AMAZED

Psalm 30:5b

..."Weeping may endure for a night buy joy comes in the morning."

The word "joy" here in hebrew is rinnah.  It means a shout of rejoicing; shouting; loud cheering in triumph; singing.  Rinnah describes the kind of joyful shouting at the time of great victory.  It also describes dancing for joy.

Zeph. 3:17
"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will dance over you with with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will dance over you with singing."

God literally dances over us, and His love for us is so great.  This amazes me to think that God would sing, dance, and rejoice over me.  This makes me want to love Him back in this way.  We love Him because He first loved us.

Hab. 3: 18-19
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."

The word joy here is a different hebrew word...gil.  It means dancing for joy, or leaping for joy.  It literally means to spin around with intense motion.  God dances for joy over Jerusalem and because of His people in Isaiah 65:19 and Zeph 3:17.

Everything was going wrong in Habakkuk's world, but he chooses to leap and dance for joy because he has fellowship with Yahweh.  In our lives, we have to chose to love Him and rejoice in Him even though our world might be crashing down around us.  God's love for us in unchanging, unending, and unconditional.  He loves you so much.  He rejoices over you.  He dances over you.  He sings over you. 

Lord...I'm amazed by You.

Perfect and Complete

"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." Psalm 138:8

"I will cry out to God Most High, to God who perfects all things for me." Psalm 57:2

This word "perfect" here is the hebrew word "gamar".  It means to end, finish, accomplish, perfect; to come to an end, cease; to perform and fulfill.  It refers to the completing, finishing, and perfecting of God's work in one's life.  The New Testament verses that parallels the above two verses are below:

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."  Phillipians 1:5.

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Peter 5:10

God wants us to take Him at His word and to take His word at face value.  The truth of His word is available through no other source.  We must receive and believe on His word to benefit from His word.  We can be assured that if we continue in Him, the LORD will most certainly fulfill His purpose for us.  AMEN!  He will never leave us, or forsake us.  He is just one prayer away at all times.

Another word that goes right along side perfect is the word "complete". 

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our LORD Jesus from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Heb. 13:20-21

This word complete in Hebrew is the word "katartizo" which means to arrange, set in order, equip, adjust complete what is lacking, make fully ready, repair, and prepare.  It is used for the disciples mending their nets and for restoring fallen brothers and sisters. 

Now, I'm ready to preach....Do you still have breath?  Then you are still being perfected.  God is not done with you.  I don't care what your past looks like.  I don't care the kind of sin you have been in, or are currently living in right now.  I ask again...Do you still have breath?  Then it is not to late.  Your life is not over, and there is still hope through the blood of Jesus.  There is hope for healing.  There is hope for salvation.  There is hope for love.  There is hope for joy.  There is hope for freedom.  God is in the business of rescuing people out of there troubles.  His arm is not to short to save.  His grace is sufficient for you.  He loves you with an unconditional love.  He has never stopped working in you.  He is perfecting you.  Everything that you have gone through in your life has made you the person you are today.  The world needs you.  The church needs you.  Your family needs  you.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  You were chosen by God before the foundation of the world. 

God is a God of restoration, and resurrection.  I want to encourage you that if you have fallen, it's ok.  God's love hasn't changed towards you.  He will heal you the moment you ask.  He will restore you the moment you ask.  He will forgive the moment you ask.  He will save you the moment you ask.  This is the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His blood that was shed on the cross.  Don't lose heart.  God will complete the good work which He has begun.  It's not over.  You're still breathing, and you are deeply loved by an awesome God who is just one prayer away.

Father In The Mirror

"For though you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers..."
1 Corinthians 4:15

In a world lacking fathers and husbands, what does it mean to be one?  Let's look at what the Word of God says...

Eph: 5:22-25
"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her."

Col: 3:19
"Husbands love your wives and do not be bitter towards them."

What does it mean to love our wives?  Are we willing to do what Christ did, and die on a cross for them?  That's the kind of love Christ demonstrated for His church. 

Now, we won't have to die on a cross for our families, but are we willing lay down our lives sacrificially for them on a daily basis?                          

What is true Christ-like love? 

1 Cor. 13:4:7
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not arrogant; does not behave rudely, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 

If you want to love like Christ we need this kind of love.  You can substiute "God" for the word "love" in that scripture, and you can see how He loves us.  Subsititute your name, and see how you should love your family.

