Birth Miracle

It would be impossible to do birth justice by trying to explain how incredible it is.  I must admit that the idea of the birth process scared me half to death.  I did a great job of focusing on work, chores, and my wife instead of what would happen in the birth room.  I was afraid of the pain my wife would experience, whether I would be strong enough to stand beside her, and whether my boy would be okay or not.  The unknown is what I feared most and there was plenty of it.  The unknown is what I have always feared.

Well Tuesday night began my walk into the unknown.  She began light contractions Tuesday night and I tried my best to get some decent sleep, knowing that he could come at any time.  Naturally, I struggled with sleep for those first few hours.  At about three in the morning, I laid all my fears down at Jesus' feet.  I talked to Him about my need for sleep and my desire for Him to take away my fears.  I believe Wednesday morning was the first time I had truly laid all my fears down in my life.  For the rest of the night, I slept in peace till my wife woke me up at 7:30 and said it seemed like it was time to go.

When we arrived at the hospital, Mel and I were taken to a testing room to see if she would be admitted or not.  The nurse and doctor was sufficiently pleased with her contractions and progress and she was admitted.  Once in the room, we began what I can best describe as a 15 hour marathon.  Though the husband does not experience the physical pain the mom experiences, I would testify that the husband does go through a marathon of emotional struggle.  It is not easy to see your wife in such pain, especially when she chooses to go natural.

The birth went great and my wife was truly a champion!  She did wonderfully and handled every part of the birth process so well.  My respect and love for my wife was increased so much by the way she handled such a grueling and painful process.  Much of the last part of the birthing process was spent praying that the Lord would end it soon.  The Lord's grace washed completely over my wife as she was able to focus on each contraction while allowing time to become a blur.  I, on the other hand, was acutely aware of how long the process was taking and wanted her pain to end soon and wanted so much to meet this little boy who had been squirming in my wife's belly for the last 9 months.

When it came to the end and the final pushing, I was in awe.  I felt no fear.  I felt no timidity.  I felt nothing but love for my wife, great expectation at my son's entrance, and desire for my wife to experience relief.  On that final push when he made his entrance into the world, I felt nothing but wonderment, peace, and praise.  The birth of a baby is a miracle.  Anyone who can question the existence of God at the moment of birth is beyond my comprehension.


For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 

Blessings,

Greg

Mark 4:35-40 Jesus Calms the Storm

Second attempt at a video blog.  It starts a little rough but gets better as it goes on.  I hope the Lord speaks peace in your life through it. Tonight's video is about Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-40.  This passage has brought me a lot of peace through the years and I wanted to share some thoughts about it.  Also before watching the video I want to mention the youcaring.com fundraiser we created to help us make it to the mission field.  We have felt the Lord leading our hearts to international missions for some time now but have felt like it was impossible because of the student loan debt we have.  The Lord has continued to burden our hearts for international missions in particular the Basque people group of Spain.  Currently my best friend, his wife, and child are in Spain learning the Spanish and Basque languages in preparation of moving to the Basque region.  We hope to be able to join them sooner rather than later.  At this time there are absolutely no Basque speaking evangelical churches in the basque region.  We believe that if the Lord puts a calling on our hearts He will also provide the means to be able to answer His calling.  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.

You Caring

My Beautiful Wife

You there is something inexpressibly beautiful about a pregnant wife.  There is a new glow and joy that I see in my wife daily as our little boy continues to grow inside of her.  I feel as though her confidence is raising and she is really coming into her own.  I am so excited to see how wonderful a mother my wife is going to be.  I just know that she is going to be truly amazing with our little boy!

I am so thankful for this wonderful blessing the Lord has given us.  We have truly had a lot of fun sharing in the ultrasounds, movements, and growth.  Each day I believe my wife becomes more beautiful in a new and radiant way.  Though I know I will get flack from my mother-in-law for this, I have to admit that if I had known all that we would share through this pregnancy process, I would've been willing to have a baby much sooner.  There truly is a magical transformation that happens as you realize that you were created for this.  That God has truly blessed us with the miracle of being able to create life.

There are so many things that I am looking forward to doing with my baby boy and yet so many ways I am scared out of my mind.  I am so grateful that I have come to a place where I can rest in the assurance that Jesus is going to give me the strength I need to be a good Father.  I am daily relying on Him to prepare me to be the man of Christ my children will need.  I know that there is still much work that needs to be done but am confident that the Lord will work it in me at the right time.  I know I have used this verse before but there isn't one that gives me more peace right now in Romans 8:28 saying, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Thank you, each one of you who support me and read this blog.  I ask that you pray for my wife, baby boy, and I as we continue this journey to become a family.  I am so excited to see the many new and special ways the Lord will enhance our walk, our marriage, and ability to live and minister for Jesus daily.

