Your works are Wonderful, I know that full well

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made

In the Secret Place

When I was woven together in the depths of the Earth

Your Eyes saw unformed body;

All the days ordained for me were written in your Book

Before one of them came to be!

Psalms 139:14-16

These are the words of King David as he seeks out deeper understand of life's sanctity through the eyes of God.  A life that God set in place before time as we know it began.  A life that in some manner has always existed in our Father's omnipotent plan. 

Ok … insert your name here!!  David was simply a man, making his best effort, as half-hearted as it may seem at times, to live a life glorifying to Almighty God.  He was simply a sinful human; much as we are!  Therefore, no less deserving of Hell than we are and no more deserving of the perfect grace that unbinds the shackles of sin and frees us to enjoy a life eternal, full of the hope we can know in Christ Jesus.  All that to set up the notion that just as David realized, we are also made with the same fear and wonder described in the Psalms referenced earlier which sets us up to better understand the sanctity of life.  A life created by God a long time ago.

Seems that modern culture has devalued human life … the process has been gradual (think frog in hot water) yet dramatically damaging!  I don't really want to dive below the level where air tubes are neccessary but the most obvious debate centers around abortion.  It's quite evident in God's word when life begins.  Who are we to question a plan that was woven and ordained by a perfect being in a time and place that is beyond our comprehension?  Another culprit comes out of the world of gaming … not that gaming itself is inherently bad … however some lead our culture to places where death and destruction, crime and punishment are controlled by the user … the user who's average age is 36 and who spends countless hours per day in this "world in a box".   What's seen and heard is so real now days that what's experienced becomes difficult to separate from reality … it numbs our culture to those engagements that some of these games offer, therefore lessening the value that life should receive! 

God sees it differently and so should we.  He thinks so much of our lives that he had Jesus come to this Earth to rescue us from our sin.  Did he have to do this?  Not at all!  But he holds us in such high esteem, as his children, that he wanted to!  The sanctity that we have for life should reflect that of the sanctity that God holds for human life.  We are made in his image … by him … to glorify him!  Sounds like we're pretty important to Father God … because we are!!  That's the truth!!

PROVIDENCE: THE OMNISCIENT LOVE, CARE AND GUIDANCE FROM THE CREATOR TOWARD THE CREATED

Think of a master gardener. The way that they care for and nurture the soil in order that it will be ideal to perform growth when seeded.  Levels are taken and amendments are added until it's ready for action.  At that point the seeds are sewn, the shoots are pared, and then with the proper water, sun and nutrients, it begins to form in to the grand piece of artwork that the artist envisioned from the master palette.

What's outstanding is that God is our master gardener … he's our hand of providence.  Check out his word and what is made evident is this … he both deeply cares for and faithfully nurtures his people.  Matthew talked about the flowers of the fields and the birds of the air … how they are anxious for nothing … God takes of them.  How much more will God take care of us … his Sons and Daughters, than the birds and the flowers (not made in his image … by the way). If God's Hand is on this of the air and things of the ground then you can take comfort in knowing that God's Hands are wrapped around us, his children, in a way that is all encompassing and everlasting.  He guides our paths in the same way that he guided the paths of the Isrealites in the Old Testament … the same way he placed Judas in Christ's life to play the role of turncoat.  When understood from the eyes of a God who is literally a "know it all", all things make sense.  We exist in the midst of this great rescue plan to glorify God, so that when the rescuer returns to gather us all up, the Hand of Providence will be complete (at least for Chapter Earth).

So … let's just leave it at this for the sake of understanding.  God doesn't just "show up" … he never left!! 

I will leave it with this.  The Bible states that "none is good, no not one", when held to the high standard of Christ's perfection.  It is only in understanding the full goodness of the Father through Christ the Son that we can realize goodness that is pure, goodness that is guiltless and goodness that is for eternity.  In Christ we have access to the only true goodness and that goodness will set us free!

The word defines Father God as the author of life and the creator of all things.  At the end of each day during creation God admired his handiwork and called it good (see Genesis 1).  This was not the good that we throw around when we might be defining dinner at a local dive or the good that we use when describing how our day might (or might not have) been.  This good brings with it the full seal and approval of a deity with the most high standards.  When God approved his creation and called it good, you better believe that it was most excellent in all its completeness.  There is no better.

Let's also check out the very commonly referred to verse "All things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28).  Ok … just turn on the television for 30 seconds and it's hard to make ends meet when referencing this verse. Much of what we see isn't a pretty sight and most definitely not glorifying to a God who demands purity from his people – all sinners by the way.  So how is this rectified?  We know that God has no dealings with sin and that's kind of us in a nutshell.  Something here's got to give in order for his word to jive … in order for his goodness to be achieved.  Based upon the aforementioned verse from Romans how can we (his creation) even come to a point where we can understand and receive the goodness of a perfect God??

God's goodness became complete through his love for us – through the life and death of Christ.  Check back soon and we'll dig into trying to understand God's goodness when seen through the lens & filter of his son Jesus. My hope would be that you would see why we have reason to celebrate the good times … even when they may not seem so good.

Anyone that hails from the great metroplex called Atlanta (or Athens for that matter) is undoubtedly quite familiar with a little place right off the 85-75 connector called the Varsity … home of the PC, FO and their world famous Varsity chili dogs! This Atlanta landmark has become a destination point for tourists stopping by or passing through … it's a necessary part of the Georgia Tech football season … and after a late night with the Braves an 11:00 pit stop by the Varsity is not uncommon.  The Varsity has touched everyone in some manner and left an permanent imprint … I would say mostly good … a few not so much (especially a few hours after dining … if you know what I mean!).  It's a part of the Atlanta culture where not everyone knows your name necessarily but where you feel welcomed in a confusing kinda way … the kinda way that says I really care about what you want and hurry up and order your food before I spit you out of this place … the kinda way that says Whataya Have, Whataya Have, Whataya Have!!!

