Give Your All For God

Woke up this morning with this song in my head. It sure beats waking up with the Ford Jingle being sung by the American Idol guy..

We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing above the battle strife:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom
when the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Coach Randy Walker of the Northwestern Wildcats has passed away at the age of 52. Coaching is a high stress position, and prevailing reports indicate a heart attack. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and team.

It is a reminder that life is not measured in years, but in lives touched.

When I was growing up, I heard that phrase more than a couple of times. It was used to refer to a time when despite advice to the contrary, I went ahead to do something foolish. Now that I am adult, I say it to my kids.

I wonder how many times God has said that to me. How many times he has winced as I take a running start, determined to fly of my own accord. How many times he has forgiven me after I have come back crying.

Visited Gulf Shores Alabama this weekend and had a fantastic time. The kids pushed us to try new things, and for the most part we were pretty busy, which made for great sleep in the evenings. Like most things, the trip was just too short.

My english skills were always weak. Diagramming sentences was about as much fun as visiting the dentist. Adjectives though, were a treat. Super, Fantastic, Strong, Magnificent are just a few adjectives that describe God. Awesome, that one works very well too..

When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain’t just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There’s thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn’t joking
When He kicked ’em out of Eden
It wasn’t for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Fathers day is on Sunday, and no doubt many will treat Dad to ties or goofy cards.

Few jobs carry so great a burden, and grant such fantastic benefits.

Dad, Thank you for being a Godly man, who loves your family, and gives so much of yourself.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The kids have been in VBS this week. Their theme is Arctic Adventure, and the central verse is Joshua 1:9. What a fantastic verse, that is equally applicable to children whatever the age.

There is a church that is in our neighborhood. The church has grown, and it now has adversely affected traffic patterns in the neighborhood. For example, we sometimes sit in traffic for minutes on Sunday morning while worshippers file across from the parking lot into the church.

This morning, a guy pulled out from the church parking lot right in front of me. I had to slam on brakes, and the guy was on his cell phone, oblivious to everything around him. I fussed and fumed, wondering how someone who is a Christian could be so stupid.

The conclusion, is of course that Christians are first and foremost humans, and humans do stupid things like pulling out at the last minute. The episode really highlighted more in my life than in the other drivers.

Would I let someone who was not paying attention mess up my day? Would I expect him as a Christian to use perfect driving skills?

I have always enjoyed the hymn What a Friend we Have in Jesus. In times of trouble the song is comforting. In times of Joy, the song is confirmation of how God holds us in his arms.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

That is a question I like to ask people when I am interviewing them for a job. It is a left field kind of question, but it offers an insight into personal motivations. Often I hear, ‘I want to provide for my family’ which is a good answer. One answer was ‘Because I can’t get paid for staying home’. Check one off for honesty, and 10 off for lack of purpose.

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, [a] where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10

That is a fine challenge.

I left for lunch yesterday in the heat of a 90 degree Mississippi day. Funny thing was, it just didn’t feel that hot. The first block was mostly shady, and there was a gentle breeze, which made it feel nice. The second block was not shaded, and it was noticeable as the sun bore down.

Life is like that too. Even in the hottest, and toughest of situations, there are shades, where we can refresh before we move back into the heat.

One of the more profound things that I found while running was when I was getting tired, or thinking about packing it up and turning in, there would be a breeze, or a burst of energy which would make the journey more manageable.

So in lifes storms today, look for, and enjoy a rest in the shade.

The national media’s spotlight on the date 6-6-06 brings new opportunities for Christians to talk about the significance of that number, as well as the more important significance of a Savior who has died in our place so that we need not fear anything that the devil will throw at us.

While some will celebrate with parties which poke fun at this unique number, let us join the conversation in sharing the number 333: 3 the number of wise men who were led by God to bring gifts to a baby born in a stable. 3, the number of nails which held our Savior to a cross in our place. 3, the day during which Christ rose from the dead.

The antiChrist is real, and his times will come or may already have started. The Christ has come, has suffered and died, and lives with God forever.

Christ, the son of God, he is the one we should be talking about.