Flavors

Life has been a struggle for me lately. 

If I'm being truly transparent, depressing is probably a good descriptive word to use. 

I've been working out of town, and being home just for the weekend has been hard. 

I arrive home, and all of a sudden Isaac's steps have turned to full strides, on his way to another room. 

Drew's speech has turned from mispronounced jumbled words, to full length paragraphs, usually one one word would suffice. 

My wife has been stressed, overtaken by flying solo, and knowing this makes it hard to focus when I'm four hours away pulling wire in an auto plant. 

It is extremely easy for me to get bogged down in these details. It's easy to let these thoughts take over, clouding everything else I see. 

I am reminded of the first time I used balsamic vinegar. (Quite a jump right? Haha, just play along.) 

I was following a recipe for a balsamic reduction sauce, and I remember opening the bottle and getting the first whiff. UGH! It smelled like black licorice vomit!! 

I remember thinking to myself, this is going to be horrible. There is no way on earth this will be good. 

I followed the directions anyway. 

Guess what? As it reduced in the pan, the smell changed. The consistency got thicker, and when I took my first bite, it was like an atomic bomb of flavor exploded in my mouth. 

Like my current life situation, if I had given up after that smell and not completed the process, I would have never experienced the amazing outcome. 

I am certain that this current situation is being used to take me to a new place. A new level. A new mindset. 

It is my expectation of amazing things on the horizon that propels me forward. 

Endurance comes from struggle, from weakness, from stretching. 

Not lack of effort. 

Forward. 

Them.

Thus far I have purposely avoided blog posts on current events. It's not the kind of expression I aim for, and I just really, really don't want to write that way.

However, this past week, the African American community has endured immeasurable sorrow and frustration, and we have all watched in horror as things have unfolded and many lives have been lost.

Regardless of political, philosophical, or experiential opinions on these situations, there is a people group in our country that is hurting, and our number one job, is to love them.

(And maybe even shut up!)

One of the ways we show our love for people, is to pray for them. I have spent much time in prayer for the families of all those tragically killed last week.

However, my reason for this post is a thought that I had earlier today, as the words I spoke out in prayer echoed in my head.

As I pray, I often use language that excludes myself from a situation. I pray for "them". I pray for "those".

I repent of this.

The truth is, we should be praying about this situation as our own, not "theirs".

Oh God,
WE, need healing.
WE, need peace.
WE, need patience.
WE, need unity.
WE, need restoration.
WE, need justice.
WE, need comfort.

If you are not only a Christian but an American, this is YOUR problem also. It's not across the street, the state, the mountains......

It's right there, looking at you in the mirror.

This is OUR problem.

Think of your language and perspective the next time you pray.

Grace and Peace to you.

The Sabbath Challenge

Most define a Sabbath as: a day of religious observance and abstinence from work, kept by Jews from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and by most Christians on Sunday.

Sabbath is a day where your chores are done, even if they are not.

Sabbath is a day where only my close friends and family can get in touch.

Sabbath is a day where I look for ways to smile with my family.

A day of accomplishing nothing.

A day to banish thoughts of the upcoming week, dreaded trips away from home, and all that is included.

Sabbath is a day to look at the lake for long periods of time, and not justify why I'm not doing more.

Sabbath is a day where I remind myself I am not a machine.

Sabbath is a day to look for reasons why God called this creation "good".

Sabbath is a day to enjoy the family and life you've been given.

Take the Sabbath challenge. Write down how you feel in the morning. Take an ACTUAL Sabbath, then compare how you felt in the morning with how you feel at the end of the day.

God doesn't leave us where we are.

Let him charge you up.

You'll be thankful.

Perspectives 2

Today as we were preparing for the party, I'm hustling around with a chef knife and charcoal. Lol

It began to get a bit overwhelming, and I could feel myself start to stress out. 

So I just started to repeat: 

"I'm so thankful, I'm so thankful, I'm so thankful......"

As I was chopping some veggies, it hits me. 

Today's party is one we were told we would never have. 

We found out shortly after we married that we couldn't have kids. 

These parties just weren't in the cards. 

I learned to mostly accept this. 

I figured God just didn't decide to bless us this way. 

But then in late 2011, we had our miracle. 

Shanon got pregnant and in June of 2012 we had our beloved Drew. 

But then, in late 2014 We found out it was happening again. 

In June 2015 we had our beloved Isaac. 

All the years of wishing, all the years of watching everyone else go through the pregnancy experience. All those years of asking why. 

Today I am thankful that this isn't just a birthday party, this is a DOUBLE birthday party. 

We are continually blessed beyond measure. 

As shattered as we are, we are still filled far past overflowing. 

Thank you Jesus, for saying "not yet" instead of "no". 

Full Circle

When things end badly, painfully, explosively, bad; one never expects to find themselves doing the same thing again. 

Perhaps one may even swear that they are never going to do it again. 

These last weeks have seen two of these instances. 

Firstly I stood and gave a message a few weeks back, something I swore I was done doing. 

Next, our house will once again be filled by some really cool young adults, to share a meal and talk about things that matter. 

Never put a period where God has put a coma. 

Sometimes the story takes a long pause. 

But the credits aren't rolling. 

Sometimes you come full circle to where you never wanted to leave in the first place. 

So, so, thankful. 

Perspective

For the majority of my life, I lived as a church goer who was scared of hell. Through this fear, I was motivated to make others scared of hell also. 

Looking back now I can see that my intentions were pure, however my perspective was wrong. 

Hell is no match for the transforming power of Gods infinite Love for us. Had this been my motivation, my how different things would have looked. 

Don't live your life scared of an angry God. 

Instead, enjoy a real relationship with a Perfect Father. 

God's Love Wins. 

Scripture in "It is Well"

It Is Well With My Soul

by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

Isaiah 66:12 For thus says the LORD, "Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

1 Peter 1:18-19  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

Colossians 2:13-14 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Hebrew 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, "I am ; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Even so, it is well with my soul.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Refrain