Day 244 - Summer Dreams

"Last day of summer for the kids."

Every year since my children have been old enough to go to school I have been sad on the last day of summer. I love being with them. If I could take them to work with me and do everything together I probably would. This year my youngest starts school too. I am sure it will be an adjustment to not have any of the kids home during the weekdays when I am off. 

We always reminisce about what our favorite part of the summer was. Vacations, fun times with family and friends are always the highlights. It is good to have those times and to remember them. 

Last night when I was leaving church and the sun had set it seemed like it was too soon. Many schools in our area have been going for weeks. Time is flying by. It is weird to think that a year has passed, the summer is at a close and we are heading towards the end of the year. 

Cherish each moment and have fun with those you love. Enjoy the time God has given you and make the most of it! Life is but a vapor...

What is your favorite summer memory? How can we make the most of our time?

Day 243 - No Man Knows

"It's crazy to think that someone came to church today and they didn't make it home."

Last year a man came to church and had a heart attack. He was transported to a nearby hospital and died. Thankfully we found out that he was a believer and had a solid relationship with the Lord. We know where he is now. 

Jesus speaks of his coming as a thief in the night. No man knows the day or the hour He will come. We need to be ready for His return. We need to live right and help others with their eternity as well. 

I have heard young people say "I have time". How foolish. I have done funerals for young people. Some have said "On my deathbed I will get right with God". I am not so sure that will work because God sees the heart and if it isn't genuine it won't be accepted. God is no fool and He isn't mocked. 

Today is the day of decision and now is the time of salvation. If you haven't yet given your heart and life to the Lord I would like to offer you the opportunity (click here). If you know that you're born again but haven't been living like you should it is time to repent and renew your relationship with the Lord. Pray and ask forgiveness and start now on the things you should be doing. 

How do you feel when you think about the Lord's return? What are some ways we can prepare for His coming?

Day 242 - Everyday Choices

"Everyone has choices and issues they deal with though and none are exempt for any reason. We all have to fight the good fight and put the flesh under."

There are people who think that because I am a pastor that I don't deal with any issues. Like my father in law taught our church we as pastors are anointed to preach and teach the Word of God, but, we are no more anointed that anyone else to live the Word of God. We have to hear it, believe it and apply it just like everyone else. 

I often am shocked, even though I should know better, when I see people who have everything going for them and they are still struggling with issues that they should know better. But the truth is that we all stumble in many things like the book of James tells us. We all need to follow diligently the Word of God. 

As long as we are living in the flesh we will be fighting with it. The flesh wars against the Spirit. That is where we choose to walk in the Spirit and put the flesh under God's control. Once we make the choice the battle ensues. Thoughts and feelings will come, the devil will attack. If we stay the coarse and follow the Word then we will come out victorious. How could we not when God is on our side? 

How do you deal with battling the flesh? How do you deal with spiritual warfare? 

Day 241 - Repentance

"After I prayed he prayed a prayer of repentance. It was very touching."

Repentance has become a dirty word to some lately. What is sad is that many of those people are Christians who are being swayed with winds of doctrine blowing through the church. 

Repentance is simple. It is simply changing your mind and turning from the way you were headed and going in God's direction. I do it daily. I am constantly renewing my mind with God's Word and adjusting my course to head the direction God has outlined for me. 

Repentance is a beautiful part of the Christian life and should be celebrated both by the individual and the church. Why not? God celebrates repentance. In fact there are parties in Heaven amongst the angels and the father of the prodigal, who represents God in the parable, threw a party for the repentance of his lost son. So why should we be ashamed of repentance? 

Maybe it is because repentance is evidence that we were wrong. In our society there is a move to say that no one is ever wrong, this is how we are and you are wrong if you judge anyone else. The contradiction there is foolish. It is most likely fueled by pride and an unyielding spirit that will not bend to God's ways. 

God offers us the way of escape from temptation and sin but also, if and when we mess up, because we still live in this sinful flesh, Jesus is there as our advocate with the Father and His blood washes away our sins. 1 John chapter 1 is probably the most well known section of scripture that deals with repentance. If you haven't read it you should take some time to get a hold of the truths that it holds. 

Don't be afraid to change your mind and your direction. God is calling us to Himself. The message of the Kingdom started with the word 'Repent'. Now that we are a part of the kingdom of God it is a part of our daily lives. 

What other scriptures deal with repentance? How do you feel after you have repented and gone back God's direction?

Day 240 - Permanent Solution To A Temporary Problem

"We talked about her son who tried to kill himself last night."

There have been a few times in my life that news shocked me and made me sick to my stomach. This was one of them. I had a close relationship with this individual. I had walked him through rocky points in marriage and eventually a divorce. I had prayed with this man and labored to keep him in church. Now here is news that he had tried to end his life. 

