The thoughts of an employee, pastor, dad, husband

Video Devotion

2011-04-19T09:35:00.001-07:00

My Wife

2010-11-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 31:10-12

10An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above jewels.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.

12She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

Last night a little after midnight my wife got a phone call and within minutes she was dressed, hair fixed up and out the door she went. She was on her way to pursue a dream of her's. Most of us have our dreams as we sleep, but my wife is a lady who has taught me much about dreaming. My wife has taught me to spend waking moments dreaming of what God has in store, what He desires, what He can do, what He wants to do thru willing people.

Calley has dreamed for a couple years now of helping pregnant women have awesome birth experiences, believing that a new life coming into the world should be beautiful. Last night when a dear friend in labor calls as most of us were sleeping, Calley jumped up to chase her dream. The dream last night was encouraging a good friend to draw closer to Jesus, and at the same time to have a beautiful birth experience.

This morning as I was driving to work I was thinking about how amazing Calley is, how blessed I am. I had many thoughts, and memories that I ran thru my mind. My memories ranged from the times I knew of Calley before we were courting up till last night. I reflected on her desire for Jesus that lured me to her, and her physical beauty that was no doubt the icing on the cake.

I remember when I was ready to propose to her 3 weeks after we began courting and God gave me a verse about her. It was

Proverbs 31:29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all"

Calley gave her life to Jesus earlier in her life than I did, oh how I wish I would have been there. Somehow I almost feel like I was though. Calley and I have only been married 8 years, but as each day passes it gets harder to imagine there was any part of my life that she wasn't apart of it.

The day she gave her heart to Jesus is so important to me, cause that is when Jesus became #1 in her life. As a result of her relationship with Jesus she learned even more of how God wants her to dream big. When we dream big, we realize our every decision impacts our future. As we dream big God sized dreams, the temporary lust of the flesh and worldly desires have less influence. When we dream big as teenagers we realize that God has a specific special someone in store so why waste time chasing the other over hormorned people of the opposite sex that are teenagers.

Calley dreamed of a day that God would give her His man for her. Praise God I got to be picked. THANK YOU JESUS!!!

I know wedding days are supposed to be beautiful and I believe ours was. The greatest part of my life with Calley though, wasn't the wedding day but the time that has passed since that day. I am so blessed that I not only married an amazing Godly lady, but I married a lady who has grown in the Lord, in beauty, in love.

Cally has remained faithful to best friends

I must confessed life the years have brought a few other changes. Calley can be a cow girl when need be.

She has learned how to get the cows back in the pasture.

She has become increasingly atheletic the older she gets. Most people get less active, but Calley gets more active.

Our looks have changed a little as well, and yes our family size has grown.

Playing the guitar is still a passion of hers a dream that she pursued and is amazing at now.

I love that she has become more joyful & beautiful as time goes by.

As I love the fact that I am hers and she is mine.

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

My wife milks a cow in the morning, cooks breakfast for our household, teaches our children thru the morning and has lunch on the table in a clean house by 12:15 most days.

I know this blog has went over several different extremes and for that I am sorry. My wife normally proof reads my blogs before they are posted and so she makes them look good.

My wife has taught me that when we dream God sized dreams, the older we get doesn't close pages of our life, it creates a larger adventure with each passing year.

The greatest of my wife's dream which I also share is for a mighty move of God in Vidalia, LA. The dream is of the thousands that live around here to be redeemed, restored, delivered and walking in the joy of the Lord. The dream is for people to live out a redeemed life in Jesus Christ realizing that the adventures He has in store for them on this earth are far greater than anything they have ever experienced.

The earthly life of my Lord grew in activity and adventure until the day of His death. Every day Jesus became more active and more known and did more to grow the Kingdom of Heaven. Calley has modeled this in her life.

Calley thank you for bringing a faith that believed God could do more than humanly possible in a person's life. Thank you for dreaming while awake instead of while sleeping.

I love you dearly.

This Pastor's Favorite Spot At Church

2010-10-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

This circle of chairs is to the left of the front door of Cornerstone Church. Most of the time it looks just like this unless the wind causes some chairs to be temporarily relocated. This is the area I look at first every time I pull into the parking lot. This may seem strange to you, but this is probably one of my favorite areas on the church grounds. Since I am the pastor I guess the pulpit is supposed to be my favorite spot because that's where I preach from.

The chairs are special to me because there is a growing group of adults that sit in these chairs about 20 minutes before church time each week. Sometimes there is a group sitting here after Sunday service. There are many things discussed in this circle. From details of a family's activities, how a lady's day at work has gone, to the simple, "Here come some more kids!

I know the pastor is typically consumed with the area of the building he preaches. This preacher does like the pulpit area. I love the chairs, though, because that is where relationships grow. Those who choose to come early to sit and talk amongst each other at the chairs, establish a bond. They support, encourage, & help one another. The preaching time should certainly teach others about the greatness of Jesus Christ. His plans, His calling, His commands, His promises. But in those chairs a family is formed, a support group activated. In those chairs people are able to see authenticity- and learn of Christ and His Word from other everyday people in an ordinary setting amongst simple conversations.

As pastor, I love this circle of chairs. I remember when there were just 3 chairs. Tonight there were 13 chairs, and I saw someone come and sit in this circle for the 1st time, though it seemed as if he had always been a regular. Sure there are others who stand. But for those who prefer sitting, we will make sure they have a chair to sit and visit for a while. If you haven't before, you should come try a chair. Who knows? You just might find help, support, encouragement and a new friend.

The closer the more excited

2010-10-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

It is with much excitement that I post this blog, words cannot describe the awesome works of God.  A few months ago we began the process of adoption, and a few months ago God started growing my family's faith like crazy.
     One of the big questions Calley & I had in the beginning of this process was should we borrow money for an adoption or not? Well we know God gave a confirmation thru scripture and spoke to us to "Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages." (Exodus 2:9). I can still remember the day that God actually gave that scripture to Calley one Sunday morning sitting in the recliner. So as anything that is a move of faith begins we started taking steps. We called the home study agency, the adoption agency, and then the bank. A lady was prepared to do the home study within one week, which is a miracle because it's normally a 3-5 month wait. The homestudy timing was awesome, but we didn't have the $1800.00 needed for it at the time, so we went to the bank.
There has been around $4,300 paid on out so far, but only the first $1800.00 was borrowed. Every other dollar has came from one miracle place or another- along with some hard work. I write this blog to say as of this point we still have payments to make to the agency at different time intervals during the whole process but as of now the adoption agency is paid up to date and the bank note of $1800.00 is paid off.
       I give the details of the adoption money and not my personal income- but let me just say we do not have the near $6,000 extra ever laying around that God has provided in the last few months.

    All this broke my heart yesterday as I was thinking about the excitement of bringing our newest addition home, and the privilege it is to be trusted by God to raise this child.  Yesterday was the day that the FBI is supposed to have mailed our clearance to our adoption agency, just another miracle of fast timing. I was thinking about the things that are already done to finalize this adoption, and how we are so much closer to being joined with this new child of ours. As I thoiught I wondered if God is like this with mankind. He knows us better than we know ourselves- He knows He can fix us, though. I figure God recognizes the steps He sees a person taking as they are getting closer to calling out to Him for the salvation of their souls. How amazing that would have to be to actually see the excitement of God as He is overwhelmed with this anticipation of knowing a person's heart is softening and coming closer to the point of being His child. He gave His Son in order to buy our right to be adopted into His family, so it has to be a great day when He sees the ones that He has bought and paid for actually getting so close to running to Him.

