Missing It

I love my little brother. He is one cool cat. There are moments that I would love to put him in a headlock, but we're brothers.

Last night we went to his baseball game. He rode with me on the way. The whole way there we blasted Mumford & Sons. He mumbled along trying to find the words as little boys do. I acted like a goober, and screamed to get a few giggles.

Once we got to the game, he was pumped. He loves to play. He started off playing pitcher. Now this is coach pitch, so he is an extra infielder. The first ball hit was right up the middle. He snagged the grounder and threw it to first base for the out. I smiled. After a few more plays, the ball came his way again. It was in the form of a fly ball this time. It went up, and he scampered to get under it. He works hard. He set up, got his glove in the air, and waited. The ball hit the ground beside him. He missed it. Everyone saw him miss it. He knew he missed it.

This happens to us a lot. Maybe not on an athletic field or in the realm of sports. But, sometime we just miss it. We have opportunities to make a right choice or a chance to succeed, and we miss it. We make a mistake, we mess up, and we look ridiculous. When was the last time you missed it? Are you missing it right now?

We are all going to miss it sometime or another. There is no doubt in that. But, how do we respond. Matthew got red in the face. He was embarrassed. But, he was also determined. He was determined to go back and make the next play. He put his big boy pants on, and did so. How are you handling this imperfect world, and your imperfect life? Are you pouting? Are you harping on the mistakes you've made, or even blaming them on others? Or, are you looking forward to the next play? We need to be praying for God's grace to give us a next play, not hoping it never comes so we don't mess up again.

The biggest question? Why are you on the field? Why does Matthew play? Why do you live? We need a reason to keep on playing, and living. We need something that tells us to get up and do it again. We need a purpose. Maybe this is the area where we've missed it the most. Our passion and purpose is to be Christ. Not me, my success, and my glory. Not that I may go pro, get a raise, or get back what I once had. Our drive is to be to honor God. That is why we were made. He is why we get up. So that it may glorify Him, when He picks up my pieces, and hits it where I have missed it.

Where are you missing it? How are you responding? Why will you try again?

It's never too late to glorify God. Let's get to it.

I Love My Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday.

My Mother has been so good to me. We haven't always gotten along, but we've gotten through. She loves unconditionally, and always has my back. She is always positive, even when I want to be negative. It is good to know that I have a mom that prays for me daily.

I have a Mom that I can learn from. She is an example. She always has advice, and its usually good. She always has something to share, and she gives generously. She is full of passion, and she almost always acts on those passions. I'm thankful for a Mom that loves Jesus more than she loves me. I'm glad I have a Mother who loves me 'til the grave.

My Mother gives more than she takes. She thinks of others before she considers herself. She is a woman of true grace and peace.

Happy Birthday Mama. I love you.

Resurrection: The art of making life new.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

An artist. He moves his instrument across the canvas. Whether he sketches a waterfall or sends a vibration through the air to be called a note, he aims to please.

On the cross, Christ aimed to please. He aimed to paint a portrait. He aimed to play a melody. His aim was to make up for our catastrophe. He came to paint a perfect life. His feet the the brush, and His breath the beat, he illustrated the life that we could not meet, but had to.

His aim was to please, but not to please me. Though I was a member of the audience, His eyes gazed upward. I am pleased with biggie fries and a coke, so while I was 'still a sinner' I wouldn't know what do with an all-sufficient savior. The Father. That's who The Christ sought to impress, and to please to the highest degree, because we had not.

We had colored way outside the lines and not as cute little children. This map, this book would change eternity, and we missed it. We scribbled furiously, refusing guidance. Disregarding boundaries, and making a mockery of everything with beauty.

But, then came the new image. Though we were a disgrace, the Artist showed grace as He signed His name at the bottom of our page. Our mistake, He took the blame, and hung it in a crooked frame.

The Artist couldn't stop with this mediocrity. What artist would? In three days he turned this disgrace into a new face that started with heart. Twisting and turning, mixing and churning, the Artist pumped out a piece titled "The Returning".



I'm thankful for God's grace, today. He has shown me His grace in everyday. I pray that I live like He's alive in me. I could go on and on about the resurrection, but I'm just thankful that He took my place and did what I could never do. We are blessed to get to live in His resurrection with Him. He died, came back, and will never die again. I'm thankful for His portrait of love. He's alive.

