Because of our culture, the word slave is mostly a negative word for us. However, I am glad to be a slave to God. I am glad that my Master is in the business of setting me free continuously. I am glad that my Master is sowing goodness into me constantly and is protecting me from evil constantly. When I was a slave to sin, I didn’t have much of a chance at surviving. Actually, the wage of sin is death. But the wage of God is life.
I was born into slavery of sin and now I am set free by Jesus Christ. The only way that I could actually do this was to submit to the grace of God. It wasn’t by my own works. It was totally by Him working in me. Now, I recognize my eternal master. I am listening for His voice by the Holy Spirit. I am His devoted slave and according to Romans 6:22, I have great benefits.
Romans 6:20-22 states: For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
Blessings,
John
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Friday, October 2, 2009
"New John"
Let’s all be encouraged when we begin a new step in the process of allowing God to change us to be more like Him.
Often times we have to go through a difficult situation or get a revelation from God to bring us to the point where we actually want to change. When we do this, it really angers the enemy and he does whatever he can to cloud our perspective on the new path that we are committed to taking with Jesus. The enemy wants us to quit, because he knows God is taking us to a new place of Kingdom building.
Lots of times, the change we make for Him affects how we relate to those around us (wife, kids, friends, coworkers, etc.). The enemy gives no help to us in this change. Some people will help us (Praise God!), but some people may not believe that we really want to make the change and will be waiting to see some proof. Be encouraged, because we’re doing this for God and His Kingdom anyway. People just get to reap in the benefits of being around a newer better ME because of His Grace. So don’t grow weary when the transition is taking process.
When others, me, or the devil himself bring up the “old stuff” and remind us of how bad it was…I must remember “That was the old John”, we are not dealing with the old John. “I am the new John”. The new John is not perfect, although God will finish the good work he has started. What I know about the “old John” is that he is dead. He died on the cross with Jesus.
But God is most interested in me being ME. God created me to be ME. He wants me to walk in the Truth and Love that He promises to provide me everyday. He does not want me to be discouraged by any negativity from the past. Of course, he may use the past to teach me, but certainly (certainly) not to condemn me.
People, the enemy, or even I might attempt to judge or condemn me for the past, but I have been given the Grace to not receive ANY condemnation. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. I am to walk into being ME in humble fashion, knowing that He has always got my back and He wants to pour His character into me minute by minute, second by second.
There was another like me that changed for Jesus. His name was Paul.
According to his own testimony, Paul “violently persecuted” the “church of God”. He made a decision to walk into who he was in Christ. He became one of the most famous and influential Christians ever. He was used by the Lord in missions and evangelism to set in motion the Christian Church, the Body of Christ on earth, to the extent that billions of human beings have been directly or indirectly affected by his ministry. By the Holy Spirit, he wrote much of the foundation of Christian living, which has changed many lives.
I am making the choice to walk into the “new me” everyday and allow Him to continue with the process of changing me to be more like Him. Will you join me? Let’s help Him build His Kingdom as He gracefully shows us the steps to take and increases our faith to actually take the steps.
Often times we have to go through a difficult situation or get a revelation from God to bring us to the point where we actually want to change. When we do this, it really angers the enemy and he does whatever he can to cloud our perspective on the new path that we are committed to taking with Jesus. The enemy wants us to quit, because he knows God is taking us to a new place of Kingdom building.
Lots of times, the change we make for Him affects how we relate to those around us (wife, kids, friends, coworkers, etc.). The enemy gives no help to us in this change. Some people will help us (Praise God!), but some people may not believe that we really want to make the change and will be waiting to see some proof. Be encouraged, because we’re doing this for God and His Kingdom anyway. People just get to reap in the benefits of being around a newer better ME because of His Grace. So don’t grow weary when the transition is taking process.
When others, me, or the devil himself bring up the “old stuff” and remind us of how bad it was…I must remember “That was the old John”, we are not dealing with the old John. “I am the new John”. The new John is not perfect, although God will finish the good work he has started. What I know about the “old John” is that he is dead. He died on the cross with Jesus.