How do we go about loving as Christ loves?  I don't know about you, but it seems pretty difficult and near impossible to actually do 1 Cor. 13.  So, how do we do it.  I believe God took me to the book of James for the answer. 

James 1: 22-25
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, decieving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."

The Bible is our mirror.  We have to keep our face in the mirror daily to reflect God's love to our families.  If you don't keep your face in the mirror of God's word you will be a forgetful hearer immediately.  Have you ever had an amazing quiet time with God and 2 hours later, or 10 minutes later be cussing your neighbor, the person driving down the street, in a fight with your wife, thinking evil thoughts.  You were a forgetful hearer.  I was a forgetful hearer.  How do we truly love as Christ loved by staying in the mirror of God...the Word!!!

Have you ever put two mirrors facing each other?  They reflect each other, and it seems the reflection never ends.  2 Corinthinas 3:18 states, "But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the LORD." 

When we truly have our face in the mirror of God, we reflect the Spirit of God.  We become the mirror of God because we are reflecting to mirror image of God to those around us.  Let me say that again, we become the mirror of God.  We are reflecting Him; we are becoming Christ-like.  We are reflecting what we are beholding.  We are the second mirror looking into the word of God.

How do we love our families as Christ loved the church?  We reflect His image to our families, because we have been in His word because we have seen Him for who He really is. 

Selah

I just want to pause right now, and say PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!! He is the Alpha and Omega.  He is the first and last, who was and is and IS TO COME!!! His mercy is unending.  His grace is enough.  His love unconditional.  His blood is all we need.  Oh, the blood of Jesus that washes away all my sin.  There is power in the blood.  I thank Him today, and I say hallowed be thy name.  You are amazing to us oh God.  You are so lovely and beautiful.  We are so unworthy but you love us despite of ourselves.  While there is breath on my lips I will praise you God of my salvation.  God my peace.  God my comfort.  God my joy.  God my provider. God my sustainer. God my friend. God my redeemer. God my resurrection. God my advocate. God my healer. God my ALL in ALL. You are THE I AM!!!  I choose today to serve you LORD.  I choose to praise your name regardless of my circumstance…regardless of my trouble…regardless of my sin.  I choose you THIS DAY, God.  And I say Jesus, I love you with all my heart.  I make a joyful shout within my spirit right now, and I scream to you in jubilee and in VICTORY…I am more than a conqueror.  We win, the battle has been won, and I got the joy; I got the joy; I got the joy of the LORD in my heart.  In your presence O God there is fullness of JOY, and at your right hand O God there are pleasures forevermore.  I GOT THE JOY I GOT THE JOY I GOT THE JOY!!! Praise the LORD O my soul, and ALL that is within me!!! Bless His Holy Name!!! JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Tyson's Puchout!!!

In 1987, Nintendo released a game called Mike Tyson's Punch-Out.  I was 9 years old when this game came out, and I still can't beat Mike Tyson at the end of the game.  Now, I know I don't play that game everyday, but even if I did I know I could never beat him.  If I couldn't beat him when I was 9 or 10, I know I couldn't beat him now because Nintendo was my life back then. 

The video above is some clips of just how great the young Iron Mike Tyson was in the mid-1980's.  He knocked out the majority of his opponents.  He had won close to 40 fights all by KO or TKO before his first loss to Buster Douglas in 1990.

1 Timothy 6:12
"Fight the good fight of faith..."

Paul tells young Pastor Timothy to fight the good fight of faith.  We are in a fight for our faith everyday.  Let me ask you a question.  Have you ever been knocked out by life?  Has somthing or some circumstance come at you out of no where, and gave you a punch to the gut that took your breath or faith away?

Whether you win a fight, or lose a fight you're probably going to get hit.  Some hits knock you down, others knock you out.  It's how we respond to these hits by life that make us stronger.  I want to share a couple of verses that God has shown me over the past couple of days.

1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuiness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

2 Cor. 4:16-17
"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

James 1:2-4
"My bretheren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing."

It is so hard to think that I should count it joy when I get hit in the face by life's punches.  How am I supposed to do that?  The only thing I know to do is get my face in His word, and search out answers to my situation.  I'm going to let God's word speak for itself, and let you into what He has shown me that past couple of days.

