Going To The Circus

Friday’s my day off.  It’s been a weird work week: in Monday, Tuesday off for the 4th, working Wednesday and Thursday.

Had a great date night with Lori last night. Went to dinner at Abuelo’s, one of our favorite places! Then we went shopping for a high-chair for our daughter. It’s crazy that she’s old enough to move into the high chair. I’m struggling with that!

Anyways, today I’m taking the boys and one of their friends to the greatest show on earth, the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus. Should be an awesome time, with hot dogs, soda, ice cream, and the best circus around.

I take the boys every year they’re in town, and it’s always a blast. I especially like the motorcyclists driving around inside a globe (very cool). Looking forward to some “guy’s only time” today!

Right Before God

Last weekend we talked about the breastplate of righteousness. It struck me this morning just how amazing it is that…

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

This means that “positionally” before God, He sees us, followers of Christ, as being without sin. Not because of anything I’ve done, but because I received what Christ gave me on the cross: forgiveness of sin, His presence in my life, and the gift of eternal life!

 

And that gives me a responsibility. The “practical” righteousness means that I should be serious about becoming more like Christ; in the way He acted, thought, treated His body, and other people. This is our goal, to be conformed to the image of Christ, not this world. 

 

Friday morning thoughts

Gear Up 2

This weekend we’ll be looking at the last 3 pieces of armor that God has given us for the battle.  We’ll be talking about what it means to take up the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

I’ll be introducing some pretty awesome next steps stuff for Palm Valley Church. For the blog readers, here’s a preview…

This fall we’ll really be stepping up our discipleship ministry.  We are beginning a number of evening opportunities like, “How To Study The Bible”, “Marriage 101″, “Prayer”, “Leadership In The MarketPlace”, and many other Bible studies specifically for men and women. 

I’m excited to take the next step as a church, and to further prepare people to become all that Christ has created them to be. So make sure you’re there this weekend as we roll out some awesome plans for this fall!

Standing Firm

This Sunday (audio/video here) we were looking at Ephesians 6:13…

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

I unpacked it by talking about the plans the evil one has, and how he tries to lead Christ follower’s astray. As promised, here’s the things i mentioned satan seeks to do…

 

****Satan seeks to lead us to…

            —doubt God’s character and credibility

            —by making life difficult

            —be lazy (not learning, not serving)

            —become selfish (unwilling to give generously)   

            —be divided against other Christians

            —disobey God’s Word

 

By putting on the full armor of God each day, we can stand firm, and live victoriously. becoming all Christ created us to be!

Weekend Reflections

It’s Monday, and here’s my thoughts from the weekend…

The worship team continues to blow me away.  The worship this weekend was intentionally very upbeat, and it rocked the house.  I love hearing God’s people shout out with passion “I AM FREE”!

I’m enjoying the “Don’t Fight Naked” series. I’m really seeing & hearing people respond to the teaching on Ephesians 6 about “putting on the armor”. I’ll blog later today about the ways I mentioned yesterday that satan is trying to derail our faith.  If you missed the service, you can listen/watch here…

IT’S HOT!  I know that’s a given, it was 115 yesterday. However, I love seeing the hundreds of volunteers who give it their all every weekend to help us reach people for Christ and grow them up in their faith. Thanks to everyone who braves the heat and serve.  You all rock, and you’re making a difference!

Freedom…and be there early this weekend

I love the 4th of July weekend…hanging out with friends, bbq’ing, swimming, fireworks, I love it all.  Mostly though, I love that we live in the most incredible country on earth.  Our freedom is a blessing, let’s not forget that this 4th!

Speaking of…BE THERE EARLY THIS WEEKEND.  We’ve got some really cool elements to the service, celebrating freedom, that will happen even before the service begins.  So get there early, check the kids in, grab a seat, and be ready.  I can’t wait to be with you this weekend!

Personal Offense

Read “Chazown” by Craig Groeschel during my vacation, what a great book on defining and living out God’s vision for your life.

A great thought he had was regarding “personal offense”. It stuck out to me because I often hear Christians say that they take something personally. It also hit because I receive criticism every week from people, on things that they know nothing about. I’m often tempted to become defensive.

Craig writes that a person living a spirit-filled life has no room for personal offense. If my life isn’t about me, but about Him, I don’t have the luxury of taking things personally. I should only be offended by that which grieves the heart of God, not that which is aimed at me, makes me uncomfortable, or is simply something I don’t like.

What if we as Christians began to “stop taking things personally”, and began to be more concerned about His name than our own?  Just a thought

 

Bible Thoughts…

We’re in this series, “Don’t Fight Naked”, and talking about how to stand firm in our faith (See Ephesians 6:10-18). Yesterday I mentioned that we are no longer our own…

1 Corinthians 6:19-20…    ”19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

When I became a follower of Christ, I received the forgiveness of my sins, His presence in my life, and the gift of eternal life. In exchange, my life, my body, my mind, are now His.

I’m seeking to live the rest of my life for His glory. I’m not free to choose to do things with my body that He paid the price for on the cross. As 1 Peter 5:8a says… “Be self-controlled and alert.”

Shots

Today I received 15 shots in my right leg.  I hit the limit of dosage they can give in one day, so I have to go back Thursday to do the left leg. Ouch!

Thanks for the prayers, the end is in sight. I’m grateful we live in a day and age where I can can receive this care (even though it’s painful). My legs already look and feel much better.

Please Continue To Pray

Got the bandanges off my legs today, and man, I look like a pincushion.  I’m still pretty sore, and not walking really well.  Please pray that my legs will be strengthened before the weekend.

I’m burning inside to share what God has been teaching me, and to help us all understand how to live in victory as followers of Christ!  I look forward to seeing you, and your non-believning guests, this weekend at Palm Valley!