My First Conference

I'm excited to say that I will be attending my first conference in mid April. Elevate 2009 is were I am headed. This is to equip leaders to take their church to the next level. I didn't really think of myself as any kind of leader or staff. But my pastor must, he is the one that invited me personally. I'm trying to think of how exactly I got to this point. I wasn't asked to be apart of the staff, nor did I ask to be apart of it. I just jumped in and kind of made my own way. I got sick of sitting on the side lines looking like some fool not willing to work.

Right now I'm learning to run the computer (power point) during worship time. This is a little nerve racking for me. Leaving part of the service in my hands...shivers run down my spine. I try not to think of failure even though it pokes it's ugly head out at me once in a while. I now in my heart that I will get this down just as I have anything else. At first I might be as smooth as gravel but I will work out the bumps

Good News & Bad News

Which do I tell of first, the good or the bad. I guess I will start with the good news first. God is still on His throne and I am still a blood bought child of the living God. Nothing can separate me from the hunger of this love. Now for the bad news. I just lost money with my car insurance. Isn't the saying suppose to go, "I just saved money on my car insurance." After 3 years of using the same insurance company with no late payments ever and they stab me in the back. Perhaps I will shop around and look for some deals with somebody else. But all in all I am still singing...

Another Look At The New Jerusalem

As we know from scripture the Lord owns "the cattle on a thousand hills", "The world is Mine", God says, "and all its fullness". Everything comes from Him. Everything we have belongs to Him. God has not only given us every material thing we have, He has also given us His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who provides our very salvation.

Now lets take a look at the New Jerusalem that the Lord has prepared for His chosen elect. I dream of this Heaven that is in my mind but lets look closer at what was revealed to John in verses 10-21 of Revelation.

By: Frederick K. C. Price

A furlong is 660 feet, so if you adjust the terminology to miles, you see a city that is 15oo miles on each side, and 15oo miles high. The thickness of the wall, 144 cubits, is 72 yards. Each wall had 12 layers or "foundations" 125 miles high, consisting of these 12 jewels. One and one-half miles each just of topaz, beryl, jasper, and sapphire would constitute wealth beyond which the richest American or the Sultan of Brunei could even imagine.

We see in verse 18 the city was of pure gold. Remember, this is a city 1500 miles square of pure gold. Then we see there are 12 gates, and since John does not comment otherwise on it, we must assume that each gate is as tall as the wall it is attached to. Each one of these 12 gates consists of a single giant pearl. Imagine a pearl 1500 feet tall!

So if we cannot see heaven-if we cannot see where God lives-we can get just a taste of it in what the Lord revealed to John about the New Jerusalem. It's a city of such astounding, fantastic wealth that it boggles the mind.

The New City

Reading through Revelation 21:10-27 this morning made me feel insignificant. The small glimpse of the New Jerusalem revealed to John by the Lord is mind boggling. If you study these verses and see how huge and utterly rich this city is, you feel so small. Verse 27 reads that nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Who am I that I should be aloud to enter such a city as this. A city that God Himself dwells. Just a room "tabernacle of God...with men" in His lavish mansion. Our Lord has made so many precious promises toward us. In Revelation 3:21, "He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." see also 1 Peter 4:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:12. Then I see in Revelation 3:5,12 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God...and I will write upon him My new name."

Another favorite of mine is read in Matthew 10:22. "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

I realize how spiritually bankrupt I am before God without Christ. I have nothing to offer God but my life as an offering to enter such a city.

God's Will

I was reading a book today during my lunch hour. A book called 'Under The Overpass'. In this book the main character (and author) Mike Yankoski was talking about the Will of God. Now to pull away from what he was talking about in this book, it got me thinking of how sometimes I pray, "Your Will not my will Lord." But deep down there is this little notion of fear. A fear I would love to be completely free of. I know the Lord would never call me to do something that would harm me. But maybe this fear is rooted deeper than that. Maybe this is a fear of being called completely out of my comfort zone. Maybe this would mean putting my house up for sale and moving to the city which I would dread. Maybe it would mean moving to a foreign land that speaks a language that is just over my head. I never do know. What I need to get in my head is that no matter what God's Will is for my life. He holds me in His hands. There is nothing to fear. When I pray His Will be done rather than mine, do I really mean it? Or am I just trying to be spiritual in my prayer. I hope with all my heart that I mean it.

You never know where God will call you. Like for instance, He might call you to drive a bunch of squirts that do nothing but disrespect you every other week. I remember reading my church's newsletter and seeing that they needed a van driver for Wednesday nights. I thought to myself, this is for someone else, not me. Only a few weeks after that I was the Wednesday night van driver. To tell the truth I love it. It takes a lot of my time those nights and makes for a long Thursday but I wouldn't trade it for anything that I know of. I enjoy getting to know the children. Even if they push my buttons from time to time. God truly knows what He is doing. I hope I will trust in His Will for everything.

