Random Musings

This excerpt is from www.MaxLucado.com - UpWords Weekly Devotional Email When We Miss the Target by Max Lucado Read the first verse of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus knew David’s ways. He witnessed the adultery, winced at the murders, and grieved at the dishonesty. But David’s failures didn’t change Jesus’ relation to David. The initial verse of the first chapter of the first gospel calls Christ “the son of David” (Matt. 1:1 KJV). The title contains no disclaimers, explanations, or asterisks. I’d have added a footnote: “This connection in no way offers tacit approval to David’s behavior.” No such words appear. David blew it. Jesus knew it. But he claimed David anyway. He did for David what my father did for my brother and me. Back in our elementary school days, my brother received a BB gun for Christmas. We immediately set up a firing range in the backyard and spent the afternoon shooting at an archery target. Growing bored with the ease of hitting the circle, my brother sent me to fetch a h...

Greetings all! I was reading a newsletter from a Frontline Missions and came across the transcript of a message by Pastor Marcos - one of the pastors in Brazil. It was so simple, yet powerful, I wanted to share it with you. Below is the message...proverbs from the heart of someone who loves Jesus! April 17, 2007 Message from Pastor Marcos at Leader Training Congress in Agua Fria, Brazil I don’t have a Bible, but the Word of God is written upon my heart. So I am opening up my heart so I can speak the Word of God to you. We are here for one reason-to worship and adore the Lord Jesus Christ. You brought Him here for He is with you, so let us adore Him. We are called to take His message to the ends of the earth. We are all worshipping the Lord in many different ways. We are all correct – this brings Him joy. If you seek the Lord, you will find Him The Lord is returning to receive a spotless church and if your life isn’t right – correct it today. As sure as the sun rises Jesus will retur...

There has been a verse rolling around in my head for several weeks. II Chronicles 7:14 - "[if] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land". That's quite a promise. Today, I read that scripture in context. That text is God's answer to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple. Solomon cried out to God and put many scenarios before Him. Solomon reminded God of the promise to his Father, David, that their line would be blessed and would sit on the throne of Israel. He asked God to keep His promise. Solomon presented the house which he had built for the Lord and asked God to live there, to remain there, and turn His eyes and ear towards the people and their prayers in that place. He asked specific things of the Lord. "Listen to the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward th...

Today marks the anniversary of a turning point in my life. Four years ago today, I stood at a crossroads and had to make a decision. Should I choose the road I wanted, or the one the Lord had for me? I'd been fighting that decision for more than 4 years, but I had grown weary of running from it. I was completey worn out from the struggle of being disobedient and ignoring what God had asked of me. So, on this day, 4 years ago, I chose to turn down the road the Lord had set before me and it has made a world of difference in my life. My journey with the Lord has been a long and interesting one. It started when I was just 5 years old. It was then that I took my first baby step down the road laid out before me. That little girl knew nothing of struggle or heartbreak, only that she loved Jesus...and that was enough. Sometimes I wish I could go back to that pure heart that trusted so easily and loved with reckless abandon. But, at the same time, I wouldn't trade the lessons ...

Hi Everyone! I just returned Sunday from an amazing (and adventurous) time in Alaska! It was so beautiful and I’d like to share some of it with you. I found out Thursday that I was going to have to head to Vancouver Saturday morning. Alaska has long been on my list of places to see, so I couldn’t believe I was getting to opportunity to actually go! I boarded Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas on May 26th and set off for 7 nights I’ll not soon forget. The ship itself feels like a destination. It was built with visually rich itineraries in mind. It was difficult to pass from one location in the ship to another without encountering a wall of glass with breathtaking views. Many of the ships public rooms and even elevators offered awe-inspiring views of the Alaskan landscape. There were many options available for entertainment on board. Musicians were scattered about the various public lounges, the cinema constantly ran new releases, the casino was open whenever we were not in port, th...

I typically do not have a difficult time organizing my thoughts and putting them to paper. However, the topic of this blog is one that has stirred me so greatly that I’ve had trouble organizing my thoughts about it. I’m still sorting through the reasons it has affected me as deeply as it has, and writing is usually part of that journey for me. The tragic death of Anna Nicole Smith has affected me in a way I could not have anticipated. Although aware of Ms. Smith, I never considered myself a fan. However, the media spectacle and constant conjecture surrounding her life has stirred my heart and challenged me to take a closer look at myself and the culture in which I live. Since her sudden passing, I’ve heard many people (in the media, in conversation, in the blogosphere) say things like “What a wasted life” in regards to Anna Nicole Smith. The constant media scrutiny of the situation has also given many the opportunity to make other judgments about her life, i.e. “She married her husband...

I just finished reading the last book in a series about a family in Indiana. The story started with The Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury and has continued in The Firstborn Series. (I hear there's a third series on the way and I can't wait to see what happens next). Anyway, this series of books follows the ups and downs of a Christian family as they learn to love each other and make it through the trials that are thrown their way. At the heart of the family are John and Elizabeth Baxter, the parents. In this story, they weather many storms together through decades of marriage. At one point in their journey, Elizabeth takes the time to write down her "Ten Secrets to a Happy Marriage". And, although this is drawn from a fictional story, I found the words to be poignant and applicable to all relationships, not just marital ones (although some of them are specific to marriage and may even raise a few eyebrows for some of you). I wanted to repost them for you he...

Fallen off the face of the earth… It’s been a while since I’ve blogged anything. It’s actually been a while since I’ve done much communicating at all. For a natural born introvert who converted to extrovertism at a young age, there often come times when I need a break from all social activity. Sometimes these periods are brief, other times they can be quite protracted. I have no idea when this one will end. I suppose the fact that I’m even thinking about sharing my most recent thoughts is a good sign that the end is near. We shall see. During these periods of introspection, I spend a great deal of time reading and “chillin’ out” and not much time conversing and connecting. I find that I need these stretches of time to recharge myself and again be able to face my world of extroverts. However, I think these phases of mine confuse my friends. I think they begin to feel as though I have “fallen off the face of the earth”. Thanks to Jamie for drawing me out some this weekend. It w...