90 day journey to my first book!

   For years, I have been told that the stories I tell could fill a book. Well, as a pre-2015 "resolution, I am going to draft my first book. I have many ideas for what I want to create, but I want something that will make a difference in people's lives. By my nature, I am a pastor and teacher, so it would make sense that I would create a book that is spiritual in nature. To be more specific, it is going to be directed towards those who are Christ followers. 

   There is a distinct possibility that I might even go by my blog title "Passion for a godly life." But, at this point I am not sure. It is my personal belief that many that call themselves 'Christian' have lost their passion for living a godly life. While we might be faithful in attendance and do all of the right things, are we really seeking Christ and seeking a closer relationship with Him? If we want to keep up our relationships with friends and acquaintances we must stay in communication with them. If we desire to be more like Christ, we must 'get to know Him better'. In order to know Him better, we should...

1. Seek Him out by reading and understanding the Word of God. The Bible is God's great love letter to us. He gives us guidance in His Word.

2. Seek Him out by 'seeking His face...' In other words, we need to PRAY. I Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us that we should 'pray without ceasing'. It means that we should be in an attitude of prayer. It is also in I Corinthians 14:15 that we should '...pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also...'

3. We also should be in a fellowship of other seekers. If you cannot find a church home, then seek out a bible study that would help you through your journey. 

God bless you all as you seek more of His will in your life...

   

Pruning...

This summer I am working at a vineyard as a 'vintner apprentice'; one of my main tasks is to make sure that the grape vines are properly pruned. There is a proper method to pruning.

1. Pruning is necessary to insure the greatest growth of the plant.

2. Pruning is necessary to insure the survival of the plant.

3. Sometimes it is necessary to cut all the way back to the main vine to insure a good harvest.

  There is a spiritual coorelation to pruning. When we become children of God, the process is not over. We have to allow God to 'prune away' all of the sin and evil that still is within us.

1. To insure the greatest spiritual growth, we must allow God to do that work within us. It sounds easy, but some of the areas that need work are a challenge to let go.

2. If we are to survive in this world as a Christian, we need God's pruning to purify us for His work. 

3. Sometimes God allows struggle, tragedy and difficulties to come in to our lives so that we can learn.

   Being a 21st century Christian is a difficult process (with so much evil tugging at our souls). But when we allow Him to do the 'pruning', the end result is so rewarding!