Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tuesday's Tidbits

Thank - You; A simple two word expression that I'm afraid is used too little today in our society. Why is that? I believe we live in a society that is beginning to believe it deserves everything that it receives. And I'm afraid my generation helped bring that about...

When I was growing up in school we learned to say please and thank - you... I actually remember Ms. McConnell role playing with us on how to say please and thank - you...

I believe we have forgotten how to do this and it's making a negative impact on our society as a whole. Politeness is something that is deserved by everyone and from everyone and if we practiced saying thank - you more often our world would be a better place to live.

Here's a children's song that I believe says this really well; " Thank - you LORD for saving my soul, thank - you LORD for making me whole, thank - you LORD for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free."

Prayer of the Day: Thank - you Lord for saving my soul.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Monday, June 28, 2010

Monday's Musings

Back from vacation! What a time we had... Preparing for VBS and the New Fall season... It's amazing to me how many television shows are kicking off during the summer.....

I have seen at least 5 - 6 new shows starting in the next 2 weeks... What happened to the good ole' days when all the shows started in the fall or at least during September...

We've been told don't start anything new in the summer in regards to God or the church because everyone is on vacation.... Marketing shows people are always looking for something new to be involved... whether a television show, a movie or a new fashion trend.... it does not seem to matter anymore the timing of the new event but the actual event or show itself..

Is it good enough to keep my attention? Is it something I want to be involved with? Am I willing to give an hour or so of my time to participate? That's the question we need to ask...

I believe Christians have bought into the idea what we have no one else wants... Why??? I don't know... Could it be we need to retool our lives to more in tune with God....Then people would see God instead of us... Every time I read in the Bible people come into contact with God their lives are changed forever....

Let's start something new this summer in the heat and humidity let's show people God through our lives daily... "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Isaiah 42:9 We've done the old... let's see what God has in store for us today and then look forward to tomorrow for what God has in store for us to experience!!!

Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to show you to everyone I come in contact with today, even in the summer allow me to something new for you that you want me to do.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday's Fun Fact

Hey, Just saw on the internet the new ride at Universal ... Harry Potter and the Wizard of "Whatever" has a weight and size limit... It used to be you just had to be a certain height to ride a particular ride... This catches my children all the time...Now you have to be a cedrtain height and weight...

"Weighting" on the lawsuits to begin on this one... let's see which person gets the ACLU to sue Universal for being too large to ride this ride...

Isn't it great that Jesus accepts us just as we are...No height or weight requirements just a willing spirit to accept Him as our Savior!!!

I love my Jesus! Hope you do too!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Prayer of the Day: Thank you Jeus for loving me.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Thursday's "Thought"

Thursday was a great day with the kids as we looked for shark teeth... none found but found lots of clams... even though not what we were looking for but the experience was lots of fun....

Sometimes I have found that life is like today's shark teeth adventure...We do not always get what we were wanting or striving to get .... but the adventure was worth the effort and sometimes was even more than what we were originally wanting....

God works in the same way when we start following His plan for our life...We believe we need to get to a partucular point ...God has different plans.... and we are no where near where we believe we need to be.... but eventually find out we are where we have to be to be in God's will...(isn't that where we want to be anyway???)

"All living things look to You for food, and you give it to them at the right time, You open your hand, and You satisfy all living things. Everything the LORD does is right, He is loyal to all he has made." Psalm 145 :15 - 17

Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to reust you in all areas of my life.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wednesday's Wonderings

Wednesday is here already...Can you believe it??? This week is flying by... Well it is for me ...We're on vacation... Went to Dixie Stampede today for their first afternoon show of the summer... They were behind... before the show, show was only 12 minutes long and not the usual 45 minutes..:( but it was a great meal and show...:}) Patriotic at the end which always gets me when I think of how great we have it here in the USA....

I wonder how people can get it so wrong in regards to our country and how wonderful it is... Do you ever wonder the same thing??? Why would you want to stay in a country that you hate so much??? Or that you don't agree with the law of the land in regards to the Constitution or Bill of Rights??? One must be miserable to be here, right???

It's the same way heaven will be for all of the people who say they are Christians yet do not want to be around Christians by attending church or doing what Jesus tells Christians to do... Or will it??? I'm afraid some who believe to be Christian and plan to enter the promised land when it is their time are going to mistaken.

Jesus tell us. "My sheep hear my voice and listen to my commands." John 10:27

Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to hear your voice and listen.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tuesday's Tidbits

Tuesday the new Saturday for me... since I am on vacation....It's been a crazy couple of days.. but hey, things are calming down now and I already have my standard first day sun burn even with the sun - screen and the Walmart umbrella I bought last night at 9:15 p.m. (Go Figure...)

