Ahh...Satisfaction

Are you ever frustrated that you never feel completely satisfied with life?

Well, I have news for you, you aren't supposed to. As a Christian, I am a stranger to this world, merely passing through. God has designed it so that I will always long for more than this world can give me. I won't be completely satisfied until I am in Heaven.

Know that it is a good thing to long for more. It is yet to come.

A bit of encouragement

John 16:33 say's" I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Over and over again I hear people say that they do not watch the news because it is so depressing. I understand that, it's not always enjoyable to see what is going on, but it is also important to know what is taking place. It is important to identify the negative, and the evil. Knowing what is happening in the world allows you to pray more specifically and educate yourself on social issues.

The key to remember is that you need to identify the negative, but do not dwell on it. Trouble abounds but Jesus has overcome it all. You overcome it all when you choose Jesus. So as you travel through tough times and adversity, live in victory!

God knows you

A couple of summer ago, I went on a mission trip to India for a month. While we were there, I missed Mandie (My girlfriend at the time, now my wife) more than I could ever had imagined. In tribute to her and how badly I missed her, I started writing an "M" on the back side of left palm. The ritual quickly became a tradition and I now almost always have a sharpie written "M" on my hand. Although the mark isn't very big, people notice it all the time and ask me about it. I get a chance to explain why it is there and when I began doing it. Needless to say, because of the "M," Mandie is constantly on my mind.

As I was studying today, I received a cool reminder from the Lord. God has done the same thing with all who believe in Him. Isaiah 49:16 say's "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." God has written my name on His hand. Throughout his day, He see's it and is reminded of me. I am constantly on his mind. The only thing different is that he doesn't have to touch it up every couple of days. He has written my name in blood and that is permanent!

So take heart. In the times that you think that God has forgotten about you. Definitely not, he has written your name on his hands. He carries you around with him all the time.

I love Jesus

I just want to thank Jesus for being Jesus. For being more than I deserve. For knowing what is best for me. For being faithful, even when I am anything but. As I seek the Lord for my next step, I am at total ease because I know that God is my Heavenly Father and he wants what is best and right for me.

I want to praise Him in advance for what he has planned for me.
Oh Praise Him!!!

Good Friends

I am so blessed! Not only are every single one of my physical needs provided for, but I have been blessed with really great relationships. I spent an hour on the phone with my old boss this morning. It was really good to catch up on what is gong on in our lives.

When it was all said and done. I sat on the couch and contemplated how blessed I am. I have had the privilege to meet so many cool and Godly people. Thank you Lord for continually putting me around people who make me better!

Have you ever?

Have you ever found yourself wondering what God is doing? You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are where you are suppose to be, but you have barely a clue on what is going on. That is me. We just found out last week that we will be staying in Lakeland, Fla for the next two years. I am thrilled to be where God wants us to be, but I find it a little difficult sometimes because I don't know what is here for me in Lakeland. I don't know what it is God wants me to do. Where He wants me to work. Where He wants me to invest.

The amazing thing about all of this is that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is sovereign! He knows what I need and how I need to do things and what He wants me to do. I want to be faithful to Him because He has been so faithful to me. As my brother told me last night, "this seems like a big deal, but it's not!" (He also said to feel free to use that quote.)

I want to extend encouragement to those of you who are uncertain about what is going on in your life. For the ones who don't have much that makes sense in your life at the moment. Jesus loves you and wants what is best for you in light of eternity! That makes total sense.

Another great day!

Today has been great. I opened up the o'l laptop and picked up my novel. It has been months since I have worked on it. I want to get back to it and try and finish while I have some free time.

It felt good to sit down and write for a while.

What you prospectin'?

The gold rush of 1849 sent thousands of people west looking to strike it rich. People packed up everything they had, said goodbye to all that they knew and moved west. When and if they made it, they invested what they had left into their new profession. Their newfound career required for them to purchase a claim (land), tools and supplies.

At this point, the 49ers (miners) traveled out to their claim and began prospecting. Some folks were fortunate enough to hit the jackpot and gained great riches. Some found a small portion of gold, but nothing to write home about. Others found what appeared to be the big time and turned out to be fools gold.

What made the difference in success for the 49er? Thousands of people traveled out west for the sole purpose of looking (prospecting) for gold. They paid they price of family, money, time and effort. In the end, their results came down to location. Many people were doing everything right and were simply in the wrong place.

Today, in regards to joy, we're exactly the same way. Everyone wants to have a life of fulfillment and purpose. One of the ways we measure this is by the amount of joy we experience and give to others. If we are living in joy, we feel successful and purposeful. Therefore, whether we acknowledge it or not, we daily pursue activities and accomplishments that will provide us with joy. In many ways, we mirror the sacrifices and efforts of the 49ers. They were looking for gold, we are looking for purpose and joy.

The good news is that people can and do find joy. The sad thing is that many people find happiness, which is the fools gold of fulfillment. Happiness is a great thing to have, but it is a cheap counterfeit of joy. It looks good, but isn't worth a whole lot. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. When things are good, we are happy. When circumstances turn dark. Happiness is tough to find. The great thing about joy is that it can be experienced at any moment, in any situation, because joy comes from the Lord. And He is willing to give it out.

