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.

Identity

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Whenever a baby is born, people often say that they look like the mother or the father. Then, as the child grows, you can see the traits of the parents in the child. As a Christian, what are we to "look" like?

I was reading James 1:18 this morning and have thought about it before that, God gave birth to us. That is why it is often said we are "born again." When we encounter new birth, it is only natural (or supernatural : ) that we will be like our Father. We have been studying Intimacy with the Father the last couple of Wednesday nights and last week, we talked about the nature of the Father. We have been given the traits of the Father because of Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. He is the one who gives us love for one another, causes us to be holy, allows us to be merciful, giving, kind, joyful, peaceful, and all of the things that Jesus, our older brother and the firstborn among the brethren was on this earth. Isn't it amazing. And, just like our children who grow and mature, we are growing and maturing in Jesus every day. We haven't arrived yeet, but we press on toward the goal.

Are you growing in Jesus? Are you maturing? Are you seeking to be like your Father more and more every day?

Courage

Courage is defined as-

1.	the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

What does it mean to have the courage of one's convictions and to act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially in spite of criticism?

The Lord said to Joshua:
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous.

He said this to him right after saying that he would always be with him and that no one would be able to stand against him. Joshua could be courageous because he knew his God. Joshua could accept the charge and execute the Lord's plan with the power of the Holy Spirit because he knew his God. How well do we know our God?

We have been doing this Bible study on Wednesday nights on knowing THE Father. Our worldview is clearer when we KNOW the Father. We are able to face dangers and pain without fear when we know who is on our side and what it means for us.

I wonder when does the 'without fear' part come into play. Is it when we actually step into what God has for us? Often, God has called me to something and I have wavered in my mind certainly without courage, but the moment I determine to follow God in obedience wherever he may lead, that is when I think courage is exhibited. Was it this way with Jesus? When he was in the garden, did he have fear as he said "Father, let this cup pass from me"? Then, did he face the difficulty, danger and pain as he determined in his heart that he would surrender in obedience to the Father? Let us endeavor to be like him. When have you face difficulty, danger and pain without fear lately?

Baptism

Sunday was a very special day for my daughter and a stepping out in faith as she made a public testimony of her faith in Jesus by being baptized. I am so proud of her and it has been a joy to see the Holy Spirit work in her life and heart to bring her to the knowledge and submission to Jesus Christ and of justification, acceptance and regeneration. Wow!

Slowing Down

I haven't slowed down much to blog since my last post but had a slowing down moment on Saturday. Some friends of mine and I drove up to Chewalca State Park and hiked to the Waterfalls. It was a moment in time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and very relaxing.

Gas Station Experience

I have been leaning on the Holy Spirit more and praying for divine opportunities throughout the day and had an awesome experience at the gas station this morning. A lady came out to her car and mentioned something about the number on my pump. Then, she said she is "so happy." I proceeded to ask her what she was happy about and she let me know she had been in a car accident and how she had gotten a new car. She didn't think it was going to happen but it's hers and she is so happy. I took the opportunity to ask her if we could thank God for that and she said yes. We went immediately to the Father in prayer and I thanked him for all Mrs. Annie's blessings and by the time we were through, she was in tears you could tell it really ministered to her. We hugged and it was magical how two sisters in Christ could "randomly" encounter one another and be able to pray together. It also gave me hope to true transformation in our city as two strangers from different ethnicities could come together In Christ over pumping gas! How sweet the Spirit is.

New Leaf

I am going to attempt to blog again. It's been two years and I am not a writer but I need an outlet (and more time!) but here goes...