I want to introduce you to Cadence Pate. She is the newest addition to our family! Cadence was born on Thursday Feb 23, 2006 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, TX. She weighed in at 7lb 12oz and measures 19.25 inches. She ranked a whopping 8.9 on the Apgar scale! Mommy Kacee is recovering and doing well... Chris is trying to keep it all together!
I am truly blessed!
Pastor J
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Thankful!
As I was slowly waking up this morning... you know that strange state where you're in and out of dreams... I was thanking God for his goodness and his mercy. I know I talk about this a lot, but I have so much to be thankful for! Life, salvation, an amazing family, redemption, joy, a sense of humor, a new grand baby (# 5!), a praying nanny, a new home, an amazing church family, great pastor friends in my community, my larger spiritual family (Every Nation), peace...
I could obviously go on and on with this one. When I start thinking or talking about what God has done for me... it's over buddy! Someone made a comment to me this week about how Annette and I seem to prosper above and beyond others (I'm not completely convinced on that one yet :)). All I can say is that we are in love with Jesus, know who we are in him, and we are thankful. A good friend of mine told me this a while back, "Thankful people are good receivers." They attract the blessings and goodness of God.
I don't know about all of that... I just know we are living a blessed life. Not because of money, but because we are rich in relationships, friends, peace, a totally redeemed family... here I go again. There was a time when it looked very bad. We (Annette and I) were very broken people... but God... I better not get started again!
I just know God is good all the time...in both the good times and the tough times. No matter the season you're in... declare and decree the goodness, grace and mercy of God over your life! Recount and recall the blessings he has given you... it will produce life, joy and peace!
Have an Amazing Day!
I could obviously go on and on with this one. When I start thinking or talking about what God has done for me... it's over buddy! Someone made a comment to me this week about how Annette and I seem to prosper above and beyond others (I'm not completely convinced on that one yet :)). All I can say is that we are in love with Jesus, know who we are in him, and we are thankful. A good friend of mine told me this a while back, "Thankful people are good receivers." They attract the blessings and goodness of God.
I don't know about all of that... I just know we are living a blessed life. Not because of money, but because we are rich in relationships, friends, peace, a totally redeemed family... here I go again. There was a time when it looked very bad. We (Annette and I) were very broken people... but God... I better not get started again!
I just know God is good all the time...in both the good times and the tough times. No matter the season you're in... declare and decree the goodness, grace and mercy of God over your life! Recount and recall the blessings he has given you... it will produce life, joy and peace!
Have an Amazing Day!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Embracing His Grace
I'm enjoying this season of life... getting older (not extremely old, 44 years)... hopefully wiser. I'm learning to be more careful in picking my battles. I'm finding that I have embraced the grace of God to a much higher degree... like the scripture says, "To whom much is given, much is required."
When I think about how much grace and mercy God has shown me, I cannot stand in the place of judgement concerning others. I do have convictions and they are strong, however the implementation of those convictions is softened with grace and tempered with mercy.
I love the scripture that says, "His kindness leads us to repentance." Wow. You mean not the threat that God might spank me or withhold his blessings? As I write this my heart and spirit leap within me! How great is his love toward us! How vast are his blessings! How unending is his mercy! Okay, it's summer salt time... ouch! That's going to leave a mark! I forgot that I was getting older!
Have an Amazing Day... Embracing His Grace!
Pastor J
When I think about how much grace and mercy God has shown me, I cannot stand in the place of judgement concerning others. I do have convictions and they are strong, however the implementation of those convictions is softened with grace and tempered with mercy.
I love the scripture that says, "His kindness leads us to repentance." Wow. You mean not the threat that God might spank me or withhold his blessings? As I write this my heart and spirit leap within me! How great is his love toward us! How vast are his blessings! How unending is his mercy! Okay, it's summer salt time... ouch! That's going to leave a mark! I forgot that I was getting older!
Have an Amazing Day... Embracing His Grace!
Pastor J
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Moving... whew!
Moving is exhausting! We moved this weekend. It's an odd thing... to see everything you "own" loaded into a truck and hauled off to another location that you will eventually call "home." The old cliche' is true, "Home is where the heart is."
Moving is in some ways traumatic. Your routine is wrecked, your stuff gets wrecked and the world keeps spinning while you go into another zone for a few days. It can take a physical, emotional and spiritual toll on you.
