Friday, February 13, 2009
Lately
As many get ready to celebrate the day of love, Valentine's Day, we must not forget the greatest love that ever existed. Our Savior, Jesus Christ. But many in today's society have a hard time with love. The put human traits on this word and bog down the real love and grace that could be delivered by our Lord, but putting human traits and limitations on it. If I do this or don't do this, or whatever. I really have a passion lately for those that feel unloved and not appreciated. God has for some reason laid that on my heart, and i wanted to share! All I can offer for advice tomorrow is love, and love unconditionally!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Coming home
Well it has been far too long since my last post. I have been in Wilmington, DE training on a new production system that Pioneer wants to implement. It has been fun talking to old friends and just chatting about lean concepts and control charts. I know what fun!
But with all the fun aside, I miss my family, my friends and good ole Iowa. Nothing poorly said about folks out here, but I miss home. So I fly home tonight and get to stay home for few days and get to stay in Iowa for awhile as well.
Miss all ya all - yes my friends from the south were here as well.
But with all the fun aside, I miss my family, my friends and good ole Iowa. Nothing poorly said about folks out here, but I miss home. So I fly home tonight and get to stay home for few days and get to stay in Iowa for awhile as well.
Miss all ya all - yes my friends from the south were here as well.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Grandparents get to play with the MAN!
Today we, Cindy and I were able to babysit Ethan while Josh and Bethany had a little quiet time together. We had pizza, watched a movie and played kid stuff on the floor a great evening was had by all.
Here are a few pics and video clips. I love the one where he shows emotions and says I love you!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Father Draws You
And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." John 6:65
Throughout Jesus' ministry on earth, He never seemed intimiated by the crowds. Instead, He looked into them and focused on whom His Father was sending to Him. Jesus knew that because of sin, no one naturally seeks after God. Sinful man's inclination is to hide from God, rather than to come to Him (Gen 3:8; Ps 14:1-3). Therefore, whenever Jesus saw that His Father was drawing a person to Himself, Jesus immediately began relating to that person.
Jesus observed the great lengths to which the despised tax collector, Zacchaeus, had gone in order to see Him pass by. In response, Jesus immediately left the crowds and spent time with this man in whom the Father was obviously wokring (Luke 19:1-10). Likewise, every time the disciples experienced a new insight into the truths of God, Jesus recognized that it was the Father who had been at work in their lives (Matt 16:17).
As the crowds gathered around Jesus, He spoke some truths that were difficult for the people to grasp (John 6:60). So challenging were His words that many of His listeners departed, but Jesus did not become discouraged. He saw that the Father was working in the lives of His disciples, and that is where Jesus invested His time. As you desire to spend time alone with Jesus, recognize that this is the Father drawing you to His Son. You do not seek quiet times with God in order to experience Him but because you are already sensing His activity, he draws you to Him. As you read the scriptures and pray, trust that God will honor your response to His leading by teaching you more about Himself.
What does this thinking do to your way of thinking about your quiet times? Is this what you were already believing, or does this turn your thoughts completely around?
Throughout Jesus' ministry on earth, He never seemed intimiated by the crowds. Instead, He looked into them and focused on whom His Father was sending to Him. Jesus knew that because of sin, no one naturally seeks after God. Sinful man's inclination is to hide from God, rather than to come to Him (Gen 3:8; Ps 14:1-3). Therefore, whenever Jesus saw that His Father was drawing a person to Himself, Jesus immediately began relating to that person.
Jesus observed the great lengths to which the despised tax collector, Zacchaeus, had gone in order to see Him pass by. In response, Jesus immediately left the crowds and spent time with this man in whom the Father was obviously wokring (Luke 19:1-10). Likewise, every time the disciples experienced a new insight into the truths of God, Jesus recognized that it was the Father who had been at work in their lives (Matt 16:17).
As the crowds gathered around Jesus, He spoke some truths that were difficult for the people to grasp (John 6:60). So challenging were His words that many of His listeners departed, but Jesus did not become discouraged. He saw that the Father was working in the lives of His disciples, and that is where Jesus invested His time. As you desire to spend time alone with Jesus, recognize that this is the Father drawing you to His Son. You do not seek quiet times with God in order to experience Him but because you are already sensing His activity, he draws you to Him. As you read the scriptures and pray, trust that God will honor your response to His leading by teaching you more about Himself.
What does this thinking do to your way of thinking about your quiet times? Is this what you were already believing, or does this turn your thoughts completely around?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Prayer Discovers God's Agenda
Sorry that I have not posted this week, I have been swamped at work. I found this devotion in my readings and thought wow, how perfect for me this week. God knows when to say everything.
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35
It was common knowledge among the disciples that they would find Jesus praying during the early morning hours. When they needed Him, they knew to go to the place of prayer. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he led his friends to Jesus' place of prayer.
Everytime the Lord Jesus faced an important decision, He prayed. When He was being tempted to do things by the world's methods instead of his Father's, He prayed (Matt. 4). When it was time to choose His disciples, He prayed the entire night (Luke 6:12). If the Son of God required a night of prayer in order to determine the Father's mind, how long might it take us in prayer to clearly determine our Father's will?