It's All About Jesus!

Names of God: "L"

"L" stands for loser except for when it stands for Jesus.

Our God Wins.

Lamb of God

Lamp

Lawgiver

Liberty

Life

Life-giving

Light

Light of the nations

Light of revelation

Light of the world

Light of the valleys

Lion of Judah

Living bread

Living

Living water

Long-suffering

Lord God Almighty

Lord Jesus Christ

Lord of all

Lord of glory

Lord of the harvest

Lord of hosts

Lord of lords

Lord of the Sabbath

Love

Lover of my soul

Loving kindness

Lowly in heart



Names of God: "K"

King eternal

King of glory

King of Israel

King of the Jews

King of Kings

King of the Ages

Keeper

Names of God: "J"

Jealous God

Jehovah-Jireh

Jehovah-Nissi

Jehovah-Rohi

Jehovah-Rophe

Jehovah-Shammah

Jehovah-Shalom

Jehovah-Tsidkenu

Jesus Christ our Lord

Joy

Judge of all the Earth

Just one

Justifier

How do you deal with it?

I played baseball my freshman year of high school. I was awful. I didn't play much. So when I say I played, I mean I made the team. Other than t-ball, it is the only baseball I've ever participated in. And, you could tell it.



I knew I was bad. I had to accept that. I had to accept the fact that I was horrific, so that I could work my tale off, and get better.


There are many battles of reality and fantasy in life. Where we live in a fairy-tale land. Whether we sit on a cloud, sprinkle pixy dust, or ride a unicorn, we have to decipher fact from fiction. But, there is another battle that I believe is more prominent, and has a larger impact. That is reality versus reality.

Acceptance and Denial.

Accepting that we are sinners is a huge part of our faith. We must come to the realization that we have an issue that leads to death, so we can get the answer, which is Jesus.

That is reality.

But, often enough, we deny in our hearts that we need to do anything about this issue. My point?

Accepting that you are a sinner, does not mean that you accept your sin.

Often times we look at God's grace as a license to sin. We may not say it, or even consciously think it, but our attitudes say, "I know I'm a sinner. God knows I'm a sinner. He forgives. So whats the big deal?"

The grace of God is not something that just saves us from the consequences of our sin, but it saves us from our sin. Through God's grace and love, He enables us to deny ourselves  and accept the new life He gives us.

John Piper once said that we should declare war on our sin. Declaring war is the opposite of cuddling. How do you deal with your sin? Has it been nailed to the cross? Or, do you wear it like a snuggy?


How do you deal with it?

Fishing with Matthew

Friday night marked the first fishing expedition of the year. I was off work at 5 and counted it as an opportunity. I called up my 9 yr. old brother, and we were at the puddle pond across from my house by 6.

We stopped at a local store before heading out. Included in our purchase were worms, hot wing flavored chips, and some Sprite. Matthew loves Sprite.

We only caught two fish, and they were nothing to brag about, but we had a blast. I only threatened to throw him in the water once or twice. I like fishing. I love my little brother.

There will be be much more of this...

Names of God: "I"

I AM

Image of God

Immanuel

Immortal

Incarnate

Incorruptible

Indwelling

Infinite

Innocent

Intercessor

Instructor



Spring Is Here!

Next Vlog in the series coming tonight. Here are some photos I took recently. I love this season! Thank God for new seasons!

Downtown Monroe

Names of God: "H"

Head

Head of the church

Head of every man

Healer

Hearer of prayers

Heavenly Father

Heir of all things

Helper

Hero

Hiding place

High

Holy

Holy One of Israel

Holy Spirit

Hope

Horn of salvation

Humble

Husband

Names of God: "G"

Do you have a new life?

Generous

Gentle

Gift

Giver of every good gift

Giver of Life

Glorious Lord

Glory of Israel

God of all Comfort

God of all Grace

God of deliverances

God of Glory

God of Hope

God of Israel

God of love and peace

God of retribution

God of vengeance

God our Savior

God the Father

God who sees

Good

Good Shepherd

Governor

Gracious One

Great

Great High Priest

Guardian of my soul

Guide