Are You a Gardener or a Weed Puller?

Life is an amazing thing. We reap what we sew. We plant and tend to the garden of our lives everyday. The fruit that we collect is the what grows in reaction to what we plant. If we are always planting things for ourselves though love often gets crowded out. The seeds that we plant for the desire of things crowd out love. The seeds that we plant that feed our ego crowd out love. The seeds that we plant that feed our desires of flesh crowd out love. The problem is that those seed are that of weeds and they do not last and they do not feed the soul. With a harvest of weeds we are left hungry and still wanting. Unfortunately for so many we keep on planting more of the same. I know it may sound extremely stupid but the moment that I started planting seeds for others is when I began to feel full and satisfied. My way wasn’t working. It was a real problem, so I turned to God. I read Jesus’s teachings and thought, “Okay I will give this a try. It’s not like what I am doing now is working very well anyway.” I started to love and love hard. I flipped my world upside down. I started to give and give and gave some more. I decided that I wanted to go deeper so I started going to church again, and that was a big thing for me. I had enough of church, but I went seeking knowledge. The more I learned and put into practice the more my love grew and the more satisfied I was. I used to have a field of dead weeds. Know I have a garden full of children that I love and protect and make me feel happy. I have a garden that I tend not alone, but with my wife. I am not a rich man and I don’t care if I ever do become one. I am not famous and I don’t care about that either. I am a child of God though, and while I am not perfect I work to become a better man each and everyday. To love and put love in the world. For love can fill and satisfy the hearts of all and is truly what heaven is made of.

Mark 4:26-34

26And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, 27and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." 30And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Somebody's Got a Job Just For You

I always wanted to be a songwriter I think. From a very early age I heard music in my head. I loved all genres from rock to pop to classical, but I could never figure out how to write a song. Then one day the whole thing clicked and my eyes were opened. Writing songs isn't very difficult, but when you have no clue it can be daunting. Learning about God can be very similar. Personally I grew up in the church and because of that I took a lot of things for granted. When I came of age I journeyed out on my own and with my young adult eyes my heart was soured. I saw far too many "Christians" not acting the role. I thought that I didn't need the church and that I could have a relationship on my own. All went well for some time but the more temptations I fell to and the more sins I committed I drifted further and further away from God. I got to the point where I didn't think that God deserved me. I thought that I was to "dirty" for God. After I sank even lower I decided that I couldn't live without him. I begged for his mercy and slowly rebuilt my relationship. The clincher was when I met someone very special. Someone that I believe God sent to me to help me find the way. My life has never been the same. God loves you and wants you. If you ask he will come to you and be a part of your life but gave you free will you have to choose him, desire him. God will not force himself on you. Never expect who God will Send to you, and as a Christian Jesus called us all to make disciples of all nations. It is important to mind the teachings of Jesus for you never know when God will choose you to bring his message to someone. You may even do it without realizing it. God truly works in mysterious ways but he knows all and knows best. He has just the right person for every task he desires accomplished but we must be ready, and for that reason we must always be working to be the best version of ourselves for God. That we can accomplish by working to have the best relationship with our father, our God possible.

Luke 1:67-79
67And his father Zechari'ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 73the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Do You Keep In a Family?

One thing that I always try to instill in my children us the importance of family. Family should always keep each other's back safe. Your Family is your home and you should always feel safe at home. I have two children that are young and I watch them bicker from time and they can get quite nasty with one another but it barely compares with the wrath one will face if someone else offends or attacks either one of them. God is very similar as well. Once you are in, you are in. Being part of Gods family means that you have access to a love and a variety of gifts and blessings that you can get no where else. The problem is many think that they can make that bond and then walk away.how many loving, close and personal relationships do you have with people that rarely talk to you, and when they do they are always asking for money help or wanting you to get them out of a jam. I have no problem helping those in need whether they be friend, family or stranger. However, when I notice a habit where in I am just being used I will shift how and what type of aid I serve. As Christians we are called to love all as we wish to be loved , but we should never short ourselves by those that are just looking for a handout or a quick fix again and again. Make no mistake God loves you and wishes to give you much, but he wants a relationship with you. For there is much that he can help you with and he can help you become the greatest version of yourself. Question is though can you make a commitment? Are you willing to confirm that you are a member of God's family?

