NEW REGIMENT

After too many weeks of undiscipline living it is time to "beat my body" into shape so that I won't become disqualified through the inability to function at a high level of energy as I work with children and teens this summer.
This morning took time as I ate my one egg breakfast after walking two miles and drinking 16 oz of H20 to spend time in the Word. The following passage is where I roosted today.
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
I desperately need God's mercy daily as I stumble through this life. Praise Him for the righteousness and faithfulness that allow me to avoid the judgement I deserve
Yes Lord, protect me from the attack of the enemy who would destroy my testimony so as to discredit you in the so doing. Please be my shield today.
Don't forget to dwell on the things of God, don't let the business of this world crowd Him out. But rather look for Him at work around you and join Him.
Allow me to do Your will today and serve You everywhere I go.
It is by the shear grace of God that I will be able to overcome the power of an improper diet in my life. Today is day one of returning to a physical shape that will bring honor and glory to Christ.
As you go this day look for how you can best serve Him. Allow Christ to be your protection from the attacks of the enemy, faith it. And seek to be in His will-perfect or permissive-but be where He wants you to be, doing what He wants you to do, when He wants you to be doing it.
Have a great day.

UNDISQUALIFIED

Day one of the 'getting into shape' routine say me eat right until the Mavs game and I over indulged on the nuts. Worked out twice walking 2 miles in the morning and 3 in the afternoon.
Getting ready to go put in some mileage this morning before doing the 'honey do' thang. I've also got to put some time in to lesson plans for VBX, youth camp and that dreaded bill paying routine.

DRESSING UP FOR SUNDAY

Years ago in rural south Texas I was raised to belief that 'putting on your Sunday best' was the only way that you could go to church. I remember putting on slacks and a dress shirt every Sunday and heading off looking my best for church. It was always curious to me as to why we dressed our best for Sunday, but not the rest of the week. In fact I'm still a little curios about it.

As I grow older "putting on your Sunday best" has taken on a new meaning. Oh, yeah we still feel the need to put on the proper attire (as defined by the design of the local congregation). But for some reason we think that Sunday is the place of the spiritually healthy; therefore, we put on our Sunday facade so that we blind in.

But you know, Christ doesn't want just our Sunday best. HE wants our BEST, everyday. He wants the control, He wants us to sell out to Him rather than putting on a front that we think will meet the approval of the 'church.'

Yes, I still put on 'nice' clothes on Sunday. And yes I'm gonna be on my best behavior, most Sundays. However, its my heart's desire to 'dress up' everyday. I really want to be dressing up for Jesus daily.

Isn't it about time to quit worrying about the outside and take care of the inside anyway?

EASTER CELEBRATION

I look forward to Easter far more than I do Christmas. Despite the 'commercialization' with the Easter eggs, baskets, hunts etc. I don't find it as diluted as the Christmas season is by the secular world.

Our services today were so awesome. Ross taught from Romans 3:21-26 on "The Core of Christianity," WoW! David and the band led in some extremely powerful and moving worship songs and hymns. We had an interpretive reading with video that sent chills up my spine, made me want to whoop and jump for joy at the name of JESUS! It made me realize how much I missed the fellowship after being ill last weekend.

The truth of Easter is LIFE! Without the powerful intervention of our Father God into the world we would be receiving the just punishment for our sins that we deserve. But because He is a just and loving God He prepared the atoning sacrafice that both revealed how JUST He is and through that showing JUSTified us.

I loved the way Ross revealed it today. "It is not 1st a change in character but rather a change in status that happens at the time of one's salvation." We aren't suddenly made perfect but rather we are redeemed and then our character is developed. How often do we who are in 'the church' expect the character to change before the status of 'redeemed' is received? Shame on us for expecting the unredeemed to have the character of justified!! Thank you Lord for my change in status, now lead me in my character development that my character might be one of righteousness that so shines Christ that no one can help but see Jesus in me!!

See, isn't Easter awesome!!! We celebrate the Christ and His Purpose-THE GIFT OF LIFE HE GAVE FREELY!!

Have a great week. And for the those who have 'embraced the very core of Christianity'-REFLECT CHRIST DAILY!!!

Change Comes

NET Xtreme Camps is entering its third year of preparation. I've been asked to serve as the director for this second year. Personalities are in place, prices have been set and the work toward advertising, enlisting and laying out the fine tuning of daily planning are underway. Things are looking good; however, there is a feeling of restlessness in the planning.

I have to be honest it has been one of my dreams to build a great camp and watch God work. Camps have played a major role in my adult life. I've seen hundred of lives come to Christ, surrender to service, and grow spiritually how could I ever walk away from being the 'director' of my dream? However, due to conflict within the planning group my comfort zone was becoming uncomfortable and in the middle of the fall I stepped down as director.

Side note, God is still using the dream of NET Xtreme and I love that He allowed me to be a part of the process that put this great camp into place.