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If you could relive one moment...what would it be?

Our life is filled with individual moments woven together to create the masterpiece of our existence.  Some of those moments are wonderful and glorious...others we would rather forget.  When we look at the old photographs there are emotions tied to the memories of what we view...some where we laugh and others where we cringe.

If you could relive one moment...what would it be?  How would you change the event or day?  How would you respond differently?  What would you have liked the outcome to be?  In the movie Hitch, Alex arranges a surprise for his date at Ellis Island.  Her great-grandfather had come through the immigration process there.  As Alex shows her the name of her relative, her reaction is no where near what he expected.  Alex responds "I saw that playing out differently in my mind."

We cannot go back, but today can be a new day.  A new opportunity to live differently...with a new purpose and focus.  A new chance to love and demonstrate God's kindness to those who are empty and barren.  A new chance to embrace the vision of the Master of the universe and live a more dynamic meaningful existence...filling others with the love of God.

If today, you could live you life as your desire...what would it look like?  Who would be blessed?  How would you respond?  How would others lives be changed?  How would you be different?

Describe Your God!

How would you describe the God you worship?  Best friend?  Frustrated and angry?  Kind and loving?  Gracious and merciful?  Faithful?  Strong?  Capable?  God is a mixture of all those words and many more we cannot begin to put into language.  He is unexplainable and explainable.  He causes each of us to struggle to understand his "philosophy" and "purpose".  We see him raise a man from the dead through Jesus, but send lightning from the heavens to zap some priests who offer strange fire during sacrifice.

Where do you find the definitions?  Bible?  Oprah?  Dr. Phil?  Your favorite preacher?  Philosopher?  Writer?  Comedian?  SNL?  Music?  Movies?  Our viewpoint of God will depend on the sources of our information.  Some songs will communicate a God of love while others will tell of us glory and might.  Some well respected philosophers will tell us God is dead and others that he is alive but unfair.  The Bible will communicatethat  God is larger than we can understand and that our finiteness cannot grasp his in-finiteness.

Does it make any difference how you define Him?  Yes.  How you define him defines you!  If you see a God who mainly is angry and frustrated,  you  maylive feeling criticized and be critical.  If you see God as mainly gracious and merciful, you may live an unchallenged life and accept mediocrity.  If you picture God as "the great-grandfather" in the sky, you may tend to struggle to understand the tough moments of life...seeing them as a punishment.

I do not think I completely understand God nor have a firm grasp on why he does what he does.  I do make room for him to be larger than my mind can comprehend.  I do allow him to be unexplainable.  I do realize he has a purpose I do not have to understand, but still follow.

Wrestle with God, but understand he will beat you every time.  Ask him questions...he can handle them all!  Don't try to confine him to a single verse of scripture or event where he acted a particular way.  But in the end realize...no one can fathom or understand the God of the universe.  Let God be God and allow him to challenge your life and thoughts.  Let him become larger than he is as it will increase your trust.

How do you describe God?

Give Thanks!

Who do you need to thank?  Who deals with all of your "stuff, attitudes, habits" and the like?  Who continues to be gracious to you when you do not deserve it?  Who loves you even when...?

Who provides services for you?  Who provides care for your children at school?  Who bags your groceries?  Who serves you food at home or at restaurants?  Who provides safety in the city?  Who keeps the "enemy" at bay by serving in the military?  Who serves you when you cash a check at the bank?  Who puts out the fires when they blaze out of control?

Who provides lessons for your children in Bible classes?  Who offers you times to learn and grow in your spiritual walk?  Who studies during the week to offer you insight into God and godly life?  Who prepares communion on Sunday?  Who makes sure the sound is just right?  Who makes sure the visual effects for the songs and lesson work correctly?  Who cleans the building to prepare it for your arrival?  Who greets you as you walk through the doors?  Who helps find you a seat as the crowds swell?  Who practices songs so that the harmony and message are glitch free?

Today,I was reminded to be thankful as 3 very talented women came to the building on a 102 degree day to decorate the stage, hallway and lobby for the new message series that begins Sunday.  They do not want accolades.  They serve because they love God and the community at North County.

May we be more thankful in all things.  May we stop more often and appreciate those who provide for us, love us and serve us.

Who do you need to thank?

Pick and Choose Your Friends!

