Wise men still seek him....

Day 21

All the presents are open.  All the food has been eaten.  All the persistent questions of what presents were purchased are gone.  All the family has been together.  All the money has been handed out.  All the bad presents are already bagged up to take back.  All the laughter has turned to thoughts.  All the toys are being put together.  All the new clothes have been tried on.  All the new shoes are being worn.

It's over.  The wrapping paper  is in trash bags in the garage.  The boxes of the toys are piled by the trash bags of wrapping paper.  I sat and looked at all the presents my kids opened and I saw the look in their eyes as they got what they wished for.  It was great, but it only lasted for a moment and I am glad I was present to be there with them.

This past Sunday, a great friend of mine handed me a present he had brought back from Honduras after a mission trip.  As I opened the gift, it was very evident what he had gotten me.  It was a handmade nativity scene of the birth of Jesus.  I immediately looked at Heather and told her we needed a nativity scene to display for Christmas.  Then I turned it over to look at the bottom and there was the following quote written by Shawn Brassfield,

"Wise men still seek Him!"

I put the nativity back in the bag and all through service I thought about those words.  I thought about how we need to seek Jesus.  I know that several of us think the wise men were there at the birth of Jesus, but some historians believe it was years before they made it to the King of Kings.  They had to search and search for Jesus.  The reason they wanted to find the newborn king was to actually be in His presence.  They just wanted to be in His presence.  They searched for years to just spend a moment with Him and give Him the gifts they felt were worthy of their Savior.

I wonder if we searched to be in the presence of Jesus as much as we searched for the perfect gift for our loved ones what this world would look like to non believers.

I wonder if we searched to be in the presence of Jesus as much as we searched the internet for answers to the questions we have, what our world would look like.

I wonder if we really loved to be in the presence of God, shouldn't we be sharing more of His love with a dying world.

I wonder if we were wise and were seeking Jesus daily how our lives would be changed.

I wonder if we were wise and were seeking Jesus for our direction, where it would lead us.


I bet there were times those wise men were scared as they came from afar to find Jesus.  I wonder if they ever came across some people who tried to tell them how stupid they were for trying to find Him. I am sure their families were very scared for the journey they set out on.  All the wise men had one thing in common.  They wanted to be in the presence of the living God.  How cool is that?

Challenge:

• Remember the Wise Men/Women in your life who have gone on that were seeking Him and thank God for their example....

• Acknowledge the Wise Men/Women in you life right now who are still seeking Him daily and thank God for their example....

• Decide you are going to seek Jesus in your daily walk to always be in His presence....

I think if we do this, then we too will be Wise.....

In the words of my dear friend,

"Wise men still seek Him...."



What are you going to do in the upcoming year?

God is not in school or our lives?

Day 16

I have been listening to people from different media platforms talk about how we need to work on gun control, violent video games, and so many other ways we can fix this problem we have created.  I have saw countless Facebook posts and Twitter tweets about how we need God back in schools.  I didn't know he ever left.  I heard the well written and well scripted video that went viral from Mr. Huckabee about how everyone is wanting us to pray and rely totally on our faith in God to get through this, but since God isn't allowed in school, we don't want to ruffle anyones feathers.

I have to say, it is my fault God isn't in schools all over the country.  I have to say, it is my fault they have taken the ten commandments out of the courthouse.  I will stand and say, it is my fault people don't know God loves them.  I will say it is my fault, my kids have seen violent video games.  I will say it is my fault, I have not taught my children to pray.  I will say it is my fault, I let these things slip right through the cracks.

I think somehow and someway Christians have let this happen.  I feel we have dropped the ball in our homes as parents.  I feel we have allowed the worldly focuses into our relationships with God and they have became mainstream in our home.

I find it amazing that there are millions of people who call themselves Christians, but when it comes time to stand up against taking prayer out of school, we just stand by and let it happen.  I find it amazing when we know people are needing food, we stand by and let them starve.  I find it amazing when we show up to church and raise our hands in praise showing God how awesome he is, but we walk out and say , "boy that was great."  Then we get in our car and go back to "our" lives.

I am talking about myself here as well.  Don't think I am preaching to you.  I am tired of sitting idle in my life and not doing what God has called me to do.  Just think, if all Christians would do what God called them to do, we could make a huge impact in this world.

In a book,"Forgotten God", Francis Chan talks about how we go to church just like a football team to the huddle.  We get the play from our quarterback(preacher) and then we break the huddle and go back to the bench and sit down until its time for the next play.

You want to know why God isn't present in schools?
We allowed His presence to be hidden in our lives for Sundays and Wednesdays only.

You want to know why God isn't at our workplace?
We allowed his presence to be hidden because we didn't want anyone to think we were a holy roller.

You want to know why our kids have no understanding of morals?
They have seen us live our lives without the presence of God 6 days a week.

