It's A Miracle

Jesus said to him (the invalid), "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.  (John 5:8 NIV)


After 35 years, diabetes has been a way of life for one of my closest friends, Kelly Williams.  Two years ago, Kelly had a kidney and pancreas transplant that was nothing short of a miracle.  Without a doubt, the transplant saved her life.  Despite several trips to Emory hospital in Atlanta, doctors visits, medications, numerous surgeries, medical bills I can not begin to fathom, and many, many prayers, her outlook is still positive and her faith in God is unshakable.

No matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs.  The key to survival and positive living is not letting problems or hardship cause your hope to fade away.   God may have special work for you to do in spite of any medical condition, or even because of it.

Kelly's hope and faith in God has ministered to me because I have been able to see her stand triumphant over her own hurts!! Praise His name!!

Season of the Witch

I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  (John 10:10)


I am a firm believer in the fact that just like the weather, we have different seasons in our life.  Certain times, I feel close to God; other times He seems to be further away(mostly because of me, but that's for another day.)  There are weeks that things typically go my way and other weeks where I feel like I can't catch a break. Regardless of what season we are in, we can live with the assurance that Christ is always with us.

We can deal with all troubles that we encounter knowing that with God by our sides, we can overcome and triumph in any situation.  Sickness and troubles are for a reason and season.  Jesus' life was for a reason and season as well.

His death and resurrection should give all believers hope no matter what season they find themselves in!

Money Talks

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.  (Proverbs 11:24)


Something that always boggled me when I worked as a youth minister was tithing-giving 10% of your income to the church.   The members of the congregation that did not have much, often gave well above their means while many of the wealthy often gave very little.

What is the point of our life on earth?  Is it to just work and make as much money as possible or is there something more? The verse from Proverbs presents a paradox-the more we give, the richer we become.  When we give, God supplies us with even more so that we can give more.  Giving helps to keep us grounded and gives us the proper perspective on our possessions.

Generosity is the opposite of greed; God promises the more you give, the more you receive.

You Wear It Well

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.  (Ephesians 2:10)


I can't help but notice "the dudes"at the gym, hopped up on protein shakes and supplements that enjoy admiring themselves in the mirror when I go to workout.  It's almost humorous, but the same guys are the ones that always seem to cut me off when I am waiting on some exercise equipment to open up.

We have a multibillion dollar clothing industry in the US and most people are obsessed with their outward appearance.  Don't get me wrong, I have battled weight loss and work out daily to look and feel my best.  Unfortunately, there are many people that are consumed with their image instead of what really counts-what's on the inside.  We try to earn approval from everyone except God...

Our heavenly Father's opinion of us is truly the only one that matters.  If He approves of us, that's all the approval we need, regardless of how the world sees it.

We are created in His image and we are all works of art in His eyes.

Working With Fire and Steel

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  (Proverbs  27:17)


A great football/basketball coach will hire the very best assistant coaches and staff to ensure victories on the field/court.  A successful manager will hire the best support staff and to ensure success in business.  Some of the most influential people in my life are good friends and mentors that I can learn and gain wisdom from.

There is a mental sharpness that comes from being around good people.  A meeting of the minds can help people see their ideas from a different perspective, which helps refine them and shape them into brilliant insights.  This requires partners that will not only discuss ideas, but partners that challenge and stimulate thought.

People often make the mistake of attacking the thinker because of ego, but what is really needed are "friends" that will stimulate and attack the thoughts, resulting in sharper and more vibrant ideas.

Pour Out Your Favor

You have made him but a little lower than God, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.  You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.  (Psalm 8:5-6)

Have you ever faced a situation where you visually saw yourself losing or failing?  For instance, a few years ago, I interviewed for a sales position that I just knew I wasn't going to be hired for.  Guess what, I wasn't hired for that position.  Where there some circumstances beyond my control?  Sure.  Did I live with hope and confidence that I was the top candidate for the position? Absolutely not.

