Names of Christ

There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.

                                                                           - Billy Sunday, in a sermon, "Wonderful." 

Is this for you?

I feel very certain that the Lord wants to use the following to speak to someone who will be reading my blog. It is from my reading today of Acts 9.

When you step out in faith, it always brings clarity to God's plan. In the book of Acts, when Ananias went to see Saul, he received the next step. As Saul submitted himself to God's plan through Ananias, he found out more of God's plan. Hence, stepping out in faith brought clarity to what God is already doing.

Both Ananias and Saul had to step out in faith, and that was challenging. God chose Saul to be used as a tool, an instrument, or mouthpiece. Paul would be a "tool" that would face intense suffering during his life. A follower of Jesus will face times of suffering and trial.

Obedience like this, though, also brings growth. How easy it is to see, in hindsight, how much growth comes from taking a step of faith and trusting God for the solid ground ahead. For me, I can see how much I have been stretched emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Like Ananias, I am amazed at the transforming power of God to transform a life. My life.

When we comply with God, we will see supernatural things happen. For First Christian Southside, this will mean taking another step. Let's keep walking. Step out, and we will find clarity and solid ground.

Acts 9

Time to Hatch!

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.
                                                                                                                            -  C. S. Lewis

FYI

Being sick is not fun...


Being THIS sick stinks!


Pray for us as 3 of the 5 of us are very ill. 


James 5:16

Content with Failure?

I recently read a biography of Abraham Lincoln. Great book, but did not include the following quote that is attributed to him. 


"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."

Ireland 2013

I made the announcement at the Church Board meeting this week that I will be leading a mission trip to Northern Ireland in March of 2013. I will put a flyer together with all the pertinent info in the next week or two. Please let me know if you are interested or know someone who may be interested. 

What I Really Want...

A good definition of discipline is "knowing what you want." 


For example, let's say that I were to spend an hour studying, meditating, or praying rather than watching one more hour of television. (Which is one of my personal goals this year.) 


At the end of that hour, my heart will tell if me if I were really satisfied or not! Satisfied with my prayer or study life, satisfied about reaching my personal goal of spending an hour in prayer and study each day. 


Being disciplined simply reminds me of what I really want. And that was to spend some time with the Word, or spending time in relationship with God. 

Thoughts from my Devotions

When God begins to draw me to him, the question is, "Will I ignore Him?" 


With shame or busy-ness, it seems that there are times when it is not convenient for me to quiet down and listen to that still small voice of God with-in me. 


 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them... - John 6:44


O, may I run to Him when He begins to draw me to Himself.

A Higher Power

A Sunday School teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning about how powerful the kings and queens were in Biblical times.  But there is a higher power.  Who can tell me what it is?'

George blurted out, 'I know, Aces.'

Spiritual Thought for the Day

We must maintain a position of gazing upon Him... Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God." Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him.
                                                                      - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Q:What is something you don't want to see on a Saturday morning?

A: The alarm clock reading 4:30am. The culprit was 'Molly." Molly is Yvette's dog, and had a coughing fit or something. I could not go back to sleep...Yvette is back in la la land...Molly is out like a light. 

Dog for Sale

Truth

All people occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
                                                                                                               - Sir Winston Churchhill

As promised...

My dear friend, Jon Clark, did get a good stab in too.

My helmet is way cooler.

Ireland

I am thinking about leading a mission trip to Ireland in 2013. Thoughts? While looking over some info from my last trip, I found this pic, and thought others might enjoy it...well almost everyone. Jon, thanks for being a good actor. Next post, I'll let you win. :-)

Let's be kind...

A friend of mine recently told me that, "the Bible does not tell us (Christians) to be "nice" or "pleasant." He's right, but we (Christians) are to be kind. During my research on this, I found the following quote by Samuel Johnson.

"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not."

As Jesus followers, we must be so kind that our actions alone can draw people toward Christ.

End of the World

No one should be worked up with the Mayan Prophecy, or the end of the world. I found this online and thought I would share. I laughed way to much on this one. Thank you Jon Lovett.


"If Mayans were good at predicting the future, there would be Mayans."


                                                                                                  - Jon Lovett

Surprise Me!

The following quote is about a real and genuine experience with God. There are so many people that long to experience that kind of love.

                                      
There is an experience of the love of God which...enfolds us, and bathes us, and warms us, is so utterly new that we can hardly identify it with the old phrase, God is love.

God experienced is a vast surprise.             - Thomas R. Kelly
                                                               

Welcome!!!

Thanks for stopping by! I will keep this updated regularly and work to post spiritually encouraging thoughts,. I am sure that I will sometimes post current information about me and my family.

Special thanks to Jim Rybka for helping me get this and my other stuff at www.fcclaf.org set up.

In the near future...

     *I'll be posting a wonderful quote about love a little later today. 

     *Later this week, look for some thoughts on living in Christian community.

     *In a couple weeks, I'll announce an opportunity for an overseas
      mission trip with FCC.