Those that hear His voice,

It seems that lately I have been led on this journey of seeking. And one thing keeps coming to light, that although we are to spread the gospel, and let people know of the gift of grace, it is ultimately God's plan in the new covenant that everyone will know Him, in their heart.

It has led me to a ministry of seeking those that seek Him, not standing on the street corner shouting out His name, but teaching those that hear His voice, and truly seek Him.

Jesus said in John 14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd."

I don't believe this means we should just discount, or stop spreading the gospel throughout the world, we should just not force it on those not ready to hear.

After all "His voice" maybe coming from someone typing out a message on Facebook at seven o'clock on a Tuesday morning.

Hebrews 8: 7-13 NLT
7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said:

“The day is coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel and Judah.
9 This covenant will not be like the one
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
and led them out of the land of Egypt.
They did not remain faithful to my covenant,
so I turned my back on them, says the Lord.
10 But this is the new covenant I will make
with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors,
nor will they need to teach their relatives,
saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’
For everyone, from the least to the greatest,
will know me already.
12 And I will forgive their wickedness,
and I will never again remember their sins.”
13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.

Is God on your caller ID?

How do you know when you've been called? Or when it's time to step out of the boat? I am reminded of the gentleman that was in a  flood and they were evacuating the area.

The first person came by in a truck and said " Hey you need to go now the waters rising." He said, "Nah I'm ok God will take care of me."

The water rises a little more and the next person comes by in a boat and said " Hey you need to go now the waters rising." He said ," I'm good, God will take care of me."

The water  engulfs his house, and now he is on the roof. The next person comes by in a helicopter and said, "Hey now is the time, your house is going to be washed away." He said, I'm good, God will take care of me."

He dies and gets up to heaven, and his first question for God is, "God why didn't you take care of me?" God said, " What did I have to do, I sent a truck, a boat, and a helicopter."

Some times we do exactly as the gentleman in the story. God has a plan for our lives, but we just don't seem to see the forest for the trees. The obvious eludes us, while we work our jobs praying for God, to show us His plans for ours lives.

Acts 9:1-8
1Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest  2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he  found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord? ”Then the Lord said, “I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what
do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you
will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.  8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Not every calling is going to be a miraculous event, like Saul's transformation.

But what if he has already shown us His plan? What if His plan, that we are praying for, is right where we are now?

Over the next few weeks we are going to look at other people in the bible that were called by God to do something miraculous, some of  their lives were changed in a radical way, others were used right where they were, doing what they had always done.

This week listen for God to speak to you and share with you His plan for your life.

Jesus: Our high priest, forever!

Jesus is our high priest appointed by God, to not only offer the sacrifice, but be the sacrifice for our sins. He was able to know our sufferings and troubles, because He too, suffered as a human.

I also want to Point out verse 4 where it states, "And no man takes the honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

God puts the call on our lives to teach, and spread His word, it is not something that we take on ourselves, it is only with God speaking through us that we are able to lead people to His word, and we should lead according to where they are in their walk, whether new born believers in need of milk, or those that have progressed to solid food.

Hebrews 5:1-9
1For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.  2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.  3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.  4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”

6 As He also says in another place:

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,  8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,  10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”  11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Are you living in His rest?

The Israelites that fled Egypt, were promised a land flowing with milk and honey, and a rest from all of their strife, but they weren't ready to follow Moses in faith. So only their offspring was able to see the promised land.

God wants us to enter into His rest so much so, that He gave His son, to allow us to enter into the rest we could not enter on our own.

Today open your hearts, accept Christ into your life, and enter into the rest that God had intended from the very beginning.

Hebrews 4:1-10
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³ For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’”

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”

⁶ Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Whose house were you built from?

Whose house were you built from, Jesus whose house has been reconciled through the price He paid on the cross, or Moses, whose house was under the old covenant?

Both were built by God, but Moses', was to built to point us to the other, Jesus, and His house or covenant. Through Moses we were given the law, through Jesus we were freed from the law.

Hebrews 3:1-6
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,  2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.  3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.  4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.  5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,  6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

What is man that you are mindful of him?

Think about the following passage, and let what it has to say soak in.

When I read this passage, it makes me think of God's plan for mankind. You see God didn't plan for us to be in subjection the world, but for the world to be under our authority. Many people think that the devil has more power than man, but in reality He only has what power we give him.

In the beginning, God said man would have dominion over the earth, and after Jesus resurrection, the Holy Spirit gives us back, through Jesus Christ, the authority and dominion we, as born again believers, once had while in the garden.

