"I feel 'less than.' "
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This was a facebook status posted a few days ago by a friend of mine.  I really haven't stopped thinking about it since I read it.  Maybe because when I read it I was feeling the same way.  The danger in thinking about a statement like that, at least for me, is my tendency to dwell on the feelings associated with it instead of thinking about moving past it.  Again God I ask, why are our feelings so powerful?

I know our enemy wants to trip us up by using our feelings against us.  I believes he also revels when our lives are idle.  Idleness seems to be my biggest enemy right now, and if idle hands really are the devil's workshop, he's doing his best to stay busy in my life.  I'm also doing my best to stay busy.  It's not always easy.  I find almost any excuse to get out of the house ... any reason to get in my car and drive somewhere other than Kroger, or to a gas station.  Anything to try to out maneuver the attacks.

Speaking of attacks, two people on my worship team aren't going to make it tonight ... and I just heard from a third while I was typing the paragraph above that she might not make it either.  I just spent awhile practicing the music for tonight ... it seemed to take me a long time to get my hands and fingers working properly in order to play the songs right on my guitar.  I don't know if it's a carry over from the 'less than' feeling I've had the past few days or what; things just don't seem well.  I decided to put my guitar down and pray.  10 minutes of prayer can do more than 10 hours of me rehearsing music.

I don't know what it is God; today feels different than my usual frustration about the usual things.  I pray God that you will show me, and anyone else who may be feeling this way, how much of a 'greater than' God you are ... show us in a way that will change us.  Bring to pass your word that says "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.".  Amen.

Greetings fellow God chasers.  I hope this finds you all well.

I don't feel like I'm full of wisdom or deep thoughts tonight.  Quite honestly I spent most of the day playing my guitar, getting ready for three days of music coming up this weekend, instead of thinking about a verse to write about.  I do feel like I need to share a few thoughts with you though.  Who knows, the longer I type, the deeper they may become.

First off, I'm thankful for the little surprises that God fills my day with.  When was the last time you were surprised ... pleasantly surprised?  When was the last time someone did something for you that was unsolicited?  More importantly, when was the last time you did that for someone else?  I just got done experiencing one of those unsolicited surprises via a wonderful chat/conversation with a young man studying in Australia at the Hillsong music school.  I'm sure it has some sort of official name, but it's the school associated with the Hillsong Church.  His mom and dad are long time friends of my wife.  I guess they're long time friends of mine too, since we've been married for 19 years now.  Like me, he's a musician and guitar player.  He's light years ahead of me in skill, and he's half my age.  Oh well :)  It's always easy to talk music with a fellow musician.  It's always easy to talk 'God' with a fellow Christian.  It's almost like God gives us those times ... those moments ... those interactions to keep us going.  Those are nice times to reflect on when things aren't going so well.  I'm thankful Brenten took the time to talk with me tonight.  It was a good distraction from the some of the things going on in my life.

He told me something that surprised me.  He said, "You've got so much Christ in you."  In the past I would have humbly brushed it aside, or come back with something negative about myself.  Right before that he said I was awesome.  He said it because I shared with him some of the volunteer work I've done.  Now to that I told him "nope ... just willing."  I left the Christ comment alone though.  I won't deny that.  After all, I asked Jesus to come into my heart 21 years ago.  I certainly hope after that long that it's evident to others that I follow Jesus ... but not for my sake.  I hope people see Jesus in me because I want them to see Jesus.  Period.

Do something special for someone tomorrow, but not because of how it will make you feel.  Do it because regardless of who you do it for, it's probably been a long time since they've had a pleasant surprise.  Good night and God bless you.

It takes a lot to trust somebody doesn't it?  It does for me.  I think I may have been a bit more trusting in the past, but I've had too many people promise me too many things only to end up not delivering (as in they never even intended to deliver ... not just that they tried and fell short) on those promise.  I wonder how many promises I've broken in my life?  How many people could say the same thing about me?  How many times have I damaged the faith and belief in other people for other people?

There are a handful of people in my life that I can trust with anything.  I can be myself around them ... I can say what's on my mind ... I can make mistakes ... anything, and they'll still be there for me.  I can count on them if I need something, or someone.  The trust I have in them was earned by them.  It wasn't something that I just handed over ... they earned it.  There have been many others who also earned my trust but unfortunately they lost it just as easily.  I hate when that happens.  I hate losing faith in someone because of something they did, but it happens.

Have you ever lost faith in God?  Maybe you never had a faith in a higher power to begin with, so that may be an irrelevant question in your opinion.  If you don't believe in something greater than yourself, I feel bad for you.  You should too, and if you don't, walk away from your computer and go look in the mirror.  Seriously ... is that the person you're going to rely to make sure the rest of your life goes well?  Is that the person you're going to rely on for eternity?  Really?

For the sake of my blog, lets assume you believe in God.  Has he ever let you down?  Has he ever failed you?  Let me answer that for you ... no.  Now you might think because you didn't get the job you wanted, or you're not driving the car you'd like to drive, or your 401k balance isn't as big as you'd like it to be that God let you down.  You might think He let you down because you lost a parent too early, or a child was killed at a young age, or someone you know who has never harmed a soul was just diagnosed with cancer.  Isn't that just cause to be upset with God?  Isn't that enough to convict Him of letting you down?  Let me answer again ... no.

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior wasn't a free pass to a perfect, trouble free life.  Actually there is probably more evidence in the Bible that proves the exact opposite.  Just as you're life was bought with a price when Jesus hung on that cross, life as a Christian comes at a price too.  Now if you live in the western world, the toughest price you'll pay is maybe being picked on or ridiculed by someone because you're a Jesus freak.  Others around the world are being murdered because they trust in Jesus.  Let's get back to the question ... has God let you down?  Has God ever done anything to cause you to lose your trust in Him?  One more time, I'll answer that for you ... no.  Circumstances may not always work in your favor, but God always does ... he just has his own 'work' speed.

