Perception is 9/10's of the law!!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning everyone. It is Friday! Are you excited for the weekend? I am going to discuss a problem with pretty much everyone I know. Sometimes it is a huge problem and sometimes not so much. But, never the less a true problem that I really think can be fixed. Well, let me say that it can be fixed if we work at it. I was at a meeting last night and got served a really bad tasting pie. This pie that I had to eat was one that I am sure many of you have probably eaten before. It is called "Humble Pie"! That brings me to today's scripture. let's dig in and see what it can teach us..........

Bible Verse: 1 Peter 3:7  Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding.........

Ok, I am using this scripture as a husband but, it can be applied to our relationships with other born again believers or maybe even co-workers. Can I ask you a question? What does perception mean?

Definition of Perception:

•perceiving: the process of using the senses to acquire information about the surrounding environment or situation
•result of perceiving: the result of the process of perception
•impression: an attitude or understanding based on what is observed or thought

That is easy right? Someone’s perception can never be wrong. Right? Well, here is the thing. Perception is right to whomever perceives it. It does matter how we feel. If someone perceives something a certain way. That is the way they see it. Now, this can be from something huge or something very small. I am sure no one has ever done something and when the sky came raining down on them they said "I didn't mean it like that" or "That is not what I meant". I guess we must really work at being clear and understanding how others may view what is going on or maybe what we say and do. Please don't read into this for more that it is. What I am trying to get at is the way people perceive us in our words and actions is the way they perceive us. Whether we think it is right or wrong. We must strive for clarity and understanding. If we have these things, I really think we can help to see thing in the way they are intended. I guess one of the major tools of this is communication. We must be good communicators or at least continually work at it. I hope you don't have to eat as much "Humble Pie" as I have. It really is hard to swallow but, I guess a must. Let's stay moldable in God's hands. have a great day and God bless.

Are they in disguise maybe????

Good morning friends. I hope you had a great weekend. I had fun with the kiddo's at the pumpkin patch this weekend and then yesterday Joslyn and I had a blast at game night with the youth. I was listening to some parents and even some of our youth and they were talking about certain circumstances that they were in. The ones that I heard were doom and gloom. I so get that, we had a problem of only seeing the bad sometimes. Trust me, I know. When I was a police officer I dealt with people most of the time when they were at their worst. I didn't usually get called to the barbecues or birthday parties. Unless a fight broke out. So, I only saw people at the worst. After a while, that is what I looked for in people and circumstances. The bad! Pitiful isn't it? That brings me to today's scripture. Let's dig into the good stuff.....

Bible Verse: Psalm 32:1 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

What is crazy is that God knows exactly what you are going through. We go through the hard times and see the bad stuff for a reason. Ok, if I hadn't seen all the situations that I have that were bad. I don't think I would appreciate the good ones as much. Just like, with us. The worst thing that could happen to us as born again believers is to not know we sin or that we live in a sinful world. If we lived a life not knowing. Would we even realize that we need a Savior? I mean, If God had left Adam in the Garden of Eden, ole' boy would not have even known that he had the sin in his life, and he surely would not have sought the remedy for sin, which he found in the shedding of blood.

Listen, our problems are designed not to destroy us, but to crowd us to Christ. Don't misunderstand me. The problem of sin is real and terrible, but it brings with it the this wonderful realization that we can be forgiven! Now, not all problems in our lives are our fault but, the outcome came be just as wonderful. This next part is going to seem a little crazy but, hang with me. When was the last time you thanked God for the problems in your life? What if you thought of them a blessings in disguise as problems. Think about that for a bit. Have a great day and God bless.

Let's go treasure hunting!!!!!

Good morning everyone! Well, it looks like the rain is gone and it looks to be a beautiful day. Some friends were over this weekend and they were looking at some old pictures on the wall. There were some of my Navy days. One of the pictures was taken when I was in Navy diver school. It brought back a lot of memories while we talked about those days. That brings me to today's scripture. Let's dig into the good stuff and I will share where this is going......

Bible Verse: Colossians 2:3 "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Ok, we were almost ready to graduate and be Navy Divers. The instructors began to let us have some fun, since most were going back to their ships to go underway on six month deployments. One of the senior instructors, Senior Chief Cain started telling us a story while we were heading out to sea to do a recreational dive. He was telling us that many years ago, the Spanish Armada was sailing off the coast of Florida. A hurricane struck, and the ships that were full of gold and silver ingots sunk to the bottom. People knew the treasure had been lost and believed one ship went down near Vero Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida. He said that fishermen fished over that spot, sometimes probably hanging a hook on a lump of gold.