Do You See What I See

At a distance it looks like a sea of dead grass. But up close it's the changing of the season. How I long for a color change around these parts. Especially after watching videos over at changeisgood4u. Spring is officially here and I'm loving it. The lake is almost completely thawed out and it's time to get the fishing poles out once again.

We Are The Canvas

My life is a painting created by God,

and as such I've nothing to boast;

Reflecting the image of Christ to the world

is what I desire the most. ~Sper~

A Christian's life is the canvas on which others can see Jesus. Jesus saved us to be reflections of His glory, but when we live for ourselves, our shadow gets cast on the canvas of His presence in us. Unfortunately, we tend to live in a way that draws attention to ourselves, our cars, our clothes, our careers, our position, our cleverness, our success. And when life is all about us, it's hard for people to see Jesus in us. ~Joe Stowell~

No flesh should glory in His presence.

1 Corinthians 1:29

Financial Peace

I started taking Financial Peace University classes three weeks ago. I have 10 weeks left. So far I have learned quite a bit. I have this vision of being completely at peace with my finances. All I have to do is stick to the main key structures that these classes provide. In the past I haven't been real wise with my money. Spontaneous purchases were my thing. In my small group at class I am the only one to even have accomplished the first baby step (Not that I'm bragging). I know God has given me the ability to gain wealth. He has trusted me with so much to stuard over. I want to be completely faithful with what He has given to me. When I sit down and punch in the numbers this vision gets clearer and clearer. I have started writing my monthly budgets out and am training my mind to strictly follow it. In Habakkuk 2:2,3 it says "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run". Look at verse 3. "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail".

In Proverbs 29:18 I read, "Where there is no vision, the people perish". And I'm sure you have heard people say or preachers preach that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I have a vision and a plan towards my goal and it will not fail. Dave Ramsey says that if you live like no other that some day you will live like no other. Of course I'm not out to get rich quick or anything. I know what scripture says about that. Proverbs 23:4 reads "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it". God has blessed me so that I may be a blessing to others.

To Know His Love

Could we with ink the ocean fill

And were the skies

of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry,

Nor could the scroll

contain the whole

Though stretched from sky to sky.

These words from the hymn "The Love of God" capture in word pictures the breathtaking magnitude of divine love. I can't understand this love to my fullest knowledge no matter how hard I try. Today at work I was perplexed because of all the wickedness around me. It seems so hard for me to love on these individuals that have no respect and no love in themselves. Was this what I reflected before I was saved? Thank God for His forgiveness and acceptance of repentance and sanctification through His Word and Holy Spirit. Without love there would be no mercy. I don't think I would be able to explain in any words about God's love. God's love cannot be explained, it can only be experienced.

"To know the love of

Christ which passes

knowledge."

(Ephesians 3:19)

Out Of Date, Out Of Style

This is against my better judgment. But here it is. A long lost picture of me and my cousin Yvette. I have been an avid fisherman for a long time. You can see here that I caught the biggest fish even then. =)

You see, me and my Ma were po'. so p0' in fact that these must of been the only clothes she could find for me. At least I'm not wearing more pink than my cuz. My hair is long and in need of a cut. Mostly because we were, you guessed it, po'. Real po'.

It's hard for me to imagine that my mother loved me. I think she thought if she dressed me like this someone would come along and put me out of my misery. I'm sure glad those days are in the past. My fashion sense can only get better and the fish will get bigger. Lets hope.

Right Standing With God

I was having a discussion with a guy at work. He did something and was completely honest with me about it. I said, well at least you didn't lie, in a joking kind of way. To which he replied, you see, I'm not that bad of a person. I said, that's not good enough. End of conversation.

I wish I could get him to understand fully that nothing we can do will ever be good enough. I could work and work at my salvation but it would never be enough. I have learned to put confidence and faith in my right standing with God. I can't rely on any of my works, I rely on what Jesus did for me. I am the righteousness of God IN CHRIST. Even if I don't feel like. I can't live a holy life without Him.

I think so many people put their sins in some kind of category from bad to worse. They count on their good deeds outweighing their bad deeds or something. It's not what you do but who you are that's most important. I've asked for forgiveness and received Christ in my heart. When God looks at me He sees me in Christ Jesus. He doesn't look at us the way we look at ourselves. What God sees is what we really are. We are the Body of Christ in the earth today, one spirit with Him.

Here is a bold statement: God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. This would put some people I know in an uproar. How could you say something like this? Truth be told, they freak out when I say I am the righteousness of God in Christ like I'm condemning myself to hell. I wish people would dig into the Word for themselves and see. See who God says I am. I know Jesus didn't die in vain. It was all for love. Pretty powerful stuff to know were we stand with God almighty.

Fact #16

This is the last fact about your submission to authority that I have. If you can think of any that perhaps I missed, feel free and leave a comment.

• Your submission is the divine link to a person who observes, respects and elevates you into your uncommon dream. God often uses someone in authority over you to advance your assignment to help discover your uncommon dream. A few examples being...

1. Ruth submitting to Naomi who linked her to Boaz.
2. Naaman submitted to the prophet and his leprosy disappeared.
3. The widow of Zarephath submitted to the instruction of Elijah and reaped a harvest in the midst of famine.

An uncommon dream? Do I have an uncommon dream? I'm not sure if I do or don't. Do you have an uncommon dream? Lets hear it, leave a comment. I do know that I want to be used of God and want to be fully open to be obedient to Him. I'm not sure if you can classify that with uncommon or not. I better start dreaming really big...

Fact #15

• Your submission is a seed that eventually results in the harvest of honor. Do not be weary when you feel stressed, overwhelmed and incapable of meeting the requirements of others. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not," (Galatians 6:9).

Youth For Christ

It was another awesome event at the North Iowa Youth For Christ Comedy Cafe fundraiser. Special guest comedians were Bean and Bailey. They have a hilarious musical comedy duo they put on. There was an open coffee bar which I took full advantage of. It's after midnight and I'm definitely still wide awake.

I'm always amazed when I see teens give testimonies on living their lives for Christ. In a way it makes me feel regret on how I lived my life. I wish I had been stronger. I'm extremely thankful that I am able to sow into such a great ministry. What they do for these kids is truly awesome and is nothing short of a God thing. I know what the kids are going through these days with the temptations, the roadblocks and detours that are in front of them. I can recall all the negative things that were in my way as a youth. It seems with the youth of today there is just a little more than there was when I was that age and that wasn't all that long ago. Just what young people need with their underdeveloped minds and spirits (that was sarcasm in case you didn't pick up on that). I love hearing the good news of teens having those chains of addiction and sin broken off over their lives and living new lives in Christ. It over joys my spirit because I know what a battle it is. The quicker you break that evil spirit the better. The older you get, the tighter the bonds become.

I can actually understand why so many people do commit suicide. If you have never been stuck in addiction you probably don't understand. When you make the decision to quit and fight those powers you go through a huge mental battle. If you don't know the voice of the Lord look out. The addiction becomes more than an addiction. After ten, twenty, thirty years it becomes a life style. Without Christ it's almost impossible to completely recover and regain your life back. I thank God for ministries like YFC that make an impact with our little people and our communities. This particular YFC covers around ten counties and ministers to approximately 10 or 15 thousand teens if I remember correctly. I think my body is finally starting to decaffeinate now that it is after one in the morning so its time for bed.

Fact #14

• Your submission to the Word of God will unleash uncommon wisdom within you. The scriptures are able, "...to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus...That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works," (2 Timothy 3:15,17).

Fact #13

• Your submission to authority is often reproduced in those who serve you. What you are, you will create around you. When you submit to those over you, it motivates those under your rule to submit to you as well. You become their example. Those who govern you are also under the authority of God.

Fact #12

• Your submission reveals the fear of God and guarantees supernatural provision and promotion. "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life," (Proverbs 22:4).

Fact #11

• Your submission in honoring and respecting others reveals your fear of God. "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God," (Ephesians 5:21). "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven," (Matthew 18:4).

Fact #10

• Your submission to wise and qualified spiritual leadership is a scriptural command. "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation," (Hebrews 13:7).

Fact #9

• Your submission to a true man/woman of God will produce prosperity. "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper," (2 Chronicles 20:20).

Fact #8

• Your refusal to submit to the chain of authority will schedule seasons of tragedy. "But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it," (Isaiah 1:20).

Toby Mac Addict

I've been on a Toby Mac kick lately. So much joy and so many good songs out there that make me want to shout praises!!

Fact #7

• Your submission to a mentor qualifies you for his anointing. Elisha received double portion of Elijah's anointing as a reward.

Fact #6

• Your submission should eventually result in inner joy. "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God," (Hebrews 12:2).

Oh-buddy. Joy, let me tell you a little about joy. I have it....A lot of it. :-]

Fact #5

• Your submission to authority reflects the nature of Jesus within you. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed this prayer before Calvary. "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt," (Matthew 26:39).

Tuesday(s)

I heard somewhere that Tuesday is the most productive day of the week. This must be so. Not only did I get a full days worth of work in today, but I also did my dishes, (by hand even) did some laundry, got the garbage changed and out to the curb for tomorrow, vacuumed the whole house, unloaded some stuff out of Jeep that I was procrastinating on, separated and bagged a months worth of recyclables to go out Thursday, got all my bills that have come in this month organized. And now my blog post(s) finished. I feel like I'm forgetting something though...Oh-I still have to eat. I should seriously start thinking about making to-do lists.

Fact #4

• Your submission is your personal gift of cooperation to those who govern you. Every great leader began as a great follower. They honored authority established by God. "Obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you," (Hebrews 13:17).

Fact #3

• Your submission reveals humility. Some people assume that leadership is strength and submission implies weakness. However, true submission is evidence of flexibility, trust and humility. It is the quality of champions. Humility is the gateway to promotion.

Fact #2

• Your submission is a personal choice. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up," (James 4:6,10).