The only light I could see in this situation was that he was still alive. His mother was dealing with the feelings associated with suicide. "What did I do? What didn't I do? What could I have done?"

We prayed together and I listened and let her work through the emotions and tears. In the end I encouraged her and then connected with him later that day over the phone. He was ready to make the changes and to work where he needed. 

I have heard it said that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The pressures and weights of today will not be the same pressures of tomorrow. Whatever you are going through you must remember that you are 'going through' it. It won't always be like this. Yet the devil wants us to believe that and would love for us to end it all. 

The greatest hope we have is that no matter how hard it gets in this life if we are Christians we have the life to come that there will be no more pain and suffering. We have a Comforter now who is with us everywhere we go and in everything we encounter. 

If you are battling suicidal thoughts you need to talk with someone who is godly and trusted. Share with them what you are feeling. Pray together and seek the scriptures on your situation. Also at the bottom of this page I have included telephone numbers you can call if you feel like you have no one to talk to. 

God loves you and has a wonderful future He has planned. You will outlast the problems and the trials of life. 

What scriptures give you hope? What are you looking forward to in life?

USA National Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). New Hope Telephone Counseling Center 714-639-4673. Covenant House 1-800-999-9999 . Focus on the Family's Counseling Department 1-855-771-HELP (4357). Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Mountain time.

Day 239 - Does It Have To End?

"Oh the joys of going back to school and summer ending. I love summer. I wish it could be the endless summer of the movies traveling around the world crossing the equator in search of the perfect wave. But instead I have to send my kids back to school. Not so bad when you think of their education, social life and special times of the fall winter and spring. This morning we had the pre-school year Dr's visit. The kids were cute as they got their height, weight eyes and ears checked. It was a lot like a new fun game for them. I had an appointment so I left and Jess said from then on it turned. Suddenly there was the small room with three antsy children in robes and underwear climbing all over the place. Jess said that they were in there an hour."

One of our pastors on staff at the church who is very wise shared a bit of wisdom with me during the change of a season. He said that God gives us the seasons and times in order to bring to light different truths. He went on to explain that we should use the times and seasons to teach and understand more about God. 

This season has been amazing. I look over what we have done this summer alone and I am amazed. Expand that to this year and I can hardly believe everything that has taken place. We pack into one year what some may take decades to accomplish. I am not bragging it is just the reality of the fast paced life we live and the church we are a part of. God is doing an abundance in our church. We don't even know the half of it. 

When the seasons change it is the natural tendency to mourn the loss of what we are enjoying or resist the change of pace. When I find that I am in that state I remind myself that there are blessings of each season. Even though summer is my favorite season and I like heat more than cold I can't resist smiling when I think of playing in the snow with my children. I would never enjoy those blessings without a winter. 

Whatever season you are in be sure to enjoy it. If your season is changing don't worry. Get excited! There are specific blessings coming to you in the season that is ahead. 

What is your favorite season and why? How can we enjoy the season of life we are in? 

Day 238 - The Best Post Ever

"We had some iced coffee and the best raspberry macaroon ever and then headed home."

This will be the favorite post...ever. Hands down. All you need to get a ton of likes or even comments on any social media is to post about food. Shoot a picture out and people will be eating out of your hand (pun intended). 

I am hoping it is different in the blog world. So far I have seen that the posts people like and share the most on in this arena are ones that really matter. Then again I am new to this realm and haven't talked food or put a picture out of what I have been eating. 

So last year I found out that Disneyland has a bakery at the end of Main Street that sells a raspberry macaroon that is to die for. Every time I would leave the park from then on I would stop for one. 

You can imagine my disappointment when the season ended and they stopped making the macaroons. I had to settle for the coconut ones topped with powdered sugar called the Matterhorn. Delicious as well but not the macaroon I was stopping in for. 

So in the spirit of sharing what I like to eat I have included a picture of a homemade Dutch Baby made with love by my wife. (No this is not the macaroon I was raving about but I don't have a picture of one because I ate them before I thought about taking a picture of it.)

Have you noticed that people like to share their food online? Why do you think it is so popular? 

Day 237 - That is How People Get Killed

"It was a stupid move."

A year ago today we were sailing on a large boat and a guy in a Hobie cat cut right in front of us. He was under sail so technically he would have the right of way. The problem is that when you cut in front of a large vessel that is in motion you run the risk of getting run over. 

One of my good friends from the south says there is a saying there that you can't fix stupid. Aside from the humor of that statement I see it in how the events unfolded that day we were sailing. 

After the guy got around us he started to yell at us in anger that he was under sail and we should have gotten out of the way for him. So now we are the bad guys because you're being stupid?! That works in a textbook but in the water might is right. If the boat I was on was under sail and had the right of way but a large oil tanker came along and wanted me to move out of the way, you better believe I would be doing what I could to get out of the way. 