1 Peter 2:4-5
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house..."

Even though we may be rejected by men we are chosen by God for His purpose.  The world rejected Jesus, so we shouldn't be surprised when it rejects us.

1 Peter 2:9-10
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness, and into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

1 Peter 2:19-20
"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?  But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."

All through these verses, I keep coming across the words: Patience, Faith, Joy, Chosen.  God has chosen us to be apart of His team.  He is more interested in developing His character in our lives than giving us what we want and desire.  Proverbs 16: 9 says, "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs His steps."  If something hasn't gone the way you have thought it should have turned out, and you are following the LORD God remember that He is in Control, and you can trust that He knows what He is doing.  Roll all your cares, worries, and burdens onto Him.  This is so hard to do ecspecially when you are in the middle of the battle, but you can do it and you must. 

1 Peter 1:5a
"who are kept by the power of God through faith..."
The word kept in greek (phroureo) is a military term picturing a sentry standing guard as protection against the enemy.  We are in spiritual combat, but God's power and peace are our sentinels and protectors.

Prov. 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Sometimes we don't understand in our own understanding, but we can trust the LORD with all our heart.  He is faithful to bring us through and help pick us up when we've been knocked down. Just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we too can rise from the ashes to victory through Jesus!

Imitators of God

Eph 5:1

"Be imitators of God as dear children."

If you've ever been around kids then you know that around 2 years old they really start to imitate everything you do.  This can be a very good thing, or a very bad thing.  It's actually kind of scary to think about being a father of a very impressionable 3 year old.  It actually adds new weight to the responsibility of being a parent.  I have to watch everything I do and say.  I have to admit, I'm not always the perfect example of a parent.  I say and do things everyday, that I wish I could take back.  There are also times when my son does something awesome, and it's like, "that's my boy".  He's a chip off the old block.  I hope he's so much better than I am when he grows up.

As I read this scripture today it took on new meaning.  I'm supposed to imitate God like a child.  This is difficult because I don't want to think of myself as a child.  As we read the word, we're supposed to have child like faith in Him.  So, I want to encourage you today to not read too much into things, and get your mind out of the way.  If we would follow God as a child, and be imitators of Him life might be a little more simple.

Excalibur

Excalibur the legendary sword of King Arthur.  There are many stories written about how Arthur obtained the sword, but the one I grew up with was the old Disney classic, "The Sword and the Stone". In this account, the sword could only be pulled out by "the true king," meaning the divinely appointed king or true heir of Uther Pendragon.  Excalibur, King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of Camelot are only legend but they make for some great stories.  Some of my favorite stories are of King Arthur, and the Knights of the round table.

The word of God is often called a sword.  Check out the below two scriptures.

Ephesians 6:17- And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

The Bible is our weapon against Satan, and all the spiritual forces of this world.  The enemy would like to deceive us, and cause us to fear him and what he can do.  If you look at all the scary movies that come out in the theater.  The purpose is to cause fear in the hearts of men.  Do you know that we have authority over the powers of darkness? Jesus said in Luke 10:19-"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

You do not have to fear Satan, and his demons.  The same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead dwells in you.  No weapon formed against you shall prosper.  The enemy wants to keep you out of the Bible because he doesn't want you to be armed for battle.  We are in Spiritual Warfare every moment of everyday, and we have to suit up in our armor and take up the sword of the Spirit to fight.  We have to pray the word of God.  Prayer and the Word will give you victory over the enemy every time.

Are you in a battle today?  Pick up your word, and begin to read and pray.  Keep the word in front of your face.  It has to be a priority in your daily life.  We are kings and queens of heaven, and we can pick up the sword which is founded on the true stone.  We have our own Excalibur that gives us victory every time we use it.  We are not heirs of Uther Pendragon, but we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

The key to unlocking the power of your Sword of the Spirit is understanding not just the written Word, but the living Word-Jesus Christ. The Bible says in John 1, that the Word became flesh and dwealt among us, and we beheld His glory as the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. The Bible is alive because Jesus is the fulfillment of everything written in the Bible-Gen-Rev. Jesus is the living sword that the enemy has been defeated with. The enemy the devil is already defeated. He was defeated when the Word was crucified, and rose again. He is the alpha, omega, beginning, and end. The First and the last. He is He who was, and is, and is to come. You can rest in the fact that Jesus Christ has won the victory, and is the Living Word.