A worship leader/songwriter named Lincoln Brewster sings a song called "Today is the Day."  The chorus goes:

Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I won't worry about tomorrow,
I've given you my fear and sorrow,
where you lead me I will follow,
I'm trusting in what you say ... today is the day.

Despite what you're going through (and trust me, I know things are tough ... I'm dealing with some very tough and challenging times right now), are you going to trust him?  Can you rejoice during the tough times?  Can you truly quit worrying about tomorrow, and not give in to fear?  Whatever path God takes you down can you really follow him, even if it doesn't look safe, or promising at the onset?  I hope you can, because that's what it will take to get through this life.  I know these may be tough words but it's the truth.  You have to trust in what God has told you; you have to trust where He's been leading you.  The only alternative is to trust that person in the mirror.  I don't know about you, but that person is who got me here in the first place, and from what I remember he's not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent.  He's also quite the goofball at times.  Good night and God bless you.

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Psalm 103:8-12, New International Version

Oh how thankful I am that the above underlined statement is true.  If God treated me the way I deserve to be treated, he'd have to make a full time job out of it.  Maybe you could say the same thing about yourself.  If God ever decided to pay me back for all I'd done wrong, I'm not sure even he could afford that debt.

Has someone ever threatened to 'pay you back' for something you did to them?  I'm sure someone has said that to me, though it seems like I'd have to go back to junior high or high school to find more than a few examples of it.  There was this one guy though ...

A few years back there was a person in my life dead set on ruining my reputation simply because he felt I deserved it.  He didn't like how I responded to him regarding the actions of his wife.  She was acting out in very promiscuous ways with a mutual friend of ours, and since he didn't seem to know how to remedy the situation himself, he put the burden on me to fix it.  He felt I'd have more influence over the friend - which I didn't - so therefore it was up to me to make it all right.

We had a few conversations about it, and when I refused to intervene (for a lot of reasons) he claimed that my I felt reputation was more important than his family.  I guess in many ways it was, and is.  Without going into too much detail, this guy, the husband, was a loser of a husband for many years.  He didn't treat his wife well, he was using heavy drugs, into pornography, etc.  He and his wife had two boys together which complicated their already complicated, screwed up marriage.  To his credit he had some sort of religious epiphony and decided to change his ways.  I think he realized that his wife was going to leave him if he didn't change.  So he did ... good for him.

However, my choosing not to intervene on his behalf was not good for him, or should I say not good enough for him.  He set out to do all he could within his skill set and power to ruin me, and my reputation.  He got off to a pretty good start before, through a series of events, I put an end to it.  Several people told me what I should do to pay him back.  I did nothing.  I just let it go.  I may have been the person wronged, but it wasn't my place to pay him back.  While he did a lot of horrible things to me, I never acted upon the thoughts I had of treating him the way he 'deserved' to be treated.  Or at least the way I thought he deserved to be treated. 

I have a hard time paying people back, or seeking revenge, because I'm constantly reminded of how much God has forgiven me.  How often God has forgiven me.  It's a lot ... from what I read it's as far as "the east is from the west."  That's a whole lot of forgiveness.

"And I will bring praise,
I will bring praise,
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice,
I will declare,
God is my victory and He is here."
Chorus from The Desert Song by Hillsong Music, Australia

I think it's safe to say that we all have things in life that we like.  I like to take a drive at times to clear my head.  I like Papa John's pizza.  I like the sound the rain makes on the roof of my cottage while I'm trying to fall asleep at night.  I think it's equally as safe to say that there are things in life that we love.  I love my wife.  I love my parents, and my brothers, and my extended family.  I love the atmosphere of downtown Nashville, particularly the corner of Broadway and 4th.  I love to play the guitar.  I love strawberries.  Oh, and I love Moose Tracks ice cream ... as long as it's the real thing.  Take it from me, it's not worth trying to save $.59 to buy the cheap stuff.  Imagine that ... me getting off subject.

There's something else I love to do: I love to praise my God.  I've had hundreds ... actually thousands of people listen to me sing.  They've heard me sing 'tear-in-your-beer' country songs, and 'big-hair-band' rock songs.  They've heard me sing Josh Groban's old Irish ballads and Josh Turner's hillbilly honky tonk.  Guess what?  I've loved singing all of it ... but it doesn't compare to praising God.  I'm not sure if God is a country music fan (though I'd like to think He is), but I do know that the Bible says that He "inhabits the praises of his people."  For me, sometimes it takes a song or two ... sometimes five, or six ... but He always shows up.  Whether I'm in church like this past weekend when we sang "In Christ Alone", or tonight when I was in my basement rehearsing this weeks worship set, going through "How Can I Keep From Singing" for the eighth time, God always shows up.  The song at church this weekend had me in tears.  I was good until we hit one of the last verses ...

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

No power of hell ... not satan ... not his lies or his deceit or his ability to twist the truth ...
No scheme of man ... not my former boss, or a back stabbing friend, or the guy who let the door slam in my face recently when my hands were full ...

Like the song I first quoted says, which is based on Isaiah 54:17, no weapon formed against me shall remain.  No weapon as in nothing.  That's a promise from God.  His protection, his care, his peace ... they are all promises and ours for the taking ... and God always fulfills his promises.  However, He does it in his time, not ours.  So while you're waiting for the promise to be fulfilled, praise Him.  I don't care if you can't carry a tune, or sing with perfect pitch, or clap to the beat (actually, I do, but lest I digress), just sing to God.  No matter how awful you might sound, it'll be a beautiful sonnet to His ears.  Besides, if we don't praise Him he's told us that he'll cause the rocks to cry out.  Do you really want to be outdone by a rock?  I didn't think so.

Are you longing to feel God's presence?  Sing to him.  Praise him because He's worthy to be praised.  Are you feeling oppressed?  Sing loud enough so that satan can hear you.  Declare God's word as you sing.  Don't know what to sing?  That's easy ... go to YouTube and type in Hillsong Chapel in the search box, and start playing every video listed.  Some even have the lyrics scrolling on the video ... those will be the easiest ones to sing :)  For how long?  Well, I think the verse above answers that question best:

'Til He returns, or calls us home.  Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

God bless you, and good night.