We are encouraged in the Bible many times and in many ways to look out for others and put their needs ahead of our own. When we look out for number one we fall into pride and the snare of the devil which will eventually bring us down. If we don't want him to steal kill and destroy then we need to yield our rights and let others be first. 

What are some ways we can put others ahead of ourselves? What scriptures talk about this? 

Day 236 - Have You Heard?

Avalon harbor dock overloaded with small boats

"I could tell a lot of people had never heard faith taught." 

In the church world it seems to be a constant turnaround. People come and people go. One pastor commented that we pastor a parade. Whoever is in front of us we minister to with the understanding that they are just passing through. 

With this understanding I often will find myself repeating concepts and preaching the same thing over and over again. This is not only good for those who haven't heard but it serves as a refresher for all of us. We need to hear things more than once and be reminded and stirred up from time to time. 

The remedy for all this is to be consistent. If I could speak anything into someones life it would be to stay faithful to God and be consistent in church. Wherever you are at, and I know that people read this all over the world, get into a local church and be consistent. 

I recently went to Catalina Island. I hadn't been there in decades and the one time I went was for a concert and I didn't get to experience the island. In the main bay there are boats all over the place and they moor out in the bay. Everyone rides their smaller boats to get to shore. There are often too many boats for the dock. The image left an impression on me.  

What we need is more people that are stable and willing to stay in the same place.  Consistent people serve as an anchor for others. Eventually they will see the blessing of being stable and consistent. In the Psalms is says that people who are planted in the House of God will flourish in His courts. Our lives will be blessed by the consistent nourishment we receive from regular church attendance, fellowship and prayer in agreement with faith filled people. 

Have you seen the benefit of consistency? How did it bless your life? 

Day 235 - A Fork In The Road

"I am taking the encouragement road right now instead of the chastening road."

When leading it is good to have a process by which you motivate others to head in the direction you are leading. Leaders should always lead by example and be all in on what they are encouraging others to do. 

The process is simple. Tell others what you want them to do, encourage them, correct them if they get off track and then praise them when they get it right. 

There is more to this when dealing with people who are more than just followers. If they carry the title member or staff (children...) or whatever your organization calls them whether they have been hired or signed on. For these individuals it must be clear expectations with follow up and follow through. 

When these individuals know what they are to do and don't do it then there is a motivation problem. Start with encouragement. Share a story or set a goal. It doesn't have to be ridiculous it just has to be real. People will go as far as you encourage them. 

If they continue to not do what they should be doing then it is time to discipline. There needs to be a real process for discipline and it should be clearly understood and held to. Just like when we were kids and our parents had rules that if we broke them there were consequences there should be in any organization a set of consequences for wrong behavior. 

When we encourage and properly discipline it makes life better. People will feel empowered and it will set a wonderful atmosphere. These principles work at home, church, or even in business. 

How do you encourage? Is there a right or wrong way to discipline? 

Day 234 - Spiritual Things

And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ AMP)

"'Combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language'. Makes sense. That is why the natural man cannot receive the things of the spirit. It is a spiritual truth not to be perceived by the natural mind. You can't calculate or reckon it. It is spoken in a foreign language to the natural mind. It is spiritual language defined and understood by a spiritual mind."

My dad is a computer programmer. He was self taught for the most part and would spend hours with his nose in books while tinkering with computers in our garage. 

At times he would start talking to one of the family members about what he was learning. He would use terms we didn't understand. As he would talk our eyes would slowly glaze over. 

Sometimes those of us who are spiritual wonder why people don't get what we get. We talk about the love of God, Jesus sacrifice or the present relationship we enjoy with the Holy Spirit and people look at us like we are crazy. They don't get it because it has to be discerned spiritually. It cannot be understood in the natural. The only way they ever will get it is if their minds are renewed by the Word of God. 

Have you ever been talking to someone in spiritual terms and their eyes glazed over? What spiritual truths do you know today that once were foolish to you? 

Day 233 - Garlic For All

"I think we first need to identify values. It will seep out of who we are. Then speak the values. Finally rehearse and reward the values."

I am a garlic lover. It just tastes great in almost everything. The only problem with loving garlic is that afterward everyone knows you love it. All you have to do is say 'hi'.  

Our values should be like that. They should be evident by what comes out of us in our words and actions. People who share our values will enjoy what they hear and see while those opposed to our values will be repelled by them. 

The easiest way to find out where your values are is to see where you spend. Where you spend your money and where you spend your time will show you most of what you value. If you spend time with your family then you value them. If you spend money on hobbies then you value them.

A good indicator of your walk with God is how much time have you spent with Him in prayer, studying His Word and  being in church and whether or not you tithe and give offerings. If you do all those things then most likely you value your relationship with God. 

Like I said in my quote from last year it is good to rehearse and reward values. We need to talk about them and share them with others. Additionally when we see our values being lived out in ourselves, our families or our organizations and businesses we should reward them. It will only strengthen the values. 

