God inspired

I am God inspired. That's not a statement of bragging. It's a declaration and a promise I will stand on because my Father loves me. God speaks to me in His way and I am grateful. He could be silent and there certainly have been many times when I deserved his right to be silent, but he kept speaking to me in spite of me. God speaks to me. God inspires me. When I wake up in the morning with a song of praise in my heart, I am inspired by God to walk in His light and follow in His foot steps. At times God inspires me to write, other times He inspires me to encourage others. Other times I am inspired to intercede through prayer. I am blessed because God inspires me and I appreciate those times when I walk on a cloud filled with His spirit, direction, vision, words of exhortation and love. I am inspired by God.

Let the church say amen

Amen = so let it be. It's a declaration, an affirmation. A show of support. Amen. I grew up in a church where hearing an amen was very common and your sign of agreement with what was being spoken. But I also think of amen as being a spoken action that says "it's done or finished" so let's just say "amen" and go home. I smile when I think of that because the end of church services for us was a declaration to God with "amen" said as the signal that it's done and church was over. I also love the song that says "let the church say amen. God has spoken so let the church say amen". Yup. God said it, that settles it. Say amen somebody. I think what I am really trying to say is that His word, God's word is settled in heaven, declared on earth and a done deal. So just say amen cause it's already been established and we can stand on the promises of God.

Where is God taking you?

Have you asked a him or are you just going along for the ride? I see no problem in asking God this question. His response may be "wait and see". On the other hand He just may share details of the journey. In either situation, I believe we need to be open and ready to receive, follow, learn, experience and rejoice. God, where are you taking me? I certainly try very hard not to dictate or tell God where to take me because I will be surprised that His way is not my way. All I can really do is inquire, wait patiently (so hard at times) and be receptive of the mentoring moment God is providing.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the light

When will we instill the message of faith in our children and those around us. I am amazed at what is taught in churches today, yet the basics of this being a walk of faith seems to be escaping the pulpit. We walk by faith and not by sight, says the scriptures. And yet, we have allowed a generation of Thomases to convinces us that they must see before they believe. This walk with Christ requires blind faith. We are not always going to see with our natural nor mental minds all that God has to reveal. And we won't ever meet our true potential in our walk with Christ until we can close our eyes and just follow the voice that says "come". God doesn't owe us explanations. He already provided the ultimate proof. His life. So for those who have to see in order to follow Jesus I can assure you that He is not dying on the cross again. He already did that and he died for our sins. Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed. I don't need the research. I already know Christ paid the price. I don't need to be convinced by a man. The man named Jesus already showed me. So if you are still waiting for the research paper to prove that God is alive, I encourage you to read your bible and ask God to show you the way. Don't be a current day doubting Thomas. Just take the bible for what it is. The truth, light and the way.

Marking time

Not sure why my precollege music days are in the forefront of my mind today,but I look back with fond memories to the orchestra, jazz band, swing band and marching band. What does that have to do with marking time? In marching band, when we were not making forward progress, our band director told us to mark time. We were not still, but we were not moving forward either. We basically were marching in place. My mind started to wander. Is marking time a good thing or a negative. I guess that depends. By definition marking time means: 1. To move the feet alternately in the rhythm of a marching step without advancing. 2. To suspend progress for the time being; wait in readiness. 3. To function in an apathetic or ineffective manner. Do you see both the good and the bad? The waiting in readiness is good. But I'm concerned about "not advancing" or "an apathetic or ineffective manner". And just as I started to mull over the definitions God spoke and let me know sometimes He instructs us to mark time, be obedient. But if He is urging us to make forward progress and we are pushing back on Him, then there is a problem. So is God trying to drag you out of your situation and you are pulling back with disobedience or did He say stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Hmmmm.

Sometimes you just have to walk away

Things that are not like God at times require you to just walk away. Sometimes there are situations or people that you keep holding on to and they drag you down. When do you make the decision to just walk away? Do you wait until you hit bottom or do you listen to the whisper inside that is telling you are in danger? You can't fix it folks. It's actually not yours to fix. The battle belongs to God. But sometimes the solution is to remember that your hope and trust is in God and in order to remain in His shadow, you just have to walk away from those things, people, situations that are not like Him.

Your Presence is Heaven to me

Have you heard the song "your Presence Is Heaven To Me" by Israel Houghton? Amazing worship song that puts me in alignment with God. Search YouTube to listen to the song in a couple different settings. Beautiful. Join me in worship. Join me in prayer. The body of Christ, the believers need to fall at His feet and acknowledge that in His presence we see heaven on earth.

