A True Leader and an Amazing Wife!

Last night I had the pleasure to watch the love of my life care for my 2 precious daughters plus carry my expected baby boy (8 months along) and she was the first woman to preach at Transforming Life Church.

I know that I am bias and I am suppose to gush over her and all she does... But please just indulge me for a minute.

Last night, I witnessed a woman who I have known for 10 years know deliver God's word with conviction, power, honestly and clarity. I watched her talk about our life, marriage, some of our failures (most of which were my fault) and our successes.

Rebecca's sermon was titled "Following GPS (God's Plan and Strategy) For Your Life". She didn't have 7 godly steps, or 5 faith points or anything like that. Instead Rebecca, made the sermon about life and how simple it really is to follow God.

It comes down to a choice either we follow God (with Faith and Patience) or we don't! When we don't well that is like running a red lights the first couple of times you maybe able to get through the intersection without something happening but eventually the law of averages will come into play and you're going to run over by a Mack truck.

Once we get hit by the truck will really show our character though: 1. We accept that we caused this accident or 2. we blame God, or the truck driver or anything but ourselves.

Far to often this is what we has human beings do. Nobody, likes to admit that they are to blame. However, if we can and then submit our lives to God again... (In words of my wife) God's GPS will say "Re-calculating!" You will find yourself on the right track again!

Well, thanks for allowing to gush about my AWESOME, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, PRECIOUS WIFE! I love you Sweetheart!

It Ain't Easy...

I am learning to love my neighbor and to live by the golden rule

But it’s so hard when I’ve been lied to

I feel like a fool forgiving a fool

It ain’t easy learning to love like you

I am learning to be faithful with the little that I have

To do like Jesus and turn the tables

To give it all to get nothing back

It ain’t easy learning to love like you
~It Ain't Easy by Jason Upton

So all day, today I have been having a problem with this Osama Bin Laden news. Like most Americans I remember exactly where I was when the towers were hit and eventually fell to the ground. I remember seeing the plane crash into the Pentagon. I remember! I will never forget the events of 9/11 and all the people who lost their lives. I remember the weeks of not knowing what was going to happen next. I remember being proud of my brother who signed up for the Army all because someone had to go over there find those who were responsible for those innocent people who lost their lives.

Now, I will always remember the events of last night. I will remember where I was when I first heard the news of the death of the man who was responsible for taking those innocent lives. I will remember where I was when I first heard "Ladies and Gentlemen, I can announce to you that Osama Bin Laden is dead"

Now, here is where it gets a little difficult for me. On one hand I want to celebrate this man being brought to "Justice". This man who took responsibility for the events of September 11, 2001. Not only did he take full responsibility, but he celebrated his actions. However, as a Christian I can not help but feel remorse for a soul that is bound to hell (if he didn't come to the truth about Jesus Christ). To steal a line from a friend of mine: To think Jesus loved him (Osama Bin Laden) as much as Mother Theresa." ~ Joe Dibella

So here is the problem...

As an American I want be like:
"OH YEAH! We got that blah and blah...

and He got what was coming to him... Don't mess with the U.S."

But when I read verses like this:

Ezekiel 33:11a Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.'

or this:

Prob. 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.

Or when I read what Jesus said:

Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I can't help but think that a human is going to place where he was never meant or designed to go. Hell was never created for us. We were only meant to glorify God, and reflect His image, love, and grace. Instead... Osama (apart from Christ) is going to eternal destruction.

Please don't get me wrong I am not condoning the actions of September 11, 2001. I am not trying to belittle the lives of all the people who died because of the actions of the Al Qaeda. I am not trying to belittle the lives of our soldiers or their sacrifices. However, I am not going to celebrate when a human soul is bound for Hell (unless he came to the knowledge of the truth of Christ). Until, I am able to figure out what I am suppose to feel... I will feel: sad...

Today, I think the only thing celebrating is: Satan!

I for one refuse to side with him...

Please feel free to challenge me on my opinions or to offer your own.

And most importantly, I would like to say a

BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SOLDIERS, FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND SACRIFICES. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!!

God is the Great Teacher

WOE.... How He loves us....

Today I took a half day at work and the plan was to take my oldest daughter Abby to a movie (Toy Story 3). This week we have been a little tight on money but I was able to come across 20 bucks and I really wanted to take Abby to see this movie. So off we went and when we got the parking lot I noticed that there was this older lady in a SUV in front of me trying to park her vehicle. When she pulled into her spot she pulled too close to the vehicle next to her so she needed to back out and re-park. I wish I could tell you that I waited patiently for her but sadly I don't have very many patients for people are "bad parkers" I am not sure why but I always seem to be in hurry.... Funny how Jesus was never in hurry instead He would come across someone's path right on time... I can not recall anywhere in the Bible where the words read "Jesus was hurrying" In fact I am now reminded of the times that He ministered to others on His way to minister to someone who was dead. (I guess I thought well, she isn't gonna get any deader...) Please teach me this lesson Jesus...

Anyway, I shot around her and parked our van on my FIRST TRY. After all I am a professional parker. Then I got Abby out of the vehicle and started to walk toward the movie theater and I noticed that this same lady was kinda half staring and half waiting for us to walk by. I thought "She must be angry and want to give me a piece of her mind..."

Instead, she was trying to get her keys which she had dropped on the ground and bounced under her vehicle. I asked her if she wanted me to get them for her and she was so relieved... So I grabbed the keys and muttered something witty like "some times the keys seem to bounce in the worst spots". Then this lady started to walk with us into the movies. She asked Abby what movie we were there to see. "Toy Story 3, I LOVE TOYS", Abby exclaimed!!! Then she told us that she was there to see Despicable Me.

And this lady keep getting in front of me and again I was getting annoyed... I was thinking "it is one thing to be a bad parker and take forever with your SUV but come one lady I am in a hurry". I just kept laughing and kidding with Abby... Then I over this lady order her ticket and another ticket... I thought to myself that's strange she said she was there to see Despicable me? Why is she ordering a ticket for Toy 3? Of course I am sure now you realize that she decided to pay for my ticket... God, is so good to us... I mean here I am being a jerk in my head and thinking that this lady is in my way... then she shows God's mercy and grace to me... God then there reminded me of Jeremiah 2:13.

"Come and drink this water... Come and drink this water... Come and drink this water... Which you couldn't afford!!!!" (I Dreamed There was a Fountain by John Mark McMillan)

"God help me to rely on Your living Water and not find my source of water... My sources are broken and are not able to satisfy the way you do... Thank you Jesus!!! "

PS. If you haven't heard John Mark McMillan's new CD called "Medicine" please visit this link and give it a listen!!! Really good worship music... Also he is apart of project called "I dreamed there was a fountain" (title track) which is really good listening!!!!