Jesus hangs out with sinners...awesome!

Reading Luke 7 verses 36-50 the last few days has sparked some thoughts.  The story begins with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to come over and hang out with him and eat dinner.  (one of my favorite things to do)  A woman comes in and starts crying at his feet for all the sin she has been involved in.  She is truly repenting for the tough things that have made up her life to that day.  The Pharisee, who we see later in the story is named Simon, thinks to himself that if Jesus was really a prophet and knew how bad this woman was, there's no way he would allow this to happen.  Jesus knew his thoughts and instead of raking him over the coals and telling all the others at dinner at what a judgmental dude this dinner host is... he takes another approach.  He begins a parable....it starts with 2 men that owe a lender some money.  One owes $500 dollars and the other one owes $50.  The lender who loaned them the money says that they will forgive the debt with no re-payment necessary.  Pretty good deal huh?  Where can I find this lender, I need to borrow a few bucks!  Jesus then asks Simon which one of the men will love the person more who owed him money.  He answered correctly in that he said the one who owed more money to him and had a larger debt forgiven.  Exactly..the one who had the larger debt forgiven will love the person more.  More sin, more forgiveness.  He said the woman who came in and started wiping her tears and washing Jesus feet is forgiven and loves him much.  In fact, he calls Simon out.  He says when he came in his house for dinner Simon did not even wash his feet..this woman has been washing his feet with her tears ( of wanting forgiveness).  He then said that he was not greeted with a kiss....and again this woman has not stopped kissing the feet of Jesus since she came in.  He also said that Simon didn't even annoint his head with oil, and yet the woman has been at his feet with pefume and washing his feet.  My goodness..what kind of host are you man.  Maybe we should have the sinful woman host next time. He explains that a person who shows great love to Jesus is one who has been forgiven much.  When we think we have been forgiven a little...we love little. Realize our forgiveness big time..love bigtime.    He tells the woman that her sins are forgiven and that her faith has healed her.  Go in peace! 

May we all go in peace this weekend as we realize the saving grace of God and his power to forgive us of all our sins!  He is Risen!!

My beautiful Kids!!

Renewal

As the discipleship pastor at Highland Park we just came off of an incredible experience with a 5 day revival service.  God stirred our heart, renewed our soul and reminded us of his goodness and plan for our life.  The Lord reminded me that his timing is always perfect and that He is in control.  He reminds us to stay humble and keep an open mind and heart.  We are to always be thinking of others rather than ourselves and to keep our motives true and pure.  Each night he had a different speaker with a different message.  Each one brought something different to the table, each one was used by God to be a piece in the puzzle that God is designing for us.  We all play some kind of vital role in each others lives if we would be open to what that would be.

Change our God hearts God and continue to transform our mind and soul for you.  "Your plans are much higher than ours and your thoughts are much greater than our thoughts Lord."  Thank you for making us children of yours and having our best interests at heart!

Twas the night before Thanksgiving...

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the house....ok, not really. I am thankful for some new insight that I have with God and what he has confirmed in my life.  I have been walking with God for about 16 years already and yet I feel somedays that we just started our relationship a few years ago.  It never ceases to amaze me that God is still speaking to me loud and clear and that when I listen, He shows me some pretty cool things.  No matter how good things are going.  Even when your marriage is good, the kids are healthy and the bills are paid.  Circumstances are fine, careers are on the positive and friends are faithful, some things are just more important.  Even as Christians, we try to fill a void that only Christ can fill.  We still look to church, to our pastors and leaders, and even to good Christian friends.  But to no avail, only Jesus can do something in us and with us that makes perfect sense.  Its only his presence and purpose that we can have life abundantly.  Nothing else really matters...nothing....

Fruits & Vegetables

I was in unfamiliar territory the other day. I really had not visited this place very often and felt a little weird walking around here. Normally I know where to go and how to get around but this was a little different. I was in the fruits and vegetables section in Publix! I really hadn't frequented this area of the grocery store for several years. I know the bakery area far to well but this section was a little intimidating to me. The more I walked around the more comfortable I was. The more time I spent looking at each item and figuring out what it was and if I was going to put it in my buggy, the more things seemed to flow. God wants us to continue to be in a state of change with him as He transforms our hearts and minds into his likeness. He allows us to venture into unfamiliar territory which creates a stronger dependence on Him. The more time we spend with him, the more comfortable we are in his presence. He wants us to have an intense fellowship with him, unlike no other relationship in our lives. He wants us to be honest in our prayer time and reflective with his word. The next time I enter the fruits and vegetables section I will feel a little more confident that I know what I am doing. In the same way, each time I enter the presence of the Lord I feel like I know him a little better also. And thats a great thing!!

Tomlin Concert

This evening Jean and I had a date night and went to the Chris Tomlin concert.  He was in town with Louis Giglio and Christy Knockles and on the last stop in Florida for hsi tour. As we were parking our car we had a lady honk at us, as if to say, hurry up, I am late for the concert and I want to get a good seat.  She wasn't the only one who was excited and anticipating the night.  We heard another couple say to each other, "boy there are some crazy drivers out there tonight".  We went up the ramp to get in line and there were people everywhere. They had just opened the doors and you could hear a scream or two that came from the beginning of the bunch that got in as soon as the doors opened.  It was a mad rush and you could sense the anticipation of the crowd to get in there and get a good seat.  Oh, I didn't mention, it was general seating so you had better hurry and find where you were going to sit in hurry.  The concert started and was one of the most amazing worship services/times I have ever experienced in my 15 years of being a Christian.  All hands were up, people were engaged and voices signing in every seat.  As I scanned about the sold out arena, I was amazed at all the people that were there.  They were all fully there and diving into God.  I have never seen such expectancy to be with God as I did tonight.  The parking lot was a sign of people who were desperate to get into the presence of Almighy God.  Looking back now, the sheer excitment and hurry up-ness were people just trying to push their way into this Holy environment we were about to become a part of.  Nobody came away empty tonight.  We were all filled with his Glorious presence and all who were there there got a glipmse of what heaven will be like.  Selfless Surrender!

I love the new technology available today. Oh to be able to blog from my cell phone by texting.... Cmon really??!