Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Focused on Jesus
“… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus …”
Hebrews 12:1c-2a
I can remember running the Boston Marathon and being completely exhausted in the last few miles. I knew there was a huge Citgo sign a mile from the finish line. I would look at that sign and tell myself, “If I can just make it to that sign, I only have a mile to go.”
For a marathon, you might focus on a Citgo sign. But in the spiritual life, you focus on a Person. You rivet your gaze firmly on Jesus Christ.
You think about his life. You read about him in the Scriptures. You memorize verses about Christ. You pray to him. You call out to him. You sing to him. In every way, you fix your eyes on Jesus.
If we keep our gaze fixed on Christ, then we can endure in the challenges and struggles we face. That’s what the next verse tells us: Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (12:3). Jesus endured tough times. If we stay focused on him, we too can endure.
Three practical suggestions to help you stay focused on Jesus:
· Take unhurried time to meet with Jesus every day. My suggestion: Take an hour. Let other things go but don’t neglect time with Jesus. It is your greatest privilege.
· Practice the presence of God throughout the day. He is right there with you all the time. Live in his presence. Talk with him. Draw close.
· Sing to him. Worship music is powerful. It is soul-transforming. It helps you stay focused on Christ.
By Pastor Jeff Wells, Woods Edge Church, The Woodlands , Texas
“… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus …”
Hebrews 12:1c-2a
I can remember running the Boston Marathon and being completely exhausted in the last few miles. I knew there was a huge Citgo sign a mile from the finish line. I would look at that sign and tell myself, “If I can just make it to that sign, I only have a mile to go.”
For a marathon, you might focus on a Citgo sign. But in the spiritual life, you focus on a Person. You rivet your gaze firmly on Jesus Christ.
You think about his life. You read about him in the Scriptures. You memorize verses about Christ. You pray to him. You call out to him. You sing to him. In every way, you fix your eyes on Jesus.
If we keep our gaze fixed on Christ, then we can endure in the challenges and struggles we face. That’s what the next verse tells us: Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (12:3). Jesus endured tough times. If we stay focused on him, we too can endure.
Three practical suggestions to help you stay focused on Jesus:
· Take unhurried time to meet with Jesus every day. My suggestion: Take an hour. Let other things go but don’t neglect time with Jesus. It is your greatest privilege.
· Practice the presence of God throughout the day. He is right there with you all the time. Live in his presence. Talk with him. Draw close.
· Sing to him. Worship music is powerful. It is soul-transforming. It helps you stay focused on Christ.
By Pastor Jeff Wells, Woods Edge Church, The Woodlands , Texas
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Watching the black panther in action!
Saturday evening we watched a black panther come out of the woods on the CRI mission base. As we were talking on the back porch I looked up and saw the beautiful cat come out. As the panther made it's way across the yard we all watched in amazment at the beautiful animal pounching on lightning bugs. As he turned and went back to the woods he paused, turned his face towards us and smiled. His teeth were glowing green from the tails that were left over from his dinner.
Doubting Ortega tried to make us believe that it was a common house cat but I am not fooled.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Psalms 147:3
Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
My personal journey for healing of my brokenness has lead me down many paths. The destructive paths have left deposits in my mind that are haunting at times. When life gets tough I often think of my past mistakes long before I recall the forgiveness and newness of life. The situations often change but the need for a fresh experience with the Lord is always the answer to the pain. A revelation of who God is and strength that comes from Him is needed for my heart to rest. Due to the other things that I have used to sooth the pain, be it temporary, I have continually been distracted from the one that loves me most. Often times the distractions are subtle and numerous at the same time. It is the common, every day distractions that get me most of the time i.e.. TV, Work, poor time management, etc.
I know that God will defend and heal the brokenness in my heart but I have to allow Him to do it. I know when I spend time with Him, everything is great. I am confident, assured, affirmed, and at rest when I spend time reading His word, praying, worshiping, and listening to the truths that He speaks over my life.
As the seasons of my life change, I long for the strengthening of my spirit. The desire to feed on the promises from an unfailing God well up inside of me. The seemingly quenchless thirst will only end when drinking from the well that is fed from the river of life.
May we drink deeply.
My personal journey for healing of my brokenness has lead me down many paths. The destructive paths have left deposits in my mind that are haunting at times. When life gets tough I often think of my past mistakes long before I recall the forgiveness and newness of life. The situations often change but the need for a fresh experience with the Lord is always the answer to the pain. A revelation of who God is and strength that comes from Him is needed for my heart to rest. Due to the other things that I have used to sooth the pain, be it temporary, I have continually been distracted from the one that loves me most. Often times the distractions are subtle and numerous at the same time. It is the common, every day distractions that get me most of the time i.e.. TV, Work, poor time management, etc.
I know that God will defend and heal the brokenness in my heart but I have to allow Him to do it. I know when I spend time with Him, everything is great. I am confident, assured, affirmed, and at rest when I spend time reading His word, praying, worshiping, and listening to the truths that He speaks over my life.
As the seasons of my life change, I long for the strengthening of my spirit. The desire to feed on the promises from an unfailing God well up inside of me. The seemingly quenchless thirst will only end when drinking from the well that is fed from the river of life.
