That Cross Around Your Neck...

 When I go out in public places, social events, get online, or watch a show on tv they are everywhere.  What am I talking about?  That Cross necklace around peoples necks.  I have one myself, so does Eli except he is tropical storm Eli and he manages to break chains like Jesus Christ.  He doesn't know that I know his chain is broken again, spoiler alert I know.  Amy bought me this Crucifix for Christmas last year and I try to wear it everyday, no matter where I go.  Sometimes I forget it because I have never been a chain wearing person.  This brings me to my question of the day, What Does That Cross Around Your Neck Really Mean To You???  There is a very simple answer and a very complicated answer, probably many actually.  I will start with the simplest of answers, "I wear it because it is stylish or someone I love and respect gave it to me."  I see so many instances of this in our world today.  This is a person who has never began this journey with Jesus, cried out to Him for help, Prayed for guidance, Repented of their Sins, and most importantly asked for Forgiveness.  My hope is one day perhaps that Cross will weigh on their hearts enough to start that journey.  Now the complicated answer.  The Cross around my neck is a daily reminder to me of what Jesus did for me, and what God's Grace, Love, Mercy, continue to do for me everyday.  The days that I forget to wear it shows my biggest flaw.  I don't put Jesus first in my life, and this is completely wrong.  I struggle like we all do.  I want to have a sense of control in my life, and I also understand that Jesus has the wheel if I let Him.  I am a Sinner and make mistakes all the time, but not putting Christ first in my life is my biggest mistake and I will have to answer for that one day.  That Cross around my neck keeps me centered, and always asking God for His Guidance, and Thanking Him for Everything.  The next time you go to put that Cross necklace on, take a moment and just Thank Jesus for what He did on that Cross for us all, because without that sacrifice we were all doomed.  Let Jesus take the Wheel and have Faith that God will provide, just maybe not in the way you were expecting.  

What Do You Think???

 Everyday I watch news stories online about events happening in this world.  There are some things that are very inspiring, but the majority is just bad.  Please keep in mind that everything I write on here is my opinion or how I see things.  My hope is that maybe something I write may help someone else in need.  I don't remember the world being in this shape when I was growing up.  Everywhere you turn evil is reigning on this planet.  From videos of people trying to abduct a young woman and do unthinkable acts to her, mass stabbings at the local walmart, famine and starving on the Gaza Strip, war still killing many everyday, homeless in the streets, people struggling to keep their heads above water, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and this list could go on and on.  Perhaps when I was younger I didn't pay close enough attention and these things have always been happening, but I don't think so at least not at this level.  What does all of this mean?  I have an opinion that may not be a very popular one, but I think that we are truly living in The End Times.  I believe that biblical prophecy could be fulfilled at anytime.  The prophecy I am referring to is the Return of Jesus Christ.  There are so many people in this world today that will be caught by surprise because they have been deceived.  My own daughters fall into that category and it scares me to death.  My prayers go out to everyone who have not come to know God and Jesus.  The Book of Revelation is terrifying for most because it describes the end of all things in great detail.  Now if you are a follower of Jesus and a Child of God it describes something a little different, actually the exact opposite.  An End to all of the Evil in this world and finally just Peace, Love, and Mercy.  I have not written this today to try to scare you or be all gloom and doom, it's actually meant to encourage you.  God is waiting for you, no matter where you are or what you think you can't be forgiven for.  Every Sin you commit daily, and we all Sin daily, has already been forgiven because of God's Grace, and the Blood of Jesus Christ.  Seek Him and you too will have nothing to fear in these End Times.  Don't be deceived and continue on the path you are on.  That path leads only one way and that is straight to Hell, and it's not just a myth, It's more real than you could ever think.  Why suffer for all eternity when it's unnecessary.  Repent of your Sins, this is a simple change of direction, asking God for Help is that Easy.  He already knows what you have done and still Loves you, and still Forgives you for Everything.  I am a Sinner, you don't have to listen to me at all.  I'm not asking you to.  I am asking you to take a look into your own heart and see what's really missing from your life.  Without God you are incomplete.  Time is running out.  Take a look around and you can see it for yourself.  Tomorrow might be too late.  Everyday is a Gift and a Blessing, use it to get to know Jesus better and help someone else to know him as well.  This is just my opinion, But What Do You Think???

