wisdom … choices … and strength!

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

Real wisdom comes from God. Nowhere else can it be found. I mean there are other places to obtain knowledge and to grow, yet all truth comes directly from God even if people don't acknowledge that fact.

What God gives comes with some evidence that cannot be missed. Wisdom from God will be noted by a person being pure, full of peace, gentle and even humble. It is vital that we as Christians represent God. His wisdom points to Him. These characteristics point to the fact that we know God.

From time to time I have watched the show on MTV called "Yo Mamma". Let's not share the jokes (at least at this point), but the people who show off their so-called talent are always said to "represent" their community. They dress like, use the lingo of and sound off for their hood. So my thought is this: who do we represent? Do we look more like and act Jesus or someone else? Do we look like a fool or like a selfish person, or like a humble servant of God or something else?

Hebrews 11:25 NLT

He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.

That verse is about a person, really many people, who made a choice to live by faith, and living by faith brings the favor of God. Choosing to follow Jesus will take us to places that we cannot get to on our own.

It is like Joshua living by faith and taking the people of God into the promised land. It is like Noah building the very first cruise ship, meant for animals instead of people, and saving his family during the world's worst flood. It is like Jesus going to the cross for your sins and mind. We can choose what lasts for a short time or what lasts for a lifetime.

God's wisdom is what lasts for a lifetime and beyond. Is that the wisdom you have? God's wisdom makes us strong, and it is a choice. It is about us following Jesus no matter what.

Psalm 111:10 NLT

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

It is up to you and it is up to me: wisdom … choices … and strength!

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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