A Life Today

Olive Wood Pen, originally uploaded by sbgulfcoast.

As promised here’s a picture of the pen I made from the Olive wood. I love the grain of this wood. I’ll be able to get a few more pens from this batch of wood. If you are interested in purchasing one just let me know.

Olive Wood from Bethlehem, originally uploaded by sbgulfcoast.

I’m excited about the shipment I received today. Last year my wife’s grandfather passed onto me a wonderful gift. He taught me how to create pens on a wood turning lathe. It was a huge blessing to spend that time with him and to have that blessing passed on to me. So today the shipment was some Olive wood from Bethlehem in Israel. I’m excited to get this wood on the lathe and carve it into a pen. As soon as the pens have been completed I’ll share the photo.

Freedom!  I feel a bit more free lately.  Not because I’ve done anything.  It has been the Lord to free me.  Jesus said that his yoke is easy and burden light.  So what was the freedom that I have walked in lately?  It’s the knowing that I don’t have to do some routine or duty that I was never asked to do.  The only thing I’m asked to do is follow Jesus today.  I don’t need to live in the past nor live out my life in the future.  Just simply live in the present and live for him.  He asks me to love our neighbors and enemies alike.  He’s also my Father who I can fellowship with each and every moment of the day.

As an example, I’ll share one little nugget from my life.  The Lord put on my heart a certain area to minister.  After a time of praying and talking about it, the Lord opened the door to go.  Yet to be honest I haven’t completely enjoyed it.  The reason is that it became some task I had to perform.  In my mind I felt I had to commit to something and build something… you know, form a ministry.  That is far from what the Lord asked me to do.  He just asked me to go there.  What is it I’m to do there?  The answer is very simple – love people, and befriend them, and reveal the Love of the Father to them.  If they don’t want anything to do with me then I’m free to knock the dust off my feet and move on. 

I believe the Lord would want to bring us all into a more simple way of life.  Our lives should not be about performance, duty, and organizations, but one of a love relationship with our Father.  I will admit as a believer it’s easy to miss what it’s all about.  The days and years go by and if we are not careful we can find ourselves out of habit going to church.  That is not what it’s about at all.  We don’t go to church because we are the church.  We are the bride of Christ whom he is greatly in love with.  So as the church, yes, we will desire to connect with other believers and connect with Him.  This is something that doesn’t happen at a certain time of the week but today.  For there was one who once said, “today is the day of salvation.”

I know that I have not completely arrived yet.  I still fall captive to performing some religious duty.  I still think I have to form, organize, and set in motion something and then keep it going.  But little by little the Lord is lifting my yoke off and replacing it with the yoke he provides which is easy and light… and in that I find rest for my soul.

Here’s a thought for you to start this new year.  Lord’s strength is for this moment right now.  You don’t need to weary yourself thinking about the tasks that are awaiting you tomorrow.  Live in the present moment and experience the grace of God is sufficient for every moment of every day.  He does not give for tomorrow… for today is the life you’ve been given. 

Stream, originally uploaded by sbgulfcoast.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1:1-3

Bananas, originally uploaded by sbgulfcoast.

I was excited to discover bananas growing for the first time on our banana trees. Lindy Reminded me of this verse,

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. Psalm 1:3

Notice it will yield fruit in it’s season. There isn’t fruit everyday but in it’s time. Same as our lives. Delight yourself in the Lord. Follow Him and in time you’ll see fruit come forth.

Thanksgiving Morning, originally uploaded by sbgulfcoast.

What a beautiful Thanksgiving day. I was sitting on the porch this morning and began to look around. The water droplets from the rain the day before were beautiful in the morning sunlight. Decided to grab the camera and take some shots.

A friend name John Bonner runs an Bible College in Lima, Peru.  They are currently preparing to open an orphanage.  If you are a coffee lover and want to help the orphanage then here’s a way you can.  Below is a copy of an email I recieved from John.  If you are interested let me know and I’ll send you the information.

In July, we announced the availablily of our “Granos del Cielo” gormet coffee.  Since then, we have shipped hundreds of packages to very satisfied supporters of our soon-to-open orphanage.  Many have even ”subscribed” to receive monthly shipments, with the proceeds going toward the remodel of our first children’s home.

With Christmas around the corner, we thought we’d suggest our coffee as possible gifts for the holiday season.  For a suggested $10 donation, we can send a gift wrapped package of ground, 8.8 oz premium Peruvian coffee, along with a personalized card to the person(s) you indicate, to arrive to their home in time for Christmas. 

Do continue to pray for the continued renovation of the orphanage.  We have replaced the roof, installed new plumbing throughout the entire facility, and are completely rewiring the home as well.  Soon, new flooring will be laid and placement of the new children’s toilets and sinks.  By God’s grace and His provision, we hope to open our doors and admit children by Spring!

Thank you, and may Jesus bless you for your participation!

John Bonner

three old friends, originally uploaded by collidedwithgod.

Take some time to reflect upon what the Lord has done.

, originally uploaded by leaders.

Great shot by leaders on Flickr! This pic reveals the details and colors of creation.