Happy Jesus Day

I see large, white, clouds, as if they are made of cotton, bellowing up into the heavens.  What an amazing God!  I watch as the sun sets, and turns the sky  to a golden yellow, followed by an awesome deep dark orange, with remnants of sun beaming through the clouds.  What an amazing God!  I marvel at a lighting bug, as it flies here and there, beaming its’ signal to other fire flies.  What an amazing God!  As if that is not enough, I look into the faces of my family and I see Christ!  What an amazing God!  I look into the eyes of my wife and I see infinite love.  What an amazing God!  From the people I work with… to the lady that cuts my hair… to the homeless gentleman we give shelter to… to my dear friends… I look with amazement as Christ shines from each of them.  What an amazing God!   Even through tragedy I see his hand in everything that I touch… smell… see… or experience.  He is an amazing God!  So worthy of our praise, simply because he is God!  Tomorrow as you wake… thank him for the amazing God he is.   Then trust that he will provide, in you, an amazing day!   2 Corinthians 2:14

I Love You!

Perry

What is normal?  Her comment was “why can’t they be normal”?  I see people treat others with disrespect because “their lifestyle is different or they dress or behave different then I do”.  Daily my heart prays “father make me blind to peoples differences and actions… so that I might see you, in them”.  We should not allow ourselves, as followers of Christ, to worry about how others dress, talk, or behave.  As we observe the world around us, we should see Jesus, in all people.   Each person, regardless of behavior, or lifestyle was made in his image, and carries within them the spirit of Christ.  Mother Teresa said “I see Jesus in every human being. That is why I help them”.  What power!  What understanding of our Saviors heart!  To be a Christian is to see Jesus, in everybody and everything. The very person you look at with distain… because of the way they dress, the way they wear their hair, the number of piercings on their face, or their lifestyle, is the very person you should love the most.  I use to be the one who judged.  I use to be that person, that looked at others different than me, with disapproval.  Through much contemplation I have come to better understand my Saviors’ heart.  Suddenly each face looks like him.  What glorious people he has put on this earth!!         Matthew 7:1-5 

I Love You!

Perry    

He had waited so long.  For lack of hope, he knew not what to do, but try the water.  If he could only be the first to touch the moving water maybe he would be healed.  A lifetime of not being able to use his legs was almost more than he could bear.  Then came Jesus.  With a few simple words he healed the man and told him to take his bedroll and walk.  Twelve years she had been bleeding.  Twelve long years with no help from doctors.  One simple touch of his robe and the bleeding stopped.  As he turned she made herself known.  Jesus knew, Jesus felt, and Jesus blessed.  My heart tries hard to imagine how these people and others felt.  To be healed by the Son of God.  To be healed by the Savior and to look into his loving eyes.  To know that he cared enough for each of them, to use the spirit of his father to heal… to save… to bless.  Daily I can feel him in my heart.  Daily I know that he resides in my soul and his spirit is one with mine.  Still I long to sit and visit with these people. To hear the incredible stories of his healing and to know first hand how they felt.  One day I will get to look into his eyes and feel that amazing touch.  Then and only then will my soul soar.. as it did for these. 

Romans 15:4

I Love You!

Perry

As she asked me to pray for her son, and his cancer, I could see the 90 year old wisdom in her eyes.  I could see the knowing.  Not hoping.  Knowing.  That prayers would be answered, and that one way or another, God would keep his promises.  I was honored!  Prayer!  Such an amazing time to talk with God, Jesus and his Spirit.  A time when the world and its’ woes are forgotten and all that matters, is our Savior.  My day starts with dialogue to my Jesus… and ends the same.  Can’t tell you how much I talk with him during the day, but it is constant.  Prayer need not be formal, as so many think.  Prayer should be, and is, a simple conversation with someone you love. Can be as simple as “thanking him” for a beautiful tree or as complex as stage four cancer.  He knows your heart but he wants to hear your voice.  He wants to know your concerns and he wants to share in your victories.  Doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, he hears them all just the same.  She saw me in the crowd and because my shirt said “Happy Jesus Day” she asked me to pray.  I’m still praying for her son!  Just like her… I rest in the knowledge that God will answer those prayers… to his will.   Keep Praying!! 

1 Timothy 2:1-3

I love You,

Perry

When you think on spiritual leaders whose face enters your mind?  I see billboards of churches with the pastors picture on them.  When I think of great spiritual leaders I think on Dr. King, Billy Graham, Joyce Meyer.  But who’s more in the kingdom of God… the leaders of the local church or the homeless guy on the corner?  Will Dr. King be first in line or the man that shot him?  Christ came to save the lost.  Christ came to heal the sick.  Christ came to bring glory to the ones that need it.  Jesus looked for the one lost and left the ninety nine.  As I try to share the messages he puts on my heart I have had but one request.  That no credit ever be given to me.  Our spiritual journey… our walk with God… our search for knowledge should never be about us. Our life… our breath… our purpose… is only to glorify him.  I have watched as people have treated priest, preachers, and evangelist as if they have the answers and can save.  Only Christ can save and only God has the answers.  “The least (on earth) will be first and the first (on earth) will be last.”  Out of the mouth of the one that died for everyone. 

