The Sufferings of Christ

Tonight our men’s group studied Isaiah 50:6, a prophecy concerning the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ.  I thought it would be good for us, with the Passion Week and Easter approaching, to take some time to remind ourselves of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us so that we could be reconciled to God and have eternal life.  It was an extremely moving study to go through, but so meaningful.

There is no way we can comprehend the sufferings and agony that Jesus went through for us.  I am so grateful, though, for the grace that was shown to me.  I am proud of my Savior and want my life to count for Him.  I want to bring as many people to heaven with me as I can.  Like Jesus, I long to seek the lost and tell them that they have a Father who loves them! 

"Lord, help me be a fisher of men…"

Abuello’s

Today has been a nice day visiting with my brother-in-law, Mo, and his wife Nancy.  Mary Lou fixed a delicious breakfast this morning and then later in the morning we all went to Starbucks to hang out for a while.  Mary Lou had piano lessons this afternoon, so the rest of us came back to the house and just visited and rested.  This evening we all went to Abuello’s for good Mexican food.  It was a great time to be together.  Our youth and college pastors, Richie and Lorinda Mull, and their daughter Makenna, also had supper with us.

Tonight we’re just hanging out at the house and having a good time.  Family means so much!  We don’t get to spend as much time together as we would like, so these times are really special.  I feel so blessed to be around loving people of faith.

"The joy of the Lord is our strength…"

New Life

What a fantastic day it was today!  The temperature hit 81 degrees and it truly felt like Springtime.  As Mary Lou and I were heading out to lunch today (going to Fazoli’s which is our Saturday hangout) I noticed on several trees in the area where the "old withered leaves" from last Fall are still hanging on.  I was reminded as I saw those leaves about what I learned in school.  As the "buds" of new leaves begin to sprout on the trees the "old leaves" will fall off.  As we drove by the trees with the "old leaves" still on them, I was reminded that soon that "old leaves" will fall off and new leaves will take their place.

The same is true in our lives.  When God brings about "new growth" in our spiritual lives, the "old things" begin to fall off.  Like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone be in Christ he is a new creation.  The old things have passed away, and behold, all things become new."   I praise God that I am changing and that He is bringing about "new things", new qualitites, new aspirations, new desires as He does His work in my heart.  Just as the "old leaves" will soon be falling on, replaced by "new leaves", so our spiritual life is constantly changing as the Holy Spirit releases God’s power in our lives.

Where are you wanting to grow?  Are there habits you’re wanting to change?  Are there attitudes that need to be readjusted by His Spirit?   Rejoice today that "it is God who is at work in you, both to His good will and pleasure"  (Philippians 2:13).  Are those "old leaves" still hanging on in your life…rejoice that "new leaves" are on the way!!!

"Today, I’m abiding in the Vine and letting His life flow through me…"

Seated With Christ

This evening I’m rejoicing in Ephesians 2:5-6 that says we have been "raised with Christ and seated with Christ in heavenly places".  That’s the foundation for our Christian experience.  The Christian life is all about experiencing the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in our lives to make us new.  And, part of becoming a new person in Jesus, is experiencing a new orientation to life.  Our mind, our heart, our attitudes, our desires all begin to change because of Christ’s life within us!  With so many of the pressures and stresses of the world constantly tugging and pulling at our lives, it is good to know that Christ lives in us and is present to be our help and our strength.

Today has been a good day to trust God’s work in my life and to "seek FIRST His Kingdom and His righteousness" in my life.  I am learning every day to "deny self" and keep Christ Lord of my life.  This is not always easy, but I am always blessed when I do.  In Ephesians 4:1 Paul says, "let us walk worthy of the calling to which we are called as believers".  Before I can WALK…I must first be SEATED.  It is when I realize my POSITION in Christ that I am able to draw on His power to LIVE the way I am called to live in Christ.  I cannot do this in my own strength…but with Jesus living inside me, I can live the kind of life that pleases God. 