The Lord offers us all gifts that many of us never receive, simply because of our lack of faith and belief in His ability to give us favor in all circumstances.  When we don't trust Him, we take matters into our own hands and that's when we live with the false sense of hope that we can actually do things on our own accord.

Live in confidence knowing that there is NO circumstance in His will that He will not give you His favor to succeed!

Glory (AUburn Edition)

All glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  (Ephesians 3:20)


I remember Auburn's undefeated 2004 season like it was yesterday.  We had some impressive players, Jason Campbell, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams.  The Auburn nation was disappointed when the Tigers were left out of the BCS Championship game and were selected to face Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl instead.  The second BCS standings were released on Sunday and for the first time in BCS history, Auburn is #1.  Please don't take this as gloating; we have a lot of football to be played before the end of the season; Ole Miss, Georgia, and don't forget a dangerous Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.

I wanted to write about Auburn because even after we won a tough game against LSU and OU was defeated by Mizzou, I really didn't expect my beloved Tigers to earn the #1 spot in the BCS standings.  After all, Oregon is still unbeaten and destroying most of their opponents with an explosive offense.  Why am I selling Auburn short?  We have beaten 4 teams in the top 25, we are putting up ridiculous yardage on our opponents and we have a legitimate Heisman contender in Cam Newton.

Aren't we a little like this with God?  Most of us hope too little in God and expect too little from Him.  If you remind yourself all of the many blessings He has provided in the past, there is no other choice but to expect Him to continue to bless you more abundantly in the present and the future.

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  (Philippians 4:4)


Would you be able to praise God and rejoice even if you were imprisoned?  Not only does it seem strange, but Paul teaches us that our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances.  Why do so many people use social media outlets as a place to spew negativity?

It's easy to be discouraged when things aren't going the way you planned.  True joy is knowing that Christ is dwelling within us at all times.  If you have been unpleasant lately, maybe it's time to do some soul searching and taking another look at life with a different perspective.

Beautiful Letdown

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dearest friends!  (Philippians 4:1)


"I don't belong here" are the lyrics from the Switchfoot song "The Beautiful Letdown" that often resonate with me when I feel like a stranger in a strange land.  There are too many things out of my power to control that I have come to realize that Christ is the One who has everything under His control.

The apostle Paul teaches us to  keep our focus on and our eyes on Christ.  We also need to remember that this world is not our final destination, but just a short stop before eternity.  We "stand firm" by not only keeping our minds fixed upon Christ, but allowing Him to be the Savior of our lives.

Praise His holy name!

Brass In Pocket

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  (Psalm 9:10)


Have you ever wondered if you were valuable?  I am not talking like Auburn's Junior QB sensation, Cam Newton, but are you valuable to someone like your spouse, a good friend, your family, company or clients?  In humility, I believe that I am special to the people in my life.  There are many people that I know don't feel the same way.  

The truth is that we are ALL valuable to God.  In fact, we are so special to Him, that He sent his only Son to live a sinless life on this earth, only to die for each of us on the cross to save us from our sins.  That's pretty significant if you really think about it.

The next time you aren't feeling so special, know that you are always valuable in God's eyes.  

I Need You

These all look to you to give them food at the proper time.  When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.  When you hide your face they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust.  When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.  (Psalm 104:27-30)


If you are like me, you can look to everyone or everywhere else but God to meet your needs.  We seek answers from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and occasionally we'll even look things up on Google or Wikipedia.  This host of other sources is great, but overlooking God is a costly and arrogant mistake.

Today, many people are arrogant enough to think they don't need God.  We often forget that it was God, our Creator, that first breathed life into us and formed us from dust, and it is God that wants the best for us in this life.

We must learn to depend on Him for all things-big and small and humble ourselves to follow His perfect will for each of our lives.

Waiting On A Friend

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.  Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.  Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?  (Proverbs 27:1-4)  


I don't always appreciate it at the time,  but a true friend will let you know when you are wrong, which is essential for a long-lasting friendship.  I was complaining the other night about some folks that enjoy surfing other people's Facebook activity and end up posting negative remarks about not being invited to do this and that.  My friend was honest enough to say that I was gossiping and I eventually agreed and felt guilty about it.

