us daily.

To be honest, this month has been a one of great struggles for me.  There have been many times this month where I have struggled with how I am going to pay bills, what I should do in certain situation, leaps of faith I have had to take, and sin I have had to battle against.  All of these situations sought to encase me, like the ice outside my doorstep, in a cage of bitterness and frustration but as I learn to lean on the Lord more and more daily I see how He protects my heart and lifts me up in His strength.

I am truly beginning to understand what Paul meant when he said in Philippians 3:7-9, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him."  No trouble of this world matters with Christ at the helm of my life.  He is my sustainer and in understanding this I can truly live and believe Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."


No matter what situation you find yourself in today, I hope that you will put your complete faith in Jesus.  He is truly all you need in this world to live and live abundantly.  You will still face struggles in this life but Jesus will sustain you and keep you in each one.  He will walk beside you and help carry any burden you are facing.  All your struggles will truly be light with Jesus as your Savior and Lord.  


Blessings,


Greg 

Protection from the Cold of Sin

Yesterday, we got about twice as much snow as the meteorologist predicted we would.  In the morning, the forecast was for around an inch on the ground for our area.  What was not made clear by the meteorologist, was the fact that the snow would instantly stick to the roads and driveways because the road temperatures were below freezing.  Our town had not even laid any salt on the roads when the snow began. Within 15 minutes of the snow starting, all the flowerbeds, roofs, roads and driveways were covered with a slick layer of snow.

 I began to think about how easily sin can stick to straying or stumbling hearts as I looked at the stark contrast of a snow covered driveway and warm, mostly untouched, grass next to it.  Proverbs 4:23, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life." Are you allowing the springs of your heart to chill and be easily affected by the cold snow and ice of sin?  Or is your heart's springs hot with Christ's love allowing it to easily ward off the sinful cold of this world?

We have to keep working on our relationship and walk with Jesus to help protect us from the cold of sin in our hearts.  Though this is a daily need it does not have to be a constant struggle.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  When you keep hearing around you how hard it is to follow Jesus and to do daily devotions, you begin to believe it yourself.  This scripture shows that growing a relationship with Christ is neither difficult or burdening.  In fact, it is the opposite.  Jesus Christ will strengthen you, fill you with lift your burdens, and walk with you to protect you from the daily attacks of the enemy.  


I hope that you will warm your heart up today in Christ.  Your time with Christ should be just as enjoyable and wonderful as curling up next to a fireplace on a cold winter day.  He will gently warm you inside and out.  He will keep you protected from the cold sins and temptations of this life.  He will feel you with peace and the assurance that you can make it through each day with Him by your side.  


Blessings,


Greg  

Heart Preparation from Sin's Winter Cold

When I woke up this morning it was cold and rainy. I don't know about you but my body is slow starting on a day like this.  It is completely unrealistic for me to expect that i will wake up and instantly be ready for the day when it is cold and wet outside.  I have to prepare for this kind of day properly to be able to function throughout it. It requires me to get up a bit earlier than usual.  I stand in the shower a bit longer than usual to get my temperature regulated.  I especially need a cup of coffee, on a morning like this, to engage the final start up process in my body and get my engines fully burning.   Can you relate to this?

The Lord got me thinking today about how unrealistic it is for me to also expect that i will fully be able to dive into prayer and worship quickly.   I mean think about it.  If I have been immersed in a cold and sinful world throughout my day or week, would it make sense for me to be instantly ready for prayer, devotion, or worship time?  No!  I need to take the time to reconnect with God.  I have to bring my heart's focus back on my creator and Lord.   Now how long I have to spend doing this depends on how deeply immersed into the world I have allowed myself to become.  But the point is, I will have to do it.

With the understanding that this is true, why do we get so frustrated when we aren't instantly in the zone with God in our quiet times?  Just like when I don't take the time to fully prepare for a cold and wet morning and pay the price, a lack of closeness with the Lord will be the result of me not preparing myself to rest in Him and know Him during my quiet time.  You may be saying about now that I don't know your crazy schedule and the small amount of time you have available for the Lord and you might be right but one thing I have learned is that I always make time for what is important including the time to prepare for the task I want to do.  Can I expect to cook a full meal without preparing the ingredients?  Can I expect my car to stay in good condition if I don't take the time to check my fluids, tires, and brakes?  Can I expect to share a deep intimate relationship with my wife if I never put any time into loving on her, learning more about her, and connecting to her?  Then why would it be any different with connecting to Jesus?

We live in a culture that wants everything done quickly and with the least amount of hassle possible.  We buy frozen skillet creations instead of fixing a meal ourselves.  We let the mechanic take care of our cars instead of personally tending to it's ?ime it takes to learn how to love them.  Then we wonder why it is so hard for us to connect to God.  We wonder why the Christian book we just read instead of the Bible still seems inadequate.  We wonder why little prayers with no depth or substance are not drawing us closer.

One of my favorite things about Jesus' relationship with His Father, was His desire to go off on His own to spend time with His Father frequently.  Every single part of Jesus' life reflected His relationship with His Father.  The Bible is very clear that prayer and knowledge of the scriptures was incredibly important to Jesus.  If this was so for Jesus, would it not stand to reason that it would also be necessary for us?  Before facing the temptation, Jesus fasted and prayed for forty days.  A fast is intended to be a time of sacrifice to grow closer to God.  Though Jesus was weakened and hungry physically, He had spent those forty days being strengthened spiritually.  Can you imagine the close relationship that Jesus shared during that time of fasting and focusing only on His Father?  Though He was the Son of God, He still made it a priority to spend time away from others and the world to talk with His Father.  

Now winter is upon us and we are all frantically preparing our homes and wardrobes for the cold.  As you do this, think about how you are preparing you heart to meet with God.  Think about how you are insulating your heart for Christ against the cold sin of this world.  Think about how you are putting on layers of scriptures to shield you from the bitter cold of temptation.  We live in a world that seeks to lead us to the eternal wintery torture of Hell.  Have you prepared yourself in the Lord to survive this world?  Are you trusting Him as your one and only guide?  Have you prepared your heart to only follow His narrow way?

Blessings,

Greg