The Christian Walk

Every year I go through my inbox and clean it out about this time before the next year begins. I look over all the emails that I received over the year and it gave me an opportunity to reflect on the past. This past year was full of some surprising events in my life. The loss of a friend, the marriage of my daughter, the completion of another semester of school, new acquaintances, and seeing God's provision through it all. We never know what to expect do we? We don't know what is around the next corner. It seems that the longer we live more difficult life can become. We suffer and we see family and friends suffer through illness, death, loss of job, or divorce. Everyone is affected. It is usually during these rough times that we look for consolation, escape, hope, and security. Some people find their security in man or a person, some find escape at the bar, some find it in false religions, and yes some think that they find direction in going to a fortune teller! Look around...

How is everyone doing? I know for me its been a really rough month. Being a graduate student is rough- taking 12 units is even tougher! Then just navigating through life and all the stuff that happens can leave feelings of discouragement. I found myself in that place called the pit. I began to ask myself how I was going to get all the stuff done that I needed to get done and I began to feel overwhelmed and resentful because of the stuff that I had to do when I would rather be doing other things. I was grumbling in my heart, irritable and crabby. Then I read about complaining and how God is not pleased when we complain about anything. God had told the Israelites to enter into the promised land and they heard the report from the scouts that the people of the land were like giants and that they couldn't possibly defeat them. They doubted God and His word.  32 “But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, 33 who goes before you looking for the best places to...

How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails . Psalm 111:2-3, NLT Have you ever been scared when your in bed, its about three in the morning and you hear the sound of thunder? Has it ever woke you up? I've been scared by nature. I love the seasons and rain, thunder, and lightening. If you have ever been to the beach you can understand the power of the roaring waves, the sheer forces of the ocean are incredible. Or maybe you live where there's tornado's? I lived in southern CA during the 80's and there were always earthquakes- that was scary! Yet we see the glory of God in all these things. " The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea ." Psalm 29:2-4 God uses nature to show his glory. "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. ...

On November 3, 2011 I lost a dear friend. She took her life. I had known her since 1986, we were freshman's in high school. She sat in front of me in typing class. I immediately liked her because she was carefree, feisty, and fun to be around. We used to go surfing at the beach together. We got married about the same time and started having kids at the same time. She moved away, then I moved away but we always kept in touch. This past year we both ended up in the same place we started so I was able to reconnect with her. I saw first hand the pain that she was in. She suffered for twenty years from depression, OCD, anorexia, and other things. Then four years ago she and her husband divorced and she lost custody of her children. She was heartbroken and very wounded. No matter what anyone said or did, or what she did, that pain would never go away. There were times that I was upset with her because I could only stand by and watch her self destruct. This wasn't the first time ...

The question begins with: Suppose you went to bed tonight and while you were sleeping a miracle happened and you woke up and you didn't know that a miracle happened but things were different. All the problems that you had the day before are now gone. What would be some things that you notice are different? With your relationships? Job? Friends? Family? Finances? You fill in the blank. Use your imagination! (SFBT, de Shazer, S., Berg, K.) Think of it this way; what do you want in life? I like this question because it helps us to think about our dreams, goals, and problems in a different way and it challenges us to stop just existing in life, but to move forward with a purpose. Then focus is on what is working in your life and do more of these things. Miracles happen everyday- God turns sorrow into joy, despair into hope, war into peace, hate into love, Psalm 147:3 says; "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NIV)He does! What ever place that you...

Do you ever find yourself wondering what direction to take, job to take, car to buy, words to say to someone? Sometimes its easy but other times it can be difficult. Here are some things to consider; 1. Does the decision honor God? 2. Does it allign with scripture? Does it offend? Is it done in humility? Does it give God the credit? Is it done honestly? Is there compromise? Is it obedient? Did you pray about it? Did you seek counsel?  Isaiah 48:17-18 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river,.. We can be sure that we will have peace with a decision that is made with integrity! It may not be the popular choice but at least we know that we can sleep at night! 3. What are the circumstances ? Many times God will close a door to get you to move in a different direction. ...

God is always at work in the life of a believer, we just don't always see it. I would like to say that God puts opportunities in our path every day. Those situations, circumstances, people, that we stumble upon in our daily walk are opportunities for us to be used by God. Maybe its to give someone an encouraging word, or to share the gospel, or provide a need, or pray, love on, or correct a situation. We don't always know what to do but we can be encouraged that God is faithful and he shows us through his Word how to act, what to act on, and the words that we need. Are we discerning? What does discernment mean?; Philippians 1:9-10 (ASV) 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 10 so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Hebrews...