I am no fool. Raising another child will not always be a bed of roses. Obviously, there will be some times that are such a blessing and there will be trying times that only depending on Jesus will bring the true resolve to the issue. It is a strange mindset our culture has. We have been trained to be so selfish that if something is hard, then it is not what we should do. I am so glad Jesus didn't live the American dream. He gave of Himself till the death. I am so glad that God gave His only Son in payment for our adoption- always willing to walk the hard road for us and with us, to bring about salvation and victory.

Understanding Adoption

2010-09-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Galations 4:4-5
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

So the days are counting down, and the FBI has our background check forms now and we are currently doing a 8-10 hour class online to qualify for foriegn adoption, there are lots of things going on in the Reed house lately. I must confess as we began the adoption I was saddened by all the hoops that we were going to have to jump thru and the money we were going to have to spend in order to bring our newest addition home. But still no matter the details and the money required I have been excited about persuing adoption, it is a burden that has been in my life at least 4 years and is now becoming a fulfilled God given dream.
    Now that larger amounts of money have been invested and late night on line curriculums are a normal part of life, I notice my views changing drastically towards what adoption is. I once saw adoption agencies as people selling children who had a real need, and it saddened me for children to be used for someone's financial gain. I am getting more of an understanding of the whole process and find myself falling in love with the steps it takes to adopt. I no longer believe adoption should be easily attainable, I think anyone who has a God breathed dream of adopting should be able to adopt, but I think the process is a very needed and great thing.
    I have read about how as a believer in Jesus that I am adopted into His family and I have always thought to myself, that there was more in those scriptures than what I was getting. I love those scriptures that we read and God always keeps us searching the depths of a particular passage and wondering until that one day He floods our spirit with the answer. Well I don't know that I have the full answer but I think He is definitely flooding me with the deepness of
   (that we might receive ADOPTION)

   I see adoption in John 4:14-18
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."

I see Jesus jumping through major hoops to get to earth to meet at an absolute perfect time with a very troubled lady, who had been left behind and cast aside by others. This was the kind of lady that other men weren't seen with in public, if you know what I mean.  This lady had a very troubled past, she had been abused by those that she had given her trust too, she too had been neglected but she was still a LADY in the eyes of Jesus. Jesus was aware of her past, and he was aware of her location and though no one else wanted her. She probably had a defensive personality that learned to survive but was going to make sure no one ever hurt her again. But none of that mattered to Jesus. All that was important to Jesus is that no matter what, He was willing to leave heaven, the protection of all the comfort He was accustomed too for this lady at this particular time. Jesus knew her past, he knew there would be some tough decisions for her to make, that she would have to drop her walls of protection that she had developed. But He also believed the great love of His Father could heal any wound, any fears, any abuses and truly give her a new life.
    The lady gave Jesus excuses, but He wouldn't hear them, He acknowledged her obstacles and confronted her that He could wash it all away, Jesus offered living water that last.

    Truly the adoption process of late nights and hard work for extra income is very insignificant compared to the process Jesus went through to adopt us into His family. He left comfort, left his father, came to be rejected, and nailed to a cross by the ones He longed to adopt.
    No longer do I think the process of adoption is a big and overwhelming process abused by money hungry people. Jesus gave the example of the difficulity of the adoption process, He stayed up late many nights and traveled long distances often, even suffered great heart ache on many occasions for the ones that were not a part of His family by birth.

    Prasie God that we recieve adoption by Jesus Christ because He was willing to go thru the long overwhelming process for the lost, hurting, distant ones that He loved. I am so glad I am an adopted child of God, I too had walls, I too rejected, I too gave Him reason for a heart ache yet in the end His love has won and healed every hurt of my past, broken down my walls of protection and I have great trust in Him now for my future. To be adopted into the family of Jesus truly is overwhelming with hope, healing, and love.

Breakdowns, Limited Funds & One Big Bull

2010-09-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Get the firewood ready for when it gets cold. That has been my thoughts for the past couple weeks, I am so looking forward to winter. I spent a good bit of time this past weekend, cutting and splitting wood. I can feel the warmth of the fire in the woodstove and the food being cooked at the same time as I am stacking the wood. I am really excited about it, excited about the future, when the cool comes.  While the wood stack is growing though something wonderful happens, the A/C decides to break, lol.  I was reminded of a long time truth as the A/C wouldn't work last night, and that is no matter how much wood you have, it is impossible to build a good enough fire to cool the house down.
    Sometimes I think we are so busy preparing for the future that we neglect the present. The reality is that God can take care of everything for us whether it is past, present or future, He is just that big. The human nature tends to want to plan things of the future that we can make happen I think. If I want to go on vacation, I start planning on how to save money for a particular time that I would like the vacation. If I want to wake up in the morning at a certain time, then I set my phone to make loud noises at that certain time. The future is always uncertain and God is in control of it, but if just the normal circumstances happen on a daily occurence then we can plan and be prepared for these physical needs and wants of the future.
    I love the way God constantly reminds my household that no matter how much planning we may do for the future, He is the only one who can completely take care of the present. Only God can truly take care of the present when a leg breaks or the house catches fire, or the job is suddenly lost, or the unexpected loss of a loved one, or maybe as in our case the simple loss of an A/C and the lack of funds to fix it. I agree air condition in definitely not a necessity but it sure is very appreciated.
    Yesterday the sudden need of the present had me in the yard getting ready to load some scrap iron (old washing machines, etc) to carry to the scrap yard for some funds. As I begin my task, I have 2 boys that have to get their boots on and get in the truck with me, I have fences to tear out of the way, and trailers to move, and trying to get to work by 8:30.
    There is alot more detail and to tell the truth I love my life and the sudden things that arise. The short of the story is the AC man came by and it ended up being a $30.00 fix instead of a $630.00 fix. As I start to put the windows down, I hear Calley screaming for help in the barn. As I get closer I see the bull is trying to knock the barn wall down to get in there with her and that sweet feed she has. I run him out, shut the gate and the boys walk out just in time to meet me in the driveway and look out to the pasture as we watch the bull push the gate open and run for the barn again. Isaac's immediately with his mouth dropped says, "cool!"
    Well the A/C was fixed, Calley quit milking and went inside to find Amaus drinking down a half full cup of coffee in the kitchen.
    It was a very fun morning honestly, and God took care of every sudden need of the present. This is all just another day in the life of a dad, husband, preacher, business man and friend. I love this life, and I love mornings like this, it would be a pretty boring life if all the future planned events worked perfect and no immediate situations ever happened. How boring and lame to try and fix a life that can operate without God's intervention and providing. I think when we delight in the sudden occurences and situations, that when it was all over God is problably thinking it was all pretty fun as well, after all He is a perfect Father that loves the interaction with His creation.
    Thank You Jesus for this awesome life, please don't quit giving the sudden events.

Matthew 6:31-34
do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Below is the result of a crazy morning, smiling faces. God is good.

2010-08-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

I have been going over a few blog ideas this week and was going to do some blogging today, then I opened my email. Below is an email that I recieved from our adoption agency today, I thought it was great and so I decided to just share it instead.

Praise God He doesn't need cents to make sense.

