Refresh my heart in Christ
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Philemon 1:20 (NIV)
"I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ."
As part of a challenge, Paul asked Philemon to glorify God so that Paul's heart may become refreshed. On her eleventh birthday, my daughter lead the devotions at Wednesday nights youth activities. A discussion took place on what was the favorite thing you like to do with your family. My daughters response, "It doesn't matter what we do, as long as we do it together."Later that week a a person thanked my wife for providing a godly example to our children. You see, my daughters response refreshed this persons heart in Christ.
I am not writing this to brag about my daughter or my spouse. I am writing this to note that developing a heritage that is honoring to the Lord exceeds the boundaries of the family. The simple, but yet profound response of a child's heart can, and will, open an adults heart to Christ. Thank God that He works through the simple things in life so our over-complicated thoughts may find clarity.
Refresh my heart in Christ - change your family tree to honor God.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/23/2008 0 comments
Labels: heritage, heritage of honor, testimony
A Father's Story
Monday, January 14, 2008
I owned and operated a landscaping business. To meet upcoming expenses, I had to quickly finish a landscape job. After the crew and I completed the job, the customer approved of the work and paid in cash. It was a sizable amount that barely fit into my wallet.
I had to make a stop at the local city dump before dropping off the crew. We barely made it before they closed for the day. After unloading the trash and dropping of the crew, my manager and I stopped by the car wash to wash out the trailer and equipment. I reached into my back pocket to find no wallet. My muscles squeezed my stomach tight and my mind started backtracking all my steps. We jumped back into the truck and headed back to the house to think things through.
I was a nervous wreck. You see, this payment not only covered payroll, but also many other expenses. It was a considerable amount. I was sure this was the end of my business. The only possible location I could have lost it was in the city dump. My manager, a fellow brother in Christ, challenged me to go search for it. They were closed, it was dark outside, and I knew the heavy bulldozers had already buried everything in sight. So I found a flashlight, grabbed a bottle of water, and make the trip back to the dump.
The dump was closed so I had to jump the gate. I new it was a lost cause, but the prayer on the way there helped restore my faith. I climbed up the massive hill to the spot where we dumped the trailer. I turned on the flash light, pointed it to the ground, and light up my wallet laying in the mud. The bi-fold was opened, the cash was still in it, and all the credit cards were bent in half from the bulldozer running over it. I feel to the ground in tears thanking my Savior.
I tell my story to my children and no matter how many times I tell it, they still listen.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/14/2008 3 comments
Labels: fathers, money, testimony
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
This is not my work. Yet, It is a great poem that needs to be shared.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I get lost"
That is why I chose this way.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need somone to be my guide.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I am weak
and pray for strength to carry on.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek HIS name.
When I Say . . . I am a Christian
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.
- Unknown
Posted byAnonymous at 1/02/2008 0 comments
Labels: testimony, traditions
Importance of Establishing a Heritage
Monday, December 3, 2007
I once heard somebody say, "We need to be reminded more than we need to learn." The family testimonies build layers upon layers of foundations for establishing faith in future generations.
Exodus 16: 32 - 35 (NIV)
God knew his people would need an established Testimony (Ark of the Covenant) for generations to come. How are we doing for our generations to come?32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' "
33 So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come."
34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. 35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Posted byAnonymous at 12/03/2007 0 comments
Labels: foundations, generations, heritage, testimony
