10 Things to Do This Christmas

Click on the image ... it grows so you can read it.

Psalm 100:3

Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His we are his people, the sheep of His pasture.

People ... Life ... God

I'm sitting here this morning in my office ... at my desk ... staring at my computer and wondering about some big things that seem to be pretty serious. Charlie Hall is playing in the background singing God is the truth, You are the light, You are the way .... i'm reading through the current issue of the catalyst groupzine, thinking about the relationships around me, praying for people on our church prayer list .... i probably should stop and focus.

before i do that, i wanted to take a minute and drop an entry on my blog ... i may be the only to read it, but here goes.

there are so many issues facing the people in my life right now. i have several friends looking for jobs, know "lots" of people struggling with the jobs they have, i know people who are sick (really sick), people who are building ministries, people who are adventurous, people who want to escape, people in need of encouragement, people who are alone, people who are lost,people in search.

couple that with the daily issues i find myself facing .... things get pretty crazy. keeps me up at night. fills my mind through the day. kind of makes me look at the life of children with envy ... but ... we're not supposed to do that. i know.

all this drives me to the greatness of God ... He is on His throne. He is in control. His Sovereignty is in tact.

please don't read this and think i'm mad at my boss, upset at work, frustrated with a friend or wondering around in darkness ... its just one entry on a blog few people ever read ...

“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”- Ephesians 1:9-10

have a great day!!!

Saw this video today ...

would love to know what you think about it

True to Your Values and Passions

At the end of the day I want to be true to my values and my passions. I want to be able to settle into my older years with confidence that I lived the kind of life I was supposed to live. I want to be able to stand before God with boldness and confidence. I want to stand before Him and hear Him say, well done good and faithful servant.

May my life bring Him glory!! May my motives be pure. May my actions be consistent. May I live my life as a living sacrifice holy, acceptable, and pleasing to Him.

Praying for you

Our church is memorizing Col 1:9 ... it has motivated me to pray for you

I am praying for you to have knowledge of the Father's will and to get it through wisdom and understanding from God.
Have a blessed day.

Live a Quiet Life and Mind My Own Business

Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all lived quiet lives and minded our own business???? How cool would it be if we simply lived the kind of life that focused on God and kept our eyes off ourselves!!! I don't know about you, but I want this kind of world. I want this kind of life. I want a world where people stay out of places where they don't belong. Where people treat one another with respect and honor. A world where the kind of lives we strive to live for are selfless and helpful to the people around us. I want a world where my kids can grow up and see what God wants and avoid the consumeristic world we are flooded by today. I want them to grow up!! I don't mean get old. I mean grow up and be like Christ. Like the man who lived a quiet life and minded His own business. He never forced His will on anyone. He modeled it. He led by example. He truly led the way.

I know. Its pie in the sky. Its idealistic. Its impossible. No wait ... if all that is true, if its pie in the sky — idealistic — impossible, then why did God put it in the Bible! Why even waste the space on the page???? Why even fill up my mind with the thought???? Why ask me to do something I can't???????

Here's the deal ... It is possible in Christ ... impossible in us. Through the power of Jesus we can do all things ... through the power of us, we can do nothing ... connected to Him, its all in the realm of possibility.

There you go. No what????????

I don't know!

maybe we should go stop and worship???!!!

The Girl Project

Seek God and Live

I stumbled on this little verse in the book of Amos .... it is short little verse, but the words ring clear in my ears ... Seek God and live — you don't want to end up with nothing to show for your life.

Seeking God has been the thing I have most wanted to do most of my life. I am coming up on my 30th birthday as a Christ follower. And today ... it is what I want to even more. I pray that today I will truly seek my Father who loves me more that I will ever understand.

Peace

Sept 11

Its September 11th. I’m sitting on a plane. I can’t help but think back to seven years ago. On that day people just like me sat on planes on their way to meetings, to visit family, to work, to play, to retire, etc. People just like me. On that day they were forced to be a part of one of the darkest days of our lives. These innocent people were forced to be a part of one of the greatest tragedies we may ever face. It makes me sad and causes me pain to think back on that day. I have often wondered how different my life would have been had that never happened. I’m certain things would be much different.

I feel like I lost something big that day. I feel like part of me died. I feel like I changed.

As a result of the terrible decisions those people made, we are forced into a world that uses words like terror, war, and death like they are just words. My youngest daughter has lived all but one year of here life with this nation at war. She has little to no idea what its like to live in a place where there is no war. How terrible that is!

However, as America moves into year 8, we must do so with hope in our hearts. We must remember God like never before and rely on Him. We must throw our lives on all He is. We must let our souls rest in Him because His love lasts forever. We must trust in Him. We must rely on Him. We must place our faith in Him. We must let the peace that passes all understanding overwhelm our lives. It is essential that we worship Him.

It is true that we are in His hands. It is true that He is in heaven doing everything He pleases. It is true that nothing on this little round ball is happening out of His sight. It is a fact that He is in control!

