Do you see Jesus?

What a great time to be on this earth. God has blessed us with so many opportunities to share His love. In the midst of disasters and tragedies, God remains constant. He is always there; or should I say He is always here. It seems easy to say to someone who is hurting, "God is there for you." Yet I struggle at times with realizing He is here. He is near. God is love. God dwells in the hearts of His people. God calls us to genuine relationship with Him. What an honor to have the creator of the universe calling me to a relationship with Him! It is also an honor that He would choose to use someone like me to encourage others to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. God has placed us here to share His good news to all who will listen. There are so many hurting, so many questioning, so many struggling, so many who have suffered loss. God is calling His people to share His good news with those that are hurting. God challenges you and I to look at the world and see Him. How great it is to see Him. When Jesus walked this earth, he came in a way that none would have expected. The creator that knit the universe was himself knit together in his mother's womb. The king of all came as a peasant and servant to all. The all powerful came as a defenseless baby. How amazing it is to serve a God like that. It reminds me that I am to see Jesus in each person I come in contact with. That homeless man that asked me for food, that is a man that needs to know Jesus. That prostitute that I often want to people to walk the other way when they see needs to know Jesus. I see Jesus in the abused thirteen year old who strives to live life the best she can. I see Jesus in the lady who can barely read but who continues to grow and become something special for her Lord. I see Jesus everytime I drive down the street, or sit at a traffic light. I see Jesus when I walk into the schools, or when I am standing in line at Wal-Mart. I see Jesus when I look at my wife and my baby. And now I am learning to see Jesus when I look in the mirror. That's hard to say, but it is true. Jesus chooses to live in us and through us as we learn to live in and through and because of Him! Amazing? It certainly is. Then again, we serve an amazing God. A God that is too big and too holy to dwell in temples made by hands chooses to instead live in you and me. Thank you Jesus for loving so. May we grow in your image. Amen!

God Knows

It has been a week and a half since hurricane Katrina desimated the Gulf coast region. My heart breaks. The pictures on the television bring me to tears. My heart is flooded with a wide array of emotions. I thank God that family that lived in the Gulf coast region are doing well. I praise God for sparing them. Yet, I hurt. I question. I find myself asking the questions: Why? What will happen next? How many lives were lost? How can God allow such a thing to occur? Questions are healthy. Questions allow us to interact and learn. Questions allow us to challenge our beliefs.

I believe God is loving and holy. I believe God is just. I believe he has placed us on this earth at this time so that we may seek Him, reach out to Him, and find Him reaching back to us. God knows each story. God knows each heart. God knows what will happen next. God knows! God knows that many people only call out to Him in the midst of tragedy. God knows that we often overlook the poor and homeless. God knows us. God knows what it is like to lose a loved one. God knows lonlieness. God knows that we desire authentic relationship. God knows!

My wife and I have always had a heart for the inner city. We long to minister to broken people. We believe that God's story can change the neighborhood, the city, the state, the nation, the world. The two cities that often came to mind in our prayers were New York City and New Orleans. My first visit to New York City came in 2001. I had been praying for the people there and for the city for a few years before. We made it to our home in Lubbock, TX on the last flight in September 10. We woke Tuesday to go to class and was sharing about our time in the city and how we were praying for open doors. The towers were destroyed that day. My heart still aches over a city I have grown to love and pray for.

My first trip to New Orleans came just a few weeks ago. The sights and sounds still burn bright in my memories. I loved the city. I loved walking the French Quarters. I loved the begneits. I loved the people. My heart broke for the people. I sensed hopelessness all around me. The eyes of the street kids and homeless men and women we passed on the street burn deep int my mind penetrating straight to the heart. I hurt so bad for the lost. Spirituality was all around. That spiritual seeking came in the form of palm reading, tarot cards, voodoo, and countless others. Sin was prevelant. The darkness semed overwhelming, yet I knew the light of Christ could shine on the dark city. We prayed for New Orleans, we prayed for God to work in the city.

The hurricane overtook the city. Many fled, many died, many were forced to live in unfit conditions. All needed refuge from the storm. Some believed they had refuge where they were at. Others sought refuge in the Superdome or Civic Center. Others evacuated to find refuge in  other cities, other states. I pray that all find refuge in Christ.

I still question. I don't know why the two cities that often came to our mind when discussing posibilities of future church planting faced such tragedy, but I do know the One who gives us refuge. Pray for the victims, pray for the reuniting of families, pray for hearts that are open to God. Pray! 

But most all, in the midst of all the uncertainty, realize: God knows!

College football

I have to state my dissappointment with my Oklahoma Sooners. They lost to TCU on opening day. I have been a Sooner fan for as long as I can remember. I have supported them through the winning seasons as well as the losing seasons. I am excited about my boys this year. They lost a lot of starters on both sides of the ball, but they still have a lot of talent. Adrian Peterson is a great running back. He needs a supporting cast. He needs a consistent quarterback that can make the passes and open up the defense. He needs linemen who can make the blocks. The quarterback (whoever that will be) needs the linemen to give him protection against the blitz. They all work as a team and each part is important if victory is to be declared. I think I see a lesson for the church in that illustration. We are all called to work as a unit, as a body. We have different talents and gifts, we have to function as a team and use our talents and gifts to build up the kingdom of God.

I am thankful for football and the lessons it teaches me. I am more grateful for my spiritual family.