meetings

Hey friends and others...

I have too much on my plate today and too many meetings tonight, so no blog...sorry.

However, since it's short today, let me ask a favor of you. Out of curiousity leave me a comment and let me know who all is reading this. I have a website tracker that shows me how many hits this site gets a day and where they are generated from and there are several readers in different countries. I would love to know who you are...

It's up to you though, if you want to read anonymously, that's alright!

Take care,

Who is Jesus? - Lev. 15 & Matt. 27a

Well today has been a fun day - a snow day! We've had a few of those lately... Typically today is my busiest day of the week, being a Wednesday, but when school is canceled we cancel church also - so instead today has been a restful play day. I have been able to play with my kids, and watch a Disney movie, and take a nap, do some reading...nice.

I am almost done with a life-changing book for me - The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard. I highly recommend it to anyone, but you have to have some commitment to get through it. It's not a quick, easy read, but it's well worth the investment of time and thought. He begins by going through the Beatitudes, but basically uses that info (which is half of the book) to launch into his discussion of what the phrase "the kingdom of the heavens" (which is used continuously throughout the NT and is a big theme that we basically ignore in church) means. Towards the end of the book he goes into a BRILLIANT discussion of how exactly to make disciples. The whole book is worth this end part, but I don't suggest skipping to it.... Anyway...the whole reason I bring up this book is because in part of my reading today the author talks about how our view of Jesus and our life completely impacts our ability and desire to follow Him. Which leads to today's NT reading...

Matthew 27 tells the beginning of Jesus' crucifixion story. He is taken to "court" and accused and questioned, but He remains silent. The only time He speaks up is to affirm His identity as one of His accusers asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?" The passage goes on to tell that the people cheered for Pilate to have Jesus crucified. So Pilate sent Him to be flogged and beaten, which would only be the beginning of Jesus' temporary "end."

As Dallas Willard suggests, it does indeed make me love Jesus, that He took the abuse and accusations and ultimately death because of his love for me and you. And that love for Jesus that comes about in me when I think of Jesus' love and sacrifice turns into a desire to obey and follow Him.

As you go through life may you continue to learn how much God loves you and may you help others to learn this as well. Jesus' love is truly life-changing.

God knows - Lev. 14 & Matt 26b

One thing that is cool about the Old Testament is that we see God taking care of the people with regard to the real stuff of life. For instance, in the past few chapters of Leviticus it's been talking about how to treat skin diseases and mildew. Back in those days the people didn't understand what we do know about germs, diseases, and mildew. God knew that, so He gave them guidelines and instructions for what to do.

Likewise, in chapter 26 of Matthew Jesus tells the disciples that they will all abandon Him and deny Him. Each of them, not just Peter, say "Never!" But of course they do. And so do we in our own ways everyday. But guess what? God knows that we're going to ahead of time. He knew even before He sent Jesus to give His life for us. And He still sent Him and still allowed Him to die.

I don't know what's going on with you, but we're going through a rough patch of life and it's so comforting to know that God knows our needs much better than we do. And He is in control. Sometimes the pressures of life pile up and you wish you were a child again, with no responsibilities and no stress. You wish you had a dad or a mom who could just take care of you and let you relax. Great news - you do! In Matthew 11 Jesus said, 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Amen to that!

Ashley's Birthday

Well, today I'm not going to talk about my Bible readings. They were about skin diseases and mold (in Leviticus) and Jesus' betrayal and arrest in Matthew 26. I don't have too much to say about either passage and today is my wife Ashley's birthday so I am choosing to talk about her instead.

Eight years ago in Orlando, FL I met a cute little girl from Mississippi. Although I was seeing someone else at the time and had no intentions of "looking for love" that summer I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw her. As God had it planned, I was one of the few from our group with a car and Ashley and I were placed at the same hotel for work. So day after day we spent time together driving to and from work and doing different ministries in the evenings. During our free time, I sought Ashley out and we would go walk around different places and spent a lot of time talking. Little did she know at first, but I was "working the magic." hahaha

Within a very short time (although not as short as her) I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Just 5 months after we met, I asked Ashley to marry me and she (eventually) said "yes."

We have been married for almost 7 years and it has been the best time of my life. Ashley is a wonderful person. She is one of the few people who truly, down deep in her heart is loving and kind. Some of us have to try to hide that side of us and simply imitate Christ, but it comes natural for Ashley. She is self-sacrificing with me and our children. Constantly serving us and making our house a home holding us together as a loving family. When I am stressed the weight is lifted when I walk in the door of our house. I know that she loves me unconditionally and that changes everything. Her love helps me feel more loved by God.

I love to watch Ashley worship, because she truly loves God and wants to connect with Him. I also love to watch Ashley interact with our children (and others) because her heart just beams out love. We love to laugh together and act goofy. She truly is my best friend.

I am so blessed to have her as my wife.

I hope you have such love in your life. And I hope you can love others like this so they can get a glimpse of God through you.