It has been a very long time since I have posted here. Part of that is due to the explosion of work that has been happening in this season of life. I have had many things to do with my business and outside of it. As a family we were very close to buying a house and I went through every step until finally it was necessary to wait for the new year to roll around. Ashley has been deep in the throngs of book publishing, and we have learned that another child is on the way.
Through this crazy time, God is proving that He is faithful. It is a wonderful thing to live in the peace of Christ even while life is a whirlwind of work and chores.
I have been seeking to do all things as unto the Lord. I am afraid I fail regularly with this, but I am pressing on. It is something to reach for... to rejoice in everything... to be joyful no matter what you are doing. I want to be grateful to my Creator for everything He gives me to do.
Beyond all these things, I have been at rest in my heart. I have eased off on my hard search for answers in the area of Faith. I know my faith in Christ is sure. I know that The Holy Spirit dwells within me and helps me. I know that I believe many things that I did not once believe in terms of Christianity, but I am not ready to make any decisions. There are too many tree branches on the road... The truth in the area of Church is very hard to see. So, I am resting in the arms of my Savior. That doesn't mean I have no interest in those areas, but that my heart is not twisted and bent so much on those things.
I have seen much growth through all that I have learned. Still, I recognize just how unworthy of the calling that I am. But, it is so good to know that the Ocean of God's grace is pouring out to all those who are the sheep of His pasture. I long to lift my cup and have it running over. I long to be united to the will of the Father and perfected in the image of Jesus. What a beautiful Lord!
This blog post is more of a ramble... so forgive me. I don't have subjects to pound the desk about. I am just feeling easy and light right now. So, to all those who keep tabs on me... thank you and may God bless you in all that you are doing. May the grace and peace of our Savior lift you up and keep you close to his side.
-g-
Monday, November 2, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Porn Producers and Porn Stars
Hi Folks!
First of all I just wanted to let you all know that you are loved.
Second, no, you will not be seeing me darken the doorways of any porn sites, nor will I be making my way to any video stores... nor anything else.
It has been 3 years free from a horrible problem that practically tore my world down. I know that doesn't make sense to many of you, but it makes all the sense in the world to me.
I am done... completely.
So, you feel free to think you can take me down again, but you won't. I have overcome the hell of pornography. I am standing opposed to this industry and a world that is consumed with it.
Finally, I want to communicate something to those who are wrapped up in the industry... making it or consuming it.
Those making it: The power you think you have is a lie. You are slaves and not free. You are only the assembly line workers in a dark and tireless factory. Your power is to pull the lever, and watch the machine go. Either that, or you are the product. A product that is vastly consumed, but never good enough. Never good enough, because the consumer always wants more and more vulgar products. You think you have power because what you make, or what you are is coveted. But the truth is, you are only a pawn. The guy running the factory cares little for you. Your life will be used up, abused and thrown away. One day that will be clear, even if you laugh now.
To those who consume. You drink the poison that feels good only for a moment. But with every sip, your mind and heart are deteriorating. This is not life giving, but it is life mutilating. You also have no power... you are only a slave as well. Part of a big ugly circle of devastation. Not only will you harm yourself, but you are harming others. You are harming those who produce and sell themselves in the industry. Many men and women left with little to no life. Disease, poverty and wrecked families plague many of their lives. Did they Choose to do this? In some cases... in other cases, they got duped into it, now they don't know any better. But you keep it going. You will also hurt those you love. Either you will wound them deeply, or you will wound them and then they too will get sucked into the system.
To all - There is hope. You are laughing at me now... but I will say it anyway.
There is a God who loves you. He treasures your life. He hurts for you. He longs to see you filled with Joy and Peace in your hearts. Does he hate you? NO! He may hate what you are involved with, but He loves you beyond that. And He is calling to you now. Turn to the One that loves you. His love can heal the worst wounds we never thought could be healed. I know this... I am one who has been healed.
Blessings to you,
-g-
First of all I just wanted to let you all know that you are loved.
Second, no, you will not be seeing me darken the doorways of any porn sites, nor will I be making my way to any video stores... nor anything else.
