The View From The Valley

I am not the wise man on the mountaintop dispensing knowledge. Far from it! I am the exhausted guy caked in dirt trying desperately to climb that very mountain as it repeatedly kicks my sorry butt back down to the valley. I am in the trenches, just like you.

The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God (Oswald Chambers). When you are on the mountain you can believe anything. But in the valley, you only have Jesus to get you out!

Pray with me Mark 9:22 - "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us!"

God bless!
#walkthroughthevalley #JesusSaves

Stand Firm On God's Word

While running the other day, I got an image stuck in my head. It was of myself trying to balance on a big heap of flimsy mishapen boxes. The heap was teetering this way and that. Inevitably, it toppled and I fell.

2 Thes. 2:15 tells us to “stand firm” on God’s word.

I can stack all my achievements and knowledge as high as it will go, but it will never hold me. Jesus is the only foundation I can trust. He is unmoving, solid and forever sure.

Why stand on anything less?

God bless!

#standingonthepromises #foundation #run #runningchristian

Read Something Else

By the time you’re done reading this sentence, you may feel convicted. Leave this page and go to the real page. Read something worth reading today.

All the rest of this stuff is just filler.

Get into The Word today!

You can read 1 John in three minutes. I’ll time you. Go!

God Bless!

How to not be disappointed

How to not be disappointed:

In Romans 9:33, Paul says there will be a rock that will trip some people. However, people who believe in that same rock will not be disappointed. The rock here is obviously Jesus.

I found it strange to think of Jesus as something negative: a stumbling block? Offensive? I don’t think so! Jesus is my Cornerstone! He is my Foundation! He helps me stand up! He does not cause me to fall down. However, it is all contigent on my hope in Him, on my belief in Him, and my love of Him.

Those who do not believe in Jesus will trip over him. Then it is negative. They will be offended by him.

Have you ever been in a conversation that was going just fine and then you mention Jesus, or God,… or heaven forbid: the Holy Spirit? That will put the brakes on any conversation quick and in a hurry. Suddenly it becomes awkward. The air is let out and people get claustrophobic. People get uncomfortable. Why is that? We can talk about everything under the sun, except The Son. Non-Christians don’t mind talking to Christians about non-Christians things. So why do Christians tiptoe around non-Christians?

Anyone who puts their faith in the Rock of Zion will “not be disappointed.” They will not be let down, wahsed out or discouraged. Instead, they will be vindicated. They will be comforted, blessed, and delighted. Paul was quoting Isaiah. Now there’s a man who knew a thing or two about society’s trepidation regarding Jesus! I’m sure he had numerous conversations that went sour. I’m sure he was on the business end of many eye rolls and people nervously staring at their sandals.

I’m also 100% sure that he was not in the least bit disappointed about any of it.

God bless.
#stumblingblock #believe #therock #Jesus #firmfoundation

worrier vs. WARRIOR

We inherited the word “worry” from the Old English, “wyrgan,” (to strangle). It conveys the way wolves attack sheep; grasping by the throat and biting/shaking until dead.

Graphic. but…

That’s the image you should have when you worry except, you’re doing it to yourself.

Matt. 6 says God knows what you need and He will supply it. Worry is the opposite of trust. Phil. 4:6-7 says make your requests known to God and then have peace. He can handle it. He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

God wants us to live with confidence.

He wants fighters not fretters.

Are you a worrier or a WARRIOR?

I will pray for you on this, will you pray for me?
God bless!
#prayerwarrior #ThankYouJesusFor

Hurled Into The Sea

I was talking with my mother-in-law today about the "Your Red Sea" blog and she brought up an interesting point. The blog positioned that the Red Sea could represent your problems and that by relying on God, your problems could be solved in a way that you couldn't even imagine. She said not only that, but the Red Sea then destroyed the Israelites' enemies. In essence, what was once an obstacle became a tool for deliverance!

Not only did God create a door for the Israelites to escape, but He also used that door to vanquish their foes.

With God, the thing that would destroy a person can be transformed into the thing that destroys the person's problems.

My wife mentioned that most of us today don't have what we would call "foes" or "enemies." We don't have a Dr. Moriarty walking around plotting our demise... unless you count the enemy of us all: that old serpent. But, we do have abstract enemies like fear, hate, and worry.

