Posts
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Photo Time
For a break from the normal routine, here are some fun pictures of the family: Thanks to Amber's parents who gave me a camera for Christmas, I have been getting into photography. Hope you enjoy!
Just Believe
Some of the most inspiring words to me in the New Testament are found in Luke 8:50:
“Don’t be afraid; just believe..."
Here we see the story of Jairus wanting to see his daughter be made well. Jesus comforts him with profound words that I wish I could live out everyday: just believe. It is simple, yet so powerful. If you are like me, there are moments where you want to believe, yet things tend to get in the way. Circumstances, fears, anxiety, doubt, negative voices of others in our lives...if only we could simply "Believe".
It is interesting that Jesus was selective on who He let come in the home with Him. It is important to surround yourself with people who will stand with you believing, and not work against it. The voice of negativity can be powerful-so be aware of who you allow to influence you.
I think there are some great insights for all of us in this passage about simply Believing:
When Jesus is close we can have confidence
My guess is that Jairus was able to experience a sense of confidence because of the proximity of Jesus. He didn't just hear the words, he was standing right by Him. It is amazing how sometimes my confidence has increased if I am walking next to the right person. A few years back on a missions trip to LA, I noticed when we were out doing street ministry that there were a few students who walked "closer" to me than normal. Proximity can bring confidence if you are walking close to the right person.
When we hear His voice, it can bring faith in a moment where there seems to be no hope.
I wish I could have been there to see the reaction of Jairus when he heard the voice of The King comfort him and encourage him to not doubt, but to believe! There have been some seasons in my life where I desperately needed to hear that voice...and right in the moment where I felt like I was going to be overwhelmed by the current circumstance, that Awesome Voice reminded me, "Dint be afraid...Believe."
When others try to end your hope, put your focus back on Him
We have all been around negative people. It isn't fun. This is especially true when you are in the midst of a battle and trying your best to stand strong with faith. When the servant arrived with a report that should have ended all hope "Don't bother the master anymore..." Jesus reaches out to Jairus with hope, where hope could have been easily lost. Don't allow others to end your hope...put that focus back in the right place.
*I originally wrote this blog post on February 20th, 2009, but decided to simply save it in my drafts section. Little did I know over the next few weeks, that I would be forced to live out this simple truth that the Lord had challenged me about. Today is now March 11th. As I conclude this post I am sitting in my dad's hospital room, next to his bed as he is taking a nap. We have been here for over 7 days. "Don't be afraid, just believe"...what a powerful truth! Sometimes the things that God speaks to us about, we have no idea that they are preparation for us to walk through the coming seasons. My dad is doing better each day. There are points of victory and points of battle. Through it all I am challenged to remember: "don't be afraid, just believe"
“Don’t be afraid; just believe..."
Here we see the story of Jairus wanting to see his daughter be made well. Jesus comforts him with profound words that I wish I could live out everyday: just believe. It is simple, yet so powerful. If you are like me, there are moments where you want to believe, yet things tend to get in the way. Circumstances, fears, anxiety, doubt, negative voices of others in our lives...if only we could simply "Believe".
It is interesting that Jesus was selective on who He let come in the home with Him. It is important to surround yourself with people who will stand with you believing, and not work against it. The voice of negativity can be powerful-so be aware of who you allow to influence you.
I think there are some great insights for all of us in this passage about simply Believing:
When Jesus is close we can have confidence
My guess is that Jairus was able to experience a sense of confidence because of the proximity of Jesus. He didn't just hear the words, he was standing right by Him. It is amazing how sometimes my confidence has increased if I am walking next to the right person. A few years back on a missions trip to LA, I noticed when we were out doing street ministry that there were a few students who walked "closer" to me than normal. Proximity can bring confidence if you are walking close to the right person.
When we hear His voice, it can bring faith in a moment where there seems to be no hope.
I wish I could have been there to see the reaction of Jairus when he heard the voice of The King comfort him and encourage him to not doubt, but to believe! There have been some seasons in my life where I desperately needed to hear that voice...and right in the moment where I felt like I was going to be overwhelmed by the current circumstance, that Awesome Voice reminded me, "Dint be afraid...Believe."
When others try to end your hope, put your focus back on Him
We have all been around negative people. It isn't fun. This is especially true when you are in the midst of a battle and trying your best to stand strong with faith. When the servant arrived with a report that should have ended all hope "Don't bother the master anymore..." Jesus reaches out to Jairus with hope, where hope could have been easily lost. Don't allow others to end your hope...put that focus back in the right place.
*I originally wrote this blog post on February 20th, 2009, but decided to simply save it in my drafts section. Little did I know over the next few weeks, that I would be forced to live out this simple truth that the Lord had challenged me about. Today is now March 11th. As I conclude this post I am sitting in my dad's hospital room, next to his bed as he is taking a nap. We have been here for over 7 days. "Don't be afraid, just believe"...what a powerful truth! Sometimes the things that God speaks to us about, we have no idea that they are preparation for us to walk through the coming seasons. My dad is doing better each day. There are points of victory and points of battle. Through it all I am challenged to remember: "don't be afraid, just believe"
The Power of the Body of Christ
The past few days I have had the opportunity to see and be reminded once again of the power of the body of Christ, the church. As my dad has been in and out of the hospital over the past few weeks dealing with a back surgery and other issues, I have seen so many people caring and rallying around him - it has been truly amazing.
The Church is truly an amazing thing! The Church is so much more than sitting in a chair. Its more than singing songs, or hearing a message that will encourage and inspire. The Church is people who have met Jesus, had their lives changed, and want to be agents of hope and change to the world in which we live. And that is what I have been seeing as my dad has gone through this season of trial.
So many friends, family members, people from their church, my church, and other churches have gathered around and supported my family...there is nothing like it! What do people do who don't have Jesus? Who do they turn to if they don't have the body of Christ?
I am thankful. I am thankful for people who pray. I am thankful for people who care. I am thankful for people who show up and extend the love and grace of God. The Church is a powerful thing!
The Church is truly an amazing thing! The Church is so much more than sitting in a chair. Its more than singing songs, or hearing a message that will encourage and inspire. The Church is people who have met Jesus, had their lives changed, and want to be agents of hope and change to the world in which we live. And that is what I have been seeing as my dad has gone through this season of trial.
So many friends, family members, people from their church, my church, and other churches have gathered around and supported my family...there is nothing like it! What do people do who don't have Jesus? Who do they turn to if they don't have the body of Christ?
I am thankful. I am thankful for people who pray. I am thankful for people who care. I am thankful for people who show up and extend the love and grace of God. The Church is a powerful thing!