I have worked at keeping God in my thoughts throughout the whole affair. With everything "out of sorts" it can affect your spiritual routine as well i.e. "Now where did I pack my bible?" and "I know my devotional book is in here somewhere!"
On the other hand moving is exciting as well. It's like a new start, a clean slate and a fresh beginning. You get to reestablish your routines in a fresh environment... you even get to create the environment yourself. You get new neighbors, new scenery and new driving route to the office! It's all good!
All in all... I'm simply thankful. For the new home, new neighbors, new start and the many wonderful people from my spiritual family at MSCC who helped us load the truck and unpack boxes... now that's "Doing Life" together!
Have an Amazing "New" Day!
Pastor J
Moving is in some ways traumatic. Your routine is wrecked, your stuff gets wrecked and the world keeps spinning while you go into another zone for a few days. It can take a physical, emotional and spiritual toll on you.
I have worked at keeping God in my thoughts throughout the whole affair. With everything "out of sorts" it can affect your spiritual routine as well i.e. "Now where did I pack my bible?" and "I know my devotional book is in here somewhere!"
On the other hand moving is exciting as well. It's like a new start, a clean slate and a fresh beginning. You get to reestablish your routines in a fresh environment... you even get to create the environment yourself. You get new neighbors, new scenery and new driving route to the office! It's all good!
All in all... I'm simply thankful. For the new home, new neighbors, new start and the many wonderful people from my spiritual family at MSCC who helped us load the truck and unpack boxes... now that's "Doing Life" together!
Have an Amazing "New" Day!
Pastor J
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Renewal...
Last night, as a church, we sponsored a renewing your vows wedding ceremony. It was such a special time of simply "Doing Life" together. It was intimate and fun. We even danced a little just to top it all off.
But the most precious thing for me, besides renewing our vows, was simply hanging around a lot of amazing and wonderful people. It was a lot of work putting the event together and yet the labor was such a labor of love.
There's something powerful that happens when you labor together for a common cause or event. It bonds you with others and that's the essence of "Doing Life."
I'm so honored to do life with an incredible spiritual family. So many believers don't have a concept of spiritual family and I hurt for them. Its not the "easiest" way to do church but for me its the only way to do church.
Till the Next Random Moment,
Pastor J
But the most precious thing for me, besides renewing our vows, was simply hanging around a lot of amazing and wonderful people. It was a lot of work putting the event together and yet the labor was such a labor of love.
There's something powerful that happens when you labor together for a common cause or event. It bonds you with others and that's the essence of "Doing Life."
I'm so honored to do life with an incredible spiritual family. So many believers don't have a concept of spiritual family and I hurt for them. Its not the "easiest" way to do church but for me its the only way to do church.
Till the Next Random Moment,
Pastor J
Sunday, February 12, 2006
This Says it All!
I love this motto. I don't even remember how it came together. It just sort of... flowed one day. It really is the heart and soul of our church family.
The first two elements, Loving God and Loving People are self-explanatory... however, the third element goes a little deeper.
I find it's easy to love God and love people, but to make a quality choice to "Do Life" together that's a whole other dimension.
Doing Life takes effort, energy, resources, time... whew! I'm getting tired thinking about it. Oh, and it's very risky! You might take some relational sniper fire along the way... but it's still worth the risk!
I'm about to get ready for church this morning and as I hop into the shower I will be praying that we as a church family can really Love God, Love People and Do Life.
It's worth the risks!
Have an Amazing Day!
Pastor J
The first two elements, Loving God and Loving People are self-explanatory... however, the third element goes a little deeper.
I find it's easy to love God and love people, but to make a quality choice to "Do Life" together that's a whole other dimension.
Doing Life takes effort, energy, resources, time... whew! I'm getting tired thinking about it. Oh, and it's very risky! You might take some relational sniper fire along the way... but it's still worth the risk!
I'm about to get ready for church this morning and as I hop into the shower I will be praying that we as a church family can really Love God, Love People and Do Life.
It's worth the risks!
Have an Amazing Day!
Pastor J
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Looking Forward...
I'm so excited about tomorrow (Sunday)! Why? Because we get to gather together as the body of Christ and worship Him! There's nothing like worshipping with the family of God... you can worship in your car, your shower and even on the golf course, but there's nothing as powerful as His body coming together in His name to honor Him!