But God is most interested in me being ME. God created me to be ME. He wants me to walk in the Truth and Love that He promises to provide me everyday. He does not want me to be discouraged by any negativity from the past. Of course, he may use the past to teach me, but certainly (certainly) not to condemn me.
People, the enemy, or even I might attempt to judge or condemn me for the past, but I have been given the Grace to not receive ANY condemnation. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. I am to walk into being ME in humble fashion, knowing that He has always got my back and He wants to pour His character into me minute by minute, second by second.
There was another like me that changed for Jesus. His name was Paul.
According to his own testimony, Paul “violently persecuted” the “church of God”. He made a decision to walk into who he was in Christ. He became one of the most famous and influential Christians ever. He was used by the Lord in missions and evangelism to set in motion the Christian Church, the Body of Christ on earth, to the extent that billions of human beings have been directly or indirectly affected by his ministry. By the Holy Spirit, he wrote much of the foundation of Christian living, which has changed many lives.
I am making the choice to walk into the “new me” everyday and allow Him to continue with the process of changing me to be more like Him. Will you join me? Let’s help Him build His Kingdom as He gracefully shows us the steps to take and increases our faith to actually take the steps.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sam's water baptism
Sam’s Water Baptism
What a celebration of the gift that Christ gave us! Sam was water baptized on Sunday just a few weeks ago at our church – Open Door Ministries (www.go2odm.com). It was great to see him profess his faith in Jesus to the church congregation.
We have to die before we can live. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He crucified the old sinful nature for all who believe. Sam understands that, through Jesus, he has been reborn of the Spirit.
That is the best news I can know about Sam. Now it becomes a journey of being armored up for battle and allowing God to mature us through our circumstances. My prayer is for Sam to get in the flow of God’s love and let the current take him down the river of our Father's blessings.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20)
When we are united with Jesus, the old nature can never be in control of us again. It can fight against us, but we are reborn of the Spirit. We win!
Romans 6:4-5"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
Let’s go out into the world and live our life of freedom – IN CHRIST. Can the world see that Christ is active in our lives? Regardless of circumstance?
What a celebration of the gift that Christ gave us! Sam was water baptized on Sunday just a few weeks ago at our church – Open Door Ministries (www.go2odm.com). It was great to see him profess his faith in Jesus to the church congregation.
We have to die before we can live. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He crucified the old sinful nature for all who believe. Sam understands that, through Jesus, he has been reborn of the Spirit.
That is the best news I can know about Sam. Now it becomes a journey of being armored up for battle and allowing God to mature us through our circumstances. My prayer is for Sam to get in the flow of God’s love and let the current take him down the river of our Father's blessings.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20)
When we are united with Jesus, the old nature can never be in control of us again. It can fight against us, but we are reborn of the Spirit. We win!
Romans 6:4-5"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
Let’s go out into the world and live our life of freedom – IN CHRIST. Can the world see that Christ is active in our lives? Regardless of circumstance?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Hanging Out with the Lord
It got started last night and continued this morning. As I meditated on Him and started thanking Him for His love, His presence, His Grace, a thankfulness just rose up in me and it was a joy to start telling Him of the things that entered my thoughts that I am thankful for. The more I thanked Him the more I found other thoughts of thankfulness coming. After quite a while of thanking him, it was obvious that I would not finish (LOL). I had not touched the tip of the iceberg. This morning I read the scripture 1 Thess. 5:18-21. These few scripture speak about being filled with the Holy Spirit, blessing others, and of course giving thanks in all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. Derek Prince points out in this passage that thanksgiving is an out pouring of the Holy Spirit. I think I agree with that. Another scripture passage Col 3:15-17, Paul encourages us to be thankful.
I desire to be thankful in all things. When I don't feel thankful or fall subject to the lie that I don't have anything to be thankful for, I know that I can have faith in the WORD. The Word in Ps. 100:4-5 shows me that I can always be thankful:
For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting;And His truth endures to all generations.
I am thankful that He was waiting to "hang out with me today".