Today was a great day.  It was great because my wife and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary.  It was great because I spent hours playing my guitar.  It was great because a friend of mine stepped up to fill a void in my worship band at church.  It was great because I got to play with my dog.  There were other things too, but the greatest thing that happened today was realizing once again how much God loves me.  I also realized that I need to spend more time with Him.  As I wrote yesterday, I need to seek Him with all of my heart.  It was great to realize that ... better sooner than later right?  Of course it is.

That's all for tonight.  Take the time you'd normally spend reading and just say hello to God.  If that's not something you do regularly, begin now.  If it is, He's probably wanting to spend more time with you.  Good night and God bless you.

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.  Increase in number there; do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD. Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.  Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 
Jeremiah 29:4-14, New International Version

Welcome to Part IV of my look into Jeremiah, chapter 29.  I'm so glad that I took the time to really think about these verses, and meditate on them.  It's been very rewarding for me, and I hope it's been rewarding for you as well.

To quickly recap, chapter 29 shows us how Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was disobedient to God, and subsequently exiled into Babylon.  Even in his wrath, God showed them that He was still with them, explaining the the exile will last for a period of 70 years.  At the end of that 70 years, God was going to bring them home, and bless them, according to His plan for them.  Home was Jerusalem.  The gathering of His people from "all the nations" sounds to me like a prophecy of the formation of Israel as a country.  Hmm ...  Just a thought.  Shall we continue?

So the last few verses left begin with God explaining how He will once again hear Judah's prayers, and answer them.  He promises that they will find Him if they seek Him with all of their heart.  I feel for me to come up with a good explanation of these verses is way over my head.  The reason God answers some prayers, and doesn't seem to answer others has boggled my mind for years.  Why I seem to feel His presence so strongly at times, and not at all during other times in life has repeatedly left me confused, yet that's exactly what these verses are talking about.  I guess I'm not the only one who has experienced a quiet God.  Judah knows the feeling as well.

It's the word "then" that makes me feel that God was telling them in advance that for their 70 years in exile He was going to ignore their prayers.  At the end of the 70 years, He was going to bring them back from the place of exile, then they could pray, and He would hear them.  Does that make sense?  Is it just me?  I don't know ... it seems to make sense.  Maybe because I've wondered at times if God is listening.  Maybe because I've felt exiled, or displaced, at times.  Why does God seem distant, or silent, during our most challenging times?  Again, it could just be me, but as I was talking with someone about this yesterday, we both realized and admitted that if things were great all the time ... if life never dealt us a low blow ... if we never struggled ... we'd probably have, or show little need for God.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.  I will be found by you."  I'm not sure where to begin with this verse.  I'm sure countless sermons have been preached on this subject.  If so, how can I sum it up in one paragraph?  I'm one who feels a good sermon can stand on it's own.  A good sermon doesn't need a skit, or a song, or a stage prop to drive the message home.  After reading this verse several times over the past four days, I've come to the conclusion that it can stand on its own as well.  There's no parable here.  No mystery.  No secret God code.  It's pretty straight forward ... if you seek God with all of your heart, you'll find Him.  The he punctuates it by saying again, "I will be found by you."  I guess that means that half-hearted attempts will be unsuccessful.

Dear God ... I can't even count the number of half-hearted attempts I've made over the years to find you.  Many times there was no attempt at all.  That's when I thought things were going well.  I guess I just figured that I was so blessed that I didn't need to stay in touch.  I'm sorry.  I am truly, truly sorry.  I know in my life, when I don't get to talk to or see someone I really care about for an extended time, I miss them.  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  I pray that would be true from now on in my relationship with you.  Don't let me get complacent ... even if it means getting quiet from time to time.  Amen.

Good night, and God bless you.

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.  Increase in number there; do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD. Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.  Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 
Jeremiah 29:4-14, New International Version

I just read a comment a friend of mine left on a recent blog: "Dry spells to suck."  He's right ... they do.  I'd have to imagine that being exiled from your homeland sucks too.  Losing your home, being displaced from everything and everyone you know and love, even if it was the punishment you deserved ... yep ... that would suck.  The beauty of this story is how it proves once again that God is a loving and just Creator.  Even though He 'sentenced' the Judean's to exile, it was only temporary.  He tells them that when the seventy years are over "I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place."  The 'place' He's talking about is home ... Jerusalem. 

Let's move on to the next verse.  I have to believe the next verse.  It's the verse I mentioned during Part I (by the way, this is Part III), the verse that's been preached about so many times.  Now that I've dug into the pretext of that verse, it means even more to me.  I understand why God said it.  I believe it was meant to be a reassuring and comforting statement, not just a run of the mill declaration.  He was letting Judah know that despite losing everything, things were going to be okay ... it was all going to work out. 

I have to believe in that verse because I have to believe it's as true today as it was back then.  Maybe someone reading this feels like I do.  If I've gone through what I have recently with no pre-determined end game, then I'm going to be pretty upset.  I have to believe that God has plans for us, plans that will prosper us, and give us hope.  Plans that will cause us to look forward to the future.  Honestly, right now I'd settle for just knowing that He has a plan period.  Hope would be nice too, but I guess that would come with knowing He had a plan wouldn't it?

Dear God, please confirm to me that I'm right.  Not for the sake of me being right, but so that I'll know ... and others will know ... that walking through the valleys, and the time spent in the desert, and all the other crap we go through is worth it.  Again, not for us, but for Your glory ... for Your name.  See you tomorrow for Part IV.  Amen.