It may sound odd, but I still love church! After doing this for 21 looooonnnnnggggg years, I still get excited every Sunday morning! I know many people have been hurt and damaged through spiritual abuse and religion... I too have had my share of being crushed by insensitive leaders and church members... but it's still worth it! I still believe in the "Bride of Christ."
I'm so thankful for my church family. We go by "MSCC" but it stands for Morning Star Community Church. Perfect? No way! Loving? Absolutely! I cannot brag enough on our people... we don't have it all together, but we have the Presence of God! And we have a big vision of reaching and impacting our community.
This is a random entry today, but I hope it will encourage someone to love their church family!
Blessings,
Pastor J
Friday, February 10, 2006
It's Actually Cold Outside!
T.G.I.F! I so enjoy Fridays. It's my "official" day off and I get to spend the day with my amazing family. That's my favorite thing to do. I usually kick off the day by making pancakes... I'm the best, bar none, pancake maker in the world! The key is using real butter... lots of it!
It's rainy outside and the temp is 43 degrees! Very nice for a change. I just read we had the warmest January on record in the U.S. since recorded history! Perhaps those "Global Warming" guys are on to something? It will be a green tea day! It's my newest addiction.
I've off to a lunch appointment at Brick Oven Pizza... another favorite on a cold day! I'm meeting someone for lunch to go over a ministry project. As this develops, this project could become a prototype for ministries that could have long term community impact... here I go again... thinking about work! It's hard not to when you love what you do!
Have an Amazing Day!
Pastor J
It's rainy outside and the temp is 43 degrees! Very nice for a change. I just read we had the warmest January on record in the U.S. since recorded history! Perhaps those "Global Warming" guys are on to something? It will be a green tea day! It's my newest addiction.
I've off to a lunch appointment at Brick Oven Pizza... another favorite on a cold day! I'm meeting someone for lunch to go over a ministry project. As this develops, this project could become a prototype for ministries that could have long term community impact... here I go again... thinking about work! It's hard not to when you love what you do!
Have an Amazing Day!
Pastor J
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Daddy and Rachel
I had to throw this one on... I love this little girl! We were so blessed to adopt Rachel at birth. It's a beautiful story of grace and mercy.
Have an Amazing Day!
Pastor J
Have an Amazing Day!
Pastor J
In the Zone!
There is a synergy that I find every once in a while. It's difficult to explain, but it's that place where everything converges in my inner life (sometimes the outer as well!) and there is... well... harmony. I'm a musician. When I hear a chord it resonates deep inside my spirit and gives me a sense that all is well.
This is what I'm trying to explain. It's that "feeling" that "it is well with my soul." I've been experiencing this lately... even in the midst of finishing our first house build, Annette's serious surgery/recovery and completely reorganizing our church.
I have to chalk it up to several things, first of which is a phrase that has brought peace in the midst of apparent chaos. It's a quote by Dallas Willard, "Hurry is unfaith." Simple. To the point. Bottom line. Accurate. That little quote has caused me to slow down and enjoy every moment. To live each day "on" purpose and not just "with" purpose.
The second is a great quote from the Word of God, "Be still and know that I am God." Similar to the first, but with much more focus on Father. It helps me to remember that He is in control no matter what the situation looks like from my vantage point.
The third is a quote from the late missionary Jim Elliott, "Where ever you are, be all there." I heard this one years ago and it stuck! It reminds me to focus on the moment and helps to minimize anxiety about the future... this produces peace, joy and contentment in the present moment. Be encouraged today and spent some time meditating on these simple quotes. May they produce peace, life and hope for you today.
Peace Out!
Pastor J
This is what I'm trying to explain. It's that "feeling" that "it is well with my soul." I've been experiencing this lately... even in the midst of finishing our first house build, Annette's serious surgery/recovery and completely reorganizing our church.
I have to chalk it up to several things, first of which is a phrase that has brought peace in the midst of apparent chaos. It's a quote by Dallas Willard, "Hurry is unfaith." Simple. To the point. Bottom line. Accurate. That little quote has caused me to slow down and enjoy every moment. To live each day "on" purpose and not just "with" purpose.
The second is a great quote from the Word of God, "Be still and know that I am God." Similar to the first, but with much more focus on Father. It helps me to remember that He is in control no matter what the situation looks like from my vantage point.
