tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71282494194783307762024-03-13T22:44:18.489-06:00Holy Crap - Finding God's Presence in Your PainA blog to encourage and challenge your faithBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-13252373003390753172008-06-28T22:05:00.002-06:002008-06-28T22:07:16.814-06:00I am Now at WordpressHello everyone. I am now at <a href="http://www.7holycrap.wordpress.com/">www.7holycrap.wordpress.com</a> I am going to try and post blogs about evry other day. Thanks and enjoy! (You can also Blog-roll me too!)Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-49647698359073076932008-01-25T16:16:00.000-07:002008-01-25T16:19:57.989-07:00I have moved to myspace and given in to the dark side!!Greetings all,<br /><br />I have officially moved this blog to a myspace site. I know, i have officially given in to the dark side by bowing and having a myspace site but I wanted to get my blog in a place where it would be seen the most and do the most good. So go to www.myspace.com/7holycrap and become my friend!! Thanks!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-52399484629746946762008-01-24T22:59:00.000-07:002008-01-24T23:06:33.176-07:00failures all quit<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">People who are failures in life all have one thing in common; they all quit.<span style=""> </span>Whatever you are going through in life, don’t quit.<span style=""> </span>When you quit you took the first and most important step in failing at anything.<span style=""> </span>When you don’t quit you put yourself in a position to see something extraordinary in your life.<span style=""> </span>Think of this; if you tried something and were not successful, think of what caused you not to succeed. Usually when you fail at something you learn more than if you were successful and automatically good and usually you learn something that you may be able to help others with.<span style=""> </span>Think about it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-43848421086453673192008-01-21T22:58:00.000-07:002008-01-21T23:00:53.001-07:00bad news part III<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSazZs1DPU3Zi0Kgo5UiCDuzvxZLUqfzxdWIlmQGJhNExleli5_WZP0dZSL1y5Vp4kmF3eKfBoMGpGFF0CoZG_ORfHJMc67T9HNbb4aDrvaW-2mlMAyFOSDNYhGtZWhiEPFr9s2X69fk4/s1600-h/bad_news.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSazZs1DPU3Zi0Kgo5UiCDuzvxZLUqfzxdWIlmQGJhNExleli5_WZP0dZSL1y5Vp4kmF3eKfBoMGpGFF0CoZG_ORfHJMc67T9HNbb4aDrvaW-2mlMAyFOSDNYhGtZWhiEPFr9s2X69fk4/s200/bad_news.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158176860836294946" border="0" /></a>Ok, so this is the last point that has to do with bad news.<span style=""> </span>Bad news is always a test of your relationship with God.<span style=""> </span>Our reaction when we are confronted with bad news is a litmus test that shows how much we trust that God is in control of our lives.<span style=""> </span>I am not saying that we are not going to have an initial reaction to it, but that we have the option of dwelling on it or releasing it to God and trusting that our lives are in his hands.<span style=""> </span>One thing about releasing things to God is that when we do, we identify that there is nothing in our power to change what is happening to us or a loved one besides pray a believe God for the best.<span style=""> </span>I used to think that prayer was like a wish list from God when really it is not.<span style=""> </span>It is an opportunity for us to communicate with God and not just a time to tell him what we think we want.<span style=""> </span>Remember, bad news is seasonal so that means that there has to be an end to what is causing that bad news.<span style=""> </span>I am saying that as a faith statement right now considering my physical condition with my eye.<span style=""> </span>It needs to get better or I may be looking at some bad news in about two weeks from the eye doctor.<span style=""> </span>Like I said, my life is in his hands and not my own.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-19762668656979338122008-01-20T16:58:00.000-07:002008-01-20T17:09:55.445-07:00bad news...holy Lord II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0KGd0GV6Ho4tP3ANzoJzXfG0Y_lewf78Rt5UaDz3xykl42LL5sKePQdTPda4EgyJsoNoLPHBcSUboA4r-B8x7u-vwMocrsntBHc0L7LUPADRu_kipriRrypx5sW-ldLo0zHnqLvnx1I/s1600-h/bad_news.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0KGd0GV6Ho4tP3ANzoJzXfG0Y_lewf78Rt5UaDz3xykl42LL5sKePQdTPda4EgyJsoNoLPHBcSUboA4r-B8x7u-vwMocrsntBHc0L7LUPADRu_kipriRrypx5sW-ldLo0zHnqLvnx1I/s200/bad_news.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157715345125503250" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Today is the second point about bad news.<span style=""> </span>Usually, bad news means that you will still have to go through something in life.<span style=""> </span>It’s not like you get the bad news and there is nothing connected to it.<span style=""> </span>That said, it is important for you to remember what you go through so that you can help someone else who is possibly going through the same thing.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think we really understand how important it is to “not forsake the gathering together” in the church.<span style=""> </span>When we gather together (aka have church) its funny because we are usually in the mode of “what is the church going to do for me today?”<span style=""> </span>I took time out of my busy schedule to bless you with my presence so pony up the Spiritual feel good stuff.