I've got ears

21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:22 Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD.  Jeremiah 5:21-22

The verse explains itself but it reminds me of this morning.  My wife wakes up and calls me to ask, "Did you not hear that noise in the living room?"  Me- what noise?  Her-that annoying buzzing humming noise.  Me-no.  Her-its driving me crazy!  So I drive 20 miles and was late to work to check the mystery noise in fear that something might catch on fire.  I still can't hear it.  Too many years of heavy equipment, gunshots, loud music has left me tone deaf.
Tonight we came home and the kids said, "What's that noise Dad."  Me-idk but find it before Ladawn goes completely over the edge!  After much searching they found and old battery power clock that was buzzing, buried in a sack, in the living room!
Its like that with God sometimes.  We have ears and can hear but can't always hear what really needs to be heard.  Sometimes we need those extra set of ears to help us discern.  What have you not been hearing?  If you are bold enough, ask someone.

the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

John 8:32

New International Version (NIV)

³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

This verse is quoted alot in our society.  Who said it?  Well, it should be in red letters because Jesus said it.  And no, He's not talking about honesty.  He's talking about the truth of Himself, the Christ.  He will set you free from the bondage of sin.  Have you heard the truth lately?  Or more importantly, because I think most of my readers are Christians, have you told the truth lately to someone that needs to hear it?

just say yes

²⁹ With You I can attack a barrier,^[f]
and with my God I can leap over a wall. Psalm 18:29

David is talking about how God sustains him.  Let's visit that for a minute.  Not only is He the Creator of the universe, or the Alpha, or the Omega, look at what God does through oridinary people.  People that just say yes to Him.  Moses, led the Isralites out of slavery.  Joseph, saved many from the famine.  Daniel, lived through the lion's den.  Gideon, defeated 120,000 Philistines with only 300 men.  I could go on and on.  What do they all have in common?  They said yes to God.  God showed his power through them.  They could never do it without Him.  They were mere men but they performed great tasks through God's hand.  What could God do through you if you only said yes to Him?

dear agony

"Dear Agony"

I have nothing left to give
I have found the perfect end
You were made to make it hurt
Disappear into the dirt
Carry me to heaven's arms
Light the way and let me go
Take the time to take my breath
I will end where I began

And I will find the enemy within
Because I can feel it crawl beneath my skin

Dear Agony
Just let go of me
Suffer slowly
Is this the way it's got to be?
Dear Agony
Breaking Benjamin

 

These are the first few lines and the chorus from one of my favorite songs "Dear Agony."  You might be thinking how dark and depressing the lyrics are... I guess that depends on your perspective.  As for myself, having the big picture perspective, I find it somewhat inspirational.  What you may not know is the singer/songwriter Benjamin Burnley has admitted that this album is the first one he has written sober.  It's definately their most successful album.  Having personal experience with addiction, I can relate.  The bible calls us to be "sober minded."  When you are not sober you do not make good decisions period.  As for the lyrics in general I could see them as a cry for help.  I personally know people like this (even Christians) and I know you do too.  They believe they "have nothing left to give." They believe it's time for God to "carry me to heavens' arms."  I just want to shout it's not over!  If you are still breathing then God still has a plan for you!  Keep fighting, preaching, teaching, ministering, and mentoring till the end, the real end! Your last breath!  

Did you not understand what I said?

 ¹ Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.       Proverbs 4

This whole chapter is filled with good advice for parenting and just living in general.  The passage above is just a small taste of the good stuff.  Listening is probably one of the biggest challenges for most.  Last week my employers sent several of us managers to a seminar on listening, communication, and coaching.  It was very informative and interesting to learn that the average person does not hear or understand 63% of what a person says in a normal conversation.  63% of the words that come out of your mouth are ignored, not heard, or misunderstood.  Yeah 37% of your words are heard and comprehended.  Make your words few and important, strong and powerful, short and sweet.

I gave him away

"Take your son," He said, "your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." (Genesis 22:2 HCSB)

As I sit in this Dr. waiting room I can't help but think about about the command God gave Abraham. I am sitting here at the mercy of the physician about Gavin's knee. There is absolutely nothing I can do for his pain or emotions. I sit here helplessly. This passage reminds me that I gave my only son as a sacrifice to God. Several years ago I committed mine and my family's life solely to God. My children are His, my life is His, all that I have is His. I will continue to train, teach, and disciple them but we are living for the Lord's purpose. I know you are thinking no way but yes, I did, give them away.

d now 2012- something greater than yourself

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Disciple Now Dexter 2012- Adults assisting young adults to lead, teach, and train students.  I absolutely love this concept and this weekend.  It is a pleasure and a blessing to serve in this ministry.  Every person walks away changed for the better.  160 students and countless adults were impacted this weekend.  Glen Johnson made a tough challenge to mentor several young men that have questions.  I pray for the men that stood up and accepted.  I know, cause I've been there.  Look at Glen, he would not be the man he is today without those mentors that were used by God to change his life.  God is so great!  Aren't you ready to be part of something bigger than yourself?  Train that child and watch them grow.  Never tell them their dream is to big or that they can't.  You will watch your investment grow larger than wall street ever could.

I appreciate you

Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. (1 Samuel 18:3 HCSB)
David is prolly my favorite character from the bible (except God of course.) David and Jonathan are true BFF. They actually made a covenant with other which is much more serious than even the blood brother ritual! They stuck together through war and disasters. There is no love like that of a true friend. Who did you make a covenant with that needs your love and friendship that you have been slacking on?

Shut their mouths

My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths. They haven't hurt me, for I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed a crime against you my king." (Daniel 6:22 HCSB)
Daniel was spared by God because of his faith, his obedience, and God's plan. As I walk through this wicked world, I find myself wondering how many times God has saved me from the "lions." I do not consider myself anywhere near the level of Daniel but I know God has saved me many times. There are too many times when I was in the wrong place on the wrong side of town. Also, those other times when danger was all around but I was unaware. Take a minute to thank Him for not letting you be "devoured" by the evil things in this world.