Been working hard over the past few week. This is a praise because our church is doing some things that are creative that is drawing people in. It is fun work but I do need a rest. A few days at the in laws and a couple of days with my parents will be a good rest. I am looking forward to a day of just reading and laughing and fun and family.
What is it that you are looking forward too over the holiday and do you need a rest?
I would be interested in any thoughts or comments you might have on the following:
Hezekiah was one of the Kings of Israel. He got sick and was going to die, so he prayed and asked for 15 more years to live and God being gracious gave them to him. Hezekiah became a father 3 years into the 15 and had a son who named Manasseh. Manasseh took the thrown at age 12 and ruled I believe for 55 years and was one of the the most evil kings in the history of Israel, maybe was the most evil. In light of this, was it a mistake for Hezekiah to ask for the extra 15 years?
I often pray that God would use me to make a difference in the world in which I live. I know that I do but sometimes I just want to see it. Today was a tiring and tough day but I did see were a difference is being made. I am a Chaplain with the local police force. I got a call late afternoon that my services would be needed to make death notification, without giving details, it was a worse case scenario. I had to look a wife in the eye and tell her she would never see her husband again and that the father of her children would never be with them again. She cried out the name of Jesus over and over. I then asked her if she belonged to a community of faith and then she told me she grew up a christian home but now she was an atheist. I had the chance to pray with and for her. I got to tell her others would be praying for her. I was used by God in a terrible circumstance. I had to leave before I wanted to because I had counseling back at the church. I met with a couple two weeks ago and honestly thought they were going to end in divorce. I talked and counseled with the them for an hour and half last time. Tonight when they walked in I could see a real difference in them. They sat down and told me that they have been dating each other. The husband told me he loved his wife, which he could not say two weeks ago. It was great to see how God worked through the words that He laid on my heart. I am worn out emotionally but thankful for being used. My heart is also heavy for a family that has been changed for the worse and my heart rises in praise for a family that has been changed for ever.
Do you ever pray to see how God uses you to make a difference?
Living Free – has a great ring to it doesn’t it? Do we do it or do we live lives that are caged in by fear, sin, attitude, apathy, or something else? I find myself all too often wanting to be one who lives free but finds myself caught in the snare set for me. It can be so frustrating. It can be so discouraging. It can be …..
Well, instead of dwelling on what I am not doing, I will work to not get caught in the snare and look to the things that are pleasing to God that are happening.
You ever want to live free and get caught in the snare?
What happens when you begin to see God working?
What happens when you do not sense God working in your life?
What happens when things work out and you are so excited?
What happens when you do not see God working like you think he should?
What happens when your view of spirituality begins to change?
What happens when you feel like you are the most blessed human on Earth?
These are just some questions that have passed through my mind that I will throw out there for you. Any thoughts on any of these?
Today, regardless of who wins the election, there will be change.
But what is change?
What does change look like?
Change that I can believe in happened to me when I was 8 years old, it was when Jesus and I met. Our friendship was renewed when I was 17, that was the point that I rededicated my life to Christ and felt a special call to minister to others. My life changed. I changed. I was different as a result of Christ coming into my life. I began to see life from a new perspective.
Change is happening today but the only real change is what happens when Jesus changes you.
I pray that real change happens in many lives!
Jesus: Change you can believe in.
Are you a changed man or woman?
