My Greatest Enemy

I talked to my girlfriend over an hour ago and we read a chapter of Come Thirsty. The chapter was on Worry (We don't have to). It is frightening that it is a big part of our society. there is always the worry of a terrorist attack, global warming, natural disasters and the spread of disease. On a more personal level losing one's job, serious illness, violent crime, risk of an serious accident. There is no shortage of things to worry about.
However, as Max Lucado writes it is "unconscious blapsphemy" meaning it is contary to faith. It is also the sin that followers of Christ seldom talk about as it seems as natural as breathing. We read stories in the Bible of those who refuse to let worry get in the way but act in faith. We see Abarham living as a nomad before becoming " the father of many nations ", Moses leading the Hebrews to the Promised Land, Daniel becoming an overseer of the governors of Darius, Paul becoming the missionary of Christ to the Gentile world. These are people who acted rather than worried.
I'll be the first to admit that worry has it's grip on me and it has paralysed me for years and I could say in all honesty that it has probably cost me some opportunities over the years. Not to mention has affected my health to a degree. It was been my greatest foe. I just must remember this passage " So do not worry about tomorrow;it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."
(Matt 6:34 GNB)

A Hot Sunday

I got to attend Summit Community Church this morning. I have been attending for the past month and pretty much made it my home. The service was good and the message hit home as it was about commmunity. It was part of a series on relationships. The pastor explored the topic from a different angle. Instead of the usual we must unite and be one he used the family illustration. Like how we fight with our family way more than we fight complete strangers. Also, the issue of sin was bought up and how their is a need to confess sin the church in order to bring unity and healing within it. There is the need to remember that we are all sinners and need to welcome those who haven't been saved into the fold.
The weather today is abnormally hot for this time of year but I can't complain as I would rather have six months of this than a single day of winter. Although the humidity can be draining and the haze doesn't look that nice. At least it reminds me that summer is around the corner which I'm looking forward to.
Not really at lot going on this afternoon as I'm just doing some homework and just chillin for the most part. It's one of those you just help but become lazy but at least I've accomplished the things I wanted to for today so I get the rest to myself. As well as keep cool in the process.

It's Saturday But I Still Have To Work

I managed to survive this week but I still have to go to work for half a day today. I don't know if I'm just getting old or what because I feel exhausted most of the time. At least it's a few extra bucks in my pocket. Not to mention the weather is supposed to be excellent, sunny and a high of 23 degrees.
On a lighter note my girlfriend is in town for the weekend which will help the rest of the weekend go smoothly. I will pick up the lastest Max Lucado book which we will read together after we finish Come Thristy. Hopefully, we can take advantage of the nice weather and spend some quality time outdoors. Anyways, I hope the shift isn't too long and I get the rest of day to spend with the one I love.

A Short Poem I Found

Here's a short poem I found from one of the great theologians of all time:


Living a life of faith means never
knowing where you are being led.
But it does mean loving and
knowing the One who is leading.

Oswald Chambers

Last Night and The Day Ahead

I entered an interesting contest last night. Workpolis a job finding has a contest that if you submit a resume on line through their resume builder you can win a trip to Europe. That would be interesting especially if you win. You get a new job and then a few months in you have to take time off you go on your trip. I can see telling the boss " Yeah, I won the trip while searching for this job".
Anyway, after seeing some of the pictures they showed of Rome, London and Barcelona I couldn't resist. Besides, I could be killing two birds with one stone as I'm looking to get out of lawn maintenance and into something more mentally simtulating. I also have been dying to see Europe for some time and I would love to win.
The weather doesn't look to promising today as the clouds are dark. The site we cut today is a big one about a city block and we have to work rain or shine. hopefully the clouds will pass over and/or the day will be shortened. I could use the extra time to catch up on some needed rest.

Simple Words To Live By

A few days ago a friend's mom gave me some words that were encouraging. She said that as a believer of Christ I am favoured of him. That I am special in his eyes and He has a plan for my life. Yes, I have heard this before but it bears repeating as it's so easy to be discouraged in this day in age. It is something that I must repeat in my head. Especially when I am ready to give up He hasn't given up on me and I must stay the course with him as my pilot.

P.U.S.H

Here's an article someone sent me a few years ago about prayer and trusting in God:


P.U.S.H.A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan)decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough."That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a Matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done.Now I, my friend, will move the rock."At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.When everything seems to go wrong .... just P.U.S.H.!When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H.!When people don't react the way you think they should.....just P.U.S.H.!When the money is "gone" and the bills are due ... just P.U.S.H.!When people just don't understand you ... just P.U.S.H.!P= PrayU= UntilS= SomethingH= Happens

Insight Into Life and Death

I had a good weekend as Leanne (my better half) was in town. The only bad part is I didn't get to enjoy the long weekend because I had to work Saturday and Monday but at least I got some much needed cash as a result.
We have been reading a book Come Thirsty by Max Lucado and the chapter we read was When Death Becomes Birth which is was very interesting as the basic message was for the Christian was that their death on this planet will be better than their birth. A follower of Jesus should not be afraid of death because Jesus conquered it and that there is a better place for us.
It is amazing how as a society we prepare for how we are going to live but how little people prepare for the inevitable. It is something that is feared by many but is unavoidable. I think the key is not only to be ready but to have idea where you are going. Sadly, many are unaware or uncertain of their destination.
To me it is so much looking forward or waiting for it to happen but realising that very minute in our lives should connect and we are to make the best of our time on Earth. I'll have to admit I have been a little afraid of the other side but the words of Jesus set me straight

" Verily,verily, I say unto you, He that hearth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto
life."
(John 5:24)

First Blog

I have just signed up for this blog and here it goes. I'm feeling tired as it's been a long week at work. Not to mention that the weather is crappy which doesn't help since I work outdoors. I have to go in tomorrow but on a brighter note my girlfriend is coming down for part of the weekend. It should go well and I'm looking forward to it. Anyways, I should get some sleep as I have an early day tomorrow.
Jay