John
I desire to be thankful in all things. When I don't feel thankful or fall subject to the lie that I don't have anything to be thankful for, I know that I can have faith in the WORD. The Word in Ps. 100:4-5 shows me that I can always be thankful:
For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting;And His truth endures to all generations.
I am thankful that He was waiting to "hang out with me today".
John
Monday, December 29, 2008
He has shown me His love
I'll always remember the year 2008. It is the year that I found out more about how much God loves me. Yes, I've been saved by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit for several years now. This year the revelation of His love was different. He started by showing me some things about myself that were keeping me from growing closer to Him and being able to find His will in my life. It wasn't pretty. Fear, Doubt, Worry, Anxiety, Self-Righteousness, Pride, and much other stuff were way to active in my life. I knew about some of this stuff and I thought it was just part of the normal Christian walk. God has shown me differently in 2008.
He showed me that I don't have to live with these things in my life. He showed me that He can and will take these out of my life if I will seek Him with my whole life. By the Grace of God, and only by His Grace, I am walking in more freedom that ever before. It's not always easy with the 39 years of bad habits, but by His Grace I am more in love with God than ever before. He has shown me His love in so many ways. He has heard me cry. He has seen me hurt. He has listened to my complaints. He has taken my burdens and given me peace. He has shown me perfect love which cast out fear. He has helped me understand why not to worry. He is showing me His Joy more and more. He is unraveling His Will to me as I listen. He is always with me. He is always speaking to me. He is my Lord. He is the King. He is alive. He loves me!!!
Do you know how much He loves you? Well, I really don't know how much He loves me either, but I am starting to get a glimpse. I look forward to what God has for me in 2009, which is just really the next step in eternity with Him. Wow, I am so glad that I don't have to wait until I get to heaven to experience the Love of my Heavenly Father.
Wanna read about how much He loves you? Check out The Father's Love Letter at http://www.fathersloveletter.com/. This letter features 58 scriptures where God is speaking to us about His love for us. Check some of these scriptures out for yourself. Below is the paraphrased version of the letter from the website. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.
My Child,You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish youwith all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad Almighty God
He showed me that I don't have to live with these things in my life. He showed me that He can and will take these out of my life if I will seek Him with my whole life. By the Grace of God, and only by His Grace, I am walking in more freedom that ever before. It's not always easy with the 39 years of bad habits, but by His Grace I am more in love with God than ever before. He has shown me His love in so many ways. He has heard me cry. He has seen me hurt. He has listened to my complaints. He has taken my burdens and given me peace. He has shown me perfect love which cast out fear. He has helped me understand why not to worry. He is showing me His Joy more and more. He is unraveling His Will to me as I listen. He is always with me. He is always speaking to me. He is my Lord. He is the King. He is alive. He loves me!!!
Do you know how much He loves you? Well, I really don't know how much He loves me either, but I am starting to get a glimpse. I look forward to what God has for me in 2009, which is just really the next step in eternity with Him. Wow, I am so glad that I don't have to wait until I get to heaven to experience the Love of my Heavenly Father.
Wanna read about how much He loves you? Check out The Father's Love Letter at http://www.fathersloveletter.com/. This letter features 58 scriptures where God is speaking to us about His love for us. Check some of these scriptures out for yourself. Below is the paraphrased version of the letter from the website. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.
My Child,You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish youwith all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad Almighty God
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Family Time
The Lord has blessed me with some good family time moments lately. I've always been one to cherish family time. Things have been a little different in recent months. My time with Margaret, Nate, and Sam is usually fun and very enjoyable to me and to them for the most part I'm sure.The photos here are of Marg and I at the Carolina Pregnancy Center banquet, Sam and I pausing for a moment during our bb gun shooting practice, and Nate showing off his 5 lb catfish.
Through much time with the Lord over the last year, He has shown me that this time with them is more that just a good time or fun time, but it is a deposit of His love through me to each one of them. It all still looks very similar on the outside, but knowing His purpose gives me the wisdom to let it flow.
