Technological Feat

Tonight I am posting from my new iPhone 4s. I hope to be able to use this wonderful device to further the kingdom of Jesus. It seems to me that all this technology is worthless if it can't be used to enhance your walk and witness. Remember that nothing should come before Jesus and nothing should be more important in your life than Jesus. The iPhone, and any other pieces of technology, has a real risk of becoming an idol if you let it. Keep you eyes on Christ in all things.

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

Many Blessings

Today was a normal day.  I enjoyed being productive as I drove our zero turn and mowed the property.  I enjoyed listening to music and sermon podcasts while I worked.  The Lord taught and blessed me through the sermons I listened to today.  I shared a sermon with the youth and I think they enjoyed and learned a lot from it.  The Lord showed me that there are just certain times that it is best to let someone else teach.  I enjoyed playing guitar in our worship practice tonight and was glad that practice went smoothly.  I ended up being pleasantly surprised as our young adults stuck around a while to play hang man, hang out, and listen to some crazy fun music.

I am so thankful for a job I love working with some of the best people I have ever met.  I am thankful for a completely awesome God centered wife.  I am thankful that the Lord shows me what I need to teach our young adults weekly.  I am thankful that He has raised up Christian men in my life to mentor and instruct me on how to become a stronger man of God.  I am thankful for young adults who truly soak up the word of God and want to live more Christ centered lives. I am thankful for being able to have friends who love the Lord and love to hang out with us.  God is so good.  

All these things make me think about the old hymn called, "Count Your Many Blessings."  Thanksgiving is going to be here before we know it.  This year take the time to take inventory of the many blessings and things to be thankful for in your life.  Remember the one who gave each thing to you and thank Him above all else.  As I sit here, I wonder where I would be without the Lord and I shutter.  He has been so good to me.  I know that sometimes it is hard to see blessings in your life but please remember your circumstances shouldn't determine your thankfulness.  No matter what situation we are in today, we can always be thankful for the wonderful love, grace and forgiveness our God has bestowed upon us.  Also remember that there is always hope in Jesus as Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Blessings,

Greg  

God

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12  The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.  Proverbs 16:9  Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!  Psalm 31:9  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.  John 3:16-17

Sometimes I get lost in the vastness of God.  How incredible it is that God, who is infinitely mighty, infinitely great, and created everything in this universe, desires to have a close and intimate relationship with me.  God has created things that we, as humans, will probably never understand.  God is infinitely greater and more righteous than I yet He still chose to send His Son to die on the cross for me and the rest of humanity.  God is completely self sufficient, needing absolutely nothing to be complete, and yet He still saw fit to give me an opportunity to truly know Him.  He gave me the ability to learn about Him in the Bible.  And He gave me the ability to be led by Him through the Holy Spirit.  I am so humbled by the greatness and goodness of God.  I hope you will take time to dwell in the majesty, sovereignty, and goodness of God today.

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

Reminiscent Night

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a wedding of a friend from my high school days.  His wedding was beautiful and unique.  The wedding was performed with no attendants and in the exact same place as the reception while we were all sitting at the reception tables.  The ceremony was simple, quick, and beautiful.  Afterward, we all were able to enjoy a lovely meal followed by a great time of fellowship and dancing.  I also got to see other friends from my high school days and it was good to see that they are all doing well.

As I thought about past memories of times spent with my friends, I came up with both happy and sad stories.  It is amazing how much simpler those times were.  I remember feeling like I knew everything and yet not worrying about anything.  I knew nothing of paying bills and being careful to stay out of debt.  I had no idea what it took to be married and yet I so desperately sought a mate back then.  I honestly knew nothing about what it meant to truly follow Jesus with all my heart.  The focus of my days was earning money so I could hang out with my friends.  I worried about being accepted, having fun, and hoping I could graduate.

Also as I look back, I remember a dear and loving friend that we all lost along the way.  His name was Daniel Thomas and he died last year, around Christmas time, of liver failure.  As I talked about him with a close friend, who had flown in from Colorado and was staying at my house, we both agreed that Daniel had been a best friend to us all.  Each person in our high school group had loving stories to tell about close friendships shared with Daniel.  Daniel loved each one of us well.  We each felt he was a special and loving friend.