The third is a quote from the late missionary Jim Elliott, "Where ever you are, be all there." I heard this one years ago and it stuck! It reminds me to focus on the moment and helps to minimize anxiety about the future... this produces peace, joy and contentment in the present moment. Be encouraged today and spent some time meditating on these simple quotes. May they produce peace, life and hope for you today.
Peace Out!
Pastor J
Monday, February 06, 2006
Living On Purpose!
I'm weird like this... I like to live life on purpose! Not just "with" purpose, but I mean "on purpose." For me it's about choices. I believe it is one of the most powerful "love gifts" that God gave us... the power of choice.
For example, I can choose to sin or not to sin. The devil can't "make" me do anything. However, I can choose to be swayed by his temptaion to sin. I can choose to have a good day when things start out rocky. I can choose to be in a good mood when everything around me says, "Go ahead, give in, everybody else is in a foul mood today!"
Today, I want to encourage (definition of encourage is "to inspire courage") you to choose to have a good day no matter what your circumstances are. Remember, it's your choice... that's God's gift to you today!
"Today, I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendents might live!" - Deut 30:19 (NLT)
I'm choosing "life." How about you?
Blessings,
Pastor J
For example, I can choose to sin or not to sin. The devil can't "make" me do anything. However, I can choose to be swayed by his temptaion to sin. I can choose to have a good day when things start out rocky. I can choose to be in a good mood when everything around me says, "Go ahead, give in, everybody else is in a foul mood today!"
Today, I want to encourage (definition of encourage is "to inspire courage") you to choose to have a good day no matter what your circumstances are. Remember, it's your choice... that's God's gift to you today!
"Today, I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendents might live!" - Deut 30:19 (NLT)
I'm choosing "life." How about you?
Blessings,
Pastor J
Sunday, February 05, 2006
A Full Heart!
My heart is full this morning as I write this entry. I can't fully explain it... just the love of the Father streaming in. I finished putting the message for this Sunday together and it just blessed me to know that my heavenly Father loves me so much that He gave what was most precious to Him, his Son, so that I could be in a right relationship with Him. Now that's love!
The topic for this Sunday is the Love Language of "Receiving Gifts." A gift is something you hold in your hand that says, "Look he was thinking of me" or "She remembered me." It's a tangible visual symbol of love... like a wedding ring. It's a symbol. It's an expression.
When Rachel, my 5 yr old, brings me a crayon masterpiece from her Sunday School class and says, "Daddy, I made this for you," my heart explodes with grattitude and joy! I don't think, "Now what can I do with this" or "How is this going to help me in my job?" No, I just enjoy the act of giving and receiving love.
It's not the cost that matters... that's irrelevant, it's the expression and act that says, "I thought about you today." I want to encourage you to do something this week. Give three "inexpensive" gifts throughout the week. It could be a candy bar, a homemade card, a handwritten note, a card from Wal-Mart, or just be creative. Let me know how it goes!
Blessings,
Pastor J
The topic for this Sunday is the Love Language of "Receiving Gifts." A gift is something you hold in your hand that says, "Look he was thinking of me" or "She remembered me." It's a tangible visual symbol of love... like a wedding ring. It's a symbol. It's an expression.
When Rachel, my 5 yr old, brings me a crayon masterpiece from her Sunday School class and says, "Daddy, I made this for you," my heart explodes with grattitude and joy! I don't think, "Now what can I do with this" or "How is this going to help me in my job?" No, I just enjoy the act of giving and receiving love.
It's not the cost that matters... that's irrelevant, it's the expression and act that says, "I thought about you today." I want to encourage you to do something this week. Give three "inexpensive" gifts throughout the week. It could be a candy bar, a homemade card, a handwritten note, a card from Wal-Mart, or just be creative. Let me know how it goes!
Blessings,
Pastor J
Friday, February 03, 2006
Basic Training...
It's always important to stay with the basics when it comes to your walk with God. We tend to think that maturity means leaving our foundations behind. Experience has taught me that I need to return to the basics often in my spiritual journey. The Bible calls this your "first love."
No matter what I go through in life, no matter how difficult or confusing things become I always find comfort, peace and strength in going back to the basics of my faith. For me, it means going back to confessing the word of God over my life. To speak the word of God is to agree with what God says about me.
It reminds me that I'm loved, I'm empowered and I'm His son. That's usually enough to pull me out of any funk that tries to settle on me. I particularly like Deut 28:1-14, Col 1:22, Is 54:17 and Eph 2:6 just to name a few.
