"He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." - 2 Samuel 22:20
Questioning someone's motives for their activities can become an overriding response to those to whom we relate. Wrong motives can result in broken relationships, poor business decisions, and falling out of God's will. Sometimes we do not know the motive of another person. It is wrong for us to assume what their motive is until we have confidence that we know their intentions. When we respond or react prematurely, we become judge and jury over them.
God has a motive for every one of His children. His desire is to bring us into a spacious place. He wants us to go beyond our borders of safety and security so that we might experience life at a level that goes beyond ourselves. What do you think of when you think of a "spacious place"? No limitations? A large, grassy field? Open air? These are positive images. Sometimes these spacious places encourage us to step out in faith into areas where we've never ventured. Sometimes we need to be rescued by the Lord. When Peter walked on the water, God was inviting him to a spacious place. He went beyond the borders of his boat and ventured into a whole new world. He didn't have complete success in his venturing out, but it was a process that would lead him to the next victory in his faith walk with Jesus. Sometimes failure is what is needed in order to move us to the next level of faith with God. However, we must be willing to fail and let God rescue us.
The Lord delights in this process. His motive for His children is always love. It is always to bring us to a new level of trust and dependence on Him.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The WAY
There has been a great deal going on not only in our country, but in our world. There is a verse of Scripture that reminds me of how we are to live and the example we are to set, even through times of crisis.
“1But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9: 1,2)
Before Christians were ever known as Christians we were known as people of “The Way”. I really like this title more than Christian, because it states something about your life and what really matters to you. The Way says no matter what I face I know that God is in control and I prove that by living a certain “WAY”! I don’t put my emphasis on this life, but the life that is to come. A life that is reflective in my worship to a living God not to things made with human hands. For example, right now there is a great excitement over the college teams that are moving forward to the final four, but can the same excitement be seen in what God is doing, or what He is going to do? I haven’t seen one person paint themselves up and go into a time of worship and yell their excitement for the King of Kings, (that would be kind of weird), but you get my point. I truly believe we would see many supernatural events happen if we, Gods people, would start living in such a WAY, that the world would see a people of God living the way and not just another group of religious, denominational, church people doing, but being so in Love, so in Worship, and bringing so much glory to God that there would be a movement that cannot be explained by human terms only by supernatural movement of the Holy Spirit. Who’s with me?
Just thoughts from a sinner on his way home,
Peace, byron
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
“Jesus is Enough”
For the last few weeks it has been a blur for me. I have been working a lot and also trying to maintain all the goals established the first of the year. I must confess I have blown a few, but I have stayed steady with others; as I am sure some of you would agree. I say that to share with you an event that happened this week. I finally got the opportunity to get my hair cut, although it was nice to receive some monetary gain for my long hair by those having compassion on me and throwing a few bucks my way thinking I was in need but couldn’t find a sign. But when I finally made it to the shop that cuts my hair I entered into a conversation that seems to be going on around our community and I would say in our country; that is the state of our economy and the state of our world. One comment that was made was that “God would never put more on a person than they can handle.” Another statement was “God blesses those that bless Him.” Now I know there are some truths to these statements and I know where these statements come but many times they are sadly misused. When asked what I thought as a preacher I kindly shared with them the life of John the Baptist, Peter, Job, and Paul. Although they did exactly what was asked of them by God, their life on this earth would not be what we would consider a blessing in our life time. Think about it everything taken away, beaten, imprisoned, stoned, left for dead, ship wrecked, crucified, or beheaded. To me that doesn’t sound like a blessing, or more than they could handle. But I did let them know as I would like to say to you, what they did experience and what they did learned is that “Jesus is Enough” No matter what comes our way Jesus is enough, no matter what life, or the economy, or our government throws our way Jesus is and will be enough. You have to ask yourself and then answer do you believe that. Because that is the only hope we have and that hope will carry you into eternity. What these men had in common was that they were looking and longing for a new day, a day when all things will be restored to what God intended. A day I long for as well and I believe you do too.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
List for New Year.
I got this from my friend Bob Roberts blog. I plan on making it available for the people at Hope.
Excerpt from Asking to Win
by Bobb Biehl
Focusing ... or refocusing your life
This page holds some of my very favorite questions, collected over the past 20 years. Each has proven very trustworthy. These questions are best asked in the order presented.
1. GOD: What three changes in me would be most pleasing to God?
2. DREAM/PURPOSE: What can I do to make the most significant difference for God in my lifetime? Why am I on the earth? What is the very best organizational context for my dream?
3. PRIMARY RESULT: What is the single best measurable indicator that I am making progress toward my dream?
4. LIFE PRIORITIES: If I could accomplish only three measurable priorities (goals reached - or problems solved) before I die, what would I accomplish?
5. TEN YEAR FOCUS: If I could accomplish only three measurable priorities in the next ten years, that would make a 50% difference in my life-long contribution, what would I accomplish?
6. ANNUAL FOCUS:
SINGLE WORD FOCUS
What single word best captures the focus of my next year?
OPPORTUNITY
Where was my greatest unexpected success last year? Why was this
area so successful? What three steps could I take now to take full
advantage of this "Window of Opportunity" next year?
LAND MINES
What three land mines or roadblocks need my immediate attention?