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.  Increase in number there; do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD. Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.  Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 
Jeremiah 29:4-14, New International Version

Welcome back to Part II of my look at Jeremiah 29:4-14.  I wrapped up yesterday's blog discussing Judah's exile to Babylon.  They were uber disobedient towards God, so in order to get their attention, he let a neighboring king destroy their home ... Jerusalem.  I was comparing their exile (being forced from your home due to certain circumstances) to how I've felt the past few years.  I lost the ability to engage in many of the physical activities I use to enjoy in life.  I lost my job and consequently a 16 year career.  I lost part of who I am while dealing with and working to overcome depression and anxiety.  I lost much of the joy I used to experience in life, and even hope to a certain extent.  Like the people of Judah I feel separated from what I once knew ... the familiar and the comfortable ... 'home.'  God directed the Judean's to carry on with life as usual while in exile, and I feel as though that's what He's instructed me to do ... at least I do after reading these verses yesterday.  Let's look at the middle part of the passage.

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile."  I guess I never thought about something like that being important.  I suppose they didn't either, which is why God gave them specific instructions regarding it.  Here they are living in a strange city in a foreign land, being ruled by a king who destroyed their city, and God is asking them to pray for peace and prosperity for the king's city!  I guess it's not a huge surprise, since many times throughout the Bible we're told to pray for our enemies.  Maybe it's just how this statement was worded that caught my attention.  You see, for the past several months I've been looking for jobs in other cities and states, actually praying for God to get us out of this 'God forsaken' place called Michigan.  It's not that I don't love the state, but after 10 months I haven't been able to find a job here.  It just gets discouraging after awhile.  After reading these verses maybe I've been going about it all wrong.  Even though God cast Judah into exile, it was only temporary.  Because it was just a temporary thing, He encouraged them to carry on as they normally would, and just like they did back in Jerusalem, to pray for their new city ... and their neighbors ... and the merchants ... and the city leaders and politicians.  Pray for peace in your city, and for prosperity so that you too will prosper.  Sounds like God's way of saying "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."  I love at how God jammed so many principles in that one verse ... things like "love your neighbor as yourself", "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", "pray for your enemies, and if they're thirsty, give them something to drink", and the biggie ... "you reap what you sow."  Maybe instead of complaining, and spending time trying to figure out how to get away from here, God's calling me to pray for my city, and those who live here.  Maybe that's the key to feeling and being prosperous again.

He goes on to warn Judah about the naysayers, and the false prophets.  We all have them in life.  We've all encountered the people who are either negative about everything, and can't seem to find even the dimmest light at the end of the tunnel, or we've encountered those who think God has told them everything we're supposed to do.  I understand that God works in and through those around me, but I also know that if He wants to tell me something, He'll just tell me.


Dear God, thank you so much for opening up the wisdom of this chapter to me.  For some reason I knew there had to be more to it than just verse 11.  I love how you speak to me, and want to ask you to please forgive my selfishness in only praying for me, and for you to get me out of here.  I'll start praying for my city now.  I love you God.  Amen.

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.  Increase in number there; do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD. Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.  Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 
Jeremiah 29:4-14, New International Version

Let me begin by saying that these particular verses will not be covered ... cannot be covered ... in one blog.  Verse 11, the famous "I know the plans I have for you" verse has been preached on, quoted, written about, and referenced hundreds of different ways.  I was thinking about that verse over the past few days, so I looked it up to refresh my memory.  What I read before and after it however caught my attention ... lucky you eh?  Here goes nothing ...

Allow me to begin by quoting an introduction to a study of the book of Jeremiah, which can be found by clicking here.

The Book of Jeremiah combines history, biography, and prophecy. It portrays a nation in crisis and introduces the reader to an extraordinary leader upon whom the Lord placed the heavy burden of the prophetic office. Jeremiah was born about 650 B.C. of a priestly family from the little village of Anathoth, near Jerusalem. While still very young he was called to his task in the thirteenth year of King Josiah (628), whose reform, begun with enthusiasm and hope, ended with his death on the battlefield of Megiddo (609) as he attempted to stop the northward march of the Egyptian Pharaoh Neco.
 
The prophet heartily supported the reform of the pious King Josiah, which began in 629 B.C. Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, fell in 612, preparing the way for the new colossus, Babylon, which was soon to put an end to Judean independence.

After the death of Josiah the old idolatry returned. Jeremiah opposed it with all his strength. Arrest, imprisonment, and public disgrace were his lot. Jeremiah saw in the nation's impenitence the sealing of its doom. Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and carried King Jehoiachin into exile (Jeremiah 22:24).

During the years 598-587, Jeremiah attempted to counsel Zedekiah in the face of bitter opposition. The false prophet Hananiah proclaimed that the yoke of Babylon was broken and a strong pro-Egyptian party in Jerusalem induced Zedekiah to revolt.  Nebuchadnezzar took swift and terrible vengeance; Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 and its leading citizens sent into exile.

Jeremiah did his best to warn Judah about God's coming wrath.  All he got out of that was a prison sentence.  God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jerusalem, leading to Judah's exile into Babylon. (note: for those new to Old Testament history, Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and is the name used to describe those living in and around Jerusalem).  Jerusalem was home to the Judean's; Babylon was not.  God knew that, but He also knew that something had to be done to get their attention.  He was tired of their idol worship.  He was tired of how they allowed false prophets to influence them.  For several years God gave them the silent treatment ... that didn't work either.  They wouldn't change their sinful ways, so they were forced from their home.

Even so, God still tried to help them.  He instructed Jeremiah to tell them while they were in exile, which was going to last 70 years, they were to carry out normal lives ... build houses, plant crops, get married, and have kids.  Why?  All I can think of is "when in Rome, do as the Romans."  In other words, make the best of where you're at.  Dictionary dot com has several definitions for the word exile, one being prolonged separation from one's country or home, as by force of circumstances.  I feel like I was sort of exiled from my life a few years ago.  Two years ago this coming May ... May 19 to be exact ... I feel my life took a turn.  For the worse?  In some ways.  I've certainly had my share of battles over the past two years.  For the better?  Definitely better in some ways as well, but I feel like I'm living some other life, like the circumstances of life separated me from my home so to speak.  

