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And yet another friend...

I just want to praise the Lord for some very good friends. I spent some time with a good friend last evening and it was such a blessing. He is the kind of friend who will always love me but will also tell me what I need to hear, even if it hurts. And then I get a call this morning from another friend...just checking in on me...no agenda, no needs, no complaints, just checking in.

When I lived in Africa, I discovered that our American culture uses the terms friend and acquaintance interchangeably. This is not so in other parts of the world. And although I do have a lot of “close acquaintances” for which I’m thankful, I am especially grateful to the growing number of people in my life that I count as true friends. My African friends and acquaintances would be proud…

Mondays!

I wrote this post a long time ago...but I ain't feelin' it today! I am tired and having a hard time getting my mind to engage. Anyone else feeling the Monday blahs?

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to share some things that I am thankful for.

First of all, for a God who chose to create me and this world. For a God who chose to reveal Himself to me in His Son Jesus Christ and to redeem me through His life, death, and resurrection. And for a God who lives through me and perfects me through the power and abiding presence of His Holy Spirit.

I am thankful to God for my wife Carla. She is the greatest human being in the world. She is my best friend!!!

I'm thankful to God for my family. I am truly blessed with parents and siblings and in-laws and an extended family whom I love.

I'm thankful to God for my church family. Cornerstone has been one of the greatest blessings of my pastoral life. I am so happy to be able to serve with these wonderful people. I have made some great friends for which I'm very thankful.

There is so much more that I have to be thankful for that there isn't enough bandwidth to contain. I hope you're able to recount your blessings over this holyday too.

Snow!

It is snowing this morning for the first real time this season. Praise God!!! I love the snow! May I be to the Lord as in Proverbs 25:13 "Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;he refreshes the spirit of his masters."

What Ya Listening To?

My favorites on my iPod right now:

Iona: Revelation (a great tune of prayer)

Brandi Carlile: The Story

Mercy Me: Word of God, Speak

Michael W. Smith: Healing Rain

Roxy Music: Oh Yeah

Dave DeMarco: Adore

How about you?

Standing on the Rock

I have been trying to do some Scripture memorization of late. I haven't been very faithful to that at all over the past few years and as God has been speaking to me lately, He has encouraged me to memorize and stand on His Word. My verse for the week is Psalm 18:2. "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to me and for being a Rock to me when I am on unsteady ground. May I look to you for strength and wholeness with each passing moment.

Music to My Ears

I love music...especially bluegrass. There is something about how music can communicate with the soul and express the feelings of the heart that other forms of communication cannot. God says through the Psalmist in Psalm 33: "Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song;play skillfully, and shout for joy."

Thank you Lord for music...may I hear you and speak to you through this "means of grace" you've given to us...