Friendship Vs. Fellowship

29 Dec 14

Friendship and Fellowship, two very important ships to captain, but what is the difference? Lets dive in. (three nautical jokes in the very first paragraph? I better stop now, before you make me walk the plank...) (4 jokes)

So! What is a friendship to you? Good people, shared interests, ease of communication, etc. Right? That's great! We all need those people in our lives so we aren't constantly alone and grow up to be bitter old people, living in a run down house, spraying children with garden hoses every time they walk across your lawn... (Though, that last bit does sound like fun.) I love my friends, I don't have a LOT of them, but the ones that I do have I value. As the old adage goes, "It's better to have a few REAL friends, than to have a lot of FAKE friends." My friends and I are pretty real. We pick on each other, we lift each other up, (physically and emotionally...Eric Puyear...love you bro.) We are there for each other in good and bad. But! Most friendships really only scratch the surface of what they could be, and I'm not saying that surface relationships are all bad, and Im not saying that you have to get deep and philosophical ALL the time...What I am saying is... don't be afraid to, when necessary.

That's where fellowship comes in...specifically, fellowship in the eyes of God. If you want to build true, long lasting, thick and thin relationships, you need to dig past the surface and go deep. Really get to know the person, be vulnerable, accepting and willing to help or be helped. Going through life alone is a terrible way to live, especially when there are people out there that are more than willing to be real with you. Knock down you're barriers, get out of your shell, whatever you want to call it.

I have the privilege of meeting with three very special friends on a nearly weekly (for two) and monthly (the other one) basis, and when we meet, things get real! I'm not going to lie and say we don't talk worldly, surface stuff at the same time, but what I am saying is the main conversations we have are about life, God, whats wrong, whats right, and so on.

My friend Trevor and I have been meeting nearly every Saturday morning for the past 2+ years and we have yet to run out of things to talk about. Why? Because God is always creating something new in us. Whether it's a concern about work that we help each other out with, or a praise and blessing that God has given us. There's always something that comes up that keeps us occupied and satisfied with how good God is.

Onto the aforementioned Eric Puyear... Eric and I try to get together Saturday nights. Sometimes we just hang out and watch classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, but other nights we talk...and when we talk things get crazy (in a good way.) He is so open and willing to share with me about his life, present and past, and that is so encouraging to me, he really helps me open up.

Last but not least, The man...The myth...The legend...Justin Ocker. Oh...boy....Do things get real when J.O. comes to town. Justin is the one that started knocking my walls down...and I was NOT happy about it in the beginning. I didn't want to open up, I wanted to live in my own perfect little bubble and he saw right through me. He started launching mortars, grenades and ever other kind of weapon he had in his arsenal of awesomeness at my wall, and eventually it was so destroyed that he was able to just push it over... (some how I left the nautical theme and enter a war movie...don't worry about it, stick with me.) And I love him for it.

I can honestly say, without these three bros, I would not be where I am today.

Without Trevor, I wouldn't have matured in my walk with Jesus, I would have just left well enough alone. Now, I can't go a day without telling someone, something about Jesus. Whether its a co-worker, a family member, or someone on the street.

Without Eric, I would never have experienced what a real church family is like. Eric's love and compassion opened my eyes to see others at church, others around me, my family included and reminded me that it's ok to be loved, its ok to be vulnerable, its ok if you get knocked down, because someone will always be there to pick you back up.

Without Justin, I would be trapped inside a wall of fake. Only letting my real feelings out on Saturday mornings with Trevor. Sitting in the back at church, not getting involved, not communicating and not being in fellowship.

So, in conclusion...Go out, make friends, cherish these times together. Be silly and surface when the time is right, but never be afraid to hit the deep end...That's where the truth comes out.

At Least I'm Not As Bad As...

21 May 14

As Christians we tend to compare our sins to others, (Christians and non-believers alike) whether we realize it or not. It's almost as though it has become a game. 'I'll trade one drunken friday for your verbal abuse...' There is no sin that is better or worse than another. There may be different worldly consequences, you're not going to go to jail for calling someone a name, and your not going to be asked to apologize (normally) for murdering someone, but in the end the heavenly consequences are the same, a distraught soul and a Father in heaven with a heavy heart.

