Thursday, July 30, 2009

Interview With The Enemy



Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (New International Version)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I Have Seen The Light

I once was fatherless,
a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep

Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.

Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

Lift my hands and spin around,
See the light that i have found.
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light
Lift my hands and spin
See the light within...

Marvelous Light
songwriter: Charlie Hall & Eugene Lii
album: Live Roots


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

And I Quote...



"Live for nothing, or die for something...


Your call."



-Rambo


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I Give Up!

It's Sunday morning again. The morning when most folk get up and go to their choice house of worship. If I may, I'd like to submit that, although corporate worship is good and necessary, worship doesn't start and stop "at church." Worship is a daily decision to give up self and devote all your time and energy to your God. There are many different gods out there (we'll talk about those soon), but there is only one True Savior. This Savior is who I worship, and I hope you do too.

Since I don't have the ability to worship with all my readers at the same time (by the way, thank each of you for reading my blog), I decided to add the following video to this post so you know where I'm coming from every day. No matter what happens in our lives, we are called to worship, so take this opportunity to give in to Jesus and let him overwhelm you!



I Give You My Heart
songwriter: Reuben Morgan
artist: Michael W. Smith


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Watch Yourself

I was watching House the other day and I saw a pretty disturbing scene. A mom brought in her young daughter(5 or 6 years old), the child-pageant princess, to see Dr House. The little girl was dressed so beautifully in her pageant dress and makeup and the most blank-yet-bewildered look on her face. The mom was so confused. She thought the child had possibly had some sort of stroke or seizure that left her catatonic. House informs the mom that the daughter can be cured with a cup of coffee, "sober juice" as he calls it.

The mom is dumbfounded.

Could her daughter possibly be drunk? How?

House goes on to explain that the minty fresh scent underlying the child's perfumes and powders gave it away. He asks the child if she had used mouth wash, to which the reply was, "yes." Then he asks if she had swallowed the mouth wash, to which the reply was, "Mommy does it."

The moral of the story: Watch what you do. You never know who is watching you.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

You Think You're Better Than Me?

When I was a freshman in college, I went to a lot of parties. I just went to socialize. I didn't drink or do drugs. I didn't even hit on girls. I just wanted to hang with my friends and band-mates.

I remember one party particularly well. I had been offered beer for what was probably the fifteenth time that night and, as usual, I respectfully declined. The guy who offered the beer to me was at least five years older than me and wasted out of his mind.

He looked at me, all confused and concerned, and murmured, "What... You don't drink?"
"No."
"Well, what are you doing at this party?"
"I'm just hanging out, having a good time."
"So, what? You think that just because you don't drink, and I'm drunk, that you're better than me?"
"No. Not at all. I just don't drink. That's my choice."
"Well, I respect that."

And then he kinda stumbled away to harass someone else.

But it got me thinking. Do I think I'm better than anyone else? That's a question that has kept me in check over the past several years. Because, whenever I start feeling like I'm more special or more important or more useful than anyone else, God has this way of bringing me back to reality. He usually begins by showing me all the things I'm not getting right. Then He shows me people who have it together better than I, which reminds me I have a long way to go to reach the perfection He has called me to. But then He takes it a step further and shows me other people who are struggling more than I could ever imagine. And then, the final nail in the coffin, He shows me people who are lost; people who don't know Jesus, or worse, people who have no desire to know Jesus.

So, do I think I'm better than anyone else? How could I when Jesus loves us all the same, which is so much more than we could ever know? No, I don't think I'm better than anyone else. I think I'm blessed to have a great family, wonderful friends, and steady work. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head, food on my table, and clothes on my back. And I'm blessed more than anything to have the relationship with God that I do, but I'm no better than you or any other person on the planet.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

You Make The Call



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Sunday, July 19, 2009

My King!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Friday, July 17, 2009

We Only Have Today

I'm sure some of you readers are wondering why I have been so adamant this week about sharing the Gospel and writing "salvation posts" or whatever you want to call them. Well, the reason is this. I don't want to see anyone spend eternity without God. That is the true definition of "hell," life without Jesus.

We live in unsure times. No one knows when it's their time to die, but we will all die at some point or another. The question is, "Will we die safe in the arms of Jesus or painfully in a sea of regret?"

Maybe I sound a bit dramatic. That's the point.

This is real!

Let me explain. In May of 2001, I got the call from my Dad that my brother, Earnest, had passed away suddenly. I love my family very much, so that news destroyed me. Partially because it was my brother, but moreso because of the way he was living. He had grown up in a Christian home (Dad's been a preacher since 1941... no exaggeration), but when he retired from the United States Air Force, and had seen combat in Operation Desert Storm, and had to kill people, he felt his only escape from those memories was the bottle. He became so dependent on alcohol that he drove everyone who loved him away. He separated from his wife of nearly 20 years, he became an extreme recluse ("hermitism" runs in my family, but usually not to the point of complete isolation). He was plagued by all kinds of physical and mental health problems. He was a small man who convinced himself that he needed to take diet pills.