That's a fair enough analogy I suppose.  However, if I'm going to compare the circumstances of my life to the Judean's, maybe I need to follow the same instructions God gave them ... carry on as usual, and make the best of where I'm at.  Dear God, please don't let it last 70 years.  See you tomorrow for Part II.  Amen.

I composed last night's blog using my iPod.  It's so nice to be typing on an actual keyboard again.

So have things changed since last night?  Maybe I should ask has my attitude changed?  I suppose ... somewhat.  I spent an hour or so today surfing through job listings online.  That had to be one of the most depressing things I've done in awhile.  If my situation is any indication as to what's happening throughout the country, it's no wonder there is such turmoil between government, private business, and unions.  Knowing what I know about the prospective job market, or lack thereof, I'd fight for whatever job I had too ... just like the people I see on the news broadcasts.

I shared a verse with you all a few weeks back from James, chapter four, about "boasting about tomorrow."  I'm not sure how much I boasted about tomorrow before (I certainly don't now).  Knowing how I am, I'm sure I did at some point.  I do remember thinking to myself many times how I'd never get laid off or lose my job because I was too valuable, and I was one of the people who actually made my company money.  Regardless of the reasons (those explained to me and those I came up with on my own), I became a casualty of our present economy in mid-May, 2010.

Over the past 10 months I've had moments where I felt like was right in the center of God's will, and I've had moments where I couldn't spell the word 'will.'  I've had days where I was at total peace with my circumstances, and I've days that were nothing but a piece of ... Are you getting the picture yet?  I'm pretty sure what those experiences add up to is this thing called life.  Life.  Maybe now is a good time to insert one of those "old sayings" about life that we've all heard ... something like "life isn't about what happens to you, but about how you react to it."  How about Forest Gump's saying that "life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get."  Then there's the famous bumper sticker "Lifes A B......."  For those who have been completing my sentences and have gotten offended at what you've come up with, I apologize.  I never claimed to be a religious person, or anywhere close to having this 'Christ following' figured out.  Don't worry though, God hasn't given up on me yet!

Maybe I'm just angry.  I'm sure if I was brought to trial today on charges of being angry, I could easily be convicted.  Ephesians 4:26 tells us that we can be angry, just don't sin in the process.  It goes on in verse 27 to tell us not to let the sun go down on our anger because it gives satan a foothold ... a way in to your mind, and your thoughts.  I'm afraid I've done both of those things between last night and this afternoon.  Last night I was angry before I went to bed ... a frustrated, ticked off sort of anger.  I suppose if I were a model Christian, I would have taken a moment to pray before I went to bed, asking God to ease my burdens, and to cover my anger and worry with his provisional love.  But I didn't.  I just stayed angry, and wrote a blog from my iPod complaining about how impatient I am, and how slow God is.  That led to falling asleep angry, which gave satan a foothold, which led to waking up angry, still in the frustrated, ticked off sort of way.  Thinking about it this morning led to more anger, and then the sin.  I think that's one of the reasons why at times, if I'm ticked off, I'll keep my mouth shut.  You see, I know me all too well ... if I'm mad about something AND I'm talking at the same time, something is going to come out that I'll later regret.  That's what happened this morning.

So now what?  Where do I go from here?  First off, I have to take a moment to ask God to forgive me for my actions, and my mouth, and my lack of belief and trust in His provision, and ... and ... and ... (gosh that can be a long list at times).  Aside from that I need to "run the race to win" ... which means I need to do everything I can do, pray everything I can pray, and continue to remind myself that God truly is in control.  God bless you all, and good night.


Note:
I wanted to take this time to do one more thing to help get my mind off my own circumstances ... I want to thank you all again for reading this blog and supporting me.  I have no idea what God has in store for this ministry, but I'm anxious to find out.  I certainly never thought me writing down my thoughts and other various ramblings would have developed into a ministry, but it has, and I'm thankful for that.  I'm thankful for having the opportunity to touch the lives of people I know, and people I don't know.  I love the fact that I can do it simply by being me.  Please pray for Chasing God, and the work it's doing around our city, state, country, and the world.  To date it's been viewed in 12 countries; many of those are countries where being a Christian isn't popular at all.  I don't know who is reading, but people are reading and I believe the message shared through the Chasing God devotional is making a difference.  That's probably why I had the battle last night and this morning ... satan would love nothing more than for me to give up.  I realize that he's a persistent enemy, but he really should know by now that I'm just as persistent and stubborn, not to mention, He who is in me is GREATER than he that is in the world ... and if God is for me, then who can be against me?  Satan knows his place in my life is under my feet.  Join me in prayer to make sure he stays there, and that whatever work God wants to do through me and my blog gets done.  That would mean more to me than I could ever explain.  Thank you so much.  ~ Joe

There are times when I'm not patient. How do I know this? I've picked up on a few clues that I've left while journeying through life. Clues such as ...

I have no use for red lights or stop signs. Blinking red or yellow lights and yield signs would suffice at most intersections during most times of the day. There's an intersection six blocks from my house that is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Whenever I need to turn left out of our subdivision it seems like I have to wait ... and wait ... and wait ... for a green light, even when there are no vehicles travelling on the cross street. It would be a great location for a smart light, one that recognizes traffic patterns. God only knows the hours I've wasted at that light.

I hate lines ... lines of every kind. Lines of cars at red lights (see above), lines at Cedar Point, and lines at the grocery store. Our friendly, neighborhood grocery store recently closed it's doors due to our 'stellar' local and state economy. Another store in the same chain located less than a mile away closed as well. As a result the one store that's left has seen an increase in business, particularly on Sunday afternoons. On two seperate occasions, both on a Sunday, I went to that store to pick up a few things. Both times I walked in, saw the checkout lines backed up into the aisles, turned around and walked out. I didn't need Moose Tracks that bad.

