You Can't Take a U-Haul to Heaven

Nurture your relationships - not just your materialistic possessions.

The Good Shepherd

Throughout the years, there have been many times when I have thought of my father and wondered if I was carrying out the goals he had set for me, as a man. After all, most fathers long for their sons to grow in their likeness and carry out their legacy.

Last week, I reaffirmed my faith that I was on the right track.

As the Commissioning Officer, I had the privilege of welcoming a fellow Enlisted Sailor to our United States Navy's coveted Commissioned Officer ranks.

The special thing about this ceremony was that this was no ordinary Sailor.

James Conkey is a former Chief Petty Officer.

He is a lifelong friend.

He is a father to some remarkable children and

the husband to an amazing woman who adores him and supports him.

Most importantly, though...

James is a child of Christ.

Although it was my privilege to promote him to the rank of Ensign

through a commission from the President of the United States,

it was my honor to do so for a fellow brother in Christ

who has accepted the anointing of the Holy Spirit 

through the Great Commission from God.

In the end, I realized that not only was I on track with carrying out my father's wishes…

I was on track with carrying out my spiritual Father's desires as his good shepherd.

May God continue to create men of courage who are willing to take the helm

with Christ at the center of their heart.

Blessings to you and yours, James.

The Great Commission

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission. Feeling sick of the evil running rampant in this world? Frustrated that you cannot do anything? Do not despair for there is hope. Followers of Christ have the divine authority to bring people to Christ Jesus. Several of history's most prolific speakers of the gospel started as men of doubt; however, once they placed their faith in God, He blessed them with the words to say and, in turn, nations have turned their souls over to Him for eternal salvation. What are you waiting for? Are you willing to make a change? Whether you are looking for salvation or ready to lead others, today, He will be with you.

Lead Your Children

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

This evening, I gathered my family for some quiet time and we spoke of the importance of meaningful prayer. The sound of their voices praying directly to the Lord will forever be embedded in my memory. This gives me hope in teaching them something new tomorrow, incumbent in my duties as a father.

Perseverance

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

Ever go through a difficult time only to pull through it and then thank God for blessing you? The blessings did not stop there. He continues to work His will through your faith. As people in your circles watched you fall, it spoke fathoms; however, it did not speak nearly as much as your continued trust in God. Through your faith in Him, He may be using you to reach others. Trust Him so that others may come to know Him.

1 Step Forward, 2 Steps Back

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Why is it that with every step you take forward, life takes you two steps back? When Christians turn their life over to Christ, they must:

1. Receive God’s love and through an intimate relationship with Him, acknowledge the sacrifice of sending His son to die on the cross for OUR sins.
2. Believe in the Holy Trinity (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) and that only through Him alone, can we find eternal salvation.
3. Repent of our sins; this is where many people fail. The hard truth is that in order to truly be a follower of Jesus Christ, one must pick up their own cross – daily. This is an every day challenge. Leaving the sinful desires and selfish ways behind to walk a new life in His light is difficult but through Him, all things are possible.

Today, He invites you to follow Him. Eternal salvation trumps all other priorities in life.

I Will Give You Rest

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Ever ask yourself, "Why am I here?" For many, this becomes a question that stays on the backburner until you can no longer run from it. When faced with the reality that one of our main purposes is to glorify God, we lay it all before Him and He gives us peace. This peace that you once found as a baby resting your head on your father's chest, awaits you.

How Great Thou Art

My heart burns for Jesus.

This is so powerful!

How Great Thou Art

A Simple Thank You

Dear God, today I woke up.

I am healthy.

I am happy.

I am loved.

Thank You.

Learning My Son

This week, Logan and I had a WONDERFUL time in Portland! We drove down and talked and talked… and TALKED. It was so nice to "learn my son," all over again. The best parts were the "having my own queen size bed and jumping on it, eating junk food until I was about to explode, shopping at the Nike store, seeing Kobe in real life, and spending time with dad" (<--- all his words; not mine). :)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking time to be with your son, if you haven't taken the time lately. You will not regret it!

Engage God

Is it sacrilegious to write in your bible?

(Sacrilegious:  Grossly irreverent (disrespectful) toward what is or is held to be sacred.)

Growing up, I was raised with the notion that the answer was YES.

I now know that this is not true.

If ANYthing, I find it more disrespectful to allow your bible to collect dust or remain packed up in a box somewhere.

The bible is the word of God and it is intended to be read and understood. Anyone can read the words on the pages but to understand, to comprehend the intent of His message, takes serious focus and concentration (meditation). And, as with any other form of study, I have found that it is best to get fully engaged with God and allow Him to take control.

Therefore, if your heart's true intent is to get to know God, and not deface the bible, not only is it acceptable but rather, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, that you utilize your bible as a study tool in the biggest test of life.

This person, obviously, gets this, too.

(photo credit:  www.pinterest.com)

Resolutions

Resolutions

Yesterday, I called for a family meeting. The topic of discussion was "resolutions."

Not sure where the conversation would go, nor the outcome, what I did know is that God is GOOD.

And, He has blessed us plentiful by our obedience to Him as a family.

This said, I prayed and asked Him to show me the way.

Leaning on my bible, I referred to a verse which I have relied heavily on this past year...

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

Ironically, this same verse was used in a Christian-based movie entitled Soul Surfer which we watched just a couple of weeks ago. Great movie, by the way!

This year, I want to introduce my family to traditions. As such, resolutions are now added to the bucket.

This year, we will SUPPORT one another in striving to attain our goals.

This year will be a year of strengthening, of bonding, of memory-making for God's glory.

We decided that this year, we would each choose three goals with three areas of focus.