When One Door Closes...

 We have a lot different things happening in our lives right now.  Everyone does, we aren't special, or different.  With everything hitting us just one thing after the other it can get stressful.  There is going to be some decisions we have to make that will change our lives.  Maybe that's an inaccurate statement because every decision we make changes our lives in one way or another.  I think this is most important in your walk with God.  This is our biggest struggle as humans and sinners is choice or some would call it free will.  Let me give you an example, Eli choses to love Lebron James, Tom Brady, and Taylor Swift (Yeah he clearly has some issues), but those are his choices.  Okay a little confession he really doesn't except maybe the Taylor Swift thing.  When life throws things at you there are choices to be made.  Take your questions to God and Jesus in a simple conversation.  People seem to think that they can handle everything, but spoiler alert, you can't.  When you try to handle everything on your own the weight of the stress and anxiety is so overpowering that you don't know what to do.  Trust me, I still do the same.  I am still in a constant struggle with trying to follow God, control what's going on, be a loving father, and love and honor my wife the way she truly deserves.  Juggling all this at once has pushed me to the edge many times, I'm not perfect.  We all need to take a deep breath, clear your mind, open your heart, and just listen.  It's my belief that in that perfect moment of peace you can be more connected with Jesus than at any other time.  Peace brings serenity and clarity.  Those things are all given freely to you by God.  These blessings are just a micro sample of what He has in store for you everyday.  Life is a journey, why not have the best guide there is to show you that path??  Go to God with all your questions, Pray about the struggles, Repent for trying to do things yourself, and let Jesus take the wheel and show you the Path.  I will bet that if you pay a little closer attention to what's actually going on around you that you will see When That Door Closed, the one you wanted to go through so badly, wasn't the right one.  There will be another Door Opened for you so be patient and Thank God for all He does, Including Closing Doors.  

Chips and Salsa...

 At Valley Church this Sunday Brett did a sermon based around the Prodigal Son.  Here's the cliffs notes version if you aren't familiar with this story.  A father has two sons, one asks for his inheritance early so that he can leave his home.  The father grants his wish and gives him his money.  The son leaves, squanders all his inheritance on lustful things and possessions.  It doesn't take long but he is broke and desolate in a foreign land and has no choice but to be enslaved by another man.  Starved and coming to his senses he decides to return home, ashamed of what he had done.  His father welcomes him home with arms wide open and love in his heart.  The son is ashamed and only wants to be a slave for his father, the father says "No you are my Son."  A big celebration is prepared for his return.  Now the second son hears the commotion and is told that his brother has returned home and come celebrate this.  The second son become angry and refuses to enter the home.  The Father then approaches him and asks why.  The son replies that he has slaved to do everything his father ever asked of him and never strayed from him.  Why celebrate the return of a son who left, took everything, squandered it, and shows back up one day.  The father says he is my son regardless.  The son who left wanted to come home to be a slave and the other son who stayed felt like he was a slave.  This is a quick version of this story.  What this story means to me is that no matter what you do, turning your back on God The Father, squandering all on worldly things that mean nothing, God is there waiting for you to return to Him.  He will be there with arms wide open ready to give you a Bear Hug only God can give and tell you that he loves you.  The Father will never give up on you, even if you lost your Faith in Him.  There was a time in my life when I did exactly this.  I walked away from God, turned my back and felt that I was his personal punching bag.  I told Amy that I felt cursed and that I will forever be punished for all that I have done.  The amazing part is that even though all this happened God put me on a path that led me to Amy.  She showed me a way that I had forgotten about.  God changed my life through her and now I want to to the same for anyone who will listen or read.  Amy said last night that she felt that I was the perfect example of The Prodigal Son.  I told her that I am trying, but still find myself falling short.  I understand that God doesn't expect perfection, and I'm far from that.  God still loves me and is proud of me.  He loves all of us, so remember this when you feel like you fall short.  Now to close this out do you think there will be Chips and Salsa at your celebration with God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit in Heaven???  I hope so...

