Season's

Wintertime...blah. Springtime, Oh Yea!

Seasons: I like Spring, Summer, and Fall the best. However, if it weren't for the Winter season, Spring wouldn't be so sweet!

Spiritual Seasons: Our church is in the middle of a 40 day fast. As far fasting goes, it's like winter time! However, this is still an exciting season for us because we're looking ahead to greater things!

Whatever season you're in; take full advantage of learning something and moving forward! Whether you want it to pass soon or last a lifetime; learn what God needs you to learn from it and share your experience with someone close by!

Do What God is Doing

John 5:19 - Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

I've been at a pastors cohort this last couple days and this scripture verse is one I've been thinking about. The cohort is a year long trek of leadership discussions, self evaluations, church evaluations and more. There are 20 some other pastors included; its good to see many of my good friends there!

Well - let's do what John 5:19 says to do. In fact, Jesus only did what God the Father was already doing. Let's find out where God is moving, where He's working, and let's join together in the efforts of those who are doing that as well! Like my daughter always sings "teamwork, teamwork..."

In 2010, lets stop, look, listen, and pray...slowly. Slow yourself down below 5 mies an hour for once and ponder, consider, think..... And let's find out what God is blessing, what He's doing, and let's roll with God through 2010 and make this year on e of the greatest in the history of the world!

There's a sweet taste to a fast...

For my friends who are fasting for 40 days...And for those who may feel God tugging on them to fast for His will to be done in your life:

From Deut. 8:3, Jesus quotes Moses in Matthew 4:4 when he tells the devil that man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.

Deuteronomy 4:2 (NIV) Moses delivers this message (among others) during the last 40 days of Israel's wanderings before crossing the Jordan - “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” ---What ever you feel God has spoken to you about, don't add or subtract from it during your fast.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) says "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." ---Don't cheat on your fast. Give to God what you decided to in the beginning and find joy in doing so.

On the second day of our church wide (and beyond) fast, I felt like I was doing something worth while when my body started to make it's adjustments, if you know what I mean.

Doing something meaningful and challenging for God's sake is the sweetest taste of victory in the world.

Keep up the good work!

1st day of 40 day fast

After the day was near over, I read from Deuteronomy 4:2. God tells the Israelites through Moses: "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." This message delivered within the last 40 days of the desert wanderings. God is instructing them to stay with the plan, read, study, pray, stay devoted, don't be wishy washy, remember where they came from and where they're going.... So, on the first day of my fast I had one big question for a mentor of mine. Between his response and this scripture, I got my answer. I believe I heard form God. I won't add or subtract from His words to appease my own lack of understanding. It's not easy, but if it were, everyone would be doing it...

Perfect Timing

Yesterday, just to show me that He (God) is listening to me, both of my kids came running over to me and hugged me, kissed me, then ran off! Then they did it again, and again! Minutes before that, I was asking God to "hold me close." So He did by way of my two adorable kids.