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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...

Hello, good morning! It's a really good way to start the day. Each day has its own unique trouble, but each day has its very familiar similarities, too. With what's the same, we can build on that. With what's unique, we can use the Lamp at our feet. This song captures coming back to a "certain place" and finding God there.  Switchfoot - Learning To Breathe [Official Audio]   Prayer: Lord, today build on what You've taught me, and guide my steps in light and truth.  In Jesus Name, Amen Hello, good morning, how you do? What makes your rising sun so new? I could use a fresh beginning too All of my regrets are nothing new So this is the way that I say I need you This is the way, this is the way that I'm Learning to breathe I'm learning to crawl I'm finding that you and you alone can break my fall I'm living again, awake and alive I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies Hello, good morning, how you been? Yesterday left my head kick...

Reflection: So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-17 I look in the mirror and see I'm balding. When did that happen? When did my youth turn to such advances in being adult? But here it is. I pray I am heading into the second half of life, the one where I'm more the young man of 1 John then the little child. And heading toward knowing Him who is from the beginning . Selah. Yet, though the outward is perishing, the inward grows more and more to its eternal form. This is both a mystery and something we know intuitively.  Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for courage. The courage to live life from the depths, to call out and find you near, to lend Your hand...

For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Eph 2:10 nrsv Reflection: Does being a Christian impact all the ways I do things? Or, to what extent does being a Christian impact the way I do things? The first question is rhetorical, aspirational, and the second, practical reflection. The first is the vision, the second is the mission.  As I put on my God hat again, my Jesus skin, I'm remembering the ways in which the Spirit seemingly leached out of me. Born a hot star, I cool to a dead star wondrously ahead of time. Somehow I gorge to busting on the Spirit, and quickly run through that nutrition. And I think, is it because it's all in my head?! In Colossians 4, Paul is giving instruction to the Christians there about how they should live out their faith outwardly, within the community and without: Devoted to prayer , making most of the time , and letting speech be gracious, seasoned with salt . And I ...

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1 Dear Lord, let me be caught doing good, being good, living good. Not for my glory, but for Yours.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Yesterday I wrote the post at the bottom. It was triumphant, and approaching, euphoric, and maybe even risen. Today, I write from a somber place, because I've fatigued. The day wore on and so did grace and my vision of heaven. I think of the appropriateness of Keith Green's "I want to be more like Jesus" . And, yes, "I seem to have a wealth of so many thoughts about myself."  This morning, I took to the routine I'm trying to get going with God, listening to God Songs to start the day. One took me as particularly fitting, by Jars of Clay: "Take My World Apart" . And so that is my prayer, Lord Jesus. Take my world apart.  Did You really have to die for me? All I am for all You are What I need and what I believe Are worlds apart And I pray Have you ever had a Jesus cocktail? C'mon, you know what I'm talking about. It's 1 or 2 parts Jesus, another part something else, and another part something else. Even as I write this, I'm thinki...