<span style=""> </span>Really, especially when we go through something that is connected to bad news, we should probably look to others in the church and how we can help give them just a little more hope to get through the day or through their situation.<span style=""> </span>Tomorrow point three.</p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-24881135987874472522008-01-18T23:55:00.000-07:002008-01-18T23:57:18.458-07:00bad news....holy Lord<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnoCwCvQAWOpWUUumoCh12YgmSFnWiMWbZOdu972pf-8SuAIdUVaouETbaoEmshUCap0Mdg50sOOzTrstfY4JUrhcT-SzxeY_O5v202gDRLEMKsaOnwbcfKnPKSmlpgh37W0GJgtKsXo/s1600-h/bad_news.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157078169547272450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnoCwCvQAWOpWUUumoCh12YgmSFnWiMWbZOdu972pf-8SuAIdUVaouETbaoEmshUCap0Mdg50sOOzTrstfY4JUrhcT-SzxeY_O5v202gDRLEMKsaOnwbcfKnPKSmlpgh37W0GJgtKsXo/s200/bad_news.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When we get bad news, no matter what form it comes in, we have an opportunity to check our relationship with God (or a lack of). Bad news is inevitable no matter who you are and how long you are alive. The question is not IF you are going to get bad news but when. There are three things you need to know about bad news to help you to deal with it. First, Bad news has the ability to become something worse than it already is. Your mind is a great place for the devil to play “worst case scenario”. This is when you play out every negative scenario connected to the news that you received. Many times this is based on nothing but your worry and can take you to a place mentally that can affect more than just what you think but your actions as well. We need to take bad news just as that; bad news. That sounds funny, but when you can keep your perspective on the situation it makes it manageable. This also has to do with you submitting your mind to Christ everyday and not letting the devil use your mind for his playground. Tomorrow, I will talk about point two. </div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-81110620976830504812008-01-18T08:35:00.000-07:002008-01-18T08:52:28.795-07:00finding God's best for you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxi10imMjkOEIu6x4zUhXpMGwIxK2YMubQCDHwyyYns52dk8zw5gbbFnZD3NROCIAghDJvYYNGAz5BLfSNF1dDhZBPLq-v9hoc5GSbe5ALY2DBDvsv4We5KKef08aXZYSWORNqtCHH8Q/s1600-h/shutterstock_8388133.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxi10imMjkOEIu6x4zUhXpMGwIxK2YMubQCDHwyyYns52dk8zw5gbbFnZD3NROCIAghDJvYYNGAz5BLfSNF1dDhZBPLq-v9hoc5GSbe5ALY2DBDvsv4We5KKef08aXZYSWORNqtCHH8Q/s200/shutterstock_8388133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156844961413034226" border="0" /></a><br />How many times have you said that you are trying to find God's best for you? In your job, in relationships, etc. I think that many times we are trying so hard to find God's best that we forget to work on becoming God's best. I am a firm believer that God will never give you more than you are willing to take care of. That includes a car, a job, money, relationships, etc. When we focus on who we are becoming for God then he will take care of giving us his best and giving what he thinks we need and not what we think we need. One of the questions I am going to ask God when I get to heaven is why is there such a huge difference between his timing and mine? I know that he is waiting for me to learn what I need to learn each day, but sometimes it just gets hard to "wait on God's best" for me. In those times of waiting, I know that I need to work on becoming the best I can for God and he will do the rest. (but it still doesn't mean its not hard!)Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-2751345625180757122007-08-04T10:01:00.000-06:002007-08-04T10:04:16.791-06:00It's not about the event of healing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEititc14MDsOGm8SdmiJgbieyx42UlUeZa9JX9gdKiZvGAFLei3WsglYmBcGvds1ylUcbhJbCWe02sc3Qklzb7I_wd49ghlMfZ0aMUgzh8G0l8RSFXKDm2_LeYHuhBQ6A-fQqVpoz3QSMM/s1600-h/lightning2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEititc14MDsOGm8SdmiJgbieyx42UlUeZa9JX9gdKiZvGAFLei3WsglYmBcGvds1ylUcbhJbCWe02sc3Qklzb7I_wd49ghlMfZ0aMUgzh8G0l8RSFXKDm2_LeYHuhBQ6A-fQqVpoz3QSMM/s200/lightning2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094876539494086146" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">It should not be the event of healing that gives us a motivation to truly be who God wants us to be.<span style=""> </span>If that were the case, we would need a “miraculous event” on a consistent basis to keep us motivated to serve him and become who he has created each of us to be.<span style=""> </span>I have learned these past years that if I want to be the absolute best that I can be I need to find who I am in the middle of my storm instead of waiting for the storm to end and then committing to a healthy relationship with God.<span style=""> </span>My wife and I have recently started a prayer schedule.<span style=""> </span>We use Sunday nights to pray for others needs that we know of, Monday nights are for prayers for healing and Tuesday nights are for our finances.<span style=""> </span>I used to think that I needed to pray for hours everyday if I wanted to see change in my life.<span style=""> </span>I believe that we need to spend some amount of time everyday with Jesus but that it needs to be intentional time and not just convenient time.<span style=""> </span>When we spend intentional time with Jesus we are saying to him, “I want more than just and event of healing in my life.