So why do we so often find fools gold (happiness), when we are seeking pure Gold (joy)? Location, location, location!!! Just like the miners back in the day. You can do all the proper preparations, make all the sacrifices, and if you are looking in the wrong place, it is hopeless. The gold mine of Joy is God. Proverbs 10:28 say's "The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." Fortunately for us, God has laid out how to be righteous in the Bible. When we live righteously, God supplies us with Joy. Consequently, we are able to live in any circumstance with joy.

Today, we live in a joy rush. Everyone desires to live a life of purpose and meaning. To be satisfied with their lives, no matter the situation. In what location have you staked your claim? Where are you prospectin' for joy?

All the louder!!!

At the end of Matthew 21, we read about a pair of blind guys, who are sitting roadside, when Jesus passes by. Alerted of his presence, they shout out, asking Him for mercy. The surrounding crowd rebukes their shouting and tells them to pipe down.The two men hear the open rebuking from their peers and immediately shout louder. Jesus hears them and gives them their eyesight. Now being able to see, they get up and begin following Jesus. (Matt. 21:29-34).

This story leaves me very impressed by the two formerly blind guys. They are already held in low esteem. Some people believe they are blind because of sin in their lives or because of their parents. They hold little value to the world around them. I don't imagine that they feel too great about themselves. They get up the courage to holler at Jesus. They want to stop Him and ask Himfor help They gather the courage, yell out to the Lord and immediately the people boo. Overwhelming, the crowd rebukes them. The two blind guys get heckled! I can hear it now, "what are you doing?" "Don't you know who that is?" "He doesn't have time for you!" "You acan't talk to Him!"

In the face of public rebuke and embarrassment, the two guys yell louder. They were not going to be denied!

Why?Why didn't they stop. Why did they continue to yell, to call out to the Lord.

They didn't care. Plain and simple, they could have cared less about what others thought or said. These two dudes were completely driven by DESPERATION. Jesus was their only hope of gaining sight. Jesus was more important than anything in their life. They had a need and they knew the answer to the equation.

So many times I find myself in need of God. I begin to yell out. To call for Him to meet me. Then, rebuke presents itself in one form or another. Often times, it is what others will think. It's the people in the crowd who immediately respond to my calling out to the Lord in a negative manner. But unlike the blind guys, I stop yelling. I allow the people around me to slow me down. To choke out my seeking of the Father's face.

Why do I do this? Why do I stop after the first yelling spell?
Often, it is because I lack true desperation. I get caught up looking at things with the wrong perspective. I live life and begin to feel that I am making it. That I am earning a living. That I am doing well. That I am making a difference.

I must be just as desperate as the blind men. Without God, I am a wretch! I deserved Hell today and did not get it, solely because of God's grace and mercy. For this reason alone, I must desperately seek to stay close to my God, The one who saved me. So that is what I am going to do. I want to daily stand by the roadside and call out to Jesus. Daily confess that I am nothing without Him. And live in victory through Him, when He meets with me. Because you know what? That is what He does. He hears our call and He delights to meet with us! To shape and mold us to be more like Him.

These two guys needed their vision, what area of your life do you need worked on?

Monday Monday!!!!

I am super excited about tomorrow. I am going to Lake Louisa State Park to do some hiking. The purpose of my adventure is to get outdoors, exercise and spend some quality time with the Lord. I hope that it turns to be everything I could ask for.

Elephants, Tigers and Weiner Dogs...Oh my!

This afternoon, Mandie and I went to the Circus. Ringling Brothers actually brought their circus to Lakeland and we decided that we could not miss it!

Mandie said that she had only been to the circus once, when she was real small. I love going with her to things that she has never done or not been to in such a long time, because she is more excited than the kids around us. It didn't matter what the act was, she watched with wide eyes, gasped in horror and cheered every move they made.

Because I had been to the circus before, I knew what to expect. I had a blast, but I wasn't waiting on the edge of my seat for the next surprise to walk through the curtain. This is the same thing I have to watch in my spiritual life. Many times, I feel like I know what's going on, what is going to happen next. I lose the wonder of being in Church, because I have been so many times, I know what is coming through the curtain.

In the next few days, I am going to write about the things that God has been sharing with me. He is bringing ideas and direction for me and Mandie through the curtain, that I have never thought of or imagined.

It is exciting. God is wonderful!

Another Disappointment!

Well, well, well. As if I have not read this story before. The OU football team fights for a shot at the National title, but falls short. Dominates in the Big 12 Championship game. Then loses in the BCS Bowl game. The story is getting a bit old.

That being said, I would rather play in and lose the BCS Bowl games than not go at all. But it would be nice to at least win a few bowl games if we (as a school and team) act like we are the best of all time. The seniors on this team have been to big games and have not won them.

Fortunately for you and me, there is more to life than football. If the worse thing to happen to me on Jan. 2, was a loss in the Fiesta Bowl, then I am doing well. Very Blessed!

2008

Dang Gina! Can it possibly already be 2008?

I commit to list more posts this month than any other thus far. My previous high was 7 or 8.

I must give a shout out to my beloved Dawgs. They more than took care of business against the rainbow warriors. It was fun to watch Georgia finish out the year strong. Hopefully OU will follow suit tonight againts West Virginia.

Boomer Sooner!