Spiritual Growth through Spiritual Disciplines

The series currently being preached deals with four spiritual disciplines- solitude,confession, prayer and fasting. I am amazed at the response by our people. We are hungry to continue getting closer to God and His will for our lives.

In the solitude material the word "unhurried" was used and I have focused on that couple time and gratefully so! Many of us are charged up most of the time when God needs us to slow to a "Listening Stop". What a refreshing time it can be.

May you find 2 minutes to separate yourself from others and listen.

Are You Sure You Want to Carry 2007 into 2008?

Are you holding on to resentments? If so are they worth taking with you into the New Year?
It is worth praying about- worth considering as we cross into the New Year.
May God Bless You this year!

Everyone is Born With a Hole in Their Heart

This morning I heard this on radio and want to share the thoughts that went with it because I have been thinking about related matters.

The man on the radio said doctors had told him all of us have a hole in our heart when born. A blood vessel enters the heart from the mother to pump blood prior to birth but soon after birth it closes. Some folks have to have surgery to close that opening if it does not properly seal.

Then he stated we are all born with a spiritual hole in our heart.
- We spend our lives trying to fill the spiritual hole:
- by relationships
- entertainment
- money
- things
- sex
- drugs

Until the day comes we accept the notion it can never be filled.

As Christians we know the hole to our heart is only filled by surrender to Jesus Christ!

This relates to a pattern of thought I have been dealing with in regard to how much are we having to fill our lives with entertainment. With all the sources of being entertained it is becoming a bit frightening - even among Christians.

Thanksgiving of an Abundant Lack of Fear

They say in Bagdad people are doing things that show signs of a return to normalcy. The New York Times published photos this week of an outdoor wedding. It among other signs was one less indication of fear being as high as before.

We have so much ---but one great aspect of our lives is the relative lack of fear. For that we must be truly thankful.

Waiting Patiently?

Patience is one of the greatest spiritual challenges that I face. Consider the benefits:
1st - Relationships will go smoother
2nd - Stress will be decreased
3rd - A new perspective on what is really important will surface
4th - God will be honored through increase in trust
Psalm 40 states, " I waited patiently for the Lord;"
That is a trait we should all acquire in this lifetime!

What Is In Your Hand?

What talent or ability has God given you?
What experiences have you had to this point in life- good or bad?

It all adds up to how God may use you now.

.....but I have to be aware of where I have been ,
what I have done and
the abilities I have.......

God needs to use you--don't remain idle!

Our Personal Ultimate Test

We are ask to obey -- often the Pastor calls on us to lay our trials, our heartaches or struggles on the altar. But the ultimate test is giving back to God what we LOVE AND WHAT BRINGS US GREAT JOY.

How often have we held on to that which we love--protecting it , controlling it.
It could be a person, a thing or a dream - whatever the ultimate test of our trust of God is to give back to Him our greatest love and/or joy.

Abraham had this very test when called on to sacrifice his son Isaac.

What is you Isaac? Abraham gave Isaac to God - and God gave him back.

What a Test! Give Him Your Isaac Today - Experience growth.