What three changes could reduce my "risk" by 50%?
3/10/50%
If I could only accomplish three measurable priorities in the next 12
months that would make a 50% difference in my contribution over the
next 10 years, which three things would I most want to accomplish?
7. QUARTERLY FOCUS: What three measurable priorities could I accomplish in the next 90 days to make a 50% difference in the results I see by the end of the year?
8. ORGANIZATION: What three changes could I make to see a 50% difference in our morale as a family or team?
9. CASH: If I had to cut my budget 20% (or some other significant percentage), what would be the first three things to go? If I got a surprise gift of 20% of my budget, what three things would I do immediately?
10. QUALITY: What three changes could improve the quality of my work by 50% in the next 12 months?
"BIG PICTURE" PRIORITIES SHEET
(Expand to any size you like)
Priority
90 Days
One Year
Ten Years
Life
1.
2.
3.
Excerpt from Asking to Win
by Bobb Biehl
Focusing ... or refocusing your life
This page holds some of my very favorite questions, collected over the past 20 years. Each has proven very trustworthy. These questions are best asked in the order presented.
1. GOD: What three changes in me would be most pleasing to God?
2. DREAM/PURPOSE: What can I do to make the most significant difference for God in my lifetime? Why am I on the earth? What is the very best organizational context for my dream?
3. PRIMARY RESULT: What is the single best measurable indicator that I am making progress toward my dream?
4. LIFE PRIORITIES: If I could accomplish only three measurable priorities (goals reached - or problems solved) before I die, what would I accomplish?
5. TEN YEAR FOCUS: If I could accomplish only three measurable priorities in the next ten years, that would make a 50% difference in my life-long contribution, what would I accomplish?
6. ANNUAL FOCUS:
SINGLE WORD FOCUS
What single word best captures the focus of my next year?
OPPORTUNITY
Where was my greatest unexpected success last year? Why was this
area so successful? What three steps could I take now to take full
advantage of this "Window of Opportunity" next year?
LAND MINES
What three land mines or roadblocks need my immediate attention?
What three changes could reduce my "risk" by 50%?
3/10/50%
If I could only accomplish three measurable priorities in the next 12
months that would make a 50% difference in my contribution over the
next 10 years, which three things would I most want to accomplish?
7. QUARTERLY FOCUS: What three measurable priorities could I accomplish in the next 90 days to make a 50% difference in the results I see by the end of the year?
8. ORGANIZATION: What three changes could I make to see a 50% difference in our morale as a family or team?
9. CASH: If I had to cut my budget 20% (or some other significant percentage), what would be the first three things to go? If I got a surprise gift of 20% of my budget, what three things would I do immediately?
10. QUALITY: What three changes could improve the quality of my work by 50% in the next 12 months?
"BIG PICTURE" PRIORITIES SHEET
(Expand to any size you like)
Priority
90 Days
One Year
Ten Years
Life
1.
2.
3.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Do you think of only self?
Pretty Sad But Somehow Enlightening
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn't seem fair. At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window -- that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.
Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing.
Now there was only silence-deathly silence. The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate since he had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue. . . .
You can interpret the story in any way you like. But one moral stands out: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.
Author Unknown
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn't seem fair. At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window -- that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.
Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing.
Now there was only silence-deathly silence. The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate since he had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue. . . .
You can interpret the story in any way you like. But one moral stands out: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.
Author Unknown
Friday, November 21, 2008
Home from Africa
Hey Guys, just wanted to drop a line and give a big thanks to all that prayed for some pretty tough battles we had while we were in Africa. We had a grueling schedule of 13 that consisted of driving through 2 different countries 7 different stops over 500 to 650 miles of very rough roads to do the work. The mission trip was a huge success and we saw God do some amazing things. Quick picture of the trip, we saw medically over 650 people visited 3 orphanages was apart of opening a new orphanage in Nairobi Kenya, may be some pic coming up with the Associated Press in USA today. We saw at last count 80 to 90 people give there lives to Christ. We helped and are looking at being instrumental with a feeding program that feeds 450 street kids daily in Tororo Uganda. There were so many other things that have happened in these last two weeks that I am sure I will remember later, but I wanted to give you kinda of a quick over view of what happened while we were away. The 08 trip in Africa was a huge success and also came with some huge battles that God and His sovereign will accomplished. The work was very hard and very tiring and very, very, very rewarding regardless of all the obstacles that were faced. God is so Awesome and so sovereign in the work He did with 14 ragamuffins, we can only stand in amazement of what HE did not us! Next year Mount Kilimanjaro get your passports now.
I Love you Guys, byron
Just thoughts from a sinner on his way home.
peace, byron
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Headed to Africa!
Hey Guys, been a while since I have blogged anything. That is what happens when you get to busy. A group of 15 (I included) are headed to Africa to do medical mission and to start some new works, we will also be meeting with key people of new areas. Keep us and our fammilies in your prayers.
Also check out this video I got from Sam Shaw and comment on what you think about what John Piper says. I really like the last part!
Just thoughts from a sinner on his way home,
peaces, byron
Also check out this video I got from Sam Shaw and comment on what you think about what John Piper says. I really like the last part!
Just thoughts from a sinner on his way home,
peaces, byron
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