<span style=""> </span>I want to be different and learn from every experience that I go through in life”.<span style=""> </span>When we take that attitude with Christ we open a door to a relationship that we will not be able to contain and it will spill out all over every one we come in contact with.<span style=""> </span>Jesus knows what we need, how we need it and how much we can take.<span style=""> </span>Never forget that.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-47790325030034210702007-06-02T08:48:00.000-06:002007-06-02T08:56:23.341-06:00doubt is an opinion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPysfsZA3aJ0zBB7qA_cTYrJ483IC3wuWWo8wDWn4PgxpfpRrHKEsUKmxuNWRTC5TCMhePKCgA5ie4j3LdCcYpo0l8q41aoAKBAs4inleKJ5ZaSEApERV4G-gKSFnBCemojKmQdq6Ws18/s1600-h/trust_rock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPysfsZA3aJ0zBB7qA_cTYrJ483IC3wuWWo8wDWn4PgxpfpRrHKEsUKmxuNWRTC5TCMhePKCgA5ie4j3LdCcYpo0l8q41aoAKBAs4inleKJ5ZaSEApERV4G-gKSFnBCemojKmQdq6Ws18/s200/trust_rock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071480357996988338" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">If I am spending time trying to get to know Jesus better, I will not have time to doubt him.<span style=""> </span>It’s the age old adage that "those who row the boat generally don’t have time to rock it".<span style=""> </span>Either you are helping with the direction of the boat or you are being dead weight and making it hard to go anywhere.<span style=""> </span>If you think about it, doubt is based on a personal opinion of someone or something.<span style=""> </span>If I doubt someone I have already set in my mind how I feel about that person.<span style=""> </span>I am telling myself that I don’t trust that person because of a set of mental rules.<span style=""> </span>If I tell myself that I am still trying to get to know that person, I will maybe have questions about the relationship but I am open to learning more about them before I have an opinion about our relationship.<span style=""> </span>With Jesus, I think he always wants us to be in a mode of seeking his face and not his hand.<span style=""> </span>What that means is that I am not looking for what he can do for me, I am looking for who he is for the development of the relationship.<span style=""> </span>Any relationship that is based on “what can you do for me” is doomed from the start.<span style=""> </span>If I had that type of relationship with my wife it would only be a matter of time before she would feel used and probably leave.<span style=""> </span>If you have friends around you that you treat that way it is the same thing.<span style=""> </span>They will probably stop being your friend after a while and not want to be around you because of your attitude.<span style=""> </span>With Jesus I think we treat our relationship with him differently and we shouldn’t.<span style=""> </span>We need to consider the fact that he gave his life for us and we should want to do anything we can to give our lives to him.<span style=""> </span>We cannot let the storms and crap of life determine the depth of our relationship with Jesus.<span style=""> </span>We need to work on getting to know him better and in that process see doubt leave our minds and hearts.<span style=""> </span>The crappy thing about it is that this is an everyday process.<span style=""> </span>It’s not something that we can do infrequently or just when we feel like it.<span style=""> </span>It is a daily discipline that will reap a great reward and change us into people who can touch a world that is hurt and needs hope.<span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-76769897590683368632007-05-30T22:17:00.001-06:002007-05-30T22:18:40.934-06:00expectation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsgslbwHvD9Kn2gH6ypdDVvyxwRF2rIuK5vtOkdYuyZlAqtAAxhB6Gwbz83WBco0UmTzmwMKaymlHD-6JZpA6ZFgUBUvbtPqQFtGdmkHHO7SCxO02CkFu4HUpEfPUTg5JkRzav-hquxk/s1600-h/brain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsgslbwHvD9Kn2gH6ypdDVvyxwRF2rIuK5vtOkdYuyZlAqtAAxhB6Gwbz83WBco0UmTzmwMKaymlHD-6JZpA6ZFgUBUvbtPqQFtGdmkHHO7SCxO02CkFu4HUpEfPUTg5JkRzav-hquxk/s200/brain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070574390480471970" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever thought about the word “expectation”?<span style=""> </span>I am beginning to see the greater importance of this in communicating with God.<span style=""> </span>I heard a message at church tonight about the amazing miracles that are being seen and experienced overseas and I compare that with what is going on in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> and it is pretty sad.<span style=""> </span>We don’t see the demonstrations of God’s power like they do overseas and it gets me in a mode of thinking about my own life and the healing that I want to see in my eye.<span style=""> </span>If you have grown up in church like me, you have those church services where you can just sense something different and I believe that comes from expectation.<span style=""> </span>Do I really expect God to heal me or am I content with my Rheumatologist thinking that my life is in his hands?<span style=""> </span>Do I expect to be debt free and take the steps to see that happen and believe that God is blessing those actions?<span style=""> </span>I think that expectation is dulled by all the comforts of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> and really being spoiled into a sense of false security.