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

Heart Fences

Do you ever find that you have put up fences between you and Jesus?  Each time a fence, wall, or barrier is built between you and Jesus, you block Him from being able to shine His light fully into your heart.  Just as you see the unmelted snow in the picture I took this morning, so also we all tend to have sin in our heart we have blocked Jesus from being able to cleanse and renew.

God is fully able to access and cleanse all areas of your heart with or without your permission (Psalm 139) but He seeks a "Humble and contrite heart" before He will enter.  Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."  These are Jesus' words to us.  The barriers that keep us from God are not His but our own.  He wants to come in and transform your heart to purity and salvation in Him.  He wants give you your best life in Him.  By best life, I mean the life that most honors Him and his kingdom.  As you begin to know Him more, you will realize that this truly is your best life over the millions of dollars and no care in the world desires that many hope for to solve all their worldly problems.    


The strong holds and fences that we have placed in our hearts, oftentimes, are there because we believe that our life is better with them than without them.  We believe that if God had control of this area or that area of our heart that we would not have as fulfilling a life.  We hold on to so many things that are of man because we struggle to believe that the ways of God in those areas could bring us more joy.  


Take the time tonight, to examine your heart and identify the areas of your heart you have closed to God.  Humble yourself by admitting to God why you are afraid to allow Him to take these areas.  Then finally, take a leap of faith by removing those barriers and allowing God to show you that the Joy He brings is greater than any joy you have ever experienced from the world.  Our God is so wonderful and completely sufficient for us.  Our fullest joy and peace is found solely in His leadership of our lives. (Psalm 145)  But don't take my word for it, find out for yourself by giving God a chance to show you His love and desire for you.  


Blessings,


Greg

Primary Fear

As most of you know this year is election year.  For those who are staunch republicans, I sure many of you have been watching the GOP primaries, debates, and news about the candidates closely.  There seems to be more at stake in our nation than ever before.  We seem to be at such an important cross roads where so many good and bad things could happen by the decisions our leaders make in Washington.  I think most would agree that this is no ordinary election.  Who wins and what they believe matters.

I have tried very hard this year to learn about the GOP candidates and even the president.  I believe it is important to vote and to be informed.  I have to say though I have been greatly discouraged by the candidates I have to choose from.  This GOP race and presidential election have a line from Courageous running through my head saying, "Where are you men of courage?"

What happen to the men of character?  The men who believed in their country and stood solidly in their belief of Jesus.  Where are the men who are connected to all the people of our nation not just the rich or the poor?  Where are the men who have lived the life of the average American and the men who understand the true needs of the people?  Where are the men who are not owned by the many interest groups of the world but live with integrity and are willing to go against the grain for their convictions?

All of these questions are on my heart when I look at the current political landscape of our country but also as I look at the religious landscape.  I believe that the movie, Courageous, is both timely and an essential must see in today's climate.  We live in a world that is reaping the results of cowardly and absent men.  We are living in a world where the devoutly Christian man with integrity, honor, passion, and fervor seems to be an endangered species.  I am afraid until we regain these Courageous men in our areas of leadership that the world will continue this downward spiral.

I pray that courageous and honorable men would stand up and fight for position in the world again.  I pray that they would fill our congress, statehouses, and churches.  I pray there would be a revival and change in this world for Jesus.  I pray that we would learn to live and work in unity again under Jesus Christ's reign.  I pray that the devil's grip on this nation would be destroyed and fall away.

Please take this blog post exactly as it is.  Not as a political argument.  Not as something meant for confrontation or judgment.  Not as something to disparage our country.  This post is simply the cry of my heart for a leader I can depend on and believe in.  A desire for men I can be proud of as leaders of our country.  My prayer is that we would become one nation under the one and only Christian God again.  My prayer is that we would receive the blessing of God again and be a blessing for God to the world.  This is my desire, hearts cry, and prayers.

1 Timothy 3:1-4, "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,"

Blessings,

Greg

Superpowers in Christ

One show both my wife and I enjoyed while it was on the air was Smallville.  The premise behind the show was the story of Superman growing up in the town of Smallville before he became the person the comic books wrote about.  The show opened up a whole new world of adventures, friends, and background to what made Superman who he is.  As the storyline developed, it was revealed that the greatest source of Clark Kent's strength was the sun.

I instantly thought of the parallel to the Christian life when this part of the Superman story was revealed.  We, as Christians, also derive all our strength from the Son.  Without Jesus, we would just be lost souls bound for hell but through the actions of Jesus we qualify for eternity in heaven with Him just by believing and putting our faith in Him.  Our strength, protection, and direction are found completely in Him.  He, through the Godhead, is the complete source of our strength in this world.