A Note from the Director - It Doesn't Make Cents (or Sense)

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" 1 Corinthians 1:18-20

Earlier this week a 23 year-old young man, a stand-out running back from the University of Alabama, and a current member of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers retired and walked away from the game of professional football. Reportedly, Glen Coffee walked away from a contract set to pay him upwards of $1 million over the next three years, not to mention a lucrative $828,000 signing bonus.

When interviewed by Matt Barrow's a Reporter for the San Francisco Bee, Coffee said, "It was a struggle for a long time...football was no longer my dream. I found Christ in college (and) it changed my views on everything." ESPN.com reporter Mike Sando commented on Coffee's sudden retirement, "if he does have regrets years later, he will have missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

As believers so much of what we are called to do is seen as radical, crazy, insane, and even demented to the world in which we live. Everyone has an opinion, and most aren't too shy to share it with you, especially when you're a making a decision that seems like a radical abandonment.

Reading the Bible, we soon learn that a life devoted to Christ is a life that looks foolish to those who don't know him. Isaiah was asked to prophecy to a people who would not listen or change their hearts. Hosea was asked to marry a harlot. Moses, slow in speech and despised, was asked to speak for and lead his people to a seemingly impossible task. The disciples were asked to lay down their nets, to leave their jobs and family and follow the Messiah. Jim Elliott was asked to go to Ecuador to a savage people whom later killed him, but received the Gospel in part to the faithfulness of his wife Elizabeth and their children. Glen Coffee was asked to leave football and millions of dollars. Countless numbers of families are called to rearrange their families, to travel to far off lands to graft orphaned children they've never seen into their families. Foolishness. Radical.

Meanwhile, the world exclaims, it doesn't make cents - why throw away money, the American Dream, your life? The opinions and comments come from every direction urging you, pleading with you, to follow the path of the world. It can be deafening. I urge you brothers and sisters, listen to the still small voice of your Savior who pleads I have something so much better.

So the questions you must ask yourself are, "do you believe that Jesus is worth abandoning everything for? Do you believe him enough to obey him and to follow him wherever he leads, even when the crowds - and even your church - turn the other way?"

Adoption and orphan care are hard. They are life altering and life changing. Caring for orphans challenges your faith, yet strengthens your resolve and hope in your creator. Parents, friends, co-workers, and even those within your church will challenge you and question you on your commitment. It doesn't make cents or sense at times, unless God calls you to it and then you have more cents and sense than ever.

In a recent article Dr. Russell Moore, the Dean of Students at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, likens adoption and orphan care to spiritual warfare. And the analogy is true. Satan does not want Christian involved in taking care of impressionable foster children who need stability, love, care, and Christ. Satan doesn't want a radical Christian family impacting an orphan not only for today but for an eternity. Satan detests when Christians organize to spread throughout the world training orphans with life skills and the Gospel. It is a war, but we serve a victorious God.

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, 'Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'" Isaiah 25:7-8

So the last question since we are fighting a war, "Will you join the ranks?" We need families to help us rescue children from literal perishing at home and around the world through adoption and foster care. Any good army enlists many volunteers and we need people to stuff packets, answer phones, recruit families, mentor birthmothers and orphans, etc. And lastly every good army is well funded - can you share the resource of Heaven with Lifeline as we seek to eradicate the word "orphan."

Partner with Lifeline today. Visit http://lifelineadoption.org/get-involved/invest/ or contact Deanna Crist at Deanna.crist@lifelineadoption.org today to donate to the cause, to apply to adopt, to sign up for a trip through our (un)adopted ministry and visit orphans in need, to apply to be a foster parents for a child in US foster care, or to volunteer in one of many ways for the sake of orphans.

Oh beloved, will you allow God to use you to impact the life of a child? Please do not hesitate to give Lifeline a call because we are here...

On behalf of the orphans.

Herbie Newell
Executive Director
Lifeline Children's Services
giving children a hope and a future

Faithfilled Life

2010-07-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

Exodus 14:12 "Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, "Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."
     Let's get some things clear first .
      1. The people talking here are Isrealites ,(God's people) talking to Moses (the man God placed as their leader)
      2. In the Old Testament, Egypt represents a sin controlled life
      3. The wilderness is the place God led them thru in order to get them to the Promise land, which God had reserved for them. It also represents the area of faith God wants us to live in, where we walk dependent on Him.

    (Now let's pretend like we are all on the same page and understand what was explained above)

    This scripture blows my mind! It is a scripture that has churned in my mind alot recently, and it is now churning again. God has called us to live in a place where our actions demand that God completes what we get into, or else we fail. I mean, isn't that what it really means to live by faith. How in the world can I really be living by faith if I only stay in situations that I can either naturally cause to happen or can by my own ability resolve if it goes bad. The Isrealites had been used to living in slavery and bondage and they never tried to go against that system. Then this man named Moses shows up with words from God Almighty and is an example of living by faith in the One who is unseen.
     Each time Moses went before Pharoah, it was by faith in God's power. If God didn't protect him, then Moses' only other option was instant death for insulting and commanding Pharoah. No one else ever dared to do this, because all Pharoah had to do was say, "Off with his head!" Moses was God's leader for the people of Isreal, and Moses lived moment to moment by faith. The people of Isreal liked Moses' faith, they liked his confidence, and they even followed him when he said it was time to leave the life of sin and slavery. The people learned a lesson very quickly. It was great to watch another person step out in faith, and it was great to see God at work in them- but it was a whole different situation to actually live by faith themselves.
     Sadly I think most people start their Christian life the same way.They see the way God shines through someone. They see the life in their eyes, and the passion of life and eternal life that seems to seems to sweat out of their pores. They say, "I want that." Starting out because of seeing how God works through someone is awesome, but God doesn't want us to continue to live off of the rememberances of what He did for another person in times past. God's desire is for people to live a life that writes their own personal story of a faith filled life. A life that demands, either God shows up or we fail.
      I have learned that Exodus 14:12 shows us the difference in a person who lives with dependence on God, versus just following a person who is dependent on God. Those who live by faith find themselves in desperate situations that have amazing results of God's power answering their cries. Those who simply try to follow another person without ever trully living by faith themselves always ending up fussing about the place their leader led them too, and end up looking back at their life of sin as though they enjoyed the shame.
      The story that God finishes as a result of a faithfilled life, is so much better than the history satan has lead us too in our past. Step out, everyone needs a Moses to follow, but everyone needs to become a Moses for others as well. Everyone needs a leader, and God has intended for everyone to become a leader to another.

I believe Jesus said it like this, ""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, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28:19)

Thoughts from a man whose eyes have been opened

2010-07-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

This past week Calley and I were making our weekend visits to see family and friends. We were traveling down the lake highway when God just began flooding my mind with the stage of life that I am in.  It is finally setting in with me that I really am 31 and soon to be 32.  I am now just barely a month away from being a child of God for 13 years! I have been a husband for nearly 8 years, and a father for over 6. I was a youth pastor for 8 years or so and now, a pastor for just over a year.
    Life has truly been a real adventure since that wonderful night in August of 1997.  I remember that night in that downstairs chapel at Louisiana College, it is something that forever stays close to my heart and the picture stays in my mind.  As I look back at that moment, I think about all that God has done for me or thru me since that night, I think of the the tears and the laughter. It is overwhelming to try to understand this level of joy that Jesus has filled my heart with.
   A life for Jesus is so misunderstood by the majority of people, I think. It saddens me to see this.  As God flashes memories of my last 13 years to me, I am amazed by what has happened since that August night. The initial adoption into the family of God is not the great end of the road that most view, it is only the beginning of years of amazing adventure, trails, rescues, miracles, and heart regeneration to unimaginable levels.
   I would never have dreamed that being a Christian meant such a level of peace and victory that is beyond description. The call of Jesus is not for us to say a prayer, His call is for us to surrender in order for him to do His good work and purpose through us.
Phillipians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

    I remember well the tears of Aug 1997, and many tears since then. I remember the tears of last week, and I see that Psalm 126:5 is being fulfilled. (Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.)