Love her like I do my own self. Give myself up for her. Train them up in the ways of the Lord. Without love I have nothing. This has been a real area of growth for me in the last year. I have always loved each one of them from the bottom of my heart. Now, I'm moving into loving each one of them from the bottom of God's heart. I'll just say that it is life changing and a blessing being in the river of His flowing waters.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Happy 40th Anniversary to my Parents
Here is a tribute that I presented to my parent's a few weeks ago. My sister did the same thing.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
A Son’s Tribute
Mama and Daddy, I celebrate this special time in your life as you celebrate 40 years of marriage. I am thankful to God for the privilege of being your son. Most importantly, I want to thank you for your marriage. I am so proud of you both as I reflect on the love that you have demonstrated over the years. You have made your relationship work for 40 years and have set an example for my family to follow.
Family has always been very important to you. You sacrificed during the child-rearing years because of your desire for us to have a promising future. You always encouraged me to do well in school. I always knew I was going to college because you imparted that belief in me at an early age. You always taught me and expected me to make good choices and avoid trouble. I know it was hard work and even a struggle at times to provide like you wanted. However, I never felt that I did not have what I needed or wanted as a part of our family. I have always had a covering of love along with encouragement to succeed. I cannot begin to count all of the hugs and kisses that I have had from you over the course of my life, which probably secured me more than anything else. Now I get to see you share the same love with my wife and children, which I am grateful.
At our home on Sandy Cross Road, great memories were made. I would not have wanted to trade places with anyone. Besides all the fishing trips and motorcycle riding, I reflect on moments that really make me laugh such as Bit twirling her arm in circles on her 6th birthday, Mama videoing me trying to skip my nightly bath, me running around in circles during my little league basketball game, all of us whistling and calling for Pretty Boy George, changing a nickname from Dee Dee Delgado to Bit over a 6 year period, and always knowing that “I got my job”, but do “you got your job?”
There have been so many happy occasions and great experiences in our family. Thank you for allowing me to experience my pets Chubbie, Chubbie, Chubbie, Fluffy, Duke, George, Junior, and others. Thank you for the many vacations including Disney World, Tweetsie Railroad, the zoo, Seaworld, and Buggs Island camping trips. Thank you for being at all my graduations all the way up to 34 years old.
Mama, I can remember so many times that you showed me love through your words and actions. I cannot name them all, but a few that come to mind are working a 2nd job at Family Dollar to afford my Christmas presents, making a family tradition of decorating for Christmas, picking out Christmas wishes from the Sears catalog, getting up before dawn to enjoy Christmas morning, playing Atari until I had bruises on my hand, making me pay Mr. Perry for the bubble gum I had stolen, paying for reduced lunches to save me the embarrassment of getting free lunch, coming to my Easter egg hunt in 1st grade, loving people when they did not deserve it, honoring the men in your life including your dad, my dad, and your brothers, making me do homework, and standing strong beside my dad when he has needed you most. Aunt Diane described you best when she said, “Some parents give their children ‘stuff’, but your mama gave you love”.
Daddy, there is no man that I honor more than you. I have experienced your love in so many ways. I’ll only scratch the surface with these memories that I cherish. Some of my memories of your love are picking out my first car and working so hard to make it perfect for me even though I wrecked it, getting involved in my sports practices and games, teaching me waterskiing, giving me my first boat, building my dorm room loft, helping me ride my first bicycle, fixing my motorcycle hundreds of times, teaching me how to fish, showing me that a man can say I love you and even cry, making healthy decisions as a young man so I could enjoy a healthy dad, trusting me with mama when you were on the verge of bypass surgery, taking me out of baseball because of bad grades, ending my risky friendship in 4th grade, showing me how to punch William, taking away financial support in college because I was being irresponsible, teaching me to change the oil, brake pads, and valve cover gaskets, helping me build an electromagnetic crane, crying with me when Chubbie died, giving fatherly love to my sister, talking Duke basketball, and being my best man as I awaited my bride.
With all my honor, appreciation, and love, I celebrate with you. Happy 40th Anniversary!
