Does your life have what Oswald Chambers calls, “sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is satisfying to Jesus.”?

How does someone’s life bring about that kind of pleasure to Jesus? Chambers would say it is found in, “…continual willingness to “go out” in dependence upon God…”

I’m reading about that kind of faith lived out in the lives if so many found in the book of Genesis. Abraham and Sarah’s lives were a continual “‘go out’ in dependence on God.” I believe there are many people living today with broken dreams because they have chosen not to “go out.”

What keeps us from living in the potential of what God created us for? Why is it that some seem to serve the Lord with reckless abandon? While others shrink back in fear.

Fear is a gripping emotion that takes us into “watch out for myself” thinking. How often do we read in Scripture about someone being spoken to by an angel of the Lord and hear, “Do not be afraid…” Once we lock ourselves in on fear we will not hear anything else. We will not move… we will not walk in faith.

On New Years Eve I was playing a game with my son. He was sitting on the sofa and said, “Daddy when I grow up I want to be just like you.” I’ve thought about those words a lot since then. I’ve thought about our relationship and my desire for him to grow up knowing, loving, and serving Jesus.

I’ve realized these past couple of days that my desire for him is much like the desire Jesus has for me. To live and walk by faith… To “‘go out’ in dependence on God.”

Today as I look to my Heavenly Father I echo the words of my son to Him, “Daddy when I grow up I want to be just like You.”

Ah yes!  The sweet sounds of 1984!  What a year that was…

But more than the sounds of Punk music at its finest was the passion expressed through the lyrics of the Altar Boys.  My life was tremendously impacted as a result. 

The title track, “When You’re A Rebel,” became my heartbeat.  I was a new follower of Jesus then.  Very passionate with my faith and trust in the man I now called Savior.  I recall the t-shirt I bought from one of the concerts I attended.  If I remember correctly, the t-shirt had black letters on the front that said “Rebel for Jesus”.  And in red letters in the background was Romans 12:1-2. 

Today, the non conforming part of me is still alive.  I think it is so easy for all of us to get caught up in the winds of the latest movements and develop our “new” traditions.  (whatever that may be at the time) There is an element to traditions that are good.  But if we aren’t careful we will lose our mission in the tradition.  Even the church planting movement of today in itself can get lost by trying to be the coolest in town and forget the mission. 

I’m excited about what God is doing today.  It seems like churches are planting left and right all over the place!  A new church plant has the best opportunity to reach those outside of Christianity than by any other means. 

As I watch the news, I can see that we are in some turbulent times.  I don’t know if we have really seen how bad it is.  I’m sick and tired of all the bailout bills that are running through Congress.  Hey, if we really need all of that then lets just stick to the need and lay off of all the pork! 

Sorry about that… back on task – The times we live in are difficult.  Those of us who follow Jesus need to do so more now than ever.  We need to pray and study more to build our faith.  We must take Jesus with us wherever we go.  We each have people around us who need the hope that he gives.  We have been baptized by Spirit and with fire…

…Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… stay in God’s Word.  Make it your life. 

Seek. Find. Live. Others will follow.

agua:yaka  is a simple water well drilling project.

I was just turned on to this ministry called agua:yaku. They have found a less expensive way to help provide communities with water where clean drinking water is scarce or non-existant.  Take a few moments to checkout this ministry.  You will find great information as well as some great photography!

God is doing some amazing things through so many people that make up the body of Christ… to do whatever it takes to reach those in need of water, food, clothing, shelter, and Jesus Christ!

I’ve been reading Jim Aiken’s blog and have decided to add it to my list.  I met Jim several years ago when I first moved back to Georgia.  If you are interested in Church Planting or reading blogs of other church planters – visit Jim he has all the links you will need.  He is a great guy with a heart to see God’s kingdom expand through church planting!

While reading his most recent post I read something that really encouraged me.  It goes along with my reading in Matthew.  Time after time Jesus comes across people with messed up lives.  Some are messed up due to poor choices in life, poor theology, and rebellion.  Others were born blind, deaf, and cripple… all for the glory of God!  Each person who came to him trusting walked away with a clean slate.

Despite the past or the reason for it – God gives new starts.  God will take the past and use it for His glory. 

Jim’s encouragement (to me) in his post is this:

If God has called you, He has promised to supply you: “my God shall supply all your needs, He has promised to equip you: …for every good work, He has promised never leave you…

So now imagine God has wiped the slate clean…what will you do with a new slate? You awake each day with a new slate, a new beginning, what will you do with the new world in which God has placed you?

I was introduced to Living Waters International this week.  My friend Darrell introduced me to water missions several years ago.  I hope to find myself more involved in meeting the needs of people by providing clean drinking water.  I just read Randy’s post on water too.

Read John 9.  How did Jesus reach this blind man?  Jesus met a physical need.  He didn’t try to convert this blind man.  Jesus gave him his sight.  After meeting the man’s need he came to him with the answer to life.

After the Jewish leaders kicked the blind man out of the meeting place, Jesus came to him,

35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

 36The man said, “Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.”

 37Jesus said, “You’re looking right at him. Don’t you recognize my voice?”

 38“Master, I believe,” the man said, and worshiped him.

 39Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.” (John 9, The Message).

…it’s 10th Anniversary.

So much of my life has been shaped by the 5 years of my life spent at Harvest Community Church.  I moved to Albuquerque with my family in September 1999.  We arrived not knowing what God had in store for us.  No home… no job… no money… no money… just my good friend Jason who was leading worship at Harvest and let us crash at his house the first couple of nights.  It was a rough start for us but God blessed the ministry and my life tremendously through Dan Lewis (lead pastor), Jason Taylor, and Mike Goff. Thanks guys for taking me in!!

This video tells the story of Harvest Community Church now named Soul Rio.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPAj_hWhxVE]