It's critical that we believe and speak what God says and thinks about us, not what we or others think or say about us. For me it's been back to basics lately and the result has been an encouraged spirit and a fresh resolve to fight the good fight of faith!
Be Blessed and Encouraged,
Jimmy
No matter what I go through in life, no matter how difficult or confusing things become I always find comfort, peace and strength in going back to the basics of my faith. For me, it means going back to confessing the word of God over my life. To speak the word of God is to agree with what God says about me.
It reminds me that I'm loved, I'm empowered and I'm His son. That's usually enough to pull me out of any funk that tries to settle on me. I particularly like Deut 28:1-14, Col 1:22, Is 54:17 and Eph 2:6 just to name a few.
It's critical that we believe and speak what God says and thinks about us, not what we or others think or say about us. For me it's been back to basics lately and the result has been an encouraged spirit and a fresh resolve to fight the good fight of faith!
Be Blessed and Encouraged,
Jimmy
Monday, January 30, 2006
Frustration in the Digital Age!
Don't get me wrong... I love computers and gadgets. In fact I have lots of them; a laptop, an iPod and PDA... oh, and don't forget the cell phone! However, when things go wrong, they go really wrong!
I was going to take my PDA and move it to my home computer, but when I docked it on the newer computer, it erased my SD Card! That translates into two years worth of journal entries lost! Here's the lesson... always back up your data!!
My thoughts on this... so what! It's just journaling and it's not like my "memiors" are going to be published some day. I'll just pick up where I left off... let the past be the past. Do I still appreciate my gadgets... you bet I do!
Blessings and Joy,
Jimmy
I was going to take my PDA and move it to my home computer, but when I docked it on the newer computer, it erased my SD Card! That translates into two years worth of journal entries lost! Here's the lesson... always back up your data!!
My thoughts on this... so what! It's just journaling and it's not like my "memiors" are going to be published some day. I'll just pick up where I left off... let the past be the past. Do I still appreciate my gadgets... you bet I do!
Blessings and Joy,
Jimmy
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Annette is Recovering
Hospitals are always an interesting place. Talk about a "ground leveler!" It's like the airport, Wal-Mart or a funeral home... everyone has to go there eventually. We were blessed with a great nursing staff... very helpful and very supportive.
Annette is home and resting. She is in a lot of pain, but it will pass. We have been so encouraged by the outpouring of love and support. It's humbling, but wonderful. Spiritual family is more than a "core value" it's a way of life.
I will be home with her for a few days; doing what I can to make her more comfortable as well as make her rest. Annette has a tendency to not rest... you can't keep a good woman down! So my work is cut out for me.
Thanks for the prayers and the love....
Blessings,
Jimmy
Annette is home and resting. She is in a lot of pain, but it will pass. We have been so encouraged by the outpouring of love and support. It's humbling, but wonderful. Spiritual family is more than a "core value" it's a way of life.
I will be home with her for a few days; doing what I can to make her more comfortable as well as make her rest. Annette has a tendency to not rest... you can't keep a good woman down! So my work is cut out for me.
Thanks for the prayers and the love....
Blessings,
Jimmy
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Hospital Bound...
We will head to the hospital by 8:30am tomorrow. It's a sobering time. We are not overly concerned, yet we spent some time this evening getting things together i.e. account numbers, passwords for her work computer, important information... like I said, a bit sobering.
I'm so thankful for my family in times like this... actually I'm always a pretty thankful person. God has been and continues to be very good to me... whether I think I deserve it or not. I will report back on her condition tomorrow or Tuesday. It will be a good report!
We had a wonderful and fun day in church today. I spoke on "Affirming Words." It's one of the Five Love Languages. The word "encourage" means to inspire courage. What a great definition! When we encourage another person we are actually inspiring courage in them!
Blessings,
Jimmy
I'm so thankful for my family in times like this... actually I'm always a pretty thankful person. God has been and continues to be very good to me... whether I think I deserve it or not. I will report back on her condition tomorrow or Tuesday. It will be a good report!
We had a wonderful and fun day in church today. I spoke on "Affirming Words." It's one of the Five Love Languages. The word "encourage" means to inspire courage. What a great definition! When we encourage another person we are actually inspiring courage in them!