Though I don't believe we will ever be able to fly, run faster than a speeding bullet, or become men of steel by believing in Jesus, I do believe that we will be able to conquer everything this world has to throw at us.  John 16:33 says, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  We have a strength through Jesus that many of us will never know or tap.  The superpowers we have in Jesus is the peace of knowing who is in control of our lives and constantly directing our paths.  We don't have to worry if we can handle our greatest struggles because we know that with Jesus by our side He can help us overcome.

In Deuteronomy 31, Moses speaks to the Israelites about going into the promised land giving them this encouragement in verse 6 saying, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  In Hebrews 13:8 the Bible makes this statement, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Therefore you can know that when you are in Jesus you can find comfort and trust in the continuing truth of the words of Moses to the Israelites.  God is always with you and will never leave or forsake you.  Put all your faith in the Son and discover the superhuman powers He will bring to your life.  


Blessings,


Greg

Tearing Out The Sin in Your Heart

Today, I spent my day removing wallpaper from the walls in a room at my job.  In removing wallpaper, I have learned that there is easy wallpaper and hard wallpaper.  I have seen wallpaper that is practically impossible to remove without destroying the walls and I have removed wallpaper that was already falling of the walls.

No matter what type of wallpaper you encounter there is still a few things you have to do for the walls to be ready for painting.  First, you have to remove the wallpaper.  Second, you have to make sure all the backing is off the wall.  Third, you have to make sure you have removed all the glue.  Fourth, you have to fix any holes, scrapes, or tears you might have made in the process of removing the paper.  Finally, you are able to prime and paint the walls to give them new life, color, and a whole new personality in your room.

As I thought about this extensive process involved in removing the wallpaper at my job, I thought about how these steps could also apply to removing sin from our lives.  First, we have to identify the sin in our lives that needs to be removed.  Second, we have to ask forgiveness for the sin in our lives.  Third, we need to ask the Lord to identify the many ways the sin has infiltrated our lives.  Fourth, we need to allow Jesus to heal the areas of our heart that has been damaged by the sin.  Finally, Jesus is able to take our hearts and revive them in Him bringing them to new life, passion, and praise for Him throughout our daily lives.

Here are some verses supporting the steps necessary to remove sin from your life:
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  
Philippians 1:6, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." 
Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Acts 3:19-21, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago."


Blessings,


Greg

Prayers Appreciated

My wife and I are dealing with some extra struggles lately.  Tonight I just ask for your prayers.  I want you all to know I appreciate each of you following this blog.  Some day soon I hope to be able to share the events of our lives in the past months.  Suffice it to say that we appreciate all the prayer you can muster.  No matter what we face, we know that God is good and with us.  Our full faith is in Him and I know he never fails.  Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Blessings,

Greg

Sheep, Goat, or Least of These?

Have you ever looked into the mirror and not recognized the person looking back at you?  I have been growing a beard and my hair out for the last month in an attempt to stay warm in the cold weather.  As I looked at myself in the mirror at work today, I marveled at how easily I could be mistaken for a bum.  This could be seen as comical in some ways but to me it opened my eyes to how we could all be one step away from the person on the street.  Every person on the street has a story.  I would even venture to guess that most of the people on the street had a normal life during an earlier stage of their life.

For many of us, this is a hard reality to accept.  It is much easier to believe the lie that all bums are there because they choose to be.  We can help develop our apathy towards people on the street by telling ourselves that they would just use the money for alcohol and drugs anyway.  Maybe you have even told yourself that giving a homeless person money would just be perpetuating a lifestyle.  Though all of these statements may be true at any given time, there is nothing in the Bible supporting the belied that we shouldn't love them anyway.  Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."  


Do we as Christians desire to teach, minister, and reach out to the sick today or do we prefer the healed who have it all together and have something to offer us?  Those who are sick, jobless, and/or unsaved are messy.  They have baggage.  They need extra support, extra love, and extra attention.  I find that many of us today, including myself, want to just be around the people who lift us up, who affirm us, and who make our lives easy and peaceful.  Dealing with the "sick," as Jesus put it, is difficult.  Jesus demonstrated he cared very much about the less fortunate.  This is best seen in the parable of the sheep and goats told by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46.  The goats who did not care for "the least of these" were cursed to Hell.  I don't know about you but this parable brings me pause because I know there have been many times in my life I turned my back to the least of these.