It says in the bible that if you look at a woman lustfully you have already committed adultery with her in your heart. Sin is sin is sin. But the beautiful thing is, all sin can be cleaned up and cleared away the exact same way. If you believe in God, and genuinely ask for His forgiveness, your sin will be taken away. Forgive and Forget.

So! You don't drink...You don't look at pornography, you've never killed anyone, you're basically as perfect as they come right? Ok... so maybe you swear once or twice, maybe you've stollen a candy bar...but at least you're not as bad as your co-worker, or your neighbor right? SINNER! Comparison in and of its self (in this context) is a sin as well. Take a look at this text from the bible...(Yes, this type of sin has been going back for years!

"...The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people-- robbers, evil doers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector... --- Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted ..." (Luke 18:11&14) Read the entire parable when you have a chance...Quite fascinating and life changing.

Comparison is part of human nature, it's been here since the fall of man. It's a hard habit to break, but we must keep pushing forward in the battle of who's better.

Broken

16 Mar 14

"…Only God can take care, for it is He who rules the world. Since we cannot take care, since we are so completely powerless, we ought not to do it either. If we do, we are dethroning God and presuming to rule the world ourselves…" -Bonhoeffer

As I sit here in my chair writing, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of brokenness. My brokenness comes in two facets. I am completely broken in the worst way possible without Jesus. When I push Him away, when I take on the world by myself, when I become selfish or tempted, I am broken. I am lost. On the other hand, when I embrace Jesus, when I give Him everything I have and then some, when I am in fellowship, in devotion, in love, I am broken in the best way possible. Broken in Humility. Knowing that I am not alone; that I have a safety net around me at all times.

I think about what we are studying in church right now. To not cover your secrets, your sins, addictions and pains. Be open about who you are, find refuge in human interaction with your fellow brothers and sister in Christ. Don't be bound by anxiety, insecurity or shame. Build up one another, build relationships. As Proverbs says, as iron sharpens iron, so one brother sharpens another. I have plenty of things to hide, things that I am uncomfortable talking about, walls that I need to break down…They have been on my mind now for a few weeks, before we even started talking about them in church. The Lord has been preparing me to break down these barriers, to fight off the evil forces that are trying to take control of me. The devil lives in the darkness and he is trying to lure you in with ever step you take. Run! Run from the devil, shine your light. Where there is light, there is no darkness.

You don't have to stay broken. There is a way out of the mire, out of the pitfall that you are in. Jesus. Jesus is the only answer. Run to Him. He was there, is there and always will be there. There is nothing you can do to disqualify yourself. Jesus' love for you and me is unconditional with no end. He is waiting for you.

I'm A Sinner

21 Feb 14

The title pretty much says it all… I am a sinner… I am not celebrating it, I am accepting it. I fall prey to temptation, to greed, profanity and the likes. I am not proud of it, but it is unfortunately human nature. Since the fall of man, sin has run rampant throughout the world, no one can escape it. That, however is not an excuse to run wild with it. I don't get up every morning, slip out of my footy pajamas and think, "Let's see what kind of sin I can commit today." No, it sneaks up on you, it attacks you when you are weak. Satan comes in and grabs hold of your heart, at this point he is the ring leader and you are a circus act on his payroll.

It's up to you to call out to Jesus and ask for help, to rescue you from the torment you are in. Lucky for you, God is loving and compassionate and is always there to help. Know this…no matter what you do, however bad you think your sin is, however worthless you feel after the fact, NOTHING will disqualify you from God and His love. If you truly believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you have accept Him into your heart, He will forgive you. Be careful not to use Him as a get out of jail free card though. He is not a genie, He won't grant you wishes and let you treat Him like your own personal door mat. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He deserves that respect.