   I believe that Aug 97 was the greatest moment in history of my life, that night completely changed all rules for the years to come. Right now in 2010 though I believe I am on the heels of the greatest work that God has ever done in my Christian life. I see it coming with tears sown and joy to be reaped. At this point in time, everything on the inside of me is overflowing because of the growth I see within Cornerstone Church of Vidalia, LA. I see God sending us the hopeless, rejected, those who have been abused by worldly promises. I see God using our body of believers to reach out and love people in a way that is beyond our ability, because He is the power working within.
   If God broke my heart in Aug 97 just for this moment in time, it has been well worth the wait. There are currently over 30,000 people within a 20 mile radius, and Lord I want to reach each one that others haven't reached out to. I want to reach out to those whom others have given up on. The census according to July 2008 says Concordia parish has 19,000 people and the city of Natchez, MS has an estimated 16,413 as of 2008.

Prayer: Lord, lots of people within our area don't know You or what You have planned for them. Use us to bring the local people of our area to a life that's surrendered to You and the truth of Your ability to do things exceedingly beyond their imaginations for them.

New Things

2010-07-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Time to revive this baby.... Got lots going on, lots of faith steps happening, and lots to share.

Revelations of a broken glass

2010-02-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I was reading my bible and felt really impressed to read John 15:2, so I did and honestly nothing jumped out at me about that verse but I kept on reading. Sometimes I believe God lays a verse on our hearts and then we read it and maybe thunder doesn't sound loudly when we look at it, so we are left thinking, "well that must have just been me thinking that and not God speaking." Well I must confess that is how I felt but I kept on reading and when I reached the end of John 16 I felt like I had just been caught in a tornado of the Holy Spirit. I was alone in a room and I shouted out LOUD, and I think I cried some too. Here is the verse that screamed out at me
John 16:32."But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

    As I read the end of the verse it was if God had pulled me off the couch and blew me into the wall. In this verse Jesus is telling about the terrible events that are about to happen to Him for our good. He tells those who had been closest to Him for the past 3 1/2 years that they are about to leave Him high and dry all by Himself. At the single most physically and emotionally hard time of Jesus's life, on earth, those closest to Him are about to leave Him alone.
    The thing that jumped out at me was that Jesus though He was fully God and yet fully man acknowledged that regardless of what the situation is looking like, regardless of who is there with Him, He is NEVER alone, cause He is very conscious of God being literally with Him.
     This verse was a huge blessing to me, it renewed the reality that no matter what, I am never alone. The verse renewed the reality to me that no matter who we are, no matter what we may go thru, we are never ever alone when our identity and hope is in the God of salvation, Jesus Christ.
    Well great, you may say, that is great, but what does a broken glass have to do with this? Well yesterday I walked into my kitchen to see that my youngest had threw a glass down and shattered it all over the floor. So as always, I go into strict safety mode, I make everyone clear out, cause they are bare footed and I realize that when the glass breaks there are very tiny pieces that can spread far across the floor. I got the vacuum out and began getting the small pieces up, because I know some pieces may not make it into the dust pan if I just sweep and therefore can cause great pain that is hard to spot and get out once a small glass shaving works into the bottom of a person's foot. As I got down low to look for any sparkles from a sliver I might have missed, I would discover small particles that indeed were spread out and would have been missed if I didn't get on the right angle to look.
     Well as I noticed these hard to see sharp, tiny slivers of glass, it was if God began to open John 16:32 up to me again. I believe God showed me this
    "this broken glass is a lot like people, everyone has broken lives, people have been broken because of the sin nature. Now once a person repents and receives Jesus as their Savior, then Jesus not only saves them, but restores the broken life. Jesus cleans up the broken pieces of our past, and this is a great moment. Often when a person is initially saved, there is this awesome assurance that no matter what comes, we are not alone. We realize that in Christ there truly is rescue and hope and forgiveness and healing of our past, but sometimes there are areas that we let linger from our past. The things of our past may be hurts that we think we have gotten over, or it may be some unforgiveness that we decide we are going to hold onto because "that person shouldn't have done what they did." Well for the time being all is ok, because we are so overjoyed about the fact that Jesus Christ gave His life for us, and the healing is so refreshing. However overtime if we do not allow Jesus into every corner and secret place of our life we end up being reminded of that bad time, or bad event or something someone did that hurt, and at that point we can easily think we are alone again in dealing with the matter.
     The little bits of pain and unforgiveness hurt very badly once they have worked there way back into our life because we didn't completelty let go of them in the past. The pain will hurt just like those little pieces of glass left on a floor, they may not be seen immediately because we are so excited about the immediate big things being removed from our site, like the option of hell in our future being gone, or the sin that seemed to control you not controling you anymore but those little things always resurface, if they aren't let go of.
    The lesson God was teaching me is that when those little things surface down the road, they do need to be dealt with and forgiven or let go of, but never forget the God who was with you in the beginning when the big things were removed is still with you, when the little things that we have shoved aside come back to hurt us. The healing is available, Jesus can heal ever hurt and every pain, the most valuable thing to remember is even when you are alone, you are not alone, God is with you. God plus one equals a majority.

The Scriptures Are Evermore Revealing

2010-01-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

I am constantly blessed and amazed at how God can take a scripture and continually expand its deepness to a person's heart. As I read the bible, the verses I know very well and some that I can't remember ever reading before both have the same freshness and power. I hear so often from people who know they aren't living God's plan for their lives, "I know that" or "You can't tell me anything I don't already know or haven't heard." The point of the scriptures never was to know it all, or to be a supper genious of the black and white text of the bible. The scriptures are for the purpose of God revealing His heart to mankind, and mankind being able to hear God's voice as He reveals it from His heart directly to man.
    When we understand that God always has a conversation ready to enjoy with us personally and daily, then that is when the Scriptures come alive, and joy begins to be overwhelming. There truly is no greater and more enjoyable place to be than in God's perfect plan. The beauty of what God desires of us is that it is great for Him and what is great for Him, is great for us.
     With all that said, God really brought a well know scripture alive to me yesterday.
Ephesians 5:25
      Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;

