"Don't Worry! Be Bambi!"

My two and a half year old daughter is obsesed with Disney movies.  In our house there is a constant stream of Beauty and The Beast and Toy Story and most recently, Bambi.

It had been quite some time since I saw the movie Bambi.  I couldn't help while watching admiring the plants, trees, music and animals.  The original release of Bambi was in 1942.  Animated movies have progressed so much since then, but it was refreshing to sit and watch how masterfully the beauty of nature and music were combined.

As we approach spring, the flowers are beginning to bloom and I see more and more birds feasting at my various bird feeders around the house.  I am reminded of the passes of scripture in Matthew 6 where Jesus is using nature to teach about worrying.  There are so many struggles and challenges in the world today.  Many folks struggle with Financial, Spiritual, Emotional and Relationship issues.  In Matthew, Jesus says:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?   “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?"  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34 

So amidst your struggles, as you begin to enjoy the change in the weather, the chirping of the birds, the fluttering of butterflies and the beauty of God's creation.  Don't allow yourself to be consumed with worry.  Consider the detail and care that went into creation - read through the first chapter of Genesis, and be consumed by the knowledge that God created and controls all things and he loves us more than we could ever even imagine!

God not only created us...

"God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

Genesis 1:27 

"Appointment's With God" TAKE time!

We live in such a fast paced society!  There are so many people and things competing for our time and attention.  My day is fragmented into 1 hour slots of time, appointments, meetings, events, deadlines etc.  I have been so slammed over the last couple of weeks, I haven't even TAKEN the time to blog.  Notice I didn't say HAVE time to blog.

In regards to our time, I wonder why we so often neglect to give time and attention to "scheduling" time with God, our Father, the Creator of the universe?  Is it because we don't HAVE time or is it because we don't TAKE time.

I have two daughters; a two and a half year old and a six month old.  Both of which DEMAND my attention whether I plan on giving it to them or not.  The majority of the time (any time other then when they are sleeping) my house is a pretty noisy, happening place.  In order for me to get a few minutes of peace and quiet, I literally have to sneak out the front door and sit on the front porch - often times with a cup of coffee.

If we truly profess to have a relationship with God, a real relationship with God.  We have to TAKE time to spend with him, just him - no distractions.

Our lives are so busy and hectic and draining.  Going for long periods of time without direct connection with God can lead to physical, emotional and spiritual drain.  We rely on that time with God like a car relies on gas to keep it going, or like a plant relies on water to make it grow.  When we starve ourselves from that one-on-one time with God we starve our bodies and souls from the essential spiritual nutrients needed to survive.

So what is your schedule like today?


Do you have a 10, 12, 2, and 4'oclock meeting scheduled?


When do you plan on spending time with God?

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." 

Mark 1:35

Jehovah - Jireh (Our Provider)

 "He covers the sky with clouds;
   he supplies the earth with rain
   and makes grass grow on the hills.
"He provides food for the cattle
   and for the young ravens when they call."

(Psalm 147:8-9) 

In Genesis we read the name, Jehovah-jireh (or Yahweh-yireh, The Lord will provide), it was a place in the land of Moriah. It was where God told Abraham to offer his son as an offering to God.  Abraham named the place after the Lord provided a ram to sacrifice in place of Isaac.

"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." (Genesis 22:14)

 As I sit at my desk, I can hear the constant pelting of the rain hitting my window.  I am reminded that we serve a mighty God who created all that is around us.  I am reminded and comforted that He has a plan.  As I sort through a budget and make financial decisions that affect our operations and our ministry I am reminded that he is Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider. 


No matter what you're going through...  

No matter how tough your situation is...

                ...Our God is able to and willing to meet your needs!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:19)

"All Things New!"

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: 

The old has gone, the new is here!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

I could hardly resist sharing this picture.  I have the unique honor and privilege to minister to homeless men, women and children through our emergency shelter.  It has been a long, cold, and challenging winter to say the least.  

When I saw the trees in the courtyard where our residents relax, I couldn't help but smile.  What a perfect illustration of the new creations that are being created in so many lives.  So many of the resident's that come through our doors are experiencing long, cold, dark, and challenging times in their lives.  However, with God's help are beginning to see blooms and progress and are moving towards self sufficiency.

What a tremendous gift from God we have in that no matter who we are or what we have done - we too can be made new!

Blessings!

"Quiet Please - God's speaking!"

“Few things frighten me more than the beginnings of barrenness that come from frenzied activity with little spiritual food and meditation.”

- John Piper

Christianity Today reports that almost 60% of Christians around the world feel their hectic schedule prevents them from spending more time with God.

People today are so busy.  There are so many things competing for our attention and our time.  Often I find in my own life that the last thing that I think about on my to do list is addressing my own spiritual needs.