<span style=""> </span>It is the truest sense of the statement that good will always be the mortal enemy of the great.<span style=""> </span>I am going to start asking God to show me how to have a heart of expectation with everything I pray for.<span style=""> </span>Not even just my healing but in everything.<span style=""> </span>Even that statement is hard for me to type right now with where I am financially and physically.<span style=""> </span>I guess I just have to expect that I will see something different than I have seen for the past three years in my health, emotions and finances.<span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-16258457012501392912007-05-26T13:59:00.000-06:002007-05-26T14:04:03.225-06:00christianity needs fruit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5SOBi2kxRrOcUw9DjyqtSJYaRg1EOshX5sD8qcRJC8RTgVuXFUY6M9IHj4oQRYY_5XK4PhdNfjS_TFIICnJEat9Q3dtoyMPzezuLvuPHqULqP5gRkw9lxw2bzJ8D2c6iH3cVd57IPo8/s1600-h/fruit2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5SOBi2kxRrOcUw9DjyqtSJYaRg1EOshX5sD8qcRJC8RTgVuXFUY6M9IHj4oQRYY_5XK4PhdNfjS_TFIICnJEat9Q3dtoyMPzezuLvuPHqULqP5gRkw9lxw2bzJ8D2c6iH3cVd57IPo8/s200/fruit2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068962532203956114" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Watchman Nee Quote:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Show the world the fruits of Christianity and it will applaud; but show the world Christianity, and it will oppose it vigorously.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This was revelation to me today.<span style=""> </span>I have always thought that people that didn’t know Christ would only need to by introduced to the concept of Christianity for it to be real to them and for them to make a decision to follow Christ.<span style=""> </span>I think this comes from growing up in the church all my life and not really thinking about the introduction of Christ to others.<span style=""> </span>I was always taught to be a good boy and that if I didn’t want to go to hell that I would follow Jesus and not question the directives of the church.<span style=""> </span>Now that I am older I realize that if I don’t have fruit that is evident in my life that others can see then I need to re-evaluate my relationship with Jesus.<span style=""> </span>Christianity without fruit is just another rule or regulation that the world is told it needs to “be right”.<span style=""> </span>Christians are notorious for being ready to tell others “like it is” but not being able to listen to what a nonbeliever is going through in their life.<span style=""> </span>If there is fruit that comes from following Christ it becomes attractive to people and gives them a desire to have the great things that a Christian has.<span style=""> </span>If there is no fruit in a Christian’s life then a walk with Christ can become a great burden and really a waste of time.<span style=""> </span>Why call yourself a follower of Christ and have nothing to show for it?<span style=""> </span>Today, look for the fruit that comes from a living relationship with Christ.<span style=""> </span>If you don’t, you will not only be leading others away from the best thing the will ever need, but you will frustrate yourself and dishonor God in the process by not doing what he asks.<span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-58468282518367163492007-05-12T09:14:00.000-06:002007-05-12T09:26:16.903-06:00your attitude in loss will determine your relationship with God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyMjtmkiAxn6jV7qaEmvEIzxNzpbY5m-LONH5ILTRVN8oIvxKPZmw_XSJFxt84_qXDFxAY3a_sav_DBMBGBzO88OtUruX2UCznhZPqr2HgViC8pMBzy0lu8wJME9OjN5OlNgs8cGmrCE/s1600-h/trust_loss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyMjtmkiAxn6jV7qaEmvEIzxNzpbY5m-LONH5ILTRVN8oIvxKPZmw_XSJFxt84_qXDFxAY3a_sav_DBMBGBzO88OtUruX2UCznhZPqr2HgViC8pMBzy0lu8wJME9OjN5OlNgs8cGmrCE/s200/trust_loss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063695740702816818" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Your attitude in loss will determine your relationship with God.<span style=""> </span>Your relationship with God cannot be judged when everything is going well for you.<span style=""> </span>Those times are not the true test of any relationship.<span style=""> </span>When God allows something to be taken you have an instant test to judge your heart and to see how much you trust him.<span style=""> </span>I know that there are people in my life that if they take something from me and I trust them I will not even question what they are doing.<span style=""> </span>If I don’t feel like I know a person very well and they take something from me I get frustrated and angry.<span style=""> </span>The same is with God.<span style=""> </span>When we are spending time with him and get to know him we are learning to trust him and find out his heart for us.<span style=""> </span>When that time of loss comes we have an opportunity to show our love for him by trusting that he has our best interests in mind and that he is not going to take anything from us to purposely hurt us or modify our lives in a way that is not for our good.<span style=""> </span>What state is your relationship with God right now?<span style=""> </span>Are you in a place of loss and need to submit to his will and trust that he is working everything out for your good?<span style=""> </span>It may be your time to see a miracle but you have to trust him.