speak now...

as Christians we are all students of the Word. being that, we should take the opportunities that we have to learn all that we can.

i have never been a big reader.... it bores me... there i said it, so what. in an effort to change things in my life, i have been reading a bit more lately. i'm still bored....

the book i'm reading now is about Biblical interpretation. in it the author states that "i can never speak with absolute authority about anything like Jesus did." um, why not? the very first verse in luke 9 says, "he (Jesus) gave them power and authority to drive out demons and to cure disease". how can we not ever speak with this authority, he just gave it to us! mark 9:19, Jesus says, "o unbelieving generation, how long shall i stay with you? how long shall i put up with you?" sounds to me like he was waiting for them to get a hold of His authority and use it the way he did. if "faith comes by hearing" then things need to be spoken, do they not?

as Christians we have been given spiritual gifts. if we don't use these gifts with authority and power, then what's the point in us having them? the sick would not be healed. messages would not be conveyed with wisdom or knowledge. the miraculous would not happen.

if we bear the name of Christ then we can speak with faith and authority and speak things as though they are.

speak now...

new beginnings

in one night, everything comes to an end and then starts a new...

2009 has basically been the worst year of my life. divorce, i was laid off from two jobs within a month and a half, my bank screwed me on my escrow account and there has been numerous stupid small things (none of which are worth mentioning). with all of this i can only think/hope that i am growing emotionally and more importantly spiritually. i think i've learned to lean on God more now in these past 12 months than in my whole 31 years on this earth. His grace is sufficient...

i guess it all hasn't been bad though, my family, my pastors and my friends have all been there to give me the encouragement and love that i need. and for that i can never say "thank you" enough. i was able to spend Christmas/new years with a woman that i hold close to my heart (i thought it was great).... apparently i did okay in the overall TdD race season.

so now what? now i go into 2010 with my head up and guns blazing. with a wonderful girlfriend and family/friends at my sides and Jesus leading the way, this year will be better than anything in the past.