New Version of Footprints

This new version of the "footprints" story really caught me off guard at the end...What a blessing.

FOOTPRINTS...A New Version

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.

Now you pray: "Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You." "That is correct." "And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely." "Very good.. You have understood everything so far." When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way." "Precisely." "So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first." There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. "You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).

It's not WHAT you have in your life, but Who you have in your life that counts... Think about that.

I ASKED GOD

I asked for a flower,
He gave me a garden.
I asked for a tree,
He gave me a forest.
I asked for a river
He gave me an ocean.
I asked for a friend,
He gave me "YOU."

Poverty and Aids

I am sitting in front of the TV watching a special American Idol, Idol gives back(its to raise funds for charities both here in the U.S. and in Africa). It saddens me that on a Global, as well as National level; poverty and AIDS continue to increase at a dramatic rate. There are some countries in Africa that have 1/3 of its population with HIV/AIDS, a third. That is not right. Also in Africa malaria kills kids every 30 seconds, that is ridiculous. The Western nations have an obligation due to the exploitation they caused through colonization to remedy the situation. Due to NAFTA the middle class is disappearing in the U.S. with jobs disappearing and transfer to the Global South. This can anger anyone with a conscious.

If anyone is looking to make a difference, one can log on to www.one.org

Comments about The Gathering

Upon looking at Pastor Phil's blogs regarding the ministry of The Gathering, as well as how his former denomination turned their backs on him and the small community in Salem. I am very saddened and joyous. Sad that the true message of Jesus is spit on because the actions of a Church are not status quo. Joy, that despite the hurdles confronted by this Church they are radically altering the Christian landscape in this Post-Modern Environment(using a concept by Brian McClaren) and I am proud to be there for the ride and see what happens. Hopefully the bumps and bruises(Phil tends to leap before looking) will make us better servants of out Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a link to this incredible church: http://www.salemgathering.com/index.html

First Blog Ever

Okay people I have now entered the world of Blogging. Kind of Strange. Anyways, my first duty is to promote an incredible conference coming up May 4 - 6 2007 in Salem, MA. Clicking on this will allow one to find out more about what will happen, register and so forth.