<span style=""> </span>That part of the relationship is up to you. <span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-33033963631844180182007-04-20T17:38:00.000-06:002007-04-20T17:40:54.605-06:00God's perfect timing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FqD9TbX-LLxE2Cz7d2URZu8UWAXXHPb_OcZvgZ8rxakWa7Ton62GZO0cGVOQCvoY2lyyjlSX0GyYCIfmPleFhhq8Af22DAA0bJcuS8s8UG2uWT4subUiCiO-RhJdODFAVVHyACMfd10/s1600-h/gods_timing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FqD9TbX-LLxE2Cz7d2URZu8UWAXXHPb_OcZvgZ8rxakWa7Ton62GZO0cGVOQCvoY2lyyjlSX0GyYCIfmPleFhhq8Af22DAA0bJcuS8s8UG2uWT4subUiCiO-RhJdODFAVVHyACMfd10/s200/gods_timing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055659436275928850" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Quote from Watchman Nee – "Those who know God have no need to protect their rights.<span style=""> </span>Because they believe in Him, they learn to rely on Him for the outcome – knowing that whatever His will should be, it will be to their benefit in one way or another".<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>This is a great truth about relying on God.<span style=""> </span>We live in a society that is motivated by a mindset that says “I have rights and don’t violate them”.<span style=""> </span>The problem is that we may think we know what is best for our lives but only God is the one who knows us well enough to guide and direct us from where we are to where we need to be.<span style=""> </span>I was making a list that I am going to put in my book about things that I thought were going to happen one way and they were for something else.<span style=""> </span>Here is an example; my wife bought me some bags to hold my pills that I am taking from the store.<span style=""> </span>They actually turned out to be too big for what I needed and they sat in the cupboard for over a year.<span style=""> </span>I just started another natural drink that to see if it will help with my eye and needed to have bags to put the mix in that I put with water when I take it.<span style=""> </span>I had the bags my wife brought and they ended up being the perfect size for what I needed.<span style=""> </span>The first thing that came to my mind was that I had other intentions for those bags but they were not what I thought they would be used for.<span style=""> </span>At the time we got them I thought, “What a waste of money”.<span style=""> </span>But if we didn’t have those bags I would have had to try and find something to hold my drink mix in.<span style=""> </span>I know that may sound a little corny, but I believe that there are seasons in our life with God that are just like that.<span style=""> </span>We expect God to do one thing with us but if we step back and trust that His ways are higher than ours we will see that the our lives will be perfect if we can wait and learn to trust the timing of His will more than just the timing of our lives.<span style=""> </span>When we think that God is not doing anything our things are “a waste” we need to understand that God has it all under control and He working everything out.</p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-31005441782734486792007-04-02T22:06:00.000-06:002007-04-02T22:07:41.946-06:00greatness after the mistake<p class="MsoNormal">The greatness of a person is not seen in what they do when everything is going their way and is positive, but what they do after they make a mistake.<span style=""> </span>Every one of us has the natural ability to do wrong things in our life and make mistakes of all kinds.<span style=""> </span>When we make a mistake we have a distinct opportunity to show what we are made of in getting back up and asking for God’s help.<span style=""> </span>The next time you make a mistake think about whether or not you are going to be great and make a positive decision to give all your crap to God or continue to let a trail of mistakes take you to a place that you never wanted to go.<span style=""> </span>So now you can think of a mistake as an opportunity for you to show your greatness in what you decide to do after making a poor decision.<span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-25556022587211487142007-03-04T19:10:00.000-07:002007-03-04T19:15:56.788-07:00did you lock it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa0yC1Y_DuhwesIs5VVEZ5IlmfrlGic4_QEK2aomrqJHQz7kpF3mcPqSm_vTeWStnQq6LHTNaFkEb3GojIaf03f6YU3650fFEhmMRC08RFKfOEHqsZ9uhO3bqg6UeFqG7dpNtuVvd0gw/s1600-h/door_handle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa0yC1Y_DuhwesIs5VVEZ5IlmfrlGic4_QEK2aomrqJHQz7kpF3mcPqSm_vTeWStnQq6LHTNaFkEb3GojIaf03f6YU3650fFEhmMRC08RFKfOEHqsZ9uhO3bqg6UeFqG7dpNtuVvd0gw/s200/door_handle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038258315654616258" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">I had an interesting thought the other day when I was driving to work.<span style=""> </span>I had one of those moments when I forgot if I locked my door at my house when I left.<span style=""> </span>It was one of those things where you always lock the door before you leave but one day you think you may not have because it almost has become an automatic response to leaving your house, going to your car and driving away.<span style=""> </span>I thought about my relationship to God and how I can have a similar relationship to him.<span style=""> </span>We get so familiar with our actions in interacting with Him that it can just become an automatic response.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think this is a good thing.<span style=""> </span>We should never get to a place with God where we just have “auto responses” to him.