One day some explorers went diving, and there it was in the shallow water! What was crazy, is the water was so shallow that any of us could have free dove to the bottom and brought up millions of dollars. We all sat there with gold nuggets in our eyes. Then when we did hit the water on our dive, we were looking all over for anything. I know kind of crazy right. Showing my friends those pics made me think of this story and this story got me thinking about our true treasure. Our treasure is so close and yet so many will fish over top of it for years, if not their whole lives and never discover it. I mean let's be real, many of us have yet to discover the full treasure we have in Jesus Christ. Many of us have yet to plunge our hearts deep into the treasure of the Lord? Some of us are living life in the shallow end, wondering if the treasure will ever come to us? I am sorry to tell you but, it will never come to you. You have to actively seek it. Let us open our eyes and hearts and claim our treasure! It has been set aside for you! Have a great day and I pray God blesses you today!

Cheers from the stands.......

Good Monday everyone! I just can't stop smiling from something that happened last night. After getting homework done that Joslyn forgot to tell me about and getting Luke to bed. Joslyn and I settled down on her bed for our nightly Bible story. She came and cuddled up with her head on my chest to listen intently and ask lots of questions. What daddy could ask for more? Even though I am struggling with this back injury, I am totally blessed. God knows what we need and even who we need it from. I am blessed be able to spend more time with them. Sometimes we need things like this to encourage us to continue on. To march on! Sometimes we even need those that are around us to be encouragers. Let's dig into the good stuff and look at a scripture from a different angle......

 

Bible Verse: Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

 

At a high school football game one night this little skinny small framed woman was sitting next to the student section. She had listened to them scream and cheer the whole game. She'd been quiet the almost the entire game until there was a fumble on the field. The back-up quarterback, a little scrawny kid, picked up the ball and started scrambling for the end zone. He was running past the other players and closing the distance on the goal line. I am telling you this little woman just exploded! She was jumping up and down and screaming, "Run, baby, run! Run, baby, run!" We found out later that he was her son.

 

I really think that God and His "posse" or angels are sitting up in heaven watching us on the playing field of life. I think they are on the edge of their seats. Waiting to cheer us on from the heavenly stands to "run with patience, the race that is set before us." They want to cheer for us. The question is. Are we doing anything for them to cheer about? We might even be needing  a lift today? We might be needing to hear someone say "You are doing great! Keep scrambling for the goal line." Can you imagine the size of the stands in heaven cheering you on? Oh yeah! Talk about a cheering section! It doesn't matter if you are the preacher, deacon, Sunday school teacher, or a brand new Christian. We must keep scrambling for the goal line. We got this. have a great day and God bless.

 

 

 

 

 

No Chuck Norris here........

Hello everyone! Well, Friday is finally here. I hope this finds you well. I have had some pretty weird and cool thoughts running through my head from last night and still going this morning. I watched a new series on TV last night called "Last Resort". It is a story of a submarine crew that gets attacked by their own people. Basically, another American submarine fires and almost destroys them. But, they get away and come together as a group. Together this group is strong, not to mention they have a nuclear power ballistic missile submarine. I laid in bed last night until wee hours of the morning thinking about this. Not American vs. American but, how many times are we attacked by people we are close to or work with. Maybe not physically, but mentally or emotionally. What do we do? How do we handle it? Let's dig into the good stuff and see what God has to say about the subject......

Bible Verse: Philippians 1:27-28  Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance, and this is from God.

Basically, what Paul is saying is that you will be attacked and to not be afraid of your opponents. We must band together. You know the cord of three strand scripture. Have you ever came to the defense of a Christian brother or sister? Or, do you just keep yourself out of it? Do you stand in the gap? Because if you see someone being attacked and you stand by and watch and do nothing. Aren't you a little guilty? Here is the thing, I promise this is going to happen to you also. You will be treated badly for your beliefs if people know what they are!