But just when you think things always stay the same that's when you get hit with the proverbial "curve - ball." My children are growing - up and it is so amazing to see them do things on their own and take the initiative to do things to help mom and dad while un - packing and getting things put away.... But alas, they also go back to their "little - kids"ways... whining, wanting to rest, wanting to get something to drink, wanting something to eat.. while mom and dad were toiling away...

How many times have we done the same thing to God??? God watch us... God look what we're doing to help you... God I brought my Bible to church today... God I've attended church 4 Sundays in a row...God I told someone about You today... God is pleased with us just as parents we we're pleased with how our children helped us...

But how soon does it take us to whine, whimper and wander???? Not long I'm afraid... Does this mean we need to quit?? No, we need to continue in our good works and continue them until the day we no longer are here on the earth!

"God began a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again." Philippians 1:6

Prayer of the day: Jesus help me to continue working for you without whining.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Thursday's "Thought"

In thinking today about my life and what has happened over the past 12 years or so... I cannot help but wonder where my life would be if Zach's biological mother had made the choice to not have him but terminate him from being born. Zach has been such a joy to our lives but not only ours but everyone he comes in contact.

Without him there would have been no Autumn and Nathan in our lives as well... I cannot even imagine this now.....

How easy to make choices that are completely life altering without giving it that much of a thought...

I praise God everyday for my children and for the sacrifice their birth - mother gave in giving them to us so that we could adopt them into our family! What love she had for them!!!! And I thank God for allowing her to have that kind of love!

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator, of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom." Isaiah 40:28

Prayer of the Day: Thank you Jesus for your understanding and love when we don't even understand it all!

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wednesday's Wonderings

As I sit in the quietness of the moment... I have to wonder are we doing what we need to be doing for Jesus??? Then the question is... What do we need to be doing????

* Witnessing?
* Giving more money?
* Helping others?
* Reading my Bible?
* Taking another, "How to witness class?"

What do we actually need to be doing???

The Bible tells us that we need to become more like Jesus..."And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

When we are transformed into His likeness we will be doing what we are supposed to be doing...
He will tell us and we will listen... (At least I hope I will listen... and you'll listen too!)

Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to be transformed into your image more today and even more tomorrow.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Tuesday's Tidbits

It's Thursday already .... where has the week gone??? Oh! it's just Tuesday.... Have you ever thought you were further ahead in the week or a project before... when you actually were not???

It can get quite frustrating when you realize this has happened... What do you do when this happens? I'm glad you asked...

You trust God... Hopefully you are being obedient to Him and are praying as you continue to work on the project or the week....

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart aand lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:4 - 5

Prayer of the Day: God help me by directing my path today as I serve you.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Monday, June 14, 2010

Monday's Musings

Wow! What a lesson from Sunday morning I received... During the lesson in reference to Elijah I told the class God inhabits our praise.. He desires it greatly... And when we give praise intentionally or unitentionally to something or someone else God gets jealous... He then gets us in a position to where we have to praise Him... Hopefully before rocks start falling on us or some other disastrous situation...But if not, disasters will come until we give Him the praise He is due...
Sunday morning during our singing praises to God... Women felt led to come to the altar to pray... Guess what then several more came to the altar to pray and God showed me He was in charge of the worship time... not me or anyone else... Coming to the altar to pray during singing praises to God was not listed in our bulletin... SO you know it was spontaneous... Isn't it great when God works spontaneously!

When we are on our knees before God... He will do mighty works in and around us!

Our God comes and He will not be silent; a fire devours before Him, and around Him a tempest rages. Psalm 50:3

God showed up and someone listened! Praise God!

Prayer of the Day: God help us to be attentive to your voice today so we too can do your will.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Friday, June 11, 2010

Friday's Fun Fact

Did you know that a "jiffy" is an actual unit of time??? It is 1/100th of a second... So the next time you say I'll get that done in a "jiffy"... you'd better hurry....

When was the last time you or I told God we'd get that done in a "jiffy"....I told Him that last week and actually got the project completed... When was the last time you asked God to get something done for you in a "jiffy"?

Guess what... God's timing is perfect... Sometimes His "jiffy" might be now ... next week ... next year ... or never....We have to trust Him....

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

What do we need to do??? Wait on the LORD! His jiffy is always perfect!!!

Prayer of the Day: Jesus remind me to always wait on you!

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thursday's "Thought"

It's Thursday.... Have you ever heard of a promotion at a restuarant called "Thirsty Thursday"? It's where you are allowed to order a soda for a special price and get free refills the rest of your meal...or at least the time you are there....