He had completely walked away from God. He would say things like, "Me and God have an understanding. I don't need church or anything like that. I'm fine." Or, the one that tore me apart, "When it's time for me to check out, I'm gonna be all alone."

Sadly enough, he was.

He had been dead for a couple days when my Dad found him. Dad and I both felt, and still feel, guilty for not having witnessed to Earnest enough. I know Dad tried at least to get him back to church. That was way more than what I had done... nothing.
I wasn't even praying for him.

Ernie's death created this conviction in my heart that has never gone away, and I don't think it will. That's why I've been so moved to share Christ in whatever ways I can. If someone is reading my blog who doesn't know Jesus, it's time you get to know Him. If there's someone reading this who knows Jesus but has turned away to do his or her own thing, it's time to turn back to Him. He's waiting for you. He wants you to know He loves you.

We only have today to love, serve, forgive. We only have today to make the best of every situation. Tomorrow isn't promised. Yesterday is gone. We only have today to live! And only in Jesus will we truly live! Please, don't wait any longer. The choice is yours, and I pray that you will choose the life that is found in Jesus Christ!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Thursday, July 16, 2009

I'm All In



All In (Letting Go)
artist: Toby Mac
album: Portable Sounds (2007)


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

So Long Self



Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self

Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong, but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, good-bye, don't cry
So long

Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
There'll be better days (there'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away,go away

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong, but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, good-bye, don't cry
So long self
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)

So Long Self
artist: MercyMe
album: Coming Up To Breathe (2006)


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Monday, July 13, 2009

It Doesn't Matter

It doesn't matter where you've been;
it matters that you go the right direction now.
It doesn't matter what you've done;
it matters that you do what's right now.
It doesn't matter what you've said;
it matters that you speak the truth now.
It doesn't matter who you've hurt;
it matters that you treat people as you want to be treated now.
It doesn't matter who has hurt you;
it matters that you forgive others and yourself now.

Regardless of where you've been, what you've done, what you've said, who you've hurt, who has hurt you;

Regardless of the pain you have felt, or the pain you've dealt;

Regardless of anything and everything in your past, Jesus loves you right now, in the present, without conditions, without questions.
He loves you this very moment. He will love you in the next moment, and the moment after that, and the moment after that, too. He always has loved you and he always will love you. You cannot do anything to make him love you more. You cannot do anything to make him love you less.

I want you to understand this fully and completely. He loves you more than you could ever know or think or imagine. He loves you so much that he sacrificed his very life for you. But the best part is that he came back to life so he could give you the opportunity to love the way he loves. He will love you beyond forever. He wants you to love him, but he won't force you to do so. He wants you to choose him because he gives eternal life. And life without him is hell!

It doesn't matter how you feel about Jesus;
it matters that he loves you now. Period.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Saturday, July 11, 2009

"One, Two, Five..."

Since this is post number 125, I thought it extremely appropriate to post this clip from one of the greatest comedies of all time,
Monty Python and the Holy Grail.



Have you ever noticed the counting sequence only takes three seconds?
Pure genius. You're welcome.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Friday, July 10, 2009

It's Time

It's time. If you don't know him by now, it's time for you to get to know the greatest man who ever lived. His name is Jesus. He was born to a young virgin named Mary, grew up in Nazareth, became a carpenter, taught teachers the truth, healed the sick and lame. He took all of the sins of the world on himself, allowed himself to be tortured and murdered, was buried on a Friday, and raised from the dead the following Sunday morning. No other person in the world has ever done anything like that, and never for the reason he did. He took all the torture and punishment and death for you because He loves you more than you could ever imagine. There has never been anyone like Jesus, and there never will be, because Jesus is the Son of God. If you don't believe me, I'd like to recommend a book to you that will explain all of this much better than I ever could. The book is called The Holy Bible and it is the inspired word of God. Here's a short excerpt from the book of Romans from the Bible.

Dear friends, my greatest wish and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know they love God, but they don't understand what makes people acceptable to him. So they refuse to trust God, and they try to be acceptable by obeying the Law. But Christ makes the Law no longer necessary for those who become acceptable to God by faith.

Anyone Can Be Saved

Moses said that a person could become acceptable to God by obeying the Law. He did this when he wrote, "If you want to live, you must do all that the Law commands."
But people whose faith makes them acceptable to God will never ask, "Who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down?" Neither will they ask, "Who will go down into the world of the dead to raise him to life?"

All who are acceptable because of their faith simply say, "The message is as near as your mouth or your heart." And this is the same message we preach about faith. So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.

The Scriptures say that no one who has faith will be disappointed, no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. All who call out to the Lord will be saved.

How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, has anyone believed what we said?"

No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.


Romans 10:1-17 (CEV)

So, will you take the biggest step of your life? What are you waiting for? Get to know Jesus personally and intimately right now. Don't wait. You may not get another chance. It's time.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Check This Out

I've been doing something I wondered if I'd ever find the time to do again. I've been reading! Quite a bit, actually. I've always enjoyed reading. The summer after fifth grade, I read 100 kids' books.

Well, I grew out of the kids' books but I still have a passion for reading. And I like to read all kinds of stuff: books, blog articles, newspapers, etc.; whatever is educational, encouraging, entertaining, I'll probably read it.

