Heart Gardening 101

My garden right now is a wreck!  I have not tilled it, prepared it, or even planted it for this season.  It is filled with a grand assortment of weeds and mostly overtaken by dandelions.  In order for me to have any hopes of fresh fruits and vegetables in my garden this year, I am going to have to put in a large amount of hard work to get it back into the shape it needs to be in for planting.  I have quite a job ahead of me and I have been avoiding it for the last couple weeks because I know I am going to be exhausted, aching, and dirty once I am done.

My garden was not always this way.  For the past few years I have done a good job of preparing it for planting and successfully gathering quite a bounty.  I know what my garden is capable of producing and I can instantly remember all the wonderful sights, tastes, and smells from my gardens of years past.  I long for my garden to be like the years before but know that accomplishing this task will be both challenging and worth while.

Sometimes our own lives are like my garden.  We have great times of fruitfulness and bounty and then other times where we let ourselves go.  There have been many times that the garden of my heart has been desolate and filled with the weeds of sin and the world.  Sure, I still had a fruit or vegetable plant here or there but none of them produced what they were capable of and some even where snuffed out by the weeds surrounding them.

Each day is an opportunity to prepare, care for, and cultivate our soul.  We are given the choice to plant the seeds of wisdom from the Bible in our hearts or the seed of sin.  We can choose to shine the light of the Holy Spirit on our heart, which will bring growth and nourishment, or we can cloud our hearts with things that don't matter and have no eternal value.  We can water our hearts with Jesus' living water or starve our hearts by filling it with the tainted waters of the devil, which may appear clear and pure and yet will always leave you wanting and leave you needing more than when you started.

Are you on a path that will produce the fruits of the Spirit in your heart or is your heart being strangled and tangled in an abundance of weeds?  Jesus spoke of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23.  In this parable He talked about some seed falling on the path and being scavenged by birds, some falling on hard ground and being scorched by the sun because they had shallow roots, some falling amongst the thorns and weeds and being choked out, and those that fall on fertile ground.  Of the seeds that fall on fertile ground Jesus said that some seeds would produce thirty, some sixty, and some even a hundred times what was planted.

As I consider my own garden, I have learned that how I take care of it determines the harvest I have.  I have to provide good soil, proper water, a proper amount of sun, and even make sure that the plants don't get over crowded by weeds and similar plants.  There is so much more that also contributes to the bounty of my garden and much of it depends on my input into it.

In my blog last night i spoke about Faith or Works, in this parable Jesus shows how they go together.  The seed that falls on fertile soil is given life and you will notice that Jesus did not talk about the seed produce nothing.  The life is faith and is what you are saved by but the produce is the works that are created through your life and faith.  I hope you will allow the Lord to prepare your heart today.  There is so much blessing in the fruits He will create in your life.  Paul speaks of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 saying, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."  May you see these wonderful fruits in the garden of your heart and in the example of your life this year.

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

Passion

Passion, which finds its origins in the Latin word Pati, meaning to suffer, speaks of an intense uncontrollable urge or desire for something.  The Passion of Christ is, in my opinion, one of the most applicable and relevant historical accounts in human history.  We all will live our life with a passion for something whether it is media, people, history, life, death, love, hate, money, family, and the list can go eternally on. We were built to be passionate beings.  We were built to be consumed in our lives.  If by nothing else, this should be evident in the many religions, political parties, and fanatical associations that exist in our world.

Jesus was passionate about doing His Father's will and making a way for us to be with the Trinity for eternity.  He chose to live a life of meager means where he was hunted, misunderstood, and ultimately preparing humanity for His untimely death and miraculous resurrection.  Jesus understood the dangers of His choice.  He knew exactly what was at stake as He ministered and prepared the world for what He was about to do.  Jesus humbling allowed and even willing allowed humans to take Him when He was judged, beaten, and hung on that cross.  Jesus is passionate for our souls not because He needs our souls for happiness, contentment, or for power as is portrayed in Wrath of the Titans and so many other Hollywood films. He is passionate for our souls because He loves us and knows that when we become passionate for Him our lives will find perfected joy and contentment.

Our world is passionate about so many things.  Many people in this country alone are passionate about mocking God and blaspheming all the Bible teaches.  They believe that the Bible seeks to rob them of life and bind them into a torturous lie that will end in nothing.  This modern world, like most of human history believes that they know better than God and can create a more satisfying life for themselves on their own.  This is not a new lie but in fact the first lie used by the Devil.  Man fell to this lie at the beginning of man's creation and man is still falling to this lie today.

We have got to drop this lie from our hearts.  This world can never satisfy the massive hole in our hearts.  Can the world help to numb the hole in our hearts for a while, sure.  Can we pursue things that bring us happiness, wonder and joy for a while, sure.  Can we feel peace with our life for a time and yet still not know God, sure.  The one thing we can never do without God though is find complete satisfaction, joy, and peace in all areas of our life both now and eternally.  You can not perfectly fit a round peg in a square hole and you can not perfectly fill a God shaped hole with anything else.  Your heart will always come up lacking and wanting.

It is time that we stand up and live passionately for Jesus as He chose to do for us over 2000 years ago.  He deserves our devotion, our passion, and our lives.  We  need to stand up to passionately follow the Holy Spirit's lead for our lives.  That includes leaving all we know to reach the lost in another part of the world if that is what the Spirit is calling us to.  He is definitely calling each of us to stand up for Him in every part of our life including with our non-believing and believing friends, coworkers, and family.  The Holy Spirit calls us to lay down our worldly passions to embark upon His eternal journey.  On this Easter Sunday will you abandon all the world offers to follow Jesus passionately today?

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

Being Prepared

Praise God; healing has come!  I have to say that the last few days were pretty brutal.  I honestly think the last time I had a fever was back when I lived at home with my parent, over 10 years ago.  I knew that I was really sick yesterday when my wife was hot in a sleeveless dress and I was freezing in a hoodie and jeans.

I felt much better upon waking this morning but I felt pretty good when I woke up yesterday also.  So I was careful to ease myself into work and pay close attention to how my body reacted.  I tried to go to work yesterday after feeling a little better in the morning and ended up back home curled up on the couch in misery by lunch time.  The moment I knew that I truly was on the path of recovery was when I ate lunch and desired a second helping of chips!  I have not been able to even finish half a sandwich, much less the chips, for the past two days.  I always know that something is wrong when I am not hungry ;)

I have a lot to do at my job and one of the pressing tasks is mowing the lawn.  After the fourth warmest winter on record, our grass is growing like crazy much earlier than usual.  I decided to mow today particularly because the zero-turn mower we use can be operated without much strength.  I knew this would help me get a lot of what I need to get done without completely exhausting me.

As I mowed the front yard of my business's property, I praised God for the ability to be outside.  I was so thankful to be productive again and so thankful for a beautiful day to return to.  Another reason I decided to mow today is because it is suppose to rain tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday.  I knew that if I allowed the grass to wait until Monday, our property would start taking the shape of a wilderness over a well manicured lawn.

In our lives, there are times when we can see storms coming.  When this happens, we have a choice to prepare for the storm or ignore the storm.  By preparing for the storm, we can minimize much of the damage or problems it could cause.  Yet by ignoring it, we can end up with a much worse situation than we could've predicted.  Like mowing the grass.  If I had waited, I may have ended up with swampy areas due to high rain, fallen trees due to high wind, and much taller grass due to water and sunlight.

Different examples of upcoming storms in our lives that may be preventable are: house repairs, car repairs, marital trouble, job issues, and/or family issues.  Many times we are given signs that any number of these issues are going to get worse if not attended to now.  We as Christians have to be careful by being aware of how we are living our lives and what storms we may be causing or walking into by our actions.  People are paying attention to how we live our life, which includes how we prepare for a storm and how we handle a storm.

As we look in the Bible, we can see that there are a whole plethora of scriptures that speak to us preparing for the storms in our lives.  There are hundreds of scripture speaking to how to handle money, relationships, jobs, friendship, and who to trust in.  By following these scriptures, we help to weather proof our life or at least minimize the damage from the storms that are sure to come.  Are you prepared for the storms that may be coming in your life and do you know who to trust as you go through them?      

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

The Voice

Tonight, we watched The Voice and I have to admit that when i watch programs like that I want to audition to be on the show.  I have sung and played music just about my whole life.  I have dreamed of making it big since I was a little boy.  Unfortunately, I seem to have one big thing in my way.  I am to afraid to tryout for something like The Voice.  I don't know what scares me more, succeeding or failing.  Honestly, part of the reason I would love to do something like that and win is to be validated.  I want to know I exist and that I matter.