As I stared in the mirror at the man before me, I realized that I'm closer to the "least of these" than I allow myself to believe.  The Lord showed me that the outside appearance does not reflect the inner heart.  The sheep before being sheared appears mangy and unkept to the world but the shearer knows that underneath that mangy wool is a beautiful innocent lamb.   We are each lambs of Jesus and he loves each one of us greatly.  Jesus looks past our outward appearance to our hearts.  As "little Christ's," we should also take the time to see past people's appearance to their heart.  I hope today you will walk with a new perspective and compassion for the different people you encounter.


Blessings,


Greg   

Plans for Good

Have you ever received a gift that is so precious you would protect it with your life?  Have you ever been faced with the prospect of losing that gift?  On top of that have you ever been in that situation, knowing that you had no control over whether you would be able to keep the gift or not?  Well that was my day.  The more precious the gift the higher the emotional stakes are when uncertainty happens with it.  It is awful wondering what the results will be.  It is awful wondering whether you will be able to keep the gift or not.  At times like these your learn real quick that the going ons of this life are completely in the hands of God.

There were two passages in scripture that I had to hold onto today as I faced the fear of loss and pain.  The two passages were Romans 8:38-39 which says, "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" and Jeremiah 29:11 which says, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  I don't know about you but I find peace and strength in the promises of God.  I trust the Word and lean on it fully.  I have put my whole heart, strength, and faith in God and He has never failed me.  

God provided me with peace and certainty amidst my fears today.  God gave me unspeakable joy as he lifted my heart and showed me that He truly does have plans of good for me.  I am so thankful for the many ways God shows himself to me daily.  I am so thankful that He is ever-present and working in my life.  I pray that each person who reads this blog would know the truth of Jesus Christ as Savior and have a deep and close relationship with Jesus in their heart.  If you do not,  accept Him today.  You will never regret it.  You will never be the same again.  You will have full peace and assurance from this moment on that the God and creator of the universe is on your side and loves you.  Will you let Him in your heart today?

Blessings,

Greg

Pray

Tonight, I am thinking of my best friend, his wife, and their daughter who leave for the mission field in Spain on Monday.  I ask that you remember all the many missionaries working to bring Christ to all the nations and peoples of the world.  I ask that you pray for their safety.  I ask that you pray for courage, boldness, and protection.  I ask that you pray for protection of the heart of each missionary from temptation, from disappointment, from burnout, and from fear.  I ask that you pray for each family member in the mission field, that they would develop a strong relationship in Christ despite the sometimes difficult circumstances they are in.  I ask that you pray for the marriage of each missionary in the field.

Most of all I ask that you pray for the hearts and souls of the more than 5 Billion people in the world who do not have a life changing relationship with Jesus.  We have an epidemic of "Christian" nations today where most people do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ or know what a relationship with Jesus Christ is.  We have an epidemic today of people walking into church worshipping Jesus and then living a life devoid of any witness for Christ the rest of their week.  We have an epidemic of people believing that only ministers and missionaries have the gift to tell others about the saving grace they have received in Jesus.

Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  All followers of Jesus Christ are His disciples.  Jesus was not only speaking to the twelve disciples when He said these words.  We have all been commanded to live out these instructions in our lives.  The Great Commission is not a calling.  The Great Commission is not a gift.  The Great Commission is not optional. I ask that you pray that more Christians would live the Great Commission in their daily lives.  I ask that you pray to Jesus and honestly ask if you are living the Great Commission in your life.  Mainly, I ask that you just pray, "to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."  Pray.


Blessings,


Greg

The Light of Job

I am working on a chronological daily reading plan and this week I have been working my way through the book of Job.  I struggle on many levels with the book of Job.  I think my own American understanding of the world has colored my perspective of God.  As I read the book of Job, I have a great problem with the idea of God allowing all those awful things happen to Job as a way to show that Job will remain faithful to God despite them.  I think I struggle so much with the idea of God doing this because I know that I would fail that test miserably.  I can't even imagine surviving the first round the Devil exacted against Job more less making it to the direct assault on Job's body.  I also am not sure that I would've been able to be confident in my own righteousness against friends trying to persuade me to confess my sins to God.  

You have to admit that Job's faith was pretty incredible.  He spent a considerable amount of time arguing for his innocence to his friends despite all that had happened to him.  I think the thing I struggle with the most in the book of Job is the fact that Job truly was innocent.  It seems to me that this is why God allowed the devil to do all he did in the first place.  Job lived a life that honored God.  Job was as far as we could tell practically sinless.  

