Getting Old?

The Spirit is timeless but the container God knits together in our mother's womb changes over time (Psalm 139:13). The Spirit lives on after the container has returned to the ground. An eternity together in paradise or alone in torment (Matthew 25:31-46). We follow Jesus or we go the way of the world Love must give us the choice or there can be no love.

All of this become clearer as I watch dear people around me move through life. When we grow up we begin to see new life appear. As we are witness to the growing up of these new lives we gain amazing insight into how this life God has given works. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

This Friday I had the privilege and pleasure of seeing many little people whom I have a profound love for. It was through a church fellowship that I came to see these families as they grew together or in some cases apart. I would probably not have been there but my profession gives me the opportunity and for that I am thankful.

 For many of the children I have known over the years it is that time when they take on more responsibility for their own futures. Some have already made decisions which have thrown their lives into chaos. Some with the support of their families and a reverence for God and His Word have been preserved. For them it is a sacred time and they can look forward to the future with excitement and none of the regret of having disobeyed. Father for those who are conflicted at this very moment may they respond to your pursuit and return to the peace that is found in You! May they awaken to Truth that the Love they seek is You!

This gathering was for three lovely graduates born into three blessed families and the celebration was full of light. It was thrilling to see how far they have come and the graceful young women they now are. The true tests are still ahead as they leave their loving homes and live on campuses where they will be told unequivocally that their origins are accidental and their is no truth except the truth they make up for themselves. They will tested and tried by those who will want to profit from them in a world that see everyone as a resource to be plundered. They have been trained up and know the Truth it will be up to them to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)

And the story continues as generation after generation rises.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Little Voices From The Past.

Cram some headphones on your cranium and give this a listen!

These little voices are long gone. It is not just the grow of the Larynx that changes the tenor of the voice but the spirit behind the utterance is more often than not tainted. The knowledge of evil, if not kept in check by the Truth of God's Word (Philippians 4:8) can rob us of the wonder of childhood that God intends for us to enjoy our whole life long!

 Recording at Ballast point church campus October 2008!

The least the greatest

I am reminded this morning by this small excerpt that every little true kindness is of eternal value!

"He has had nothing to do with our story, save that once he made our Annie feel that she had a home. And to give that feeling to another is worth living for." George Macdonald, Alec Forbes of Howglen.

I find myself always in what might be best described as sporadic relations with most of the people whom are moving about in my orbit. This condition often causes me the discomfort of believing that my influence is lacking any substantial positive effect on these whom I love. My salvation in this regard is the knowledge that my Father in heaven is at work with or without me and His Spirit is active in the lives of His chosen children.

Thousands that are capable of great sacrifices are yet not capable of the little ones which are all that are required of them. God seems to take pleasure in working by degrees; the progress of the truth is as the permeation of leaven, or the growth of a seed: a multitude of successive small sacrifices may work more good in the world than many a large one. What would even our Lord's death on the cross have been, except as the crown of a life in which he died daily, giving himself, soul, body and spirit, to his men and women? It is the and that is the precious thing. Being is the mother to all little Doings as well as the grown-up Deeds and the mighty heroic Sacrifice; and these little Doings, like the good children of the house, make the bliss of it. George Macdonald, Weighed and Wanting.

Every little comfort along with every truth we can offer to those living in vulnerable circumstances are of great value. Keep loving fearlessly!

The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

We are Spirit.

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matthew 4:4

Never tell a child you have a soul.

Teach them, you are a soul; you have a body.

George MacDonald quote: Never tell a child 'you have a soul.' Teach him...

....and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12 (ESV)

Great Grandma's Zip Line

I have been constructing a small zip line for a Great Grandma I know and it is almost finished. Below is a video recorded by an ace reporter who also happens to be a professional zip liner.

With all the forces exerted on the two support poles it takes a lot of adjusting to get the tension right.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Hayley Kirkland Marries Kyle Adkins

For the body time moves on and the rhythm of life repeats. You have to live a few decades to fully grasp what it is to be in the body and the balance that must be maintained with the eternal spirit. This is only fully possible with the knowledge and practice of God’s Words to us and the help of the Holy Spirit within us.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

There is no clearer picture of this than our Heavenly Father’s plan for man and woman in marriage. I am happy and privilege to have been witness to the marriage of someone who will always remain in part for my mind a little girl. One of three sisters who in this life I had the joy of spending many happy times with in their innocent childhood years.

May Hayley and Kyle discover you more and more day by day as they live for each other just as Jesus lives for us. Hayley, Karlee and Jenna I am one who will always love you, I have seen you with light in your eyes.

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
(Luke 11:34-37)

Walk in the Spirit girls, that is where the love we seek is truly found!