You want to know why God doesn't show up until something bad happens?
We don't ask Him to help until we realize we can't get through it on our own.

You want to know why we don't do what he tells us too?
Because it is easier to just do what we want.

So, let's not just say we took God out of school.  Let's make it real.  We took God out of our lives and his presence was not there.

So, in all fairness, I took God out of school/life long before anyone else did when I chose not to live for him everyday.  I took God out of school/life when I made fun of people for their differences.  I took God out of school/life when I didn't help the kid who needed it.  I took God our of school/life when I made my desires more important.

Jesus says,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the father, but through me." John 14:6

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit."  Matthew 28:18

"love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
"love your neighbor as yourself."  Matthew 22:37-39

I'm tired of being a casual christian.  I'm tired of living a lie just to be cool.  I'm tired of telling God I will do what he says, but with these conditions.

I want to live out loud that God is amazing.  The more I get to know Him the more I want to share him.......

It is time to stand up for what we believe and put legs and arms to the body of Christ.

What are you going to do?

Finding the answers?

Day 14

For almost 3 days, people have been almost in shock for the tragedy. Today, I heard several conversations that centered around Newtown.  I heard many people discussing all the scenarios.  How can we change this?  How can we make it better?  I have been watching some of the news coverage on the funerals of some of the children.  It breaks my heart to hear some of the things the parents are saying about their children.  I can't help but look at my children with a thankful heart tonight as we gave baths and ate dinner.

I spent 3 hours today on the road driving and listening to a cd of Casting Crowns.  There are several songs that are on the album that speak to us about being courageous and standing up for our families.  Songs that speak about now is the time for us to stand up and get the presence of God back in our homes.  I listened to songs about how God is already there when we finally decide to show up.  Several times I caught myself praying for different people and praying for the families of the young children that lost their lives.  I caught myself trying to figure out ways to help my children know God and not be afraid to stand up for their beliefs.  No matter what comes their way.  I found myself trying to figure out ways I could help people understand how to get through this in a Godly way and feel Gods presence.  Then a song came on as I drove and the answer was being sang to me as I drove down the road....

Leave it all behind, 
Leave it all behind, 
Leave it all behind, 
Leave it all behind, 

I have what you need, 
But you keep on searchin, 
I've done all the work, 
But you keep on workin, 
When you're runnin on empty, 
And you can't find the remedy, 
Just come to the well.

You can spend your whole life, 
Chasin what's missing, 
But that empty inside, 
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy, 
And the world leaves you high and dry, 
Just come to the well

And all who thirst will thirst no more, 
And all who search will find what their souls long for, 
The world will try, but it can never fill, 
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

So bring me your heart
No matter how broken, 
Just come as you are, 
When your last prayer is spoken, 
Just rest in my arms a while, 
You'll feel the change my child, 
When you come to the well

The world will try, but it can never fill... leave it all behind

And now that you're full, 
Of love beyond measure, 
Your joy's gonna flow, 
Like a stream in the desert, 
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me, 
Cuz you came to the well

I listened to the song and I realized, I will never have the answers on my own.  And when I need the answers, I just need to go to the well.  I need to go to Jesus and get the answers....

Are you going to the well for your answers?

God was there....is there....will be there....

Day 13

I know it is hard to understand, God was there on Friday as a man entered into a state of evil and chose to change lives forever.  It is hard to understand, God was with each and every person who was shot and killed.  It is hard to understand, God is there in the homes of all the family who lost loved ones right now.  It is hard to understand, the presence of God is everywhere.  He is all present at all times.

Today in church over 35 kids were on stage singing there Christmas songs they had been rehearsing for sometime now.  I could not help but think of the families sitting in churches where there children are  gone, never to come back.  I could not help but watch my children as they sang and feel lucky to be able to hold them and watch them perform.  They sang about a gift named Jesus that came as a child to later be the sacrificial lamb.  They sang about a savior that was born so we may be free.  They sang about a baby that was destined to die on a cross.  His little hands as a baby would one day grow into large hands that would be spread out for spikes to be nailed through.  His little feet would grow to be big enough to handle spikes nailed through them.  His little rounded soft stomach would grow to have his side pierced.  His little perfect head would grow to have a crown of thorns push deep into his brow. He would grow up to only be slain on a cross for our sins.  He went through death for you and me.  You don't think he was scared?  You don't think he was afraid?  He did what he was born to do.

I wonder if we will follow his lead.  I wonder if we will be bold and do what we were born to do.  It is scary to stand up for what God needs us to do, but if we do He will be there.....

Tonight, 27 of us stood up for what God called us to do and went and stood in a circle with candles in hand during a candle light service.  We decided to do what God called each of us to do.  We prayed for the families going through this tragic event.  We prayed for the faculty and staff of all the area schools that they would be able to lead our children in a Godly way.  We prayed for our kids safety as they go to school and we prayed for our kids to be fearful in the eyes of evil.  We prayed for parents to be able to live the faith out loud in their home.  We prayed for people across the country to feel God's hand on their lives.