I struggle in so many ways each day in my walk as a Christian.  Like the photo at the beginning of the blog, I sometimes struggle with being right next to the light but not living in it.  I stumble in my heart, my mind, my words, and my actions daily.  I'm not even sure I have ever made it through one day without sinning.  It is like I walk in the light for a time but take wander into the dark from time to time.  I can't even imagine living a mostly sinless life.  I can't imagine being such an honorable and Godly man that God would have so much confidence in me to allow the devil to test me knowing that I would not turn from Him.  I want to be able to live a life that honors and is devoted to God like Job was.  I hope that my faith and walk will grow to the level of holding fast to God no matter what I experience or encounter in this life.  I hope that i can become a man who walks in the light and truth of God all the time and never wanders into the dark.

I am not done with the book of Job yet though I do know that a point is coming up where Job questions God and God gives him the riot act.  I can't even imagine the pain Job must've felt.  It is hard for me to see that my life truly is about God and His kingdom.  I am not on this planet to live an easy and blessed life.  Though God may give me a blessed and generous life, I have to remember that everything in my life is from Him.  It is so funny that I think I own things in this life.  I believe the book of Job makes it perfectly clear that the Lord can give and take away and there is nothing we can say about it because God is perfectly just in both actions.  

I know this blog is not particularly uplifting but our understanding of God and His sovereignty is a lesson we better not miss.  We need to remember that our lives are to be lived for Him only.  We have to remember that any possession we have has been given to us by God.  We have to remember that as Christians we are to live for His kingdom only.  Can you trust in God no matter what?  Can you surrender your heart to Him fully no matter what your life looks like?  Can you give up everything and still praise Him daily?  To have a full and real relationship with Jesus, we need to be able answer yes to each one of these tough questions.

Blessings,

Greg

Pruning for Life

Today, I had the opportunity to prune the apple tree at my job.  I had pruned the pear tree the day before and was a little worried about how to properly prune our apple tree.  It is important to understand that our apple tree had been allowed to overgrow a tad.  As I spent time learning about the proper way to prune an apple tree and spent time looking at a bunch of photos and illustrations on what the tree was supposed to look like, I knew that I had my work cut out for me.  Our tree had limbs going literally everywhere.  They were going up, down, backwards, through each other, and every over way possible.  My first thoughts as I was reading about how the tree was supposed to look, was that I would kill it by pruning it to the extent needed.  After talking to my boss, he assured me that the tree would be fine and that the pruning was necessary to have a good harvest next year.

So the first thing I did this morning was get my gloves, ladder, pruning shears, and hand saw.  Though I still felt a little overwhelmed, I decided that all I could do was to trim one limb at a time till the tree began to take the shape it needed to have.  I slowly worked my way around the bottom limbs of the tree taking off all the limbs that needed to be removed for it to be fruitful.  I ended the job on a ladder at the very top of the tree and had to make some executive decisions that involved removing some limbs that had been there for a few years.  Once I was finally finished, I admired how well the tree had shaped up and yet I still wondered if I should have removed the many limbs now laying at the base of the tree.  I even had an employee come out at one point and ask me if I was cutting the tree down.  I assured her that this was necessary for a good harvest next year and she worriedly smiled back at me. 

Through this experience, I have a new perspective on the beginning of John chapter 15 with Jesus saying, 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

I now understand why it is necessary to cut off the branches that don't bear fruit and I know what they look like.  I realized how necessary the vine is to the branches for life.  I now know first hand what it feels like to cut, pickup, carry, and burn each branch that is not productive to the tree.  Another thing I now am acutely aware of, is the time, love, and care it requires of the vinedresser to keep the vine fruitful.  There are even times when the vinedresser has to make drastic cuts that concern others in order to help the vine and branches flourish next spring.

Just as I wondered if I was taking off the right amount of branches, I have often asked the Lord if certain pruning of my own heart was necessary.  It can be hard to understand why the Lord wants to remove certain things from your life.  The pruning can be painful and time has to be allowed for healing and new growth to begin.  There may even be times when you think that if the Lord works on anything else He will kill you but the beauty of Him being the vinedresser is that He has a perspective you don't have.  The vinedresser can see the big picture.  The vinedresser can see that it is necessary to remove one limb to provide another limb the room it needs to flourish.

As you go through a season of pruning in your life, I exhort you to trust the Lord who is your vinedresser.  He is good and compassionate only taking off the limbs that need to be removed to promote fruit.  He can see the parts of your life that are dead and/or unproductive and wants to remove them for your benefit.  Each cut is beneficial and necessary for growth.  Will you trust Him today?  Will you allow Him to shape you into the person He wants you to be?  Will you allow Him to help you become fruitful in your life?