So, I thought I'd recommend some reading material and see if you have any suggestions for my library.

At the moment, I'm reading this book, this book, and this book. On deck, I have this book that I had started last year, but got distracted and never finished. I also would like to read this book and this book if I get a chance soon.

I read this book and this book and I really enjoyed them... a lot! They are a stark contrast from some of the previous books I mentioned, but they are fantastic in their own rites.

That's a lot of books, so I'll recommend this article, this article, and this article (which leads you to this article).

Hope you are encouraged by any and all of these books and articles. What reading do you suggest?

Oh, by the way, we're moving to Oklahoma. Anyone wanna buy our house?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

The Ones

If Jesus would not have come when He did
But was born to be alive here today instead
We might be surprised by the way He would live
And the people He would heal and forgive

I hypothesize He would be a homeless man
Roaming around seemingly no plan
He'd show up at your temple while your rabbi preached
Crack his Father's word and start to teach
His words would amaze and thoroughly craze
His wisdom kickin' law teachers in a rage
Cause He'd expose the grave error of their ways
And all of that before he turned the page

Would we be the ones, the Pharisees of modern day
Proclaiming "the Messiah would not live that way"
Would we be the ones to threaten Him
When He claimed to have the power to forgive sin?
Would we be the ones that had shouted "let Him die"
As fellow legalists stoned Him with their picket signs?
Or would we give up all
Or would we give up all
Or would we give up all
To love and follow Him?

If Jesus would not have come when He did
But was born to be alive here today instead
We might be surprised by the way He would live
And the people He would heal and forgive

I firmly believe He'd love people of shame
Healing their lives as they believed on His name
Prostitutes and drug lords, all people who are unclean
And if you asked Him why them, He'd say "what do you mean?
The well don't need a doctor but the sick do"
The He'd extend the invitation to you
"Forget your life and follow if you believe I am the King Jew,
I'll save you if you give of yourself to share the good news"

Would we be the ones, the disciples of modern day
Proclaiming "the Messiah's come, please change your ways"
Would we be the ones to live with Him
As we claimed His promise of forgiven sin?
Would we be the ones that are witnessing His death
Crushed, yet filled with hope by words He gave His last breath?
And would we let Him down,
And would we let Him down,
And would we let Him down,
And willingly deny Him?

Okay, Jesus came when He did
But He's still alive today and His Church's head
Tell me is He pleased by the way that we live
The devotion we're willing to give

Are we the ones, the Pharisees of modern day
Enforcing on all but us what we see as "the Christian way"
Are we the ones who live for Him
Or are we willfully swaying in the winds of sin?
Are we the ones who are willing to die
To let the Lord have full reign in our lives
Are we the ones, the Pharisees of modern day?
Are we the ones?
Are we living for the King always?
Are we the ones who are willing to die?
Or will we give our all,
Or will we give our all,
Or will we give our all,
Surrendering to Him?

Words and music: Aaron Herman © 1996 Anthony K. Music (ASCAP)
Lead: Aaron Herman, Josh Harrison, and Brishan Hatcher


"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20
"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Mark 2:17

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Mighty To Save

No matter what you're going through, remember that God is WAYYYYYY bigger than that. Take a few minutes to worship with Hillsong and know that I'm worshipping right along with you!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Monday, July 06, 2009

Another Day, Another Legend

There's a lot happening in our world right now. We as Americans are dealing with war, economic woes, family destruction, you name it. We recently celebrated 233 years of hard-earned freedom in America. At the same time, life, and death, was still happening. And now, we mourn the loss of another well-recognized soul, Steve "Air" McNair.

McNair was one of my favorite quarterbacks of all time. He played with heart, grit, and an iron will. He would not let anything keep him down. He was determined to be the very best in each of his 13 seasons. He broke records in college. He lost the Super Bowl by a yard (I'm still not over that). He was co-MVP. He was a winner.


Despite all his accolades, he struggled like everyone else. I won't speculate about the young woman who died with him. I won't speculate about the relationship between the two of them. What I will say is that I'm sad for his wife and kids. I'm sad for all the young fans who looked to him as a role model. I'm sad for those of us who admired his charity work and all the things he did for the community.

At the same time, it is heavy on my heart that so many young men and women are still fighting and dying for the freedom that we Americans hold so dear. They all have my utmost respect and encouragement, as do their families. I have friends fighting in the war as well. These warriors are so young and full of life. I hate to hear when another one has made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage will always astound me. May God bless our troops!



Let us be in sincere prayer for all image-bearers of God to bear His image honorably and produce the fruit of righteousness and peace.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Fly Like An Eagle


Surely you know.
Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever,
who created all the world.
He does not become tired or need to rest.
No one can understand how great his wisdom is.
He gives strength to those who are tired
and more power to those who are weak.
Even children become tired and need to rest,
and young people trip and fall.
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;
they will run and not need rest;
they will walk and not become tired.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New Century Version)

Keep praying for us. It's the least and the most you can do... That and buying our house. It's a great starter house. Just think about it and get back with us...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate