Beating the Wind

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Matthew 5:3

I love the beatitudes, they always bring peace and joy to my heart. I find my self continually returning to Matthew’s gospel and every time that I read the beatitudes, I cannot help but learn something new. After rereading them again yesterday, I decided to edit and repost a blog that I wrote years ago. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? First, I want you to realize that compared to Jesus, we are all poor in spirit. People sometimes put way to much stock in stuff. Often times people approach the Creator of the Universe with a haughty and arrogant attitude. We often think way to highly of our selves. The Bible is teaching us that we should humble our hearts before we approach God. I want you to realize that without Jesus, you are in poverty. As I reread this passage again I cannot help but wonder if people that do not know Christ and that have a lot of material possessions, realize that they are truly in poverty? Of course the answer to my question is no. These people are lost and caught up in stuff and do not realize that without a relationship with Christ, they are merely paupers. I have truly learned that less is more. I want you to consider all of these things as you are reading this blog. I want you to consider the cost of following Jesus. Can I just tell you, that following Christ will cost you everything! A totally surrendered follower of Christ can be blessed because they are poor in spirit. By giving all, you gain eternity and the Kingdom of heaven. Can I ask you a question, have you given it all to Him today? My prayer as I write this, is that you have. I love you all! Trust Him today!

What is wrong with the modern church? This is a question that I am asked more and more frequently by people from outside of the church. A lost world is watching and what they are seeing in many cases, is not good. To often what they see turns them away from what we as followers of Christ are called on to do. I do have to admit and agree with many on the outside of the church, that it can be easy to become disillusioned with the modern day church. Our talk many times is not our walk. In so many cases our focus has become skewed and we have turned inward and are not really focused on our original charter. The gospel has to matter to the believer. It has to take precedence in our walk and work. We were created to worship a Holy God. If we are worshiping God instead of complaining about our circumstances, things will change. Where is your focus? Do you desire to see people come to a saving knowledge of Christ? What are you going to do today that will have eternal consequences? Share Jesus without fear, today…do it sooner rather than later. I love you all <><

I love life…I really do…I want people, all people to know who I am and what I stand for. My love for my Savior is overwhelming…people need to hear about His life changing gospel. So today, I am pleading with you…Go and make something happen! Tell everyone How Jesus has changed your life…if you cannot pin point a time when He has made a difference, text of call me! I would love to share with you what my relationship means! God bless, and I love you all<><

The crisp air blows in off my river slightly giving me the chill that comes from an approaching cool front and the changing season…

the sun slowly peeks over the eastern horizon and bait fish move effortlessly across the top of the water as a white heron lifts off from a dark corner of the marina and takes flight heading for the shoals on the other side of the inlet…

the warmth of a large cup of coffee in my hand…my trusty chocolate lab Tymber at my side…the beauty of this land that I love…

I am thankful for this day…

I have been thinking about the gospel and its power a lot over the past couple of weeks. It really is important for those of us who believe to think about. I want to live large for God. I believe that we should take His mandate very serious and literally go and make disciples of all nations. Let me share a little of I have discovered in my following Christ. I have learned that if you never take the opportunity to share the glorious gospel with people who desperately need to hear, you have a 100 percent chance of never winning anyone to a saving knowledge of Him. We have to share, we have to be proactive. Unfortunately, many people in the modern church have taken personal soul winning and made it a spectator sport. It has become something that we talk about but never get off the bench and get into the game. This time of year many people talk about their favorite football team and what they should or should not be doing. The truth is, the people who do the talking are not actually in a place or position to really help their favorite team. Armchair warriors never score a touchdown or make a tackle, they just talk about what should or should have happened. I have learned in life that the more you share your faith in God with people who need to hear, the better your chances are at actually seeing someones life changed. I want to encourage you today, put on the full armor of God and get into the game. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel. I love you all<><

Highly Recommended watch!