People with hate in their hearts may sound pleasant enough, but it's hard to actually believe what they say. You are a true friend when you have other people's interests at heart, so wouldn't you prefer that they are open and honest with you instead of just telling you what you want to hear?  A friend's advice, no matter how painful, is much better.

Our House

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people in need.  Practice hospitality.  (Romans 12:10-13)


One of the things I like most about our neighborhood is that it is reminds me of the neighborhood I grew up in back in Greenville, SC.  Most of the neighbors come outside in the evenings after work and let the children play together in the yard while the adults enjoy fellowship.  It's because of this "throw-back" neighborhood that we have met some incredible people in which we have established close and meaningful friendships.

God gives us abundant opportunities to honor people every day.  At work, we honor our bosses so that they will reward our efforts.  The other way we honor God is by loving others.  We have a variety of personalities, interests and passions within our subdivision.  In fact, a friendly rivalry between a huge Jets fan and Patriots fanatic is always fun to observe.  We are all created in His image and sometimes it's hard for us to put aside our competitive nature and simply love one another.  However, it's when we are not trying to outdo one another that we put others first.  When we put others first, we honor our neighbors with hospitality and love.

Father, give us the eyes to see, hearts to love, and hands to serve those in need. Amen.

How To Be a Zillionaire

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the Lord... (Jeremiah 29:11-14)


We heard a wonderful message at church yesterday on "Plan B," meaning that we all set out with our own plans (Plan A), but many of us end up with shattered dreams and end up either becoming bitter in life or dealing with the hand we are dealt.  I can easily say that I would have never imagined living in Knoxville with two beautiful boys and a wonderful wife who is way out of my league if you had told me this five years ago as I struggled with going through a divorce.  I never imagined that I would teach youth again either and now share an awesome responsibility a couple of Sundays every month.  My "Plan A" was blown to hell and back and yet, here I am more blessed than I can possibly fathom.

God has a plan for each of us.  Sometimes, His plan is simply not the plan that we have devised or plotted out for our lives, but just knowing that God knows our past, present and future should be enough to give us endless amounts of hope. This also does not mean we won't face trials and hardships, but God always sees His people through to a glorious conclusion.  So, when you find yourself in a place you never could have imagined, reach out for His endless love and His provisions and trust that He will take care of you.

God is good all of the time, all of the time, God is good!!!!

Family Man

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.  You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons like olive shoots around your table.  Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.  (Psalm 128:1-4)


Well, it was pretty quiet around the house this past week; my family went to Atlanta to visit relatives and I was a bachelor for the past several days.  It was great to have some peace and quiet, but soon after, I really began to miss everyone.  It's easy to take for granted the day to day chaos that comes from having children, but I am learning to surrender and let God be the head of the Fisher family instead of myself.

A good family life comes from following God.  The values outlined in His Word are integrity, honesty, prayer, and last but not least, love.  Reading and obeying God's Word is a good place to start to make your family all that it should be.  Think of His Word as a survival guide or instruction manual for a successful marriage and home life!

Sometimes Salvation

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  (James 1:6)


What is your perception of God?  Do you see Him as some rugged and judgmental Spirit in the sky?  Do you trust Him and take Him at His Word?  Have you ever doubted that He would seriously answer your prayers?

To believe and not doubt means to not only believe in the existence of God, but also trusting in His loving care.  This should also include relying solely on God when we pray, expecting Him to hear and answer us according to His perfect will.  He will not answer every single request or selfish petition, but we must have confidence that He is who He says He is.  He loves each one of us and is never too busy to listen to our individual prayers.

Praise His Holy name!!

