Being 40 is kinda lame

Although I thank God for every heart beat and every breath I breathe I do think that aging is cruel and very unusual. I went for a walk today with Kimo (my dog), okay more of a hike, okay okay more of an expedition up a steeeeeep hill across some semi treacherous ridges to huge rock structure. I didn't seem like a big deal at the time. I had a couple little falls. I fall all the the time no big deal. I felt fine. Then about two hours after I get home I get a twinge in my hip and I start to notice that my back hurts more than normal. By evening this is a major OWEEEE!
People are constantly reminding that I'm 40 (almost 41)and I'm fine with that. I like hill walking with no trails ,I like swimming through sage brush, even sliding backward down a hill a few yards is kinda fun. When people were telling me that I need act my age that was one thing but now my body is telling me this (very loudly). My daughters have forbidden me from skateboarding because I embarrass them and they said they refuse to go see me in the hospital when I injure myself. So I stopped the skateboard stuff but HILL WALKING? I guess smaller hills and ridges are in my future unless there just too beautiful to resist. Well I have to go take another Advil (they don't work) and shop for a cane (walking stick).
I've been trying to live the whole GO BIG OR GO HOME thing. But sensibility has to come into play at some point (DANG IT!) God only gave me one body to take care of so I guess I should.
I had to write on a lighter subject -I've been so heavy and serious lately
GO BIG - BUT WATCH OUT FOR ROCKS - OUCH!

Why Isn't Jesus Enough?

If everything was to crumble and go away the Christian heart should be content with Jesus Christ alone. But often times we aren't. I know I'm not. And it shames me. Yeh yeh yeh, I know we're just human, blah blah blah. I think discontentment is a grave sin and one I am all too often guilty of. Why grave? Think about it. What does discontentment say to the loving God that created us ? Thanks for the whole salvation thing , I really appreciate it but I need a little me time. Me time equals time to forget what God has done for me and want more. More,can you believe that, more than the redemption of my soul? HOW WACKO IS THAT!
Why isn't Jesus enough? We know he is but we drop the ball and grow discontented. Contentment is treated with contempt in a society that thrives in every way because (especially economically) of a rip tide of discontentment. Our society says if you are content you aren't striving for perfection. I want to strive for contentment because that is most Christ like path. Jesus is enough. Like Solomon said everything else is vanity. Vain in that it's useless.
So what's the secret to contentment? It ain't a secret. Paul gave that secret away almost 2000 years ago. St. Paul says in the 4th chapter of his letter to the Philippians- " ...for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. - I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want(in other words he's learned the secret of being content). I can do all things in Him who strengthens me"
Jesus is enough ! Jesus is enough! Jesus is enough!
For those of you struggling with discontent whether it's a compulsion or envy or just plain greed know this. That all those things given to you through faith in Jesus Christ are more than enough to truly satisfy you. All the other stuff is temporary crap. Jesus is forever.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go and practice what I just preached.
Pray for me a sinner. (but redeemed in the blood of Jesus)
Going Big With Reckless Abandon.

House of prayer or house of cards , we choose

It's no secret that I'm a bit nuts in general but when it comes to prayer perhaps moreso. When I was a youth minister and catechist 12 years ago in the Lutheran Church the kids had this running joke. You see I went through period with the youth where I asked them questions where a sufficient answer was always "PRAYER". Well it got to the point where the kids first answer to every question was always"PRAYER" I remember asking the youth in what year did Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the church door . This one kid (Justin )lifted his hand waving it about furiously, saying, "ooh I know, I know". I called on him and he answered "PRAYER". Everyone thought it was hilarious. On the outside I looked admonishing but it was funny.
Prayer isn't the answer to every church history question but it is more than a sufficient answer to the gamut of life's problems. Of course prayer that isn't directed towards the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is useless. But prayer that is directed that way and prayed with the intention of never stopping is to be foundation of Christian life. Prayer is healing ,prayer is comfort (by the Holy Spirit), prayer sets demons to flight, prayer binds us together, prayer is commanded by Jesus and prayer will help build Christs Church an earth.
The Lord says in Isaiah "My house shall be called a house of prayer". All Saints Church will be called a house of prayer. Beginning next week we will start having some type of prayer service Monday through Friday.The church will be open Saturdays from noon to 2pm and from 9 to the start of mass on Sunday.
I know we have a very prayerful congregation . We have some amazing prayer warriors in the church. But we need to pray together . Having sooo many opportunities to pray together will hopefully spur everyone to at least come and pray one or two times week besides Sunday.
As we become more and more bound together as a church family in prayer as we become more and more " A house of prayer" God will grow us.
This may seem a bit zealous. Absolutely.
It's Reckless abandon time.
Just turning another page of the BIG STORY
LET'S LIVE IT !

A Dry Kind of Busy

It always drives me crazy when people describe the hot weather and say "but it's a dry heat". Yet I'm insanely busy but it's a good busy. God is doing amazing stuff. I see people stepping out in ministry in our church like never before. It's exciting to be in the midst of of it. The Bishop came up from San Clemente to install me yesterday. It was what everyone in the Church needed to concretely start the new journey at All Saints Church. The music rocked and the worship was awesome.
And so we start.
I love that scripture that says " He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it"
God isn't hardly done with All Saints or me or you who read this (both of you).
So I'll take the busy schedule.
GBOGH