It's not about you!!

Today I really struggled with what other people thought about me.  I was worried about what they said that I have done, or what I do.  Then as I am listening to The Bible I hear the words that push me away from thinking about myself.  Like the Pharisee in the parable of Luke 18:9-14 I got focused on myself and not on the one above.  So tonight I sit here and say, "God, I am a sinner.  Have mercy on me, and give me the strength to make it through more days like these, and allow me to reflect you in my actions and words.


The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9)To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10)"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11) The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. 12) I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13) "But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14) "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.  For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

2015!!

This will be my first post of 2015, and also in a long time.  January 19 will be my one year anniversary that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior.  The one verse that keeps me going every day is Philippians 4:4 ~ Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, REJOICE!!

There is not alot I can say after that.  

Suffer this life to enjoy the next.

It's NOT too late....

A lot of times we believe the saying "It's too late...."  Too late to make change, too late to accept Christ.  The thoughts spin in your head, I've done too much, I've been too bad, or that was just too much.  Jesus has already died for you sins, all of them, no matter how much you have done.  Our God is a God of 2nd, and 3rd, and 4th chances, it's never to late to say you're sorry and ask for forgiveness.

In Luke 23 there is a small passage that shows how it is not too late. It is so slight that it is almost unnoticeable.  39} One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"  40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "Since you are under the same sentence? 41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kindom." 43} Jesus answered him, "Truely I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Okay so let's break that down, in verse 39 one of the thieves is hurling insults at Jesus.  A little condesentions and some ridicule in his tone I am sure.  The in verse 40 the other thief admits to knowing God but since he is in this position he obviously has not been following the teachings, or he might not be hanging here with Jesus.  Now this next verse is the AHA moment (Kyle Idleman from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY wrote a book called AHA.  It is an acronym for Awakening, Honesty, Action) for the second thief.  He accepts that he is getting punished for the crimes that he has committed = Honesty, I believe that for him to rebuke the first thief is the Awakening, also being crucified would also be a great "awakening" moment.  Now the last 2 verses Luke 23:42 & 43 are the action this man takes.  Verse 42 he asks Jesus to remember him when he enters his kindom or we can view this as asking forgiveness.  Verse 42 is this thief who in the final day in his life who has, in previous verse, claims to know that Jesus is pure and honest and undeserving of this punishment, and simply asks for forgiveness in their final moments on the cross.  Followed by Jesus staying true to all that he has taught and that we know.  Simply put "You are forgiven...." broken down from the long version, "Truely I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

WOW!!  What a moment in time!  So please remember that no matter what you do or have done all you need is to ask (Matthew 7:8).  

Struggling Startup

Startup is not easy.  I would like you all to please be patient with me.  I have some ideas that I have in notes but are not ready to be displayed.  I am working on trying to give proper words to make the Journey a plesent one, which reminds me of a passage that I just wrote about on the church website. We are reading a chapter of Proverbs per day.  Today in Proverbs 2:10 The Bible tells us: For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

I can't wait to continue the Journey with you

Happy Thanksgiving

I only have a few moments left to thank my  beautiful wife of 8 years and our 3 children.  You all make this venture fun and the Journey to Jesus exciting. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Doubting Thomas

John 20:29 - says ...blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

I have "doubting Thomas" in my life, I question all the time.  I ask you, how easy is it to put your trust in commercials, news, TV, and movies?  All of which are known to be works of fiction.  Even the "based on a true story" movies are grossly exaggerated.  It is the "based on..." movies that spark my interest and get my investigative mind to work.  Research on people, places and news articles trying to uncover what is true and not true.  Your faith is where you will find that truth.  It's okay to doubt as long as you satisfy that doubt with knowledge and soul searching.  Open the bible, search the web, download a sermon series.  What ever you do, don't let that doubt get the best of your faith. 

Journey 2 Jesus