In 50 years...

This is one of my go to statements, "In 50 years will it matter?" 

Now that I really think about it; It won't to me, but it will matter now.  I say that because any worthwhile legacy is made with the everyday choices in how we live our life and how others see us living it.  To me, that's the greatest testimony of being a Christian.

It reminds me of a great song (posted below). 

A special note to my wife...I want to love deeper...IB

One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture (lyric video)

It's valuable

With all that is going on in the world, and in particular in the United States with the economy, it came to my attention today that the value of life seems to be leading to a sacrosanct mentality.  Everyday I read of people being shot (at an alarmingly increasing rate), beaten, tortured and taking their own life.

It troubles deep within me that the raging crescendo seems to be gaining momentum and the only thing that can stop it is prayer for a paradigm shift of how people value other people.

If you are reading this, please pray for those that are feeling dejected, lost, or hopeless, to find a permanent relief to their situations in a peaceful manner and that we, as humankind, value the lives of others and that of our own.

Philippians 4: 6-7
 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Pray For An Easy Path

While driving to work last week I was listening to a short sermon and I can't remember the name of the gentleman providing it.

What struck me, and has stuck with me was his statement, "Pray for an easy path."   It wasn't just the statement alone, it was the context that surrounded it.  God doesn't like to see us suffer and in Matthew 7:7 it states "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Pray for blessings, pray for life to be better, pray for an easy path.

Lineage

If you have read the bible and read the lineage of Jesus you will know that many, many people in his family tree have done terrible things and it's the same for many in the world. 

It matters not if you come from a long line of despots or saints we have the opportunity to make our own path.

Whether your family tree looks like a majestic oak or a typhoon damaged tree, you can plant your own seeds and have a great life.

Revelation 22
Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, ² in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; ⁴ they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

Voices in the storm

On my may to work today I was listening to the radio and the hosts of the show were talking about some of the podcasts they listen to.  I wondered how many podcasts were out there.  No, I didn't go look, but what I did think was, that with all the blogs, podcasts and websites, there must be hundreds of thousands of options for people to read or which to listen.

I also thought, with all the options, why do I write on my blog.  I do it in faith.  My prayer is that what I am compelled to write will help someone, somewhere.  What makes this cool is that even after I'm dead and gone, this will exist until the internet goes dark.

Timing Is Everything

I sometimes feel the speed of society with everything seemingly traveling down the instant gratification path has made me expect the same in seeking answers to my prayers.  

I am going to take life slower because, A- nobody is getting off this earth alive and a forever afterlife is beyond human conception, and B- speeding up everything makes miss some of the simple joys of life like sunsets and watching the snow fall.

Waiting is not my strong point.  Over the past few years I have been taught the power of patience and still struggle with waiting on the answers to prayers.  I listened to a Rick Warren sermon on waiting three times because I knew in my heart that I needed that reminder.

I am guilty of not remembering the prayers that were answered because I am focused on the next answer.  

When I pray for something or someone, initially it is a planted seed and continued prayers are the nurturing of that prayer until it's time for the harvest (answer).