Enkindling

Solace

Mark — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:43:52 +0000

You call out to me.

You are always there for me.

You still live in me.

Your SON makes the world a better place to be.

Your voice of truth sets me free.

You inspire me constantly.

You never depart from me.

You smile down on me.

Your Holy Spirit reigns in me.

I need you desperately.

You are the best part of me.

Have your way in me.

Who or what are you fighting for?

Mark — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:56:46 +0000

This past Sunday I attended my church for the 11am service. One of my favorite things about my church is the baptisms. Each person has the opportunity to tell what God has done for him or her and publically confess Jesus as their personal Lord And Savior on video before they are submersed. Everyone in attendance gets to hear what God has done.

Sunday’s baptism presented something new for me. A son was being baptized. Before the pastor baptized the boy he told everyone the boy’s father was also in attendance. He explained the boy’s father is stationed in Iraq with the ARMY. He was allowed to come home to see his son being baptized. That brought this experience to a new level for me.

His father is fighting for his/our right to watch his son be baptized. His father is fighting for his son’s and our freedom to be baptized under no persecution or fear of what may occur afterwards. In my humble opinion, this father has chosen his battle wisely. Jesus also picked his battles carefully. The next time you want an expectation met or a cause defended remember these two examples. Then ask yourself: Do you know who or what you are fighting for?

Renew your mind

Mark — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:17:09 +0000

Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. NLT

I believe most Christians fail to grow because they do nothing to change the way they think. I believe most Christians fail to love outside of themselves because they dare not go outside of themselves. They have no world view or world experience. I believe some Christians have a relationship with God although the scale almost always tips in their favor and not God’s. How can we ask God to transform us if we are not willing to do the same? How do we expect to hear from God unless we listen? I believe most Christians are more apt to listen to their friends and accept input for change rather than get it from God.

I believe being born again is so much more than just the sanctification of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit to keep me from my sin. I believe being born again is me saying to God that I trully want to change my life around and will take action myself to keep me from falling into the customs of the world. I believe when we are saved we not only get a new heart. We also enter into a process of renewing our minds. I believe when we combine our new heart with our renewed mind we find it easier to surrender to the will of God in our lives.

I believe each of us is responsible for finding ways to renew our minds. It is an ongoing pursuit. We must take our strengths and use them as a sword. The following are ways that I pursue the renewal of my mind:

Journal - Keep a record of what God has done in your life. Pass it on to others.
Worship - Acknowledge your dependence on God and use your talents.
Memorize - Sometimes a memorized verse is just what I need to hear.
Test - Ask the Holy Spirit to confirm before you let things seep in.
Study - Don’t just accept what you hear. Do your own research.
Pray - Talk to God and give him time to respond. A relationship works BOTH ways.

The following are pledges I have made to spur my spiritual growth:

I resolve to listen to others even when there is frustration present.
I resolve to pray blessings on those who curse me.
I resolve to take responsibility for my life and my choices and still remain connected to those who desire the best for me.
I resolve to be careful to not let others “should” on me.
I resolve to appreciate the differences in people so as to see their strengths in light of my own weaknesses.
I resolve to use my creativity to chase my dreams and bring others closer to God.
I resolve to tell my story of what God has done for me to all who are willing to listen without forcing it down their throat.
I resolve to look for the benefit of delayed gratification versus getting or demanding what I want immediately.
I resolve to never be fooled into thinking a princess or anyone else for that matter could ever complete me.
I resolve to own my feelings when dealing with others.

Your turn…

A shameless plug for my brother…

Mark — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:19:50 +0000

So here is my “cut to the chase” sales pitch… Have you ever been blessed enough to hear someone’s music after knowing them like a brother? I cannot describe the feelings I have had listening to Kenny’s CD. Kenny is a present day “David” in my life. Give his CD called Drawn a whirl. If you like it, buy it and support his ministry. And if you buy it and make copies to give away illegally… I pray for your soul.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/kennethpeavy

Steal your pain away…

Mark — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:36:59 +0000

So you say you’re broken…
I want to steal your pain away.
So you say your pain wall is shatterproof…
I can bust it. Let me swing away.

So you say you’re looking out for you now…
Should I move away?
Let’s just keep this quiet…
If we’re lucky it will go away.

I guess this makes us broken…
We are promised another way.
Why don’t we give this one to God?
And stop getting in His way…