it's sooo cRaZy

So what are some people thinking. (ok, so i've been one of these people before too) But why do we expect obedience when we are disobedient? All God wants is our obedience, but yet we refuse to give it to Him. We might give Him partial obedience, but do we give Him complete obedience? Do we surrender in all areas of our lives? Including the places people can't see?  So why then are we surprised when we are met with disobedience from our children or people under our authority?  I've found that the days I am completely obedient my daughters are more obedient to me. 

I guess this kinda ties a bunch of my blogs together. obedience, parenting, and craziness. It's crazy to think that when we bisobey God that we will receive obedience. Especially as a parent.  I love my daughters more than any other people in the world. I miss them the nights they don't spend at my house. I expect them to obey me. Just as God, my Father, expects me to obey Him. I'm not saying if your kids aren't listening it's because you are being disobedient to God. But you'd be crazy not to think it has an effect if you aren't being obedient.

So I'll leave you with this. Obedience is as a obedience does.

PS. if you like my new layout you can thank my sister :)

Parenthood

There are a ton of reasons for me choosing this as my blog title today. One is that I am a parent. If you know anything about me you know that I have two of the most beautiful little girls in the world, who I love very much. I can't remember a single day in their lives that I haven't talked to them. I think about them constantly and I make all my decisions with then in mind. How might my next choice affect my girls. I'll say one more thing before I get into the real why I'm writing this. I was paid, what I honestly consider to be the highest compliment I have ever received a few months ago. One of my best friends wives told him that you can tell how much I love my daughters by how I interact with them. Seriously when he told me I cried. I always wonder if I'm doing a good enough job, and to have someone who I have a lot of respect for say that floored me. God knew I needed to hear it. It's great how He gives us affirmation at times.

So the main reason I'm writing this is because I'm focused on Gods best for my life. Which translates to me wanting Gods best for Anna and Sadie too. What I have always known, but sometimes lose sight of. Is how important my role as a father is to them. Their view of their heavenly Father starts with their view of me as their father. And to be honest it kinda freaks me out. I want each of my daughters to have a real and intimate relationship with the God that
I have recklessly fallen in love with. And the best way for me to do that is to love them the same way I love God, with reckless abandon. By letting them know how important they are to me.
Not only is their view of God affected by how they view me, but their whole view of men and the future role other men will play in their lives. I don't want my girls running around feeling like they need boys to affirm their beauty or love. I tell my daughters every single day multiple times a day that I love them and they are beautiful. And i wouldn't be doing them justice if I just told them. I have to invest time in them. They need to see and feel that they are truly important to me as well as hear it.

So I want to live my life completely sold out to God, not only because it's the best thing for me, but also because it's the best thing for my daughters. Because they will see my love for God and my love for them. It's the best thing for my church too. And I'm not saying I'm super dad or I'm amazing and great, but I'll be honest it's the best thing for the world too. Because as a father sold out to God I have the opportunity to affect my family for generations to come. I have a chance to leave a profound legacy. One that will see the handwriting of God throughout it.

Ramblings....

Why

So many times we focus on the question why. Why did this happen to me? Why not something else? But are we asking the right question? There are definitely times where we should ask why, but I think we need to ask the question so that we find the answer. Too many times we're willing to ask the question but not put the effort in that it takes to find the answer.

I look at my life and at different points in my life there are different answers to the question why. Sometimes the answer is that I wasn't where I needed to be. My relationship with God wasn't what it should have been. Now though, my mind is made up. My path has been chosen. I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I am trusting in Gods promise to give me hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 God knows the plans He has for me. So I'm choosing not to lead, but to be led. Because when I allow God to lead me my life is much better. So if you see me smiling more, don't wonder why. Know it's because I'm trusting the One who holds my future.

Confessions

Toxic

So the current series at church is called toxic and, as it always does, has really been making me examine my own thoughts and actions. Toxic, just hearing makes me think of nuclear waste, and that's how dangerous toxic thoughts and toxic actions can be in our lives. I've spent tome thinking and realized that at some points in my life I've been a toxic person. I also realized that at the times I was toxic were times I was struggling in my walk with God. Coincidence? I think not. The best way to keep ourselves from being toxic is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and thinking about things that honor God. Philippians 4:8 says "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things." it's kinda hard to have toxic thoughts if this is what you're focused on.