Mark 3:31-35
31And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you." 33And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother."

So Much With So Little

I am a lucky man I have four children. Many that see my family out and about seem intrigued by such a large family. Some may feel disgusted or angry and others just don't understand, but for me with each child I see an opportunity to put more love and compassion in the world. By loving my children I foster more love into the world for as I love them so do they. God being the supreme father loves all as a good father loves a child. While he may have rules they are out of compassion. God has a great knack for doing much with so little. Through a young boy God saved a nation from starving. Through a man that could not speak well God delivered a nation out of slavery. Through another young Shepard God raised a people to a mighty nation. God as Jesus the son fed masses on so little and fostered even much more love in the world. You do not need to be a person of great strength, wealth or power to help God bring a little heaven to this earth. When creating a relationship with God you bind yourself to someone that sees the very best in you. With Gods help you can achieve great things, but you have to rely on him. He needs to be your center, your foundation. For what athlete excelled to his greatest by having a distant, nearly nonexistent relationship with their coach? What child grows safe, full of love and emitting love without a close relationship with a parent? God wants to be that for you and so much more for you, and you just need to be you.

Mark 6:34-44

34As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; 36send them away, to go into the country and villages round about and buy themselves something to eat." 37But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?" 38And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42And they all ate and were satisfied. 43And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

There has been externally a fight against good and evil. I am puzzled by this at times. If good is so good then why would anyone be against it. Often I think that power is the reason. People want power and to be "king". They want to be the one calling the shots. I guess they think that they can do it better. Other times I am convinced that it is as easy as a quote from the latest Batman movies, "some people just want to watch the world burn." Make no mistake being a Christian means people are watching you and gunning for you. As Christians we are no different or. Better than anyone else. We are flawed and make mistakes, and being a Christian we need to be prepared when we make a mistake and own it by asking for forgiveness. Often Christianity takes a hit when one of its own commits a grave sin so evil in nature. How a church suffers when a pastor, priest or staff member abuses someone let alone someone of its own flock. As Christians we are under constant attack. Temptation is on full display at every corner and that it is why it is so important to keep a close relationship with God. For the farther we stray from his side the easier it is to fend off temptations. Make no mistake that we also need to be on alert that our churches can be under attack from within. I have no doubts that Satan constantly tries to work his way into every church on earth and corrupt, discredit and scandalize each from with in. I now that for this reason many Christians have decided to avoid the Church altogether, and here Satan success as well. It the old plot to divide and conquer. As Jesus has said, "no kingdom divided against itself can stand." This is why as Christians it is important to look past our differences and unite under Christ. For with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as our foundation Christians can be untied together in one unified holy Church and overcome any obstacle, foe or challenge that comes our way.

Mark 3:22-30

22And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Be-el'zebul, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons." 23And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house. 28"Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" -- 30for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Are You Ready For The Gift of a Lifetime?

There are times in life where we receive a gift that just blows us away and others are appreciated but go over without any fan fare. As those that give gifts it makes a heart swell to see a gift received with much rejoice and sorrow when one is received with much of all. Gifts of the heart are no different. I hear about those in relationships sometimes that take for granted the lengths and sacrifice their loved ones bestow on them. I am constantly reminding my children how much their mother does for them. Mothers and fathers do so much on a daily basis and often it is noticed as much as a breath of air. God is no different, each breath we take is a gift for we have life. Each step is a gift for we have been given this world. Baptism is one of God's greatest gifts. With this sacrament we have our sins washed away. Many take for granted this gift for we receive it at birth and it is long forgotten. God longs for communion with us for he loves us. I know few parents that do not desire time spent with their children. With each sin we commit we further put distance in our relationship with God, much like any child that continually breaks their parents rules without making amends. Baptism is where it all begins in our journey with God on our way to heaven. With this gift we receive a dose of grace though which we are blessed. For some they think that this is it but really it is only the beginning. So I ask you, how is your relationship with God? Have you accepted the gift that Jesus gave us? Have you been baptized? There is someone in this world waiting to hear from you because they love you and they know how special you are. God is waiting with open arms ready to love you. The question is though do you appreciate the gifts waiting for you?