Fly Me Courageous

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work.  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you..."  (1 Chronicles 28:20)


If I had to be honest with myself, I am coming out of a"funk" that has lasted for several months this year.  I am not sure why, but I have felt somewhat overwhelmed with many challenges that I have faced.  Sales goals, neighbors looking desperately for work, friends moving away, people battling illness and disease, pressure to figure out how to balance my life and time as a husband, father, neighbor, friend, co-worker, etc.  Looking back, I was immobilized with feelings of fear.  I am not sure what the turning point was, but I can say that once I started to immerse myself in work again, my feelings of fear and the worry of failure began to slowly disappear.

Regardless of what challenges we face, we must never forget that God never quits working inside each of us.  The enemy wants nothing more than for us to be gripped by our fears so that we are made ineffective.
God doesn't call us to a task without helping us see it through completion.  His promises are good and He will always give us what we need!

Moving Forward

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:13-14)


One of my favorite sit-coms was called "Do-Over" that originally aired for only a couple of episodes before being cancelled, but the premise was cool.  The plot of the show was about a guy in his thirties that gets teleported back in time to his childhood in the 80s and gets another chance to live his life with the knowledge and wisdom of his adulthood.  Could you imagine having a chance to go back in time with all you know now? Is there anything that you would change? How would your life be different?

The reality is that we do not get to go back in time and change our mistakes and things that we wish we could "do-over."  The good news is that in Christ, we can let go of the past and move forward.  We have all done things that we are ashamed of and once we seek forgiveness, we are forgiven and are able to move on and live a new life of faith and obedience.  Living in the past is a miserable place to be and it prohibits you from living up to all God has planned for you today.

Don't dwell on past mistakes, but look to Christ and move forward to all He has planned for you today!!

All You Need Is Love

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.  The commandments...are summed up in this one rule:  "Love your neighbor as yourself."  (Romans 13:8)


Have you ever attempted to change someone or persuade another person do something that they didn't want to do?  (Get your mind out of the gutter...)  I am referring to matters of faith.  Have you ever shared your faith with someone and been rejected?  I admit, that I have been rejected several times.  The more I grow in my faith, the more I am learning to let go and simply realize that I cannot personally change anyone or argue anyone into agreeing with me.  In fact, whenever we try to change someone or something, we are telling God that we do not need Him, because we are relying on ourselves.

Paul refers to love as being a debt; a debt that we can never pay back to Christ, who poured out His life to save every one of us.  The only way we can even begin to pay back our 'debt' is by LOVING other people.  It is so simple, but yet we make it so complicated.  The church as a whole has done a horrible job of teaching this message and we as the body have done a horrible job of taking this message of love into a broken world.

The next time you are tempted to judge or stand on your self-righteous soap box, step back and simply love someone.  Let go and let God do His thing...

Carry On

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him"-but God has revealed it to us by His spirit.  (1 Corinthians 2:9)


We were asked during our sermon at church this past Sunday why we can't carry our great feelings with us throughout the week.  Personally, my hardest days of the week seem to fall on Mondays and Wednesdays.  I'm not sure why, but maybe I could use an extra day to recoup from what are typically action-packed weekends.  I have no explanation for why Wednesdays are so dreadful, I guess because it is the middle of the week...

What if we were able to look past all the word had to offer us and look ahead for what God has in store for us in heaven?  We truly cannot begin to imagine what a wonderful and eternal future awaits us, but this world is not all there is.  Just knowing should give us hope and courage to press on in this life and help us endure hardship.  Praise His holy name!!!

The Dead Heart

The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being...All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.  (Proverbs 20:27, 21:2)


Have you ever looked back on a difficult or "bad" experience and given God praises that it happened?  Or, like many people, do you look back on something difficult and still hold on to the feelings of pain and anger and find yourself becoming bitter and jaded?  Too many people that I know are holding onto a great amount of hurt and their negative attitude permeates their very being.  My wife, Alicia, is the greatest judge of my attitude.  She will gladly let me know if she feels that I appear to be glum or have a sour attitude.

