Tag Archives: faith

Dec 14 2010

At What Age Do You Tell Your Child the Truth About Santa?

I have really been struggling with this idea over the past few weeks,

“At what age do you tell your children the truth about Santa?”

I posted this thought on Facebook and Twitter the other day, and I received dozens of responses.  Of course there were those who live in fairy tale land, and still believe in the mythical version of Santa at 45 years old.  I bet they live in their parents basement. j/k :)   And there were those who were dogmatic about it, and said you shouldn’t have started to begin with.  All these answers left me feeling like there has to be some balance.  I want my child to have an imagination; I want him to challenge the norm and experience the extraordinary. I don’t want him to grow up closed minded, and so distant from reality that he is unable to function in society.

I asked myself “if I had it to do over again, would we have even started with Santa?”  My answer is not of great importance because either way he believes.  My biggest thing concerning the issue with the mythical version of Santa is Continue reading →

Sep 30 2010

God Never Waste Pain

“God Never Waste Pain”

This is a revelation that really knocked me off my feet this week.  The last month or so, has been a time of testing and trials.  James chapter one has been a close friend of mine over the past few weeks.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

I have had my faith tested and tried in many ways unlike anything I have experienced before.  I have had to take huge steps of faith, overcome fears, and conquer spiritual, physical, and mental pain. 

Many times it is so easy to just want to complain, bicker, and be strifeful when suffering pain; however when we realize that God never waste pain, but uses it for His purpose, it has a way of changing your perspective.

James tells us to consider this trial and pain joy.

Happiness is an emotion while joy is a choice.

No matter what you are experiencing right now, realize that God has a plan for that pain, a plan to mature and grow you.

Choose Joy!!

Aug 18 2010

How to Excel When Going Back 2 School

How to Excel When Going Back 2 School –  from the Life of Daniel (Dan.1)

In the third year (605 B.C.) of the reign of Jehoiakim King Judah, King Neuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah, and after this the King commanded Ashpenaz the chief eunuch to assemble a group of youth together for education purposes.  So Daniel along with several other young men was chosen to serve in Nebuchadnessar’s court (Babylon High).  In a sense Ashpenaz was like an instructor/mentor/overseer, and Nebuchadnessar was like the principle.  v.1-3

We also see from scripture that each of these students were skillful, knowledgeable, and capable of surviving school.   However it is not about simply surviving; it is about how you survive.  Often times as students you tend to do just enough to get by, but find yourself unsatisfied with where you are in life, and that is because you are not living up to your full potential. Daniel along with these other students would be cared for and educated for three years.  The Bible says that each of them were competent to stand, but have you ever wanted to do more than just stand? I don’t want to just stand, I want to soar. V.4-5

Daniel along with his 3 friends could of easily gone along with the crowd, but they had set in their hearts that they didn’t just want to stand with the crowd, but they wanted to soar/excel above the rest.

We can learn a lot from Daniels example when it comes to Excelling in School.

1. Be competent in your ability to stand against the crowd. v.4 (Phil. 4:13)

2. Form a core group of friends that will be able to support one another. v.6-7

3. Inform a teacher/mentor/counselor/advisor of your desire to excel in school v.8-9 

                When you seek counsel from such individuals, God will see your desire to change, and will be likely to work in the hearts of that/those individual(s) to have compassion upon you. Some may show apprehension (v.10), however when you prove faithful you will have gained their approval and respect.

4. Determine what areas of your life you wish to advance or excel in. (Physical/Mental/Spiritual)

                Daniel wanted to be closer to God, and wanted to grow spiritually, but he also knew that by eating healthy he would not be as sluggish, and it would help him physically and mentally.v.12

5. Prove to be faithful, by challenging individuals to hold you accountable. V.11-14

6. Stay committed to the cause. v.14-16

As a result, they were healthier and brighter than the rest. They were blessed with learning and skill.  There was none like them.  They were 10 times better than the rest. v.17-20

Reflections:

  • What is one thing you can do in your life that is going to make you more confident in your ability to stand against the crowd?

 

  • Name 2-4 core people you could trust in to be your friend and help support you in your decision to excel in your life?  Name 1 teacher/mentor/counselor/advisor who would be able to hold you accountable at school?

 

  • What 1-2 areas in your life would you like to see most excel over the next school year?

 

  • What are some ways you can challenge your friends/mentors to hold you accountable?

 

  • What are some ways that you can stay committed to the cause?
Jan 25 2010

Tooth Fairy Hunt

My son lost his first tooth in over a year last night, and he was so excited that the tooth fairy was going to come.  We laughed about it, and then I told him I was going to stay up, and try to catch the tooth fairy in a jar.  He laughed, and said “your silly dad, you can’t catch the tooth fairy he is invisible.”  The next morning my son found four quarters under his pillow, and the first thing my son asked is did you catch him.  I replied “no”.  He said “I knew you couldn’t put him in a jar.”  If only we had this kind of faith towards God.

I sat in the pew last night, and I heard an awesome message from my pastor Brandon Cox titled “You Can’t Keep God In a Box” from 1 Samuel 4-7  He discussed the Boxes we have for God, and the Alternatives to Boxed Religion.  He had multiple excellent points.  I would encourage you to check out his blog at www.brandonacox.com He is going to be releasing sermon notes and his audio sermon soon!