Like the singer says … it’s a new day, past has gone and life has just begun. He’s given me ways to fly again, strength for today and color for my grey. It’s a new day since you came my way!

The evil one would love for us to dwell on the past and let it steal our joy, peace and life. He would have his way if we focused on the death and destruction we all experienced on September 11, 2001. Therefore, let us lean ino God and worship Him like never before. Lets focus on Truth. Lets fix our eyes on the greatness of Love. Lets shout from the mountains that salvation has come.

Lets tell the world that mercies are pouring down on those who are followers of Jesus Chirst. Lets unite together for good. Lets strive to let the only war we fight on this planet is the one against evil.

I have hope!!!! I know God!!!! He is truly in control!!!!!

God uses all kinds of things to get my attention

today he used a devotional i've had for years ... here's a taste of what i read

"Once Jesus had publicly determined to do His Father's will, Satan was after Him relentlessly."

"Nothing turns the head so quickly, or softens the will as much, as the appeal and clamor of the crowd."

"For my will is strengthened only as I carefully cultivate it in the presence of my heavenly Father. "To pray at all times in the Spirit" is the way to put on the full armor of God and thus be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

This is just a taste of what I get on a regular basis from this little book. God uses it on a regular basis to point me in a good direction ... you might check it out... Daily with the King, Glen Evans, Moody, 1979 ... its old, but worth it if you can find a copy.

peace
sb

i am sure

i was reading this morning. it was one of those days when the Holy Spirit made it really clear to me that i needed to start my day with Him in the Word. so ... i sat down ... got my Bible, my journal, a devotional book and i start to read. i started with a reading from Glen Evans ... Daily with the King — he was talking about how to handle life when God is silent ...

a few highlights ...
... from the Word
John 13:7 You do not realize what I am doing but later you will understand
Job 23:10 He knows the way I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold
I Cor 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I have been fully known

... from Glen Evans
~ a disciple of Jesus Christ must learn to understand God's silences
~ the life of faith would end if God explained His every move
~ the spiritual man lives by faith and reserves God's right to be silent

refelections ... the year i just finished was so full! beginning with my dad's death, it was truly an up and downhill year. there were times when God was loud and clear — others when i couldn't hear His voice no matter how hard i tried. i journeyed though. i had times of great faith and times of doubt i hope never return. i don't know where i am in light of the big picture of what God is doing. am i coming forth as gold? is it time for me to realize what He has been doing? not sure.

i could feel God talking to me today. i heard Him say that He's here and His work is in full motion. i heard Him gently, i mean really gently, boost my faith in Him and His great love.

i love His word and the way He chooses to interact with me ... may i always follow Him with the faith of a child. He is a mighty King — so worthy to be praised, worshiped, followed, adored, and lifted high!!!!

i am sure of Him ... i am sure of His ways ... i am sure and happy with the way He chooses to do things!

My Dad

One year ago this morning I was sitting in my house dealing with the news that my dad had just passed away to be with Jesus. The news hit me like a rock ... needless to say, my role model, my friend, my dad and — tied with my mom— my biggest fan was no longer going to be with me here on this earth. I sat still for what seemed to be like hours.

I had no idea what this year would bring. I had no idea that so many emotions would come my way. I had no idea I could miss someone like I miss my dad.

As I write, I wonder ... what is he doing right now? What is eternal life in heaven like? How much time does He spend with Jesus? What is he doing in heaven? I found myself earlier today writing a prayer to Jesus and asking Him to let my dad know I am thinking about him today ... I felt strange asking for that ... I just wanted my dad to know I still miss him. I really wish I could hear his voice again. Just one time.

I don't ever want to forget my dad. I want to remember his love, his face, the days at the lake, the times in the mountains, the trips, the prayers, the mornings at the lake, the days in the snow with the jeep, little league baseball games, learning to drive at the terminal, sitting on his couch, getting gum on the way to church, watching him work, hunting, cutting wood, learning to shoot a shotgun, walking along the creek at Uncle Kens, the day he preached at the church, the talks, the drives, the days getting ready for all the fun we had, and spending time with him. The memories go on and on and on.

I hope to be remembered this way. I hope to be half the man he was. I miss him so much!!!

As year two begins, let me pay tribute to a man of God.
James Eldon Burks ... a man of God ... may the things he lived for live forever!

Surfing

In Flight

I love to fly. I think it so cool to be able to drive my Jeep to the airport, park at the Parking Spot, ride a little shuttle bus to my terminal, wait a little while with the rest of the people on my flight and the get on a plane. It still amazes me that this huge creation ever gets off the ground.

Today I am on my way to San Diego.

I love looking out the window. It’s boring to sit on an aisle and miss everything we are flying over. I love looking out the window.

Flying from Texas to Southern California is such an intriguing experience to me. You leave Dallas with its flat terrain. Move out over west Texas with its brown colors. You quickly and slowly cross over into the mountains of New Mexico (the mountains start small and spread apart, then they grow and seem to join ach other right before my eyes). You then travel across the desert and after about a 2 hours and 55 minute flight, you see the Pacific Ocean. The Ocean! For a Texas boy who didn’t see the ocean until I was 18, the Ocean is a big deal. It was when I saw it the first time and it still is today.