Mama and Daddy, I celebrate this special time in your life as you celebrate 40 years of marriage. I am thankful to God for the privilege of being your son. Most importantly, I want to thank you for your marriage. I am so proud of you both as I reflect on the love that you have demonstrated over the years. You have made your relationship work for 40 years and have set an example for my family to follow.
Family has always been very important to you. You sacrificed during the child-rearing years because of your desire for us to have a promising future. You always encouraged me to do well in school. I always knew I was going to college because you imparted that belief in me at an early age. You always taught me and expected me to make good choices and avoid trouble. I know it was hard work and even a struggle at times to provide like you wanted. However, I never felt that I did not have what I needed or wanted as a part of our family. I have always had a covering of love along with encouragement to succeed. I cannot begin to count all of the hugs and kisses that I have had from you over the course of my life, which probably secured me more than anything else. Now I get to see you share the same love with my wife and children, which I am grateful.
At our home on Sandy Cross Road, great memories were made. I would not have wanted to trade places with anyone. Besides all the fishing trips and motorcycle riding, I reflect on moments that really make me laugh such as Bit twirling her arm in circles on her 6th birthday, Mama videoing me trying to skip my nightly bath, me running around in circles during my little league basketball game, all of us whistling and calling for Pretty Boy George, changing a nickname from Dee Dee Delgado to Bit over a 6 year period, and always knowing that “I got my job”, but do “you got your job?”
There have been so many happy occasions and great experiences in our family. Thank you for allowing me to experience my pets Chubbie, Chubbie, Chubbie, Fluffy, Duke, George, Junior, and others. Thank you for the many vacations including Disney World, Tweetsie Railroad, the zoo, Seaworld, and Buggs Island camping trips. Thank you for being at all my graduations all the way up to 34 years old.
Mama, I can remember so many times that you showed me love through your words and actions. I cannot name them all, but a few that come to mind are working a 2nd job at Family Dollar to afford my Christmas presents, making a family tradition of decorating for Christmas, picking out Christmas wishes from the Sears catalog, getting up before dawn to enjoy Christmas morning, playing Atari until I had bruises on my hand, making me pay Mr. Perry for the bubble gum I had stolen, paying for reduced lunches to save me the embarrassment of getting free lunch, coming to my Easter egg hunt in 1st grade, loving people when they did not deserve it, honoring the men in your life including your dad, my dad, and your brothers, making me do homework, and standing strong beside my dad when he has needed you most. Aunt Diane described you best when she said, “Some parents give their children ‘stuff’, but your mama gave you love”.
Daddy, there is no man that I honor more than you. I have experienced your love in so many ways. I’ll only scratch the surface with these memories that I cherish. Some of my memories of your love are picking out my first car and working so hard to make it perfect for me even though I wrecked it, getting involved in my sports practices and games, teaching me waterskiing, giving me my first boat, building my dorm room loft, helping me ride my first bicycle, fixing my motorcycle hundreds of times, teaching me how to fish, showing me that a man can say I love you and even cry, making healthy decisions as a young man so I could enjoy a healthy dad, trusting me with mama when you were on the verge of bypass surgery, taking me out of baseball because of bad grades, ending my risky friendship in 4th grade, showing me how to punch William, taking away financial support in college because I was being irresponsible, teaching me to change the oil, brake pads, and valve cover gaskets, helping me build an electromagnetic crane, crying with me when Chubbie died, giving fatherly love to my sister, talking Duke basketball, and being my best man as I awaited my bride.
With all my honor, appreciation, and love, I celebrate with you. Happy 40th Anniversary!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Increasing me for His Kingdom
This is my first blog. Never thought I’d be doing this. I hope that at least my blog title will be understood after I write this post. It goes along with what God has been doing in my life for the past year.
I am not exactly sure where this blog is going to be headed. I do have a few things in my mind that will get posted eventually. I know God has been increasing me in a tremendous way since I dared to let him change me about one year ago. I came to a place where God showed me some things about myself and I did not like what I saw. Yes, I have been living for the Lord for 15 years; I have been filled with the Holy Spirit; I have experienced God on many occasions. When I looked in the mirror I saw some things about myself the way God saw them. They were never what He wanted and they were not what I wanted anymore. I had been self-deceived. I cried and prayed and cried and prayed. The flesh was strong, but the spirit man was rising. Some parts of this journey felt like they would kill me. I asked God to help me change. This is when I got to see Grace at it's best.