This is a verse that I have read many times, I could quote it and say it anytime, but just yesterday it became deeper and more alive than ever.
    We live in a time were I am seeing so many girls and ladies dissappointed with men they have chosen. Now I am talking particularly about single ladies, if you are married well hopefully your husband reads this.
I see ladies and girls that are attracted to the funny, nice guys that say nice things, only to end up dissappointed with what he turns out to be. Now the right guy can be funny and nice, but if His Godliness isn't first then don't be upset when you learn how he really is. Ultimately you end up with just what you asked for.
    The bible says Husbands, love your wives, Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her;
Wow, that means that the husbands role is to literally be the savior of the family on this earth, he should be a man that is willing to give up his life, his time, his emotions for the betterness of the family. If that means hunting/fishing/ or "time with the boys" has to be given up in order to be a real man and grow a stronger relationship with his wife, then so be it. A husband is to be a man, that is willing to be a mockery to the world in order to be the savior of his household. A husband is to be a man that is emotionally stable, a real husband has no room for wearing his feelings of his shoulders. Man if we had daddies and husbands like God told us to be, then divorce wouldn't even be a word, and a wife would not be insecure.
     I trust in Jesus because He is the One, Who gave Himself for me. He put my needs before His wants, He did ask if there was any way other than the cross, then let Him do it, but He ended the statement with "Not My will but Your Will be done." Jesus has showed His faithfulness to me, and has proved Himself over and over, He has forgiven me over and over, and has believed in me from the beginning and never wavered. Oh if we had husbands like this today, what a difference it would make.
    Oh if we also had women who only went for men like this, then all the guys that are going to be a dissappointment because they are arrogant and selfish would be by themselves. If the ladies went after Godly men instead of seeking the funny and flattering ones, then the flattering ones would never dissappoint any lady and the ladies would never be dissappointed.
    I believe the responsibility for any family issue not fixed, and the failure of any family rest on the husband above all, cause He is given the responsibility. But I also believe if the ladies choose an unGodly man, they shouldn't be surprised with unGodly results. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church.

Again forgive me for misspellings, typos, and grammatical errors.

Ponderings The Day Before Christmas Eve

2009-12-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

As a child I enjoyed Christmas as much as any child does, I liked getting presents like most people do. But I remember as I got older I still liked the presents I just didn't really care about the whole Christmas festivities. My family always made Christmas eve a drawn out night, we would eat, then read the bible, then sit around and sing Christmas songs for seemed like eternity. After all the program finally finished we would pass out presents.   As I got later in my teenage years I really disliked all the traditions of my family, I put up with it cause I had too, but it seemed to drag out forever. My concern at 17 & 18 years old was that I wanted to open presents and then go to the parties were my friends were, where everyone else was drinking and having a good time.
     At that point in my life I didn't realize what a treasure I had for a family, I didn't realize that my parents had extreme love for me because they cared more about sharing Christ with me than they cared about me going to have a supposedly good time with my friends.
     Well August 25th 1997 I gave my life to Jesus Christ, it was an exciting thing for me. In August 1997 my whole world turned upside down for the good, I wasn't a good example of a Christian or on behalf of Jesus for a while. Consistently as time went own, the Holy Spirit kept showing me things that I needed to let go of, if I was going to truly live for Jesus and be a reflection of Him. Many things changed very quickly and some gradually, and honestly the Holy Spirit is still changing me to be more like Jesus. But of all the details of my life that changed, one thing that happened was radical and instant, I all of a sudden began desiring the Christian atmostphere that I had ran from. I no longer found entertainment and appeasement in the worldly life of drinking and just being dumb as I had before. And from that moment till today, there is this amazement I have of how Jesus has loved me through so many dumb choices of my life.
    I stand amazed that at my worst and at my best, Jesus loved me, and had given His life for me to show that love. So with all that in mind, Christmas 1997 marked a new love for Christmas that I had never had. Christmas 1997 I was anxious alright, I was anxious to hear the story of my Savior's birth, and sing the songs of His wonderful gift of Salvation to all who will call on Him. The presents were going to be appreciated that night, but for all I cared the presents could wait because the joy was in the ultimate Giver of Life and not just the gifts. Each year I stand more amazed at the story of the Savior's birth and His willingness to come to the earth to rescue people.
    Whether Christmas stirs memories of sadness or joy I leave you with a reminder of what Jesus has done to reach out to you.
1 Peter 1:18-20
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

Editors note: Due to the fact that I have to rush off, this blog hasn't been edited yet, so please overlook the misspellings and grammatical errors that appear for now.

Take Heart

2009-11-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

I have been thinking alot about the Joy of The Lord the last day and 1/2 or so. In His presence is fullness of joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength. These are scriptures that have been ringing through my head.

This morning I came across the above scripture (John 16:33), and it seemed to scream out the reason for the joy. The joy or peace in this world is in Jesus. Life will give many dissappointments, many struggles, many temptations for worldly possesions and pleasures. However a fulfilled & joyful life is a life that has peace in Jesus regardless of physical things that occur.
Take heart, be of good cheer, no matter the thoughts, no matter the obstacles, no matter the sickness or pain. No matter what comes Jesus has absolutely overcome the world. The world or worldly system or temptation is not the master, Jesus is the master.
Have peace in sorrow, peace in trails because the situation doesn't control you, but Jesus in you controls the situation. No wonder Paul said in

Colossians 3:2

Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.

The joy is found in the things of heaven; misery, dissappointment, discontentment, jealousy, is found in the things and situations of this earth.

Be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world.

October 31st message

2009-10-28T13:54:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to clear somethings that Calley says may not be so clear.

So here we go:

1. Saturday's fun begins at 5 till 8

2. The bible character dress up is for adults as well as children, and I think it would be wonderful to be as involved as possible as an encouragement to the children and showing a real involvement with them. Come even if you don't dress up, but it sure would be cool if you would.

3. Guys --- if you are willing I would love to see you at 1:30 to help with setting up for the activities for the night.

4. Girls --- contact Calley at 601-334-0724 or Cristi at 336-9539 for help in that department.

5. Everybody is wanted by 5:00pm on Saturday. :)

Also I would like to explain somethings about this fun Saturday night.
As a church, as pastor, and as just plain on Danny Reed, halloween is not a celebrated event. On the subject of Halloween, it is an evil root that it began with, and because of evil it still exist today. I can explain the traditions and origins of Halloween in pretty good detail, but I will save time and say you can google it or ask me and I will be glad to explain. To say that the evil origins and the evils of halloween till this day are not obvious is really just ignoring the obvious.

With that said, some may wonder why are we having anything on halloween then. Well this is an event that Calley and I have wrestled with for several years, and have strongly opposed. For years I have excused myself from halloween alternatives by saying "Christians shouldn't have an alternative to evil." Each year I have also thought to myself well plenty of other churches have activities going on for an alternative. And while they are both true and valid, the fact I can't ignore any longer is that some of the children that go to our church will not go anywhere else.

This year we decided to venture out and begin this annual event because number one I don't believe in alternatives, so why not take what the devil intended for evil and kick him in the face with a Godly atmosphere and a wholesome enviroment for people to be in. Jesus isn't an alternative, He is the defeator of the devil. This is a night of victory not just alternatives. The more time goes on, the more I realize that the less Christians do, the more people the devil ruins, and I don't want to miss an opportunity to rescue someone.

In light of all the above I have finally decided on a name for Saturday's event. It is Hallelujah Night, cause it is a night that Jesus will be lifted up, regardless of the reasons that October 31st began a couple 100 years ago, Jesus is the victor, He has defeated the devil and he won't stop. HALLELUJAH OUR GOD REIGNS.

Have an awesome day,

Danny and Calley

p.s. I take no responsibility for bad grammar, runons, fragments, rambling or the likes. lol.