If a person is up against their Red Sea, then they have two options:

1. Rely on themselves and... risk drowning, or go broke buying boats, or weary themselves by traveling all away around...

Or

2. Rely on God, calmly walk across dry land to the other shore, and then watch as the waters crash down and hurl your foes into the sea.

* I'm thankful to have such strong Christian women in my life!

God Bless!
#AwesomeGod #GodDelivers

Compromise

Compromise is a good thing, right? Compromise solves problems. Compromise allows both sides to have a little victory. In marriage, compromise is must. Brittany and I have learned how to resolve many issues using compromise. In politics, compromise is a vital tool to obtain diplomacy.

This may seem like common sense but, when it comes to our faith, compromise is not an option. The Bible is the authority, not my thoughts on it or your thoughts on it or anybody's thoughts on it for that matter.

2 Tim. 3:16 says All Scripture is God-breathed. God-breathed beats man-breathed. Every single time. Period. End of story. Want to argue that point? You're argument is already invalid. You want to argue the God-breathed part? Good luck, son. You on your own. Proverbs 9:10 says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Second-guessing God-breathed Scripture doesn't sound like fearing the LORD to me.

Secularists want us to compromise. The world wants us to bend a little here and tweak a little there. You know, no big deal. "God didn't mean stuff literally. You know that, right? It's the 21st century, you seriously believe in Creation? The Flood? The Virgin birth?"

Yes. If it's in the Scripture, then yes. No compromise. No apologies. I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God! Romans 1:16

Compromising to the world says man has some better ideas than God. Compromising to the world says man is smarter than God on certain things. (Wow, that was actually difficult just to type).

If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? I Cor. 14:8. Compromising takes a certain note and tweaks it. But the truth is, now that note is a different note. Make sure you know the right note so you can be ready with when you hear it!

One last thought: "Compromise" is "promise" with the prefix "com-" (which means "with," or "together.") Therefore, compromising takes God's promise and joins it together with man's changes. Yeah, no thanks.

God Bless!

#Compromise #NotAshamed #Truth

Pierced

After Peter's first powerhouse of a sermon*, it says the people "were pierced to the heart." Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever been so moved it felt like someone actually stabbed you in the chest? Sometimes you read scripture or you hear a lesson and it hurts your very heart! It's as if the words cut into you and exposed you. That is the Holy Spirit at work! God sees the heart. Sometimes He has to pierce it to revive it. He pierces it to wake it up. It's like a spiritual defibrillator! CLEAR!

To build muscle, you have to break it. Only God can create a new heart. Only God can grow your heart. Your heart has to break for what breaks His and then it will grow. Pray for Him to sing a new song over your heart. Psa 28:7

They were pierced and then asked, "What shall we do?"

Peter's answer was simple: Repent and be baptized and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a GIFT and Peter also calls him a PROMISE. God would never offer a gift and not give it. God would never speak a promise and not fulfill it. All you have to do is ask.

If God pierces you today, please allow him full access to your heart. Repent and be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. It's a win-win.

God Bless!

*Acts 2:14-47
#piercedtotheheart #follower

Be The Moon

Sometimes I think I should've become an Astronomer. I love to look at the sky. I love the clouds in the day. I love the stars at night. God's vast creation never ceases to move me.

I also love to look at the moon. Sometimes the moon can be so bright that it lights up the whole night. Especially a full moon... which (fun fact) in November is called the Beaver Moon.* You might even think, "Wow! The moon is bright tonight!"

But the moon is not creating that light by itself. It is reflecting the light of the sun. On it's own, the moon could never produce any light... ever. On it's own, the moon is just a cold rock floating aimlessly in space. In fact, the only way we can even SEE the moon is because of the sun.

In 2 Cor 3:18, Paul addresses the modern Christian. "We all who contemplate the Lord's glory are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory..." We are to reflect Christ "as in a mirror."

Close your eyes and think about that for a minute: We are to reflect Christ. (Seriously. Stop. Close your eyes. Think about that for a minute.)

Just as the moon reflects the sun, we are to reflect the Son! When people look at you, they are supposed to see Christ. We transform and radiant God's warmth, love and compassion. When Moses saw God, he glowed. His face shone so much that he was forced to shroud himself so he wouldn't scare people. And Moses only saw a glimpse of God's back! (Exd. 34:29-35). 

That is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Eph. 5:14)

Not to sound too corny, but: Wake up and Shine! BE THE MOON!