Some days, like today, I get impatient waiting on God. I feel like I've been waiting so long. Of course it's been nothing like walking circles through the wilderness for 40 years, but for me and my extreme lack of patience it might as well be. As the day wore on I found myself less and less patient with my circumstances. Maybe it's because I thought about them more today than I have in awhile. Or maybe I'm just grumpy today. I don't know, and quite honestly I don't care which one it is.

Looks like I'm at another one of those Christ follower 'put up or shut up' times in life. I tell people all the time that I want God's will for my life, and that I want to do things His way. Today was hard God. Forgive me for having a bad attitude. Thank you for loving me anyway. Catch you later. Amen.

"Lord, you do everything for me."
Psalm 138:8

I encourage you to read Psalm 138 in its entirety so you can read the first half of verse 8 in context with the rest of the chapter.  I however, can't focus on dissecting the entire Psalm, but I'm confident that I can do okay with six words.

It's pretty easy to list all that God has done for me: everything.  Isn't it wonderful when God's word is so simple to understand?  I admit I get a little lost when Jesus speaks in parables.  The way Paul speaks at times can be confusing at best.  On the other hand, when David wrote "Lord, you do everything for me", it didn't take me long to wrap my brain around that statement.

I came to know Jesus after a relationship I was in went bad.  I thought about what to do, but couldn't really come up with a solution to the pain I was feeling on my own, so on the advice of a friend, I turned my life over to God.  Well ... let's be honest ... I recited the sinners prayer, asking Jesus to save me and to forgive me.  As for turning my life over to him ... I'm still figuring out how to do that.  Anyway, by saying one prayer my life was changed.  God saved me, and if that's all He ever did for me, then I could boldly say that He's done everything for me.  He didn't stop there though.

By God's grace I was able to quit stuttering.  Stuttering is something I find difficult to explain to others.  If you haven't lived with the condition, or lived with someone who stutters, it's very hard to understand the emotional pain and embarrassment that not being able to talk fluently can cause.  There is no known cure for stuttering ... no pill ... surgery ... therapy ... nothing.  There is a known 'curer' though ... Jesus.  I may get caught up now and then, but I stutter about 99.9% less than I did as a child.  I prayed, believed, and God healed me.  Not stuttering any more means everything to me.

God gave me a second chance at getting a college education.  When I first enrolled at Michigan State University I was pretty young.  I moved in to my dorm room just days after turning 18.  I flunked out of MSU four months after turning 19.  I won't get into all of the details as to why, but looking back it certainly took hatd work to get grades that bad!  Two years later I applied for re-admission to the University.  Part of the re-application  requirement was to write a short essay explaining why I felt I was now ready to handle the pressures of a Big Ten university.  I wrote about one thing: how God had changed my life.  A few weeks later I was notified that my application was accepted.  At the time, having the chance to complete my college education meant everything to me.

God saved me, healed me, and gave me one of many second chances.  He blessed me with great parents.  He's given me struggles to help build my character.  He's given me disappointments to help me understand His mercies are new every morning.  He's given me the opportunity to sing, and make music, and to minister to others doing what I love to do.  He's given me a dog, a car, a home, a t.v. ... every "thing" I have is a gift from God.

Have you given your life over to him?  Have you even considered it?  If I were you, I'd get that taken care of right now, before you do another thing.  Let God adopt you into his family ... it will be the greatest everything that anyone could ever give you.  God bless you, and good night.

Why Chase God?

An old friend has mentioned to me on a few occasions that the title of my blog, "Chasing God", doesn't make sense.  He still reads it, and has even commented on it a few times, but he just doesn't think the name of the blog fits God's nature.  He may be right.  After all, why should we chase after a God who doesn't run from us?  Maybe the title doesn't make any sense.  How can we look at our relationship with God as a chase, when He's the one that draws us to him?  I'll do my best to explain.

From the beginning God has been there for us.  He spent six days creating the earth, and afterward he realized he needed someone to occupy the earth, so he created so man.  It didn't take God long to realize that man needed help, so He created woman to be his partner.  He spared Noah's family from the flood.  He rescued Joseph when his brothers threw him down a well.  He delivered the Jew's from slavery in Egypt.  He delivered David from his enemies.  He sent Jesus to pay our sin debt ... and Jesus continues to be here for those who believe in him, and his saving, life changing power.

Doesn't really sound like we have to chase Him does it?  He's been pretty consistent in being there for His people.

On one hand I guess I'd have to agree with my buddy ... if it weren't for the fact that I know my sin nature all too well.  I'm lazy.  And complacent.  And even selfish at times.  The reason I consider my walk with God to be a chase is because I believe James when he wrote "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20), and for a lazy, complacent, and selfish Believer who is trying to get to know God on a deeper level, 'works' is a good thing.

I suppose I could sit home and faithfully wait for God to act on my behalf.  I could faithfully wait for my circumstances to change.  I could faithfully hope to have a dynamic, ever growing relationship with God ... just because.  Unfortunately at times, I really lack faith.  Then there are the times when God feels so far from me, and I feel so far from him.  Times like that don't seem to put deposits into the faith bank.  I've spent too many 'times' too far from God, and as a result, I don't feel that I know Him the way I want to.  Something had to change ... I had to approach my relationship with God in a different way ... not because He abandoned me; not because He had forsaken me; not because He took a vacation from taking care of me.  God has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), but He will also never force himself upon us.  You see, He gave us a free will.  He will always take the first step -  he'll continue to be the God who "stands at the door and knocks" (Revelation 3:20) -  but we have to open the door.  We have to work ... put forth a little effort ... and if you're lazy like me, you might even have to chase after a relationship with God like your life depends on it.

I hope the title makes a little more sense now.  God bless you, and have a great day.

