John 17:1-5 (MSG)

Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son so the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human so he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do. And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor, the very splendor I had in your presence before there was a world.

Titus003//4-8 (MSG)

But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.

2 Timothy 1:13-14

Check it out!

Do You Want To Get Well?

Heather and I were talking again last night about some of our experiences 'in the church' together. We've had really good ones...and down right hideous ones. We've seen the good and the bad...all while still in our 20's. It's interesting...to say the least.

One thing I love about Jesus is how He heals our wounds and shows us who we truly are. I think people can either desire to be healed of their hurt, anger & pain...or not desire it. I think of the guy who sat by the pool called Bethesda in John 5. It's incredible that Jesus asks the guy if he wants to be healed. If the guy said 'no'...I wonder what Jesus would have done. The man did make an excuse of sorts...which sounds familiar...I think we all have our excuses for not desiring to be healed.

The thing I've found about following Jesus is the He desires to heal us...all of us. But we've got to be real with Him. We can't hide anymore...He's calling us out...

"Do you want to get well?"
- Jesus

The Message

So, if you know me at all, you know that I love The Message. I don't really remember a time when I wasn't into learning about God. Both my parents were following the Lord by the time they had me...so I had the blessing of growing up around some pretty cool stuff.

That said...I've been reading the bible for over 21 years. When The Message came out...it was amazing. It's not that what God has been saying through the Word changed...I just got to read it and digest it in a new way. Read Matthew in The Message. Amazing.

I've been in Psalms a lot, lately.

"...I love it when you show yourself!
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well..."
-Psalm 119:174-175

Coffee, A Book & Grace

I can't really imagine much of a better start to a day than spending time reading and writing with a warm cup of coffee in hand. And today was awesome, cause it's overcast and cool. A perfect morning for coffee and a good book...I suppose you could say 'The Good Book.' Anyway, I was in 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 10 hit me in the gut.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect."

I really connect with that. That I'm a product of grace...so to say. And that God's grace effects me. It changes me. He grace is 'doing' things. It's a real encouraging thing to remember.

In other news, Heather and I got invited to go hear John Bevere speak this past weekend. He's written some, in my opinion, really good books. (Drawing Near & A Heart Ablaze). Not only was his teaching solid, he had a really cool shirt on. I wanted it for myself, however, I doubt it would have fit me, so I didn't ask for it.

I'm uploading the teaching from Sunday to the Central Community website today. You really should go check it out. On a personal level, I really connect with the series Pastor Eric is taking us through. And to add to that, communion was amazing...it's always a blessing to share together like that.

Have a great day and I will see you all this week!