<span style=""> </span>I think that our walk with God should always have a level of intentionality behind it.<span style=""> </span>So, the next time you forget if you locked your door or not remember the importance of spending intentional time with God.<span style=""> </span>He always remembers if you spend time with him!<span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-90867585054873414502007-02-17T10:42:00.000-07:002007-02-17T10:49:53.583-07:00what are you "going through"?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqvzEmW3i3v4xJiF4m_07srFjzs9hyEcsSghjS90deQRl4Ryl9K1919ByDcnl9rzVqtcSkjeWd-BGKmLSLEPT8u-zb1IrCRWT3onMPa7Kz6TTrBpj_nDxuVkyfkTIoPLRA6v6YRByIiE/s1600-h/tunnel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqvzEmW3i3v4xJiF4m_07srFjzs9hyEcsSghjS90deQRl4Ryl9K1919ByDcnl9rzVqtcSkjeWd-BGKmLSLEPT8u-zb1IrCRWT3onMPa7Kz6TTrBpj_nDxuVkyfkTIoPLRA6v6YRByIiE/s200/tunnel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032561697025990898" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Going through something is an interesting process.<span style=""> </span>When we say that we are “going through” that obviously means that there is a start and a finish to what is being gone through.<span style=""> </span>The difference is that when we give our hearts and lives to God we surrender the right to look for the exit out of the situation that we are going through and we say “God, you are the one that we trust to teach us what we need to learn as well as getting us through that stretch of life.”<span style=""> </span>The fact is that we will always be “going through” something in life whether it’s physical, emotional or spiritual.<span style=""> </span>The variable is who will we let guide and direct what we do in the middle of that situation?<span style=""> </span>If its God, then we need to stop continuing to look for the reason why and accept the fact that He is trying to teach us something in the middle of our stuff.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-22570965730654672072007-01-27T19:27:00.001-07:002007-01-27T19:27:32.719-07:00trust<p class="MsoNormal">One of the hardest things to humanly do is trust.<span style=""> </span>I know that with where I am with my life that I am in a place of having to trust that God has my future in his hands.<span style=""> </span>My truck broke down yesterday and I just felt like I was going crazy.<span style=""> </span>It is hard when everything in the physical realm looks pretty bad but I have God telling me in his Word that He is going to take care of me in every way.<span style=""> </span>I have my wife telling me that God is just allowing things to happen to us so that he can set us up for an even greater miracle.<span style=""> </span>Honestly, that is just hard for me to hear because we have to go through the crap to see what’s on the other side.</p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-65048507133548529582007-01-23T20:37:00.000-07:002007-01-23T20:38:05.356-07:00the greatest praise<p class="MsoNormal">I think that the greatest praise that you can give the Lord is what I call “no reason praise”.<span style=""> </span>This is the kind of thanksgiving to God that is really born from nothing or from bad circumstances.<span style=""> </span>I know that because God is great that He has every right to be praised but there are times in life when it feels like we have no reason because of personal circumstances.<span style=""> </span>When we praise God in the middle of the trouble in our lives we do many things.<span style=""> </span>We encourage other people that are watching our lives, we make the devil mad because he wants to steal our praise to God and we put ourselves in a position to be used by God that is beyond our human ability.<span style=""> </span>Let God be the super that combines with your natural and live a life that is supernatural.<span style=""> </span></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-19470198363225955842007-01-14T17:14:00.000-07:002007-01-14T17:18:16.394-07:00Life's too short<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTT3c_Hx9lDrNf_FlGIggs8EZsTfv0i44rZD4oCvQcYwDmP3AEh-JqkiR68zrc8Vy6tG3pp0-RUEgTWphKEpYFupEEH8NXPdzV4YAW82o3zbG8ZozoksSdfeiUiIBZzBwIA8etBKq90o/s1600-h/momcar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTT3c_Hx9lDrNf_FlGIggs8EZsTfv0i44rZD4oCvQcYwDmP3AEh-JqkiR68zrc8Vy6tG3pp0-RUEgTWphKEpYFupEEH8NXPdzV4YAW82o3zbG8ZozoksSdfeiUiIBZzBwIA8etBKq90o/s200/momcar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020044865513836258" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a picture of the car my mom and uncle were in when they got in their accident. I looked again at this picture and thought to myself again that life is way too short to worry about things that don't really matter in eternity. I want to challenge you to think about the things that affect your life in a negative way and really evaluate whether they are worth the worry. Think about it.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-26650301580587208922007-01-13T20:15:00.000-07:002007-01-13T20:27:46.039-07:00The power of Proverbs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJF4nkMlxYOBGoQYGi6QG7ftRANhAzKzP3ebphHyUIX6SFufiCW8BK3E6YgrTK3JBRfpo0Mgw843vZPG30DiGBSmOsDe3XHXCMXHRBhULh-ll-4WIOalHVsKg49rJG4RqBon-gbUwznk/s1600-h/fruit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJF4nkMlxYOBGoQYGi6QG7ftRANhAzKzP3ebphHyUIX6SFufiCW8BK3E6YgrTK3JBRfpo0Mgw843vZPG30DiGBSmOsDe3XHXCMXHRBhULh-ll-4WIOalHVsKg49rJG4RqBon-gbUwznk/s200/fruit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019722627002519250" border="0" /></a>We have been talking about the power of Proverbs in our small group and the importance of it being a consistent part of your emotional diet in life.<span style=""> </span>It is not a Biblical book that has stories or principles in it that need to be deciphered in some way.<span style=""> </span>It is a book that is based on practical actions in life that matter in your walk with God.<span style=""> </span>Anything you decide to put in you will make up who you are.<span style=""> </span>That is not just food but also emotionally what you decide to make part of your diet. Make the word a part of your emotional diet and see your self stay in great emotional shape. <span style=""><br /></span>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-31725638125437449202007-01-07T19:43:00.000-07:002007-01-07T19:49:18.442-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGOQ9bOv7lU0AnQp3W6l3YYRyb1ioqQjg7qrfYxTQQvNvu-bKrPijlIOR5L6TZYXOlOWfUnISACzGOAuIDlmn88wjD22qxcbwQeXlOByT-cV8sQPhtTB6RIzWTFwY9zgvS3FC9yZQlIY/s1600-h/sparkler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGOQ9bOv7lU0AnQp3W6l3YYRyb1ioqQjg7qrfYxTQQvNvu-bKrPijlIOR5L6TZYXOlOWfUnISACzGOAuIDlmn88wjD22qxcbwQeXlOByT-cV8sQPhtTB6RIzWTFwY9zgvS3FC9yZQlIY/s200/sparkler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5017484738490606738" border="0" /></a>What motivates you in life? What happens when that motivation is gone? Evaluate your life today and consider what it is that takes you from where you are to where you need to go in life. If its money, then don't ever run out of it. If its someone else, make sure that person never leaves your life. If its Jesus Christ then be ready for anything because He is the master of unlimited motivational potential.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-28752495355056414592007-01-05T16:27:00.000-07:002007-01-05T16:29:33.663-07:00Snotty People equals Great Coffee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4_hcCZNIL2Dry8dnd9HMvXLZ_gAsl7QB59yxSn_EB8HgMamH75eg6DclybHRFGRjfSY9BgV2emAXAjrb6m0hZtmk4Ifkf0lEX7pMldmLd6JHm9rydQcDUBkePoNJe5OJl8nezbO2b78/s1600-h/starbucks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4_hcCZNIL2Dry8dnd9HMvXLZ_gAsl7QB59yxSn_EB8HgMamH75eg6DclybHRFGRjfSY9BgV2emAXAjrb6m0hZtmk4Ifkf0lEX7pMldmLd6JHm9rydQcDUBkePoNJe5OJl8nezbO2b78/s200/starbucks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5016692183880508546" border="0" /></a>Where there are snotty people there is great coffee.<span style=""> </span>I found this out at a Starbucks that I like to go to every once in a while over by my work.<span style=""> </span>I don’t like to really go in there because it is usually very busy and full of people that are so in love with themselves and their money that if they could legally marry themselves they would.<span style=""> </span>I know that sounds like a rude statement but I noticed something about the quality of coffee and service that you get in this specific Starbucks; it’s impeccable.<span style=""> </span>You are greeted well, your coffee is never wrong and it’s always hot and served quickly.<span style=""> </span>It is the expectation of these people that come in to get coffee that the service will be excellent, the coffee hot and served fast so that they can get on with their day.<span style=""> </span>The Starbucks knows this and does everything in its power to make sure that the people in that store are happy when they walk out.<span style=""> </span>I believe that expectation is a key element in getting the best out of life.<span style=""> </span>When things are not going well we have a tendency to lower our expectations in life so that we are not disappointed.<span style=""> </span>It is always easier to expect less in life than it is to push yourself to expect God to do something special.<span style=""> </span>It has been so hard with my eye condition to expect anything but “pills, ills and bills”.<span style=""> </span>I guess I need to be like snotty people ordering coffee at Starbucks; expect the best and get the best. <span style=""> </span>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-28195544064433953802007-01-02T21:52:00.000-07:002007-01-02T21:58:42.946-07:00My dog's new name is Colonel Sanders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgKOm_aykia_bCZh4ucDnUIq3Q538JtSjnY9gc4TiWJoOa0lUbQLn4RGi0mWN2rnmxpL7NKy7MVNuHuBQ33dt3AKKuX5ex8T_px66z4Toe782SVa26FnEcfpLTWtQOdyQyxGphwvvTaI/s1600-h/chicken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgKOm_aykia_bCZh4ucDnUIq3Q538JtSjnY9gc4TiWJoOa0lUbQLn4RGi0mWN2rnmxpL7NKy7MVNuHuBQ33dt3AKKuX5ex8T_px66z4Toe782SVa26FnEcfpLTWtQOdyQyxGphwvvTaI/s200/chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015662974885728818" border="0" /></a>My dog got into our garbage the other day and started to eat the greasy chicken out of the trash.<span style=""> </span>I told my wife that I am going to start calling him Colonel Sanders aka Mr. Kentucky Fried Chicken.<span style=""> </span>I thought about how much we are like my dog when it comes to our relationship with God.<span style=""> </span>My dog wanted to get into the trash because he thought he smelled something that would taste good and although it was in a trash bag he really didn’t care.<span style=""> </span>He didn’t understand that there was probably a reason why we had put chicken in a plastic bag on the floor of our kitchen instead of keeping it in the fridge so that it would still be edible.<span style=""> </span>All he knew was that it smelled good, he was hungry and he wanted it.