Don't confuse religion with God

It was something said on a DVD we watched at our homeschool coop planning meeting this week. It echoed the theme that we spoke about the night before at worship team practice and it is something I have believed since I first accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. What it boils down to is serving God, worshiping Him with all that we do, not because we feel compelled to but because of the great Joy we experience through knowing Him.

So as we head off to church in the morning ask yourselves why do we go to church, why do we sing songs to our Lord, why do we give our tithes and offerings? Is it to usage some sense of guilt, is it because it is our duty, or is it out of our deep love and reverence for the creator of the world who died on the cross for our sins so we could be called sons of God? What is your reason?

Dream Big

I read a great article online today about finding God's will for your ministry in 2012 (it can be found here: http://crossleadership.com/leadership-lessons-to-live-by-gods-will-for-your-ministry-in-this-coming-year/). Anyway one of the things it mentioned was dreaming big, and that got me to thinking. It's been a long time since I've given dreaming big any thought. You see I seem to always dream big, it was lesson I learned a few years back when we bought our first home.

At the time my wife and I really thought there was no way we could ever afford a home. Our credit was shot and house prices seemed totally in the realm of fantasy. But, in 2000 we realized that most of our debt was paid off, house prices were bottoming out and 'duh' I qualify for a VA home loan. Sometimes my brilliance is overshadowed by just how stupid I can be. lol.

Long story short we not only bought our house but also managed to remodel the kitchen and bathroom and paint and carpet all but one room. The master bedroom was painted but we never got around to carpeting it before we had to sell the house. turned a great profit on the house and was able to pay off the rest of our debt including a car loan and also bought a second car with cash. All I can say is God is good, people.

I say all this not to gloat but to help you realize that sometimes we don't get anywhere in our ministries and our lives because we are too afraid to dream big. We worry about the results of our decisions to the point of paralysis. I'm not saying we don't need to plan and make wise decisions, but maybe we need to take a few chances now and then, and stop with the endless hypothetical arguments that we have in our minds.

So this year I'm going to dream big in all the areas of my life. A preliminary list:

1. I'm going to start a drama team at church
2. I'm going to take my family to Florida in March on vacation
3. My wife and I are going to get licensed as foster parents in preparation for adopting a child
4. I'm going to Soul Fest in August
5. I'm going to Blog more and write at least one book
6. I'm going to write that play I've always talked about
7. I'm going to go back to school
8. I'm going to eat healthier and exercise regularly
9. I'm going to draw closer to God

That last one should be a priority in any Christian's life and should probably be at the top of the list. Anyway that's my list, I'm sure it will grow and change as God leads me through the year, but for now I'll let it stand. Now the question is what are your dreams for this coming year? I would love to hear them.

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning found me waking at 7 am to my daughter waiting outside my door holding her kitten in her arms. So I dragged my wife and myself out of bed so we could exchange gifts. Christmas fell on a Sunday this year so we were blessed to go to church in the morning. Pastor kept the service short, so I only planned for three songs during the worship service. His message was centered around accepting God's gift of his Son (John 3:16) into our hearts once again. It was a great way to remember the reason we celebrate and also to prepare our hearts for the new year to come.

After service we enjoyed a Christmas dinner consisting of a Pork Crown Roast (this was the first time I had ever prepared one of these), Brussels sprouts, roasted red potatoes, Portuguese stuffing, green bean casserole (courtesy of my sister in-law), apples and cranberries, sweet potatoes, and carrots. As I looked out over the feast before me, I was overwhelmed by just how blessed I am. Sometimes I can get so caught up in the day to day stuff of life, that I forget all the little miracles that surround me everyday.

After dinner and dessert, we headed down to South Kingston to my cousin's house to visit with my family. Though I felt similar feeling of blessings it was bitter sweet as I realized this was another Christmas without my Dad. It really hit home when my aunts and uncles posed for a photo. I had to fight back the tears as I thought about how much my dad would have loved to have been there. Even now as I think about it I can feel the lose as fresh as the day he passed. but again I am reminded that God sent his Son so that I could cry out "Abba, Father". I remember that I have a heavenly Father that loves me and will be with me forever.

So as Christmas comes to a close, I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to remind you that God can do for you what he has done for me. For as the Psalmist says "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."