We live in a pick and choose world.  We live in a buffet line society.  You can design your car, home, school, career, phone, office, clothes, computer, and church.  You can choose your friends and even do so without any face to face interaction.  Invite a person to be your friend on FB...don't like them...block them.  Follow someone on Twitter...don't like them...unfollow them.  Block callers from accessing your phone number.  Block callers from seeing your number.  Lock yourself in your home.

Avoidance. It is and always has been a coping mechanism.  Don't want to hurt the wife's feelings...eat the apple.  Don't like the music...throw the javelin.  Don't want to deal with the pressure...tell everyone she's your sister.  Don't want to tell people that God wants to give them another chance...hop on a ship.  Don't want to admit you know THE MAN...curse his name.

Don't agree with someone...turn the other way when you see them.  Don't agree with life choices...talk about them behind their backs.  Don't appreciate the way a friend treats their children or spouse...avoid contact.  Don't like the way a friend handles a situation...give them the cold shoulder.  We are excellent with "leaking" our feelings and emotions with sarcasm and body language.

"While we were still sinners Christ died for us."  God did not choose perfect people...he chose you and me.  He stands beside me as I fight angry emotions.  He holds my hand when I struggle with bitterness.  He patiently reaches for me when I hurt someone else.

"Love...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  God's love does not quit, fail or surrender.  God's love does not become frustrated and walk away when I act in ungodly ways.  God's love continues to flow in the midst of my anger with him.  "Nothing can separate me from the love of God."  Just imagine how differently Christian communities would be seen if we lived in God's manner.

Love at all times.  Love at all times.  Love at all times.   Love at all times.

There are no earthly reasons to love at all times.

There is only one heavenly reason to love at all times...his name is Jesus.

How do you keep your love going strong in dealing with people?

My Domino Effect!

As a child one of the delights of my life was playing with dominoes.  I grew up watching my parents and grandparents playing and we little ones stood at the edge of the table and could watch but not touch.  The laughter was contagious.  After the game was over, my brother and I were then allowed to play with the dominoes.  As boys, our game was to build and stack them into powerful structures. We would build until one of us would disturb the table and then watch in horror as our masterpiece collapsed. 

We then would try to line up the dominoes standing up on end.  We'd seen the marvelous domino tricks on TV (black and white) where they were lined up in fantastic patterns and designs and then felled as someone pushed over the first domino into the next...and then the domino effect took place.

As with dominoes the same situation occurs in life.  When I live in the role and opportunity I have been given by God the result will most likely be a set of events in the life of my spouse and children that will benefit their walk with God if they so choose.  If I choose to live for myself and not bless my wife and children there will be a corresponding set of dominoes that will follow.  I do not live to myself.  I am a part of all the lives I encounter every day.  I am part of a community of God's children...some choosing to walk with him...some choosing to miss him.  

My prayer is this:  May I be more aware of my domino effect!  May I see my life as a daily opportunity to let God shine through me with every person I encounter, but especially to those I have chosen to become part of my home.

How do you see your life affecting others?

God or evolution?

Today, my wife and I walked through Balboa Park in San Diego and came upon the Body Worlds 2 Exhibit.  It is a demonstration of the human body using plastonation of actual human cadavers.  Every body part had a section where actual human bodies were exposed for you to see.  Most of the body parts had a healthy as well as a diseased specimen.  You could see muscles, nerves, blood system, lungs, hearts, baby's from a few weeks old to several months old, hearts, lungs...all of the human body.

As we walked through in utter amazement we both were struck with the glory of God.  Of course those who presented the exhibit and spoke through the talking segments, presented a case of evolution and all I could do was laugh.  If you could walk through and not see an intelligent designer...God, then I would be even more amazed.

When you look in the face of your friend you are looking into a wonderment of God.  When you hold the hand of a child you are touching a masterpiece of heaven.  When you wipe the tear from the face of your spouse you are encountering a sculpture of the majestic one.

He is awesome and so are we as his creation.  Made in the image of God...nothing is like us!  May you see God in the lives of others around you and praise his name.

Keeping Cool!

As a child growing up in Rhode Island, the summer time was filled with water games such as the slippy slide, water sprinkler or the ocean.  The temperature would rise to the mid to high 90's with a "relative" humidity experience as only the east coast can bring.  We had to stay cool so we found multiple ways to do so.

People everywhere understand this routine.  When the temperatures soar we head to someplace cool.  And if we live near water we rush with intensity.  Trying to find a parking place near the beaches in the San Diego areas is an exciting challenge which brings it's own version of heat.

