What do you see?

     I was reading in Matthew last night and came across the chapter where Jesus is walking beside the Sea of Galilee.  He sees two brothers, Simon (Peter) and Andrew casting a net into the lake.  He calls to them, “Come, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”Ma 4:19  And at once they left their nets and followed Jesus.  Further along they come across another set of brothers, James and John.  They were in their boat along with their father preparing their nets.  Jesus calls to them and they immediatly left the boat and their father and followed Him.

     Now I ask you this question .  What makes a man leave his family or his job?  What makes him leave behind all that he has ever known to follow someone he has never met before?  They would’ve had to have seen something so special in Jesus.  The jewish people believed in the coming of the Messiah.  Did they know upon seeing Him that He was the Messiah?  What did they “see” to make them just drop it all in an instant?    I asked Brett what his thoughts were and he said that it was what was in His eyes.  That they seen the light in his eyes and that the power of Holy Spirit was upon Him in such a way that it was like revelation to the fishermen.  I wonder if they even knew what Jesus was talking about when He told them that He would make them fishers of men. 

    So here is what the Lord is dealing with in me. It is over two thousand years later and we are the ones who are to be fishers of men.   Surely I don’t go up to complete strangers and say hey you come follow me.  How about you give your life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  They would probably look at me like I am a crazy person who needs to be institutionalized.  I beleive there has to be something in me that draws that person to listen and most importantly to accept the truth of Jesus.  When people look at me what do they see.  What kind of Jesus am I portraying?  My desire is for Jesus to be so powerful in me that when people see me they will recognize him.  That Jesus would be so big in me that I won’t have to get into a lengthy discussion about why or how but all I say is come and people will come to the saving knowledge of Christ.

     Right now I’d say I have a long way to go.  I have days where people can see Jesus in me but then I have days that if I told you I was a follower of Christ you’d probably laugh and say yeah right.  Okay that may be a bit of an exaggeration but that is just how I feel.  I want to get to a place where you can’t see me at all because you are blinded by the light of Christ.  Get me there God  Take my there Lord!  Whatever it takes do it. There is no time to lose.  I am ready!  Who else is with me?  Let’s Go!  Let your light shine bright in us Lord!

It’s been a while

Hey there guys.  I have not written a thing since May.  Have I been that busy?  I guess…  Well I have something to say…finally!:)  The other day I was traveling with some of my coworkers and my boss to a meeting in Hickory.  The discussion of where to eat for lunch came up and I of coarse being of an agreeable nature said anywhere would be fine with me except McDonalds.  When asked why I explained that the company is an advocate for gay and lesbian rights and give money and their support to that community.  In response to my statement I got a “you must be reading out of a different bible.”  And other comments Like “I seem to recall you having alot of those people working for you” and “You can’t be like that”  I felt attacked and in trying to explain my position I couldn’t get a word in edgewise so I just didn’t try anymore.  But the more I think about it the more it angers me that they would think I would mean that I hated those who live that kind of lifestyle.  Or looked down on them in anyway.  Because I don’t.  First and foremost let me share with you where I stand.  “My bible” (which the one I have at my side right now is the king james version and the New International version) says in Genesis 2:21-24 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept:and He took one of his ribs, and He closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of a man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.  Lev 20:13 says ” If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them has done what is detestable.  They must be put to death…” (NIV) The King James version uses the word abomination.  1Cor 6:9-11 says “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderes, not swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God.”(NIV)  There are many different translations but only One true word of God which is where I get my truth from…  So I do read the same bible as you!   So here is where I stand…I hate sin.  And sin is sin no matter what it is.  I don’t hate the sinner. This is very important for you to understand.  My point is this.  Homosexuality is classified in the bible along with any other sin which is what it is… a sin.  I have worked with several homosexuals many of which I hired myself.  I did not condemn them for thier lifestyle nor did I treat them any differently than anyone else.  My heart is to see people set free like I was.  My purpose is to live my life in a way that witnesses to others.   I am not perfect, for we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God and believe you me I have done my share of falling therefore I try not to judge others.  I believe God can and will wash, sanctify , and justify all who seek his forgiveness.  He did me.  But all I am saying is you don’t hear about corporations funding ”Murderers Across America or The Greater Wilmington Purse Snatchers local 105.  If you do then you all need to call me and I just may change my mind…No I won’t!