Take some time to identify your values. If you don't know where to start then look at what you spend time and money on. Then talk about your values with your family and friends. Finally reward yourself and others when you see the values being lived out. 

What are some ways we can reward values being displayed in ourselves and others? What are some other ways we can identify values?

Day 232 - He Is Willing

Matthew 8:3 NKJV Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing, be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

"Jesus is willing, are we wanting? We can be cleansed if we will come."

It starts with desire. What do we want from the Master? Is it a real desire or just a passing pleasure to spend on ourselves? Would we humble ourselves to fall at the Master's feet and cry out to Him? If not then we shouldn't expect to receive anything from Him. 

It goes from desire to action. Some want and wait but never come. It is like the old saying that was popularized by song "Everybody wants to go to Heaven but nobody wants to die." If you want it you must come! And not only that you must come the way God wants you to. You don't approach a king any way you want. You have to approach a king the way he wants you to. So it is with God. We come humbly. We come dependent on Him. We come desperate for Him. 

When we do then we will find Jesus willing to save, willing to cleanse, willing to heal. And not only willing but able and abounding. We will be overtaken by His goodness. He will bless so abundantly we will be overwhelmed. 

What do you want from God? How bad do you want it and what do you need to do to get it? 

Day 231 - The Wet Blanket

"It put a damper on the whole night."

Have you ever been in a tense conversation where you were trying to work things out. Maybe you were the mediator and were trying to get people to come together in love and forgiveness. Just when you are getting breakthrough and think there is a resolution one of the people says "I have just one more thing I would like to say." Then they drop a bomb on the conversation that explodes into another argument. You walk away wondering if you just wasted the hours you put into the relationship. 

This has happened to me more than once. It ends up being a black cloud that hovers over the situation. There is not much you can do in these situations other than pray, laugh and get back to the basics. 

Prayer is a tool we often overlook. When a person brings up something at the end of a conversation or is holding onto bitterness or unforgiveness prayer is the tool that will heal and release the issue. If you can get people with the Lord He can heal the wounds. You should pray before, during and after you talk. If God is in it He will work it out. 

Laughter can break through the coldest heart. You have to be careful with this though because it can also turn bad. If the moment warrants a laugh or even a chuckle then seize it. That smile will literally change the course of the conversation. 

Getting back to the basics is always good in these situations. Once I was trying to figure out a story and had to write and draw pictures just to get it right. When you can get the basics of love, respect and communication down the rest will often fall into place. Simplicity will uncomplicate a sticky situation and allow for resolution. 

What other tools would you add to my list? Which of these three would you say is the most important?

Day 230 - Learning the Hard Way

"I found out later that I didn't put any sunblock on my face."

I would imagine you know how I found out that I didn't have any sunblock on my face. Pain and redness! 

Like the old DC Talk song says; "Some people gotta learn the hard way, I guess I'm the type of guy who's gotta find out for himself". Experience is a tough teacher. She doesn't discriminate nor does she pull any punches. Like walking into a wrecking ball there have been things that I wanted to know for myself and later wished I would have listened to sound wisdom. Or to take it a step further asked someone who would know!

Thankfully not everything in life is learned this way. There are lots of things we can only learn from experience and hard knocks. But if you can learn from the experience of others or from instruction then you will save yourself many sorrows and painful learning lessons. 

This is where the student of the Bible will be glad to know their efforts aren't wasted. The Bible is more than a bunch of stories from history. It is examples of people who failed and succeeded. It shows us what to do and what not to do. 

Why learn from tough times when you can receive the instruction of God's Word?

What tough life lessons have you learned in the school of hard knocks? What lessons have you learned from others or from the Word of God?

Day 229 - Unapologetically In Your Face

"Our church wants it told like it is with a bold, upfront approach."

I yelled at them. Veins must have been popping out of my neck. I was hot with anger. How dare they?! They were leading others astray with a simple act. Some of them didn't know what they were doing but others knew and didn't care. It was a selfish act. 

What was it they were doing you ask? They were leaving by the hundreds. Tons of people were getting up right before the church service had ended and were leaving. It seems innocent but they don't know the impact it has. There is an eternal consequence for them and the people they are leading astray. 

'What?!' you may ask. Let me explain. When people leave before the altar call just to avoid traffic or because they don't want to sit through another altar call they are saying something. They are saying that they are just there for the music and message, maybe they throw some token offering in and hope that they are getting brownie points with God. No dice. 

They are also saying that they don't care about others who need to hear the message of the gospel. It is not only a distraction and a bad witness but immature people and the unsaved with follow them right out the door. Like a lemming walking to a cliff that leads to Hell they follow. 

So I yelled at them from the stage on the microphone. "Sit down!" It shook a lot of people. I got their attention. Right after the video announcements stopped I went after them. I told them the bold truth and also let them know I didn't care what they thought of me. Their soul is more important than them liking my delivery of the truth. They needed to hear the message and if they left and died they would go to Hell. It is not a popular message but it is the truth. 