When God Ran

Luke

 ¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
   ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
   ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
 
   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
 
   ²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
   ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
 
Have you ever been the son who left his father?  The only picture in the Bible of God running is this father running to get his son back.  God loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love.  No matter how many times you've left him, He is there to welcome you home.  No matter how many times you sin, He is there to forgive you every time you ask Him.  It's time to look at God as Daddy.  He will never fail you.  He will never leave you.  His grace and mercy are within your grasp. Just take one step toward Him.  If you take that one step, He will run to you.  Just turn your face in His direction, and He will run to you.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

In this movie, all Steve Martin wants to do is get home for Thanksgiving, but the journey home has one detour after another.  The only person Steve Martin has to keep him company is an obnoxios slob of a shower ring salesman John Candy.  Nothing goes right for each of them on their journey, but in the end Steve finally gets home, and they both enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together.

Has your life ever felt like this movie?  You have a destination in mind of where you want to be in life by a certain age, but nothing is going right for you.  Detour after Detour, challenge after challenge, it feels you'll never reach your dreams, goals, or vision you had when you were younger.  I have a couple of scriptures to encourage you with:

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts your thoughts."

Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

No matter how bad we think our mistakes, past, or sin has been-God can turn it around for His glory.  He's all about taking failures and horrible sinners, and making them righteous and holy.  It's not about us.  It's about Him.  The enemy is the accuser of the bretheren, and he wants you to keep your eye on your issues.  BUT GOD says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

We are to follow God one day at a time.  He's not going to give us a road map for our life.  We must realize we are not just made for life here on earth.  We were made for eternity.  God wants to work His character out in your life, so that you will be ready for the job He has for you in eternity.  If you are seeking the LORD, and following Him then you need not worry about tomorrow, or 10 years down the road. 

This life is full of detours, but this present struggle is just for a moment.  We will make it home to be with our heavenly father in time for the banquet of the bridegroom. 

Phillipians 4: 6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Psalm 145

A Praise of David.

 ¹ I will extol You, my God, O King;
         And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
 ² Every day I will bless You,
         And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
 ³ Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
         And His greatness is unsearchable.
        
 ⁴ One generation shall praise Your works to another,
         And shall declare Your mighty acts.
 ⁵ I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
         And on Your wondrous works.
 ⁶ Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
         And I will declare Your greatness.
 ⁷ They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
         And shall sing of Your righteousness.
        
 ⁸ The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
         Slow to anger and great in mercy.
 ⁹ The LORD is good to all,
         And His tender mercies are over all His works.
        
 ¹⁰ All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
         And Your saints shall bless You.
 ¹¹ They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
         And talk of Your power,
 ¹² To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
         And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
 ¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
         And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.^{[c]
        
 14} The LORD upholds all who fall,
         And raises up all who are bowed down.
 ¹⁵ The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
         And You give them their food in due season.
 ¹⁶ You open Your hand
         And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
        
 ¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
         Gracious in all His works.
 ¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
         To all who call upon Him in truth.
 ¹⁹ He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
         He also will hear their cry and save them.
 ²⁰ The LORD preserves all who love Him,
         But all the wicked He will destroy.
 ²¹ My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
         And all flesh shall bless His holy name
         Forever and ever.

Mercy Seat

"The Ark of the Covenant, the chest containing the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, was the most sacred object of the tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem, where it was placed in an inner area called the Holy of Holies. Also within the ark were the golden pot of manna, such as was provided by God in the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 16:4) and Aaron’s almond rod (Numbers 17:1-13). On top of the ark was a lid called the mercy-seat on which rested the cloud or visible symbol of the divine presence. Here God was supposed to be seated, and from this place He was supposed to dispense mercy to man when the blood of the atonement was sprinkled there.

In a manner of speaking, the mercy-seat concealed the people of God from the ever-condemning judgment of the Law. Each year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the blood of animals sacrificed for the atonement of the sins of God's people. This blood was sprinkled on the mercy-seat.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for “mercy-seat” in Hebrews 9:5 is hilasterion, which means “that which makes expiation,” or “propitiation.” It carries the idea of the removal of sin. Also, in Ezekiel 43:14, the brazen altar of sacrifice is also called hilasterion (the propitiatory or mercy-seat) because of its association with the shedding of blood for sin.