Well, He was just wondering what took me so long, but He was ready to do this thing at my pace and my pace only. He won’t force me to do anything. I do think He was pleased to see that I did not want to live the next fifty years in my same condition. We started with getting rid of self- righteousness and selfishness (at least some of the big chunks). Then things continued from there…. control, fear, doubt, worry, and so forth. I’m still in the process and will engage the process for a lifetime. We have come a long ways in the past year. I am living by the Spirit daily, in His Power, Love, Sound-mindedness, and of course under His Grace and Mercy.
For the last six months I have started to understand more clearly that the Kingdom of God is supreme to the world that I live in. Seems simple does it not. But, the world had a lot of my attention, and I mean a lot. I have a desire now to seek the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness more than ever before. I want to follow His will for my life, not mine. He has shown His Grace and Mercy in incredible ways. He has shown me that He surely will carry me when I can’t carry myself. He has surely shown me that He can heal me, that he can give me Joy. He has shown me that He will answer prayers of His children. He has shown me that the choice of sin is just not worth the consequences. He has shown me that the choice of Truth and Love is where the rewards are found. This is why I am excited about how He is increasing me daily until He has finished the good work that He started in me.
This is why I say; He is “increasing me for His Kingdom”. Increasing me for me would not be enough. God’s plans for my life are a lot bigger than just me. He is building His kingdom and he wants my help. For me to give Him the help He needs, there will need to be an increase in me. I will follow Him by His Grace. I will listen for His voice today, tomorrow, and on from there. It's going to be interesting to see what He does with me. Glory to God, I like me a lot better today.
John
I am not exactly sure where this blog is going to be headed. I do have a few things in my mind that will get posted eventually. I know God has been increasing me in a tremendous way since I dared to let him change me about one year ago. I came to a place where God showed me some things about myself and I did not like what I saw. Yes, I have been living for the Lord for 15 years; I have been filled with the Holy Spirit; I have experienced God on many occasions. When I looked in the mirror I saw some things about myself the way God saw them. They were never what He wanted and they were not what I wanted anymore. I had been self-deceived. I cried and prayed and cried and prayed. The flesh was strong, but the spirit man was rising. Some parts of this journey felt like they would kill me. I asked God to help me change. This is when I got to see Grace at it's best.
Well, He was just wondering what took me so long, but He was ready to do this thing at my pace and my pace only. He won’t force me to do anything. I do think He was pleased to see that I did not want to live the next fifty years in my same condition. We started with getting rid of self- righteousness and selfishness (at least some of the big chunks). Then things continued from there…. control, fear, doubt, worry, and so forth. I’m still in the process and will engage the process for a lifetime. We have come a long ways in the past year. I am living by the Spirit daily, in His Power, Love, Sound-mindedness, and of course under His Grace and Mercy.
For the last six months I have started to understand more clearly that the Kingdom of God is supreme to the world that I live in. Seems simple does it not. But, the world had a lot of my attention, and I mean a lot. I have a desire now to seek the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness more than ever before. I want to follow His will for my life, not mine. He has shown His Grace and Mercy in incredible ways. He has shown me that He surely will carry me when I can’t carry myself. He has surely shown me that He can heal me, that he can give me Joy. He has shown me that He will answer prayers of His children. He has shown me that the choice of sin is just not worth the consequences. He has shown me that the choice of Truth and Love is where the rewards are found. This is why I am excited about how He is increasing me daily until He has finished the good work that He started in me.
This is why I say; He is “increasing me for His Kingdom”. Increasing me for me would not be enough. God’s plans for my life are a lot bigger than just me. He is building His kingdom and he wants my help. For me to give Him the help He needs, there will need to be an increase in me. I will follow Him by His Grace. I will listen for His voice today, tomorrow, and on from there. It's going to be interesting to see what He does with me. Glory to God, I like me a lot better today.
John
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