We had many people respond to the altar call that day and I have never had so many compliments at the back door of the church while I was greeting. 

People want the truth. Don't water it down, don't compromise, don't patty cake or play games...just give me the truth. 

Which do you prefer; smoke and mirrors or the truth? How does the truth change how we approach important things in life?

Day 228 - Respect For Others

"They wanted to keep it private." 

Over the years there has been plenty of opportunity for me to expose what I know and who I know it about. I could have elevated myself or my position. But loose lips make for shaky relationships. 

Not everything that could be shared should be shared. It is better to respect others and stay quiet. Pray about it if it bugs you. But keep your prayers to yourself too. Enlist your spouse or a private confidant if you need to vent. Otherwise it is just gossip veiled as a prayer request. 

That same respect that you have for others they will have for you. When you share something and ask that they keep it private they will respect your wishes. What you sow you will reap!

How can we respect others when it comes to private matters? How else can we build trust? 

Day 227 - The Cost of Friendship

"Friendships are complicated and the circle is small. Trust comes hard and respect is kept at the cost of familiarity and relaxation."

Maybe you don't have this problem. It could be my position as a pastor. Friendships, real friendships, are hard to come by. When I was younger I thought my large circle of friends would be around forever. Many have moved to other parts of the nation and contact is infrequent. 

I thank God that my wife is my best friend. That is how it should be. I am thankful though because I have a covenant partner who is with me all the time. It would be really lonely without her. 

As I get older I find that there are many people who would say that they are friends. I think my definition of a friend is different. I have tons of acquaintances. My church family is huge and I love every one of them! That is not the issue. A friend is someone I can relate with and talk to. I can open up with and be vulnerable. 

I know a true friend when it costs me and it costs them to be in the relationship. If they won't put any skin in the game then I know they are a surface level friend. I also know that if they will be committed it will require me to be a friend. The Bible says in order to have a friend you have to be a friend. It will cost you as well. 

When you find a real friend hold on to them. Their friendship is worth the fight to keep. Call them up and let them know you appreciate their friendship. Pray for them and encourage them how they have encouraged you. 

How do you keep real friendships going? How do you know who is a real friend or just an acquaintance? 

Day 226 - Are You Listening?

"As I'm here reflecting I realize that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me through the day."

God is speaking. All the time. The question is not whether or not God wants to say anything to us. The question is are we listening? 

It is interesting to note that the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, is introduced to us in the book of John as The Word. If you ever wonder what God has to say just look at Jesus and you will hear His voice. 

The whole Bible is a love letter from God and a manual for life. God has an opinion and instruction for your life. If we can quiet our soul and listen God will speak to us. Presently the Holy Spirit lives in believers hearts and speaks to us. On a daily basis, moment by moment, we can hear His voice. 

Have you been listening? What is God saying? 

Day 225 - The Simplicity of the Gospel

"Church was great. It was a simple and powerful message."

Many times I think we complicate things more than we should. It is a simple gospel. Living is simple. 

It is so simple that it seems foolish. Jesus died so we can live. How? Why? Simple...love. God loves us. That is a powerful truth. He died for us. Powerful! We live because of Him. I may not understand the fullness of it but I believe it. 

Take God at His Word. When you read that God loves you...He does. When you read that you can be blessed, healed, delivered, etc. believe it! You can have it. Declare it and live it. 

Is there a truth that you had complicated that God made simple for you? How has the simplicity of the gospel empowered your life? 

Day 224 - Not Just Any Car

"I just finished reading Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional and he used the term fiat which I only knew as an automobile from Italy. It turns out it is a command with the power in itself to accomplish what is spoken. With respect to God it is appropriate."

In Genesis we hear the first words of God revealed to humanity. Verse 3 He speaks "Let there be light." The command holds the power within itself. The next words we read; "and there was light." It happened just as the command was spoken. 

When we speak the Word of God it still has that creative power. Jesus likened it to a seed. When the seed goes in to the ground it has the power in itself to produce what it is. When you speak the Word it will produce what it is. 

In Hebrews it says the Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword. It is like the Roman sword that has a blade that cuts both ways. What is interesting is that in the original language it says it is a double tongued sword. When you speak what God speaks there are two tongues in agreement. 

God has to bring His word to pass. Otherwise He would be a liar and would have to give up his throne. He looks after His word to make sure it accomplishes His purposes. 

Whatever you are facing in life speak the Word! Find a scripture that deals with your situation and boldly declare it. God will cause it to produce fruit in your life. 

What scriptures do you speak over your life? How has the Word of God produced fruit for you?

Day 223 - I Got Nothing

"I got up at 2 am to see the meteor shower and saw nothing."