As we prayed, I looked around the circle and counted the candles.  I counted exactly 27 candles.  I counted again and there were 27 candles.  I counted one more time and there were exactly 27 candles.  Then I looked again and there was one candle not being held, sitting on the ground in the middle of the circle, making the total 28.  The exact number of people who died in the Newtown massacre.  God was there....God was present...He was there when all 27 people died at the hand of the gunman and God was there when the gunman pulled the trigger on himself.

What will you do different today that will affect your life and your children's lives tomorrow?

Here's is the cool thing, God will be there.  When you think about your child during the day, God is there.  When we wonder about the future and our children, understand, our future is God's past and He is already there.....

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do we light a lamp and put in under a bowl, instead we put it on a stand and it gives light unto all the house.  Let your light so shine before men so they may see you good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Let us do what God has called us to do and let us be bold in our faith.....God will be there....I promise....

26 lives lost changed mine...

Day 12

I must say I have been challenged by God more in the last 24 hours than I have been in a long time.  Challenged to love the way God would.  Challenged to pray for people I have never met and never seen.  Challenged to love my kids the way a father should love.  Challenged to love my wife the way a husband should love.  I have seen america rocked to the core by the lives of 12 girls, 8 boys, and 6 adults being taken by an evil act of violence.  I have been wondering what I could do.

As I knelt under the goal to pray before Parkers basketball game, I asked the boys if there was anything we should pray for.  Immediately they all said we should pray for the families of the victims.  They also said we should pray for Noah who was sick.  We prayed a prayer and dedicated our game today to those families and Noah.  We won and the boys played hard.  Then it hit me.

We are forever changed as a country, as a people, and as a person if we really grasp the severity of this situation.

The media will try to help us understand the reasons why.  The different governmental parties will use this event to get us on the side we feel the most safe with.  The movie makers will get us to spend money on future movies based on the story line.  The publishers will develop books from the point of view inside the school and minds of the survivors.  We will listen and we will formulate our own ideas of what happened and we will debate the reason why from now on.  What God keeps on asking me is, What am I willing to do to make sure my kids are ready if this ever happens or they are in the same type of situation some day?

Today at my sister in law's Masters degree party, my brother prayed a prayer before we ate and in his prayer he prayed that God would help us raise our kids to be ready.

As he prayed, I thought about his words.  It thought I want my kids to look death in the face and know they are secure in God.  I want my kids to look fear in the eyes and know God is in control, even if they are scared.  I want my kids to live God out loud in their lives.

How will we do this?  How will we raise our kids to be ready?  How do we equip them to be able to handle this huge responsibility?  How do we teach them the principles of Gods word?  What is it going to take?

I must be a leader in my home.
I must be changed from this day forward to lead my family by example.
I must be ready to look death in the face and know my God is real.
I must learn the principles taught in the word of God.
I must be willing to give it all.
I must be willing to hide his words in my heart.
I must be willing to serve my family and lead my family as a Godly father.
I must be willing to live God out loud in my life.
I must be willing to give my life just as Jesus did.
I must be willing to follow his will for my life.
I must be willing to allow God's presence to lead me.
I must be willing to be present for my family.

It all starts with me.  It all starts with a change in my heart to realize this is real life.  I must be ready to face evil head on and know my God is greater.  My God is better.  My God is the beginning and the end.


I am challenging you to start this journey with me.  We have a responsibility to our families to raise them to be ready....

26 lives...

Day 11

As I set this afternoon and watched the story unfold about the tragedy in another state where 26 people died, I was reminded of how the presence of God is so important.  I had thoughts about how someone could go into a room of grade schoolers and teachers only to end their lives.  I thought about how someone could get to a point in life where they had to prove a point with death.  I thought about the how I would feel if I showed up to a fire station to pick up my child after a tragedy and there were a group of parents standing in a certain corner watching everyone else get their kid knowing there child was laying in a murder scene cold and alone.  I thought about how scared those little boys and girls must of been when they had a gun go off pointed at them.  I wondered what thoughts went through heads when they knew they were going to die.  I wondered about every parent at that school and the thoughts they had when they found out.  I thought about my kids and how would I react.  I cried when I saw the little children being taken out of the school.  I cried when I saw the school busses driving in front of my house as I went to the gym.  I saw all the Facebook messages.  I watched all the media coverage about the investigation.

I dont understand why these things have to happen.  I don't understand why God would let something this tragic become real life.  I don't know what anyone could have done different to keep this from happening.  I would like to know all the answers.  But, I don't.....

