Start for the Summer.

I think this is a good start for my writing this summer.

Change is what we always talk about. But do we ever actually want to do it? We always want to raise the bar in our own lives, but then miss the point simply exists to serve the Lord and do what He's commanded us to do.

My prayer for all of you my friends is simple, and I pray it sparks some kind of discussion amongst us:

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

I've been wanting to get back to my thought journals for awhile, because God is always present and always moving in my heart, life, and mind. I am nothing special, nothing greater than simply someone who wants to be a servant of the most high. What does it take for us all to keep our momentum? What does it take for us all to stick the narrow way, to remain focus on the treasures that God really does give to us? The things HE promises. If we rely on the world it will let us down, but He never will. The people of the world will fail us, He never will. We need not fear, for the Lord our God is with us.

Here are 2 passages that have summed up my walk as I prepare for ministry. Take a close look at first the part of the song of David and then the actions of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee.

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge.

Luke 8:24-25

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Picture it in your head.

Things clearly don't always go the way we expect. We believe one thing and then God throws us something we totally did not see coming, yet it is something that is beautiful and new, something that drives us to him. We're not alone. When it seems like we did all the right things and it still blew up all over our faces, in those moments there is still a peace and a hope that is found - one that passes our understanding, one that goes deeper than we can reckon with. My friend also reminded me of something that he read by Francis Chan, and I believe it's an important reminder for all us who are pursuing the same God, joy, and all that he has for us in life... We need to let go of our independence and become dependent on the spirit and his plan!

Only 3 weeks ago I sat on the Sea of Galilee in a boat at nighttime. We road from one shore to the other - just like the disciples were doing in the passage, just like I'm sure David was envisioning - the wind picked up speed and the waves were growing bigger and bigger by the second - and I'm sure in the story recorded by Luke that it was much worse. I know I was even beginning to get somewhat seasick, and we were a lot more secure in our boat that the disciples were in their little fishing boat. But Jesus immediately stood up and said (basically), "What on earth are you guys worried about?" and the waves literally shut up! Jesus was asleep, woke up, and the craziness that was going around about the disciples was immediately brought to a stop by him. This is what Jesus can do in our lives, and while it takes perseverance, guess what?

Psalm 46:10-11

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Go. Serve.

"I'll Be" by Newsboys