I Can't Explain It

"You have not seen Christ, but still you love him.  You cannot see him now, but you believe in him.  So you are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory.  And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter, 1:8-9, New Century Version

I had a person comment on my blog the other day ... he said this: "Chasing god? ... nice one read (link) and tell me what you think of my view."  I read his view.  I couldn't have disagreed with him more, but I wanted to at least be respectful and read what he had to say.  His view on 'the creator' is that it's an energy field floating around, and that we all came from it at one point or another.  He's also not a fan of the Bible, and spends a lot of time calling the people who wrote it 'idiots'.  He's equally against organized religion.

I read what he had to say ... twice.  At the end of the second read I was deeply saddened.  How can someone think that we came from an energy field?  Not just to think it, but to share that thought with others with conviction?  When you have a moment, open up Google and type in "miracle of the human eye".  Read a few of the articles that come up.  Scientists have tried to re-create the processing power of the human eye using computers and have failed.  They've concluded that only an all powerful creator-God could have created the human eye.  I just don't see how that creative being could be an energy field.

I've never seen the wind ... just the effects of the wind.  Does it mean the wind isn't there just because I can't see it?  We can't see gravity, but we've seen the effects of gravity.  Does it not exist just because we can't see it?   I've never seen Jesus ... just the effect that He's had on my life and the lives of countless others.  Peter says that we love Jesus even though we've never seen him.  By faith we believe that He's alive and our gift for believing is our salvation ... eternal life.  Just because we can't see Jesus doesn't mean that He doesn't exist.

I love the beginning of verse 9 ... it's so true.  I've never physically seen Jesus, but because of what he's done in my life ...

... because of His never-ending love for me ...
... because He has changed me, and filled me with his Spirit ...
... because He has constantly shown himself to be real in my life ...
... because He died so that I could live ...
... because He forgave me of every sin I had ever committed ...

... because of all of that and more,  I am filled with a "joy that cannot be explained, a joy that is FULL of glory."

Peter was right.  I can't explain it.  God bless you, and good night.

Sometimes you have to escape the familiar to see things in a different light.  I've learned that the comfortable  routines that can manifest in our everyday lives can work to blind our vision of some of life's most special moments, as well as the people both friend and stranger, who help to create them.  Those routines can also shield us from a society full of sad, hurting, and desperate people ... people who may need to see things in a different light as well ... one provided by the Light of the World himself ... Jesus.

I shared yesterday how important the relationship with my niece is to me.  There is nothing in the world that could ever cause me to forget the importance of her presence in my life, but to be able to spend a few days with her has been a pleasant and enjoyable reminder.  We've shared many special moments together, and will undoubtedly experience even more.

Last night the three of us spent a few hours taking in the local music scene.  We were able to listen to a 15 year old kid - who looked all of twelve - sit in with a band for a set on lead guitar.  The kid played like he was literally born with a guitar in his hand.  Every move seemed to be instinctive and effortless.  The crowd kept looking at each other in disbelief.  That kid is special, as special as the time that we spent together listening to him.

As Christ followers hanging out in the live music environment (i.e., bars), we're also witness to the sad and the hurting people around us.  Not that everyone who enjoys a night out on the town with friends is hopeless ... just some of them ... and it saddens me to see people act a certain way, or present themselves in a certain way because they are so desperate for attention (uh oh ... I think I may have just exposed another part of my own character ... irked again).  You don't have to spend too much time in places like that to realize that people need to look at things 'under' a different Light.

Earlier in the day the three of us had lunch together.  Because my niece deals with gluten intolerance, we had to be selective in where we ate.  I think that may have been the first time that I went out to eat with her since she was diagnosed three or four years ago.  She asked the waitress about the menu, and the possible gluten free choices that she could choose from.  The waitress disappeared for a moment only to be replaced by the restaurant owner who sat down at our table and discussed the various options my niece could choose from.  That may be a common occurrence for my niece, but I was blown away at the kindness the woman showed toward her, taking ten minutes or so to sit down at our table to help her out.  Another special moment.

Ten minutes after that we were joined in this small 'mom and pop' joint by a party of 40 people associated with a youth hockey team.  What was going to be a quiet afternoon lunch was now claustrophobic chaos, reinforced by the fact that the kids on the team all chose to sit at the table right next to ours ... all of them.  The parents were smart ... they sat across the room where it was somewhat quieter.  The food wasn't exactly what we hoped it would be.  The environment certainly left little to be desired.  What I learned about myself, and at times the intolerance I show towards others, showed me how I need to live under that Light a little more than I have been ... maybe (oops ... did it happen again?  Irked .....).

Jesus, you've called me to be the light of the earth.  I know ... I haven't always done a very good job of it, especially compared to you.  Maybe instead of trying to do a good job on my own ... maybe instead of comparing myself to the job you've done ... I should just let you continue to do what only you can do.  You're the master of special moments Jesus.  I'll get out of the way now.  Amen.

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."
1 Corinthians 13:1-3, The Message

I can't tell you how many times I've read the verse above.  I could conservatively estimate it at twenty ... maybe more.  It never ceases to amaze me how we can read something again, maybe for the twenty first time, and how it can seem so new and fresh to us.  I guess that's how God works.  I'm thankful He works that way.

So we can do it all ... right?  We can do the right thing, and say the right thing, and be the right thing ... if we do it without love as the motive, it's all worthless.  I can write all the devotionals I want to; if I do it without love, they are nothing but empty words.  I can donate time and resources to the best of causes, but it will mean nothing if I don't share sincere love as well.

When I woke up today this chapter in 1 Corinthians was on my mind.  It was on my mind as I fell asleep last night as well.  Maybe it's because I spent a few hours last night hanging out with my wife, and one of our nieces ... I can't think of two people I'd rather spend time with.  The particular niece that we were with is very close to us ... she's like the daughter I never had.  I love her.  I'd do anything for her, anything to protect her, anything to help her, anything ... not just because it's what an uncle should do, but because I love her, and want to do things for her.  She knows it too.  Not in a manipulative way by any means ... she's got the sweetest spirit about her, but she knows that I love her.  I think it gives her a sense of comfort at times.  It gives me the feeling that I did something right along the way with her.  Is she perfect?  No.  Am I?  Gosh no, but what we do for and with each other is always done with love.