The reaction matters

2009-10-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

Now this is what I am talking about. A verse like this gets me all excited cause it completely slams the human's natural sinful reaction.
   As a child and teenager, a youth pastor and now pastor, I have heard through the years all to often of the kids that say "my daddy/momma told me if someone hits me and I don't hit em back then I will be in trouble when I get home." The other statements I hear are from parents, "well I don't want my kid getting pushed around, I want him/her to stand up for themself." I realize the statements sound right, and people think they are right but the truth is they are wrong.

   I can say from my 31 years of life, there are 2 very real truths:
1. Look for trouble and you will find trouble. In other words if you are always running your mouth and feel the need to have the last word, then sooner or later somebody is going to punch you in the face.
2. If you don't start trouble, then 99% there will be no trouble. In other words, if you would learn to not be cocky and shut your mouth every now and then, then you will find yourself with more and better friends.

Now with that in mind, lets examine something. According to the scripture. the person who is doing the hitting is evil in the eyes of God. And no matter from the nice guy who had a bad day to the serial killer who may kill my very own child, my job and God's expectation of me is to forgive the person and love them regardless. Now yes the government is set up to protect us, and it is the government's job to put the people who do crimes in jail, but my job is to love them and forgive them. This is hard to do, I know of only one man so far other than Jesus who has forgiven someone no matter what. A man named Richard Coss had grandchildren in Oklahoma City when Timothy McVeigh blew up the building known as the Oklahoma City bombing. Richard after some time went and talked to McVeigh face to face and told him that he was forgiven, and proceded to share the message of Jesus Christ to him. What a freedom it is to not have bitterness.
    The other fact in the scripture is that if the person who throws the first punch is evil, then the person who responds with a punch is in the same category. So for parents who encourage their child to not get pushed around and to hit back, you my friend are training your child to be evil. I believe any parent has a sincere desire to not want to train their child to be evil. For the person who encourages their friend to fight back and get mad, you are also in the evil category.
     I believe majority of adults do not want to be evil, but it is our human natures. Simply because of our birth as sinners we are actually born evil. At any moment in this life though, we can ask for God's forgiveness and be free of this guilt and evilness. Ultimately our sins are the nails that were hammered in Jesus's hands and feet. My and your sins are the ultimate slap of death to Jesus, and yet to all who are willing to receive the forgiveness, He will turn the other cheek and love you while doing so.

Timothy McVeigh

I would have let this kid hang out around my house, I would probably have went fishing and hunting with this guy. He looked harmless, but looks don't matter when a person does not know the love and forgivness of Jesus. Live life like Jesus is walking beside you, share Him with others, you never know how many people's lives will be affected because you do.

I bet alot of people thought he was harmless, the right friends could have been the right example to him and possibly saved alot of people from a very sad day. The truth is any of your friends have the potential to be the next rapest, murderer, molestor, will you tell them about the love of Jesus? Will you live it out, so they can see the love of Jesus? Will you turn the other cheek, and teach your children and friends to do the same thing? From what I see everybody just wants to be really loved. People want a love so great that gives them purpose and give them significance. The only problem is apart from accepting the love of Jesus there is no other perfect love that last and fulfills in this entire world.

The Laugh Is A Lie

2009-10-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

LAUGHTER IS A CONCEALER

Proverbs 14:13

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends the grief remains.

Conceal--to keep from being seen, found, observed, or discovered; hide

Grief--Deep mental anguish, source of deep mental anguish, annoyance or frustration, trouble or difficulty

As I read this verse a couple of days ago, my heart began to break. It breaks for the fact of what I have seen throughout my life and what I have seen in teenage boys and girls throughout my years as a youth minister. I now see this in adults. It seems that the ones who laugh the most are the ones who so often hurt the most on the inside. The ones who laugh at anything and seem so happy go lucky are also so often the ones who cry themselves to sleep at night.

This is a hard thing to deal with because so often the same people will make sure and not let anyone get too close. There is the other group of people who seem to always have a chip on their shoulder all the time, these are the ones that get picked on, and hated for the way they act.

What I have discovered is that when people laugh, lots of times they laugh to hide the hurt. I have also learned that when people are mean, they are mean because they have been hurt so badly that for all they know every nice talking person is a con and nobody can be trusted.

The world we live in shows us according to TV shows that beautiful equals happy, yet their beauty is fake. We see famous people that have amazing weddings, the only problem is they never stay married more than an average 2 to 3 years max. A once famous rapper Snoop Dogg didn't even allow his children to listen to his music yet he didn't mind ruining the minds of others teaching that women, money and booze equals happiness.

Jesus desires to bring healing, He has paid the price for healing. The problem with humans today is that we have been trained that everybody is really a fake and a dissapointment, so Jesus can only be more of the same. After all, it is difficult for some to believe in a loving God they can't see when they have been hurt by so many they can see.

     The message hasn't changed, Jesus still displayed his love by His death on the cross. Jesus Christ was involved in creation and He chose to come to earth not to bail people out of hell. In Revelation 13:8 it states "the Lamb (Jesus) that was slain from the creation of the world."
     Jesus Christ plan was to come to earth to suffer, be rejected and die a perfect sinless life in order to cover the sins of people. The sins He would cover on that cross were the sins of the people that He was about to create. Jesus knows we are flawed people, He knows the hurting hearts, and He truly loves you.
     Laughter can hide the pain, but the pain will remain. Your friends don't care enough to be able to see past the smile or past the stange anger you seem to have towards people for no reason. Jesus does care. Jesus can and will heal. Only you know what inside of you, others don't. Don't pretend for them any longer, if the laughter is not getting you free of the issues of your heart, then quit trying a failed plan. Turn to the one who knows and cares more than any other.

John 8:11b And Jesus said, "neither do I condemn you, now go and sin no more."

I wonder what she is really like on the inside, wonder what the guys are really like on the inside. I wonder what they are really thinking right now.

I know the emptiness on the inside of these guys cause I used to be one of them. I smiled but felt so unaccepted. I got tired of being a fake, I learned that faking never ends the issues, and never heals. Jesus healed my heart 8/25/97. When did or will He heal yours?

Life is short

2009-09-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 3:1-4
1.But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3.without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4.treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--

     Wow, I think this pretty much describes society. Now I am not the person to say that it is the end of the world, but the end will come one day, and people will be living when it does happen. It amazes me to talk with people, I find that almost every person lives like they will never die, yet people die everyday. It is obvious that the devil doesn't mind most of the human race believing that the world will end, just not now and also that every person will die but just not for a long time like at 97 years old or something.
    This is all interesting to me cause I remember thinking like this, and still catch myself thinking this way sometimes. I remember as a kid I planned on living it up until about 40 years old and then I would settle down, get married and probably go to church. It never occured to me that I could die at 8 or 10 or 20 or at just anytime. As I got to be a teenager I realized that one day Jesus would come back to earth and at that time everyone would go to heaven or hell depending on whether they had chose Jesus as their Savior or not. But while I knew Jesus would come back I never considered that it could happen while I was alive. So for a large part of my life I lived it up, after all I was going to settle down at 40 years old.
      As I sit here today and reflect, I am glad that I woke up to the fact that when a person truly believes on Jesus to be their Savior then He literally changes their very nature. He changes our wants and our likes and dislikes. I now see that Jesus could return at literally any moment, maybe today, maybe before I finish this post.
      The facts are obvious for those who look for signs, we are a generation of people that is more pleasure seeking than words can describe, talking about being disobedient well there is medicine for that now days. There are those who are without self control, oh yea thats right we call this road rage and yes there is a road rage pill available. The bottom line is we have become a people who seek after pleasures rather than God and we seek a pill to fix our problems rather than Jesus who can heal the issue.
      The saddest reality of seeking pleasure though is that I don't know of a single person who has ever found a true pleasure that last, and doesn't fade and doesn't grow old apart from the joy that is found in Jesus.

