After over 18 months of praying, researching and waiting, we announced at the end of the worship services at StoneBridge Church that Diann and I are being led to move to North Carolina (Raleigh Durham area) and plant a church.
For more details and to follow us in this new journey please visit my new blog... www.gotritown.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Second session on intimacy
Charles Swindoll writes, "the initial move toward cultivating intimacy with the Almighty, it is essential that we reorder our private lives. (the discipline of simplicity) And that requires us to slow our pace as well as stop the envy (comparing ourselves to all that others have and do)... two tough assignments no one else can do for us. Furthermore, it is foolish to tell ourselves to sit back and wait until the winds of this world shift and blow us toward the shores of simplicity. It ain't gonna happen! Those who determine to simplify their lives quickly discover it is a rigorous solo voyage against the wind."
The word Diann and I are challenging each other with is getting "nimble"... uncluttering and seeking to be more free from stuff that weighs us down. I feel the wind in my face as I go.
The word Diann and I are challenging each other with is getting "nimble"... uncluttering and seeking to be more free from stuff that weighs us down. I feel the wind in my face as I go.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New intimacy in the New Year
Welcome to 2010!!
Intimacy in relationships is what we long to experience. Being truly open, honest and real... knowing the other person understands and loves you for who you truly are.
I am convinced that this type is open, intimate relationship can be experienced with God. In fact, for us to love other people unconditionally, we must experience God's unconditional love for us first.
I am reading a short, but very thoughtful book by Charles Swindoll, Intimacy with the Almighty. This little book focuses on what intimacy with God looks like and some practical steps to experiencing such a relationship with God. I recommend you read it early in this new year and new decade.
"More than likely, you've grown weary of superficial things... you're tired of skating talk and shallow thinking. You know there has to be more, you're just not sure how to get there. One thing is certain: You don't want to stay where you are. ... No one is ready to take on the depths unless he or she is fed up with the superficial. What you long for, unless I miss guess, is intimacy with the Almighty. You want to be profoundly aware of His presence, in touch with Him at the deepest possible level, thinking His thoughts, gleaning His wisdom, and living as close to His heart as is humanly possible, operating your life in the nucleus of His will. I desire the same..." Intimacy with the Almighty - page 17
Let this be a direction in which you move intentionally over the next few months.
Intimacy in relationships is what we long to experience. Being truly open, honest and real... knowing the other person understands and loves you for who you truly are.
I am convinced that this type is open, intimate relationship can be experienced with God. In fact, for us to love other people unconditionally, we must experience God's unconditional love for us first.
I am reading a short, but very thoughtful book by Charles Swindoll, Intimacy with the Almighty. This little book focuses on what intimacy with God looks like and some practical steps to experiencing such a relationship with God. I recommend you read it early in this new year and new decade.
"More than likely, you've grown weary of superficial things... you're tired of skating talk and shallow thinking. You know there has to be more, you're just not sure how to get there. One thing is certain: You don't want to stay where you are. ... No one is ready to take on the depths unless he or she is fed up with the superficial. What you long for, unless I miss guess, is intimacy with the Almighty. You want to be profoundly aware of His presence, in touch with Him at the deepest possible level, thinking His thoughts, gleaning His wisdom, and living as close to His heart as is humanly possible, operating your life in the nucleus of His will. I desire the same..." Intimacy with the Almighty - page 17
Let this be a direction in which you move intentionally over the next few months.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Deep thoughts on humility... not from me :\
Reading from Andrew Murray's book, Humility...
The creature's... chief care, its highest virtue, its only happiness... is to present itself an empty vessel, in which God can dwell and manifest His power and goodness.
In heaven He (Jesus) humbled Himself to become a man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; it brought Him, He brought it, from there. Here on earth "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death;" His humility gave His death its value and so became our redemption...
When the creature ... consents to be with his will, his mind and his affections, the form, the vessel in which the life and glory of God are to work and manifest themselves, he sees that humility is simply acknowledging the truth of his position as creature and yielding to God His place.
It is appropriate at this Christmas season to reflect upon... this amazing humility demonstrated by Christ in coming to this planet as baby... existing as a man and dying for me.
Asking myself how regularly and consistently I yield and consent to be a vessel for God's goodness and power to shine??
Thank you Father for the gift of Jesus and His humility!!
The creature's... chief care, its highest virtue, its only happiness... is to present itself an empty vessel, in which God can dwell and manifest His power and goodness.
In heaven He (Jesus) humbled Himself to become a man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; it brought Him, He brought it, from there. Here on earth "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death;" His humility gave His death its value and so became our redemption...
When the creature ... consents to be with his will, his mind and his affections, the form, the vessel in which the life and glory of God are to work and manifest themselves, he sees that humility is simply acknowledging the truth of his position as creature and yielding to God His place.
It is appropriate at this Christmas season to reflect upon... this amazing humility demonstrated by Christ in coming to this planet as baby... existing as a man and dying for me.
Asking myself how regularly and consistently I yield and consent to be a vessel for God's goodness and power to shine??
Thank you Father for the gift of Jesus and His humility!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Snow in Houston!!
Last Friday, December 4, 2009.... Yep, it really happened... the white flakes were falling like crazy.
Untitled from Larry Cotton on Vimeo.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Never Stop the Story
Spoke to StoneBridge last Sunday... Looked at Hebrews 11 and the connection of each person of faith and how they fit into God's grand story. Abraham... Isaac... Jacob... Joseph... Moses' parents... Moses... the nation of Israel... then to Jesus... and ultimately to you and me.
How do you fit into God's story? Your story and my story are not about us... rather about His grand work.
Get in on His plans... His purpose... His story that never ends!!
How do you fit into God's story? Your story and my story are not about us... rather about His grand work.
Get in on His plans... His purpose... His story that never ends!!
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