It has been 3 years free from a horrible problem that practically tore my world down. I know that doesn't make sense to many of you, but it makes all the sense in the world to me.
I am done... completely.
So, you feel free to think you can take me down again, but you won't. I have overcome the hell of pornography. I am standing opposed to this industry and a world that is consumed with it.
Finally, I want to communicate something to those who are wrapped up in the industry... making it or consuming it.
Those making it: The power you think you have is a lie. You are slaves and not free. You are only the assembly line workers in a dark and tireless factory. Your power is to pull the lever, and watch the machine go. Either that, or you are the product. A product that is vastly consumed, but never good enough. Never good enough, because the consumer always wants more and more vulgar products. You think you have power because what you make, or what you are is coveted. But the truth is, you are only a pawn. The guy running the factory cares little for you. Your life will be used up, abused and thrown away. One day that will be clear, even if you laugh now.
To those who consume. You drink the poison that feels good only for a moment. But with every sip, your mind and heart are deteriorating. This is not life giving, but it is life mutilating. You also have no power... you are only a slave as well. Part of a big ugly circle of devastation. Not only will you harm yourself, but you are harming others. You are harming those who produce and sell themselves in the industry. Many men and women left with little to no life. Disease, poverty and wrecked families plague many of their lives. Did they Choose to do this? In some cases... in other cases, they got duped into it, now they don't know any better. But you keep it going. You will also hurt those you love. Either you will wound them deeply, or you will wound them and then they too will get sucked into the system.
To all - There is hope. You are laughing at me now... but I will say it anyway.
There is a God who loves you. He treasures your life. He hurts for you. He longs to see you filled with Joy and Peace in your hearts. Does he hate you? NO! He may hate what you are involved with, but He loves you beyond that. And He is calling to you now. Turn to the One that loves you. His love can heal the worst wounds we never thought could be healed. I know this... I am one who has been healed.
Blessings to you,
-g-
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Get With It
Ok, This video... this fella, hits the nail on the head. We need to live the life, and not just claim that we have faith. May the God of all grace enable us to live and walk according to His will. Lord have mercy on us sinners.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Drive-through Church
A few days back I had this conversation that sparked a thought that I then posted on my facebook.
Today, people go to church where they enjoy something about it. Usually, this is something that is either a traditional leaning, or perhaps it is something cultural. Either way, people pick and choose based on what they like. I started to imagine "order up church" or this drive-through church idea. Sounded kinda like...
"...May I take your holy order?"
"...I would like One latte and some church please. And... I'll take a side order of reclining stadium seats slathered in eye dazzling light shows."
"Would you like great music with that?"
"Yes."
"What flavor?"
"Heartwarming guitar solos please."
"Anything else?"
"Yes... I'll take one order of ear candy, some emotionalism and give me a little small talk for my fellowship if you could."
"Sure, would you like communion with your order today?"
"No, I only have that once a month... gotta watch my weight!"
"Alright, Your total will be zero dollars and zero cents."
"Wait... nothing?"
"Yeah, you get what you pay for! Thank you for choosing Burger King of Kings. Have a blessed day!"
Does that sound scary? Well, it ought too.
A long time ago, there were a few persecuted people gathering together in small numbers. Their lives were at stake, and they didn't pick and choose how they did "church". The deposit of faith was so new, and it was vibrant and alive. What a time that must have been. Simple, exciting and something brand new. Christ was the center of their lives, and the Celebration was the center of their service. Simple things... profound things. No thought of "order up" your likings. This WAS the Faith entrusted to the faithful. Now, we aren't in much danger (here in the West) and we have options that shame Wallmart as far as church is concerned.
What will the future bring? Lord, renew Your people and free us from our consumerism, and unite us to be one witness for Your glory. Amen.
-g-
Today, people go to church where they enjoy something about it. Usually, this is something that is either a traditional leaning, or perhaps it is something cultural. Either way, people pick and choose based on what they like. I started to imagine "order up church" or this drive-through church idea. Sounded kinda like...
"...May I take your holy order?"
"...I would like One latte and some church please. And... I'll take a side order of reclining stadium seats slathered in eye dazzling light shows."
"Would you like great music with that?"