Could it be that the very thing that we as a people avoid is the very thing that we really want? I can say from my own experience that it was Jesus that I stayed away from for a large part of my life and I later discovered that Jesus was all I truly ever wanted. Worldy pleasures come and go, and usually leave people with hangovers, STD's and depression, but Jesus brings a joy into a person's life that never stops. Even when the world is over, life will be good.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Think Of As Human

2009-09-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now! 17.What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

Wow, I think all of mankind has been guilty of this. It seems that it is often a struggle to try to explain to a person the amazing love of God. There are really no words on this earth that can describe Jesus in a way that a person who isn't a Christian would understand. Jesus seems to be hard to describe because all discriptive adjectives are based on something that is physical and known to the physical senses. Jesus is way beyond the physical though, His work is done on us from the inside and then comes out. How is someone to describe that they have this amazing joy even in the middle of physical hard times? A non-christian can't understand having joy immediatly after you just became paralized for life, I know a person this happened too. A non-christian can't understand knowing that no matter what happens, God really does love and He does forgive, that God does not turn anyone away that calls out to Him. But once a person calls out to Jesus and cry out to be forgiven of their sins, then that person becomes a 100% new person, because they are instantly given a clean heart. This clean heart that God gives has different emotions, and a different view point. As a sincere Christian, the person realizes that God is not suprised by the storm in their life, He knows the end results, and is ready to walk you through to victory.
All the confusion begins as Paul said in the scripture above though, he used to think Jesus to be like other humans. Humans are born sinners and are terribly wicked by nature, though Jesus will change that nature to all who call to Him. Most people view Jesus for instance like a person who likes you when your good, and is mad at you when your bad. From a non-christian mind set, a person may even view Jesus as saying 3 strikes and your out. However Jesus is not like the rest of mankind, He wasn't born a sinner, in fact He never sinned. Since He was not born with our wicked heart, He does not have a wicked heart. Jesus has a heart full of compassion and healing. His desire is for all of man-kind to have a very very close relationship with Him. In spite of our rebellion and rotten attitudes, Jesus is still forgiving and reaching out to us. Don't ever be fooled my friend that Jesus has given up on you or doesn't want you. Just the same, don't believe that because Jesus loves you so much He would not allow you to be miserable and die and go to hell. We make the choice of obtaining a new nature that we weren't born with naturally, and we make the choice of where we spend eternity based on whether or not we called out to Jesus to be our perfect father during our life. Once you are truly a Christian, you will no longer view Jesus from your human point of view.

Isaiah 65:2 2."I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,

Prejudices That Must Die

2009-08-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

Galatians 3:27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.
This is a subject that is to some degree constantly on my mind. As I have grown up as a non-christian and now a large portion of my life as a christian there are many "Christians" who have confused me with their talk. Prejudice is a trait that I find in all races of people, but sadly also in alot of Christians.
I think it is time that the body of Christ acknowledges and confronts those we call brother and sister about allowing this characteristic of satan to have place in their new life in Christ.
Once a man had a near death experience, during that time he reflected on his life and had many regrets for the racial jokes he made on a regular basis. This same man, told myself as well as several others to keep him accountable, and he wanted to live the rest of his life with no more racial jokes or thoughts, he realized when facing death what a sin that the jokes were. Within 2 weeks time, this same man was feeling as if he hadn't almost died, and was back to his old self, with the old jokes. I pulled him aside and spoke privately with him, as he had asked me to just a couple of weeks prior. I thought all was well, but quickly found out that now the joke was on me, cause he went back to the crowd and told how I had pulled him aside and confronted him. I immediately became the punchline for the crowds jokes. People made fun of me then instead of other races. I didn't mind being picked on but it did bother me that the whole crowd claimed to be christian, they were all church regulars, some leaders.
I don't say this to say all Christians are hypocrites, I tell the story to confront the body and say this is a shame. If one part suffers or is weak, then the whole body suffers, you suffer and I suffer. We are called to strengthen one another, and to keep each other accountable, but do understand that when our wrongs are pointed out our flesh will not like it, but the spirit man craves it. Who do we desire to please more, the flesh or the spirit.
Before parting, some people may think the man in my story needs to not talk like he does, after all one human is no more favored than another in God's eyes. Jesus loves and desires everyone.
The real question is what about you and I, is there any racism in you? Maybe you wouldn't tell a racist or degrading joke, maybe you don't enjoy that humor, good for you. Would you have a problem with your child, grandchild, sibling marrying a person of another race? If so, then you my friend like it or not are racist. A sad fact I see in the church among parents is they don't mind their child dating or even marrying a lost person, or just a person who attends church but has no passion for Jesus at all. However the same parent would be upset if their child was dating or engaged to a person of another race who is radically in love with Jesus.
The old people say it would cause hardship on the children of the couple, or that society would give them a hard time. Hey people, the world accepted the interracial couples and children a long time ago.
Paul said we are all united in baptism. Paul said there is neither Greek or Jew once a person is in Christ. Have you accepted this truth from God's word? Until love sees no dividing lines among God's people, the body of Christ is greatly restrained and hindered.
1 John 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister; that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?
Some people think my view point on God's Word is to harsh or strong, I just simply see the Word of God as black and white with no room left for gray.

Scattered fun thoughts of the day

2009-08-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

After a long day yesterday and a good nights sleep, it was a perfect time to get and spend in the Word this morning. But just as my eyes opened up to the world today, once I noticed that I had slept a little later than I like, I quickly noticed that my youngest son had discovered the new day as well. This is usually no problem as he quickly goes back to sleep, but today was different. Just as one son was anxious to play, so was another son right behind him. I love my children, but I love the fact that they have been sleeping so well in the mornings also. There is nothing like waking up and being very alert, and just sitting in the presence of Jesus Christ. Ahh I get refreshed and joyful just thinking about it.
This morning, I didn't get my bible time, I instead got to play with my children, which is good. After Calley came to the world this morning, we had a wonderful time visiting. In years past I have felt like maybe I wasn't quite as Chirstian if I had a busy morning and wasn't able to read my bible. Now when I say busy, I mean unavoidable things, like children, not just plain laziness.
As Calley and I visited a verse quickly came to my mind.
Lamentations 3:23
21. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

As Calley and I talked and enjoyed our time together, our minds dwelt and wondered to the fact of the more a person grows in knowledge and love of Jesus, the more we realize that there is always more to learn, and even very fun to learn. God is a big God, He is a loving God, and He is an very fun God. It is a blast when He reveals Himself to man in a way that man previously did not know Him. Discovering the God on a more intimate level on a daily basis, is so refreshing and so fun. His mercies truly are new every morning. His love is new everyday. No wonder God wants man to love his wife, like Christ loves the church. There are many ways this can be explained, but a huge overlooked way is for the love to be new every morning, to be fun and refreshing everyday.

Sorry this blog come out as some scattered thoughts, but it has been another fun day.

Calley will probably let me know when she sees this picture. This is how I see if she reads my blog.

What A Difference A Prayer Makes

2009-07-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Recently God has branded two scriptures on my spirit man.