God has been doing a lot of work in my life and heart and He has been drawing me closer to Him on a daily basis. I've felt His presence and love in ways I never thought could happen. All because I asked Him to be all that I need. I had said it before and asked Him before, bit always held little (toxic) things back. This year I've committed to being a better man of God. I've given everything and everyone over to God, because when I tried to do it without Him the outcome was very toxic. Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming perfection and from my blog name you can know what I've thought before. But I believe this with all my heart. I'm forgiven. When God looks at me He doesn't see my mistakes. He sees a child of His eager to do His will.

Lastly, just because you've messed up before doesn't mean you should continue to mess up. God's forgiveness is real. Let it work in your life and run from the stupid things you do or have done. I pray that I can hold myself to the high standards of being a authentic Christ follower.

Confessions

Crazy

Crazy- the word brings so many thoughts to my mind. From pranks in college, my boy dan, my daughters, my brother in law Jj. Anna used to always tell Jj he was crazy. It was hilarious. There are a lot of definitions for the word crazy. I know people who have done crazy things. Ok so I've done a lot of crazy things. One thing that is kinda crazy. I drove to Niagara Falls in the middle of winter in my camaro with a friend just to go. It was a daytrip. My car was searched at the border and I had to go in and wait to be talked to inside and who is in their but two of the guys from nsync. It was weird but that's way off topic.

So someone said to me the other day "the great ones are crazies like us". Yeah, I definitely consider myself crazy, and if you ever see my siblings and I all together you will definitely understand, or if you see my mom try to play guesstures. Good times. But again I digress.

So here is my point. As a "crazy" I'm in good company. I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!” http://bible.us/1Sam21.15.CEV This was said about King David someone who was called a man after Gods heart. When Jesus’ family heard what he was doing, they thought he was crazy and went to get him under control. http://bible.us/Mark3.21.CEV it's funny that a lot of the leaders in the Bible are called crazy. So yeah I'm happy to be a crazy.

Confessions of a crazy man :)

right now

As normal a ton has been on my mind lately. I'm definitely not saying that thinking is one of my strong points, but i've been doing a ton of it lately. It's been all across the board, from crunching numbers at work on my food cost and labor, to what is God's will for my life. This year is definitely a year of changes for me. I've created some really good habits. So far this year i have not missed a single day of getting into God's word and digging deeper, praying and thinking about what He is trying to say to me through what was written thousands of years ago. What kind of application is in it right now. 
There are so many similarities to the modern church and the way Israel was back in the day. We worship other Gods, even when we know God has provided for us and blessed us. Now, I'm not saying we bow down to images of wood or stone, that would be all kinds of awkward. Could you imagine walking into a church and seeing people bow down and pray to a statue? Just doesn't make sense to me. But at the same time we do put things and people before God. For some it might be a job, a spouse, a car, a house, money, and the list goes on. A idol is anything we put before God.  I just hope we don't end up with a wake up call like Judah and Israel got in the OT. Not pretty. 

God has given us a ton of chances to focus on Him.  He has given us amazing churches to fellowship with other believers and worship Him (cough fellowship church in glen mills, check it out, it will change your view of church) and He has given us the Bible to teach us not to make the same mistakes others have made before us. Little disclaimer I am one of those people who made their own mistakes without learning from others. Not the way you want to go. Trust me, read and learn.
As I read now I feel like I was so dumb for not understanding earlier. Maybe it was because I didn't see it, maybe it was because I didn't want to, but this is the truth "So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him." http://bible.us/2Chr15.7.CEV DUH instructions don't get much easier than that, but if you need more "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."http://bible.us/Jer29.11.NIV84 . Oh still want more "I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us." http://bible.us/Rom8.18.CEV

So that's just a little taste of what God has been teaching me the past few weeks. So i'll leave you with this last rambling thought. There are two views you can take with Jesus 1. He's nuts and the Bible is a bunch of stories, orrrr (the right one) 2. He is I am

confessions