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.