In the world we live in, we are told that we must succeed, stand out, or become famous to matter.  If you aren't on TV, a boss, a manager, a politician, or rich, you don't seem to matter in this world.  Much of this world seems to have the perspective that you are only worth something if you have something to offer them.  I know this may be generalizing but at times this feels true.

As a Christian, I know that my validation shouldn't be dependent upon the world's view of me but who I am in Jesus.  I struggle with this at times because I want so much to be accepted by and matter in this world.  Though I know I am making a difference in the kingdom for Jesus, I want worldly gratification too.  I constantly have to give the reigns of my heart over to Jesus because I have a tendency to want to be in the drivers seat.


Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13 is very familiar to most of us but did you know that it is tied to a passage about contentment?  Does knowing this change your perspective of Philippians 4:13?  It does for me.  I find such peace in knowing that through Christ, I can be content in all things.  He is the one that will give me the strength.  


Though I still hope to have the courage to try out for something like The Voice one day, it will be for the right reasons and not my own glory.  I want everything I do to be for Jesus' glory and not my own.  If I were able to get on The Voice, I would be comforted in knowing that his grace gave me the voice to make it.  Perspective truly is everything and you can only have the right perspective in Jesus.  No tv show, news program, competition, raise, job, amount of money, fame, person, book, or movie can give you more contentment than Jesus.  


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

Frozen Creek

Snow Angel on ice layer above creek

Walking along on a frozen creek

Proof of our time on the creek ;)

This winter has been the warmest on record in many places across the nation.  I have to say that I have greatly enjoyed the mild weather and low amount of snow and ice precipitation.  Financially this winter has been wonderful for heating bills and snow removal maintenance.  All in all it has been a pain free and quick winter but this is not usually the case for Central Indiana.

About four years ago, I remember a winter that stayed so cold for a long enough period of time that the large creek by our house froze solid to about 4-5 inches thick in most places.  My friend and I had a great time exploring the nature preserve near our houses where we were able to walk almost a mile on the solid ice of the creek.  It was so incredible that the ice stayed solid enough for us to do this.  It was so neat to see the moving water below the ice.  We truly had a "walking on water" experience that day.

This morning my pastor preached about faith and spoke of a winter where it was cold enough to snow mobile across lakes and even cold enough for small cars such as VW Beetles to drive on the ice.  He talked about this time in relation to faith.  Indeed standing, walking, or driving on ice requires a act of faith.  We have all heard many stories of people who fell through ice and died.  My pastor went on to say that there were two ways to cross the frozen lake.  The first was to cross the lake in fear and trepidation of falling through the ice and the second was to cross the lake in faith that the ice would hold and by doing so being able to enjoy the wonderful nature of the crossing you were doing.

I can relate to his story because there were times that I was the one who was worried about the ice when my friend and I walked a mile on the creek.  In the beginning of our adventure, I carefully analyzed the color of the ice, listened closely for cracking sound, and watched my friend carefully to make sure he was safe on the ice.  My friend on the other hand did not worry about the ice at all but in fact had fun dancing, sliding, jumping, and even making snow angels on the ice.  He was truly able to enjoy the adventure and blessings of such a strange weather anomaly in central Indiana.  As the trip went on I too was finally able to relax and enjoy our adventure.

Life is the same as these two stories.  We can choose to walk through this life in fear of what will happen to us next or we can put our complete faith in God that He will will protect and guide us.  I understand that all the realist reading this post are saying that there is a difference between faith and ignorance and I would agree.  We have to be very careful though in our thinking on faith and ignorance because though we do understand that certain ice situations are very dangerous and should never be attempted faith or not, we have to be extremely careful not to put God in a box of what is possible in this world for our lives.  Do not forget as it says in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." 

Our God will never steer us into a place of danger without a purpose.  He will always be with us and we can always rest assure that there is peace in being in the center of His will.  Also at church today our pastor spoke of a man who lost his life in Iraq on thursday.  He had been teaching at a private Christian school in Iraq for the last seven years when a student came in with a gun and killed him this past week.  Though it is easy to hear this story and think of the tragedy of the story, let's not forget that this man chose to go into danger by teaching in Iraq because he felt called there by the Lord.  This man was able to minister to and teach over 500 kids in the time he was there.  A memorial was done for this man in a mosque in Iraq, which is the first time in known history that a foreigner non-muslim was given a memorial in a mosque in Iraq.  Also many of his students changed their Facebook profile picture to this man's picture as a tribute.