Because Jesus was so often surrounded by crowds, He knew He must find a quiet place so He could clearly hear His Father's voice. Jesus had many people seeking to influence the direction of His life. Jesus knew that His mission was not to attract a crowd, but to remain obedient to His Father. It was prayer that set the agenda for Jesus' ministry (Luke 6:12). Prayer preceded the miracles (John 11:42-43); prayer brought Him encouragement at critical moments (Luke 9:28-31).
So a week of a busy schedule, a week of pulling your hair out (not really but you know what I mean), a week of tough times for finances, a week of tough times for relationships. What do you do, do you try and fix it yourself, do you call a friend, do you have a drink, or do you find a place and pray and listen to the Father's voice? It is not easy, I can contest to that. But it is all about trust isn't it? Do you really trust His answer? Do you really believe? This week take time to find that quiet place and relax your mind and let Him speak to you. He has the answers are you ready to listen?
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35
It was common knowledge among the disciples that they would find Jesus praying during the early morning hours. When they needed Him, they knew to go to the place of prayer. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he led his friends to Jesus' place of prayer.
Everytime the Lord Jesus faced an important decision, He prayed. When He was being tempted to do things by the world's methods instead of his Father's, He prayed (Matt. 4). When it was time to choose His disciples, He prayed the entire night (Luke 6:12). If the Son of God required a night of prayer in order to determine the Father's mind, how long might it take us in prayer to clearly determine our Father's will?
Because Jesus was so often surrounded by crowds, He knew He must find a quiet place so He could clearly hear His Father's voice. Jesus had many people seeking to influence the direction of His life. Jesus knew that His mission was not to attract a crowd, but to remain obedient to His Father. It was prayer that set the agenda for Jesus' ministry (Luke 6:12). Prayer preceded the miracles (John 11:42-43); prayer brought Him encouragement at critical moments (Luke 9:28-31).
So a week of a busy schedule, a week of pulling your hair out (not really but you know what I mean), a week of tough times for finances, a week of tough times for relationships. What do you do, do you try and fix it yourself, do you call a friend, do you have a drink, or do you find a place and pray and listen to the Father's voice? It is not easy, I can contest to that. But it is all about trust isn't it? Do you really trust His answer? Do you really believe? This week take time to find that quiet place and relax your mind and let Him speak to you. He has the answers are you ready to listen?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Resolutions
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him! He does not humilate us. He does not critize us. He does not ask us to make a resolution to try harder. Rather, He takes us aside and ask us to reaffirm our love for Him.
Peter miserably failed his Lord when he fled with the other disciples from the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, he publicly denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter must have wondered if he had been capable of being Jesus' disciple when he was unfaithful to Jesus in His most crucial hour.
As you begin a new year, you may be painfully aware that you have failed your Lord in many ways. Perhaps you were not faithful to Him. Perhaps you disobeyed His word to you. Perhaps you denied Him by the way you lived. Jesus will take you aside, as He did Peter. He will not belittle you. He will not humilate you. But He will ask you to examine your love for Him. He asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" Remember, He did it three times, just as many times that Peter denied Him. If your answer, like Peter's is "Yes Lord,"He will reaffirm His will for you.
If you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15). Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments, or your promises to try harder this year. If your resolve to obey God last year did not help you to be faithful, why do you think it will not make you successful this year?
Jesus asks for your love. If you truly love Him, your service for Him in the new year will be the quality that He desires. As you go into 2009 together, let's ask that we love more, worry less and live together with our Lord. God is in control, will you let him lead you and let him use you in 2009 for His will?
Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him! He does not humilate us. He does not critize us. He does not ask us to make a resolution to try harder. Rather, He takes us aside and ask us to reaffirm our love for Him.
Peter miserably failed his Lord when he fled with the other disciples from the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, he publicly denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter must have wondered if he had been capable of being Jesus' disciple when he was unfaithful to Jesus in His most crucial hour.
As you begin a new year, you may be painfully aware that you have failed your Lord in many ways. Perhaps you were not faithful to Him. Perhaps you disobeyed His word to you. Perhaps you denied Him by the way you lived. Jesus will take you aside, as He did Peter. He will not belittle you. He will not humilate you. But He will ask you to examine your love for Him. He asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" Remember, He did it three times, just as many times that Peter denied Him. If your answer, like Peter's is "Yes Lord,"He will reaffirm His will for you.
If you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15). Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments, or your promises to try harder this year. If your resolve to obey God last year did not help you to be faithful, why do you think it will not make you successful this year?
Jesus asks for your love. If you truly love Him, your service for Him in the new year will be the quality that He desires. As you go into 2009 together, let's ask that we love more, worry less and live together with our Lord. God is in control, will you let him lead you and let him use you in 2009 for His will?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas 2008
The above are an assortment of pics from 2008 Christmas with the Halverson's and Lubinus'.
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