So "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Just God's crowning creation!

Hebrews 2:5-9
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:

“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

He has recieved His inheritance!

Just a few days ago we celebrated Resurrection Sunday, the day Christ came forth from the tomb, showing all of mankind that He indeed had conquered death.

It is fitting that we finished the book of John on Sunday, and now we are starting Hebrews, as Hebrews opening verse tells us who the Son of Man truly is, and of His inheritance as the son of God.

It is so refreshing to know that through Christ, we are given the same inheritance, and all of the promises of the old testament are fulfilled through Him.

Hebrews 1:1-4
1God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Do you love Him?

The following passage is out of the last chapter of the book of John. John didn't finish his gospel account speaking of himself, like you would find today, he finished his account speaking about Peter.

In the passage Jesus is asking Peter a very pointed question, that hurt Peter to begin with, but by the end, reassured him of his relationship with Jesus.

It made me think, if Peter was hurt by Jesus questioning his love, when Jesus knew that Peter loved Him, then how does it make God feel when we question His love for us, when we know how much He loves us, so much that He gave His Son to save us.

John 21:15-18
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.  18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”  19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

The unexpected gardener

John 20:11-16
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

How many gardeners have you passed by this week?

I point this out as Mary almost passed up an encounter with the Risen Lord, because she mis-took Him for the gardener. Also Jesus tells us "‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 

We need to expect to see Jesus in the most unexpected people in our lives. We never know who we are greeting, or who we may be ministering to.

As we celebrate the Resurrection, we must realize, that Jesus came to earth as a man, He being holy, could have come down as King from the very start, but didn't so He could experience life as the Son of Man.

Look for Him in everyone you meet, do not miss out on the opportunity to greet the unexpected gardener.

Looking out for #1

Reading the following passage makes me think of how the world has us trained to self. There are many sayings about this in society today, but one rings out more than others.

"Look out for #1"

You see Pilate knew and admitted that Jesus was innocent, but was worried about his job as governor, and what a revolt would do to him. So instead of doing what is right, he did what the crowd and the Jewish leaders wanted, and what benefitted him.

Jesus on the other hand, knew what was ahead of him, and instead of running, was in the garden where they knew He would be. He even prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”  After praying this He followed the Father's will and was taken away by the Roman soldiers.

We have a choice, to live selfish lives, like Pilate, and think only of ourselves when making decisions in all aspects of our lives, or be like Jesus, and think much bigger when choices come our way.

John 18:28-40
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.  29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”  32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Jesus Prays!

On this day, which to us is known as good Friday, I wanted to share one of Jesus' last prayers. This prayer was for Himself, as He was praying to the Father, but it wasn't just a prayer, but a message to all of mankind, letting them know the only way to inherit eternal life was through Him.

As we start the weekend of the crucifixion and resurrection, take the time to thank the Father for His holiness, thank the Son for His sacrifice, and open you hearts to the Holy Spirit, that He may come and reside in you through Christ.

John 17:1-5 NKJV
1Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,  2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.  3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.  5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Speak to the Father; He is waiting to hear from you

In Old Testament times, people had to speak to God through a priest, and then, only with an offering, or sacrifice. After Jesus came as the sacrifice, for not only our own personal sins, but the sins of the world, we are able to speak directly to the Father, through the blood of Christ.

Many people and religions today, point people to a priest as their way to speak to God. That is not what Jesus is telling us, He tells us that, WE, will ask the Father, in His name, and because of Him the Father will answer us.

We as believers have to stop relying on man, and start relying on the Word to show us how we are to live. Today, tonight, this weekend, sit down and speak to God, speak to Him in a way that you would a friend, or your own Father. He is waiting to hear from you.

John :25-31
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Strength through the Holy Spirit?

In the following passage, Jesus warns us that the world will hate us because of who we are in Christ. You see in our world, it is easier for people to hate that which they don't understand, which is sad because they may never hear God's call on their heart through the din of the world's noise, and if they do may still reject it because of the lies of the world.

Even though He tells us we will be hated, He gives us assurance of the hope, and strength, we will have through, The Holy Spirit.

When it feels like the world, and its pressures, are too much to take, think back to the garden of Gethsemane, and the burden of what Jesus was wrestling with, and realize that the Advocate, our comforter, The Holy Spirit, is there to bring to remembrance, all things that Jesus did for us.

John 15:18-26
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’

26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

Do you know Jesus? No I mean do you really know Jesus?

