"Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008"

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Revelations 19:1

In the beginning there was praise and in the end there will be also. What a year 2007was. Unbelievable! So this year will end with a journal of praise. My praise is how God has worked in my family. God has taken us and created a living breathing unit and although we struggle at times I know we are still together. My children are incredible. Isaiah is an awesome little boy. Last week I watched my boy handing out drinks to people of the community and what a sight it was. This year our family grew with the addition of our little one Leia, Daddy’s little girl. I’ve watched my wife become an unbelievable person of influence both in and outside of the church, she’s managed our home, she’s taken care of me, she’s supported me, held me up, slowed me down, put me in the right frame of thinking, she does so much to help me to succeed. My family is incredible. God has also surrounded me with an incredible group of people from the CWCM team with unbelievable hearts and hands. If there is one word that I could sum up the team with it would sacrifice. Each member has sacrificed time and energy in the midst of 40+ hour work weeks, and full time college schedules. Each member has sacrificed themselves leaving their place of comfort to be used by God in a greater way. Every week the CWCM team brings it, they bring their best, they bring their creative minds, servant hands, but most of all they bring heart.

New challenges, great heights, some lows, always an adventure would describe my life in 2007. I have much to be thankful for. God what new adventure would you take me on this year? Whatever comes my way, help me to slow down when I need do, help me to dream when all I see is the dark, help me to serve and give when I have nothing, help me to trust you when I can’t track you, help me to be a better husband, a better father a better leader, help me to be a better Anthony then I was last year. I praise you for all that You are, All that You have done, and All that You will do in 2008 In Jesus Name, amen.

What are you producing? Journal 12-12

7Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. Hebrews 6:7

Picture this, a place where it rains every single day. Every day consistently the sky opens up and release drops of water upon this land but something is different about this land. Even though this place receives water daily there is little to anything growing. In fact, imagine a farm where only one head of lettuce grows, where only one apple tree grows, where only one potato grows.

This is the picture that I got today when I read today’s verse. This is the picture of an unfruitful Christian, even though God showers us with His voice through His Word and through His spirit every single day it’s possible to not produce. God’s word is like water to our life, it replenishes, it revives us, it causes us to live but the design goes much further, it’s supposed to live and produce through you. If your life represented a crop of land how much crop would be there? If your life represented an orchard how many trees would exist? What are you producing? It’s not enough to hear the word in my life, it has to activate and produce something. I have to monitor my growth closer. Growth doesn’t work on auto-pilot. I believe you have to look at your life often, your reactions, your speech, your thoughts, family, relationships, leadership all these are areas that we have to monitor our growth in. Can you see your devotional life in each of the above areas? Can you see what God has spoken to you and has it multiplied in those areas? What are you producing today? Are you monitoring your growth?

Lord I want to pay closer attention to what I am producing. I don’t want my life to represent a depleted land, or an empty orchard. Lord as you speak to me daily, let me slow down enough where I have no choice but to grow because the challenge is strong, your voice so evident, and your direction is so clear. In Jesus Name, amen.

“What does this have to do with the Great Commission?” Journal 12-06

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed Phil 1:18

Despite what Paul faced in everything, anywhere, his heart’s desire was Christ proclaimed. How was it that Christ was made known? A short time ago I went through a situation that bothered me, I wanted to take control of things, I felt I had the right, I felt that it was necessary. A simple question was asked. The question cut right to the heart and made me look at the situation differently “What does this have to do with the great commission”? In other words what does this situation although bothering, although you desire to take control, have to do with making Christ known, proclaiming Him, progressing the Gospel?

What does this have to do with the great commission? was a question that I believe Paul asked himself often. At the end of the day how was Christ proclaimed in my life. Sometimes with people and with situations it’s hard to see this question but I believe if asked it can save relationships, frustrations, and bad decisions. Ask yourself today How is Christ being proclaimed through my life. Are you going through a difficult situation Paul said “for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance”

Lord let my hearts desire be Christ proclaimed in every way, in every circumstance, in times of frustration, in times of fatigue, in times of stress, in times of uncertainty let my heart focus on Christ Proclaimed. In Jesus Name, amen.