Blessings,

Greg

I just added this photo because I love the brilliant oranges and reds in it.  The photo doesn't do the real life view justice but it is still pretty.  :)

Fall into Christ

For the last few weeks, I have been focusing on making the yard at my job look good by trying to mow the leaves past the fence and out of the front and back yards.  Pushing leaves out of the yard is a long and tedious job but once I am finished and I have a clean yard, I remember why the job is worth the time.  It takes me twice the amount of time it would normally take me to mow the yard because in order to blow the leaves I have to mow only one direction.  I alternate between two methods, which includes driving down the line in forward and reverse and driving down the line and then returning to the beginning to drive down the line of leaves again.  Driving backwards on a zero turn mower is neither natural or preferred, it takes a lot of concentration and accepting the possibility of a crick in your neck.  First you have to determine the best place to begin pushing the leaves.  Once you figure this out, pushing the leaves isn't too bad and moves quite smoothly but as you get closer to the fence line, the pile of leaves gets larger and more difficult to push.  

I began to think about how sometimes problems in our lives rain down just like these leaves.  It may be one problem that has gotten so big that it feels like your life is covered by it or it could be multiple problems filling up your life from all directions.  When this happens it can be difficult to know where to start.  Removing the problems from your life can often take time and require you to deal with them in a way that you aren't used to.  Sometimes people prefer not to work on their problem(s) because they can't remember the beauty and peace found in life without them.  Sometimes people do not want to have to endure the pain of listening and dealing with their own contribution to the problem(s).  We all know that many times in working on the problems of life things are going to get harder before they become easier.  James had an exhortation to this at the beginning of his book saying, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Jesus is always with us.  There is no time in our life that He cannot handle or help us out of.  Jesus is there in our joyful times, times of sorrow, times of being buried under problem after problem, and times when we can't even see a light at the end of the tunnel.  We always have hope in Christ.  Before we make any decisions or choose any actions in solving a problem, we should lay it at the feet of Jesus.  Though we may be able to get out of the problem on our own, I can promise you that Jesus will offer you the best solution to your problem that will bring you the most joy and peace.  Jesus can help to give you clarity and remind you of what your life can be with the problem repaired or removed.  Though it is hard to imagine a clean yard when you first begin raking, there is such peace and joy when you have finished and see the fruits of your toil.  Remember as Proverbs 3:5-6 say, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

If you are feeling overwhelmed today, I encourage you to take refuge in Jesus.  Let him lead you in how to overcome the mountain of work and problems before you.  Let Him bring you rest and strength to prepare you for the battle of digging yourself out.  Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  In Christ is peace, joy, and contentment.  In Christ is all that you will need to conquer this world and truly live.  Won't you rest in Him, lean upon Him, and trust His ability to help you in any situation today?

Blessings,

Greg

Taking off the Mask to Reveal an Authentic Life

To say that today was a difficult day, would be an understatement.  I was scheduled to do an employee training today and the second part of the day focused on workplace violence.  Well our higher-ups devised a role-play to immerse our group in a workplace violence situation.  Let's suffice it to say that it was the most realistic and traumatic role play I have ever encountered.  I do not believe there was anybody in the room who did not fully believe the events that unfolded in front of us.  To make the role-play scenario as realistic as possibly the leadership involved used difficult information that we all were aware of and the trust we had in our leaders to draw us in and help us believe it.  They were most effective, which could be viewed as both a positive and negative thing depending on who you talk to.

For my part of it, I realized how much direct and intense confrontation, like the scenario displayed today, still terrifies me.  I do not like direct confrontation or anything that causes my friends or family pain.  I do not know how to deal with people going off and would rather run away and not have to deal with it than to stand and face the situation being presented.  Today was the first time in a long time that I had to deal with all the emotions involved in a confrontation situation like that.  I instantly felt sick, my heart was racing, and I began shaking, though not enough for others to see.  I was very familiar with the feeling because I had experienced it many times throughout grade school and in my life.

In responding as I did, a flood of memories directly related to conflict both in my family, friends, school, and workplace surfaced to my mind.  I was taken back to all the many times in my life that I had to deal with direct conflict and my reaction was the same most of the time.  I would avoid confrontation at any cost.  You see I hide behind a mask that projects that I am a very strong and powerful person filled with great comebacks and strength but the reality is I hate confrontation and would rather run and hide.  Realizing this about yourself is both difficult and sobering.

I am so thankful that we were in a safe environment filled with therapist and coworkers in whom I trust and respect.  I was able to deal with my emotions and reactions in a healthy way without judgment from those around me.  I felt encouraged in our shared distressed and knew that I could trust each one of the people in that class with anything I was experiencing or dealing with.

