I am Here

God,

I am here, use me. I am here, convict me. I am here, speak to me. I am here, shock me. I am here, soak me. I am here, fill me. I am here, shake me. I am here, wow me. I am here, wake me. I am here, love me. I am here, show me. I am here, guide me. I am here, break me.

I AM HERE, MAKE ME A SLAVE TO INTIMACY WITH YOU

My First Priority

I have always battled in ministry about salary. It seems that in the church world, ministers are expected to work for marbles and the arguement is "let God provide the rest". That is a copout to me and that is not what scripture says. I have searched for a long time for the Bible to justify my thoughts on this issue. In Ist Timothy 5:1 and 5:18, it says that if you do not provide for your family you have denied the faith and you are worse than an unbeliever. Also, in the second part it says that a preacher/teacher is worthy of his wages and not to muzzle the ox while threshing or put constraints on his effectiveness because of poor pay. I am not saying that ministers should seek out riches or lavish salaries but they need to be awarded a level of pay that takes care of them and their family. It is God's will that we make sure that we are at the cost of living rate for that area. If not, we cannot provide for our family and the Bible says that we are a worse than an unbeliever. WOW, the Bible does not mince words. Unless God tells you as a minister directly to take a job with poor pay and he will provide the rest, we should never go into a position that has a salary that will not meet our family's needs. God has appointed the man of the house to provide for his family and be the leader. I am so glad showed this to me, because I was asking him and he confirmed my feelings on this matter. God honors those who take care of their own first. Our families should be our top priority.

The Power of His Presence

It is amazing to me the power of prayer and Gods Word. I have been in a season of my life where prayer and God's Word seem dry and ineffective. I have let this attitude overwhelm me even to the point where it was hard for me to pray or pick up His Word. As a result, frustration and anger started to well up inside of me. I tried to approach every sitution, circumstance, or problem through my own abilities only to end up more frustrated and angry. Given a few times of experiencing this I re-visited prayer and God' Word and in just one session in His presence a peace and unexpected joy filled my heart. Nothing has changed has far as my surroundings or situation but now I am approaching it through Gods eyes and with his strength. God might not change what you want him to change but when you spend time with Him, you find out that his presence is the priority and everything else is ineffective without His presence

Our Family Journey

God has made all things new!

My Girls

I just got back from a two day trip to Amish country with my 10 and 14 year old girls. My wife and the boy are in SC so it is me and the girls for a few days. I love my time with my girls. I love my son so much too, but the daddy daughter bond is so special. We watched "Journey to the Center of the Earth", took an amish buggy ride, toured a cheese factory, an amish home and school tour and then went and saw a broadway musical. We had a blast! Thank-you God for these two precious gems you have entrusted me and Andrea to raise and influence. Grant me the favor and wisdom to permeate their lives with your presence

A New Day

My life officially changed, last night, June 11th. This was the first night with the baby home. Sleep was not an option (more for me than my wife). Waking up to eat every hour, that is crazy. Our bedroom at night has now become "nightlife central". He is amazing though, and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. The miracle of birth,is just that, a MIRACLE!!! God has brought restoration and he has made all things beautiful. Thank-you God for you favor in our family!

If I Stand

Another song by the late, great Rich Mullins that is so relative to me right now

"If I Stand"

There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room

And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side