In class I was learning about "mindfulness" and how we need to be able to teach our clients to be in the present with a calm, clear mind.  People tend to live in the past (depression) or focus too much on the future (anxiety). God teaches us;  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow , for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble."(Matthew 6:34) There are several exercises we did that included a meditation exercise of focusing on the "breath." I know sounds kinda weird but It did help to relax and calm me. But I thought wouldn't it be even better If we focused on our real power and strength as Christians? So I wrote up a little prayer about the Holy Spirit and what he does. Take just two minutes to remember who is on the throne, who is in control, and trust in Him. Gentle spirit within Thank you for the peace you give- thank you for your presence. Your spirit resides within this temple So help m...

You know that feeling you get when you've made a decision that you're not quite sure about? The feeling of peace isn't there; its a feeling of unrest and unease. As Christians we are blessed with every spiritual blessing, we have Christ with us, we have knowledge, and His word to direct us, so what could possibly be the problem? The problem is that we are determined to do things our way because we don't always put our trust in doing things God's way. We think; wait, no, but,.... and look for our justification. When Moses was leading the people though the desert they began to complain because there was no water. So he went to God and asked him what to do. God told him this; The LORD said to Moses,  “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” Numbers 20:7-8 So what d...

Stigmatized; label as socially undesirable: to label somebody or something as socially unacceptable.  brand brand, slur, defame, mark out, pillory, denounce disparagement, vilification, scorn, depreciation, belittling, belittlement antonym: glorification I was just reading an article written by a doctor that discusses the fact that many people in society are stigmatized because society feels that if the person could have prevented misfortune, ensured better health, had financial success or power, then they should be to blame for their problems. If they just did all the right things- their life would be perfect- so somewhere along their path they did something wrong so ultimately they should be to blame. Right? Dr. Schwartz explains; Therefore, it becomes rather easy to move from blaming people for their circumstances to treating them with contempt. Contempt results in social rejection of people viewed as unworthy of being included in society. Among these people are homos...

 I was just watching the father of Miley Cyrus talk about how the show Hanna Montana ruined his family and his marriage. He refused to go to Miley's 18th birthday because it was at a bar. He said that she was wrong to do that. She is surrounded by the world and the world is going the opposite way that believers are. More often I am seeing Christians getting sucked in with the world. For what? Fame- power- money- pleasure-selfishness? The world is getting tougher to live in and God is purifying His Saints. We need to stick together and be ambassadors for him and not let the lines blur, but let us stand out to honor Him and show the world who he is. Effects of sin; It keeps us from being the people that God wants us to be. It keeps us in bondage. It separates us from God. It has devastating consequences. It deceives us. It destroys relationships. It ruins our credibility. It makes Christians look bad. It distorts reality. It has a life of its own. It controls us. It...

This is a love letter to us- from Jesus. This letter was from the women's Valentines Tea at Calvary Chapel of the Harbour. My Beloved, I am the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. I demonstrated My own love for you in this; While you were still sinners, I died for you. for great is My love, reaching to the heavens: My faithfulness reaches to the skies! I have loved you with an everlasting love: I have drawn you with loving kindness. I am faithful to all my promises and loving toward all I have made. I uphold all those who fall and lift up all who are bowed down.. I am near to all who call on Me to all who call on Me in truth. I fulfill the desires of those who fear Me; I hear their cry and save them. I AM LOVE. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart. I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and ...

Just read this great little book about change. This is how the author describes it; "cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind. This is a story of four characters who live in a maze and look for the "cheese" to nourish them and make them happy." Spencer Johnson, M.D. Change is difficult because you never know what to expect and it takes some faith that God is going to provide the "cheese." In this book the characters find the cheese and its this huge stash, they like it so much that they move their homes closer to it. They invest their whole lives in this particular cheese. Then one day it runs out. Two of the characters move on to discover more cheese while the other two are left behind. These two "hem" and "haw" are frustrated and angry that the cheese is gone. Hem stews in self pity and resentment while haw decides...