People can find an excuse for doing almost anything, but God looks behind the excuses and looks into the true motives of our heart.  Joyfulness is a state of being that you simply cannot fake!  True joy comes from having a relationship with Christ that gives us security knowing that we can trust Him, no matter what.  Bitterness and anger are also impossible to mask; holding onto those feelings for too long will eventually cause a great deal of turmoil in your life, one relationship at a time.

Life is too short to be so negative; let go and let God!!!

In The Light

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,   that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-10)

Our three year-old son always sleeps with a light on at night when he goes to sleep.  In fact, he refuses to enter certain rooms in our house unless the lights are on.  He does have quite the imagination and may be scared of the Joker or fears that the Riddler is waiting for him, but most children and adults are somewhat scared of the dark.  OK, I not ashamed to admit that I slept with my Spider-Man night light for most of my childhood!  I was scared to death of horror movie characters like Jason, Freddy or Michael Myers, or as my parents dubbed him/them, "The Boogie Man."

Maybe he is onto something as the light in the Bible represents what is Holy, good, pure, and true.  Darkness represents what is evil and sinful.  Light also exposes whatever is good or bad and often times, sin is revealed upon being brought into the light.

If we are have a relationship with God, we must learn to be in the light as He is in the light.  "God is light" and is not capable of living in the darkness.  To follow the Lord more closely, we must put aside our sinful ways and live in the light!!

Whenever I Call You "Friend"

A friend loves at all times.  (Proverbs 17:17)


A good friend of mine just got back from a business trip out of the country and upon his return, we hung out and had a great time...it was much needed after a stressful week at work.  Another close friend always makes a point to call me daily and we end up talking about everything from SEC football to cheesy music from the 70s and 80s, which always puts me in a great mood, despite whatever is going on in my day.

A good friend has a positive impact on you because they bring out the best in you.  You can always be more productive, have more enthusiasm and an elevated energy level when you know you are loved.  A good friend also can be a voice of reason and can encourage you when you face challenges in life.

Don't take your friends for granted; they are in your life for a reason and a blessing from God!

Can't Buy Me Love

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." -Jesus (Luke 9:23-24)


Have you ever wanted something so bad that you were willing to even over-pay for it?  A few months ago, I was one of the 1,500 people that lined up outside the Apple store to purchase an iPhone 4 on the day of release.  Even though I was able to purchase a new iPhone for both me and my wife, I probably would have paid a fortune to someone on Craig's List or eBay if they had sold out.  Apple did sell out and some of the websites were selling the new iPhone 4 for a hefty sum of $1,500 the first week and eager Apple junkies paid the price.

Why is it that we pay top dollar for the material things we value but when it comes to following Christ, we aren't always willing to make the commitment that He asks His followers to make?  Jesus asks His followers to do three things: deny themselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him.  Anything less is superficial lip service.

Look for ways to give your best for Christ today.  There are opportunities all around us to bring glory to His name.

Rest In Peace

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.  (Philippians 4:11-13)


It happens every October, our Chief Operating Officer comes into town to discuss our projected sales for the last quarter of the year.  As you can imagine, this year has proven to be quite a challenge in the employee benefits arena; some issues caused by a down economy and most of it driven by recent health care reform.  To be perfectly honest, I have been on edge and dreading the meeting with our COO this Friday.

When I read this verse Paul wrote about being content no matter what his circumstances, I can't help but feel inadequate.  Paul was in and out of prisons, getting beat down for his dedication for Christ, and went long periods without food, yet always was content.  His source of strength was found in Christ.  We have to learn to rely on God's promises and His power if we want to be content despite our circumstances.

God is in total control and when we learn to rest in His promises, we are on our way to being truly content.

Believe

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." -Jesus (Matthew 21:22)


One of my favorite lines from the Lenny Kravitz song, 'Believe' is: "If you want it, you've got to believe.  Just put your faith in God and maybe you'll see..."  The question is, if God already knows your every thought, why do we need to petition God by our prayers?