I went for a run to wrap my mind around my thoughts and feelings.  As I turned my music on, I heard the following words from a playlist of Casting Crowns....I cried tears of sadness for 20 young lives I never knew as I listened to these words....

we were made to be courageous
we were made to lead the way
we could be the generation that finally breaks the chains

we were made to be courageous
we were made to be courageous

we were warriors on the front lines,
standing unafraid.
but now we're watchers on the side lines,
while our families slip away.
where are you men of courage?
you were made for so much more.
let the pounding of our hearts cry,
we will serve the Lord.

we were made to be courageous,
and were taking back the fight.
we were made to be courageous,
and it starts with us tonight.
the only way we'll ever stand,
is on our knees with lifted hands.
make us courageous,

Lord make us courageous.
this is our resolution, our answer to the call,
we will love our wives and children,
and refuse to let them fall.
we will reignite the passion,
that we buried deep inside.
may the watchers become warriors,
let the men of God arise.

Pray that the presence of God would fill Newtown and our country today.  Pray that the presence of God will fill our lives and help us become courageous through this tragedy.  Pray that the presence of God will help us as Christians be courageous to stand up and show the world our God can heal.

Only God knows why theses events take place and we must put our trust in HIM.....

JP

Missing something?

Day 10

I hope you enjoyed the last 2 days of the blog.....Wait, it wasn't there was it.  I did that on purpose to see if anyone would notice.  I hope you continued finding you own way to make sure the presence of God was with you and your family without the blog for the past 2 days.  I don't know about you, but for me it is easy to forget about God presence in my day to day life.  It is as easy as just that.  Many of you have been reading this everyday and after yesterday, you thought, well I guess it is not going to happen.  I wanted to show everyone how easy it is to just forget.  Having the presence of God in your life is a choice we must take daily.  The bible tells us we cannot serve 2 masters.  We just can't.  It doesn't work that way for God.  He wants all of us and when we can't do that it seems we just go through life and make it day to day.  But there is something missing, and we all know what it is.  There are people we know and maybe even ourselves that are looking for something to fill the void in our life...It is the presence of God almighty.....

I am going to get a little personal right now and just put it all on the table.  I grew up in church and I know right from wrong.  I know the bible fairly well and know when I am not on the straight and narrow path.  There has been more than one occasion I have felt as far from God as I could be.  There have been times in my life I could care less about what God wanted from me and I only wanted to take care of myself and that was it.  I know none of you have ever been there, but I will admit it.

Almost 10 years ago was one of those times in my life.  I had just gotten divorced.  I was an okay looking guy with custody of my son and a god job.  You know what that meant.  There was something special about me when it came to women looking for an opportunity to date.  I am not going to go into details, but this was a time in my life where I gave into the temptations of self and the desires of the flesh so many times it was pathetic.  I was mad at God for me getting divorced.  I was mad at my parents for having such a great relationship in front of me. (I later learned it was not always so happy)  I was mad at my ex wife for many reasons.  I was scared to be a dad of a little boy.  I was mad at the church for telling me I had to go.  I thought they would stand beside me and help me through this.  I was mad because I thought it wasn't my fault, it was everyone else's.  I continued to slip further and further away from God and it didn't matter to me at all.  I was done.  I was throwing in the towel and I was going to do what everyone else was doing and that was take care of me.....

I quit going to church regularly.  I started figuring out ways I could do what I wanted to do.  I fished, I hunted, I partied, I went out with the ladies, I played golf, and I did whatever I wanted to do....

I, like so many other people, started focusing on my desires and not what God desires for me.  I was on a downward spiral into hell and no one was going to stop me.  So I thought....

I remember laying in bed one night with Parker curled up next to me crying because I felt so alone.  I remember praying to God, knowing he wasn't hearing it because of the sin in my life.  I had allowed myself to believe none of this was my fault.  Then it hit me.  It hit me hard.  It was my fault I had allowed God to not be first in my life.  It was my fault I had allowed my selfish desires to come before my relationship with God, Parker, and my family.   I was missing something and it was the presence of God.  I had to get things right.  I had to pray for forgiveness and come to the understanding God never left me, I left God.  I prayed to my Saviour to forgive me.  I confessed my sins.  I got things right.  The presence of God was with me again.  I had everything I needed right in front of me.  I had a son that adored me, family that supported me, and a God that never left me.

A few weeks later I got a call to go try out for a youth pastor position in Seminole and the rest is history...or another story for another day....

Here is the moral to the story:

God never leaves us we leave him.  We can blame whoever or whatever we want, but we are ultimately accountable for our actions...

Proverbs 19:21

"Many are the plans of a mans heart, but God's purpose always prevails..."

Challenge:

Think about the times you were not in the presence of God.

What did it feel like?
What did it look like?
What did you do about it?

Do you want others to feel the same way you did?

We have 15 more days until we get to Christmas day, will you commit to carrying the presence of God with you for 15 days straight?

Justin Presley