Cooling off is easier on the outside of the body than lowering the lava with attitudes.  We know what to do when the sun becomes too hot...we often do not know what to do when the event or person made us boil.  How do you handle those moments?  How do you find coolness?

It is not easy and I provide no easy answers.  Emotions are tied to memories in our brains.  There are reasons we do what we do and respond the way we respond.  It is not simply that you are a bad parent or a misbehaving Christian who has not surrendered your life to the Savior.  There may be times you cannot simply pray or increase your commitment to escape the heat that quickly rises.  Understanding the reason gives you a greater ability to deal with the situations.  Your first response will always take you to the memory, but knowing and understanding the memory...your trigger point, will allow you to lower the temperature more quickly.

God is able...more than able.  Part of the process of growing up in Christ is allowing him to deeply examine our hearts and bring change to the deepest part of our lives.  Not with guilt when I am unsuccessful, but with his graciousness as I grow and develop.

Ask yourself why?  Why do I respond like this?  What memory is tied to this rise in temperature?

How have you found ways to keep cool?

Daddy! Daddy!

There are few things more special than pulling into the driveway or entering the front door and hearing your children scream (in a good way) "Daddy! Daddy!"  Seeing them run towards you, grabbing your legs and begging to be in your arms.  Hugs and kisses.  I now get to enjoy that with grandchildren when visiting with them.  Their sweet and precious smiles of excitement melt away any trouble or problem. 

Everyday parents but especially Fathers have the amazing opportunity to create a home...a place of safety and peace...a haven where children can be children.  Dad's have the chance to make their child's day with a warm smile and loving embrace.  They think Daddy is the king, royalty, the most special man in the world.  And you are to them.

Regardless of what the world may communicate of your value or worth "there is no place like home."  So Dad's...dream of what your home can be with Christ sharing his love through you to your family.  See the opportunity to shape your sons and daughters lives by giving them a home and not simply a place to live.

How do you make your home a place of safety, peace and love?

The thrill of being free

Today I performed my morning ritual and turned on the TV while getting ready for work...CNN is my destination and the breaking news story was the Lockerbie Airplane bomber being released.  As I watched I thought of all the family members who lost loved ones and prayed for their hearts to not be burdened by bitterness...for God to provide comfort.

My thoughts went then to the bomber.  Jailed and imprisoned for years.  Unable to do as he pleased.  Unable to eat what he wanted or where he wanted.  Unable to go home at the end of the day.  Remembering what he had done with his life. 

And now he was going home...experiencing freedom.  No one chained to him.  No bars to keep him in his room.  No one watching as he showered or used the restroom.  No one monitoring his phone calls or letters.

Everyday I experience many kinds of freedoms.  Freedom to enjoy the deepest relationships of my life to the level I want to enjoy them.  Freedom to go where I want to go with the only limitation of finance and responsibility.  Freedom to enjoy my walk with Christ or do my own thing.  Freedom to live in fear or enjoy the peace of my God.

It is easy to forget the freedom we have and I'm not referring to America.  I'm writing about Jesus.  He knows the life I can enjoy in him.  Free from sin.  Free from the fear of death.  Free to enjoy his blessings to the fullest.

Are my eyes open to see the freedom or do I instead only see what I do not have?  It is a daily choice.

What are the freedoms you enjoy?

How do you rate your life?

I love surveys...NOT!  It is always interesting to read polls on how people perceive the economy is doing or whether the stimulus package is working.  I am fascinated by the information on how we rate Presidential performance.  I'm sure the information is scientific but I've never been asked and would love to give my opinion.

How do you rate your life?  If you took a poll about your life how would you rate yourself?  What categories would you wish to rank?  Financial life?  Debt management?  Relationships?  Marriage?  Parenting?  Church life?  Serving others?  Taking care of others in your family?

How do you rate your spiritual life?  And what are your standards?  It is amazing to me the standards some people set for themselves as well as others!  Where do they come up with them?  What are the standards or polling questions Jesus would have for you?  Would it be how often your read?  How much you read?  Prayer life...how long and in what fashion?  Giving to the church? Serving in ministry...how many hours? Attendance at functions?

How do you rate your life?  And are you becoming more like the Savior?

How does Jesus rate your life?  Maybe that is the more important question.  Take a look at his word to see what his standards of measurement would be...don't be tied to a humans requirements.  Remember...Jesus looks upon the heart.

So...what would his standards be?