Stop comparing and start living

5 Feb 14

I'm going to get real with y'all for a moment, because thats what this blog is all about. Growing up, even though I knew deep down that God created me In his image, I hated who I was. I never thought I was good at anything, I wanted to be someone else. I wasn't selfish monitarily, I didn't want people's money or toys, I was emotionally and physically selfish. I wanted other peoples talents, good looks, fashions, etc. I would spend nights in prayer, blaming God for not making me the way I wanted to be. Let me say that again... It was Gods fault for not making me the way "I" wanted to be. Messed up, right? 

I'm happy to say that as I have matured in my walk with Jesus, I have been able to break down a lot of those barriers and be comfortable in my own skin. It has been a tough journey, and it's not over , but through Christs love, I have moved forward, leaps and bounds.

So, that's my story growing up... What about you? Do you take pride in your self? Do you hate yourself? Or perhaps, you are overly proud of yourself bordering on arrogance? I pray that we all would find a happy medium where our joy is not in our physicallities but in the fact that we are God's creations and he doesn't make trash. Remember, as I stated early, you were created in Gods image, When you hate yourself, what are you saying about your creator? 

In closing, I will end with this wonderful cliche, 'Be yourself, that's the best person you can be.'

Never a dull moment with Jesus

3 Feb 14

After the excitement of the Super Bowl (or Superb Owl, as my phone autocorrects to) started to wear off last night and I was home away from my friends, I started feeling down. You know…lonely, bummed… whatever you want to call it. Eventually I just called it a night and went to bed with a negative attitude. I knew that waking up to the snow was going to be terrible, and the fact that I had to go to work today (even thought I love my job) was dreadful… But! Before I went to bed, as I usually do, I said my prayers. It was just me and Jesus. We had a good chat, I did most of the talking, He did most of the listening. I prayed for a better attitude, not only for that night, but for the days to come. To accept singleness, not only in a romantic way, but in a platonic way (when my friends are busy with other friends).

Fast forward to 6am this morning. Snowing, cold out, windows frosted over, work waiting for me…and a smile from ear to ear on my face… WHAT?? Today was amazing… I had a great outlook on life, the day ahead of me was mine!! The drive to work was fun, drifting around snowing corners. I got to play on fun new toys at work, (see instagram and twitter @mikewritenow) I got to talk to one of my co-workers about Jesus, and the hours just flew by! I even had a new outlook on the cold snowy weather.

Jesus is not only the healer of physical pain, but a healer of emotional pain and sorrow. He is an amazing resource that I am so thankful to have available to me. Sometimes, I take Him for granted, sometimes I ignore Him, but most of the time I bask in His glory and I am so glad I do.

What does it take for you to go to Jesus? Is He your number one on speed dial? Do you have to wait until you have called all of your friends only for them to ignore your phone calls to finally call Him? What about when He calls you? Does He go straight to voicemail or do you pick up?

Maybe you are wondering why I am using all these phone analogies…Im wondering that myself… It just seemed right.

Brothers in Christ

30 Jan 14

Tonight as I spent time over coffee with my brother Eric, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming presence from Jesus. The love that this man has for me and his friends and family is breathtaking. The openness he portrays when speaking about his life and relationship with God is heartwarming.

I am so thankful for people like him in my life. I would be lost without them. Who do you run too in your times of need? When you need a physical hand to hold, a voice to audibly speak to you, or a warm embrace, who is out there for you? Fellowship is a gift from God; experience it, it's life changing.

Don't give up on your dreams

28 Jan 14

Being a youth pastor is something I have always dreamed of doing, youth ministry is a passion of mine.  That dream, is now a reality. With the launching of T.H.Y., our church's youth group, I have the ability to really connect with these kids on a spiritual level and not only teach them, but learn from them as well.

With an amazing core of 6 leaders, we were able to take an idea and turn it into a safe hangout for spokane kids, and we are growing in numbers at just 3 weeks old.

Tonight, we heard a testimony from one of our leaders and let me tell you, she crushed it. What an amazing leader and Christ-filled woman. From her testimony we were able to break into small groups and dissect what she said and see how it applies or differs in these children's lives. It's so amazing to hear these normally shy kids speak up or vice versa, to hear the loud kids quiet down and take it all in.

Tuesday nights are definitely my new favorite night.

