Growing

There are growing plants and growing businesses, the population is growing and there are growing families. We grow up, grow in wisdom and grow old. We have growing pains and some of these come from growing apart. My favorite is growing together.

Comfort

This quote’s been a comfort to me today:

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
― Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

Glorified

“To glorify the name of the Lord Jesus would be enough for any ransomed sinner, but to be told (2Thess. 1:11, 12) that in the very glorifying of Jesus he himself would be glorified in Him – well, that is just too overwhelmingly good.” – E. Stanley Jones

That’s grace, we were made to live in Him, with Him, about Him and for Him, not for His benefit but because together (He in us, us in Him) was and is the entire goal. It’s the very thing the world desperately seeks and we must be willing to share in word and deed.

Brotherhood

I’ve been thinking a lot about my brother today. Also about my brothers in law, who I declare after 20 years, are full on brothers and about my brothers that God’s put in my life. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate each one of you. Every moment of life is intended to be done together and I am so glad I get to do it with you. Thank you.

Adventure

“Everyday God invites us on an adventure. It’s not a trip where He sends us a rigid itinerary, He simply invites us. God asks what it is He made us to love, what it is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable need of ours to experience the richness of the world He made. And then leaning over to us, He whispers, “Let’s go do that together.”” – Bob Goff, Love Does

Yes Lord, let’s do it.

Hang in There

I know that a number of you have been going through some pretty rough times lately. You’re in the middle of something you never thought you would have to face and it’s scary. It is going to get better, hang in and don’t give up. Be sure you don’t try to go it alone, lean in close to the Lord and find someone to help you. Things may not work out exactly as you want them to but you’ve been promised that there will be a day when you’ll look back and understand how you and those around you are better. God loves you so very much. You’re in my prayers.

There’s Much to Do

We mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that because we can’t make God love us more by what we do for Him that there isn’t much to be done with Him, there is. Out of our intimate relationship with The Lord will come much direction. His leading results in miracles and changed lives that are unique and specially formed for their part in His plan. Seek Him with all you have today. Ask Him what He has in store for you to do together and do it no matter how hard it might be.

Toughen Up

Toughen up, you can handle it is another thing you won’t hear God saying. True strength comes out of brokenness, coming to the realization that on our own we are weak. What you will hear Him saying is, together there is nothing We can’t handle. Trusting me with you life is where you’ll find all that you need.

I’m Ashamed of You

You’ll never hear, I’m ashamed of you from God. Webster’s defines ashamed as: feeling shame, guilt, and disgrace, feeling inferior or unworthy. No matter what you might do it’s not possible to put these things on Him. Sure, there are times when we should feel shame or guilt as result of a poor choice we’ve made but it’s not going to disgrace God or make Him feel inferior. Likewise we don’t need to let others add to our shame or make us feel inferior. God is proud of you! He thinks you’re incredible. He totally understands how hard this life can be because He’s been through it all. Anything that keeps you from Him is not good and that includes shame.

Let’s do this Together

You can also trust that there is nothing you have to go through alone, even if it’s just a fairly typical day, God is always saying, let’s do this together. From the very beginning this has been His desire. You were created to live life with Him. Good days, bad days, everyday and night He wants to be right there with you. Calling on Him only in the tough times cheats you of so very much.