Let's take a look at this from a spiritual sense.... Are you or am I having a "Thirsty Thursday" for Jesus today?? As the old song says.. "Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul..." Are you and I wanting to be filled with Jesus today or are we just playing the usual game of " Jesus I need this thing or some other excuse that keeps us from being constantly filled with Jesus."

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Prayer of the Day: Jesus fill me with your Spirt today to do your will.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wednesday's Wonderings

"Heaven came down and glory filled my soul... when at the cross the Savior made me whole... my sins were washed away and my night was turned to day... Heaven came down and glory filled my soul."

The chorus of a hymn I grew up singing at First Baptist Church Goose Creek... yes Goose Creek for all of you that need to know... Once the fastest growing small city in America in 1972...(I screamed squirrel...sorry)

It's Wednesday the proverbial "hump" day of the week... Has glory filled your soul yet this week? Do you feel whole right at the moment? Are you in the light? Or does it seem you are wondering around in the darkness?

It's your choice..."If we walk in the light, as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." I John 1:7

Prayer of the Day: "Jesus help me to walk in the light and allow your glory fill my soul."

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tuesday's Tidbits

Well got up this morning, made coffee, got ready for work and was walking out the door when .. Oh My Gosh!!! Where are my keys???? Where is my phone??? Got all the kids up... Mom was up already and the search was on.... "What have y'all done with my phone and keys?!?!"

My youngest son went out by the pool and brought in... Guess what... My keys and my phone...

"Here they are daddy.. they weren't lost you just unremembered where you left them..We played together by the pool and when it got dark we came in.."

Thanks to my family for unremembering my faults when I get flustered...

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD." Ephesians 6:4

Prayer of the Day: Lord help me to always remember to be an example to my children no matter what the circumstance.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Monday, June 7, 2010

Monday's Musings

It's summer! Yea... We have made it to the end of another school year and have survived... Now that summer is here we do not need to faint from the heat or the temptation to "vacation' from God....We need to partcipate in recreation that is for sure but let's look at the word recreation for just another moment... re/create ... re means do again or bring back to something... create means to make by investing with new character or functions... to refresh....

Let's do something different this summer and refresh our commitment to God by spending time with Him!

"Remember not the former things, neither consider te things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18 - 19

Are you dry in spirit? If so, return to the Lord and He will refresh and recreate you into what He wants you to be.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Friday, June 4, 2010

Friday's Fun Fact

Today is National Doughnut Day... Some Dunkin' Donuts are giving away free doughnuts with a beverage purchase... Good Luck!

It is also graduation day here at Ridge Christian Academy... Congratulations Tony and T.J. for making it through!

I am excited for them as I think back when I graduated 30 years ago..(has it been that long?) whew.... A time to look back and remember and now a time to look forward with great anticipation for what new adventure awaits....

"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteusness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
Psalm 37:5 - 6

Prayer of the Day: Jesus let me remember to commit my way to you each day

Keep Lookin Up!

Brian


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Thursday's "Thought"

Woke - up this morning with the remote falling off the couch and the batteries flying out of it... Scared me to "death" ... Luckily it was not too late... Got the kids up and was getting ready...Channel 4 had a trivia question and I called on a whim and actually won... Food from Arby's... yea....

Sometimes in life we get surprised by little things that can change the way we look at the day... or even look at life... What we always have to remember is that God is in control in the good and the bad times....

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 4 - 5

Prayer of the Day: God help me to always remember you're there beside me no matter what the circumstance.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Wednesday's Wonderings

Wow... Started Andy Griffith for family Bible Study tonight "Opie's Charity" what a great reminder to not only hear but that we need to listen to those who are talking to us and not judge a book by its cover....Or let our pride get in the way of someone wanting to do something for another individual...

Andyism spoken at the end of the show tonight... Y'all enjoy your chicken and I'll enjoy eating my crow!

Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me not to be prideful in my dealings with others!

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Tuesday's Tidbits

"Amaziah did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not with his whole heart."
II Chronicles 25:2

Wow! To know one can be doing what is right but not with your whole heart.... Will this make a difference in one's walk with the Lord? Will this affect our witness to others?? Heard this at a commencement ceremony this past weekend... make sure you are "all in" to whatever you are doing!

What a great reminder for all of us to remember in our daily lives.... As we work, play,do school work , most importantly in our walk with Jesus followed closely by in our relationships with our family .... Make sure you are "all in"!

Prayer of the Day: Jesus help me to remember to be "all in" with you everyday of my life.

Keep Lookin' Up!

Brian