What is the significance of this? In the New Testament, Christ Himself is designated as our “propitiation.” Paul explains this in his letter to the Romans: “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed” (Romans 3:24-25 NKJV). What Paul is teaching here is that Jesus is the covering for sin, as shown by these Old Testament prophetic images. By means of His death, and our response to Christ through our faith in Him, all our past sins are covered. Later in Romans, Paul pinpoints precisely when this occurs: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4 NKJV).

It is when we, upon the basis of penitent faith, are buried with Christ in baptism, that we are raised in “newness of life.” By our obedience to the divine commands, we are made “free from sin.” Also, whenever believers sin, we may turn to Christ who continues to be the propitiation or covering for our sins (1 John 2:1, 4:10). This ties together the Old and New Testament concepts regarding the covering of sin as exemplified by the mercy-seat of God."

Now, we know what the mercy seat is, and why we should run to Him.

Meet Erika

^{Proverbs 18:22} He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
                And obtains favor from the LORD

We first met at a "Game Night" at a friends house in October of 2005. We barely said a word to each other that night. We started dating 1/1/2006. I proposed on February 3rd, 2006, and we were married 5 months later, on July 1st, 2006.  You say, that's awful quick Chris.  Please just look at the above picture for a minute.  Can you blame me? :-)  In all seriousness, I would like to share with you our story if you'd like to read it. 

As it's drawing closer to Valentines day, I was just thinking about how God brought me my valentine for life, and how I would like to write our love story.  All I can say is that miracle after miracle took place, as God brought me to Bethel World Outreach in Murfreesboro. 

I met this beautiful 19 year old girl, but I was not interested  in her and vice versa.  She actually thought I was annoying, and an old man being 27. haha.  In all fairness, I thought she was too young as well. We continued to see each other at church and small group.  It seemed like everywhere I was, she turned up.  I hadn't planned anything or sought her out.  I was not interested.  Christmas time came, and we both auditioned for the church Christmas play.  She actually was the lead role.  It was a swing dancing, musical Christmas play.  I heard her voice, and she really took my breath away.  One day during rehearsal her dance partner was gone, and so was mine.  So, :-) we had to match up.  She said it was the guns that caught her eye, and my ability to lead on the dance floor. lol.  We were still just friends, but we were both fighting something inside.  We talked a lot of the telephone during Christmas vacation.  I knew before we took it further, if she liked me (I was still clueless), I'd have to share with her my recent past.  Well, we had those conversations, and she still liked me.  I couldn't believe it.

She wanted me to call her father, and ask permission to date her before we made it official.  So, I got his number and gave him a call.  I'd never spoke to him before, and our first conversation was, "Can I date your daughter?".  Her parents live about 3 hours away in west TN.  Well, it was a good conversation, and he gave me permission to date. lol  I laugh because 3 weeks later we were traveling to meet the parents for the first time.  I met them on Friday night.  Saturday me and her father played golf all day.  Saturday night, I asked permission to marry her. What!!! That's right folks.  I'm a crazy man.  I was crazy in love with Erika.  It was important for me to have her father's blessing.  If they had said no, we would have waited.  Thank God they said...YES!!! HAHAHA WHOOHOO!!!  We both knew that God had brought us together, and we were going to marry each other.  I had a steady job, and was ready to support a wife financially.  Although if you wait for that sometimes you'll never get married.  I knew my struggles in the past, and I didn't want to give the enemy a place to mess this one up.  So, we sped things up as fast as possible.  I had vacation coming the first of July, and so I said, "That's perfect time for a Honeymoon!".  What about July 1st?  It was a struggle for her to wait that long. haha. So we set the date, Erika got to planning, and we were married July 1st, 2006.  Things haven't been perfect, mainly because I'm not, but we are committed until death. 

Erika had always wanted a family.  When I asked her how many kids she wanted, she said she wanted six.  I just kind of laughed, and I said...WHAT!!! Well, God kind of melted my heart towards the idea.  He brought me to the whole chapter of Psalm 127, and I decided that I guess I'll let God build my house.  I don't know if we'll have 6 kiddos, but 8 months after being married we started to try.  We succedded; Erika was pregnant with our first, David Israel Day.