God Bless!

*Farmers' Almanac

Off the Leash

When I returned from walking our dog last night, there was a moment when she was off her leash. In that couple of seconds she could’ve took off. She’s done it before. There’s a spark of realization: I’m Free!

I was struck with two thoughts during that panic: Please don’t! and Why would she want to?

Why would she want to leave my side and the sanctity of our house? I promise shelter, warmth, food, and love. I want her there.

By my side, I can guarantee her safety. Away from my side, she would have to fend for herself. The night was cold and dark. She would have to find her own food. She would have to find her own shelter. Worse of all, she would be alone.

It’s almost like, “Why in the world, would you ever leave my side, you silly dog? Is that “freedom” worth it? I only tether you because I love you. If I didn’t care, I would just open the door and let you have it.”

It would hurt me deeply if she ran off. But you know what? If she did run off, I wouldn’t be like, “Oh, she left. She’s gone.” No, I would go searching for her. I wouldn’t stop until I knew she was ok.

But last night when that moment came, Annie didn’t take off. Actually she was as eager to get inside as I was. “Good girl,” I said and gave her a treat.

God Bless!

Facebook Fast

How often do you check Facebook or Twitter? I know I check it a lot throughout the day. It’s not what I would call a problem or anything. It’s not like “I GOTTA CHECK IT!!” It’s more like, “I’m bored, got a few minutes. Pop on over and see what’s going on.” What if we did that with reading God’s word?

I’m not saying cold-turkeying Facebook. I’m saying: what if we threw in a little scripture too.

I propose a trial: Let’s see what happens when, instead of checking the page, we check The Word. When you want to check your Facebook, read a couple of verses instead. Then go on over to Facebook. That’s not too bad, is it?

What you will need is an accountability partner. So find someone who will help you honest. Left to our own devices, we will cheat. Get someone to ask you: “I saw the pic you posted, did you balance that with some Psalms?”

There’s no denying that time spent with The Lord is better than time spent… with everyone’s everyday minutia, right? So, let’s put feet to that belief and dig into the Word this week. God’s word is more interesting than mine or your neighbors or your cousins. I bet you see yourself wanting to read more! The Bible is like that! It’s alive and contagious.

Good luck this week, let me know how it goes and God bless!

God Is Like That!

Britt and I had to go to Lowe's to get some things to work on the house. While we were out, I stopped at the pet store to get Annie (our troublesome labrador retriever) a new Kong (a tough red rubber toy that you can put peanut butter into) because she had all but eaten her old one. At this particular pet store, they have these gourmet dog treats that actually look like donuts. I can never pass them up.

I get back to the car and Britt looks through the bag.

"Couldn't resist, could you?"

"Of course not. She loves these!"

Britt laughs and says, "God is like that. Even though Annie doesn't deserve that treat, you still think to get her something. In fact, she's been pretty extra bad lately and you still want to give her a gift. God is like that with us."

Even though man disappoints God more than he pleases Him, God blesses. Man drops the ball time and time again and God continues to bless.

I can just see God saying with a big grin, "Pat's doesn't really deserve this, but I can't resist. I love him too much. I'm going to bless him anyways. He'll love this." 

Thank God I have such a brilliant wife. Her servant's heart is contagious. God knew what He was doing when He planned us. There's another blessing I didn't deserve. But God blessed me with it anyways.

Psa. 36:5-8

God Bless!

Be Uzziah and Do Not Be Uzziah

Anyone remember Uzziah?

2 Chronicles 26. Wow, what an astonishing chapter!

Uzziah was only 16 years old when he was made king of Judah. Imagine following a 16 year old king into battle! Yet, under his 52-year rule the kingdom saw a rebirth that hadn't happened since Solomon. His fame grew. They knew his name in Egypt. His power grew. All because he "did that which was right in the sight of The Lord" and because he "was greatly helped."

"Greatly helped." I love that phrase. Aren't we all? Without the help of The Lord, what could any of us accomplish?

Let me give you the Uzziah highlight reel:

He went out and "made war with the Philistines." He didn't just react to a people that hated God, he picked a fight with them! He built tower after tower after tower. He designed sheilds, helmets and body armor. It says "he made engines of war." Terminators? Robocops? I don't know, but whatever it was, it crushed his enemies. He was a skilled farmer and "loved the soil." This was an incredible man!

