Haven't posted in a while...

...but that's a different story.

I couldn't pass up linking to this blog by Carlos. YOU HAVE TO READ IT!

Ranks up there with Chris' blog on Pete's baptism as posts I'll never forget.

Why are you still here? GO! NOW!

3/5/08 - Life Journal - Father God (yes I skipped a day...oops)

...and for a pretense make long prayers.

Mark 12:40

Jesus was calling out the people that put on a wonderful show of holiness, seemingly trying to prove how much better they are than everyone else.

I laughed at this part and I almost laugh out loud when someone gets into one of those prayers that's all, "Lord Jesus, I love you, and Lord Jesus, thank You for everything You, Lord Jesus, have given me, and Lord Jesus, did I say I love you Lord Jesus". It's almost as comical as someone you're with all the time busting out in King James english whenever they pray. Come ON! God knows who we are, he knows how we talk, he even knows what we're gonna pray about. Just spit it out.

Father, I'm not the best at prayer so I hope I'm not being too hypocritical, Father God, but I really do love You!

What's happening down at the Double Deuce?

While it's true that Patrick Swayze, star of "Roadhouse" and a few other minor movies, is being treated for pancreatic cancer, his physician says he is responding well to treatments and the rumors of him having only weeks to live are false. Continue praying for him.


Roadhouse happens to be one of my favorite movies (don't know why, just is). Fans of the movie and Rock N Roll have already felt a big loss this week with the passing of Jeff Healey. The awesome blues guitarist, blind from early childhood, died after another battle with cancer. He was truly amazing.



Let's just hope that Sam "I'll get enough sleep when I die" Elliott is taking care of himself.

3/6/08 - Life Journal - Eyes to the Sky

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Mark 13:26

Doesn't sound like a quiet rapture of His church, but we won't get into the eschatological debate here. Jesus was warning us of the suddenness of His arrival and the hidden timing of His coming.

What an awesome sight if I'm still on this earth when He comes back. He's telling me to keep my guard, not to get lax in my quest for righteousness and also to warn others. With the up and down fluctuations of my faith and discipline it would be a safer bet to die now of natural causes, with time to solidify my faith in my heart than to get caught with my pants down (hopefully not literally) when His time comes.

Father, place the seriousness of these passages on my heart.

Craig Groeschel's talking to us at Journey

Check out this post, great addendum to Adam's message Sunday. Don't worry, it's short... (c:

3/4/08 - Life Journal - Can't Put God in a Box

And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 11:9,10

The people of Jerusalem greeted Jesus with cries of "Hosanna", a word to praise God. It means 'we want God to save us'. Seems like, for now at least, they recognize Him as their Savior, cheering Him on, laying palms before Him. Quite a different tune they'd sing when in the presence of the priests when they condemn Him to crucifixion.

We all, I, do the same thing all the time. Sunday mornings, hands in the air, the church is full of praise and worship. Then we leave, and we forget. We're not even out of the parking lot when we're yelling at our kids, honking at others, arguing with our wives, remembering work the next morning, etc, and He is forgotten. Jesus? Come on, it's Monday morning, who's got time for Him. He'll be waiting for us at church when we get there next week.

Hosanna. We want God to save us. Are we worth it? Thankfully He and His Son think so...

Lord, why do I compartmentalize my life. I put You in this box labeled "Sunday" and pack You away the rest of the week. And You let me do it! You're just waitin for me to come to You and say, "I need You always". I need You always.

3/3/08 - Life Journal - The Eye of a Needle

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:21,22

Jesus wasn't necessarily telling all of us to give everything away, well not necessarily. Here He has pinpointed the one thing that this man values over all else. It didn't have to be wealth but in this instance money was this mans idol and proved to be the undoing of his salvation.

What am I holding onto that's keeping my relationship from being what He wants it to be. What's my camel I'm trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle? We all have one thing above all else. What would He confront You with?

Father, search me and convict me. I'm not where I should be, what's holding me back?

Worship Sunday - 3/2/08

Here was the set from yesterday,

Love the Lord - Lincoln Brewster
Blessed be the Name - Tree63
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
Shout to the Lord - Darlene Szezch
It is Well - Jeremy and Adie Camp
Beautiful Contrast - KAZ

I missed the ending to Love the Lord and threw in some miscellaneous hits that ended up sounding like I just threw my sticks at my kit......gulp......I don't think to many people noticed.

3/2/08 - Life Journal - A Light Yoke

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer.

Mark 9:28,29

The disciples couldn't cast out this demon and had no idea why. They asked for help and Jesus went about healing the child. "Why couldn't we do it?" They didn't go to the Father. They didn't pray...

...they thought they could do it themselves. I think I can do it all by myself and I'm worn out. Why can't I cast my life before Him. I'm walking my Christian walk with a severe limp because I haven't given myself totally to Him. He wants to help. He wants to carry the load. He wants the pressure off of my back. Just give it to Him and follow. It's a light yoke.

Lord, help me, I can't do it alone anymore.

Now you know my quiet place....

I was sitting at my desk this morning, probably banging my head on my desk, when a co-worker came up to me. I recognized what was in his hand before he even asked, "Is this yours?" It was my trusty pocket ESV bible. Yes, forgive me Father, I left Your word in stall number 1. I looked up at him and said, "Yep, I left it in there for you to read." Pr-ett-ty cl-ev-er, huh?

Anyway, I just thought it was cool that after finding a bible in the bathroom, this person knew right where to look to find it's owner.

3/1/08 - Life Journal - More Brains than Faith

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Mark 8:12

The Pharisee's were like "Prove it, Mr. Big Stuff". All he could do was shake it head, I mean look at the situation. Jesus was THERE WITH THEM and they were still blinded, hearts were still hardened. More signs weren't gonna change a thing.

Where's the proof? That's the cry of the atheist. I can't see it so I don't believe it. I guess they've never read Hebrews, "...the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.", and all that. Like the Pharisee's, I believe the non-believer could be hit over the head with the most, well, miraculous miracle and still not believe. It comes from the heart and soul. The mind just gets in the way.

Father, let my little bit of love be a light for those who are too smart for their own good. I used to be one of them.

2/29/08 - Life Journal - Faker

The reading plan's got nothin for the 29th so I thought I'd throw out this tidbit. Ever feel like you're just faking it? It's all a show? No? Just me? ACK!

Anyhow, whenever the song "Fake It" by Seether comes on it gets me all screwy:

And just fake it, if you’re out of direction
Fake it, if you don’t belong
Fake it, if you feel like infection
Whoa, you’re such a f&#*&n’ hypocrite

Sorry, just one of my moods..............