The main reason we need to pray is to recognize our needs.  Of course, Jesus is not just handing us over a blank check with our prayer requests.  The stronger our belief, the more our needs will be in accordance with God's will.

When we come to God on our knees, the closer we become to Him and it's at that point that our needs surface.  Once we acknowledge our dependence on God, the more our needs will be met.

Oh Death

Where, O death is your victory?  Where, O death is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  (1 Corinthians 15:55-58) 


I was talking with a co-worker today and we were discussing a television program her and her husband had recently watched that had them both thinking that the world was coming to an end sometime in the near future.  She cited several passages from the book of Revelation and I reassured her that no one knows when Christ will actually return.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow, but as a follower of Christ, I am assured about where I am going when my time is up and I do leave this earth.

It's so easy to get caught up in the "doom and gloom" that the media reports, we can easily lose our heavenly perspective.  If we truly believe that Christ conquered the grave, this fact should change the way we are living-right now.

We shouldn't feel discouraged thinking that we are not seeing any of the results from our good efforts, but trust in knowing that our work on this earth will yield eternal results!    

Clinic Cynic

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,  'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." '  -Jesus  (Matthew 11:19)


Have you ever noticed just how cynical most of the world seems today?  There are numerous shows on television that pair people together with opposite views so that the arguments and debates are truly endless.
Everyone seems to have an opinion and if you aren't thinking the same way, something must be wrong with you.

The people of Jesus' generation shared the same attitude; no matter what He said or did, they took the opposite view.  Just like long ago, many people today are living comfortable, secure and self-centered lives and listening to God presents a challenge.

Too often we justify our inconsistencies because listening to God may require us to dig deep and actually change the way we are living.   We must humble ourselves and listen to God's gentle voice and seek His guidance; realizing that we are not the center of the universe.

Loves Me Like A Rock

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.  It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace...  (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)


Out oldest son, Elliott, has been fascinated with being bigger as of late.  He will say things like: "I can't, because I am not as big as you, Daddy." I am even guilty of this when I jog/run as I am always working on trying to make my speed faster and improve my performance.

Unlike us, our God is never yearning to be something better, He simply IS.  He always has been and always will be...He is our rock and He loves us more than we can even begin to fathom!  He is the "I am" God, the Alpha and Omega.  Praise His Holy name!!!!!!

Is She Really Going Out WIth Him?

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.  (Acts 4:13)


Okay, so maybe it's a stretch to use a Joe Jackson song as the title for today's entry, but let me explain....Just think back to high school for a moment.  What did you think when you'd see some guy dating a girl that was way out of his league? I think that people shared a similar reaction once they realized the type of people Jesus selected as His disciples.

Let's face it, Jesus had a pretty unimpressive group of men as His followers.  The good news is that God specializes in using the unqualified to achieve the unimaginable.  If you don't believe me, pick up a Bible and read.  There are countless stories of people like Noah, David, Jonah, and Moses that did some pretty amazing things once they were filled with the Spirit.

God isn't looking for people that, by the world's standards, are impressive; He is looking for people that are submissive and willing to follow His perfect will.  Regardless of how incapable or limited we feel, He can do great and wonderful things through us all!

Open Your Heart

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings things out of evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." -Jesus  (Luke 6:43)


We all do this-when we are in public or a social setting we put our best behavior on display.  It's when we get comfortable with other people, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers that we open up and share more of what's really going on the inside.  I used to work as an on-air disc jockey for many years while in school at Auburn University.  No matter what was going on in my life, good or bad, I was able to masquerade behind my on-air personality.  I still do it from time to time.  Let's face it, life is full of trouble and sometimes it's just easier to keep things to yourself.

Jesus reminds us that our speech and actions reveal our true selves; everything from our underlying beliefs, to our attitudes, and our motivations.  The good impressions we try to make will not last if our hearts are deceptive.  What is in your heart will come out in your behavior and speech eventually.   Furthermore, in this broken world, people are looking and paying attention to everything you say and do, especially when you declare Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.