Mark Chapter 10

I Love You!

Perry

It doesn’t matter what you think you know!  Jesus has chosen you!

Each day I study.  Each day I pray for wisdom.  Each day I read.  Daily I am enlightened, in my quiet time, to strive harder.  To move closer.  To ponder more… in a desire to know the heart of my Savior.  We should not study to be wise of men, but to be closer in heart… to Christ.  I want to feel his touch.  I want to look into his eyes.  I want to experience the warmth of his hug.  I want to know that he has chosen me.  Through study and contemplation we can know these things, while here on this earth.  We can feel the healing power of his touch.  We can take in the love of his eyes. We can be aware of his warmth… and we can know he has chosen us.  He is all around you and me.  He is a part of our very soul.  His spirit resides in us.  He is the foundation of everything we see… touch… and smell.  He is the beginning… the end… and everything between.  He is the reason for all we know and experience. He is the way… the truth… and the life!    He is Jesus!!! 

John 14:16 

I Love You!

Perry

As he spoke of baptizing his child he said: “it was all I could do to contain myself”.  Why would we ever contain ourself, when it comes to God?  I watch as people view sporting events and when the team scores they are on their feet, cheering.  I watch people at concerts… at children’s performances… and I see unbridled enthusiasm.  Why do we not have that same level of excitement about our Lord and Savior?  Jesus loved all of his disciples.  He spent time with each of them.  Why do you think he gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven to Peter first? Why do you think Jesus named Peter “the rock” upon which he would build his church?  Peter lived with passion for Christ.  Peter jumped out of the boat when no one else would.  Peter came to Jesus’s defense before anyone else even thought of it.   We should pray daily to have the spirit of Peter.   To live our life not only in devotion to Christ but to have an unbridled passion… unbridled excitement… for the one who saved us.  It’s great to cheer at a game.  It’s important to show emotion at our children’s performances.  But so much more important is what Jesus did for us.  Don’t you think that deserves some unbridled enthusiasm?  Psalms 67

I Love You!

Perry

We seem to be stuck.  So many with their feet in the quicksand.  Statements like; “She is not living with God in her life. It pains me that I will not see her in heaven”.  God loves her just like you!  Proclamations like “She died without knowing our Savior, I guess there is no hope”.  Maybe no one told her about Jesus!  So how much is enough?  Do you need to do one more good deed… or twenty?  Do you need to go to church one more time… or one hundred?  If I can just memorize one more scripture I will have it made.  What makes us think that we have enough power to determine our destiny?  How can we be so arrogant, as to think we could ever do anything good enough, to stand by his side?  If we are earning our way into his presence… what was the cross for?  There is nothing you can do.  Nothing you can say. Nothing you can give that will allow you to even touch the hem of his robe.  There is also nothing you can do.  Nothing you can say.  That will keep him from you.  He is a God who pursues.  He is a Savior that loves..unconditionally.  He dwells in a spirit of forgiveness.  Do what you do… but only out of a deep love for him.   He will not ask for anything more.  Romans 8:31 thru 39

I love You!

Perry

“DO NOT EAT OF THE TREE OF GOOD AND EVIL!”  Why?  What is good and what is evil?  I truly believe that the tree of life gave forth a never ending spring of love and kindness.  It produced in Adam and Eve all the fruits of the spirit.  However the tree of good and evil produced in them the instant feeling of separation from each other.  “I am better than you.”  “You are wrong and I am right.”  It produced the feeling of blame, shame and hatred.  Only after that tree did they see themselves as different.  Only after that tree did they point the finger.  How often do you eat from the tree of good and evil?  Each time you see differences.  Each time you judge another.  Each time you place blame.  Every time you form hatred instead of love.  That is when you have tasted its’ fruit.  The evil one will tell you it’s alright, just as he did to Eve.  Jesus in his life said “live from the fruit of the tree of life”.  Eat of the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  That is the only way you will truly live… in the flow of the garden.  Then, you will find God… walking beside you.  Galatians 5:22

I Love You!

Perry

As I sat in the middle of thousands of people, she decided to go shopping.  “I will be back shortly” were the words she lovingly used!  A kiss was given and I sat down to wait. More time passed then I thought, so I found myself constantly surveying the crowd, anxiously waiting for the return, of the one I love.  Then my heart paused!   The one I love even more than my wife, told me he would be back one day!  One day he would return to care for us.  To bring us to where he is. To wrap us in his love and warm embrace.  I want to wait daily with anticipation.  With an anxious feeling in my heart.  With a stronger fervor than I had for the return of my wife.  So many distractions. So many Interruptions. So many life moments… stealing my look from the return of my Savior.  I know he will return.  He will one day open the eastern sky and we will be taken to the place he has arranged for us.  I sit patiently.  I wait with anticipation.  I wait with an anxiousness in my heart.  I did the same for my wife.  She did return, and a joy filled my heart.  One day. One moment. One second.  He will be back.  Unspeakable joy will fill my heart on that day as well.  James 5:7

I Love You!

Perry