What are your dreams? What is something that you have always wanted to do, but never thought it was possible? Don't give up, don't shy away because you are afraid. Be bold in Christ, confide in Him. He is ready and willing to help you.

New Format Again!!

27 Jan 14

Hey y'all, I've been doing a lot of thinking about this blog and the book that I am currently going though, and Ive realized that I am not happy with the book, thus I am not happy with my blog. It took some encouraging words from a friend of mine who felt the same way, to push me to make a change.

In the beginning this blog was supposed to be about me and how God has enriched my life, instead I turned it into a bible study. While the first book that I went through was encouraging and insightful, it still didn't fit the parameters of the blog I had in my mind. So, from here on out (maybe not everyday) I am going to speak about my life and the amazing things God has done for me and hopefully you can relate to them, learn from them, or ask about them.

But in the mean time… Im going to bed.

God's business is putting things right. Ps. 11:7 (The Message)

26 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

We don't see Jesus settling many disputes or negotiating conflicts. But we do see Him cultivating inward harmony through acts of love:

Washing the feet of men He knew would betray Him…
honoring the sinful woman whom society had scorned.

He built bridges by healing hurts.

I will also give to each one who wins the victory a white stone with a new name written on it. Revelation 2:17

25 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...You may not have known it, but God has a new name for you. When you get home, He won't call you Alice or Bob or Juan or Geraldo… The name you've always heard won't be the one He uses. When God says He will make all things new, He means it. you will have a new home, a new body, a new life, and you guessed it, a new name…"

Receive the kingdom God has prepared for you since the world was made. Matthew 25:34

24 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

The problem with this world is that it doesn't fit. Oh, it will do for now, but it isn't tailor-made. We were made to live with God, but on earth we live by faith. We were made to live forever, but on this earth we live but for a moment. We were made to live holy lives, but this world is stained by sin.

This world wears like a borrowed shirt. Heaven will foot like one tailor-made.

Don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Matthew 6:34

23 Jan 14 message from Everyday Blessings

"...God liberated His children from slavery and created a path through the sea. He gave them a cloud to follow in the day and a fire to see at night. And He gave them food…

Each morning the manna came. Each evening the quail appeared. "Trust me. Trust me and I will give you want you need." The people were told to take just enough for one day. Their needs would be met, one day at a time…"

Who is in control of your life? You or God?

You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you. Isaiah 26:3

22 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

Have you got God figured out? If so, then listen…

Hear the rocks meant for the body of the adulterous woman drop to the ground…

Listen to the widow from Nain eating dinner with her son who is supposed to be dead…

God…doing the strangest of things. Stretching smiles where there had hung only frowns. Placing twinkles where there were only tears.

You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. Matthew 6:27

21 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

Anxiety is an expensive habit. Of course it might be worth the cost if it worked. But it doesn't. Our frets are futile.

Worry has never brightened a day, solved a problem, or cured a disease.

God leads us. God will do the right thing at the right time. And what a difference that makes.

Your faith make you offer our lives as a sacrifice in serving God. Philippians 2:17

20 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...When we face struggles, we often wonder. Why? Years from now, though, we may realize that it was those struggles that taught us something we could to have otherwise learned-- that there was a purpose for our pain.
God's purpose is greater than your pain, and He has greater purpose than your problems…"

This reminds of me one of my favorite songs, that I have not heard in a long time, and it just randomly came on the radio this morning…Timing is everything…Thank you Jesus!


I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed what God Has planned
I only know at his right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take him at his word and deed
Christ died to save me this I read
And in my heart I find the need
Of him to be my Savior

That he would leave his place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You called it strange so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

Love… does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6

19 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...Isn't it go to know that even when we don't love with perfect love, God does? He always nourishes what is right. He always applauds what is right. He has never done wrong, led one person to do wrong, or rejoiced when anyone did wrong. For He is love, and love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth…"

What an amazing love that is. One that we will never achieve towards one another, but at the same time a love that we will NEVER be denied from Jesus. Amen?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

18 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...Of all we don't know about the creation, there is one thing we do know-- God did it with a smile. He must've had a blast. Painting the stripes on the zebra, hanging the stars in the sky, putting the gold in the sunset. What creativity!…

Like a whistling carpenter in his workshop, He loved every bit of it. He poured Himself into the work. So intent was His creativity that He took a day off at the end of the week just to rest…"

The author of this book, really paints a beautiful picture of what it must have been like to be with the author of the world in the very beginning.