May we drink deeply.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Class Week 3
Week three of class is complete, only 17 more weeks left. It seems to be a huge commitment, 20 weeks.
Tonight was awesome. Our time in class was a little boring but when we broke up in groups the tide began to turn. As I listened to young men open up and share the things that have caused them pain, I was humbled. The most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed is people being transparent and vulnerable while having hope that things can be different in their lives.
As I shared more of my story I could see hope begin to fill the eyes and hearts of some of the other men in the group. As I spoke to one of the guys in the group you could see his spirit come alive.
After the past few crazy months it feels so good to be in the place I was created to be. I never feel more alive than when I am able to share and encourage others.
Tonight was awesome. Our time in class was a little boring but when we broke up in groups the tide began to turn. As I listened to young men open up and share the things that have caused them pain, I was humbled. The most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed is people being transparent and vulnerable while having hope that things can be different in their lives.
As I shared more of my story I could see hope begin to fill the eyes and hearts of some of the other men in the group. As I spoke to one of the guys in the group you could see his spirit come alive.
After the past few crazy months it feels so good to be in the place I was created to be. I never feel more alive than when I am able to share and encourage others.
A Representation of My Soul
This evening was full of surprises. I started a class tonight that is so against the grain of our society. When I first walked in I was very nervous and unsure of what to expect. The class is not a normal class but I guess most of you probably picked up on that since I am one of the students. Upon entering, one of the instructors lead me to a table covered in small gift boxes of different shapes and another table covered in decorative tissue paper. Along with the tissue paper were stickers and a role of yellow tape with the word caution on it. The instructor instructed me (as an instructor should) to take one of the boxes and use the other materials to decorate it to represent what my soul looks like to me. I was a little lost at first but I filled the box with solid colored stickers and a piece of the caution tape covered by a black piece of tissue paper. Then I put the lid on the box and colored the top green with blue tear drops.
The explanation for the way I decorated it will come at a later date but after sitting down and looking over my recent creation it seemed to be a great representation of the emotional part of my soul. I have to admit I was feeling like a first grader as I worked with little scissors and colored paper.
During the class we all had to stand up and tell everyone our name and why we were taking the class. Since the class is not part of a degree program, the reasons for everyone being there were very different. I told them my name and then said that my reason for taking the class was to create a representation of my soul and then I walked out.
Totally kidding.
Some of you have already figured out what kind of class I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. Others of you should take a class like the one I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. The rest of you I hope are not in denial about how jacked up you are. One of you I know is just not that jacked up so congrats on not having to endure the current struggle, I am truly inspired by you.
If you feel like there are a lot of holes in this story rest assured that you are not losing your mind. I am still trying to process the rest of the evening so stay tuned for the continuation of my Tuesday evening class. I will be in this class for twenty weeks so I am sure there will be plenty to share
The explanation for the way I decorated it will come at a later date but after sitting down and looking over my recent creation it seemed to be a great representation of the emotional part of my soul. I have to admit I was feeling like a first grader as I worked with little scissors and colored paper.
During the class we all had to stand up and tell everyone our name and why we were taking the class. Since the class is not part of a degree program, the reasons for everyone being there were very different. I told them my name and then said that my reason for taking the class was to create a representation of my soul and then I walked out.
Totally kidding.
Some of you have already figured out what kind of class I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. Others of you should take a class like the one I am in because you are just as jacked up as I am. The rest of you I hope are not in denial about how jacked up you are. One of you I know is just not that jacked up so congrats on not having to endure the current struggle, I am truly inspired by you.
If you feel like there are a lot of holes in this story rest assured that you are not losing your mind. I am still trying to process the rest of the evening so stay tuned for the continuation of my Tuesday evening class. I will be in this class for twenty weeks so I am sure there will be plenty to share
Colors in the Mood www.myspace.com/hendrickmusic
IT SEEMS THAT WHEN WINTER COMES I AM COVERED IN TEARS
AND IN SEEMS THAT THE WEATHER STAYS IN SEASON WITH ME......
IN TIME
IT WILL BE FEBRUARY
BUT IF THE SUN IS SHINNING
YOU CAN GUARANTEE I AM SMILING
BUT IN JUNE WHEN THE RAIN IS COMING DOWN ON MY ROOF
I 'LL PROVE MY SELF
WE WILL SHED OUR LIGHTS TO COLORS IN THE MOOD
WE'LL EMBRACE THE DARKER SHADES OF ME AND YOU.
WE'LL FORGET WITH MORNING COMES THE SUN.
BUT IT WILL COME
AND IN SEEMS THAT THE WEATHER STAYS IN SEASON WITH ME......
IN TIME
IT WILL BE FEBRUARY
BUT IF THE SUN IS SHINNING
YOU CAN GUARANTEE I AM SMILING
BUT IN JUNE WHEN THE RAIN IS COMING DOWN ON MY ROOF
I 'LL PROVE MY SELF
WE WILL SHED OUR LIGHTS TO COLORS IN THE MOOD
WE'LL EMBRACE THE DARKER SHADES OF ME AND YOU.
WE'LL FORGET WITH MORNING COMES THE SUN.
BUT IT WILL COME
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