I am truly a blessed man and I totally love my life…This is something that I have known and thought about for a long time. Sometimes I find my many blessings hard to fathom, I sometimes have difficulty putting my life into words, but this morning I feel the need to encourage, to share, to brag on Jesus. I am blessed and have an awesome wife of almost 32 years. I have 3 wonderful daughters, two of which have married godly men who love the Lord and their families and they have given me four of the most wonderful grand children on the planet. I also live in a beautiful place. I have traveled the world and enjoyed many sights and cultures but I am always ready to get back to the shores of my river (the St. Johns) because I get to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation every day. I have also been blessed with a wonderful job…no, wait its a lot more than a job it is calling. I continually thank God for the call that He placed on my life and the opportunity to proclaim Him and share His glorious gospel. God has been very good to me. Last night after having dinner with friends, I became overwhelmed again over God’s love and grace. In our conversation, we all agreed that many are looking for an emotional fix…a way to feel better about their current situation…can I just tell you, a relationship with Christ is so much more than that. A real relationship with Jesus begins in an individual when they simply acknowledge that He is God. I know for many this may seem trite, but the simplicity of trusting God is something that comes from acknowledging who He truly is. I want to totally experience my relationship with Christ. Mark Batterson, in his book In a pit with a lion on a snowy day says “instead of pursuing possessions, we should pursue experiences.” I want to experience the glory of God and all that He has for me. This started for me when I simply acknowledge Him and my need for Him. My prayer for each of you is that you can truly experience God. I am praying for you all! <><

Music…it takes me there…

You might be wondering this morning…where the music takes me. Well, let me just try and explain…you see, good music will take me to the place that the artist is singing about…I can listen to Crosby, Stills, Young and Nash and find my self standing on the deck of an 80 foot clipper, sailing reach on a following sea. I can see all her flags a flying as she is headed for the southern islands. Listening closely, I can almost see the Marquesas over the starboard rail. You see, music has a way of taking me there. I always seem to have a song in my head and heart. And because of this, I have a pretty full travel schedule without ever leaving town…I can find my self in Plya Del Carmen as Kenny Chesney barters with Jose for some red snapper. I might spend my afternoon in Key Largo listening as Bertie Higgins reminds me that by watching old movies…I have it all. The Beach boys can easily take me to the fictitious Kokomo. George Strait takes me to Marina Del Rey on a regular basis. I meet many people during the course of my week. What is sad to me is that many of them do not enjoy music. Music has been very much a part of my life. My daughters and grand children all love music and for this I am very thankful. My love of music has shaped the way that I look at the world. I have been blessed in my life and have been able to actually visit many of the places from my favorite music. I do not know where you are this morning…but can I just tell you…”There is a beautiful view of the end of the world…from the pier”. Enjoy some music today! I love you all<><

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

As I sit here this morning and reflect on the events of the past 10 years I must admit it is hard for me and many Americans to understand what perfect peace really is. As a baby boomer, raised in a time where patriotism was important, and a love and respect for country was actually taught and allowed in the public school system, I am perplexed and amazed at how far we have fallen. We are a nation far from God. I watch bonehead politicians continually make poor decisions that have a negative affect on this country that I love. This great nation finds it self at a cross road. Peace seems so illusive…what are we to do? Can I tell you this morning that true peace comes from seeking and finding God. Regardless of what many in our country may think about Jesus…He is our peace, He is my peace. Perfect peace comes from a real relationship with Him. Scripture teaches us to turn to God. “If my people…” God wants us to turn to Him. On the eve of 9/11, I am praying for those who lost family members, I am also praying for this great country. I am praying for peace…but mostly I am praying that people turn to God and that revival sweep this great country that I love. Trust in Him today. I love you all.

This morning, as I sat waiting for the sun to rise over the St. Johns River, a routine that I practice most mornings because I have friends who are counting on me to capture a picture of the glorious Sunshine State Sunrise…I was talking with one of my marina friends about life. Where does the time go…this is an ageless question asked by many a person who actually takes the time to reflect on life. As I was talking with this wise sailor, he gave me some very sound advise…He told me that he uses each sunrise to list the things in his life that he is thankful for. He takes time to review and reflect on the many blessings that he has experienced in his life…and at the sunset, he uses this time to forgive the people that has wronged him during the course of his day. As he was telling me this, I could not help but marvel at the simplicity of this mans life. He is thankful for all of the things that he has but more importantly he never lets anger towards people who have wronged him build up and cause him to miss the many blessings that he has.

The bible teaches us in Ephesians 4:26 to “Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger”. If we use the sunset to forgive those who have wronged us, we will be able to experience the blessing that clean hearts and hands brings before a Holy God.

Time, where does it go…life is way to short to hold on to problems and anger. Give the problems to God and enjoy the blessings of His creation. I love you all<><

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears...From Fiddler on the Roof