Thank you Father for giving us the ultimate gift. Because of your sacrifices we are all able to enjoy this wonderful time of year.

Love of everyone

I love that my grandmother has never met a stranger and that when my grandfather was alive there was always time to help someone. My uncle and aunt have so much love and have always been there for me. What I most love though is that they all share the same love for everyone. Just last weekend when I was in Savannah with my family my grandmother stopped at a restaurant and started talking to people at a table near us. She did not know these people at all and it did not matter. I hope that my kids see the same thing from me as I have seen from my family throughout the years.

Love and fellowship can make so many things easier in life. It is so much easier to love your neighbor rather than to have your heart filled with hate. How many times do you have an argument with a friend or loved one only to forget what you argued about hours, and sometimes minutes, later. Love though is always in your heart and you may not remember exact details of the good deed that was done but you remember the love that was displayed.

I am so thankful that I was surrounded by this love in my life and I pray that I can share at least a portion of that love with my family, friends, and even strangers. My wife used to call me an aisle walker at church because I would walk out in the aisles when it was time to greet your neighbors. I love that my wife thinks of me that way because I believe that when love is shown you never know how that love may make a difference in someone's day.

Ephesians 5

 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.
 ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:
   “Wake up, sleeper,
   rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you.”
 ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How do you begin to share?

I have thought about this and I know when I am supposed to share because God keeps having others share stories with me. I have begun to look at sins in a totally different light in the last year because I know that my Father is with me and watching me at all times. Does this mean that I still sin? Unfortunately yes, are my sins as great as they were a year ago? In societies eyes I would say no because they are certainly not big sins, but to me they are far bigger and mean just as much as the big sins because I feel like the little child that looks to see if their parents are watching and still act in a mischievous manner.

The question though that I have is, when do you begin to share your sins with others. I think part of being a Christian is sharing your thoughts and troubles with others, especially non-believers, so that they can see that everyone struggles with sins.

We all seem to have no problem sharing sinful acts and thoughts with each other, but why do we have trouble sharing our Father with everyone? We are provided with opportunities every day to sin and I have learned that when you just stop for a second and pray then you stop and think about what you are really doing. I know that stopping, even for a second sometimes is not achievable because our mind moves so fast that bad triggers can initiate other feelings a split second. This split second is why so many of us have problems and why we sin. In my mind I know that as I continue to practice what my Father tells me and I share my thoughts with others I will force myself to do better because I do not want my sins exposed to my Father, myself, my family, or my brothers and sisters. My challenge to myself and others is to share your experiences, good and bad so that others can see that we all struggle with life, but know that sharing is what our Father wants. After all, we want our kids to share everything with us so we can help them so why can't we share.

Galatians 6

Doing Good to All

 ¹Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, ⁵for each one should carry his own load.

 ⁶Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

 ⁷Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but a New Creation

 ¹¹See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

 ¹²Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. ¹⁴May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. ¹⁶Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

 ¹⁷Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

 ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Paths

I still am unsure of the path to take but one path that God has me on right now is being a better husband and father, and with that a better leader for my family. I searched high and low for a study to do that would include the kids and I found this study at Bible Study Planet. There are activities for the kids, and while this is geared to Greenley's age there is a coloring page that Owen can have as well. We started the other night and so far have done two nights. I was excited because Greenley actually initiated the second night. I decided to take this one week at a time so that we can break everything down to where Greenley understands. I even decided to make this even better and I am using the Wii to make the interaction more enjoyable. We use the internet on the Wii to look at Bible Gateway. Greenley enjoys this of course because it is the Wii, but we can all see the passage on the big screen in the living room. I will continue to share this journey toward becoming a better leader for my family.

I still believe there is something missing though, and I know that my Father will lead me in the right direction when the time is right. My brother brought me back down to reality today with love. I have been so involved with work here lately and while work is important I need to focus on faith first and with that will come the leadership at home and less stress at work.

The passage I want to share was a passage from earlier in the week that was shared with me.

Have a great week and I love you all!


Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

 ¹ I waited patiently for the LORD; 
       he turned to me and heard my cry.

 ² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
       out of the mud and mire;
       he set my feet on a rock
       and gave me a firm place to stand.

 ³ He put a new song in my mouth,
       a hymn of praise to our God.
       Many will see and fear
       and put their trust in the LORD.

 ⁴ Blessed is the man
       who makes the LORD his trust,
       who does not look to the proud,
       to those who turn aside to false gods.

 ⁵ Many, O LORD my God,
       are the wonders you have done.
       The things you planned for us
       no one can recount to you;
       were I to speak and tell of them,
       they would be too many to declare.

 ⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
       but my ears you have pierced ;
       burnt offerings and sin offerings
       you did not require.

 ⁷ Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
       it is written about me in the scroll.

 ⁸ I desire to do your will, O my God;
       your law is within my heart."

 ⁹ I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
       I do not seal my lips,
       as you know, O LORD.

 ¹⁰ I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
       I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
       I do not conceal your love and your truth
       from the great assembly.

 ¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
       may your love and your truth always protect me.

 ¹² For troubles without number surround me;
       my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
       They are more than the hairs of my head,
       and my heart fails within me.

 ¹³ Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
       O LORD, come quickly to help me.

 ¹⁴ May all who seek to take my life
       be put to shame and confusion;
       may all who desire my ruin
       be turned back in disgrace.

 ¹⁵ May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
       be appalled at their own shame.

 ¹⁶ But may all who seek you
       rejoice and be glad in you;
       may those who love your salvation always say,
       "The LORD be exalted!"

 ¹⁷ Yet I am poor and needy;
       may the Lord think of me.
       You are my help and my deliverer;
       O my God, do not delay.