Messages of Faith

You know, I so want to love God with all my heart. I want to be loyal, obedient, kind, patient, filled with joy. I know God loves me.

This week, I have been thinking on what it means to have faith.  Daily we “put our faith in” so many different things and even people, but what does that all mean?

I grew up in the 90s. As a young boy in the 90s, there was a great deal to be excited about! Sports, bikes, video games, highly caffeinated and sugared sodas, and discovering that a GI Joe movie happened in the late 80s and watching it until my parents lost their minds!

I am currently, as I am writing this, a bi-vocational pastor. I’m “part time” in my ministry currently (I laugh at this statement every time I say it) and have a full-time secular job.

The most unbelievably painful and agonizing pain I have ever felt in my life, was the day our daughter McKenna died and went to be with Christ.

I love to lift weights. I mean I LOVE to lift weights. I got hooked on the sport of weightlifting back in my preteen years. I would watch my older brothers lift weights using the barbell and bench we had in our backyard.

I wish to open with a statement. Jesus is not going to win the war. Now, take a deep breath and put down your torch and pitchfork.

On a cold December night, the town was busy with lights and music, but a woman sat alone in her car outside the grocery store.

I have to say, there is absolutely NOTHING on this earth better than taking a bite from a fresh peach literally right off of the tree in the middle of summer.

Bread…there is something so very simple about it, but also so wonderful. There is a distinct scent it has when it is freshly baked. Its ability to fill a house is absolutely heavenly and mind blowing!

One of the most nagging and horrible pains is when one is hiking in the woods, and walks through a patch of thorns and brambles, only to have a thorn breaks off and get lodged under your skin.

I will never forget the splendor, wonder, and amazement that hit the world with the mainstream availability of a most wonderful gift from God.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (ESV) 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;

Acts 3:18-20 (ESV) 18  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.  19  Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,  20  that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus   Guilt. A noun. The fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime. As Christians, we follow the Law of God. The Law is not void now

Thinking back across my life…I have had many leaders. Whether it be my parents, in sports in High School, jobs I have had, or places in the church.

I am a millennial. Many will blame the troubles of the world on “my people.”

Growing up as a child I lived in a perpetual state of “loneliness.” For any child, there are two sources of acceptance in life.

Back in fifth grade, I had an absolutely amazing teacher. Her name was Mrs. Koehler. I always loved going to school during fifth grade because I knew she was going to greet me there!

Here is a crazy thought…when you are in Christ, you are like an alien. You may be thinking, “what an absurd and odd thing to say?!”

If we think and meditate through the years of our lives, likely we can think of plenty of examples in which we knew what we were supposed to be doing, but we sought our own path.