As I fly, I like to think about all the life that is below the plane.

I look at the highways and wonder what the people in the cars are like. What are they talking about? What do they look like? Where are they going? Are they looking at my plane and thinking the same thing about me?

I look at the cities passing below and imagine what’s happening in the buildings. Most of the cities seem small from so high in the sky. Some seem large. Chicago always seems big to me. New York seems massive.

I wonder what animals are sitting in fields, climbing on rocks. When I fly over the mountains, I think about bears! I’m flying over New Mexico right now. I wonder how many bears are down there?

As I look out my window, I wonder what people are thinking right now … about … what God is doing right now. Do they know? Do they care? I wonder how we get the word out and how we can effectively do what God wants us to do with the people living life below.

I also think about the creative nature of God when I fly. Right now, there is a thin layer of clouds out my window. Each cloud is just thin enough for me to get a sneak peak at the ground below. Trees, dirt, roads and a city are below me right now. I think its El Paso. God made all of that! He formed it. He put it all together. Through His words he spoke it into existence and it’s all in His control. He is not spinning around wondering how to hold it all together … He’s in control. He is so creative! Now the clouds are thick, with a hole exposing the blue earth below.

I also think about my life when I fly. Not because I’m scared or anything, I just think about whether or not I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing and whether or not I am fulfilling my life’s mission. I want to. I mean I really want to finish the job God put me here to do. I think about my travels when I fly. I remember trips. God seems to bring back the big moments in my life. I find myself often thinking about salvation and my family when I fly.

I also wonder a lot about where I’m going. No, not where my plane is going to land, but where my life is going. Is it good???? Is my life making a difference? What is my final stopping point? When we buried my dad last summer, I remember thinking — he stopped. He is no longer doing what he did for 82 years. He stopped. I spent a long time at his grave thinking about him the day we buried him. This is random, but on flights, I think about my dad … I think about him a lot.

As I think about my life and where I am going, it makes reflect on things I don’t understand and questions come that I can’t answer.

So … there you go … thought I needed to write some of this down today as I traveled to San Diego. I’ll land in about an hour and a half. I’ve got a couple of days in meetings. I’ll be back on the plane Wednesday night. I’m sure I’ll have these same thoughts again as I return home.

More From John Piper

5.20-21

5 encounters mentioned in John 20-21.

Jesus spoke Mary's name at the tomb as she searched for Him
Jesus brought peace to the disciples as they were wondering what to do after His death
Jesus helped Thomas believe and challenged him to "stop doubting and believe"
Jesus proved to the disciples that He was still with them and going to help them meet their needs
Jesus showed patience, forgiveness and grace to Peter


These five encounters are teaching me so much about Jesus right now.

Jesse's Story

i got this message from lanny a couple of days ago .... really wanted to help get the word out .... watch it and spread it!!!!

Facebook message from Lanny .... you got to watch this

lanny sent this message to his Facebook

full circle

in 1982 i went to Camp Ozark with my youth group. the story is long as to why i was able to go, but the bottom line is that i almost wasn't allowed — needless to say, i was a bit of a mess back then. i had a youth minister who took a bit of a risk and it turned out that God has been using his risk for over 25 years now.

that week at camp was incredible. God taught me how to spend daily time with Him — a practice that changed everything for me. i met a guy named Jeff Lake who hired me to the next summer to work as a counselor at Camp Ozark — an experience God used to inject me into full-time ministry. i met another guy named Billy Beacham — a man God used in my life then, and a man he still uses with me today!! God did something in me that week that changed me. He put me there and made me different. i will be forever thankful for what God did and how Camp Ozark played a role in my life.

tomorrow marks the beginning of another Burks encounter with God at Camp Ozark. however, this time its for my girls. through a set of very cool circumstances Bailey and Kori Kate are headed for a two week session at that great camp!! i don't know who is more excited, them or me — Camp Ozark has intersected my life once more!!!

i worked at Camp Ozark for one entire summer and part of two others. the first summer, one of the guys in my cabin was a 12 year old named Scott Torn who's dad happened to own the camp — at least i think he was 12 — anyway, God used our relationship in a lot of ways. now, after all those years I am helping Scott with graphic design and marketing for the Camp. we have spent the last several months working on a few ideas and publications hat are all designed to help the Camp move to a new level. through this re-kindled relationship and experience, my girls are getting a full on dose of what happens through the blessing of God at Camp Ozark.

its about to be full cirlce. God use the camp in my life. He used it in a really big way and i sense He is about to use it again. i am confident in my God. i have seen what He does and the way He moves. i am so ready to see how He uses this experience with my family.

i am so thankful for Camp Ozark and the faithful commitment to God and children those who lead that camp have. i am thankful God allows things to come full circle.