Not every good idea pans out. It is okay. Nothing ventured nothing gained. But every venture doesn't always work out. 

I have had grandiose ideas that have taken my family through some pretty big let downs. One time we drove for hours to go and find the California poppies on the side of some hills that were supposed to 'light up the hills like fire'. Of coarse it was a low rain year and the heat had burned most of the poppies so all we got to see was was the side of hills looking like dirt. 

Or how about every time I travel to Los Angeles. Our family has actually started calling it Lost Angeles because no matter where we think we are going or where our mapping program says to go we end up lost. Now we avoid LA at all costs. 

It took me two tries to get a picture of the blood moon because I missed it the first time. Thank goodness we are in a four blood moon zone of two years. 

As I write we are prepping for a trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. I have an itinerary and plans...we will see. The point is that we are still trying. Don't stop at failure. Keep going. 

Have you had any ventures where you missed out or it didn't pan out? Are you planning anything for the future? 

Day 222 - This Post Will Not Be Popular

"Jess had seen a report from CNN about the Christians in Iraq who were being told to convert to Islam or die. They were systematically beheading children, raping and murdering women and hanging men."

Keep reading if you dare. 

We need to take this seriously. There are people dying all over the world for their faith in Jesus. We need to do a few things to honor them and to help them. 

First, if you want to help then pray. Not just religious dead words but really pray for the persecuted church. Daily we need to be lifting them up to the Lord. The Bible says we should pray for them like we were chained together with them. Allow your heart to be linked to those that are suffering persecution all over the world. Pray for their health, strength, encouragement, deliverance and however else you are led to pray for them. 

Second, if you want to honor them then we need to live unashamed. It is a shame to hold back the gospel in our land when people are dying in foreign lands for the sake of the gospel. It is a shame to hold back the truth for fear of offending someone when they have preached to their own imprisonment. If we are to honor our persecuted brothers and sisters then we need to share in their sufferings. We won't be popular but that isn't why we are here. Jesus said He came to bring a sword and would divide households. Indeed that is true where sons and daughters have been murdered by fathers and mothers for their faith. 

Oh, I might add, get ready. These are only the beginnings of the birth pains. We will make it to glory through trials and tribulation. He who endures to the end shall be saved. 

How can we pray for the persecuted church? What can we do to get our hearts ready for the coming persecutions?

Day 221 - Get Outside of Yourself

"After church I got changed and we went over to Perris Hill Park for the back-to-school bash. It was packed with tons of people. The kids volunteered and did a really good job with the ring toss game."

Often when I think of going to certain areas I cringe. "No, not there." I know why I cringe too. I will be confronted with something no one likes to be confronted with; hurting people. Whether it is the homeless panhandler who I know is going to hit me up as I pump gas or it is the person who is arguing with their spouse at full volume in the middle of a store because of financial issues I don't want to be there. 

I think that life is designed to confront us with the truth that not everything is about 'me'. God wants us to get outside of ourselves and help someone else. The greatest commandment is to love God with all we are. The second command is like the first, we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. 

That is a problem. I can love myself pretty good. I eat things that I like, drive a nice car and live in a comfortable house. To love my neighbor as myself will cost me. It will cost me in time, money, care, etc. 

Every year our church goes into the inner city of San Bernardino to bless children who are less fortunate with backpacks, haircuts, food and the love of Jesus. Thousands of people come out. I go out with my children. I donate money towards the event. I make sure to walk around and thank the volunteers and look people in the eyes and share the love of Jesus. 

The reason I go out is to get outside of myself. To love someone else as I love myself. I have found that after I do I feel better. Even if I cringe at the thought of giving money to the panhandler or buying groceries for the couple who was arguing I am at perfect peace afterwards. I am outside of myself. God did say that when we do good works to the least of these we have done it unto Him. Maybe that is why it feels so good after we do good to others, the pleasure of God is resting on our life. No matter what you have or don't have, if you have that pleasure of God that is all you need. 

How do you feel when you have reached out to meet someone's needs? What ways can we do this more?

Day 220 - The Time For Growth

"I met with one of our young leaders and talked about the book "Nehemiah and the Dynamics of Effective Leadership". We had a good talk and I look forward to what this will end up being in the future."

When I went on missions trips overseas our training camp was in the middle of a cornfield. When we drove into the camp they would stop the bus in the middle of one of the cornfields and have someone run out into the middle of the field. They would turn around and look back at the bus and all the students on the bus would be staring back at them wondering what was going on. You could only see the person from their shoulders up. They would run back on the bus without a word and we would drive into the camp. 

For the next two weeks we would learn about missions and what our purpose was. We would study, pray, practice, run drills and train for what we would be encountering when we traveled to our destinations all over the world. 

When we left the training camp they would stop the bus at the same location in the corn field and the same person would run out into the field. This time they would disappear into the corn. It would be well over their head. At that point our team leader would explain that in just two weeks we had grown. If we were to stand at the corn field and watch the plants we would not have seen the growth. Stepping away and coming back however showed the growth. 

