Haiti

James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." As many of you know Hati (a small country to our south) just endured one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. This bit of news hits close to home for the simple fact that one of our compassion children lives in Hati. We do not know how he's doing or if he was effected, but we know that this will be a difficult time for everyone in the country. So now we have the great task of working out our faith. We have the opportunity to "look after orphans and widows". So here's what you do, send a text!


HOW TO HELP

The State Department's DipNote blog writes that "for those interesting in helping immediately, simply text 'HAITI' to '90999' and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill. Or you can go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts."

Forgotten God

I am currently reading Francis Chan's "Forgotten God". I'm about two chapters in and already find it to be very thought provoking. Here are some thoughts from the book......

"There are, of course, dangers in this, since the Bible is meant to be interpreted within the context and accountability of faithful community. Yet even with that qualification, there is still a need for those of us nestled deep within the Christian bubble to look beyond the status quo and critically assess the degree to which we are really living biblically."

Biblical living requires sacrifice and can result in suffering. If we are to truly live the life Christ called us to live we must sacrifice. What's scary is that these sacrifices can result with the loss of life. So many times we find ourselves comfortable with our suburban lives and routines. We are only aware of the now. We tend to neglect the fact that Christ called us to more then a mundane routine. The life of Christ is exciting you never know for certain where you will be asked to go. All we know is that when we follow Christ with everything we have we find ourselves in the center of His will.

The problem is we're invested. We have kids, secure jobs, and bills to pay. We believe that our problems are too big for God's Spirit to handle. We make excuses and try to reason with God. Instead of following, we hide or go in the opposite direction (see Jonah). There is freedom in submitting to God's will and knowing that God's Spirit will lead us to the place He wants us to be. God's plan is better then our plan, we just have to let go and submit to the plan set before us.

So here is our plan. At the end of this month we will be putting our house on the market. Where will we go? We don't know, but we do know that God will lead us in the direction He would have for us to go. Do we have a plan? Yes, sell our house so we can go whenever He calls. Our goal is to be open to God's will and to truly allow His Spirit to move in and through us, or to move us all together.

God, wherever you lead, we will go!

Random Thoughts

Well It's been about a month since I've blogged about anything and I really feel pressured to post something. Since it's been so long since my last post here are some happenings and thoughts. I'm not sure how relevant this is going to be so here it goes.....

Christmas -- Brandon came back and spent the night with us. He spent Christmas morning with us and received a nice big back pack, poncho, chess board, and hygiene items. The guy ate more then I have ever seen.

Football -- Alabama is the best team in the country (according to a tainted system). And regardless of what you Texas fans think, Bama still would have won had Colt McCoy not been injured.

Church -- Ole LMBC is still here. We have gone through a significant amount of transition, but things are looking good. It was good to see Matt Brewer, I wish we had more time to hang out and connect, but he will be back very soon.

Family -- Tanner is literally a moose. He eats anything you put in front of him. He is definitely a Mama's boy, but that's alright. Riley just turned three and is a pistol to say the least. Amanda is still working hard and takes great care of us.

New Years -- First of all I would like to go on the record by saying resolutions are a waste. They are a one time commitment that many of us can't keep. So enough of the negativity, what if these resolutions were quarterly or monthly. Better yet, what if they were daily. Scripture tells us that His mercies are new every morning so what don't we make these commitments daily. Commit to lose weight every day. Commit to stop ____ habit everyday. Commit daily.

Future -- We don't know where we will be in six months, but we know we will go and follow wherever God leads. Our house will go on the market at the end of this month and we will then wait as we look for God to reveal His will to us.

Random -- Marc McGwire admitted to using steroids. Hopefully this doesn't surprise you! Brett Farve is in the playoffs again. It would be nice to see him get another Superbowl, but I won't stick my neck out and make a prediction. American Idol is starting up again, so maybe we will watch that so Amanda doesn't make me exercise during commercials of the biggest loser.

I think that's it..... Next time I will have something more meaningful!!