"Yes."
"What flavor?"
"Heartwarming guitar solos please."
"Anything else?"
"Yes... I'll take one order of ear candy, some emotionalism and give me a little small talk for my fellowship if you could."
"Sure, would you like communion with your order today?"
"No, I only have that once a month... gotta watch my weight!"
"Alright, Your total will be zero dollars and zero cents."
"Wait... nothing?"
"Yeah, you get what you pay for! Thank you for choosing Burger King of Kings. Have a blessed day!"
Does that sound scary? Well, it ought too.
A long time ago, there were a few persecuted people gathering together in small numbers. Their lives were at stake, and they didn't pick and choose how they did "church". The deposit of faith was so new, and it was vibrant and alive. What a time that must have been. Simple, exciting and something brand new. Christ was the center of their lives, and the Celebration was the center of their service. Simple things... profound things. No thought of "order up" your likings. This WAS the Faith entrusted to the faithful. Now, we aren't in much danger (here in the West) and we have options that shame Wallmart as far as church is concerned.
What will the future bring? Lord, renew Your people and free us from our consumerism, and unite us to be one witness for Your glory. Amen.
-g-
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Lament of 1054
Woe to us in this late year of our Lord,
We have been shattered into shards
We who once were one are now myriads
Not united but always departed
Departing for something or someplace
New doctrines and lack-love motives
We do not uphold the desire of our Christ
We have forgotten long time passing
and in a small moment in History
Big decisions tore us asunder
and it seems we have yet to recover
and as it goes
the way everyone knows
a crack breeds more cracks
and for that we lack
we do not think together
we think as individuals
we move asunder
now hear the thunder
the tears from above
the shaking from under
and the erosion is no small wonder
it is like gangrene
the most horrific blunder
and we are lamenting
yes, we are still mourning 1054
all the more
in this late year of our Lord
so many wondering where to "get on board"
We have been shattered into shards
We who once were one are now myriads
Not united but always departed
Departing for something or someplace
New doctrines and lack-love motives
We do not uphold the desire of our Christ
We have forgotten long time passing
and in a small moment in History
Big decisions tore us asunder
and it seems we have yet to recover
and as it goes
the way everyone knows
a crack breeds more cracks
and for that we lack
we do not think together
we think as individuals
we move asunder
now hear the thunder
the tears from above
the shaking from under
and the erosion is no small wonder
it is like gangrene
the most horrific blunder
and we are lamenting
yes, we are still mourning 1054
all the more
in this late year of our Lord
so many wondering where to "get on board"
Friday, September 4, 2009
Jesus: The Beginning
The Trinity is the original family. There was the Father and the Spirit and the "Offspring" – The Son who is not born, but only begotten. The Love of the TWO was cause for the Third. Is it any wonder that Jesus loves the little children? He is THE Child of God and yet He IS God.
Therein lies the beauty and the mystery of the Three in One God. Although we see Jesus as the "First Born" of all creation, He is indeed THE CREATOR. That is enough to keep our minds reeling for a lifetime.
Jesus never shied away from stating that He always was... "before Abraham was born, I am" He sates in John 8:58. A quick cross reference takes you back to Exodus 3:14 where God says to Moses "I AM WHO I AM" and again as a message through Moses to the Israelites "I AM has sent me to you." So, when the Jews heard this in response to their question "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" they had no doubt about what He was saying. He was that same "I AM" that spoke to Moses. He was the voice that told Abraham to go and the image that later appeared to Abraham before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. More than that, He WAS before the foundations of the Earth... He was and is God.
So Jesus makes clear that before the world began He always was, because put simply He IS God. John doesn't play around with this idea at all. He firmly states that In the beginning was the Word (Logos - the mouthpiece/the action/incarnation of God... the image and voice of God). He let's us know He was WITH and WAS God, and ultimately that "Through him [Jesus] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." So to reword that - Jesus is the Creator... present with God and also WAS God from eternity past.
Not only is Jesus the "Author and Perfecter of our Faith" but He is the Author of our entire existence. So, it should come to us as no surprise that He commanded the elements, and that He made fish and bread out of thin air. Or, that He healed the sick and raised the dead... cast out demons and at the moment of His death, creation responded with an earthquake and darkened sky.