I just saw the play, "The Screwtape Letters" written my C.S. Lewis. This story is about a demon and how he teaches his student demon in tempting a human man who just became a Christian. The part that stood out to me was when Screwtape writes to his student that you don't have to do anything fancy or big to distract him or to entice him but just use slow, subtle techniques. He says that before you know it- the Christian will do a slow gradual decline away from God. As long as the demons can keep him out of a Bible believing church, away from acting on his faith, away from mature Christians, and engaging in an active prayer life they are well on their way to deterring him from his walk from God. They actually jested about the church and said that it could actually work to their advantage. This past weekend my pastor taught on Ephesians 2 and how the Church grows up together in maturity and how as Christians we are to put aside our pride, and selfishness, and to die to self....

I have two nephews that I babysit and I love them dearly. They are ages 3 and almost 1. Their smiley faces and the adorable things they say give my life great joy. They are always on their best behavior for me yet when mom walks in the door they start acting up and end up crying or demanding something right away. It seems that most kids do this and I can only think that maybe they feel secure enough to let it all hang out. They know mom will be there during the late night hours when their tummy hurts or when their just plain miserable and want to whine and cry all day long. They know mom will still love em when they get into trouble and misbehave. I think that sometimes we do this with God. We know that He will forgive us no matter what, but I think sometimes we take advantage. I was reading the passage out of Malachi and God was displeased because his appointed priests where offering him sacrifices that were polluted, blind, lame, sick or blemished. He says; " A son hono...

I don't know what part of the country you are living in but here in CA we are experiencing lots of rain. My father in law who lives in the U.K. said that its really bad there- snow, freezing temperatures and closed roads. I actually like the rain this time of year. I just want to get cozy by the fire and bake some Christmas cookies! I was reading the Bible Bus today and it was the passage of Haggai about how God actually withheld the rain because his people were not doing what he desired them to do. He says; "consider your ways. You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but never have enough; you drink, but never have your fill, you clothe yourselves but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes."And I have called for a draught on the land and the hills, the grain, new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors." (Haggai 1:5-6 & 11)Have you ever felt like you were just...

Is anything to hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14) This Christmas season we are reminded of the precious birth of Jesus. It still amazes me that the God of the universe choose to come down to earth in such a humble way to save us. In times past I have doubted his love but he has proved me wrong again and again- Christmas is always a reminder. When he is silent, or I am suffering or waiting for His word- I am reminded that He paid it all- on the cross at Calvary. This is the incredible depth of his love. In that manger was the precious Son of God- he is the most precious gift anyone could ever receive. For the past several years (always around Christmas)God has told me that He does the impossible. This past Sunday at church we listened to the account of Mary being told that she would conceive; " Then the angel said to her, do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus. He will...

In my ethics class our assignment was to interview three therapists and ask them this question: "If you were counseling someone and they disclosed to you that they had HIV and they have not told their partner, what would you do?" All three of my respondents said that they had a duty to warn and that they would tell the partner. The psychologist I interviewed said that she would tell her client that if he didn't tell his partner- she would. Of course she would try and encourage him to do it- she even said that she would make the therapy session free if he brought his partner in. Anyway after all this research on the subject I found out that we could get into trouble if we warn the client. The law in CA isn't' clear in this case but there is a good probability that if the therapist breaks confidentiality- the therapist could suffer the consequences. My professor stated that we can't break confidentiality in this case. Don't you hate it when someone tells you...

I went to court with a friend that I've known since high school. She went through a terrible divorce three years ago and now there is a custody battle. They have three beautiful children whose ages vary, but the youngest is five. The husband currently has custody because she has had some severe mental illness and has been unable to take care of the children. Unfortunately, the husband has tried every trick in the book to keep her away from her kids and for awhile it seemed to be working. He even got a restraining order to keep her away from the kids! I have watched her desperately cry and have seen her pain at the loss of the marriage and children. I've seen the games that both parties have played with each other. How they have both used the children to get back at each other. Its horrifying and sad. The middle child is estranged from his mother and won't even talk to her. I've wondered why, you know? Like wow I am amazed that she lost everything! She is a Christian wom...

2 Chronicles 26 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king. He was young and inexperienced but his advisor Zechariah taught him to fear God. Scripture says that "He set himself to seek God" (2 Chronicles 26:5, ESV)and as long as he did this, "God made him prosper." (2 Chronicles 26:5) So Uzziah became powerful and strong he had "large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war.." (2 Chronicles 26: 10-11) many soldiers and tons of army equipment, tools, and engines. Unfortunately, he became so strong that he became prideful. His first mistake was forgetting where his power came from. Scripture says that "his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. God helped him, built him up, and made him strong. So he forgot who gave him all these good things. This in turn...