What do we really have to lose?

It's funny how lessons tend to repeat themselves throughout our lives. I'm often reminded of when I was dating my wife, Tara. We dated for five years and even though we knew right away we wanted to get married, we also knew it was going to take several years. First, we were quite young. Second, Tara's parents wanted her to finish school, first. Plus, before I was ready to be the husband I wanted to be, I needed time for God's healing to take place in my life. Very early on, Tara and I knew roughly the time we would be married and also knew it was going to be five years or so. During that five year stretch, there were so many times that I would loose focus of our wedding day and get caught up in the moment I was in. The wedding day seemed so far away and I would convince myself I had plenty of time to get things in order. So, I would spend my money and time on very temporal things instead of saving and investing in our future. I'm so grateful that God would gently remind me of what I was working toward and then help me get back on track. Our wedding day did finally come and it was everything we dreamed it would be. I'm so glad we worked hard and trusted God to help us accomplish the things He asked as He prepared that day for us. And, looking back, those five years really did pass by very quickly. It's so hard to believe that it's now been twelve years since our wedding day.

I'm often reminded of that experience and how it parallels with my Christian walk. There is a day coming and that day is going to be more than we could ever imagine or dream. It may seem like a long way off, but, in all reality, it will be here before we know it! I just need to make sure that my focus is on that day instead of getting caught up in making my life comfortable now. That way I can accomplish the things God has asked of me between now and then. A big part of what God has asked me to do resides in holding on loosely to the things I have. A willing heart to let go of anything He asks me to. To allow His blessing to flow through my hands, instead of holding on tightly to them. I am a work in progress and I'm so glad that He who started a good work in me is faithful to complete it!

It's in loosening the grip that real blessing begins to flow. I have found throughout my life, the tighter I hold the more restricted the blessing. However, when I loosen my grip the blessing begins to flow again. For me, it's realizing that I don't own anything. It all belongs to Him. And, if I can put my trust completely and fully in Him, then it's going to be alright. What do I really have to lose?

That's what the new Rush Of Fools song is all about. Losing it all for Him. Holding on loosely to the things of this world and holding tightly to Him. This new song is found on their latest CD, "Wonder Of The World" and it can be heard on Family Friendly Radio. If you would like more information about Rush Of Fools or this song, please click here; http://www.rushoffools.com/index.php

If there is anything I can be praying about for you, please don't hesitate to let me know. joeb@newlifemedia.org.

You're Invited...

There have been many times in my life when I've held back from God out of shame. Afraid to be too vulnerable, because if God knew what I was really like, there's no way He could still love me. There would be no way I could still be His child. Right? Growing up under very difficult circumstances, my self worth was stripped from me as a child. I was convinced that God had made a mistake with me. Then, I met Jesus. And, through some very difficult years I began to gain a little better understanding of His love, not only for me, but for every one of us. The first thing I learned was that God already knew everything there was to know about me. And, He still loved me. In fact, His decision to love me came long before I even knew who He was or that He even existed. It hasn't always been easy, but God has been faithful and, sure, there are still times when I fell unloved, but God is always there to remind me that He does.
I think if we're honest, even the most confident among us would admit there are times when we feel ashamed, unwelcome and unloved. And, in those times we turn from God, hoping He won't see. But, He does see. He sees everything. And, as scary as that is, there is some comfort in knowing that whatever we've done, wherever we've been, God still loves us and wants to be with us. It's really amazing, when you stop and think about it. That, God loved you and me so much that He wanted to be with us, even though it cost Him, His son. Jesus made a way for God to look past our wrong doing, sin, and invite us in. As we are. I once heard a pastor share a great analogy. He said, "Do you wash up before you take a shower?" We are free to come to God in the very condition we're in. Don't hold back out of fear you're not good enough. You are. Not because of what you've done, but because of what He's done.
Meredith Andrews did a very nice job of articulating this in her new song; "You Invite Me In" It's found on her "The Invitation" CD and you're hearing it on Family Friendly Radio. If you, like me, struggled or are struggling with your self worth, can I have just a moment to encourage you? God does love you! And, He is not ashamed of you! If I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know. You can email me today at; joeb@newlifemedia.org
If you want to know more about Meredith Andrews or hear this song now, please click here: http://www.meredithandrews.com/ No matter where you've been or what you've done, God already knows and He still loves you and longs to be with you. He is waiting patiently for you to take Him up on His invitation.

Songs from this CD you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "You're Not Alone" & "You Invite Me In"

Going Through The Motions...

Does life ever feel like your on a bike going down a hill at a hundred miles an hour, doing everything you can to keep from wiping out? Sometimes, it feels like I'm using every ounce of strength I have to just keep the handle bars steady. Life can be so stressful. And, it comes at you fast! There are so many different things pulling at us from so many different directions. Many times, It can be quite difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, to devote the necessary attention to each detail of our lives. And, if we're not careful, we can begin to compromise different aspects of our lives. We can start "going through the motions" in the smaller details that consume our lives. Then, before we know it, the majority of what we do consist of just motions. The thing is, the more we go through the "motions" the less we are able to feel. Then, life slowly becomes less and less about living and more about just getting through each day. We've all been there, at one point or another, right? I find myself there from time to time in different areas of my life. It's like I'm on autopilot. At the time it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but in looking back I can see how much I missed out on. I don't want to miss out anymore! That's one, of many, reason I love the new Matthew West song, "The Motions." Matthew does a great job of articulating what I'm going through when I find myself fighting off falling back into autopilot. It's a daily challenge to step outside the "just get me through this day" and start to live again. I also love Matthew's heart and appreciate his desire to use his music as a tool to impact people's lives. If you would like to, also, say "No more going through the motions," please click here; http://www.matthewwest.com/motions/ And, if you wouldn't mind, please share your story. Your story will inspire others to take that step beyond "The Motions!"