I think it can be said that this man's impact will continue well past his death and that possibly through his death many more will come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  For all of these things to happen, complete faith was required from this man.  We have to remember that our lives are to be lived for God's glory and not our own.  We are living for eternal things and not the finite things of this world.  I hope today that you will choose to live boldly, filled with faith and assurance, for Jesus today.


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

Justified Through Jesus Alone

I read a message today that mentioned the hope that this person would be good enough to get into heaven.  I have to say that my heart sank upon reading those words.  There isn't anything anyone can do to be good enough to go to heaven.  To be good enough, you would have to live a sinless life that is perfectly aligned in God's will.  The Bible makes it clear that it is impossible to do that.

I believe Romans 3:9-31 gives a clear explanation of what it takes to get to heaven and why Jesus is the only way.  I have decided to use The Message paraphrase for this post for easier reading but the link will take you to the ESV translation.  The Message helps to offer a modern day language perspective of this passage but I highly recommend you also read the ESV translation and take the time to understand what Paul is saying here.

There is a lot to this passage and this passage is incredibly important to understanding our need for Jesus.  I hope this passage helps to deepen your faith as you seek to walk closer with Jesus.  I pray these words will help clear up any misunderstanding about works and getting to heaven.  If you have other questions that come up from this passage, www.needhim.org is an excellent resource for you to be able to talk to ministers directly.




We're All in the Same Sinking Boat
^9-20So where does that put us? Do we Jews get a better break than the others? Not really. Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it: 

   There's nobody living right, not even one, 
      nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. 
   They've all taken the wrong turn; 
      they've all wandered down blind alleys. 
   No one's living right; 
      I can't find a single one. 
   Their throats are gaping graves, 
      their tongues slick as mudslides. 
   Every word they speak is tinged with poison. 
      They open their mouths and pollute the air. 
   They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year, 
      litter the land with heartbreak and ruin, 
   Don't know the first thing about living with others. 
      They never give God the time of day.
This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else's sin.

God Has Set Things Right

 ^21-24But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

 ^25-26God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it's now—this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.

 ^27-28So where does that leave our proud Jewish insider claims and counter-claims? Canceled? Yes, canceled. What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.

 ^29-30And where does that leave our proud Jewish claim of having a corner on God? Also canceled. God is the God of outsider non-Jews as well as insider Jews. How could it be otherwise since there is only one God? God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it, both those who follow our religious system and those who have never heard of our religion.

 ³¹But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it.

Blessings,

Greg

The Mighty Macs

We watched a wonderful movie tonight called The Mighty Macs.  It is a movie about a small failing Catholic women's college, now called Immaculata University, in the '70's that went on to win the first women's college national basketball championship in 1973, led by coach Kathy Rush.  When Kathy Rush first came in, the college basketball team was solely intended as an physical outlet to keep women chaste.  This obviously didn't make for much winning but coach Rush had a different plan for the team.

She wanted to win and she wanted the girls to believe they could win.  Through the guidance of Coach Rush and a nun at the school the girls learned to work as a team and believe in themselves.  They learned that their coach believed in them and they also learned to be passionate about something.  Many of the women in that championship team went on to be successful in not just basketball but life.

There is a moment towards the end of the movie where coach Rush is giving a pep talk before the championship game.  You recited 1 Corinthians 9:24 to the girls as motivation for them to fight for victory. As I told you, they went on to win the game, which was a great feat considering they had lost to the very same team by 42 points weeks prior.


 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, 

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Fighting for the truth of the gospel and the truth of the Bible is not politically correct these days.  We are told by the world that we are to be tolerant of all religions as truth.  We are told that it is arrogant to believe that Christianity could be the only truth and way to heaven.  Many churches today have unfortunately succumb to these lies from the world.

Tonight, I encourage you to fight the good fight and run the race.  The crown you will receive for enduring in truth to the end is as Paul say, "a crown that will last forever."  Do not let the world silence the truth of the gospel.  Do not let the world keep you from living a bold life for Christ.  Do not let the world discourage you from running the race.  Find strength in Jesus and trust the truth of His words saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the father except through me." John 14:6.