John 3:22-30

22After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. 23John also was baptizing at Ae'non near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24For John had not yet been put in prison. 25Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30He must increase, but I must decrease."

Do You Hear a Ring, Ring or a Scream?

Now that I am a parent myself so many things come so clear. Why my parents acted the way they did. Why they said the things that they said. Nothing is more frustrating than when I call one of my boys over and over again with no reply. With each call I get louder and louder and usually a frustrating, “Coming!” bellows from upstairs followed by the thunder of footsteps. On the opposite end of the spectrum rather, the phone rings and the house lights up with a flurry of action from nearly everyone anticipating who may be calling. Its almost as if the phone cannot be answered quickly enough. God calls each of us. I know that there are some reading this in disbelief, but it is true. The thing is, are we paying attention? When we have a relationship with God, and more importantly a close one, we are more a tuned to hearing what he has to say. You can be in a crowded store with everyone around you talking but you hear clearly the one next to you that you are with and know. We may “overhear” conversations of others but usually they do not catch our attention. If we want to know where God is leading us then we have to be close to him, have a relationship with our Lord. He sent his son Jesus to clarify and teach us about God and how to love. God comes to us in the form of the Holy Spirit and if we accept him helps us each and everyday on our path through life, but we have to be listening. God will call us all but if we use the free will he gave us and ignore him he will become more quiet and eventually disappear. Not because God turns away but because we are ignoring him. Like a loving parent God knows us better than we know ourselves. He is always waiting with loving open arms to love and aid us, but are we listening or do we think that God is just that annoying parent calling us downstairs for another loathsome task? God is calling us to true truth and true happiness, the question is though, do we hear God’s call as an annoyance or meet it with excitement of a new and wonderful opportunity? For I find when I choose “THY WILL” over “my will” I find true peace and an opportunity to bring a little heaven to earth for it is a gift from God.

Mark 3:13-19

13And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. 14And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach 15and have authority to cast out demons: 16Simon whom he surnamed Peter; 17James the son of Zeb'edee and John the brother of James, whom he surnamed Bo-aner'ges, that is, sons of thunder; 18Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home;

Don't Be Part of a 20 Man Pileup

I remember when I was in 6th grade just about every boy seemed to go out for the basketball team.there were no tryouts and there was no limit to how large the team could be. The downside to this was that everyone who wasn't a starter was starving for court time let alone did anything they could to get their hands on a ball. I remember one game where the 2nd and 3rd stringers were so desperate to get their hands on a ball during warmups that we all just stampeded to the ball rack. Problem was that we were in such a hurry that we neglected to see that floor around the ball rack was freshly mopped. Envision a 20 person pileup of 6th graders in basketball uniforms, yes, pretty funny. Unfortunately that is how many are with their faith in God.  Some get so excited when they find God and accept Jesus as their savior that they run with mad enthusiasm to learn their faith. They pray and feel let down when they feel that their prayers haven't been answered. They become discouraged when their old friends suddenly disappear. Some even find frustration when they attempt to join a new church and are not warmly received. As Christians we always need to keep our eyes open for each other and welcome all. Everyone is welcome in our Lords house. We need to remember that Jesus accepted all. As Christians we need to be patient with God. Like young children we do not al as understand what we ask of God. He may make us wait for which we ask for or he may not grant our desires for he knows what is truly good for us. If you read you Old Testament you will find it very where God works quickly. God wants us to ease into our faith so that it develops strong roots and lasts. Jesus wants you to pause and think about his word. He wants you to contemplate  and truly understand his teachings. Remember life with God is a marathon not a sprint, for he doesn't want you to burn out before you reach heaven. So slow down and see the ball, but more importantly make sure that you don't slip and fall, worse yet fall from grace.

