Boston

My mom, Alecia and I visited Boston yesterday. We toured the Freedom trail and visited the home of Paul Revere and the Old North Church.

I am currently in a training class on a computer software and will blog more later with my own photos, but we had a great time

Pure

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." -Jesus, circa 30 A.D.

Pure is defined as

- free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; free from extraneous matter: pure gold; pure water.

- free from foreign or inappropriate elements

- clear; free from blemishes: pure skin.

-	clean, spotless, or unsullied: pure hands.

-	untainted with evil; innocent: pure in heart.

I've struggled with what Jesus meant many times but this definition helped to "clear" some things up. I wrestled with the question, "am I pure by nature or is it something for which I continually strive?" I think it is both. Afterall, Jesus did say in John 13, that we are already clean. We are clean and spotless by nature. But, how often do we go through the day and attract foreign or inappropriate elements?

In Titus 1:15, Paul says "to the pure, all things are pure". In 1 John 3:3, John says that if we hope in Jesus, "we are pure just as he is pure". So, that's it - we're pure, we don't have to worry about anything else. Right?

I don't think so. We are in the world and not of the world. In the world, we contract what is different and impure all the time. In 1 Timothy 5:22, Paul instructs us to keep ourselves pure. In Titus 2, Paul instructs older women to teach younger women to be pure. In Philippians 2, Paul instructs us to live a live without complaining or arguing so that we can become pure. There's the promise! It is something you receive as you live a holy lifestyle and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. If it was easy to live in this world and not contract impurities, there would be no instruction needed. And, that is what we continue to strive for -- to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. To run in such a way to win the prize. To stay close to the vine to receive what we need for without him, we can do nothing. Thoughts? What helps you in your efforts to stay pure?

Oh, that we may be pure in heart in order to see God.

Lavished

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Eph. 1:7-8)

Why should we ever complain? If we realize what we have in Christ - the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, redemption, and the riches of his grace that he lavished on us, we should always be joyful.

When I think of being "lavished", I think of the lost son who squandered his money on wild living. That is the Prodigal Son, but then he came to his senses and determined to go back to his father. He confessed and repented. But, then we read of the Prodigal Father-

But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:11-31)

The Prodigal Father (Our Heavenly Father) gives generously, "lavishly" and recklessly without thought, he gives us all the riches at his disposal because we are of great worth to him. We mean that much to him. It was said once that the greatest love requires the greatest price and our Father gave the one thing (or person) that meant the most - his son. May we see the precious riches of his grace that he lavishes on us!

The Goal

Over the weekend, I accompanied some youth on an adventurous trip to Ocoee, TN where they enjoyed paint-balling, whitewater rafting, ropes courses, rock-climbing, building pyramids, etc. In each event there was a goal whether it was to eliminate the other team in a paint-ball fight, beat the other team in a ropes course, stay alive rafting down the river or ring the bell at the top of a rigorous rock-climbing wall.

I've been reading lately about goals and the goals of our life. Too often, I have made my goal something other than Christ. I have either had a goal to succeed at something, achieve something or just survive the day. However, I am realizing that my goal should be Christ. Christ first, second and third. In everything, I want to know Christ and the fellowship of his sufferings and the power of his resurrection (Prov. 3:10). In knowing Christ, I will enjoy him and glorify him but I must be like Paul and say that I consider everything a loss compared to knowing him (Phil. 3:7). Paul also said, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."(Phil. 3:14) (Prov. 3:5-6) says "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." I acknowledge him as I choose to know him in every circumstance.

What is the goal of your life? If it is anything other than Christ, you will not experience true happiness.

p.s. The goal of the pyramid is to get everyone up before everyone came toppling down. We had great fun!

The Great Adventure

Climbing Rocks, Whitewater Rafting, swinging from ropes high above the trees all make for a great weekend adventure. I had the chance to do so recently when I accompanied the youth from our church to Oconee, TN. We had a great time and got to contemplate on the greatness of God's creation and the truths of his word.

The boys

I have had the chance to hang out recently with some great kids. My brother and his wife along with their three boys, whom Alecia adores, are preparing to move to New Orleans to embark on the next phase in his career as a full-time student to Baptist Theological Seminary. We hung out at Meemaws a bit during on of their moving days.