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some things that rip your heart out [+] Thursday E-Devotion

NOTE: First let me say "happy 4th of July" to you and yours.  This weekend begins our families summer vacation at the beach.  Therefore, I am taking a week off from sending devotions and from the blogging world.  I will join you again on Monday, July 14, which by the way is my parents 48th wedding anniversary.  WOW.  Pray for my family as we travel and enjoy each other!  Thanks for doing life with us...
 
Some things rip your heart out.  Several things are true of me that I am so proud of.  I am a child of God, and I love my Savior.  I am a dad, and I so love my 3 kids.  I am an American, and I am proud to be one.
 
July 4th reminds us of the sacrifice many have paid to secure our freedom.  Some people mock that freedom and tear apart the gift God has given us through this nation.  But my heart is ripped out as I watch story after story of the men and women who have given their all for us, for each of us.  Then I walk back into history and watch how God set up this nation (we will do battle over that thought if you want to).  We are blessed.  Freedom to live.  Freedom to worship.  Freedom to speak and share what rips out my heart.  Thank you God for the United States of America.
 
Psalm 33:12 (nasb) --- Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
 
There are some people that really get my motor going.  Some of them are great writers or bloggers, ministers and such.  I was reading the daily blogs today and ran across a song that I really enjoy, and I found something that ripped my heart out.  It is the story of the song "Healer" and it's writer, Mike Guglielmucci.  Go watch this video.  It ripped my heart out.  Why?  Because when people fall in love with God, things change.  Our outlook changes as we become less selfish and much more giving.  Others will see how awesome our God is.  Thank you God for your amazing grace.
 
Psalm 94:17-19 (The Message) --- If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it.  The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast.  When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.
 
The last part I am going to share with you is something that rips my heart out often.  It is my kids.  As of late the story of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter's death touches my heart (see this blog post for more on that story).  This week I have had the honor of spending a little extra time with each of my children.  My 2 girls had lunch with me on different days this week, and some time with my little boy sent me even further, to rip my heart out.  A couple times this week he had laid his head on my chest and totally relaxed.  I love those moments.  These precious kids have so much to give, and what is even more humbling is that my wife and I get to be the ones that mold them.  Thank you God for my awesome kids and my precious wife.
 
3 John 1:4 (nlt) --- I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
 
 
18 "So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
 
What are some things that rip out your heart?

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