My God has blessed me with a job I love, people whom I respect, and a workplace that is safe because of the trust I have in my fellow coworkers.  I was able to see many of my friends and colleagues in a new light today.  I was able to see them at their core.  I honestly have to say that they were beautiful in their vulnerability.  All the masks came off today during this session.  They were real.  They were authentic.  Though not everything experienced was pretty or joyful, it was true.

The Lord helped show me through this experience how important it is for me take off the masks I wear to be fully authentic in my own walk and life each day.  I am who I am even if that person is terrified by certain things.  I will best minister and affect those around me by owning an authentic walk and life.  Life is not always pretty and sometimes we are dealing with stuff that is difficult.  The Lord showed me that we best honor him by living both our high and low times authentically because He shines brightest to the world in the moments we feel weakest and yet lean fully in Him.  "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10


Blessings,


Greg

Gasoline

(Disclaimer: This photo was not taken the same day as this story)

Today as I was out doing my errands for work, I ended up getting sprayed with gasoline while filling one of the mower containers.  I had not put the tip of the dispenser far enough into the container hence it sprayed everywhere when I pulled the trigger.  A pretty decent amount of gasoline covered my left hand, my left arm, and my left leg.  I was none to pleased, of course, and proceeded to figure out a way to remove it from my clothes.  I found that there was nothing I could do till I got home and could change to wash the clothes.  It turns out that it is easy to be covered with gasoline and yet difficult to remove it.  I noticed that the fumes from the gas were quite noxious and I ended up with a hurting throat by the time I made it home for lunch to change.  I had visible stains on my clothes and anyone passing by could immediately tell that I was not someone to stand close to.


When I was covered by the gasoline I was embarrassed because of the mistake I had made and worried about how people would perceive me.  The gas had soaked through my clothes in the places it had sprayed me and I had to also wash my skin to remove the substance and smell.  I could not just use soap and water to remove the gasoline.  I had to use a special soap to remove it from my skin and clothes.  While I had the gasoline on my skin and clothes I was a walking time bomb.  All it would take was a spark to severely hurt or possibly kill me.  All I could think about till I was out of the clothes was what would happen if I came across this spark or flame.

Isn't interesting that many of the parallels of gasoline work also with sin.  It is easy to get in to but hard to get out of.  It affects you body, mind, and soul.  It requires the Lord to remove the soiled parts of your heart for a deep cleaning.  It affects those around you and put off an aroma that typically repels them from you or in sin's case maybe entices them to you.  Sin invades your thoughts and clouds your judgment.

The Bible says these things about sin.  John 3:20, "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed."  Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Jeremiah 2:22, "Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord God."  Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."  Romans 5:8-10, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."


Sin is something we have all be covered with.  No one can remove it but Jesus, who has conquered all sin.  All we have to do is ask forgiveness for our sins and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and He will come in and cleanse us of our sin.  Though we are justified, which means we are presented as completely spotless and worthy of heaven before God because of Christ, it takes the rest of our life's to be sanctified, which is the Holy Spirit completing a continual work in us to bring us into a closer and closer likeness to Christ taking the rest of our life and only being completed upon our arrival to heaven.  I hope you will lay your sins at Jesus' feet today and trust Him to do a good work in you and produce spiritual fruit in you for the rest of your life.  If you choose to do this or choose to recommit yourself to Christ today, remember what Jesus said to His disciples at the end of Matthew about how we should live as followers of Christ, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."   


Blessings,


Greg

Fixer of the Heart

This picture beautifully displays how I feel most of the time when I encounter struggles with people.  Part of who I am and how I have lived most of my life is as a fixer.  In my current job, I am a maintenance technician and if something is broken then I fix it.  If I have any problems at my house, I fix it.  If my car is broken, I fix it.  I think you get the idea. ;)  I get so frustrated when I have issues with friends, family, coworkers, and my wife where I can't instantly fix their problems, which is often.  I don't like tension in my relationships.  I don't like to see someone else hurting and not be able to fix what hurt them.  I don't like to have arguments that don't have immediate resolutions.

When I was younger, I was never able to understand why people are so much harder to fix.  In my mind, most people's problems seemed simple enough.  The Lord has taught me a lot through the years on how to better depend on Him when I encounter struggles with others.  The hardest lesson He has taught me, which I admittedly am still trying to learn, is I am not going to be able to fix the other person's problem.  I am going to have to put the situation in the Lord's hands and trust that He will resolve the situation in His time.

