July 22nd, 2010 by ray
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About a month ago I had the opportunity to spend a week in Korea with my sister as she was adopting a little girl. It was a really cool experience and as I observed and looked around the country, I couldn’t help but notice this most Christian nation in Asia really wasn’t a majority Christian, like I am used to in the South. Since leaving, especially on days like I had yesterday, I can’t help but think, is this what God wants of me? Is this the place that God wants me? Shouldn’t I do more? It reminds of a powerful song, There’s a Stirring. Check the words:
There’s a stirring deep within me
Could it be my time has come
When I’ll se my gracious Savior
Face to face when all is done
Is that His voice I am hearing
Come away my precious one
Is He calling me?
Is He calling me?
I will rise up
Rise up
And bow down
And lay my crown
at His wounded feet
Such powerful words and truth is God can use me where ever I am. We are giving serious thought to mission work and your prayers for God’s guidance through this process and evaluation are much appreciated. For the time being I know God can use me anywhere I am and there is truly a stirring deep within me and I need to RISE UP, take my Cross, and follow HIM!
Matthew 16:24 (New International Version)
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
July 21st, 2010 by joelarnold
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After months and months of skipping church, we finally went back.
Now I know what you are thinking and no, I don’t have an excuse. I didn’t even have an excuse when Father Reggie asked my wife and I point blank, “Where were you before?!” The question almost knocked me out of the pews!
For the past week, this question has bounced around my head like a pinball. Where have we been? What were we doing that was more important? I have had some ideas, but no definitive answer. Father Reggie didn’t look at us any different or make us feel unwelcome however – very much the contrary. He simply smiled, patted me on the back and enthusiastically said, “Well… welcome!” It didn’t matter where we had been, it only mattered that we were here now.
July 20th, 2010 by ray
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Do you ever have a time when you really don’t know what to say? Well Jason is living it up in D.C. and I am here in Chattanooga, and well I don’t know what to say. I don’t feel inspirational, feel like I have some great thought, you know I think we have just hit the dog days of summer. I don’t really know where that came from but I think these are the days that only dogs could like.
Do you ever feel that way with God? Just don’t know what to say, nothing great to come out of your mouth, feel as only a dog could like you? Well, we don’t have to worry about that, check this verse:
Romans 8:26-27 (New International Version)
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. It’s ok if we don’t know what to say, we have an intercessor! Wwhether you feel inspriational, don’t know what to say, or just feel ashamed of yourself, God already knows and hears you. Have a great day!
July 19th, 2010 by Jason
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Last night Amy and I were blessed to be able to watch Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center as we kicked off another week of summer holiday. And of course Mary is one to remind you of the good things in life and to take advantage of all the opportunities for treating others right.
So I go off for a few days, and a few of my fellow buffeters keep up the encouragement for the remainder of the week. But before I do here is a simple reminder to always consider others and and keep a check on the words you use throughout the day today.
11 A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
You can never underestimate the power of the words you use. Make sure they are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
July 16th, 2010 by Jason
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I dunno about you but I hate paying bills. It’s not so much about getting rid of the money ( although that part is stinky), is more about the accounting and making sure it’s paid on the correct date and getting the right amount and all of that stuff. For those things that I don’t have automatically paid, it’s a struggle every month. Usually there is a frantic middle of the night rush on the due date to pay the bill. What a blessing on line bill pay is.
So isn’t it good to know that as followers of the Christ, there is no due date. Well, there will be a judgement day, and for those not follower the Christ, that will be quite a problem. But for those who have put on the grace and mercy of Christ, your sins will have been paid in full, and on the due date, your balance due will be a big fat zero!
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (New International Version)
So, doesn’t knowing that you owe nothing and that its been paid for you provide some relief from the anxiety of the day and create a desire to repay that through your actions? Get out there and impact those around you today.
Its freeeeeeeeeeeee!