When I look at the last year and the discipleship and mentoring that took place with that young leader I see tremendous growth. The questions he asks and the places his thinking is going shows that he is moving up. 

You may have thought that you plateaued in your growth. First of all you have to remember that most healthy growth is slow growth. If the plant gets too top heavy and the roots and trunk can't support the weight of the growth it will eventually fall over. Slow growth is healthy and sustainable. If the root and trunk are strong then the branches can be heavy with fruit. 

Second remember that not all growth is visible.  I heard of a type of bamboo that would grow only a few inches above ground for the first five years. The underground growth was tremendous over those five years and on the sixth year it would shoot up many feet. Your growth may be deep under the surface in the depths of your heart. You are getting stronger so that eventually what is visible will shoot up. 

How do you see seasons of growth? How can we be patient while the process of growth takes place?

Day 219 - Conflict Resolution

"Both parties are pointing the finger at each other's faults and both are not walking in love nor are they believing the best." 

3...2...1...conflict! It happens that fast. Someone says something cross and your blood boils. "They were stupid!" "They were wrong!" "They, they, they!" 

You can tell a person who is full of themselves by how many times they say "I" but you can tell someone who is not open to their faults when you hear them say "they".  

We are responsible for our own actions. I can't make choices for other people but I can choose how I respond. 

3 quick ways to resolve conflict with 3...2...1...

3. Stop pointing the finger at others. 

What are you responsible for in the conflict? Can you make a change that will help resolve the issue? Pointing the finger will only hurt; not help. 

2. Walk in love. 

The Bible says that love covers the multitude of sins. Forgive through the power of love and move forward. Love is the most powerful force in the universe because God is love. When we operate in love it will work out better than when we operate in offenses. 

1. Believe the best. 

When we choose to believe the best the future is brighter. Often when dealing with forgiveness and conflict resolution I find people don't know how to move forward. They don't want to get hurt again so the close off their heart and don't allow people back in. Love believes the best. When we believe the best we open our hearts and let people back in. Yes there is the risk we may get hurt again but love covers that too. I am not saying to be foolish or to put yourself in a sinful, harmful or foolish predicament. What I am saying is with wisdom and faith you can move forward and be vulnerable to believe the best and let people in through love and forgiveness. 

It is as easy as 3...2...1...

Have you seen these principles work in your life? Is there any other wisdom you could add to resolving a conflict?

Day 218 - No Small Thing, No Small Impact

"It was a normal day of meetings and prayer and study. The good thing is that no matter how normal it all is it impacts lives."

Your life matters. Everything you do counts. The choices we make today will impact tomorrow and eventually eternity. 

It is easy to get distracted with discouragement. Life can get boring and mundane. When life is a drag or a grind that discouragement makes a miserable existence. Eventually the negativity will seep off the tongue like bad breath. You may not realize you have it but everyone else does. 

The remedy is to remind ourselves that God has ordained our steps and that what we do matters. It matters to God, it matters to us and it matters to others. My life impacts people. Daily prayers, daily devotions and daily duties will eventually equal daily answers, daily victories, daily salvation, and daily blessing. 

When I released my book I had prayed for big things to happen. I had dreams of a huge campaign to launch it and promote it. What ended up happening was that there were delays and eventually when the book went live I had no marketing plan in place and the launch was a bit anti climatic. 

I must say that after book readings and signings when all the dust settled I wondered if the adventure was worth the journey. It was at that time I had someone share a statement with me that they got in prayer. They said that God had sent them to encourage me. The statement was; "No small thing. No small impact." That statement is not only for me. It is for you as well. I believe it is true. 

Your life adventure is worth the journey. Even the boring and mundane is holy and meaningful. 

Have you seen small things have big impact? How did it happen? 

Day 217 - How To Get Breakfast

"This morning Chloe lamented that she only ate a little bit of eggs at camp and should have ate more which resulted in an all out cooking spree on Jess' part. I wasn't complaining because my omelet was good."

Our family enjoys cooking. I wish our kids enjoyed eating the food as much they enjoy preparing it. 

In our house the best way to get breakfast is to compliment the cook. When the question is asked "What do you want for breakfast?" do not answer "Whatever". The response will be "Then have a bowl of cereal". If you want breakfast you should answer the question with a compliment. It should go something like this; "Remember that French toast you made that was so good? Do you think we could have that again?" Voila! French toast. 

Some would suggest this is manipulation. I would suggest this is an honest answer with a compliment mixed in for good measure. The cook feels good about what they are serving and you feel good about what you are eating. 

You would be surprised how far a compliment will go. Again, not for manipulation but rather, for edification. People will only go as far as you encourage them. I might add that if you want people to enjoy being around you that a compliment will make that happen. 

