Being a Blessing!

It's amazing how life can change in just a few short hours! Tonight I was at Walgreens and Lowe's (not getting plywood, praise God!) and felt like I was in the twilight zone as people were everywhere and there was this surreal sense of anxiety/anticipation in the air that hurricane Ike is causing.

But we know that the Creator is control! "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters."

And as His followers we want to be a blessing to the world around us . . . and in the next few days - wherever Ike goes - we'll have the opportunity to do just that! Especially in the midst of crisis, we can show what it means to live by faith -- and not fear.

So be praying . . . and watching . . . and expecting for God to give you - and us - opportunities to serve and love those who don't have peace and hope.

Blessing!

What a blessing to run this morning in the cool, gentle rain! Man, it was awesome!

I'm also thankful and blessed that my Dad has come to spend the day with us!

And today we celebrate the blessing in living in a country where we are extended so many freedoms! How blessed we are, and yet how much of the time we complain about what we don't like.

I want to challenge you to do 2 things today:

1) Thank God for our leaders and pray for them.
Especially now in the midst of election year, I hear so much griping and complaining (and do some of it too!) about our current and potential future leaders. But God tells us this in 1 Timothy 2: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
I encourage you just to spend a couple of minutes asking God to bless all federal, state and local officials that God brings to mind.

2) And then secondly, Pass On the Blessing! Find someone to bless today in the name of Jesus! Real thankfulness comes to fruition as we are lights in our world! Find a way to be a blessing!

Incredible Morning!

One of our Creeker military guys - Zach Wojtek - and his family are moving this week and a couple of other Navy pilots (Jeff Vignery & Clif Johnson) thought of an amazing way to bless and honor Zach.

We met at the building this morning at 5:50 (yes, am!) while Clif picked up Zach. We drove out to Bob Hall Pier and spread out about half a mile apart from each other down the beach and hid in the dunes.

Clif got to the beach with Zach about 6:15 and started walking down the beach with him telling him how he had been a blessing and encouraging him as he continues his journey.

Clif peeled off and then the next guy came out and continued walking down the beach with Zach. All four of us (4th being Tim Lawley) shared with Zach how he had blessed us and each of us encouraged him in keeping on a different part of the 'armor' in Ephesians 6.

I went last and by the time Zach got to me he was overwhelmed.

I just want to say: Way to go guys! I'm so proud of you and your willingness to use your gifting and creativity to bless the heck out of a man who deserves the blessing!

We're gonna miss you Zach! Warriors for Christ!

Pretenders - Part II

Still chewing on these verses in Romans 12: "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:9-10)

'Take delight in honoring [blessing] each other.' God's been talking to me about being a blessing. So much of my life I feel like I go through as a policeman. Can anybody relate? Watching this and that. Correcting this and that. Instead of blessing, I'm busy policing.

God's job is to correct, mine (and yours) is to bless. OK, I'm speaking generally, I'm not saying that we NEVER correct our children or others - but what if we went through our day looking for ways to bless people. Not looking to judge, or critique, or justifying, or ignore. Just bless.

We have been blessed now for 4 weeks as Beatriz Lopez has been living with us. (This is her at the HS Girls GNO) Cindy and I believe that much of the reason God has put her in our familie's life is because she is a 'blesser' (and a blessing!)
It's like she is just continually searching for ways to serve and love others. It's amazing. She came here to learn about America . . . and this sweet young lady is teaching us much as we just watch. (I know that her parents in Madrid must be proud.)

I pray for a Beatriz in your life . . . and I pray that today you (and I) would seek to simply be a blessing.

Pray Blessing!

It's how God has been telling me to pray for those around me who need Him. How to pray for my neighbors . . . . and my friends who are in pain.

Pray blessing. Just ask God to bless them.

Try it this week.

For the folks who you know need Christ and you want to bring to Oso Creek this Sunday - pray that they will experience God's blessing.
For your spouse and children - pray for the power of God's blessing.
For the people that you are struggling to be around or work with - pray for God to bless their socks off. (It's very difficult to pray for God to bless someone and stay angry at them :)
For the clerk at Stripes or the teacher at school - pray for God's blessing.

This is how God told the leaders of Israel to pray over the people, and then He would pour out His blessing:

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Our world needs the blessing of God.