Sorry to do this buuuuut the flip side of this is that what goes into your body is heinous.  We all know it and we all throw it down the gullet … it's so good going down isn't it??  Thing is, it's similar to running our car with sludged up oil and low grade dirty gas.  It might run but it won't run at its highest capacity.  Same with us in our spritual walk.  We have got to fill our soul with all good things … the Bible requires us to think on things that are pure and good … to discipline our bodies and to run to win the ultimate prize of endless glory with our heavenly father.  So when our Heavenly Father asks us Whataya Have … just think on it and say … I'd like a double grace with sanctification and glory on the side please!!!

That said, I think the Varsity's awesome!!!

Check out this video spot by Louis Giglio which touches on life prioritization from a Christian perspective.  Let Christ be the voice that provides the meat of assimilation in your life … let Christian be the role that you assume first and formost.

This has become fresh on my mind lately for two reasons.  First of all, check out this video of Forever Reign. God has used the words and message found in this song to really create in me a deeper desire to achieve a greater intimacy with him.  Secondly, and more resounding is what happens when I arrive home most every day.  Goes like this … turn the key to unlock front door … open door … get blown over by two beautiful children screaming DADDY … DADDY!!  It's then that everything is ok … it's then that as they sprint into my arms and hold tight I am made mindful of how I should be sprinting with an even more desperate fervor and enthusiasm into my eternal Fathers Arms.  However often I don my track shoes and make that sprint, I will say with confidence that it's not enough. Even so, the amazing thing is that God is faithful to the unfaithful no matter what … we are his for all eternity.  Let's sprint his way and scream unabashedly … DADDY … DADDY!

Hit the arrow and check out the tune!

We have a high calling in God's eternal plan for our children. Keep striving to walk the path that God has ordained for us. The mark that we can leave on our sons and daughters has both earthly and eternal implications. Our children look to us for security, guidance, direction, and as a top notch jungle gym. How many of us, after a long, arduous day, come home to little 4' tall tornados with smiles that light up your heart. We have a choice at that precious moment to either say now or not now. I challenge you to make now the choice. Carving a 10 minute notch goes a long way … both for you and your children. Kiss your wife too by the way … your kids will yuck it up but they really think it's awesome!!

Some duties that we should attend to with our children according to the Word of God are love, instruction, guidance and warning, training, rebuking, restraining, disciplining, chastening, nourishing, supplying the needs of … ok let's take a breath real quick!!! Seem overwhelming?? Well it sure can be … especially when God's not giving you a hand with it. Actually, I should say especially when God's not the lightning powering our efforts. We must look to our Heavenly Father to empower us as his children to teach us how to accomplish a Fatherhood that will cause our children to flourish and gain a healthy understanding of who God is. We need to realize that the delineation between us as an earthly father and God as the Heavenly Father can be merged together by our kids. Through God's strength and by the Holy Spirit in us, our children should be exposed to the character traits of God by way of us as God's vessel.

So … I say have a HAPPY GOD THE FATHER'S DAY!!!!

I sit here soaking in the calmness of the storm, but I wonder what Noah thought when the first post-deluge rain drop fell after he spent an entire year gazing into the depths of waterness.  Did he strike out looking for some Gopher wood… or start the animal round up??  Did he pinch himself as if in a bad dream … or pull out the umbrella and trust God's promise??  The latter would seem to be the choice (heck … he built a boat and didn't even know what rain was). And how great was it when the last raindrop fell and that stunning ribboned arch stretched across the sky.  God in his wonderful mercy, knew that his creation, in all our humanity would need a gentle reminder of his promise … the rainbow was it … and Noah remembered and worshiped.

Knowing that God is always good for his word and that his promises are true, let's take a peek at some other promises of his to his children.  He promises that he will never forsake us (that's hopeful!) … he promises that the lilies in the field and the birds of the sky have nothing on us (worrying about clothing and sustanance is not ok!) … God will care for us greater than these … he also promises that Christ will make a triumphant return to collect what belongs to him – his people – and bring them to where he and the Father are.  That day'll be really cool!

So … when you glance up into the sky and see that rainbow after the storm, think on the promise that God made the world all those years ago and use it as evidence that all the promises of God are truer than anything this temporal world can offer.  You pick … evidential truth of God or false teachings of this dying world.  Hmmm … choose truth … let the promises of God be your hope eternal!!

I say this somewhat in jest because I think it's a bit humorous and somewhat presumptous that Mr. Harold Camping has undoubtedly taken on the Matt. 24:36 challege personally. I believe this is now the third date for him that's come and gone – one for each of the triune God it seems - and he's missed it again. Poor guy … and his poor family I should also mention.  Oh … let me throw out what the aforementioned verse states.

No one knows about the date or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. - Matthew 24:36

So … I have a simple thought (I typically don't pull off the complex to well), and here it is!  JUST BE READY!! The day in question could be today, tomorrow, a year from now, a century from now!! When that trumpet sounds and the angel choir sings … don't start packing up … just be ready!  The Bible mentions that the greatest wisdom or knowledge of man is foolishness to God … which is all very logical because his very existence is the purest of wisdom and knowledge. Completely untainted when compared to the sinful version that humanity brings to the table.  A mathmatical algorithm created from the mind of the most swank of professors combined with a complete high level exogetical breakdown of scripture could not make an accurate call on Christ's return. It's a mystery to me why some just don't have the capacity to leave it be! 

Mr. Camping, you may mean well at your human core … and you may genuinely think you're on to something here.  Well … for one you're not … and for two, I hope you're ready!!