Build a Better Foundation for Life

Luke 6:46-49(NIV)=  "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Jesus blows my mind every time I read through the Gospels. His words are genius and compelling. He breaks down the principles of following him into easy and understandable terms for the people of this time period, but it still relates to us today.

Here he is telling us that if we listen to the words he has spoken and then put them into practice we are setting a solid foundation for our life.When we stay connected to Christ and his teachings, we have strength that we ourselves cannot attain. It's great knowing that we always have that in him. 


Christ warns us, however, that if we don't stay connected to him that we have a weak foundation. Having a weak foundation ultimately leads to a collapse. I think that's why a lot of people feel like their lives are completely falling apart and are utterly hopeless. See Christ doesn't promise that through him your life is always going to be sunshine and daisies. But having a strong foundation in him helps you to get through the tough times. But when we have no foundation in him at all, we fall and fall hard. Except in that case, you don't get up. 


I have not had the strong foundation in Christ at times in my life, and still to this day have foundation issues at times. Pastor Chris, my dad, brought us an amazing sermon yesterday about staying connected to Christ. He had a point that really stuck with me and I think we can all get it. Most of us have a G-Mail account for our email. Google products are basically amazing and make tools that we all can use. Actually this blog is owned by Google. I'm steering away from the point, but you see what I'm saying. Most of us have these G-Mail accounts to stay connected, but we aren't connected to the REAL G-Mail. That's God's Mail, A.K.A., The Bible. That's one of the major tools he gave us to stay connected. If we can schedule time for things in our lives, we should schedule time to read this perfect word God gave us. Yes, I'm even talking to myself here. 


To sum up, stay connected to God! 


-Pastor D

The Beauty of God in Our Surroundings

The past few weeks have been very up and down. A lot of amazing feelings and a lot of struggles and trials. One minute my new daughter comes into the world and I'm beaming with joy and happiness, then the next minute Satan is stirring up trouble in our church and even in my own life. But through it all I see the beauty of my God in my surroundings. As I write this blog I'm sitting on the rock that Carl Sandburg did most of his writing on. I'm watching my oldest daughter, Faith writing her heart out and be completely happy to be in the woods. It makes me so happy to see my children happy. Today God is reminding me of all the good things he has placed around me, because we all know complete goodness is God and God alone. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."(John 10:11 ESV) That in itself should give us all reason to rejoice and see beauty in our lives even when times are tough.

Pastor D