Don't lose sight of God's dream for you

http://www.christianpost.com/news/veggietales-creator-bankruptcy-humbled-me-killed-my-idol-50119/ Great story and lesson.

Almighty God

Omnipresent. Omnipotent. Omniscient. He, the Lord God Almighty is the king. Today is a day of gratitude to the one who holds the key to the future. Mere mortals have no power, though we at times act as if we create the earth and all of it's living creatures. God owns all, has all, is all and controls all. I'm grateful that I don't have to rely on me and my limited skills or abilities. It's all God. This was a creative weekend for me, an opportunity to use the side of my brain that lends itself to creativity and art. But no matter what my hands turn out, it's nothing in comparison to the Almighty. We just need to recognize that we are nothing except what God allows. We can do nothing except what God allows. We will be nothing except what God allows. Thank you God for allowing. Almighty Father, maker and ruler of heaven and earth, I bow before your throne. You are sovereign. You are king. You are the exalted one. You are the Almighty. Thanks God. I appreciate you.

Time out for church as usual

Occupying a seat in church is a waste of time. Stop the ritual. Stop the usual. It's time out for the same old same old. I find myself yearning for more and I know there is more out there. We assemble together in Gods house to be enriched, encouraged, exhorted, uplifted, instructed and to gain knowledge to continue in the race. And this is a race. The race of our lives. A race of endurance to the finish line. So since we are engaged in a long distance race of spiritual survival, there is nourishments we need to seek on our own as we gain understanding of God's will and purpose for our lives. But when we gather together as a body of believers we are seeking sustenance and nourishment for the journey. It's time out for a casual relationship with God and it's definitely time out for "regular" church. We are living in a time where our survival requires more. More of ourselves, more of a commitment and more revelation from God. If it's church as usual, it's a waste. God is looking for a gathering of believers looking for, expecting and willing to give and receive more. So let's gather together with purpose and not habit.

God lends His strength

A very dear friend of mine is going through great trials and tribulations in her life. Her husband has experienced at least four major strokes in the past year and I found myself asking how she is able to withstand these troubling times as she tries very hard to hold the family together, keep her business going and step in as the coordinator for all the medical decisions that must be made in her husbands life. But just as I was about to shake my head in wonder, I realize that God is lending His stregth to keep her upright. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. The reason why she and we are stronger than we imagined is because it's not our strength that is being tested, but instead it is His strength that is shoring us up so that we can strengthen those who are around us. It never really was about us, but instead it's all about Him. If we look to Him and lean on Him, we will make it through those times when the rest of the world is confused as to how we are surviving. Lean on Him.

Preach the word

God's word. The true and living word. There is so much in the bible to choose from and be led by, that it boggles my mind that preachers would stand in the pulpit and talk about anything other than the inspired word of God. Being called to preach is a blessing and an honor. Use that calling to bring souls to Christ. Use your calling to delivery the message that God has inspired and placed in your spirit. Don't abuse your calling. Don't waste God's gift. You have a responsibility to deliver THE message, not your message. If you are not inspired then it seems to me you must seek God and His unction. Just preach the word so those of us in the pews can be fed and be encouraged to continue in the race. Preach the word.

Year 41

I should apologize for the sporadic postings I have made in the past 6 months. So much going on. So many changes. So many feelings. But most important, so many revelations to work through in my limited capacity to consume knowledge and download from God. I will get into that at some other time. Let me deal with what I should dealing with. Year 40 was the last year in the wilderness for the children of Israel. 40 long years, wandering at times aimlessly, having to learn, relearn and basically wonder. But year 41 came about, rolled off the calendar and a new day dawned, a new experience. And the past was left behind and newness came about. I am in year 41. Nope, I am certainly not 41 years old. Left that behind so long ago. But I have turned the corner and I am no longer wandering and wondering. The days of the wilderness are gone. There is only revelation and the leading of the spirit of God in front of me. In the 41st year, the children of Israel walked into the future and the promises of God. It's time to stop wandering aimlessly, trying to figure out what the plan is. Stop wondering what your purpose is in Christ. He has told you countless times and you refuse to embrace His promises and plan. Walk into your 41st year with confidence and knowledge. Walk in His presence. And while you are walking into your season, walk away from this people, places and practices that tie you to the wilderness. Leave the wilderness experience behind because it was a season and an an opportunity to build upon who you were, but the wilderness is not part of your present nor future.