Daniel held a important spot in my heart because he was a pastor's kid like I am.  We were able to talk about our fathers, our beliefs, and our shared experiences.  I remember spending many late hours talking about our passion for God at Denny's restaurant.  I remember when Daniel rode with me all the way to Colorado for a friend's wedding that we were both in.  Daniel had dealt with liver trouble for many years and knew that an untimely death was possible.  We talked about God and death on that long trip to and back home.  Daniel knew who he was in Jesus.  He loved Jesus very much and he inspired me to seek an intimate relationship with Jesus also.

These were a few of the things that were brought to my mind during the wedding last night.  It helped me be able to see who I once was and who I am today.  I was able to gauge if my life has changed any since I was younger.  I was able to give thanks for the many blessings the Lord has placed in my life today like: my wife, continued relationships with my H.S. friends, a steady job, a home, and a close and constantly deepening relationship with my Lord and Savior.

As my wife, friends, and I drank in the love that was shared in the beautiful wedding last night, I felt great joy and thankfulness for where I am today.  I cherished the moments of conversations, shared meals, vows, and dancing together.  As we look back on life, we are able to focus on the things that really matter in this life.  Our Lord is so faithful to bless our life's as we trust in Him daily.  He is constantly working and moving to draw us closer to Him and to transform us in to mature followers of Christ.  It is so important to show you friends and family love by sharing Jesus with them.  There is no greater act of love that can be shared with your loved ones.

A wedding always reminds me of our Savior's beautiful love for us.  He has promised to love those who will trust and put their lives in His hands.  He will always be faithful and kind.  He will be with us in sickness and health, in our ups and downs, and in every situation we encounter in this life.  I hope you will take a look back and see how far you have come in your walk with Jesus today.  Take time to thank Him for all He has done in your life and I hope your love grows ever deeper for Him as you see how loving a Savior and Bridegroom He has been.

Blessings,

Greg

Echelon

These lyrics from the song Echelon by Pillar sum up what is on my heart tonight.  Please read them closely.  


You know it's time for us to step it up
Another level now 'cause we finished warming up
So we rise up elevate to maintain fill up with octane
And fan the flame we regain all the names
The enemy took away
And like a green beret we will lead the way
Into battle so have no fear we will draw near
So that we can persevere like a gondolier
We headed straight to the top nonstop
Set shop at the top of the Rock
You'll feel the aftershock after we rock the spot
Cause you forgot these soldiers won't turn and walk
We take hard knocks come back for more
Cause we're hardcore we fight for the One who died for (you)
And like Saigon we're on the frontlines
And we carry on to the end times

[Chorus]
Now that it's on, we're out in the front of this marathon
With our armor on, stay strong we drive on (drive on)
Our echelon pressin' on 'til we reach the top
And you know we don't stop (our echelon)
Now that it's on

We're on the enemy's hit list
I'm hopin' you get this
You're takin' a risk when you resist the one who made you exist
Evolutionists we got love for you too but we're breakin' down
Walls seeking out the truth
I'm a soldier in this army of One
Like I told ya the battle's already won
So about face move outta the way I gotta pray for you
And this is how we do


Do you believe these words?  Are you ready to live like this?  We are at war folks but our war is not against our fellow humans.  Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  We have got to remember why we are on this planet.  We have to remember who our allegiance is to.  In a war you don't just walk back and forth between the enemy and the ally side without consequences.  


In a war, you must choose sides or die.   In Revelation 3:16, Jesus says this to the church at Laodicea, "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."  There are spiritual consequences to trying to ride the fence.  The absolute worse place you can be in life is indifferent, apathetic, and passionless.  Jesus says that being these things is even worse than being cold, which means hostile to Him and the Gospel!  So are you ready to stand up and live out your love for Jesus so people can see it?  Does Jesus burn in your heart tonight?  Is He truly the center, the passion, and the desire of your heart?  If not, please take the time to seek out why.  There is nothing in this life that matters more than passionately following Jesus.  


I hope you believe this is true tonight.  I hope you life will display this truth daily.  I hope you will talk to me if you struggle with believing this.  I would love to pray for you if you are struggling with Jesus being the center of your life.  We, as humans, are driven by our passions.  We will be passionate about something whether it is family, work, politics, money, hobbies, the environment, technology, Jesus, etc.  I hope Jesus is at the top of your passion list.  If he is not, maybe it is time to reorganize your passion portfolio.  Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  What is your treasure and your passion tonight?  Who's side are you on?  


Blessings,


Greg