Spiritual

Physical

Personal

The secret in attaining our goals will be to lean on one another and to remind one another that God is the One who gives us strength through the power of his Grace.

We spoke in detail about materialistic, earthly possessions which hinder us in becoming closer to God.

We discussed the meaning of happiness versus joy.

In Philippians, Paul expressed the importance of being content with our blessings; how it is within our nature to want more and never be completely satisfied until we realize that we can never win the rat race.

That in order for us to find true peace within our lives, we must admit to this human ideal and…

let. it. GO.

If you always want more, and if you ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment, you will be a step closer to reaching inner peace.

As the spiritual leader of MY home, I will trust in the Lord and pray daily for His guidance.

2013 will be a year to remember.

Praying.

Are YOU Being Selfish?

Let's Talk

I am going to vote; however, here is what I find VERY disturbing…

I. The exorbitant number of people who do NOT vote because they:

1. Could care less. (<--- how about caring for the future of this nation? for our children?)

2. Feel that things “happen for a reason” (<--- there is such a thing as “free will”… things are not “caused” to happen but happen by our free will and things are “allowed” to happen)

3. Do not believe their vote counts (<--- no vote IS a vote)

4. Think that neither candidate is worth voting for (<--- again… no vote IS a vote)

II. People who DO vote but base their OWN PERSONAL decision(s) on their candidate’s stance on one or more of the debatable issues (e.g., health care reform, economic recovery plan, social security, abortion, etc.).

------------------------

Where do YOU fall?

Have you ever stopped to ponder just how many people are being selfish?

How many people are making a decision based off their own, personal desires or ambitions?

How many people vote for a candidate because off their candidate's own stance on issues that affects, NOT the nation as a whole, but THEM directly (e.g., right to bear arms, abortion, medical coverage, military cutbacks, etc.)?

I implore you to put all selfish ambitions, desires, wants or methodology aside and base your decision on the principles that this country was founded on… biblical, God-fearing, principles for the future generations we will be leaving behind. The only way this will happen will be by creating dialogue with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family and anyone else who will listen and engage (intelligently) and not shying away from the issues that face us today. One thing I have learned in life, as many of you have, is that if you see a problem, do not be the one to criticize. Take the problem for action by offering recommended solutions and leave it up to the people we place in charge to make the best, possible well-informed decision. That is what truly makes this country great.

Your VOTE is documented.

Your voice IS heard.

Make it count.

(photo credit:  www.americansforprosperity.org)

Like a Fine Wine

Jose and Melissa Garcia

Established August 20th, 1994

The Bridge

Yesterday was very special.

We finally found a church home.

“The Bridge” is ideally located near the Deception Pass Bridge here in Oak Harbor, Washington. It is nestled in the woods at the end of a gravel road laden with colorful maple trees and faces a beautiful, pristine pond. The congregation meets in a large, red barn and plans for a larger structure are in works.

To be a part of this growing body of Christ is something quite special.

To recognize that God has placed me in a position to lead my family as the spiritual leader of my household is even MORE special (talk about the biggest responsibility in life!).

This day, and every day, I thank God for my family and for giving me the strength to stay strong in faith.

The Road to the Cross

The Road to the Cross

(Excerpts derived from Pastor Jeff Kristensen’s sermon from April 1st, 2012)

Have you ever noticed the radical difference between the way society views a cross today than how it was viewed yesterday?

Today, we present them to loved ones as a sign of love.

We adorn our churches with them.

Even wear them proudly.

Yesterday, they were a sign of crucifixion.

A sign of public execution.

A sign of death.

Had it not been for Jesus Christ, we probably would have never known about crosses; yet,

He went to the cross.

Do you not think He could have escaped?

Of course He could have.

God had a different plan for His son, though.

God loved us SO much that he gave up His one and only Son. Jesus was vividly aware of this. He understood that this was His destiny and today, we can all find peace in knowing that we can find eternal salvation by having Faith in Him.

This said, the sign of the cross is a powerful reminder of this ultimate sacrifice.

A sign of our eternal salvation and God’s love for us all.

A sign that we will be reunited with loved ones.

A sign of Mercy…

Forgiveness..

Grace.

This past weekend, I decided to tour the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range on my road bike.  Although my intent that day was to get an above-average workout in (‘figured I might as well since I drove an hour and a half out of town to get to those hills in the first place, right?), my ride was side-tracked by this cross on the side of the road.

I pondered what may have happened.

Was Jack riding his bike one day on this windy, hillside road with barely any shoulder and did a car veer off the road?

Could he have been just walking along with a friend, kicking rocks along the way, playing with a stick?

What about his friend or friends who may have been with him?

My mind wandered… and wondered.

No more than a couple of miles up the road, I came upon THIS cross.

Same thing.

I tried to wrap my brain around the sequence of events.

Gerry seemed to have a more “grown up” sign and grown up name.

It was simple; yet, dirty.

His cross did not have the pretty, what appeared to be, imported grass (perhaps from loving parents) like Jack’s did.

His had wild grass all around.

No clearing of weeds.

No artificial lights.

Just a sign.

And it was greasy.

This, too, made me wonder if the grease stains were intentionally placed there.

Was Gerry a construction worker who perhaps had no family other than his co-workers?

As a gesture of saying goodbye, could they have each placed a smudge of grease onto the cross?

Who knows.

I continued on my way before finally stopping for a drink a few miles further down the road and in front of me, I saw THIS cross.

I felt as though God was telling me to not be sad.

That He had them in His arms and was taking good care of them.

I left that day feeling good again.

Went on to enjoy the remainder of my descent from the mountain and it… was… FUN!

Life… has a way of teaching us things if we open up our hearts and clear our minds.

Live with an open heart.

Live Free.