I expect and hope…to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth, whether I live or die. Philippians 1:20

17 Jan 14 messages from, Everyday Blessings

"…It would have been nice if God had let us order life like we order a meal. Ill take good health and a high IQ. Ill pass on the music skills, but give me a fast metabolism…
Would've been nice. But it didn't happen. When it came to your life on earth, you weren't given a voice or a vote.

But when it comes to life after death, you were. In my book that seems like a good deal. Wouldn't you agree?.."

I never really thought about it that way. I have always been so tied up in wanted to be a different person on earth, comparing myself to others, wondering why I couldn't do the things they could do. I, in all my human selfishness, put this short period of time called life, ahead of what's really important…Death.

I always knew where I was going, because I knew where I stood with God. I suppose I just took it for granted. I didn't need to worry about the "there and gone," because I knew where I would end up, so I focused on the "here and now"… What about you guys? What do you spend most of your time thinking about? How I can get this or that right now or, how can I insure an amazing future after Im gone.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14

16 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"…Jesus went to great pains to be as human as the guy down the street. He didn't need to study, but still went to the synagogue. He had no need for income, but still worked in the workshop… And upon His shoulders rested the challenge of redeeming creation, but He still took time to walk ninety miles from Jericho to Cana to go to a wedding.

As a result, people liked Him…"

How does this resemble your life? Don't think of neighbor in a literal sense…consider your neighbor as the human race. How do you treat the homeless man on the side of the road compared to your best friend or family. We are here to love one another and build relationships, not reject the lost and praise the  saved.

What is impossible with men is possible with God. Luke 18:27

15 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...The rich young ruler thought heaven was just a payment away. It only made sense. You work hard, you pay your dues, and zap--your account is credited as paid in full. Jesus says, No way. What you want costs far more than what you can pay. You don't need a system, you need a Savior. You don't need a resume, you need a Redeemer. For what is impossible with men is possible with God…"

Newsflash ladies and gentleman! You can't do life on your own! Get on the Jesus train. Woop Woop!

Go after a life of love as if your life depends on it--because it does. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (The Message Bible)

14 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...Loosen up. Don't you have some people to hug, rocks to skip, or lips to kiss…? Someday you are going to retire; why not today?

Not retire from your job, just retire from your attitude. Honestly, has complaining ever made the day better? has grumbling ever paid the bills? Has worrying about tomorrow ever changed it?

Let someone else run the world for a while…"

While the phrasing is a little vacuous  in my opinion, the message is dead on. I especially agree with the last statement. The world is not ours to control, thank God… Let Him do the hard work and you reap the benefits. It's as easy as that.

I will come back and take you to be with Me. John 14:3

13 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...We don't know when Christ will come back for us. We don't know how He will come for us. And, we really don't even know why He would come for us… Most of what we have is faith. Faith that He has ample space and a prepared place and, at the right time, He will come so that we can be where He is.

He will do the taking, It's up to us to do the trusting…"

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you. Romans 15:7

12 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...Grace makes three proclamations.

Dealing with my sins is God's responsibility. I repent, I confess, but only God can forgive. (And he does…)

Dealing with my neighbor is God's responsibility. I must speak; I must pray. But only God can convince. (And He does…)

God loves me and makes me His child. God loves my neighbor and makes him my brother…"

The Sone of Man came to find lost people and save them. Luke 19:10

11 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...God will do what it takes-- whatever it takes--to bring His children home.

He is the shepherd in search of His lamb, His legs are scratched, His feet are sore, and His eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves, He cups His hands to His mouth and calls into the canyon.

And the name He calls is yours…"

What a blessing it is to have an ever loving, heavenly father who goes to such great lengths to protect us and call us His own.