I want to end with verses 4-7 of chapter 13.  As much as I love my wife ... and my niece ... and my family ... and others ... I can't read down this list, and feel like I could check all of them off.  I know I'm not that good.  It was good however to read it again this morning.  It's good to look at the standard of all standards of love ... God ... and look at where I can improve.  You see, even though I'm not that good, God is, and he just happens to be the same God who dwells within me.  I'd encourage you to read through the list too.  Maybe you'll discover something you can improve upon.  Enjoy your day.  God bless you.

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
   Love doesn't strut,
   Doesn't have a swelled head,
   Doesn't force itself on others,
   Isn't always "me first,"
   Doesn't fly off the handle,
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn't revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, The Message

"Friends, don't complain about each other. 
A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know."
James 5:9, The Message

This one cuts deep.  If you read it, and pay attention to what you're reading, it forces you to look inward.  I think as a society we're pretty quick to complain about situations, people, circumstances ... you name it.  If it weren't true, the saying "misery loves company" never would have been imagined.  When things aren't going well, or when we're frustrated about something, our knee jerk reaction is to complain, to grumble, or as the Bible puts it, murmur.

I spent an hour or so talking with a friend today.  During the conversation I caught myself twice complaining about things that other people did to me, or things people do in general.  I'd like to be able to say that the reason I caught myself was because I realized that complaining about what they did - and in fact judging them - was wrong.  Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.  I recognized what I was saying because I realized that someone could "lodge" the same exact complaints against me.  In fact, I'm sure people could come up with far worse.  Why is it when something bad or adverse happens to me I feel completely justified in grumbling about it?  Yet when I see someone else dealing with the same issue, I have no mercy for them ... I feel no empathy.  Well, eventually I do ... at some point I figure it out, but not immediately.  Sometimes it's a few minutes later ... or hours ... sometimes days.

Here's another thing I've noticed that I do, and it irks me to no end when I catch myself doing it ... it irks me because it exposes things I need to work on.  I don't always treat others the way I want to be treated.  At times I reach out to people for sympathy, yet I find that I'm rather slow or unwilling at times to be sympathetic towards others.  At times I need to talk to someone, and have them listen to what I'm saying.  It's usually when I'm frustrated and need to vent.  However, I'm not always patient when it comes to listening to others when they need to talk.  I guess you could sum it up and say that at times I'm selfish.  Even inconsiderate.  And now, exposed.  See ... that's why I don't like catching myself acting that way.

Isn't it just like God to give us a verse like the one above to remind us how to treat others?  He does that because He's in the business of changing us.  The Bible says that God is the potter, and we're the clay (Isaiah 64:8); he wants to mold us and shape us, and yes I believe put us in the fire from time to time ... or the desert ... maybe a cave ... a valley here or there.  Or maybe that only happens in my life.

Random Thoughts of Thankfulness

I was driving down the road today, headed to Rite Aid to purchase a box of envelopes, when I passed a car loaded down with people.  It caught my eye because of how miserable the people in the back seat looked.  I think I've mentioned it before ... I have a rather large 'personal space' bubble.  Not too many make it inside the bubble, so to see those folks packed in the back seat of the car ... well ... it gave me chills.  I suppose in retrospect one could assume they're all best buddies, and have previously invaded each others personal space.  One could assume that.  I didn't.  In addition to the car being loaded to the point of almost dragging bottom, it wasn't in very good shape.  It was a rather beat up looking car.  That also caught my attention because it's been many years since I've had a beat up car.  Before you begin to judge me, let me tell you ... I had A LOT of beat up, $800 cars.  Just ask my wife ... or my mother.  I think at one point early in our marriage I bought three or four cars in a year.  I owned 12 or 13 cars before I turned 24 years old.  Every one has their 'thing' ... mine is driving a nice, clean car.

So after processing all of that in about two seconds while passing their car, I said out loud "thank you God for my car" ... and I meant it.  I'm thankful every time I get into it, and when it starts, and when it shifts smoothly, and especially when it stops.  I'm even more thankful when I get into our other car ... I LOVE that car.  Yep ... I said it ... I love it!

After thanking God for my car, I started thinking of other things to be thankful for ...

... I'm thankful for my salvation, because without it, life would be pointless.
... I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit that dwells inside of me.
... I'm thankful for my wife for like a jillion reasons.
... I'm thankful for my family, who love me no matter what I do.
... I'm thankful for the great friends that God has put in my life. 
... I'm thankful for my furnace that heats my house.
... I'm thankful for the Board of Water & Light for distributing water and electricity to my house.
... I'm thankful for my house.
... I'm thankful for my wife's job.
... I'm thankful that we still live in our house.
... I'm thankful I can walk on a treadmill.
... I'm thankful I can ride a bike.
... I'm thankful for the food in my house.
... I'm thankful for the money in my bank account.
... I'm thankful for the balance in my 401k.
... I'm thankful for my guitar amp ... um ... make that amps.
... I'm thankful for my guitar.
... I'm thankful for my other two guitars.
... I'm thankful that I have a really cool sound system.
... I'm thankful for the opportunity to sing and play music.
... I'm thankful that for now, I live in a country where I can worship God freely and unhindered.
... I'm thankful for my church, and the work it does in Lansing and around the world.
... I'm thankful for my blog.
... I'm thankful for country music ... and Nashville.
... I'm thankful for flannel shirts.
... I'm thankful for Ariat boots.
... I'm thankful for Gap jeans.
... I'm thankful for any t-shirt ... love t-shirts.
... I'm thankful for attention deficit disorder.
... I'm thankful for struggles.
... I'm thankful for the capacity to think, and reason.
... get the picture.

As for a verse ... maybe you can look one up.  You can't swing a dead cat in the New Testament without hitting a verse or two about being thankful.  Read any book that Paul wrote ... you'll see it.

God bless you, and good night.