You’ve Got To Sleep In Order To Dream

I listened to a radio program from Focus On the Family today. The guest they were interviewing talked about sleep and how it helps the body, rest/sleep is a growing mechanism for our body. The subject of dreams came up and it was stated that we need dream sleep. Far to many people do not get enough sleep, therefore they are not dreaming when they sleep. Simply put, you need to be in a deeper state of sleep in order to dream, but, far to many individuals never get to the state of sleep for dreaming due to the fact we don’t sleep for long periods of time. The amount of sleep we get a night is far to short to get to the place of dreaming. The speaker used the illustration that when we dream it is similar to the defrag process on a computer. With all that said, I don’t think we dream enough. In order to dream we must slow down and get more sleep. Spiritual implication, I think the reason we are not seeing more God sized dreams for our life is because we don’t slow down and get rest in his Prescence. We spend way to short of time in prayer, and His word to get into His rest that sparks dreams or visions into our life. I want to dream more both physically and spiritually. The more you are at rest, the more you dream. The more you dream, the more you are rejuvinated. Maybe we aren’t growing because we lack the rest needed in order to dream.

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Dont Only Relay What We Shouldnt Do Relay What We Should Be Doing

What would it look like if we were known more for what were FOR rather than what were AGAINST. I have taken seat in church services where the Pastor has rightly stated what we as Christians are NOT to do but failed to communicate what TO do. Its almost as if we have assumed that when we tell our congregation what not to do, they would in return just automatically know what to do. I think that allows people to know what not to do while still doing the wrong thing.

For instance, Paul wrote to the Colossians in Chapter 3 on the Personal Conduct of Christians. In verse 5-9 he discussed what shouldn’t be done/lived out in the Christians life, but he didn’t stop there. In verse 12-15 he discussed what to do or how the Christians conduct should be. It is my desire that our preaching would be like that. Don’t leave the hearers hanging just on what NOT TO DO but show them what TO DO. Don’t assume that since they know what not to do, they would automatically know what to do. May others see more of what were for, as opposed to what were against.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:5-9, 12-15

Steadfast

I was looking for a verse this morning and typed in the wrong reference and came across this verse. Instead of just flowing across it to the original one I was looking up I began reflecting on it.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me – Psalm 51:10

Steadfast stood out to me in particular so I did a quick word search to find the definition and this is what I came up with. Steadfast is defined as…firmly fixed in place, immovable,not subject to change, firm in belief, determination, or adherence, loyal. The term faithful would be synonomus with steadfast.

Sometimes our Spirit begins to shake and wonder along the journey. Things happen, people come and go, our own mistakes cause us to back up a little bit. The psalmist makes a great observation and proclamation. I can’t do it on my own, God I need you to create in me a clean heart. I need you to renew or re-energize a spirit within me that is unshakable, immovable, firm in the belief of who you are, a spirit that is loyal to you. What a powerful plea. The kicker about this, God will do it. No matter what rocks you to the very core of who you are, God’s Spirit can and will renew your Spirit.

The First Day Of The Last 6 Weeks On The Job

Chanelle and I have been talking for sometime, over a year or so, about the possibility of her staying home full time with the kids. Since having kids, her heart is not in her job, but in raising a family. Finally, we feel that it is the right timing… Well, actually, its not the right timing. I don’t know that anytime is the right time. However, we have counted the cost and realize that it is pretty much a faith move. Things will be tight as far as income goes but it is manageble. It will mean some adjustments when it comes to spending and wants, but she will begin to move into what she is passionate about, being a stay at home mom and wife. I am so thankful for her heart and her faith. More importantly we feel that it will for sure help us start moving towards some of our future goals. Pretty much this is a move that we have counted and have put off but realize more now than ever, its going to take faith to do what God has called us to do. So today, is the first day of her last six weeks at her job. That’s exciting and there is a peace about us that she is doing the right thing.

Leaving Rock Hill

We had a great weekend. Heading back from Rock Hill, after speaking at two services at Friendship Church of God. Lee Ayers has done a great job as Pastor and feel humbled to be able to personally call him friend. After speaking in the Saturday Night Service and this morning I am beat. Even though the trip has tired us out a bit I love traveling and speaking.

Friendship COG has a great heart and is doing a great job to reach their community. From being in a single wide trailer to a permanent facility they have come a long way. It was great to make connections and can’t wait to see what God does among the church in the coming days. They really went out of there way to make us feel welcomed and was very receptive to the word. The way the took care of my family and I, from the room to the meals, speaks volumes about their heart and willingness to serve. What an awesome community of believers.

8 Years Since I’ve Traveled To Speak

Its been close to eight years since I have traveled for a speaking engagement. It really doesn’t seem that long, but I guess it has. In 2002 I went on staff as youth pastor and didn’t due to much outside speaking engagements so yeah, close to 8 years since I’ve been on the road solely to speak. Excited about the opportunity and also excited to try and get out there on the road again for some services here and there.

We will be speaking in two services at Friendship Church of God in Rock Hill, SC. My good friend Lee Ayers is the Lead Pastor and I am excited about the opportunity hang with his family for a bit before tonights service. The difference about this trip and the earlier ones 8 years ago is that now my wife and kiddo’s are with me. It used to be me alone headed to these things only with the thought of one day having a family to share the experience with. WOW!!!

Not A Good Start This Morning

I normally don’t get headaches. Well its not that I don’t get them, its just not an often occurrence but this morning has been somewhat different. I woke up and my head was throbbing. Pretty much to the point that it was nausuating. It’s weird. There’s points of throbbing then nothing, when I turn my head a certain way it throbs, when I turn it back it stops and it is just mainly on one side of my head. Up around the right temple area. Anyways, it has kinda wiped me out this morning.

A Complete Blank

Not much of anything has been going through my mind the past few days. Just a blank. Maybe its due to some of the things going on around me, maybe because I am getting geared up to go out of town this weekend and speak. The reason why is beyond me, its all blank. Do they call this a thought drought, is there anything to be learned or taken away from it? If there is anything at all, I want it. I hate having blank thoughts. Maybe it is a season of refreshing, maybe God is clearing out some stuff so I can just hear more of Him. Are you done yet God, it would be nice to hear, feel, or think of something. Maybe, hopefully, the canvas of my thoughts are being cleared and coming up blank for something awe inspiring that can help someone else. Just Maybe!

My Calling

I feel that God is doing something crazy wild in our lives at the moment. I have an unsettledness and expectancy for something big. To be quite honest, I feel it is to go into Pastoring. Where, I don’t know. When, that is to be determined but for now there is a peace that God is leading us in that direction. I feel it is my calling. For me, it takes me out of my safety zone in a way. There is much I don’t know, much I wonder about but at the same time there is a peace that this is the path that God has for me. So, as God opens the door I will follow. Until then I will keep on praying, plugging away, and pushing to do the work God has me doing currently.

30 Thousand Just Sitting In The Attic

I heard a wild story on the radio. Some guy made 30+ thousand dollars, yes I said 30+ thousand dollars from a video game. He went up to his attic and found an old game called Air Raid. Air Raid was one of the games to the original Atari system of which I know nothing about. It was way before my time. Anyhow, He took the mint condition game, put it on e-bay and…BAM, it sold for over 30 thousand dollars. For someone that game was a treasure and they were willing to give up a lot of money for it. I think I am going to dig through my attic tonight. I wonder how much 24yr old insulation will sell for. Mint condition of course.