My prayer is for the military and their families. And for the truck drivers. They are away from their homes as well, sleeping by themselves in rest stops.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
When I die...
My prayer is for the military and their families. And for the truck drivers. They are away from their homes as well, sleeping by themselves in rest stops.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Insensitive
Sometimes I can't decide if I'm insensitive or just vigorously guard my heart.
I don't want to enter the discussion on the shootings in Oregon and Connecticut. Which means this post is about them, of course, but only to say that I don't want to know more. I desire nothing more--than to hear nothing more--about it, unless it is one of the stories of the brave and selfless teachers. I've discovered that the more you look, the less you will find. We know where and when and even what happened. The press may have already released the name of 'who' did it, but I don't want to know more about that man.
Why would you want to?
We have a sick sense of curiosity, we love to know more about things that make us depressed and hardens our hearts. People can't seem to understand why things like this happen. Satan is the who and the why; he weaseled himself into someone's heart and whispered lies there, which were likely compounded my his dark angels, malicious spirits, and possibly even some of his beings who wear the guise of 'christian.' Yet God will fool the wisdom of the wise, as he does with any personal sickness, sin, or struggle. The anguish caused by a deep wound such as this is similar to the pain a divorce, alcoholism, or gluttony can inflict on an individual's soul. Often, only in these moments do we come to realize our deep need for a savior and a healer. Then our scars remind us that he healed us, who we are now, and who we can be if we continue in him. God will use this for his glory in the end. Stop feeding your curiosity. Stop discussing every new development with everyone you know. And start praying about it.
I don't want to enter the discussion on the shootings in Oregon and Connecticut. Which means this post is about them, of course, but only to say that I don't want to know more. I desire nothing more--than to hear nothing more--about it, unless it is one of the stories of the brave and selfless teachers. I've discovered that the more you look, the less you will find. We know where and when and even what happened. The press may have already released the name of 'who' did it, but I don't want to know more about that man.
Why would you want to?
We have a sick sense of curiosity, we love to know more about things that make us depressed and hardens our hearts. People can't seem to understand why things like this happen. Satan is the who and the why; he weaseled himself into someone's heart and whispered lies there, which were likely compounded my his dark angels, malicious spirits, and possibly even some of his beings who wear the guise of 'christian.' Yet God will fool the wisdom of the wise, as he does with any personal sickness, sin, or struggle. The anguish caused by a deep wound such as this is similar to the pain a divorce, alcoholism, or gluttony can inflict on an individual's soul. Often, only in these moments do we come to realize our deep need for a savior and a healer. Then our scars remind us that he healed us, who we are now, and who we can be if we continue in him. God will use this for his glory in the end. Stop feeding your curiosity. Stop discussing every new development with everyone you know. And start praying about it.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Christmastime
If you consistently consent to be content with what you are given,
You'll sense your soul slowly recover from extreme malnutrition.
You'll sense your soul slowly recover from extreme malnutrition.
The Journey Before Us
The Hobbit was awesome.
What an epic adventure. Unfortunately I had no idea that it would be broken into THREE SEPARATE MOVIES. Will the other two also be three hours long? Money to be made i guess...
The quote that struck me was the concluding statement of the movie. Bilbo cheerfully states: "Yes, I do believe the worst of our journey is behind us," or something to that effect. Oh yeah, except for the conclusion of the battle with the orcs, some gargantuan spiders, greedy men, and a massive fire-breathing flying lizard.
This got me thinking. What lies before us? Maybe you see happiness and peace, or maybe the future looms precariously heavy upon you as a time of hardships and struggle. Either way, I'm sure both would agree that a pleasant, joyful existence is the ideal path. But what would a joyful path look like?
Children, a house, fulfilling job, laid-back lifestyle all come to mind. But Jesus had another joy set before him:
What an epic adventure. Unfortunately I had no idea that it would be broken into THREE SEPARATE MOVIES. Will the other two also be three hours long? Money to be made i guess...
The quote that struck me was the concluding statement of the movie. Bilbo cheerfully states: "Yes, I do believe the worst of our journey is behind us," or something to that effect. Oh yeah, except for the conclusion of the battle with the orcs, some gargantuan spiders, greedy men, and a massive fire-breathing flying lizard.
This got me thinking. What lies before us? Maybe you see happiness and peace, or maybe the future looms precariously heavy upon you as a time of hardships and struggle. Either way, I'm sure both would agree that a pleasant, joyful existence is the ideal path. But what would a joyful path look like?
Children, a house, fulfilling job, laid-back lifestyle all come to mind. But Jesus had another joy set before him:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."It seems as if a joyful path incorporates a cross. We end up back at the cross=joy paradigm. The things we crave most in life require the most from us. Holy children are the result of painful discipline. A content spirit is brought about through constant deprivation and loss. Soul-saving worship services are the result of years of dreaming, months of planning, and a multitude of nights wrestling with God in prayer. The realization of our dreams only occurs once we surrender them to his will, and choose the path of joy: the cross.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Finally
Back by popular demand....my blog!!!