Blessings,
Jimmy
Saturday, January 21, 2006
More Practicing His Presence in the Crisis
This week we found out that my wife, Annette, needs to have surgery first thing Monday morning. She is having two vertebrae in the cervical area of her spine fused and a bone spur removed from her spine. It's been causing chronic pain for a long time.
I flew back early from Palm Springs to be with her. We spent Friday going through the pre-op procedure. It is a sobering time for us. I would lying if I said we were not concerned or even a bit fearful. Anytime you go "under the knife" it is disconcerting.
What is my answer? To simply practice the presence of God throughout the whole ordeal. If PHP doesn't work in the crisis as well as the "normal" times, then what's the point? I am confident that God is present and I sense his "near-ness" even as I type this note.
Please pray for us. We will get through this with our faith and our joy in tact. I will keep you posted on our progress.
Blessings,
Jimmy
I flew back early from Palm Springs to be with her. We spent Friday going through the pre-op procedure. It is a sobering time for us. I would lying if I said we were not concerned or even a bit fearful. Anytime you go "under the knife" it is disconcerting.
What is my answer? To simply practice the presence of God throughout the whole ordeal. If PHP doesn't work in the crisis as well as the "normal" times, then what's the point? I am confident that God is present and I sense his "near-ness" even as I type this note.
Please pray for us. We will get through this with our faith and our joy in tact. I will keep you posted on our progress.
Blessings,
Jimmy
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
In the Springs
I'm in the springs... Palm Springs that is! I am here for a national gathering of pastors from Every Nation churches and ministries. Yesterday was an all day travel day... tiring! We arrived at night so I was not aware of my surroundings.
I got up this morning and opened the curtains of my room and... wow! The view of the sunrise over the desert mountains was spectacular... the glory of the Lord covering the earth! It immediately set the tone for the day.
I'm here by myself. Typically Annette travels with me, so it's a bit odd not having my best friend alongside me. However, I intend on spending this week Practicing His Presence. I want to take advantage of this "alone time" to sense God in every movement in every detail. I want every movement, every act or deed done to be an act of pure and sincere worship.
More later.
I got up this morning and opened the curtains of my room and... wow! The view of the sunrise over the desert mountains was spectacular... the glory of the Lord covering the earth! It immediately set the tone for the day.
I'm here by myself. Typically Annette travels with me, so it's a bit odd not having my best friend alongside me. However, I intend on spending this week Practicing His Presence. I want to take advantage of this "alone time" to sense God in every movement in every detail. I want every movement, every act or deed done to be an act of pure and sincere worship.
More later.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Peace in the Midst of Chaos
"It's a jungle out there!" There is a lot of truth to that statement, however there is another element that we don't often recognize and it is this, "It's a jungle in here." What I mean is this, it's a jungle in our heart... in our "inner man." The longer I'm in ministry and serving people the more I realize how few individuals truly walk in the "peace of God that passes understanding."
We rush from activity to activity and event to event and in the madness and the chaos we tend to miss the "still small voice" of the Spirit whispering to us "be still and know that I am God." Dallas Willard made a short but profound comment in an interview with Jan Johnson. He said, "Hurry is unfaith." That statement resonated deep in my soul.
I'm one of those people who does not like to be late... anywhere! So I tend to get out the door early and arrive at my destination early. The other day I was running late... normally I would get bent out of shape and begin to rush (and speed) to get where I was going. However, I had been thinking about this statement, "Hurry is unfaith," and decided to slow down and savor the drive. The result? Peace. Calm. Joy. God's presence.
Are you experiencing the peace of God or the chaos of the Enemy? Slow down. Be deliberate. Be intentional... sensing God in every movement... making it an act of worship. Enjoy this moment and experience His peace and His presence.
Blessings,
Jimmy
We rush from activity to activity and event to event and in the madness and the chaos we tend to miss the "still small voice" of the Spirit whispering to us "be still and know that I am God." Dallas Willard made a short but profound comment in an interview with Jan Johnson. He said, "Hurry is unfaith." That statement resonated deep in my soul.
I'm one of those people who does not like to be late... anywhere! So I tend to get out the door early and arrive at my destination early. The other day I was running late... normally I would get bent out of shape and begin to rush (and speed) to get where I was going. However, I had been thinking about this statement, "Hurry is unfaith," and decided to slow down and savor the drive. The result? Peace. Calm. Joy. God's presence.
