Inspiration Thursday

Unfortunately we now live in a society that, for the most part, doesn't really believe in God. Therefore they don't really believe that Jesus is the Son of God and by virtue of "The Trinity" that Jesus is God. The past fifty years has seen our society slowly remove God from our daily lives. It started with something as simple as removing prayer from our public schools. I understand the reasoning behind the decision, but it was the only contact that some children had with any spiritual matters. There was a time when no school activities took place on Wednesday nights because that was a church night. Now, most churches have no mid-week services. Many limit their worship time to Sunday mornings and no longer have Sunday evening services. We have replaced an opportunity to meet with fellow believers on Wednesdays and Sundays with other activities including our kids travel sports. What have we taught them? We have given them the example that the team is more important that the Creator. We have determined that working 50-60 hours a week between Monday and Friday is the only way to get ahead in this world and that our week-ends must be spent on family activities that only put more pressure on the family members to be successful at other activities. We have forgotten that the most important family activity is worshiping our God together and learning about His love for us. We are created by God and He has a plan for our lives, but many of us never bother to find out what that plan is. We have our own ideas about how to be happy and successful in this life and God is not a part of the plan. So, how have our plans worked out?
There are more single parent families than ever before. The divorce rate is nearly 40% even among Christians, which only validates the fact that even those in the Church don't take their relationship with Christ as seriously as they should. We have more children and youth on drugs than ever before, more homeless than ever before, and more families in desperate life situations than ever before. But the good news is that God has always stood ready to establish or re-establish a relationship with His creation.
"So God created man in is own image; He created him; male and female He Created them." Gen. 1:27
"You formed my inward parts; You covered in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their in and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Faather, I have sinned against heaven and before you,...and am no longer worthy to be called your son. ..." Luke 15:18-19 

 

Inspiration Thursday

Tuesday I spent much of the afternoon at the Community Center pool watching the high school district diving competition. I had a great time and you can scroll down to see what I captured. Yesterday I spent much of the afternoon back at the pool watching the swim competition. Above is one example of what I captured. While the swimmer is putting all of her effort into the competition, she is also glancing to the side to check and see where the competition is.
Often, in the race of life we spend too much time checking on the competition and not enough time giving our best effort to win the race. Toward the end of his life, the apostle Paul reflected on his life race and said, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:6-7). Paul kept his spiritual eye on the finish line, meeting his Savior in heaven. He knew where his adversary was at all times, and he didn't have to check to see were the evil one was. Paul knew that the race had been won when he accepted Christ as his Savior on the road to Damascus. He knew that as long as he focused his attention on Christ, Satan would always be behind him and never in control of him. The day that Paul stepped into eternity, he stepped into the waiting arms of the Savior. The race was won, not because of what Paul did, but because of who Jesus was. Have a blessed day.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

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The Broadmoor - Colorado Springs, CO

I was on a business trip last week.  The event was held at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, CO.  This is one incredible place to spend a few days.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  You are looking at the most clouds that were in the sky during our four day stay.  

The Broadmoor opened in 1918 and for many years was the exclusive resort to American royalty and dignitaries from around the world.  It has been a 5-star resort for over 50 years.  The service is incredible and the accommodations are unlike anywhere else.  This place is as fine a place to stay as money can buy.  Still, it does not compare to that place that is prepared for those who name the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Christ said that He has gone to prepare a place for us, and where He is, we will be there too.  I cannot imagine what my Lord has done for me.  I know one thing, I deserve nothing, but His death on the cross and my relationship with Him has reserved a special place for me in heaven.  One of these days I will join God's family and live forever with my King.  When I think about this promise, I have to ask myself, "Who Am I?"  Enjoy.

Have a wonderful week-end.