Walking with Jesus

† Introduction: The journey to Bethlehem is over for Mary and Joseph. The angels have announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The virgin has born a son. King David’s heir has been named. Prophecy has been fulfilled. Salvation has come. Immanuel (God with us), Jesus is born. Now what? After the manger is emptied, after the shepherds have returned to their flocks, after Joseph and Mary find a home to live in and settle down to the day to day activities of married life with a newborn. . . What happens now? What happens the day after Christmas? On this day after Christmas, 2010, let us explore Matthew, chapter 2. It is the story of first years after Jesus’ birth. It is a story of the perfection of God’s timing, the power of His protection, and the treachery of His enemies. It is a story full of worship, danger, and adventure. It is a story of Kings and of Wise Men. = Read Matthew 2 = † First, The Wise Men: Who were these Magi? According to verse 16, it’s been as long as 2 ye...

. Lunar Eclipse, Winter Solstice 2010

When death comes knocking, we often assume we have to answer. We don't. Sure, "it is appointed once to die". Even God has died. (I hope they include Aslan's line in the movie if they ever make The Silver Chair ) We all die (excepting the believers on earth when Christ returns). But, since Jesus has defeated death, and because he's simply God to begin with, we are not at the mercy of death. We don't always have to answer when death knocks because God is bigger than death; he sometimes even undoes it! In any case, death is not the most important part of living. It is merely a transition, especially for Christians. We are all created as everlasting beings. We are not 'eternal' as such, because we had a beginning, but we participate in eternity because we never have an end. When we die, we simply move out onto the greater stage of being. This life is a choosing ground, an embryonic state, a seed stage for our 'everafter'. It is critically importa...

One of the guys from work was recently delivered by Jesus from years of alcoholism after watching this video. The climax of the story is very powerful.

I have a new cell phone, one I actually like. There are some apps I don't need (Ok, a lot of them), but I like the phone itself. It's easy to use, has a touch screen, includes a keypad, and can still have an alarm while on silent (my last couldn't). Additionally, it's a cool green color. But, my favorite part of my phone in the photo Olivia loaded onto my start screen for me one night when I wasn't looking. It constantly reminds me of all the things I have to be thankful for. Today, this is especially important. I have my health (inspite of recent sickness), good friends, a family that loves me, a roof over my head, a job I'm good at, a really cool dog (even if she's little), hope for the future, my salvation in Jesus, and Olivia. I hope you have things you are thankful (to God) for as well. Happy Thanksgiving (to God) Day! And, here's the picture Olivia loaded onto my phone. I think it's really cool. (No stealing it, please!)

. I'm taking the GRE today. I took it several years ago, but it's been so long that I don't remember my scores and they wouldn't count for the programs I'm applying to anyway. I think I'll do well. I just need to relax and do the test, not worry about what happens after that. The further I go on the journey of pursuing a doctoral degree the narrower our path becomes, for lots of reasons, and I have decided to believe that God is directing each step of the journey. It seems following God's call is often like that. It's like being in a desert and hearing a voice in the distant mountains. You journey toward the voice, but you must enter the hills before you really know which mountain He is calling from. So, you start climbing hills in the general direction of the call. Sometimes you move forward, sometimes sideways, sometimes you back up and travel through a valley to get to a third point beyond the rises on either side. It's a pathless journey at fi...

. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." ~ Philippians 4:8 I want to focus on true things: walks with Olivia and Gracey, our hopes to move soon and return to school, the dream of teaching, the memory of our last moments with close friends, the thrill of new discoveries, the knowledge that I am not alone in my convictions, the fact that I have a job and a house, a glimpse of my beautiful nieces via webcam, a solid church family, a deepening walk with the Lord. I want to focus on the true things, but the world is so loud and so desperate to shout out the true with the false, the bad, the compromised, the fallen, the sensational, and the evil. I had to press back in today. I had to focus on the Lord, push out the noise of life and r...

There are some evils we choose, and there are some that sneak into our life because we get lazy, compromise, grow up with them, feel compelled by culture, or don't see life from God's point of view. 'Obviously' we should avoid the... well, 'obvious' ones such as adultery, gluttony, pride, living a homosexual lifestyle, and throwing a tire-iron at the lady who cut you off in traffic this morning. These are a no brainer. I'm not saying they are easy choices for everyone all the time (that car-lady lives in my town too!), just obvious ones. But, not all evils are obvious. . . I've been asked to preach on October 31st. I'm praying about what to bring, and God has been bringing the idea of evil (guilt), mercy, and reformation. For those who don't know, this date is not only Halloween, but Reformation Day, the anniversary of the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, calling for the Catholic Church to refor...

My cousin Julie and her husband Clayton officially welcomed a new son into their family on Sunday September 26th in the wee (strange word) hours of the morning. They have named their baby boy Whitman (Whit) Clayton Leverett.  He was 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches long at birth. (I don't know why we include this information, but we do, so I did.) I talked to Julie today and they are adjusting to their new life together very well. God has been good to their family and we have a new second cousin! Welcome home, Whit! Whit defenitely looks like Clayton, but I can also see some of Julie. I can't wait to meet him in person. 

. Olivia made a great photo album. Check it out. Olivia's Photo Gallery on Kodak

Enjoy! We did! (I had to stop at some point.) 

More, More, More! 

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