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Showing posts from March, 2014

The Parable of the Missing Net

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Notice anything missing? If you guessed the net you would be right. Small, simple thing, but it never occurred to me until today how important it is. The net keeps control of the ball, and kinda grips as the ball goes in the hoop. Also, let's not mention the satisfying "swish" sound. So its got me thinking, what is the net in my life? That thing that keeps me controlled when I reach a goal or something like that? I love what my friend said, "we need to make sure we are letting God stay in control of our lives and let that "swoosh" sound be our, "Yesssss, and Amen, it's all because of Him." It's easy to start living without the net because it's so simple and small. The still quiet voice that gives us the que that we made it. The strong right hand, and the everlasting arms that keep us from slipping. It is the counsel He gives to keep us in the net, controlled, so we don't fly to the left or to the right out of bounds. Such

You Are Loved

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Meet my friend Philip. I was driving along the road today and came to the intersection of Stark and 257 when I saw this young man standing on the corner with this sign. These words gripped my heart, a lump formed in my throat. Well, I just had to meet this young man. What possessed him to do this? I parked my car in the closest gas station and made my way to him. My heart was overwhelmed. I told him I liked his sign and what encouraged him to do this. Nothing could have prepared me for his answer. "Hatred for myself." Oh how I know that pain. I fought tears. I looked at his arm, filled with cuts and scars...pain made visible. I know that pain too. I choked. My friend Philip elaborated and said, "I feel like people don't see or hear these words enough, and I want to make sure people know they are loved, and to go share it." I think he's right. Welcome to my generation. This young man represents my generation well, the millennials. Have you

More Beautiful than Nature

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The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. -Psalm 19 Do you hear that? Listen. A song. His song. He sings over you, did you know that? The Creator sings over His creation, and we sing back to Him. How comforting is that? Like a mother singing over her child. My eyes have beheld much of His vast creation since moving to Portland this past summer. I've seen things I never imagined I would ever see. Waterfalls, oceans, rocks, snow capped peaks, mountain rang

The Hoops of Life

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"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Timothy 4:8 , Hebrews 12:11 , 2 Timothy 3:16-17 I had the day off today, and praise the Lord it's been beautiful here in the PDX. The sun shone through my window and woke me up. My sinuses tell me Spring is in the air. I decided to go play basketball, my most favorite thing to do. I had dreams of one da

Lessons I Learned Making Hot Fudge and Peanut Butter Sauce

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There is a powerful shifting that takes place as we abandon the right to understand and we yield to God's working in our lives. ~Jo Ann Fore In the mornings at work as I go through my opening duties and routine, and even throughout the day I'm constantly in communion with my Father. Talking to Him, and He is talking to me. Washing dishes with Joy dish soap, His joy fills and cleans my heart. I rinse out machines and ask Him to rinse me out of the attitudes, bitterness, and anger that build up and make me sour and rot. I empty machines to the last drop of product and ask Jesus to use me up to the last drop. Do I really know what I'm asking?! Not at the moment, but the test does come. I recently hit #300 in my Eucharisteo journal as I journey to name 1,000 gifts that bring me Joy, Thanksgiving, and Grace. While I believe God gives 1,000 gifts to us everyday I am in the midst of training myself to find them, and live fully in them. #300- Lessons from Hot Fudge, Pe