to "____"

To "_______"

You are content, wisdom has come with age, you are not looking for answers.  Religion is not for you, you have an understanding of life.  You are confident, you have power of persuasion, you don't need saving, you are doing just fine.  Why try to convince/sale you on something that you have no interest in.  You are the better handler of the tongue, you have more confidence in yourself, to be easily swayed.  You understand that people believe in God and go to church and that those same people are/act just like you.  You understand that these same people are easily persuaded and you can easily put the tag of political party on their religious beliefs.  You know history, your a man of science.  You have those who want you to believe, but its just not for you........................................

I'm truly sorry................................

Facts our, God doesn't need you to believe/follow him, God knows all, and there is no understanding other than his.  He is the all powerful creator! There is no history, no science, no you, without him.  Fact is, God will be Lord of all, and your mere existence is irrelevant.  You were born sinful, just as me.  You are not worthy to follow Christ and receive his everlasting life.  Your sin has created a barrier between you and him, and that barrier leads to eternal hell.  You know the hell you reference playfully as going to.  Although truthfully, you cant imagine the torture and never ending suffer those who go, will encounter.  Truthfully you are scared, and convince yourself such a place doesn't exist.  Your fraction of time on earth is all there is, and afterwards is nothing to spend time pondering.  Your a man of logic, what makes sense to you?  Truth is your a sinner and you don't deserve God's love and without him there is no hope for you.

Thankfully, there is more to the story, there is this Jesus guy.  You know the one who is really good for the gag reel of jokes.  The one who's name gets mocked, the one who's name is thrown around for words of profanity.  Like the story you probably know, this Jesus died for our sins.  Not just my sins but your sins, the ones you have committed and the ones you will.  He died knowing that those will reject him, slander his name, or even think more of yourself than him.  Yet he still loves us, he still loves you.  See he doesn't need you, but you need him. My hearts to you my friend, God knows who will follow him, and he has predestined us to be like him.  I sure hope that includes you.

untitled 8/13/12

Recently welcomed new member to our family, little "Ella Sutton Finley", and she has already stole our hearts.  I cant believe she will be two months old tomorrow on her mommy's birthday.  It is truly a blessing to have 3 special girls in my life that I am to watch over and take care of.  To invest invest in their lives, to love with abundance and share to them the creator and his sacrifice and love for all.  The overpowering responsibility of growing my children and my wife and self in Christ has really struck me.  I want God to reveal himself to my girls and then with me and Jamie, allow God to use our family to do great things for him.  How do I fall into my own self ambitious ways, and short my self by reducing the world to revolve around me, missing out on the huge opportunities that God has put in front of me on daily basis.  I fall into the trap of sin, and allow myself to think that I need to get right first before turning to him, when he is the one I need to turn to first.  My conviction hurts but yet reveals the presence of a reborn life that longs to be righteous with the Lord. 

Britt Nicole Concert

So my wife's new favorite singer is probably Britt Nicole now since seeing her live at Riverfest in Clarksville, which that is usually how it works when you see an artist perform live (and do amazing job).  I also enjoyed the concert, and it was awsome to see Britt doing God's work with the obvious talents he has given her; it was inspiring. She could choose to sing professionally without God being the focus, but she recognizes that she needs him, and him allowing her to do his work by singing/performing (something you can see she truly loves).

Jamie (my wife) had put this song on her Facebook page, and I really think its a perfect song about our heart for the Lord. Her song "I want to set the world on fire", is a prayer from us to God, to use us for his kingdom, beautiful song with meaningful lyrics

"Set The World On Fire"I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

[CHORUS]
I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father's hands

[CHORUS]

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
Nothing I cannot do
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There's nothing I can't do
Nothing I can't do

I'm gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire

Esther

The book of Esther is really intriguing, seeing that God isn't mentioned throughout the whole book.  Yet, by reading the story it is evident that he was present. We went over the book in our journey through the whole Bible on Wed. night church. I couldn't help but think of my daughter's Veggie Tales movie on story of Esther.  Actually, through the movie I came to know that Mordecai was actually Esther's cousin, not her uncle. 

In Esther's story though we see God blessing a poor Jewish girl and her becoming Queen of Persia, and then using her to save his people once again, and make his name great.  You also see how God is with Esther, and how he works in her life. I like what our pastor pointed out that Esther said.  When she messaging Mordecai back in forth (not via text, email, skype) but an actual messenger, Mordecai had responded to her that the people would be liberated and delivered with or without her, and doesn't she think she was put into such a position for a time like this.  Then Esther responded to have the Jews pray and fast for her, and she would go to the King, and she said "If I perish, I perish."

That's the way it should be.  His will before ours, and if we perish, we perish.

Confessing to your Spouse

I recently set in the car with my wife and poured out my sins and just confessed how disgusting and weak my flesh is and expressed my inner self to her.  No, I wasn't trying to make her run for the hills, but yes, I was very scared.  Only God knows the inner me and my struggles and how weak my flesh is, but I understand in marriage we are one, and my sins were affecting her just as much as myself. She was upset but she seemed to appreciate that I loved her and I wanted God to be center of our relationship and I know that I needed to be open and honest with her and ask for her forgiveness just as I asked God.  She proceeded to confide in me her struggles and it just opened up a great conversation. When God is at the center of our relationship we can't fail each other, we grow closer, we appreciate each other more and we receive the blessings of God in our marriage.  I didn't know my wife's struggles and I never asked here where she was at with the Lord, this isn't God's plan for marriage.  Thank you Lord for your plan of marriage and for my beautiful wife that you have given to me to merge together as one heart seeking your kingdom above all things.

"Who is called"

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit,"

This verse is part of God's Great Commission to us followers, & when reading it, it makes me think.  God didn't say some of you go, or only those who feel called to go, which would mean that not everyone is to go.  It just says to go.  So why isn't everyone feeling called? What is being called?  Maybe the calling is where to serve or to go.

Do you feel the calling, or are you called to something specific?

"Love Me Anyway"

"I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway"

snipet from "Love me Anyway"- by Sidewalk Prophets