For the same reason, the earth growns for His triumphant return when everything will be completely restored to glory. What a hope we have for the end of all things, because we know the one who is The Beginning and The End. What a beginning then end shall be!
-g-
Therein lies the beauty and the mystery of the Three in One God. Although we see Jesus as the "First Born" of all creation, He is indeed THE CREATOR. That is enough to keep our minds reeling for a lifetime.
Jesus never shied away from stating that He always was... "before Abraham was born, I am" He sates in John 8:58. A quick cross reference takes you back to Exodus 3:14 where God says to Moses "I AM WHO I AM" and again as a message through Moses to the Israelites "I AM has sent me to you." So, when the Jews heard this in response to their question "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" they had no doubt about what He was saying. He was that same "I AM" that spoke to Moses. He was the voice that told Abraham to go and the image that later appeared to Abraham before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. More than that, He WAS before the foundations of the Earth... He was and is God.
So Jesus makes clear that before the world began He always was, because put simply He IS God. John doesn't play around with this idea at all. He firmly states that In the beginning was the Word (Logos - the mouthpiece/the action/incarnation of God... the image and voice of God). He let's us know He was WITH and WAS God, and ultimately that "Through him [Jesus] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." So to reword that - Jesus is the Creator... present with God and also WAS God from eternity past.
Not only is Jesus the "Author and Perfecter of our Faith" but He is the Author of our entire existence. So, it should come to us as no surprise that He commanded the elements, and that He made fish and bread out of thin air. Or, that He healed the sick and raised the dead... cast out demons and at the moment of His death, creation responded with an earthquake and darkened sky.
For the same reason, the earth growns for His triumphant return when everything will be completely restored to glory. What a hope we have for the end of all things, because we know the one who is The Beginning and The End. What a beginning then end shall be!
-g-
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Sweetest Boy Turns 1
Tomorrow marks the 1st year of life for my little Georgie boy.
Ashley wrote a post that warmed my heart, so I couldn't help but say a few words in honor of a good and perfect gift... my son.
Georgie is such a sweet kid. He lights me up when I am exhausted in the morning (due to Him getting up at the break of dawn...turd). He runs around and pulls everything apart and says "dad dad dad daaa" and whines so that I got off of the couch and feed him... I actually do love it in a weird way.
Anyway, this guy loves the rest of his family (especially his big sister) who loves to pounce on him and push him around... he might whine a little and then laugh and then he will run after her again... loving her all the while. That is a good example of forgiveness there haha!
Having him here changes me, and it changes everyone. It is amazing what wonders this guy does for your heart as he cuddles up against you before you put him down for a nap. Or when you sit Indian style and he lays in the cradle of your legs for long minutes. Or when he laughs about who knows what and you find yourself laughing with him. He is just too much, and he is my son.
I am so pleased to have a son. I am so thankful for him, and God gets all of the praise.
Happy Birthday Georgie!
Thank you Lord for this beautiful child who is full of love.
-g-
Ashley wrote a post that warmed my heart, so I couldn't help but say a few words in honor of a good and perfect gift... my son.
Georgie is such a sweet kid. He lights me up when I am exhausted in the morning (due to Him getting up at the break of dawn...turd). He runs around and pulls everything apart and says "dad dad dad daaa" and whines so that I got off of the couch and feed him... I actually do love it in a weird way.
Anyway, this guy loves the rest of his family (especially his big sister) who loves to pounce on him and push him around... he might whine a little and then laugh and then he will run after her again... loving her all the while. That is a good example of forgiveness there haha!
Having him here changes me, and it changes everyone. It is amazing what wonders this guy does for your heart as he cuddles up against you before you put him down for a nap. Or when you sit Indian style and he lays in the cradle of your legs for long minutes. Or when he laughs about who knows what and you find yourself laughing with him. He is just too much, and he is my son.
I am so pleased to have a son. I am so thankful for him, and God gets all of the praise.
Happy Birthday Georgie!
Thank you Lord for this beautiful child who is full of love.
-g-
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