And by popular demand I mean Taylor and Grant. Hey, you're popular to me.
I read 'The Good Book Blog' earlier today, which spurred me on to not only revive my comatose postings, but also to memorize the book of Colossians. All you have to do is read the book aloud around fifty times, memorize it with the 'cover with your hand then check what you missed and try again' technique, then say it twenty-five times to make it concrete in your mind.
I'm extremely excited to begin. I read a chapter and a half before the munchkins arrived. I can't wait to read it at home. I'll have it memorized by the time I run a half-marathon. :)
And by popular demand I mean Taylor and Grant. Hey, you're popular to me.
I read 'The Good Book Blog' earlier today, which spurred me on to not only revive my comatose postings, but also to memorize the book of Colossians. All you have to do is read the book aloud around fifty times, memorize it with the 'cover with your hand then check what you missed and try again' technique, then say it twenty-five times to make it concrete in your mind.
I'm extremely excited to begin. I read a chapter and a half before the munchkins arrived. I can't wait to read it at home. I'll have it memorized by the time I run a half-marathon. :)
Monday, December 19, 2011
December 18th, 2011
It was a beautiful day.
Not
due to a war sunny Texas seventy degrees,
Or
resulting from a gentle, caressing, heavenly breeze,
Instead
because souls hopped land and skipped seas
To
witness a miracle: the sacred bonding of these.
The guests were quite delighted
(Even though I wasn't invited),
We were entertained and excited,
To see love so requited,
A duo cheerfully united.
Seconds.Suns.Seasons.
time has alarmingly quickly flown,
Yet it warms the soul to remember
that we are never truly alone,
time has alarmingly quickly flown,
Yet it warms the soul to remember
that we are never truly alone,
For time spent with loved ones
is really time spent at home.
is really time spent at home.
We anticipate the day
when we meet again near Heaven's throne,
when we meet again near Heaven's throne,
But today I caught a preview:
radiant light from your presence shone.
radiant light from your presence shone.
A joy transcending all words;
a peace by God's hand sown.
a peace by God's hand sown.
From this blessed soil, something...green I saw break through:
(As your lips claimed 'I do', reflecting hearts pure and true)
God's Spirit descended to bind a 'me' to a 'you',
Adhesive for two souls as the world threatens to unglue.
So to unholy desires bid 'So long!' and 'Adieu!'
Adhesive for two souls as the world threatens to unglue.
So to unholy desires bid 'So long!' and 'Adieu!'
And in regard to love, be certain to always outdo.
For one formed from the two; life...
begins anew.
-G
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Jammin'
I read Leviticus 24 today, but i'm too lazy to make my usual heading thing. No formality today, i'm feeling too loosey-goosey. Christmas is almost here, the kids are actually starting to learn a little bit (i think), and God is just too good. I love praying with people, love pouring over scripture, love basketball practice, love life. i'm sure satan will try to knock me out with one of those tremendous crashes that often follow a monumentous high, but for now i am secure in the Lord's hand. (i'm sure getting out of bed in the morning will be a mountain to climb!)
But God is good.
i was, for possibly the first time in my life, spiritually uplifted by watching espn. As a fan of Texas A&M sports, Rangers baseball, Spurs basketball, and both Texas NFL teams, these broadcasts typically tend to depress me. However, today the conversation was about Tim Tebow.
Now i have to be honest, i really never was much of a Tebow fan. i just didn't know if he was trustworthy. But their conversation today only served to bolster my faith. The debators mentioned a unique moment in the 3rd quarter of the Bears-Broncos game. Tebow was miked up for the game, and they caught him in a moment of prayer. He said "Win or lose, to You be the glory" (not exact...something to that effect).
They went on to mention pastors they knew, who saw God's purpose in Tebow's victories. In each of Tim's games, he played terrible for 50 minutes. But those ten minutes in the 4th quarter or overtime he was untouchable. His completion percentage is under 50%. Point: there is no possible way he could win this on his own. There has to be supernatural intervention. Wish i could delve into this further, but i gotta run!
But God is good.
i was, for possibly the first time in my life, spiritually uplifted by watching espn. As a fan of Texas A&M sports, Rangers baseball, Spurs basketball, and both Texas NFL teams, these broadcasts typically tend to depress me. However, today the conversation was about Tim Tebow.
Now i have to be honest, i really never was much of a Tebow fan. i just didn't know if he was trustworthy. But their conversation today only served to bolster my faith. The debators mentioned a unique moment in the 3rd quarter of the Bears-Broncos game. Tebow was miked up for the game, and they caught him in a moment of prayer. He said "Win or lose, to You be the glory" (not exact...something to that effect).
They went on to mention pastors they knew, who saw God's purpose in Tebow's victories. In each of Tim's games, he played terrible for 50 minutes. But those ten minutes in the 4th quarter or overtime he was untouchable. His completion percentage is under 50%. Point: there is no possible way he could win this on his own. There has to be supernatural intervention. Wish i could delve into this further, but i gotta run!
-G
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