Distracted

I hope this letter finds you well.

This week has been nothing but one giant distraction of after another. For us to be distracted we have to first have a focus. so what was I trying to focus on. Well I can't even get my mind to focus for that.

I think I wanted to be focused on God, maybe at least God's word. Some how trying to focus on living out God's Love. But here I sit a week gone by and yes there was a prayer said here and there, mostly on the fly.  I'm not feeling the love.

Tornado's, reorganization at work, a friend with cancer, I seem to have a battle ground in my mind. I feel desperate and saddened by the Tornado's affect on our community. People lost homes, people lost their dearest possessions, people lost loved ones.  Stress and concern in other areas. I think this is life.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version)

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

God please be faithful for us.



And most upsetting I think is the lack of time I seem to have spent with Abba, of course He is always with me. But am I with him? It's time to regain focus, It's time to take over the battle in my mind.(it can't be to big after all)

Hebrews 12:2-3 (New International Version)

² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God help us stay strong, give us heart.



2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (New International Version)

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Even if everything we have is gone. Even if this body suffers. Even if this body dies. We must remember this is not our home this is not our whole life.  Glory be to God the Father. In all things give thanks, sometimes easier said the done. I pray God gives you hope, strength, courage, and heart.

Love- David.

The beginning or the end?

This has been a crazy week! School out for our little ones, our youngest ear tubes and adenoids removed, and a girls night out for the wife. Not to mention the end of the world May 21st may reveal.

This talk and fun poking at that church which announced the end, spurred some interseting Facebook posts. Mine-

I wonder if we should be able to say that when we hear "the world will end tomorrow"

 We'll say; Thank God! and then if it dosen't, We'll say; Thank God!

When we look at our short lives and consider the end of this world and the begining of a different life, the begining of eternity.

Wait a minute....... Our eternity with Christ has already begun! If you have accepted Christ your eternal realtionship already started.  I think if we will try to wrap our brain around that, it will change the way we live. Let's not wait til we get to heaven to live like the bible says it will be, try it out now.

A life of love, a life of praise, a life of Christ.

Revelation 1:10a ¹⁰ On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit

Here's to the end. It shouldn't make a difference.

A change in perspective

In my short little life I've seen some things. People left for dead, the birth of a child, a space shuttle disaster, the tearing down for the Berlin wall. But the closest thing to me is what God has done in me.

I believe that in our lives there will be some scriptures or events that God will use to drastically alter your make-up or cause a change in your perspective.  There have been some things that have had that affect on me but one scripture in particular I have tried to keep in the forefront of my mind.

James 1:19 (New International Version 1984)Listening and Doing

¹⁹My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

I try to keep this in practice but indeed I struggle.

But recently another scripture has come up that I'm pondering. It's short, probably read right over, and I've never heard it talked about. The one after it I've heard numerous times. So here it is.....



2 Corinthians 5:16 (New International Version 1984)

 ¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer

Specifically the first sentence of this verse. I want to point out a couple things. First when Paul addressed the Corinthians he would have said "you" or if he were to address other Christians he probably would have indicated that with a phrase like, brothers and sisters or fellow believers, something of that nature.  Here he says "no one" which seems all inclusive to me.

Maybe the verse could have read "So from now on we regard everyone from a Christ like point of view"  or "...from a spiritual point of view"

SO how is this going to play out for me in life? One thing I consider is that we can see in scripture where God is able to work with all people. God hardened Pharoh's heart to work for the good of all people. In that same situation God used Moses has his spokesman. God was at work in the big picture.  To me this is going to mean a change in the way we view our day to day walk. Consider the big picture and that everyone that crosses your path may indeed be God at work. That you may indeed be encountering a drastic situation, maybe a situation that seems unbearable.  God is not far from you or your situation.  God has a different perspective, he wants us to come along side that same way.

It's not a What Would Jesus Do thing, more like, a lets not do anything for a second and take a look at the big picture. How is God seeing this situation. While we think this over, I want to leave with one...

Psalm 31:23-24  ²³ Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. ²⁴ Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

With Love, from out in left field- David

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT

My family has been deeply impacted by, what I would call, God given, faithful, generosity. We have had many close friends and circumstances in which our family has been provided for during light and momentary trials. But ours fail in comparison to the loss and hurt many around me have felt. But God and His people continue to work. This brings me to the thoughts of this week.

I was reminded of the rebuilding of the wall, you know Nehemiah's wall. He had learned of it's condition and with a heavy heart for his city he went back to help. Leaving the job of royalty to oversee and perform a HUGE task. At the time the city of Jerusalem was about 960 acres, the wall 4.5 miles in length, 16 feet high, and 10-15 feet thick. (info from answers.com, ask.com, wikipedia, and the great Google) People from all walks of life were rebuilding this wall. There was probably someone there who had done it before but not everyone. There were soldiers, priests, servants, all the people of the city were involved.  The Church was rebuilding the wall.

After starting the repairs came verbal insults and threats of violence. His opposition didn't take Nehemiah serious until they saw his progress. When the threats were becoming more dangerous. He took action to defend the city and to continue construction. Workers were guarded and scripture says they worked with one hand , while they held a weapon with the other. WOW, that's determination right there.

And now here's the verse that stuck out

Nehemiah 4:20 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

²⁰ Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

One of the things I have heard at our church, that I hadn't heard before, "See a need, meet a need" It's mission work at it's simplest. Hmmm kind of like Jesus.

Someone has sounded the trumpet, they have raised the alarm. A call for help has went out and now it's time for you to respond.

I don't know what it is for you, but look around. There is something God has for you to do. This is not a spectator sport. I hope and believe whatever it is, is to big for you. I hope it's overwhelming. I hope the people say it can't be done. I hope it makes the enemy mad. But all we have to do is respond to the call,
Our God will fight for us. - Love David

We wholeheartedly reject the label mega-church. We are a micro-church with a mega-vision. (When you look at the need in the world, and look at our church- don't you dare call us a mega-church- Craig Groeschel- my paraphrase)