Been a while

It sure has been a while since I last blogged. So I just wanted to give an update on things. I've been CRAZY busy. So busy that it's been difficult to find time to relax and gather my thoughts. I plan on getting back soon though, really soon because believe it or not blogging relaxes me, settles my spirit and anchors my life back to what really counts. On another note for several weeks now I've been dealing with this ear problem. As of today I've been to the doctor three times, taken anitbiotics, ear drops, decongestants and now they are sending me to an ENT specialist. Appreciate the prayers and if there is anything I can pray for you about just let me know on the comments. God Bless and Much Love.

-Ant

Problem or Opportunity?

When God put's opportunity in front of us it's often packaged as this impossible feat. The feat is too big for us, too much for us and to great for us. "Thanks God for reminding us how small we are..." Nope it's quite the contrary God is reminding us how BIG He is inside us. The longer we focus on the smallness of our lives the more we feel inadequate, pressured and frustrated. Then in the middle of the chaos God put's a pause... into our lives. Just like a commercial mid abruptly putting the current program on hold . That pause serves as a infomercial to inform you that God is with you, that nothing is impossible with Him. Practically speaking when faced with insurmountable odds I've noticed the following stages:

Breakdown Phase: When everything is overwhelming, unsettled and direction is hard to find. I can hear life, hear problems, hear circumstances louder then I hear God at this moment.

Pause Phase: Like calm in the middle of a storm. Sometimes I can intentionally pursue these moments, other times they are just planned by God and His direction and His plan is clear as day. Renewed strength, passion begins to build and purpose becomes clearer.

Breakout Phase: Just like Beniah of the bible of II Samuel 23:20. I begin to chase what I was running from before.

Just Thought You Should Know...

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding. Isaiah 40:28

Wake up! and smell the Jehovah Java, this is is one of those double shot of espresso scriptures challenging my life today to wake up. Look alive, walk with some hope, with some trust in God. Walk like your Daddy can beat up anything, because He can. Isaiah 40:25 say's "Who is my equal?, say's the Holy One. God's never had a challenge, never been contended against, never been rivaled. God does not worry, does not get tired, does not lose energy. The doors God opens nobody can close, and the doors He closes nobody can open. Nobody's NO is bigger then God's YES. He is second to no one, before was, was, God WAS. He is the undisputed, undefeated, HEAVY weight Glory of the entire universe and them some. Would you help me welcome into your life, into every circumstance, into any and every arena of challenge life might present. He's the dream maker, the purpose behind my purpose, the author and finisher of our faith, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the bright and morning star, the always present, all powerful... the one...the only....God the Almighty.

Just thought you should know...

Default Setting

"...But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done... Psalm 75:9

There are two types of people in the world, complainers and worshipers, and there isn't much circumstantial difference between the two. Complainers will always have something to complain about, worshipers will always find something to praise God about. They simply have different default settings - Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

Reading this scripture today reminded me about my default setting. I'll be honest, there's a lot going on in my life right now, a lot of pressure, a lot of demand and it almost seems easier to set my heart on complaint mode rather then worship mode. There are moments when a default setting to worship God, and trust that God is bigger then our problem will not come automatic, it's times like this when worship must become intentional. The scripture today gives perfect example of what intentional worship looks like. You may be going through a struggle right now, But as for me... may be facing tremendous pressure in life right now...But as for me...may even feel like giving in...BUT-AS-FOR-ME... I will always proclaim what God has done... Where's your default setting today?

Much Love