Even as I sit in my office and try to write, when I close my eyes I can hear the chatter of employees taking care of business, clients talking about the difficulties they are facing, telephones ringing, sirens on ambulances and police vehicles driving by, and they constant electronic beep notifying me of another email.

People are always calling to God, in good times and bad times.  unfortunately sometimes it seems that we call out for Him more in the bad times than the good.  How many have ever said, "God if you can just get me out of this, I will...."

When we allow ourselves to get so busy that the noise of our life drowns out the sound of God's voice, we have a problem.  Look at this story from 1 Kings 19:11-13. 

"The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, 

for the LORD is about to pass by.”

   Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart 

and shattered the rocks before the LORD, 

but the LORD was not in the wind. 

After the wind there was an earthquake, 

but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 

After the earthquake came a fire, 

but the LORD was not in the fire. 

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 

When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face 

and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 

We need to silent our iPhones and Blackberries, close the door, turn off the lights, cancel an appointment and simply listen for the gentle whisper of God.

"May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives."

1 Thessalonians 3:11 (The Message)

"What Are Words?"

^"You say you have the counsel and the might for war—but you speak only empty words."

2 Kings 18:20

I've always enjoyed watching American Idol.  Primarily for the outrageous auditions early on in the season.  This year one story in particular struck a chord with me, as it did with the entire country.  Chris Medina's audition was one that we all remember.  Before the audition we hear about how shortly before he and his fiancé Juliana were set to walk down the aisle, she was in a car accident, leaving her with a severe brain injury and he as her caretaker.  His words, "what kind of guy would I be if I abandoned her when she needed me the most?"  hit me the most.

Chris was eliminated from the competetion, but not from our memory.  On a television interview I heard him mention a single that had been written for him.  I downloaded it and was touched by the words.

It serves as a good reminder to all of us.  

We are so quick to say things we either don't really mean, or are unprepared to follow through with them.

I remember hearing a retired Salvation Army officer speaking to us at the Salvation Army Training College; he said, 

"If you tell someone it's raining quarters outside, 

they better be able to go outside and get a bucket full."

As a pastor it is so critical that I do what I say I am going to do.  As Christians, it is essential that we do what we sing we do.

When we offer up empty words to someone in need of encouragement or direction, we do them a disservice. 

We speak and we sing about the "Battle" and the "War" and our role as Soldiers in the Lord's Army, but what good is it if we don't live up to the words?

^"You say you have the counsel and the might for war—but you speak only empty words."

2 Kings 18:20

So think about what you say, and how you say it.  Make sure you are prepared to follow through with things you say.

What are words
If you really don't mean them
When you say them

"Just One Of Those Days!"

Have you ever had something happen and said to yourself, "it's going to be "ONE OF THOSE DAYS?!"
We've all had days like that.  Days that start off on a bad note and just get worse as the day goes on...and on

For example, my daughter had the flu a week ago.  I was the primary one taking care of her, and I ended up with the flu over the last weekend.  It was so bad that on Sunday morning I couldn't make it to church - first sign it was going to be "One of Those Days."  A little while later I got a call from my wife who said one of the church vans had been T-boned - second sign it was going to be "One of Those Days."

A man who was no stranger to a bad day was Paul, look at this list found in 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 11:24-27

²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Paul was no stranger to bad days.  But Paul also knew something that we can all learn from.

When faced with a difficult situation: Prayer + Praise = Freedom!

When Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Acts 16, they prayed and praised God despite their imprisonment and the foundations of the jail were shaken and they were set free.

 ²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

What kind of a day are you having?
What kind of opposition are you facing?

Take a tip from Paul, who understood "bad days" 
 Prayer + Praise = Freedom!

Blessings! 

"Etch A Sketch for your soul!"

One of my greatest joys is working with the men, women and children that come through our Emergency Shelter.  We see on a daily basis so many people who are at the end of their rope, without hope.  One of the things I try to convey to each person I deal with is that no matter what has happened in their past, no matter what circumstances have led them to our doors, to this place - There is hope!

The thing I find that is so common with dealing with someone at this point, is that they almost feel like they have done it wrong for so long, there is no way they can get back on track.  They oftentimes have severed any ties or relationship with family and have usually burned numerous bridges.

The most amazing part of my job is to see someone at this point come to the realization that with God, all things are possible and that there is hope and that they can be made new!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says this...

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 

One of my favorite toys growing up was the "Etch a Sketch"  I loved making intrique designs then being able to shake it up and start over.

No matter your mistakes, no matter your past, Christ provides an "etch a sketch" for our soul!
Why not allow Him to make you a new creation!


Blessings!