Blessings,

Greg

Not Just Another Ordinary Day

Everyday I come home for lunch and the first thing that I do is let my dog, Leah, out to use the restroom.  The thing is that she doesn't just use the time to go to the restroom, she also uses it to enjoy the great outdoors.  The older my dog gets the more sentimental she seems to get about her time outside.  I typically have plenty of time to make my lunch, watch the news, and relax while she is out there.

During her time outside, she walks the full perimeter of the yard sniffing intently as she does.  She makes sure to stop at each corner of our back yard and gaze past our invisible property line to the activity of the neighbors around us.  If there happens to be snow outside, my dog takes particular delight in rooting around in the snow and smelling the new smells that only seem to exist in the snow.  If it is a sunny warm day, Leah will sit and drink it the beauty of the day.  My dog truly knows how to maximize her time outside.  She knows how to appreciate the moment and milk it for all it is worth.  I can tell when she returns back inside that she is happy.

In the world we live in today, especially our western culture, we tend to pass over so many opportunities to enjoy the moment.  Our lives are filled with errands, shows, devices, jobs, family, church, and a thousand more things.  We are just to busy to stop and appreciate the beauty around us.

Have you ever been in such a rush that you completely missed the joy of a sunrise in your pursuit of your destination?  Do you ever take the time to truly drink in the beauty of a sky filled with beautiful pillowy clouds gently floating by.  Have you ever just stopped to drink in the warmth of the sun, enjoyed the patter of the rain, or watched the amazing transformation caused by a snow shower.

There is so much life around us that we completely over look each day.  So many blessings the Lord has given to us that we are to busy to receive.  I hope tonight you would take the time to drink in the vastness of the stars above.  Tomorrow morning, take the time to watch the cotton candy colors dance across the sky as the sun rises to give us a new day.  As you take the time to enjoy these things, remember your Creator who gives us the awesome moments daily.  "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

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

Intricately Formed in the Womb

My wife and I are pregnant and in these past four months I have gained a deeper respect and love for the God who is daily growing and sustaining our precious child.  To see the baby, so tiny, moving it's little legs and hands on an ultrasound is incredible.  To think that we can create and birth babies without any help from a higher being is so incredibly arrogant to me.

I have been reading the little information tidbits on the pregnancy app that my wife installed on my phone.  I cannot even fathom how it is possible that our baby can be only 4 inches long at this point and yet already have developed internal organs and even begun to practice using it's lungs.  It's little heart is beating at around 150 bpm.  Through the ultrasound you can even see the baby's heart fluttering away through it's chest.

My father is an avid modeler.  He has built cars, airplanes, tanks, and so much more.  Currently he enjoys creating and painting tiny civil war soldiers.  My dad is so good at painting the intricate details that distinguish different uniforms, tools, and weapons.  Even with the skill my dad has to create these exquisite little soldiers, his skill is nothing compared to God's ability to arrange cells, which are smaller than we can see, to form a new life.

In our world today, it is so easy for us to believe that we rule our world and that it is our effort that determines what we will accomplish.  It is so easy to forget how small and fragile we once were and still are.  Our world seems perfectly content spreading the lie that our lives are our own and controlled by no one.  The problem with the false beliefs is that the Bible makes it clear that God is and will always be in control of everything in this universe.  No verse drives this point home better than Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."  


As you sit at your computer tonight or maybe even this morning, remember who created you.  Consider the fact that God truly does know about who you will be and what will happen in your life.  Open yourself to the idea that He has plans for you and that they are even good.  Humble yourself to the fact that God's plans may not make sense to the world but always make sense for the Kingdom.  I am learning daily that the process of having a baby is an incredible blessing.  Take time today to thank God for forming you and making you uniquely special in the womb long ago. 


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  

Shoveling Poop

At my job, I have learned a lot of things about horses.  I have always loved horses but I honestly had not had the opportunity to have much contact or time with them till I got this job.  Today, I needed to work in the field because one of the things i have learned about horses is that though horse poo is considered black gold to gardens, too much of it can be bad for the pastures and unsanitary in the outbuildings.  So one of my weekly duties at my job is shoveling poo from  the outbuildings and pasture.

