Sky Gaze Fam

Reflection: I'm reconnecting with the early days of my faith by listening to Delirious? Cutting Edge. It's a huge record that has always sounded like what the music of heaven from the voices of men will sound like. And whenever I listen to that record I'm summoned back to my grandparents house, in my bedroom, also my mom's bedroom in her time, praising my ass off! All the feelings come back of that new sense of redemption and enormous love, when I was bursting at the seams for God. Now I am still bursting at the seams, but it's a little bit more due to middle agedness, and maybe less to do about the fire of God. But I pray that it is shifting.  I was curious about Delirious?'s front man, Martin Smith, because he had such an impact on me. I read an article and what I got from it was sort of what I got from reading the Lecrae book, I Am Restored: there are these two phases of a life. There's an early part that is more power than wisdom, and then a later part t...

Reflection I took some notes for prayer this morning. What I couldn't help but be struck by right away as I did the concentric circle thing for spheres of influence, was that, in modern life, many of our inner most circles are not concentric. My family life, church life, extended family life, and city life are not overlapping. At one time they were for my wife and I, but then we, as moderns, moved away. To be fair, that is not only a modern schema (Abraham, etc), but he moved and brought his whole clan and started something new. Maybe that's what we're doing. But Sadie Ann, Ella Rae, Muhammad, Musa, Nuah, and Nyla, Junior, and Ezra are all cousins living very differently and all over the country and world. How this schism? Can it be redeemed? Interestingly, I can tie this together with considering the rift with the Catholic church, which had so much unifying potential, but I get the feeling it was born amiss, amidst the power considerations of the Romans. And so, wishing we...

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written; "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Pet 1:13 Reflection It's important to consider our roles. I am a dad, and a husband, a friend. A brother. There are many other roles, but these are good for my consideration today. For each of these roles I think of the admirable qualities of someone I'd consider to be a role model. Someone that we'll call, "holy". A dad halts all he is doing to tend to his child. A husband puts his needs aside to care for his wife. A friend loves at all times. A brother is a keeper. It is much easier to observe the indicators of holiness than it is to be the holy you want to see in the world. But for today I will try. I fi...

Reflection: Some people stand out to us as models of faith. Rich Mullins is becoming such a man for me. I think what struck people most about him was his boldness and his sincerity. Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for boldness and sincerity before You.  In Jesus Name, Amen https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/what-you-should-know-about-rich-mullins.html https://www.candletothesun.com/richard-wayne-rich-mullins.html https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/remember-when-rich-mullins-said-hanging-an-american-flag-in-church-was-offensive/

Reflection: Been listening to a lot of Rich Mullins, who had a popular song, Sometimes a Step. "Step by step you'll lead me, Lord". Today's step was making a  Prayer Album  (photos) for prayer. Also, great to reflect on was another great song by Mullins, Boy Like Me, Man Like You. Powerful to think about how Jesus became as us to show us how to become like Him. Step by step. Prayer: Thank you for today's steps, Heavenly Father. Lead me by the Way. In Jesus Name, Amen

Reflection This past Sunday we finished a Discipleship series using Peter's naming of Jesus as Messiah, quickly falling to the flesh and being named Satan, and the rock being solidified in words in his 1st epistle. Peter truly exemplified ragamuffin faith in Jesus! Sitting down with a couple of Church amigos, one an elder leading my friend and I in discipleship, it became clear that, though I want to come across this way, I do not have it all together. Matter of fact, when it comes to God, I am way more aspirational than experiential. And that's ok. Good even! It's important for me to realize that it is grace working in me, and it's nothing of myself.  I look forward to the next weeks and months of working out my faith, and watching God work in us to will and to do.  Mat 16:13-28 Pet 2:18-25 Pet 3:8-18 Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to look at my calling, that not many among us are wise according to the world's thinking. But You have chosen the foolish things of...