<span style=""> </span>How many times do we ignore God when he doesn’t give us something and we think is so important for us to have not thinking that God knows why we are not getting what we are asking for?<span style=""> </span>Needless to say, my dog was not feeling too hot for that night and the better part of the next day.<span style=""> </span>We push it with God sometimes when he says no to our requests in life and then we wonder why we have consequences to our actions.<span style=""> </span>I want to trust that there is a reason why God is not giving me what I want and understand that he is smarter than I am knowing what I need when I need it.<span style=""> </span>Don’t be like my dog that was rummaging through the trash for things that he should have never gotten into.<span style=""> Trust that there is a reason why God is not giving you what you want.<br /></span>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-6120036605530582102007-01-01T10:23:00.000-07:002007-01-01T10:31:11.953-07:00God Pills<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH846bExoUEvSjfDfWpqooYe1OG27ztY1nLTWEyI94ahKnab6Zecbx7DgUDwkE7TMu6nvEpdDp56cTKB05ou8J9l3l6a9-SEO1CpsECNl9GkYRH-YOOs6VtuiZt1GiBjL5sNXk8n44Slk/s1600-h/pills.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH846bExoUEvSjfDfWpqooYe1OG27ztY1nLTWEyI94ahKnab6Zecbx7DgUDwkE7TMu6nvEpdDp56cTKB05ou8J9l3l6a9-SEO1CpsECNl9GkYRH-YOOs6VtuiZt1GiBjL5sNXk8n44Slk/s200/pills.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015115821822022178" border="0" /></a>Happy New Year everyone!<span style=""> </span>Now for my first new years revelation about life and our relationship to Christ; I am convinced that the majority of believers in Christ don’t really want to change they just want to feel better about themselves and their situations so that they can continue to live life the way they want to.<span style=""> </span>I was talking to my wife last night about people who really want to change their lives and people who basically want just a band aid for their lives or a type of “God pill” to make the pain go away so they can continue to live life on their own terms instead of letting Christ be the boss.<span style=""> </span>I have a pretty good perspective on this with the 28 pills that I take a day.<span style=""> </span>I take some pills that are vitamins and some that help my adrenal gland not shut down from the prednisone that I am on right now but I also take pills that if I didn’t I would be in some serious pain.<span style=""> </span>I really feel like we treat God the same way as pain medication.<span style=""> </span>We ask God to “take the pain away” but are we willing to do what it takes to not just be free but to stay free?<span style=""> </span>It’s a big question for our lives because a walk with God takes effort everyday and its not just a one shot deal.<span style=""> </span>If you have been told different then you were lied to.<span style=""> </span>Think about your life this year and how you will be different January 1<sup>st</sup> of 2008 from who you are today.<span style=""> </span>Don’t just take the “God pill” for pain, give him your life completely and see what happens.<span style=""> </span>This is not just praying and asking God for what you want, it is making your actions line up with the Bible.<span style=""> </span>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128249419478330776.post-27700200033198589242006-12-28T19:50:00.000-07:002006-12-28T19:51:12.942-07:00lessons from the snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQGDmaKkGm1MHERHt3FdNPzEipr7O9SCyWVb-nraUyUQ08MLoN9OFZ65sGKuuN4OGrUaaLzf1RwC7UGSOOOpprAF3Ka91Tz3kx39cFj0WbXM_G_DZg3TMrk3yA8zjEzcdNA8NtaT0f1Y/s1600-h/snow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQGDmaKkGm1MHERHt3FdNPzEipr7O9SCyWVb-nraUyUQ08MLoN9OFZ65sGKuuN4OGrUaaLzf1RwC7UGSOOOpprAF3Ka91Tz3kx39cFj0WbXM_G_DZg3TMrk3yA8zjEzcdNA8NtaT0f1Y/s200/snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013775872586841634" border="0" /></a>We have had some SERIOUS snow here in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Denver</st1:place></st1:city> the past week or so and my wife and I had something interesting happen.<span style=""> </span>The entire town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Denver</st1:place></st1:city> was pretty much shut down last week and there were no supply trucks to stock the stores an also gas trucks to refill the gas stations.<span style=""> </span>My wife went into the store to get a couple of groceries and said that all the salad was gone off the shelves and some other basic food was all gone.<span style=""> </span>Then we went to fill up our car with gas and the gas stations were empty.<span style=""> </span>It was very eye opening to see that we really take for granted some of the simple things in our lives.<span style=""> </span>I think that is the same with God.<span style=""> </span>When everything is going good, we don’t really think about our lives and the things that God takes care of that we never see.<span style=""> </span>Then when things get rough in life we get all bent out of shape start to blame God and think everything is his fault.<span style=""> </span>I guess that is why God wants us to thank God for the little things in life instead of just expecting life to roll along.<span style=""> </span>God really is into using any and all situations to teach us the lessons that he wants us to learn. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18334877687732361512noreply@blogger.com0