Take time today to make sure you’re SEATED in heavenly places…   

I’m Back!

I normally do my blogs at night.  It’s kind of like ‘journaling’ for me.  For the last two weeks, my laptop computer at home has "been down".  It’s up and going now…and so is my blogging.  It’s good to be back!  I realized during this time span how much I look forward to sharing my thoughts.  Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days.  Sometimes my thoughts are like a river that just flows, and other times it seems like I can’t gather a thought for anything. 

I’ve just learned an important truth in how to succeed in life, and this is it–"don’t wait until you get everything perfect, just get going!"  Too many times in life we wait, and wait, and wait because we think that we have to get everything perfect before we start.   No!   We don’t have to have everything perfect, we just have to get going!  That’s a good word for me tonight.  Get going!  Get going!  Do something meaningful!   Get started on that goal!   

I’m taking special courage in the verse of scripture tonight that says, "The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord."  I trust in His leadership in my life tonight.  I’m thankful that I can trust God to direct my life and provide for every need in my life.  He is my anchor!

Pleasing God

The title I have chosen for my blog site is Maximum Impact.  I chose that title because I want my life, and I want your life, to impact other people for Jesus Christ.  And, I want to do those things in my life which will bring about the maximum impact for Jesus.

In Colossians 3:22-24 Paul says "do your work as unto the Lord, and not just for men."  Maximum impact happens in my life when I do my work WELL, or with EXCELLENCE.  Our work is in many ways a reflection of our life–it is a reflection of our heart, our values, our attitudes, and our priorities.  When we do our work as unto the Lord, it gives us a motivation to do our work with excellence.  We want to do our work so that it "pleases God"–that’s what matters most to us!

"Lord, may my work be a reflection of my love for You…"

Nice Visit!

Mary Lou and I ran up to Anderson, Indiana to visit our youngest son Matt who lives there.  We enjoyed a great time at Red Lobster and then spent the rest of the evening just hanging out.  This morning we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrell and enjoyed a couple more hours with Matt before we had to leave.  It was a really nice time to be together and get caught up on all that is happening in Matt’s life.

Our drive home this afternoon was beautiful with sunny skies and mid-50s temperature.  Mary Lou had her small group Bible study in the home this evening and I relaxed with a good book.  I am so proud of our two boys and how they are growing spiritually and impacting so many people with their music and walk with the Lord.  Thank you, Jesus!

"Lord, Your blessings are so amazing…"

What A Week!

Normally I try and blog every day, but you’ve probably noticed that it has been several days since I’ve blogged.  Our son and his wife from Arizona were with us last weekend and things have been in a flurry since they left.  Jon and Michelle have responded to the call from our church to come and be our worship pastor and we are SO EXCITED!!!  We can see God’s hand in the move.

We celebrated Jon’s birthday Monday evening by going to the Chicago Pizza Company.  We had a great time visiting and enjoying delicious pizza.  After we got home we cut a ‘big cookie’ and had ice cream with it.  It was so nice getting to celebrate Jon’s birthday with him and Michelle this year.  Tuesday and Wednesday were extremely busy days getting ‘back in the saddle’ with things at church.

Thursday evening one of the young couples in our church, Vern and April Sharp, celebrated their 10th anniversay and so Mary Lou and I took a cake over to their house and enjoyed a special time with them.  Today I caught up on my hospital visiting and finished my sermon notes for Sunday.  We went out this evening to Logan’s and had a nice relaxing evening together.

Pray for Jon and Michelle that their home will sell quickly in Arizona.  They will be moving out to be with us around Easter.  Pray that God’s Spirit will guide and direct in every way!  In 1 Corinthians 3 the apostle Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."  That’s wonderful news!  And that truth is still the same today!  We each have our part…but it is God that gives the growth.  We are excited about the things that God will do here as we yield to His purposes.

"Lord, have Your way in our lives…"