1. John 15:7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted

2. Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

I have turned these Scriptures in my head like never before, and I can honestly say believed them like never before. Well a few weeks ago, I began searching for a dear friend that I haven't seen in probably 6 years and had no clue where he was. I searched the internet and couldn't find him, so I just casually asked God to help me find him. And look out within a few days I come face to face with him. A friend who had lived in the Dallas area, and has been living in Winnsboro for a couple of years now, and in Sicily Island God works it out. There are so many details to how God brought us together that would take hours to type, but the bottom line is God gave me exactly what I asked. And not only that, God gave far above what was asked and now it is obvious that God put the desire in my heart to look for my friend for a reason. God knows what we all need, right when we need it.
Sorry I can't go into great detail, but I will say this, the devil got kicked in the face by God bringing the friendship back together, and lives have been saved as a result.

I leave with this verse about the Holy Spirits purpose

John 16:14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

The Holy Spirit, unknowing to me, was telling me that Jesus wanted me to find my old friend. And much Glory has been brought to Jesus Christ as a result.

Whatever we ask, truly will be granted!!! And when we are abiding in Christ, Christ is leading us in what we ask. Just think about it like this, if God puts the request that we ask in our Spirit man, why would He not answer His own request?

2009-07-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

It is has been a long time since I have updated this blog, but I think its time for one today.

Why is it that, the same struggles the Isrealites had when leaving Egypt are the same struggles most believers still have here 1000's of years later. Throughout the old testament, God was continually building up his people, by reminding them that He would hold them up, and that He was in control. God was continually telling His people "Don't be discouraged, don't be afraid, I am with you." Now here we are in 2009 and the believers of today are still getting scared or discouraged when we don't get what we think we immediately need. Maybe we need to remember that God knows what we need and when we need, after all He is God.
If God didn't mess up when He created the world, and Jesus didn't fail in carrying out his mission on earth, and the Holy Spirit has always given power to overcome, then why do believers freak out, stress out, worry and get bad attitudes when a situation is not what they want.
Remember the Isrealites, they didn't like being in Egypt and God delivered them, and they whined about the way they were delivered. Once the Isrealites got the reports of the giants in the land that God had given them, they whined and lost the land. Joshua and Caleb, didn't worry and didn't whine, and they possessed God's promise of the land.
Maybe we need to be reminded that there is no need to be discouraged, or afraid. The people of the bible who missed out on the promises God had given them, were the people who's attitude was based upon their situation. On good days, they were all good, on bad days they were all easily set off and upset. The ones who's personality and attitudes followed their faith and not their situation received great promises from God.

John 15:7 But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for ANYTHING you want, and it WILL be granted

Lambs Among Wolves

2009-04-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

Luke 10:2-3
2 These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. 3 Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

This really nailed me this morning. What a crazy statement, what a non encouraging statement in the physical sense. Think about this, a lamb and a wolf, the lamb doesn't stand a chance. The lamb always gets eating by the wolf, the wolf always wins. I think a lot of christians think they are beaten and that the wolf is treating them like this.

or maybe sometime a christian has felt like this against the world.

It is the defeated attitude, like "oh I am just a poor sheep, help me Lord in this world of wolves."

But you know the beautiful thing about sending us out as lambs among wolves. The beautiful part is the impossibility, God works only on the level of the impossible. He heals the sick, He raises the dead, He rebukes the demon and He gives this power to lambs which is able to change or convert a wolf to a lamb. Do we realize that before we come to Christ we are all wolves, we are as the bible calls it "enemies of the cross." But by the saving power of Jesus Christ a wolf can instantly change from a selfish, arrogant, mean, filthy wolf, to a pure, spotless, beautiful lamb. A lamb is not a defeated wimp, maybe a more accurate picture of a lamb which has His/Her spiritual armor on would look more like this.

OK so maybe that's a little extreme, but I like the picture.

Maybe instead of feeling like we can't take it anymore at our job, or in our house, or in a place you have to be all the time. Maybe it is time we view ourselves as God looks at us. We are more than conquers, through Christ Jesus. In this lamb among wolves world, we are the strongest, we are the most powerful, we are called to reach the lost, we have the person living inside us who can change a wolf to a lamb.

And if the power God has given a lamb is not believable to you, well think about who the One is that protects the lambs. The Lion of Judah, God Almighty, is the One who strongly protects us.

And He treats His lambs like this
(I take no credit for my grammar skills, so please ignore them)

Forgiveness

2009-03-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Luke 17:1-5
1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting. 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck than to face the punishment in store for harming one of these little ones. 3 I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him." 5 One day the apostles said to the Lord, "We need more faith; tell us how to get it."
This is really a neat passage to me, if you think about it forgiveness is probably the area most looked over in people's lives. So often we are so quick to get mad when we feel like we have been done wrong, but Jesus basically says "who cares what anybody does to you, forgive them." Have you ever taken the time to think if God really wants us to forgive in every circumstance?
Well the amazing part of this passage is that Jesus is talking about forgiveness and the disciple's first statement is asking for faith. The disciples reply to Jesus seems to give the impression that they heard him and then said "yea, yea, that's nice but tell us about this faith stuff, we want to do some cool things." Today as I was reading this passage, I was hit with a whole different perspective. The disciples in their reply simply realized something far to many people never do, they realized that forgiveness at the level Jesus required cannot be achieved without faith. So often we are guilty of trying to make ourselves forgive, and yet it seems that the harder we try to forgive, the harder it is. Man does not have the righteousness level needed to forgive when we have been treated wrong. True forgiveness, complete real forgiveness, is only attainable by trusting Jesus to work through us, so that we can forgive people as he requires of us. What a great feeling to truly forgive someone to the extent, that even when they wrong you again, you don't remember about the past times that you have been done wrong.
What a wonderful, beautiful, and free life we can have if only we decide to believe Jesus in every single circumstance.

Oh This Is Good

2009-03-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 3:10 God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

I have never understood the whole evil spirits in heavenly places stuff, but I accept it. The thing that gets me excited here is that if you put these verses together, you instantly get a complete package.
Many people are famaliar to some degree with Ephesians 6:12 but I would imagine Ephesians 3:10 is not very well known. Thoughout the Bible God is constantly telling us to get our eyes off the physical circumstances and physical obstacles and to look at things from a spiritual view point. For example, a person involved in adultery has a spirit problem and the physical actions are only because of the spiritual problem. To know God is to love Him, and to love Him is to obey Him. So therefore any disobedience to God, or any insecurity or selfishness problem or pride is not just a person's character, but the person's character is a reflection of their spiritual condition.
Well maybe it will be easier to fight off these evil powers and authorities if we recognize our high calling as the body of Christ. Ephesians 3:10 says that the purpose of the Church (followers of Jesus Christ worldwide) is to show off God, His wisdom, His power. What an awesome privilege to be the object that God points to, in order to show the devil why the evil powers and authorities are the losers. God has designed and appointed believers to be powerful people of faith, who walk and live in a manner that shames the devil.
To me that is a reminder of the high calling and responsiblity God has given, and also a reminder of the power He has given to those who believe, to cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, and most importantly convict those who don't know Him and bring them to repentance. Let's walk in that power today. Let's honor Him as a people He can point to and tell the evil power and authorities "look at what I just did."

Gotta Figure This Out

2009-03-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well I will start blogging soon. I think I got things about ready to go.