great books

• Connecting like Jesus
• Jesus Manifesto
• Guerrilla Lovers   

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
Dr. Seuss

either

Either I follow Christ or I don’t

either I practice what Christ said or I don’t
either I seek to know Him or I don’t
either I forgive (because He forgave me) or I don’t
either I have compassion or I don’t
either I love or I don’t
Either I follow Christ or I don’t


Do you practice what you say?

Refreshing Moments

Sometimes we get congested with …..life. Congested with the “to do list”; with running from here to there; with the worries you don’t like to worry about; with thoughts for tomorrow. And at the end of a day we are tired and weary and not looking forward to another day. Blahhhh!
But there are moments that will refresh our spirit. These moments are special and need to be found in every day. Refreshing moments help us with the congestion of life.

Here are a few moments I saw today:

A smile from my wife

A challenge from my son

A group of kids using their G-d given energy for something positive

Standing on a football field

Hearing that my mom is challenging herself

A small gift from a friend

Satisfaction of doing the right thing

I suppose I will have a few more tonight:

When I shoot my son with a paint ball – Ha ha ha

When I eat dinner with my family
Watching the sun set
When I kiss my love goodnight

Look for refreshing moments in your day. It really helps

My Love

One of the best things about life is the people you get to spend it with.
This weekend I will be celebrating 17 years of marriage with a woman that rocks my world!
On this side of eternity she is it for me. I truly believe G-d placed us in each other’s life. And I can honestly say I love her more each day we are together.
I enjoy waking up next to her every morning and climbing into the bed with her after a long day. I’m thrilled to conquer new adventures with her. I love the kids we have together (as my daughter is slurping her milk in front of me). And I look forward to many more years.

I agree with a statement someone said about my feelings toward her “Steven is very attached to Nikki.”


Thank You Lord for my wife!

Can I Say That

Have you ever heard someone say something that was a little different? It could be just a short statement that catches you off guard. Maybe a statement that causes you to stop and think. Perhaps a statement that sticks with you.


I read a statement like this that really provoked me to think. I was reading in the book of Job and the poor guy was going through a lot. He had lost most all his possessions, all his children, and his wife was telling him to curse G-d and die. He even had these boils all over his body. He also had a few friends that came to sit with him in his misery. However they made matters worse. Job was walking through a very difficult time in his life.

Nestled in a response to one of his friends comes this statement. As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

Can I say that??? In the midst of all my trouble (which is nowhere near what Job walked through) can I still see my Redeemer? Or has the trouble of this life stolen my sight? Can I muster up enough strength to still know that my avenger will come? Or have I lost hope of rescue? Can I declare to all that I will be back up on my feet? Or do I daydream of times when things were better?

What do you say in times of trouble?

My Riches

Philippines 4:19 - And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
We all have needs
Physical
Emotional
Relational

The thought - do I try to supply my needs (because im independent) according to my riches(which seem to be lacking) or do I trust G-d to supply according to His riches in glory.

My vote
_____my riches ___x___G-d ‘s riches

His riches are so much better than mine.

What’s your vote? And does your life reflect it?

But!

But is a very popular word. I hear it all the time around my house. When I ask one of my kids to do something they respond with BUT, which is followed by a long list of why they can’t do what was requested. But is usually followed by excuses.


But I can’t do that because____________
But can be a problem word in your life. If you use “but” too much with your spouse they may kick you in the butt. If you use “but” to much with your boss, when you ask for a raise, he may say “but.” If we use “but” with G-d He may use you as an illustration. (Remember Jonah)

However “but” doesn’t have to be a problem word. It can be a word of promise.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but G-d meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Gen. 50:20

But G-d, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Eph 2:4,5

But G-d demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

But by the grace of G-d I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Cor 15:10

And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with G-d all things are possible." Matt 19:26

I like it when G-d puts a but in the middle of my problem.