The beach

I love Grand Haven, MI !!!!

The reason why

Why do we need Jesus? It appears to be a simple question, but it is not. I thought a lot about this question during the last week (10 hour one way trips will do that. I would look around me at rest stops and this question would enter my mind. How could I sum up why someone needs salvation? This perplexed me greatly. My entire life I have been told I need to evangalize and this has scared me to death. I care about people but I am much more one on one relational. You have to acquire the right to be in people's lives.

Yet for so long the message has been one of "Fire and Brimstone". Repent ye sinner or go to Hell. What are we trying to sell Fire insurance? That is not a good reason people need Jesus. If that is why they become a Christian what motivates them to stay committed? The personal NEED for Jesus has to come from God. There is nothing I can say or do to persuade a person that they need Jesus in their lives, that can only come from God. For someone like me is someone comes and tries to sell me the "fire insurance" version of Salvation I miss the loving God. I miss the Jealous God. I miss the God who loved me so much He sacrificed His own son for me!

I am humbled by this and feel so unworthy of God. Yet he chooses to love us even when we are unlovable. He comforts us when we are sad. He provides for us when we don't think it would be possible. And He lets us experience pain and hurt to help refine us to become more like Him. To His name is all the GLORY and HONOR!

This is the reason why people need God...because He so freely gives us the grace and love we don't deserve. He is the only one who understands us completely. He is the only one who raises the bar of expectations and then helps us make it no matter what it takes.

Fresh grown Strawberries

My dog was out helping me water our strawberries. How thoughtful for her to run around, squat, and then poop right in the middle of one of the berry plants. I laughed really hard.

That's it....my dog pooped in the strawberries. (This of course upset my dad and wanted to know why she did it. So I explained that it had to definitely be a pre-mediated act on her part. How dare she poop, what kind of dog does she think she is!)

p.s. Mike my dog says hi ;)

Personal Pampering

Yesterday I got a haircut. I hopefully will be able to post a picture soon. I have not gotten a professional haircut in probably over a year. I usually don't care that much who cuts my hair knowing it is hair. It's one job is to grow...so no matter what might happen it won't be forever.

I sat in the chair loving every minute of my hair wash, listening to the soft rock station in the background, and then watching my hair stylist clipping away my dark locks. Yes, my hair is short again. For those of you that I have told I want to grow my hair out for locks of love....yes the time is coming. I want to have healthy hair if I am going to donate it. So if you haven't gone to get your hair cut lately, I would suggest it.

Work'n the What?!?!

I had the joy of being in Newburg Oregon this past week. The time flew by with the very funny comedy due of Dr. Voss and Dr. Thompson, whitewater rafting, and watching Mt. Saint Helen's smoke. As we walked into the airport to leave I saw a kid of maybe 18 waddling due to his sagging shorts (he did have a belt in his hand...but I don't think they were really going to hold them up that much) he had gage earrings, tattoos, and his had on backwards and to the side. Yes you have guessed it, this kid was trying the "skater/punk" look. I couldn't help but wonder if he is what he wears or wears what he is.

Does he dress this way for acceptance or because it is really him? Do we do the same thing in our Christian walk...we know how to dress, act, and talk but the heart doesn't quite follow. Some people know how to dress to impress and what they are suppose to do and say.

God really challenged me in being consistent with who I am and how I act. Let my words be few and my actions be great. Let God be reflected in my lips and heart.