The holidays have put a damper on my coworker and I being able to complete this task.  We have had weeks of rain, vacations, and alternating busy schedules that have hampered us from doing this task.  Well we had planned to work on the pasture Wednesday but I saw the forecast this morning and it called for rain all day Wednesday.  So I decided that I needed to go out and clean up what I could myself.  Really it was a great day for doing this job because it was 50 and sunny, which is not the norm for winter in Indiana.

As I was sizing up my job, I began to realize how big a task I had before me.  I have to say that I am incredibly grateful for the person who invented the tractor.  I don't believe I could've made any sort of dent in the pasture without this handy farm device.  The shovel helped me to clean up large areas quickly, which is good since the pastures needed a lot of help.

I had plenty of time to think about life and God as I worked on cleaning up the pasture and I thought about all the times I had allowed my life to fill up with crap.  It is always so amazing to me how fast this can happen.  I try to walk faithfully in Christ and yet there are many times I let other things clutter my life and heart.  It is in these times that I have to surrender my heart back to Jesus and He helps me to remove the crap I have piled in my heart.

Have you taken your eyes off Jesus recently and allowed your heart to be filled with the crap of this world?  Come to Jesus today and allow Him to clean up your heart.  All you have to do is ask Him to forgiveness you for the sin that you have allowed to enter your heart.  He will not be harsh with you or rub your nose in your sins or failures but will gently and compassionately work to help your heart be restored to purity in Him.

Jesus is such a kind and loving Savior.  Though He can't tolerate blatant and unrepentant sin in our lives, He will always accept, with open arms, anyone who humbly comes to Him with a broken and repentant heart.  If you do not know Him as your Savior today, I hope today will be the day.  I promise that He will never fail you and that you will never regret trusting Him with your heart.

Blessings,

Greg

Broken Past, Hopeful Future

There is a fine line between hate and love.  Unfortunately Christian history is filled with "Christians" proliferating hate in the name of love.  What seems so obvious to us today was not so simple at different points in history.  We now live in a time where everyone in the western world has access to the Bible and we each have the ability to read and understand it.  This has not been so for most of Christian history.  Imagine trying to be a follower of Christ and only getting input from a priest.  Most of the people in Christian history would not have been able to read the Bible even if it had been available to them.  There have been many times in our history where "the church" spawned more hate and murder than the most sinful of nations.  Oh how well the devil has been able to harm the world's view of Jesus through jaded followers.

I would like to believe that since we now live in an age were the Bible is readily available and accessible to all in the western world that we would no longer have the problems of our past.  Unfortunately, we all know that this is not true.  We still have people who twist the Bible and then teach their twisted perspective to willing followers who chose not to read and understand the Bible for themselves.  What is even worse is today we not only have hating, bigoted, vile people who profess Christianity, we also have many Christians today that believe Christianity is no better than any other religion and is only one way to find peace and heaven in this world.  The devil is still at work in our churches and there is still a large majority of people who have chosen not to read the Bible for themselves but to be swayed and wooed by men who intend to use the Bible for their own purposes.

Though I have to admit that I struggle greatly with both ideologies in our world today, I know that the only answer to truly battle the false teachings within the Christian realm is to truly live Christ authentically and boldly.  Hatred plus hatred does not equal love.  Vile words plus vile words does not equal peace.  judgment plus righteous anger does not equal living Jesus.  We have to live love.  We have to live truth.  We have to stand for the principles that Jesus set in place.  We have to love our enemies and let Jesus be the judge not us.  We have to be willing to humble ourselves to serve.  We have to be willing to go the second mile with the one who forced us to go the first mile. We have to be willing to lay down our lives for our brothers.  We have to be willing to sacrifice everything we are for the love Jesus lived and died for.

Jesus did not reach the world for himself by fighting the world but by dying in the place of sinners that they may have salvation available to them.  We have to learn from Jesus, Paul, and the disciples.  We have to stand up and be  different from the world.  We have to live love even when the world wants to perpetuate hate through intolerance.  We have to want to speak the truth when the world want all truth to be equal.  We have to live counter culture.  We have to authentically live Jesus daily no matter the consequences, which may include: broken relationships, lost jobs, and persecution.  Jesus intended for His followers to draw the world to Him not repel the world from Him.  It is our time to live authentically in Christ!  I challenge you to stand up and live Christ fully 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