Years gone by

If you have little people of your own or if you are willing to take on the responsibility of borrowing a few make sure to get away from the noise and enjoy creation together. It will be no time before those little people are just more boring grown up drones like you and I! God will bless you if you use some of your life to live it with the little ones!

Sometimes all the excitement you need can be found just walking around your own neighborhood. If you have young ones with you they will find it even when you do not think it is there.

Fiddler Crab Warriors

Had a great mud walk today with some veteran walkers. There was an extra helping of wild life about the place and that was a real treat.

There was an abundance of one of my favorite creations. Fiddler crabs were out in force. Like armies of Shogun Warriors they were patrolling their vast mud flat holdings. We strode among them like giants in the land and they fled before us in terror. Just do not corner them or they will strike their fiercest pose.

A fiddler crab, sometimes known as a calling crab, may be any of approximately 100 species of semi-terrestrial marine crabs which make up the genus Uca.[1] As members of the family Ocypodidae, fiddler crabs are most closely related to the ghost crabs of the genus Ocypode. This entire group is composed of small crabs – the largest being slightly over two inches across. Fiddler crabs are found along sea beaches and brackish inter-tidal mud flats, lagoons and swamps.

I have to laugh every time at how drunk with power I feel as they scatter at the mere sight of me on the horizon. If they only knew I meant them no harm I could sit down in the sand and have them gather around in massive numbers.

Mud Walking New Adventurers.

Took some little friends on their first mud walk and had a great time!

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Thanks so much for spending the afternoon with me!

South Tampa Fellowship Easter 2011

We had another great Easter egg hunt at South Tampa Fellowship! One of the best things about this event for me is the an interesting phenomena that occurs. I see folks I have not seen in months. I do not really know how to explain it! I do know that I get to be in the presence of some folks I am crazy about and that does my heart a world of good. The more moments lived the more bitter sweet the waking hours become but this only strengthens the resolve to be fully present in the moment. To share with others their sorrows and pain.

Jesus is a place of calm and strength and we can share in the peace with those who have lives in turmoil. Our little Easter egg hunt a place of peace today for families broken and whole alike.

Psa 34:18  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Father give us a contrite spirit and rescue us from the misery of our self serving ways. Preserve the little ones in their time of trouble and grow them in the Beauty of Holiness.

Psa 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Solid Rock STF Children’s Choir 2011

 

There was no shortage of folks in the audience waiting to see South Tampa Fellowship church’s children’s presentation this year. All the hours of rehearsal were about to pay off! Just watch the video below.

Happy Birthday Jesus @ STF

We had our annual party for Jesus and the little ones had a sweet time. If you are not fellowshipping at a church that will love you and speak the Truth by all means humble yourself and find one. It can be the richest source of encouragement in this very short life we who currently are riding on the planet can experience!

South Tampa Fellowship Awana Awards

It is December 2010 and Awana at South Tampa Fellowship is winding down for the year. What a great year is has been speaking God’s Word. These little people like all little people are amazing and are the focus of our Lord Jesus!

Christmas Photo Season

This year is a bit subdued when it comes to family Christmas photo sessions. I betting folks would like to have enough funds to actually purchase presents for their family members. The families I have had the pleasure of working with have been a joy!

This was one of those serendipitous moments that just comes like a bolt from the blue. I never envisioned myself doing photography but God has truly blessed me in practicing this particular discipline. I do not only mean in providing me with enough skill to have folks hire me, I am also amazed at the sweet fellowship it provides many times with folks I have never met before and in many cases may never see again in this life.

Life on the streets

Today I hit the streets with a couple of little friends. We went in search of a Turkey a friend of mine said he saw while driving. We wandered around old warehouses and walked the railroad tracks and pretty much lived the life of vagrants for a hour or so.

There are a lot of people around our part of town who have chosen to live on the streets. They beg for money in the highway medians and find empty lots with high weeds and clumps of trees to make little camps.

 

We had a good time walking the streets and roaming around the hidden lots. We walked and talked and stopped at a convenience store for some snacks.

There are all kinds of secret places in every neighborhood. Places where the outcasts hide away from society at large and places where children build secret forts for their secret clubs. You should take a walk sometime in your neighborhood and poke around where the weeds grow high. Just be vigilant and ready to do battle there is danger sure enough. The people on the streets are not there by accident. They do not play well with others!

Chicks Day 3

All is well with the chicks but you have got to know if you ever get a box load they poop a lot !

I have them out back right now and they love the dirt and the grass. They are all excited running around scratching and rolling.

Yesterday we had a bunch of visitors who all really enjoyed holding the chicks. I was not sure how well they would hold up to all the handling but the were fine. I think they will be more tame the more they are handled but that might just be wishful thinking.