It says Uzziah was "marvelously helped..."

It would be great if the story ended there, unfortunatley, it does not.

It says Uzziah was "marvelously helped... until he was strong. For when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly and was unfaithful to The Lord, his God."

Uzziah entered the temple and tried to burn the incense only the priests were supposed to burn. You see, you cannot do everything yourself. Some things are meant to be done by others. The priest (shockingly) stood up to Uzziah (of course he did have 80 other priests backing him up). Azariah the priest said, "It is not for you to do this." Uzziah could've have said, "You are right. I am sorry. Forgive me, Lord!" and oh, what a king that would've been. But instead scripture says Uzziah "was enraged." Immediatley, he was struck with leprosy. He was therefore forced to live the rest of his days seperated from everyone and his rule went to his son, Jotham.

Pride.
Anger.
My mom would say he "got too big for his britches." Uzziah is the king of If Only. If only he would have done this. If only he would have done that. Try your hardest to not be an If Only kind of person!

When we think things are going great and it's because of all OUR hard work, then we need to step back and say: Forgive me Lord, all the glory goes to You! For without You, I can do nothing. What was I thinking Lord? You are everything!

Be Uzziah in the sense that through a humble servant, God can accomplish marvelous works. Do not be Uzziah in the sense that remember who it is that's really in charge.

Never forget that we are all "greatly helped." And thank God for that!

Sorry this got a little long in the tooth. This message was gleaned from Matt Chandler's message @ theresurgence.com

God bless!
#HeartOfDavid #notafan

His Love Is Relentless

My wife and I had an interesting conversation yesterday morning about the 11th hour.  I believe we will be surprised with who's in Heaven when we get there.

"Wait, what? Am I in the wrong place...How did YOU get here?!"

Right? I mean, we all think: this person is holy and that person obviously is not or this person is saved and that person obviously is not. But scripture tells us another story.

Let's look at the cross. There were two thieves on each side of Our Lord that day. Now, you didn't find yourself at the business end of a crucifixtion for nothing! Suffice it to say, these two were probably what we would consider "not holy" and definitely "not saved." However, at the last possible moment one of them accepted Jesus into his heart and Jesus saved him! Talk about saved at the last moment! Thank God for that kind of Mercy and Grace, right? I don't know about you, but I need it everyday!

Quickly let's also look at Jesus's teaching about the 11th hour and "Idle-all-day" people (Matt. 20:2-16). Some workers work all day long and some only work for one hour, yet all were are paid the same amount. My favorite part of this parable is that the lord of the vineyard KEPT going out every hour to look for labourers! He looked for people who were idle... all day! Jesus will never stop! Even until the last hour of the day, He will search for you! His love is relentless!

In Ecclesiatetes 7:8, Solomon tells us better is the end of a thing than the beginning. I've ran marathons, that statement is very true! Sometimes it's how you finish that makes the difference. Goal-setting resolutions can never match the unbelievable blessing of God's divine intervention to have Mercy on us!

So you see, it's never too late. God is waiting on you, not the other way around!

God Bless!

To Love is To Fight

We've all heard the phrase, "I'm a Lover, not a Fighter." Well, the two are not exclusive. If you are a Lover, you have to Fight. You have to Fight Fear. You have to Fight the urge to be Selfish. You have to Fight against Greed, Sloth, and Envy. You have to Fight for what you Love.

It seems like Loving would be easier than Fighting, doesn't it? However, when you really think about it: Loving is way harder. Fighting doesn't require anything of itself. It doesn't demand Sacrifice or Self-Discipline. Fighting doesn't ask any questions. Fighting is survival mode. Fighting is indiscriminate. Get out of my way or pay. Fighting is way easier than Loving.

I Cor. 13:13 tells us the most important things. Faith. Hope. And Love. But the greatest of these is Love. 1 John 4:8 tells us that if you do not Love, you do not know God, because God is Love.

It's easy to Love what is easy to Love. It's easy to Love your wife or husband. It's easy to Love your kids. Try Loving someone who's wronged you. Try Loving someone who opposes you. Fighting them would be so much easier.

Many feel as if God does not Love them. Then answer me this: why did He send His Son? It was the only thing that could save what He Loved so much. The easier thing would've been to Fight us. Instead, He fought FOR us.

God bless!