Mark 3:7-12

7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea 8and Jerusalem and Idume'a and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre and Sidon a great multitude, hearing all that he did, came to him. 9And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him; 10for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11And whenever the unclean spirits beheld him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." 12And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

With God's Compassion Sew a Little Love

This world would be a sad place without compassion, and where do we find it? We find it in God. From the beginning of time with Adam and Eve we see God showing compassion on man. God did not kill Adam, but rather he let him live even after breaking god's explicit rule. God shows compassion through his son Jesus, who constantly healed the sick, fed the hungry, taught those who were thirsty for knowledge and most importantly forgave sins. Jesus himself sacrificed his own life for our sins so that though him our sins could be forgiven and taken away. So the question is, what do we take away f I'm this? We are to be compassionate to no end ourselves. We are called to live like the son of God. We are called to be merciful like God. This means that we must be understanding. Even when we meet someone that drives us crazy we are to show compassion and remain calm rather than fight with our brother or sister. It means that we are called to feed those that are hungry. We are to heal those that are sick. We are to help those in poverty and we are to forgive those that offend or sin against us. As Christians Are we to ridicule those that do not come to Church on Sunday? No, but we are to welcome them and try to help them find a way to get there. Are we to admonish those that do not live a life that is true, pure and righteous? No, we are to do as our God has commanded and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Surely it is wise that we offer advice and with love try to help those lost find the path to God. Most importantly though we need to examine ourselves and pray to God for the wisdom, talent and aid of his spirit to live a life that is righteous and full of compassion. For with God's help we can put more love in this world and create a little heaven here on earth. For if we merely spend our days accusing each other of their faults then all we will do is sew hardened hearts and reap animosity in the garden of this world.

Mark 2:23-28

23One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 25And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26how he entered the house of God, when Abi'athar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 27And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; 28so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath."

Weighed Down? Don’t Blame the Cheeseburger!

Being ready to change you attitude and more importantly your demeanor is important if you are changing your life. Once, I decided that I was going to get into shape. Each morning I would step on the scale and I would see the same weight though. It was very frustrating. I wanted to loose the weight but my actions were not matching my desires. Making changes though can be a very difficult thing. I hear about these crash diets where people loose an incredible amount of weight in a short time, but then it comes back. God knows you better than yourself, and he knows what is best for you. Does he want you to wake up one day and be a completely different person? I think that what he really wants is for you to change and become a better person but he wants you to do it in a way that is sustained. Tomorrow you could become a great Christian and follow the discipline of Jesus but if the next week you fall away again forever what good is it? The 12 Apostles were not perfect at the time Jesus chose them, but in the process of walking and following Jesus they learned and became stronger in the faith and his ways. Even after Jesus’s death the Apostles were not roaming the country side teaching the good word they were held up in the Upper Room praying trying to figure out what to do. It wasn’t until Jesus returned and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit did they “complete their training” and were ready to go out into the world and start guiding people to Jesus so he could save their souls. As for us now being a good Christian is a monumental task but we must take care in our conversion and moving forward. It’s one step at a time and always focus on love. God is love and wants love in this world. Its best to start by finding a home, a church, to attend where we can learn and grow with a community to support us. Like a child we are carried, then we crawl and finally run like the wind. So must be our change to God’s ways. While we can loose the weight of sin in an instant with Jesus we need to take the time to change our habits so we don’t put that weight back on.

Mark 2:18-22

18Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 19And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins."