The best thing you can do as you pursue God in 2010 is to have a consistent devotional life. Many people get overwhelmed as they seek to grow in their walk with Christ because they simply do not know what to do next. EXAMEN.me provides several convenient options that will help develop and guide you in your walk with Christ.

• Meditate on scripture with the goal of life obedience.
• Pray with focus.
• Journal and keep a record of God’s activity in your life.

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It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. – Psalm 118: 8-9

I cannot tell you how many times I have been let down when I put my trust in others.

I cannot tell you how many times I have let others down who put their trust in me.

God alone can handle the details, circumstances, and direction of your life.

This short film is the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time.  A brilliant story of hope and redemption.  I might have even sprung a little leak in the corner of my eye.  it is long, but so worth it.

To view the film in a larger format go here.

This is a story from a guy at NorthWood.  God really used the song “How He Loves” in his life.  Here is his incredible story of receiving and giving forgiveness.

Forgiveness from Northwood Church on Vimeo.

This past weekend we used it as an intro and then we played the song. It was a huge blessing to our congregation. It is also a great example of team work. Great job Jordan and Chris.

I have a friend who is successful and influential in his field.  He owns a growing company, but he never seems that stressed out about it.  I have seen him walk through some serious trials with it all, and he still remains rather calm.  In other words he is driven but calm.  I get the driven part, but not always the calm.  I asked him how he stays laid back in the midst of it all.  His answer, “I read Ecclesiastes at least once month.”

So this morning, outside of my normal personal worship routine (which of course is examen.me) I read the whole book of Ecclesiastes in one setting. It was very refreshing.  It puts the pursuits in this life into perspective.

In life there is vanity, wisdom, folly, toil, hard work, fleeting joys, and a time for everything.  But even through the writer of Ecclesiastes seems to ask many more questions that he answers, I love how the book is ended.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Eccl 12:13-14

May that be true with my life.

Image [damianromero]

This is not a new song, but it has ministered to me like crazy this morning. I played it over and over again to remind  my heart and my mind that God alone is the source of my rest.

May your soul find rest in our great God.

If I chased after God as much as I chased after ________, I would know him more.

Hard question to ask your self.  Life changing to answer.

Fill in the blank.

When my kids go crazy and decide to challenge everything I say, throw fits, and do things their own way, here is the process I go through.

1. Oh no you didn’t.
2. Frustration
3. Develop a plan to eliminate the negative behavior – still very frustrated.
4. Realize that I rebel against God just as much or more than they rebel against me. I challenge everything he says, throw fits, and do things my own way.
5. Humbled and regain patience.

My kids and my wife are gifts from God that constantly reveal that I am broke and in desperate need of a saviour.

Ouch!

Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

[HT: JT]