Jul 16 2009

Having Faith In Spite of Your Circumstances

drowningWhy Me? Why did this happen? Why does God let bad things happen to good people?  Sometimes people go to the Bible for answers.  In Romans 8:28, we read, “All things work together for good,” and that’s true, but sometimes that answer just doesn’t seem to fit.  It seems too easy.  Why can’t the Bible really dig in and wrestle with the tough questions?

Well, it does.  Several different biblical writers ask the tough questions.  We’re going to focus on one of them, an often-overlooked prophet named Habakkuk.  Let’s turn to his book.  If you go to Matthew and start flipping backward through the O.T., you’ll find it.

This book was written between 612-588 B.C. / The purpose of this letter was to show that God is still in control of the world despite the apparent evil of Judah and surrounding areas.

Somebody read 1:1-3

What problems does Habakkuk have?

Do we have any of these problems today?

What are some other issues that we face?

Based on these verses alone, what kind of relationship do you think Habakkuk had with God?

Somebody read verse 5

How does the Lord respond to Habakkuk’s complaint?

How do you think Habakkuk felt after hearing that?

What can we learn from this?

Habakkuk 1:5

  • 1.     Look – “Look among the Nations”

Look at what is taking place in your life.  What could God be teaching you from this?  What could be gained from your hardship?  Last week we looked at “9 Answers Why God Allows Bad Things to Happen”, consider which one could apply to you.

  • 2.     Watch – “Watch – for what is about to take place”

Don’t sulk in your situation.  Watch for opportunities to better the situation in spite of the circumstances.  Keep your head up!  Read Romans 8:28

Habakkuk 2:3

  • 3.     Wait – “Wait for it” It – 1:5

Trust in God, and realize that God does all things according to His will and His timing.  Be patient, and have faith. “If it seems slow in coming, Wait patiently, for it will surely take place. – Hab. 2:3 NLT”

  • 4.     Be Astounded – “Be utterly astounded!” – 1:5

Be sure to praise God, and give Him the glory for working in your life.  We should feel significant knowing that God loves us so much that He is willing to invest into us, and He started on the cross.

God sent His only son to die for us so that we might be delivered and have redemption.  Without the blood of Christ our circumstances would be far graver.  There may be some in here today that do not have a relationship with Christ, and if you don’t you shouldn’t be concerned with the world’s problems, because you have bigger issues to deal with right now.  If you don’t trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Turn from your sins you are destined to an eternal life of turmoil.  The hardships of this world cannot even be compared to that of an eternal hell.

No matter what you are going through, Look, Watch, Wait, and Be Astounded.  And if you don’t have a relationship with Christ, start today by asking Jesus to come into your life and save you.

Jun 1 2009

Series of Unfortunate Events

This blog post will mainly consist of some babbling about the last couple weeks in which I title a “Series of Unfortunate Events.”

I am pleased to say that in spite of everything that I have experienced over the last two weeks my spirit has been high, and attitude has been positive.  On the other hand I have been just mentally drained.  It all started Saturday May 23rd, It was a beautiful day, and it seemed like nothing could go wrong until it did.  I was driving south on Interstate I540 when up in the distance heading Northbound I see a motorcycle lose control, jump the median, and head straight for us.  I quickly slammed on my breaks and moved to the center of the two lanes to prevent traffic behind me from proceeding.  Fortunately the motorcycle did not hit us, but it did throw the two passengers off and we (my family and I) watched as their bodies crashed to the ground at speeds of 50-70 mph.  It was a horrific sight.  I immediately responded, but they were in condition far beyond my medical expertise.  Neither of the passengers were wearing helmets, and the young man who was driving had multiple facial lacerations and was bleeding perfusiously.  They both had multiple bone breaks and internal bleeding.  It is amazing how much the human body can withstand, and at the same time be so fragile.  The two did survive to live another day, but I wouldn’t imagine them on a bike again any time soon.  This was only the beginning.  For the next 5 days my son did not sleep very well which kept us up all night, and in the midst of all of that I had 3 sermons to preach and 2 classes to teach.  If it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit leading me through it there is know telling what I might have taught or preached.  A few days had past after the motorcycle accident when I received a phone call from one of my best friends:  His dad had died at the age of 61 after having his gallbladder removed.  I was heartbroken and I just wanted to cry with him, but I knew I had to stay strong for him.  And to top off this miserable “Series of Unfortunate Events” I received news of another situation that was sure to tear me down.  I was on my way out of the office to go pay for some prescriptions for one of the passengers in the motorcycle accident when my pastor comes out as I’m about to drive off and says “Did you know your uncle was in the hospital, and was having heart surgery?”  I quickly called my aunt, and turns out he was having chest pains, and had 95% blockage in his heart.  He was having quadruple bypass surgery.  God is good, and he came out of surgery looking great for a guy who just had his chest open.  Anyways in spite of everything God continues to be faithful.  Life’s circumstances create opportunities for us to fully rely upon God’s abundant grace.  I am thankful for the many prayers that go out for me each day, and I just want to rejoice in the Lord in the good times and bad. 

In closing, I just want to remind you that no matter what situation you are in, or unfortunate event you are struggling with God is faithful, and He will see you through it if you simply rely on Him to see you through it.

Sola de Glorias

P.S. Please be praying for these families.