What do you say about Christ?

I was reading today and it smacked me in the face that we tell people who Christ is everyday. I think we think we do this with our mouths but I have to very respectfully disagree. People are looking at everything that comes out of our lives in our actions. When we say we know Christ.

I will go further and say if our life is unloving and judgemental or even a life with rules to follow to get to heaven. People will not be drawn to Christ! They are already failing now at life with those things in it. If we could work our way to heaven then Christ would have had nothing to die for! As Christians we need to live like we know Christ is the only way to heaven. We need make sure all the things we do are not to get points in heaven but they are driven by God. He loves us all the way, all the time and all the same.

I have been continually challenged to live this way. I am convinced this will draw people to Christ. This represents Christ in us not religion at work. People want the real thing. I have found the painful truth is I like to do it my way and I like things done fast. This walk with Christ is a process and it is done His way. The biggest reason I believe we should want to live with Christ in us, without religion is religion leads people astray and Christ draws people to the truth.

In Awe of God's Provision

I find myself overwhelmed when I consider how God has provided for me. He has provided for me in many ways, and I am thankful for them all, but today I am truly in awe of the wife that He has given me. A spouse is someone that is so easily taken for granted, much to the shame of us all. I have been blessed with a woman that has seen me through some of the darkest hours of my life, but has been with me in triumph as well. She fills in my blank spots in more ways than I could communicate to anyone.

Tonight we are going to a wedding. One of the young men that was in my youth group many years ago is getting married to the woman that God has picked for him. It absolutely blows me away when I think about how God brings a man and a woman together like two puzzle pieces that fit together exactly to complete a masterpiece that only God could create. I pray that my friend will never forget the gift that is being given to him today by God, and that their marriage will grow stronger every day, through the hard times and the easy times, I know that mine has.

I thank you God for my wife, and all that she brings to my life. I pray that you will bless the marriage of our friend, as you have blessed ours.

-cw

Who doesn't need grace?

I have been in many conversations lately and I keep being reminded that I don't know a single person who doesn't need grace. I think sometimes we forget when we are complaining or when we are unhappy with something that all of us are in need of grace. Even bigger than our need is that without Christ we would not have grace in our own life. Grace is truly amazing. When we really take time to really soak it in and dwell on it.

I sometimes feel entitled to justice and restoration. I know I can offer grace because Christ gave it to me and the rest is in His hands.

Thank you Jesus for your grace at work everyday in my life!

I can't get no satisfaction

This title is a bit of a misnomer as it relates to what I am feeling lately, but it does accurately depict the feelings that have been rattling around inside me for some time.

I have recently started a second job in an effort to improve our financial situation here at home. It has been a struggle to get over the hump of it and finally settle into the thankfulness to God for providing this opportunity to me. You see, it was only after I had begun this job that I realized how truly unsatisfied I had been with my performance as the family's "provider." I have worked at the same place for ten and a half years and have convinced myself that my income there is enough-despite the fact that the evidence lay before me in unopened envelopes, blatantly telling me otherwise. I had finally succeeded in lying to myself enough, and believed that everything was cool, much to my chagrin.

Over the past week, through half-opened eyelids, and hours of sleep dwindling to what feels like near-nothing, I have realized the satisfaction of providing for my family, a feeling that I had cheapened and cheapened over the years until I finally succumbed to the shell of satisfaction I had created in my mind. I praise God today for providing this opportunity to me; for showing me what real satisfaction feels like, and for giving me the strength to take on this load. It is only through His strength that I am able to achieve this awesome feeling. There is a long road ahead of me, but I know that God has given me this opportunity, and He will see me through.

-cw

Tips and To Do Lists

I have been realizing lately because of this thing called facebook that all people go through shared struggles and the answers to those struggles are the same. A tip from a friend or well organized to do list is great for so long but we all realize fast we are just getting by. We are not growing closer to Christ and in a moment anything can derail even the best planned list.

My own life this past year has thrown more curve balls than I could plan for. I think with things that are not planned for we need to draw closer to the God that knows everything not keep trying to scratch out and revise our to do list. I find it harder to make time for my relationship with Jesus in the busy confusing times of life and then life get busier and more confusing. I am beginning to think there is a connection between the two.

The point would be pursue with all your heart a authentic relationship with Jesus and throw away the to do lists. They will only bog you down and take you away from the one who is never surprised by the things that come up in life.