My little buddy is now 3 year old.  He was born 11/28/07.

Well we liked David so much that we decided to try again.  On August 14, 2010, my daughter, Virginia Ruth (Ginny Ruth), was born.  She has her daddy's birthday, and we will celebrate many good birthdays together.  She is my princess, and I will make sure she knows she is loved no matter what.  I don't care if she has me wrapped around her finger.  I'm wrapped around God's finger, so I will love her the same.  This is some of our story, but I love Erika more now than ever.  She truly is my best friend, and companion for life.  We'll talk in about year about a brother or sister for David and Ginny Ruth. :-) To be continued...

Well it has continued. Our 3rd child, my angel, Eliana Grace was born on Aug 4, 2014. What a story and Journey God has brought us on that is too long to post here. God is faithful, and our family is the best thing in my life. I'm truly the most blessed man alive-money can't purchase this love. Children are a heritage from the Lord! To be continued...



More Than Conquerors

Romans 8:37

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

The phrase "more than conquerors" comes from the Greek word Hupernikao.  From huper, "over and above," and nikao, "to conquer".  This word describes someone who is super victorious who wins more than the ordinary victory but who is overpowering in achieving abundant victory.  This is not a conceited attitude, but confidence that Christ's love conquered death and through His love we are Hupernikao.

Revelation 12:11

"And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

So according to these two scriptures we can live super victorious and overcoming lives through His love, His blood, and our testimony.  Two parts Him, but one part us.  The world around you needs to hear your story.  The enemy wants you to keep it hidden living in shame, guilt, and condemnation.  The enemy also wants you to think that you're the only one with issues, problems, and struggles.  Well, you're not alone and the people in your sphere of influence need to hear your story if you are given the opportunity to share it with them.  You can also find brothers and sisters to help walk out this life, and to help encourage and strengthen you.  Eccl. 4:12 says, "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." and Prov. 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend".

We each have a story to be told with pains, joys, victories, and defeats.  Each of these shape our lives, and have made us who we are.  God says that He is going to be faithful to complete the work which he began in you.  You are a treasure in Gods eyes.  You are the apple of His eye.  He loves you no matter what, and He's created you to have a relationship with Him.

If there was a man who was more than a conqueror it was the man Jesus Christ who conquered death. The same Spirit who rose Jesus from the dead lives in us, and through Him all things are possible. Without Jesus we are nothing, but because of Him demonstrating His love on the cross to us we have been brought near to Him. We can do nothing on our own power and might, but through His Spirit working in us we can do anything. We are more than conquerors because He is the ultimate conqueror and we have His name written on our hearts.

Sea of Forgetfullness

Micah 7:19

"He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities.  He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Sometimes I just want to forget my past because it includes my sin.  I don't like to remember my dirty laundry, and sometimes when I think about it I just break down and cry.  I cry because of the hurt that my sin has caused others, and I cry because of what might have been if I had responded with godly choices instead of the sinful choices.  I find rest in the fact that God has taken my sin, and thrown it into the depths of the sea where He remembers it no more.  How awesome is He?  Psalm 32:1 says, "Blessed is He whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."  That's all I need because everything else is so trivial in life.  My sins are covered in the blood of Jesus forever.  Past, present, and future sins are covered.  On my best day, I'm not worthy to stand before Him.  It's only by His grace.  His love for me never changed even when I was wollowing in sin.  He was right there.  He healed me the moment I asked Him to heal me.  Praise the name of the LORD for covering my sin.  I want to go deeper into His grace. We forget sometimes the power Grace has to offer.  We get caught up in rules, 12 step procedures, works, and legalism. It's the power of God which can free us from powerful addictions overnight.  It is for freedom He has set us free.  You can be free right now from powerful strongholds that have held you in prison all your life.  Isaiah 61 says that the Spirit of the LORD was upon Jesus to bring freedom to the captives.  I was once a captive, but now I'm free because Jesus set me free.  Whatever your stronghold is right now ask Jesus to supernaturally deliver you from this sin and bondage.  Whom the son sets free is free indeed.  David says in Psalms 30:2, "O LORD my God, I cried out to you, and You healed me."  Cry out to Him now, and you will be healed by the power and authority of Jesus Christ. Amen.