Christ died for sin once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1Peter 3:18

10 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags. Countless bags full of innumerable sings. Calvary is the compost pile of guilt. Would you like to leave yours there as well..?"

Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Matthew 7:7

9 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"Countless copies of Scripture sit unread on bookshelves and nightstands simply because people don't know how to read it. What can we do to make the Bible real in our lives?

The clearest answer is found in the words of Jesus, "Ask and God will give it to you." The first step in understanding the Bible is asking God to help us…"

Another thing to keep in mind while reading the bible is, understanding what God means by ask and He will give. Just because you ask for a million dollars, doesn't mean He will give it to you. Know where your heart is when you are seeking God's gifts.

In Christ there is all of God in a human body. Colossians 2:9

8 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...Jesus was not a godlike man, nor a manlike God. He was…God-Man… The maker of the world with a bellybutton…

What do we do with such a person? We applaud men for doing good things. We enshrine God for doing great things. But when a man does God things?

One thing is certain, we can't ignore him. Why would we want to..?"

Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. Philippians 2:6

7 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessing

"...Need more patience? Drink from the patience of God. (2 Peter 3:9).  Is generosity an elusive virtue? Then consider how generous God has been with you. (Romans 5:8) Having trouble putting up with ungrateful relatives or cranky neighbors? God puts up with you when you act the same. "He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).

Cant we love like this?.."

I know those I have chosen. Jn. 13:18

6 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...Would you choose a wanted murderer to lead a nation out of bondage? Would you call upon a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did…Called his name through the burning bush. Scared old Moses right out of his shoes…
The reassuring lesson is clear. God uses people to change the world. PEOPLE! Not saints, or super humans, or geniuses, but people…"

If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 1 Jn. 4:12

5 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...God loves you. Personally. Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And His love- if you let it- can fill you and leave you with a love worth giving…"

Im just going to end this post by repeating the most powerful line in message above, just to reiterate how amazing our God is. "…He loves you with an UNFAILING love…"

Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits! Ps. 136:1

4 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"...If I know that one of the privileges of fatherhood is to comfort a child, then why am I so reluctant to let my heavenly father comfort me?

Why do I think he wouldn't want to hear about my problems? (They are puny compared to people starving in India.)

Why do I think He is took busy for me?…"

What a blessing our Father is in our lives. In times of need and in times of elation, He is there, unconditionally.

I call to You in times of trouble, because You will answer me. Ps. 86:7

3 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"…You can talk to God, because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter His presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and He listens…"

So wonderful to have an ever loving God who listens to even the smallest concern.

The heavens tell the glory of God. Ps. 19:1

2 Jan 14 message from, Everyday Blessings

"If you were the only person on earth, the earth would look exactly the same.
The Himalayas would still have their drama and the Caribbean would still have its charm. The sun would still nestle behind the Rockies in the evening and spray light on the deserts in the mornings. If you were the sole pilgrim on this globe, God would not diminish its beauty one degree. Because He did it all for you."

What an amazing Father we have, that He would bless us with gifts such as these. The shear power He expresses in the beauty He has created is mind boggling. Take a moment to drink in the world around you. Look past the sadness and daily routine that we have created and look at the majesty created by a true craftsman.

God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. Ps. 46:1

1 Jan 14, message from Everyday Blessings.

So, this new portion of the blog will be slightly different than last year. Instead of voicing my own opinions and paraphrasing the message, they will all be coming straight out of the book. Although this limits me in exercising  my creative writing, I feel these short passages are much better left unaltered. At times I may write a small portion at the end, expressing my feelings and asking for opinions. I hope you enjoy…

"Ever feel as if you need to get away? So did Jesus (Mark 1:35)
Ever have so many demands that you can't even stop for lunch? He can relate. (Mark 6:31)
Do your friends ever let you down? When Christ needed help, his friends dozed off. (Matt. 26:40)
When you turn to him for help, He runs to you to help. Why? He knows how you feel. He has been there…So go to Him."


Pretty powerful for just a few paragraphs. How often do you run to Jesus for help? Do you feel like He is too busy for you or that your woes are that important? Remember, you are never a bother. Jesus loves you unconditionally and is always there for you.