Is It Possible???

 I focus a lot of energy and time on things going on in this world, especially now.  There is a large part of my mind that is just watching the signs of the times.  I don't think I could officially be called a conspiracy theorist, but I don't think I'm far from it.  I try to be as prepared for things coming as I can be.  This world is tearing itself apart, and if you don't see or understand this look again.  This blog isn't about things like that though, I try to be honest and open about things going on in my life because it helps me see my flaws more clearly.  Amy feels that I am being consumed by all the news that I watch or read.  She is right, and I should be focusing my time on Jesus and Faith in God.  I posed her the question that Is It Possible that I focus so much time and thought because I fear for the safety of not only family and friends, but the millions who are suffering daily?  I feel deep down that there isn't much time left for us here on this tiny little planet.  This terrifies me, not because of my future or fate, but for the fate of others including my own girls.  I am a believer in God and Jesus Christ and have true Faith that one day I will be in Heaven with them, overwhelmed and undeserving of it all.  There are so many out there that have not come to know Jesus and what He did for them.  How God sacrificed His ONLY Son so that we may all be washed clean of our Sins and be with Them for All Eternity.  When I say Them I mean God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit.  Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations and this I fail at daily.  Maybe if I put forth the energy to help save others spiritually that I do in other worldly things, others may not have to spend eternity in a lake of fire.  I pray daily for guidance and ways to try to reach people.  This is also part of the reason I started doing this blog.  My hope is that someone may find something in here useful and change their life.  Being completely transparent, my hope is that my girls will read this and change their lives.  Unfortunately they don't read it.  This doesn't stop me from trying though.  I would say this to anyone feeling the same way "Be wary and vigilant because the enemy is always on the prowl, searching for any way to attack you, but the Only way to truly defeat that enemy is through Faith in Jesus Christ.  He has your back at all times regardless.  Try not to worry about this world and it's troubles, but look up to God and Praise Him."

Even If It Feels Inconsequential...

 We have all seen them.  People standing at corners or parking lots asking for help.  I know what most of you are thinking right now, probably something like they are just pan handling, too lazy to work, it's all a scam.  There are posts on social media everyday of people asking for help of some kind.  Let me start by saying that some of these are probably a person looing for an easy way through life, or maybe even their job is doing this.  I'm sure in the right area it could be quite profitable if done in certain ways.  My reason for this blog today is asking the question of "What if something so Inconsequential as a few bucks could help someone, and maybe just maybe change their life."  We don't know what exactly is going on in this person's life.  Showing someone Grace, and a little Kindness could be exactly what this person was looking for.  I don't usually carry much cash on me but I had about five bucks on me yesterday.  When I entered the parking lot to the Walmart this gentleman wasn't there.  When I came out he was.  Everyone was doing their best to avoid him, but I made sure to approach him.  I told him it wasn't much and that I wish I had more to give him.  This man had a look in his eyes that I could only describe as pain and shame, but simply helping him in this way changed that look.  He thanked me, and said God Bless You.  I thanked him back and told him that God has Blessed him, and that one day he will understand that.  I drove away from him back to work, and as I did he waved at me and actually smiled.  That look of shame instantly vanished.  I actually teared up driving down the highway, and if I'm being honest there are tears in my eyes right now as I write this.  The crazy part to this story is that even though I believed I was helping him, he actually helped me as well.  He showed me that the person standing on that corner asking for help with shame in my eyes was me.  Everyone avoiding me, passing me by, until Jesus came and changed my life forever.  God sending His One and Only Son to die for my sins, to wash me clean is something that I can never repay.  God showing me Grace that I don't deserve has changed my life forever.  This gift is given freely to all, and no strings attached.  There is a cost though, but it's simple.  Praise God for everything, not just the good stuff, but for things removed from your life as well.  Even if it feels Inconsequential, Help your fellow man, Pray for them, something so simple could be that act of Grace, Love and Mercy that changes a path, probably not just another persons but yours as well.  Keep that in mind.