Do you know Jesus? No I mean do you really know Jesus? His disciples, even though they had been with Him throughout His ministry, seen Him heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons, questioned Him about the Way, and who He truly was.

Do you find yourself questioning some of the things Jesus has promised us?

It is easy to find ourselves falling into the same situation as Thomas and Philip, not just doubting, but just not holding onto who Jesus told us He was, and the things He promised.

When you feel the questions coming to mind, remember who He is and who He said we are through Him.

John 14:1-11
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

Are you willing to be His donkey?

Are you willing to be His donkey?

God uses the least of  all things, to do the most for His kingdom. Jesus didn't come riding into Jerusalem on a white horse, or in a gold covered chariot, He came  riding on a donkey, the least of all the horses.

We are much the same as the donkey, God uses the least of us to bring glory to His kingdom.

The following passage tells of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem,  during the Passover. Jesus wasn't who the world thought He would be, as  they interpreted scripture. Today many people
still fail to see Him for  who He is, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 21: 1-11
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of  Bethphage on the
Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will
immediately let you take them.”4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—  riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and
threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God for the Son of David!Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
 Praise God in highest heaven!”

10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Teachings from the book of John

John 11:33-44
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazar...us from dying?”

38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.

But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

There are two things that caught my attention in this passage. One was that Jesus showed His emotions by being angry at those who had gathered.

The second is that those who had seen Him heal the lame and give the blind sight doubted His authority. You notice Jesus didn't ask the Father to heal him, He knew He had been given the authority to do the works. He thanked God, and said you always hear me, then commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

Born again Christians today have the same unbelief as Mary, Martha, and those that had gathered. We pray and beg for God to heal us, yet we don't even stand on the power and authority that has been given to us. We should thank God for what He has given us, through the Holy Spirit in us, then stand on the promises and authority, without the unbelief.

I set out on a great adventure!

Psalms 43:3,4
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.

I know many of you know the story of how Stream of life ministry got started, but for those of you that haven't, I wanted to revisit just how we got where we are now.

On March 10th of this year, it had been four years since my Dad passed away. He was the reason this email ministry was started. In July of 2009 he was taken to the hospital where they found a spot on his lung. After all the testing, and an operation, which we thought had cured him, we were told it was terminal. I knew my Dad had been saved after a bad truck wreck in 1969, but I didn't think he understood, nor did I at the time, what God's grace was all about.

I thought, he thought the way I had, you see even though I was saved in 1991, I thought if I messed up after confessing my sins and opening my heart to the Holy Spirit, I had blown it. Religious society has taught much of the world in a wrong manner. A lot of churches do not teach the grace of God, but instead, teach that you have to earn your way into heaven. They have done more damage to the hearts and minds of seeking believers than you can imagine.

At the time that my Dad was diagnosed, we had just started attending Discovery Church, a church that believed in teaching about God's love and grace, not just God's wrath and punishment, that I had been taught while growing up.

I owe a lot to the pastors at Discovery as I wouldn't be in the place I am today, without being taught about grace by Pastor Mark, and then an even deeper understanding, by Pastor Kevin.

Looking back on the last four years and how far God has brought me, reminds me of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called Long Way Home, that refers to God's calling in our lives, as a great adventure that we all get to go on. I would have never thought of this adventure 5 years ago, but now am looking forward to seeing just where He will lead me.

Stay tuned because like the song says in the bridge, And even on our best days remember were not home yet, So don't get too comfortable 'Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through.

I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
He said there's gonna be some mountains to climb
and some valleys we're gonna go throughBut I had no way of knowing
just how hard this journey could be
Cause the valleys are deeper and the mountains are steeper
Than I ever would've dreamed

I know we're gonna make it
I know we're gonna get there soon
I know sometimes it feels like we are going the wrong way
It's just a long way home

I got some rocks in my shoes, fears I wish I could lose
It makes the mountains so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes

And there's a bag of regrets
My should've beens and not yets
I keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait for the day I get to lay it all down

Well I know that day is coming
I know its gonna to be here soon
And I won't turn back even if the whole world says I'm going the wrong way
'Cause it's just a long way home

And when we can't take another step
Our Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days He says to remember we're not home yet
So don't get too comfortable
'Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through

Well I know we're gonna make it
And I know we're gonna get there soon
So I'll keep on singing and believing
What all of my songs say
'Cause our God has made a promise
And i know that everything He says is true
And I know wherever we go
He will never leave us
'Cause He's gonna lead us home
Every single step of the long way home

Keep on we're gonna make it
I know we're gonna make it
We're just taking the long way home