In the workplace it will make for a smooth and uplifting work environment. When you need involvement from other departments on a project you could ask for help, or, you could compliment the strengths of that department and ask for help. Your work environment will be pleasant and the job will get done better. 

Apply the principle to marriage. How much better would your marriage be if you complimented your spouse? Don't just get breakfast get a great marriage. Compliment without asking for anything! When you do need something your spouse will be there for it because they not only love you but they like you too! Chances are you complimented when you were dating and may have forgotten how after the wedding day (I'm speaking to husbands there...). 

One time my wife complimented the job I did fixing a toilet in our house and afterward I was looking for things to fix. The point is we need to speak good things about people and to people. The Bible calls it 'necessary edification'. It won't cost you anything but a thoughtful speech and will improve you life. 

Do you enjoy being complimented? How else can this principle be applied?

Day 216 - What Turns the Heart

"Solomon's heart wasn't turned from The Lord by his great wealth, great fame, or great knowledge, but by women who worshipped other gods who he kept around and allowed them to do what they wanted without rebuke or restraint."

There are forces from without that will constantly battle our minds to get us off of God and our convictions. Pain, thoughts, desires, and a slew of social, societal and relational influences will come like the rising sun. 

The forces within are where we have to guard the most. Solomon's downfall was from inside his own house. Just the sheer number of women he brought in would overwhelm any man. I don't believe that it was God's will for any man to have multiple wives let alone hundreds. 

Just like Samson and Delilah now another mighty man falls to the influence of ungodly women. 

Now before you pin me for a woman hater think again. I wouldn't be where I am without my wonderfully Godly wife. She is a better Christian than I am most of the time. 

The point is that if the wisest man up until Christ could fall because of who he let in then we should watch the influences of our lives. If the strongest man in the Bible could be pestered by someone until he gave in and left his convictions to reveal the secret of his strength then we need to watch who we let in.

We now have great wisdom than Solomon and greater strength than Samson because Christ lives in Us. He imparts His wisdom and strength to us. But if we let the wrong influences in our lives we will fall prey to the enemy and our hearts will turn away. Let's learn the lesson and guard our hearts. As we follow God in obedience we will enjoy the blessings He so desires to give us. 

How have you seen negative influences harm your relationship with the Lord? What can we do to guard our hearts from ungodly influences? 

Day 215 - Your Hour Is Up

"On the way to church the sky was beautiful. At one point the sun was beaming through in several directions shooting rays brightly to the earth through dark massive clouds."

When Jesus was confronted by the chief priests the temple guard and the elders who had come out to take Him, He said, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." There was a time when the devil had authority on the earth. The devil usurped authority and took the dominion from man when Adam and Eve rebelled in the garden of Eden. It was under that power and authority that Jesus came and lived under the law. He fulfilled the requirement of the law and when He was crucified His blood was shed in innocence. He was guilty of no sin, not one. Jesus qualified to be our sacrifice. When He raised from the dead He took the keys of the kingdom back from the devil. Authority and power was restored rightfully to Him. 

I know this is deep but let me make it simple. Because of what Jesus has done darkness has no power. There is no rule or authority above His. It is all under His control. You never have to be afraid of the devil. You don't have to fear tomorrow. No matter how dark it may seem remember that light always overcomes. In blackest deepest darkest space the tiniest light could illuminate the space. Jesus is on the throne victorious. 

If that wasn't enough He has now given the church His authority and power. If you have been born again into the kingdom of God then you have the authority and power of God. All you have to do to enforce that authority is speak in the name of Jesus. We are ambassadors of Christ. We speak on His behalf now. So if any forces of darkness try to come against us we can bring them under subjection to the Word of God. You have to know it and declare it. 

Clouds may hide the light for a time but the brightness of the sun will soon shine through. 

How does this understanding effect your life? What scriptures do you use when confronted with darkness?

Day 214 - Prayer Works

"It was raining most of the day. Hopefully the kids were able to have a dry camp!"

Two of our children were up at a camp last year. Obviously we prayed for them to have a good time and to be safe. We did not realize how our prayers were working. 

They did not have a dry camp. It rained most of the time they were there. In fact on our way up to the camp there was a news van filming the clouds over the mountain. Not a comforting start to camp. They actually had to change the events and schedule of the camp because of the rain. 

On the last day of the camp all the parents were supposed to pick up the kids and there was a one hour window to pick them up in. Weather advisory warnings were all over the news. We raced up to get our kids and get back down the mountain. Every parent got their children and our team came down and just minutes later a flash flood ripped through the camp sending feet of mud into the buildings and destroying several structures. 

Our prayers were answered. As simple as a prayer for protection was it was equally as effective. God isn't looking for eloquence, He is looking for faith. Trust Him enough to give Him your cares, requests, needs and your every day. 

Have you had a simple prayer answered in a powerful way? What happened?