The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me...
To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:1,2c,3 (New King James Version)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

God Bless the Broken Road...
I'm sure you've heard the song, or can at least respond to the idea. It's easy to say that when you're in a good place, a spot when your plan has lined up with God's. I played this Rascal Flatt's song at my wedding to Colt, in October of 2006. It was sweet, endearing - the perfect "aaah schucks" song.
Now, I'm in a completely different place. A place the road I had planned on taking never would of brought me to. Perhaps someone needs to write "God Bless the wacky teleporter" that's what my life feels like so often! There I am going merrily about my way, in my own little world and BAM! It feels like I'm living an entire new reality. No where near that road; heck the city or state I was in before God's plan changed mine.
Today, I'm in a wonderful place. A place that I can see that God loves me. Through the people, opportunities, and experiences he has put in my life. Things are happening in my life that can only be attributed to the grace, mercy, and abundant love of my King of Kings.
So, I will rest, come to God in silence now. While it seems the teleporter has taken a moment to allow me to enjoy this place, and I'll praise God for it.
Considering everything I cannot change, the blessings I have received, and the convictions and desires in my heart I am thankful that God has blessed me with his plan. All of it. A plan that when I'm sitting around the campfire in Heaven, chatting it up with Noah about his Ark and John about his Baptisms, I can say "can you BELIEVE God used ME when _______."
Life is Good. God is Great.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Welcoming, Whitley Makenna

Today the Lord blessed our world with Whitley Makenna Nelson.
18 months ago I might of been terrified that Makenna's name be attached to Nelson. That would of meant that somehow Crystal and I dropped the ball and permitted our children to enter a relationship with the potential of procreating. Anyone with the slightest understanding of our children, would understand my concern. Now don't get me wrong, I'd prefer Makenna entering the Nelson clan, but it warms my heart for her to be remembered by them.
Friends like Crystal are few and far in between. Never in my life did I think I'd find someone who knows me - and accepts me that way that girl does. There were few I could talk to and be "real" after Makenna died. Few that I could joke with about the complete absurdity of the peace I experienced and how it took a hard hit upside the head for our God to get my attention. But, Crystal knows that - she's been that hard slap at times too, and also been standing right beside me in line waiting for the thumps.
When Crystal brought up the idea of giving Whit, Makenna's name it made me tear up. Meant a lot. My biggest fear is Makenna's name be forgotten - never said. If Baby Whit is anything like the rest of the clan I'm sure there will come a time when "WHITELY MAKENNA" is yelled - or growled daily. Its a pretty special honor that Makenna got, attached to a beautiful young Lady from and absolutely amazing family.
So, Crys and Chuck; Congrats! I love you and wish you all well. Lil' Whit is a very lucky girl.
Life is Good. God is Great!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sunday, March 20, 2011

It's the end of the world as we know it....

and I feel.....ummmm? I feel? What do you feel?Earthquakes, War, what's next? Jesus? Will the Lamb reveal himself as the Lion soon? Rumor has it that Jesus is returning, and his appearance will not produce lullaby like songs similiar to the popular tune "Away in the Manger."
In times like these, so many pursue the "why." If God is so good, why did thousands upon thousands
of people get swept away in a catastrophic tsunami a week ago? If God is SO good, why are civilians getting pounded by United Nation Allies in Lybia? If God truly is great, then why - why are children starving to death, women getting beaten, elderly getting neglected, and WHY is my Daughter in an urn on the shelf in my room instead of driving me nuts like her older sister. I truly am convicted in the realization that we aren't SUPPOSED to know why! "Why" is what lead Adam and Eve to that Tree of Knowledge, "Well, why can't we know what God knows?" "Why" is what lead to the tragedy of Cain and Abel, "Why doesn't anyone notice my works?" "Why" is what gives us the leverage to sin.
Why do people hurt? There is evil in this world. Why do people CONTINUE to hurt, because Christians fail. We fail to give when it hurts, to love those whom God loves. We fail to take a moment our of a hectic day to talk to the Cashier at the register. We fail to shake hands with people at our own Churches who are struggling to find their niche. We fail to pray, we fail to repent, and we fail to pursue that life that God asked us to. You see, God didn't create us to be puppets, to be pulled on strings at his whim to live out an easy christian life. He created us with the capacity to Love! It's our free will that prompts us who or what to love. God gives us this situations to create greatness! To brake us, to restore us! The only answer to "why" is God LOVES YOU! Our response to these situations should be, "what do I do with this" how is this going to give glory to God? He creates these incidences to strengthen us, to be witnesses to his love.
This generation is one poised to achieve greatness. With the intelligence, attitude, and confidence to change the WORLD. This generation is also quick to quip "why should i?" Determined to find the way it will benefit us directly. If it's not in our bubble, it doesn't matter. It's someone else's issue, cause, and wristband to wear. I challenge you to the "What if."
What if:
 You took a moment and sent 5 dollars to Japan, and it bought a vaccine that saved a child's life?
What if:
 You prayed for children in Lybia, and asked for God's protection from evil? And Satan Ran?
What if:
 You asked the lady at Taco Bell how her day was, and her faith in humanity was restored?
What if:
 If stepped outside your bubble, and embarked on a purpose driven life - and your world became exponentially bigger?
What if:
You finally understood, that the main characted in this book isn't you, it's not a child in Japan, or a Grandmother in Lybia. It's God?
What would you do with that?
What if:
The Messiah is returning. Are you ready? Are you confident enough to test that theory?

My prayer tonight is, to end the pursuit of Why and begin the reality of "What if." Life is good. God is great.