Not Struggling To Be Free

When I was little, I was scared of quicksand. I was absolutely certain I was going to fall into some quicksand and never get out. I don’t have facts on this, but I’m pretty sure there isn’t even any quicksand in West Virginia. Anyways, try telling that to a 10 year old.

Anyone who has ever seen a Western or Indiana Jones, can tell you – don’t struggle! It will only make you sink faster! If you just remain calm, you may have more of a chance… to find a rope, or branch, or call out for help, or something.

2 Cor. 12:9-10 tells us that God’s Grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in our weakness. Boast happily in your weaknesses and then the Power of God may rest upon you. If that doesn’t make your heart burst in praise, I don’t know what will. The weaker you are, the easier it is for God to jump in and blow that hardship out of the water? Sign me up!

Tenth Avenue North has a song called, “The Struggle.” It has a line that really resonates with my wife and I. “We are free to struggle, We’re not struggling to be free.”

Thank God for that.

God Bless!

The Stars Are Out Tonight

Every night at around 10 o'clock, I let my dog out for one last time. The first thing I do is look up to the sky and see if "the stars are out." I'll tell my wife, "Man, the stars are really out tonight!" or "No stars out tonight!" Now, I know full well that the stars are not precarious things that are sometimes there and sometimes hiding. It's just that on certain nights, I cannot see them. I can thank Miss Grewe at East Dale Elementary for that.

There are times when you feel like God is not there. Saint John of the Cross called it "The Dark Night of The Soul." You walk out into that night and there are no stars. The sky is black. Your gut sinks as you peer into the cold vast nothing. You are unprotected, alone and forgotten.

God has gone out of His way to let you know how ridiculous that is: Deut 31:8, Heb. 13:5, Joshua 1:9, Phil. 4:6-7, and Psa. 55:22 just to name a few. Over and over He tells us we are not alone, He will never forsake us and He protects His children. So when your flesh is weak and when your heart fails, remember - God is there, He has not left you and He alone can get you where He needs you to be.

The stars are ALWAYS out there, it's just sometimes you can't see them.

God Bless!

Keep Her Safe

"This will not hurt your dog. Using these steps, you can keep her safe." said Joe as he described his dog obedience techniques. He also said something curious: "I can tell she loves you, but she doesn't respect you. Respect is how you're going to keep her safe."
Anyone who's met my labrador retriever, Annie can attest to her... energy. I say we misnamed her: Godzilla would've been more appropriate. Anyways, what Joe said made sense. She didn't respect me and that could lead to her getting hurt or worse, killed.
It's the same with God: the only way He can keep us safe is if we respect Him. If we do not listen to his commands, we are putting ourselves in harm's way. Just as much as I would never want anything bad to happen to my dog, God only wants to take care of us. If only we would settle down and listen for once!
He's not trying to limit us, He's trying to set us free!
God bless!

No Longer Orphans

The Human condition leaves many people feeling disconnected, isolated and forgotten. "Who cares about me? What does any of this mean?" A.W. Tozer called it "cosmic orphanage*."

This feeling couldn't be further from the truth. John 1:12 tells us that anyone who "even believes in His (Jesus) name" is now a Child of The King! God gives you that right!

To be a child is to join in the inheritance of the Father. We are co-heirs with Christ! (Romans 8:17) Not just conquerors, but MORE than conquerors! Romans 8:37)

So forget this disconnected, isolated and forgotten nonsense. You are no longer outside the Father's house in the cold, alone and naked. The Father welcomes you in. Take that human condition and kick it out the door. Claim your right! God bless!

Listen to: Hello, My Name Is - Matthew West

*Mornings with Tozer Daily Devotional

Mercy Over Sacrifice

Twice Jesus said that He desired mercy over sacrifice (Matt. 9:13 & 12:7). Telling us something once is enough, but twice? He really must've wanted us to get it! So what does it mean to desire mercy over sacrifice?

Jesus was quoting from Hosea 6:6. The Israelites were offering sacrifices to God because it was their duty not because they desired to please Him. Their hearts were not close to God. There was no relationship.

Jesus is saying He desires that we genuinely love him. He desires that we follow His will because we truly want to. He doesn't want us coldly following rules like the Pharisees.
God sees the heart and no amount of rule following can replace a heart that isn't true. Mercy wins over sacrifice, everytime. God bless!