Are you experiencing the peace of God or the chaos of the Enemy? Slow down. Be deliberate. Be intentional... sensing God in every movement... making it an act of worship. Enjoy this moment and experience His peace and His presence.
Blessings,
Jimmy
Thursday, January 12, 2006
More Practicing His Presence
I have been sharing this simple spiritual discipline with several people and the results have been amazing. I am getting feedback that God is bringing his peace that passes all understanding to those who will by an act of the will give their mind and their actions over to God.
Everything you do can become an act of worship by simple doing it for the love of God. Brother Lawrence made this comment, "I will not but pick up a twig off the ground except it be for the love of God." At 4:47am I made a pot of coffee "for the love of God." Even that simple mundane act became a holy thing as I gave it over to God.
I taught on this last night at MSCC. Here are some simple steps to Practicing His Presence. May the God of peace draw near to you as you draw near to him.
1. Seek God's Presence: Maintain Purity - it is the clutter of sin and the shame of failure that keeps us from throwing ourselves into God's arms. We run from him when we should be running to him. Thomas Merton wrote, "It is true that we make many mistakes. But the biggest of them all is to be surprised at them: as if we had some hope of never making any." Embrace His Grace! Acknowledge your sin and receive his forgiveness... Face It, Fix It and Forget It!
2. Do Life in God's Presence: Do all for the love of God - this applies to everything you put your hands to, i.e. preparing a meal, washing your car, dressing your child, taking out the trash. All tasks become acts of worship when you do it for the love of God. Frank Laubach wrote, "Any hour of any day may be made perfect by merely choosing. It is perfect if one looks toward God that entire hour, waiting for his leadership all through the hour and trying hard to do every tiny thing exactly as God wishes it done, as perfectly as possible."
3. Speak in the Presence of God: Conversation with God - this is so simple we miss it. This means having an ongoing running conversation with God. Inviting him into literally everything we do. It is having an "Interactive" life with God. As you are reading an article or surfing the web, invite him into your "inner" dialogue. He wants to speak with you and he wants you to speak with him.
4. The Result of Practicing His Presence: Peace - this is a win/win situation. You get God and his peace and God gets you! Which is all he really ever wanted in the first place. Read Phil 4:7 in The Message Bible: "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
I hope this will help you on your journey of faith. It has helped me to recover my peace.
Faith, Hope and Love,
Jimmy
www.morningstarabilene.com
Everything you do can become an act of worship by simple doing it for the love of God. Brother Lawrence made this comment, "I will not but pick up a twig off the ground except it be for the love of God." At 4:47am I made a pot of coffee "for the love of God." Even that simple mundane act became a holy thing as I gave it over to God.
I taught on this last night at MSCC. Here are some simple steps to Practicing His Presence. May the God of peace draw near to you as you draw near to him.
1. Seek God's Presence: Maintain Purity - it is the clutter of sin and the shame of failure that keeps us from throwing ourselves into God's arms. We run from him when we should be running to him. Thomas Merton wrote, "It is true that we make many mistakes. But the biggest of them all is to be surprised at them: as if we had some hope of never making any." Embrace His Grace! Acknowledge your sin and receive his forgiveness... Face It, Fix It and Forget It!
2. Do Life in God's Presence: Do all for the love of God - this applies to everything you put your hands to, i.e. preparing a meal, washing your car, dressing your child, taking out the trash. All tasks become acts of worship when you do it for the love of God. Frank Laubach wrote, "Any hour of any day may be made perfect by merely choosing. It is perfect if one looks toward God that entire hour, waiting for his leadership all through the hour and trying hard to do every tiny thing exactly as God wishes it done, as perfectly as possible."
3. Speak in the Presence of God: Conversation with God - this is so simple we miss it. This means having an ongoing running conversation with God. Inviting him into literally everything we do. It is having an "Interactive" life with God. As you are reading an article or surfing the web, invite him into your "inner" dialogue. He wants to speak with you and he wants you to speak with him.
4. The Result of Practicing His Presence: Peace - this is a win/win situation. You get God and his peace and God gets you! Which is all he really ever wanted in the first place. Read Phil 4:7 in The Message Bible: "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
I hope this will help you on your journey of faith. It has helped me to recover my peace.
Faith, Hope and Love,
Jimmy
www.morningstarabilene.com
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