God has shown me that the situation is not always going to be fixed the way I want it to.  Sometimes I am going to have to watch and endure the pain of my friend or family and just support them with my love.  Sometimes the Lord has to show me that I am the reason or a part of the problem.  Occasionally the only resolution to the problem comes in my heart being able to forgive and accept the other whether they change or not.  Many times it takes me surrendering all of my desires and worries to the Lord and resting in His sovereignty.  I don't know about you but I don't like giving up complete control and I especially do not like to wait once I have.  I want things fixed now.  I have to admit though that I have learned so much about myself, my God, and the people involved when I fully trust in Jesus to remedy the situation in His glorious timing.

Romans 12:12 helps put into focus how we should act when facing trying times with another, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."  This verse speaks to me greatly and stings quite a bit because often times, I am anything but patient during tribulation.  1 Corinthians 13:4 takes patience to another level by referring to it as being a quality of love.  This verse helps me to see that I am hurting people by my impatience instead of loving them by trying to remedy the issue quickly.   Many times I feel as though I am being loving by resolving what is distressing me quickly.  I guess that is truly the crux of the matter.  Often times when I want something fixed it is because it is causing me pain not because I care about the needs of the other who is having trouble.  Whenever we face trouble, we have to learn to be loving by approaching the situation appropriately.  James 1:19-20 says, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." When you combine Romans 12:12 and James 1:19-20, you begin to get a better idea of how God wants us to acts during situations like this in our lives.


I am so thankful that the Lord is continually working in my heart to make me more like Him.  He is the ultimate fixer of the heart as he works to fix us from the inside out.  I am thankful that I can place the problems I encounter in His hands and know that He is trustworthy to take care of them.  Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."  I am a witness to God's faithfulness and worthiness to trust in Him.  There is no problem too great for God and no situation too difficult for Him to handle.  


I must admit to you that many times the problem won't disappear instantly but have faith and He will bring you peace as you entrust the problem to Him.  Pray constantly for Him to do a work in you and the person in whom you are struggling with or supporting in their struggle.  He will bless you and keep you daily.  He also will continually work on your heart and the heart of the other person.  He will teach you how to love better no matter the situation and you will grow immeasurably in your walk through trusting Him with your struggle.  


Blessings,


Greg  

www.realchristianwalk.com

Move

Are you living for the infinite? Are you really penitent?  Is your relationship with Jesus personal and intimate?  These are the questions that have been floating through my mind this morning.  Who am I but not just who am I but who am I in Christ?  Do I look like Christ to those around me?  Do I live Christ in my life daily?  Is my life fully surrendered to Christ?

Last night, I was able to download the new Switchfoot album, Vice Verses.  As I listened to the new album, while I was weed eating trees this morning, the Lord weighed heavy on my mind.  Jon's songs are birthed from his own struggles in this life and with who he is in God.  Through Jon's songs, I could feel my heart crying out in many of the same struggles and desires written in his songs.  My heart was breaking with each consecutive song as the Lord pushed harder and harder on my soul to relinquish all control to Him.  He wants me to live with no fear and rely completely on His strength.

At my job, Tuesdays are the days we have chapel.  Today the chapel was led by the company's founder and she was teaching on resting in Christ.  Yes, yes, yes!  That is my soul desire to rest in Jesus.  I want to rest in His strength, refining fire, and direction for my life.  I want all of me to be focused solely on Him and no one else.  I want my life's desire to be on the infinite and permanent.  I want to live a life that preaches Jesus's kingdom in obedience and with all that is inside of me.

Do you feel a burning passion in your heart today?  Is Jesus calling you to be more, live more, love more, and give up more at this very moment?  Don't resist Him beloved.  You will find your life in Him as you give up your life to Him.  This is a promise.  I honestly don't know when Jesus is coming to take us home.  It may be in my lifetime and it may not but regardless we have to come alive in Christ.  This is the time for the world to see the bright lights of those who are in Christ.  It is time for us to stand up, to speak up, and to live our faith out.  We can't wait any longer beloved.  We can't hide in our houses, in our churches, or in our hearts anymore.  It is time to break the holds on our heart and let the love and truth of Jesus free.  It is time to change the world.  You may only do a small part for the kingdom of God by earthly standards but by Jesus' standards your can be a part of something that will have eternal and lasting implication but you have to move in Christ.  Matthew 5:13-16 says, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste , how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to you Father who is in heaven."

Today is the day beloved.  We can no longer be scared of truth.  We can no longer worry about the right method or if someone will be receptive.  We are to live in love and truth, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide our every word and step.  We are to live boldly for Christ and demonstrate Him to a world that knows only darkness.  Shine your light today beloved.  Take the basket off, put your light on the highest stand and let it change the world around you.  There is no other way to live.  There is no other way to find complete satisfaction.  There is no other way to know true love.  Move.

Blessings,

Greg