Now, Paul is writing to some cool friends of his, Christians in the town of Philippi. They were going through some really rough times, being treated awful because they believed in Jesus. Paul could totally relate with them. Heck, he was writing this letter from prison for the same reason. Now, his letter is full of encouragement for not just them but, for all believers. Paul is urging his friends to do better. It matters how we live, he said, because people are watching. They're looking to see if faith in Jesus makes any difference in the lives of those who trust Him. I mean really, what's your salvation worth to you? This is what he is asking. Guy's we must show its worth in how we live. And don't try to be Chuck Norris "The lone wolf" and make it a "personal thing." Stand for what you believe together. Stand firm. Fight for it together, so close that you seem like parts of the same person. That is why the Spartan warriors were so good. They would band together and be unbelievably strong together almost unbeatable. We must be fearless. You would be surprised how people will change how they talk or treat someone if someone else is standing by their side!

I guess the bottom line is. Does standing and fighting and sharing real life with other Christians make us stronger? How can it makes us fearless? I pray and ask God to help unbelievers see Jesus in me and in the people in my church. Let's pray this way and stand strong. Can you stand firm in one spirit with your brother and sisters? Let's do it! Have a great day and God bless!

Don't be under the mattress.........

Good Thursday everyone! Man, I have talked to a lot of people over the last week that are being severely attacked by Satan. Seems like Satan is coming from all directions in some people’s lives. Tearing up families, long time friendships, business, and he is even working hard in the churches. Why do you think he is doing such a good job making a mess of so much? I really think when we take our eyes off of Jesus, Satan seizes the opportunity and strikes. Then we get hit with this avalanche of hardships and feel we can't rise above it all. Let's see what Gods' Word says about it......

Bible Verse: Mark 11:22 "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."

Have you ever asked someone "How are doing?" and they gave you a standard response "Fine" and you knew that was a lie? I have asked some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay, under the circumstances." Really? Under the circumstances??? What is up with that? Hey, I have to admit I have said the same thing. I am serious! But, try this on for size. Circumstances are like a mattress. Stay with me for a second. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. If you are under the circumstances, you will suffocate. If you are on them you rest pretty good. Our problem is we let all the circumstance of the world and life pull us down. Sometimes we must realize that we are dealt a certain deck of cards and must play them out. Good or bad!

Here is something I tell the sports teams when I get the chance to share a little gospel with them. The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look straight ahead. Straight ahead to Jesus. He's the author of the race. He is the big cheese. He's the goal to which you run. He is the finish line! Trust me when I tell you this. If you truly look to Jesus to supply your every need for this hard and sometimes tiring race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life. Here is the kicker, it's not great faith in God! It is faith in a great God. Do this and watch what happens.

There is this hymnal That I want to share the word with you to. It is called "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" and here are the words.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Chorus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

I pray you have a great day today and God bless!

Where are you looking??????

Good Wednesday everyone. Well, we made it to hump day! I hope this find you well. I had my third Epidural Spinal Injection yesterday. I am really praying that this will speed up recovery of my back. I got to thinking this morning about how I live my life. Well, really how does everyone live their lives. What helps you along the way. This morning I was in line to drop Joslyn off at school. They have a policy that you are not allowed to park across the street and walk your kids through all the traffic for everyone's safety at to keep the flow moving. Well, a mom pulled up and parked and was walking her daughter across the street when the principal caught her. The principal said "You are not allowed to walk your child across the street and through the parking lot due to safety. The mom says "Everybody does it". Ok, my windows were down and Joslyn saw and heard everything. So, we had a great discussion about just because everyone is doing it doesn't make it right! That brings me to today's scripture. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it shows us.......

Bible Verse: 1 John 2:5"But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him."

You might already know that I was in the navy. So, the next part is cool. Did you know the the word "keepeth" in 1 John came from the word that sailors used years ago to refer to their practice of steering their course by "keeping" the stars. Now, mind you that I was on a submarine and we couldn't use the stars but, it is still taught at navigation school 

Now, check this out. This didn't mean, that a sailor or ship would not be blown off course or that he might not over-steer. Or, maybe even nod off at the wheel or somehow even be distracted, or fail to keep a perfect chart. But the goal, the aim, the desire, and the thing that he looked to for guidance in his life were those stars. He knew that using them he could find the direction to his destination.

Now, you might be saying how does this help me? In the same way that the sailors used the stars, John says God's commandments are to be the standard by which we chart our courses in life. I had to sit back and ask myself if lately I have been using God's Word to guide my steps or allowing my will to overpower Gods'. So, what is determining your steps today? God's Word? Or your word or will? Let's do our best to keep our eyes on the prize and allow God to guide our footsteps. Have a great and blessed day!