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This is another repeat, but it is my last post about some of my favorite songs from Hawk Nelson.  These guys really "get" grace, gospel and what Jesus has DONE for us.  Today, be reminded how God is for you, about God's great love and His forgiveness FOR YOU.

I love books! Are you surprised?  Probably not.  I love reading and learning.  But what may be hard to believe is that I hated to read in high school and college.  When I was forced to read in seminary, I was not a fan.  After a 6 month break from required reading after seminary, I fell in love with reading for enjoyment and education.  Here are some quotes from Elyse Fitzpatrick and Matt Heard from books I am reading: Kairos is time infused with potential and possibilities as we steward both opportunities as well as difficulties. I end up surviving instead of living. Existing in the chronos of my days instead of experiencing the kairos that's there also. in the immediate aftermath of a broken experience, we need his presence not a prescription...our need for God's embrace trumps our need for his instruction. When sin entered the garden, the primary consequence was a deep rupture in relationships. Maturity in Christ does not occur because ...

Here is a new song on the radio by Finding Favour called "Refuge." I love the line that talks about God's love for us.  Enjoy! Though the earth should change And the mountains slip away You will keep me safe Who You are will still remain You're the place, You're the place that I call home You're the fire that I feel inside my bones You're the One, You're the One that won't let go My soul, it sings to You Oh God, You are my refuge I will cling, I will cling to You My shelter through the storm My peace when waves of troubles roll I will cling, I will cling to You I could search the stars I could swim across the seas And never find a love That's as strong as Yours for me You are my refuge

I am continuing Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I enjoyed several chapters on the topic of God's love for us and how it impacts us.  She asks, do you believe God loves you?  Do you?  And then challenges others who think they make "Varsity Christian Squad."  You know those who have no doubt that God loves them because they are so good.  Is that you?  Either extreme misses out on the good news of the gospel for us. Here are some quotes on God's love and our response: Love is the key to every sin problem in our lives both vertically, between ourselves and the Lord, and horizontally, between ourselves and others. What will ignite a white-hot passion in our hearts? Only trusting in God's love for us. Only the gospel annihilates self-condemnation. Only love stimulates love...our love for God and our others is responsive in nature. God places all our transgressions upon his Son, he pours out our punishment upon him, he transfers his pe...

Be reminded of God's amazing grace for you.  After spending a week at Liberate, this song reminds me of all the good news that we heard.  Chris">http://vimeo.com/15338067">Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace from Clube">http://vimeo.com/clube700">Clube 700 Brasil on Vimeo .https://vimeo.com">Vimeo.>

Last week, I began reading Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love by Jerry Bridges. Here are some powerful quotes from the preface and Chapter 1: As Bridges says, many Christians believe: "We are saved by grace, but we are living by the "sweat" of our own performance." We recognize that even our best efforts cannot get us to heaven, but we do think they earn God's blessings in our daily lives. Not only are we legalistic by nature, our Christian culture reinforces this attitude in us. God answered (a specific prayer of Bridges) on the basis of His grace alone, not because of my merits or demerits. One of the best kept secrets among Christians today is this: Jesus paid it all. I mean all. He not only purchased your forgiveness of sins and your ticket to heaven, He purchased every blessing and every answer to prayer you will ever receive. Every one of them--no exceptions. That is, the entire Christian life from start to comp...

The quote below has helped me understand Scriptures related to sin and God's love.  Tchividjian in One Way Love writes, "The reason we fight sin, then, is not because our sin blocks God's love for us, but because our sin blocks our love for God and others."

Here is a simple idea for families to do on Valentine's Day. Have an adult open in prayer. Then sing a song about God's love for us.  We picked "More Than Conquerors" by Seeds Family Worship. Read one of the many passages of Scripture that talk about God's Love for us.  Here are a few: John 3:16,        1 John 4:7-11, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Have the kids make a Valentine to God.  On it, have them list the reasons that they love God.  Or they could also list how they know God loves them.  Another option would be to have them make a Valentine for someone they think might not receive one and then go and deliver it.  Ideas would be an elderly neighbor or someone at a local nursing home.  Close your time in prayer. Note: I ended our time of family worship by giving my wife and kids their own gifts for Valentine's Day.

Tonight is our last family night for the year.  Last year, this one was canceled due to weather.  I hope we can gather together as families to eat together, learn together and serve others.  I am excited about our theme which is love.  This is not a revolutionary idea since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching.  However, it never gets old talking about love especially when we base this love on God.  I have prepared a place mat with activities for the kids to do after they finish eating such as a memory game, Valentine heart hunt, word search, Valentine from God, and even some Tic Tac Toe. We will then gather together and read 1 John 4:7-11 together.  After reading God's Word, we will talk about how we share love as parents or children and how to share it with others.  We will conclude our evening by making Valentines for the Villa as a practical way to show God's love to others. I hope you will join us as it will be a fun & rewarding e...

On Thursday, I was reading & reflecting on Romans 5:3-5 at the Perk.  I am slowly making my journey through Romans, but there is a lot to grasp & live out.  I have included the verses below.   3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  I don't know about you, but I do not naturally rejoice when I suffer.  Usually, I complain and see how I can quickly get through it.  But these verses remind me that there is a benefit to suffering.  I think we can agree that is hard to believe while in the middle of suffering.  However, I know God's Word is true and so I can trust that my suffering produces endurance. We also need to remember to not see suffering as a punishment by God.  Suffering ...

On Tuesday morning, I had a great conversation with a couple of guys. We were talking about how to help our kids understand God's great love for them. As adults, we somewhat grasp this concept, but not entirely. But how do you help your 2, 3, 4, or 5 year old understand God loves them. They worship God and read Bible stories about Him, but do they know God loves them. As I reflected on this conversation, I have come up with a few ideas. Here they are in no specific order: Tell them often "God Loves You." Read stories from a Children's Bible and explain God's love seen in the specific story. Compare it to your love for them as a child. Talk about ways they understand a parent's love. What do you do? What do you say? Ask how does this make you feel? Then explain that God's love is much, much, much, much, much greater than a parent's love. Or relate it to an item (doll, tractor, game, ball, etc.) that they love and spend time playing with. Ask:...

So, it happened again. I received a speeding ticket in Pittsburg , KS on our way back from Branson . This was only my second ticket in my life. My first happened about 15 years ago in Valley Center. Both times it has been in the city limits. This time, I had taken a different route home from Branson hoping to cut some time and miles. I ended up coming into Pittsburg in the middle of downtown somewhere. Anyway, the speed limit was 20 and I was going 35. Ouch! Why do I share this? First, it is just a reminder that I am human. Second, it reminded me of how we sometimes go through life. Clueless, too fast, or unaware. I was just going through Pittsburg unaware of what the speed limit was. When the police officer stopped me, I did not try to get out of the ticket because I was guilty. I was speeding. I do this in my life often as well. I go through life so fast that I miss out on what is going on around me and even the signs to guide and protect me. Are you missing out on...