Of all of the friends I have there are few that rank any higher than Buddy, my dog. When I named him little did I know how well his name would describe him. This morning as I left to go to the barn, like every other morning he was at the door waiting to go. I am convinced that it is not the destination of our travel, whether it be the barn, office, to town or else where that he likes, but that He just likes to be with me. Granted that, wanting to be with me, might not make him the brightest dog on the block, but it sure makes me feel good. Even though my life is not that exciting , he is more than content, just to sit and watch and wait. As I looked at him this morning, I couldn’t help but pray, “Lord, make me more like Buddy, in my relationship with you.”

Bro. Jim

It is early morning and I am already awake. Not drowsily awake, but wide awake. Like the opening morning of dove season,or walking in the dark of the morning to the duck blind; all the while hearing wings beating and ducks calling. But today it is no feathered friend that my soul longs for, but rather their creator. Their creator; who has been looking over me even while I slept, who has been anticipating our meeting even more than I, and today I really yearned for our meeting. And less than an hour into the day I have had my first sighting. It came through His still small voice whispering through the writings of Ann Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts”. The glory of God, that is what my soul longs for, and that is what my soul has already had a taste of. Before the rising of the sun, the Son has risen afresh and like new chasing out the darkness and shadows of my soul. Oh what a joy, oh what a privilege. I the mortal, I the sinful, I the faithless, have been ushered into the prescense of my Eternal, Holy and Faithful God.
I must admitt, all days are not like this. Some feel like ritual, habit and duty; but it is days like this that keep me coming back, ever hoping that once again I will get a glimpse of Him and a mere shimmer of His soul filling glory.

Back to the hunt
Jim

I am writing my first blog, so I really feel sorry for all the folks who endure the first couple of ideas I come up with.

I have to admit, I’ve always felt like you are really throwing yourself out there if you get up close and personal by “Blogging”.  But here I go…Do you ever find yourself so busy that you don’t even realize what you are trying to accomplish?  I hate to admit it, but I’m scared that at times I am on overload with no idea what I’m doing.  At times, I work hard to help others pursue their dreams, so that I find myself not taking enough time for God to show me His ideas for my life…

What about you?

Todd Mills

The answer is simple… “Real”
We, who use words, to teach, preach and sing week after week; for you…but ultimately for Him…want more than anything to be authentic, genuine and faithful…we want to be “real” before you and before Him.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.” John 1:1
The Life Application Study Bible says of John 1:1 “What Jesus taught and what He did are tied inseparably to who He is…fully human and fully God”
What we teach and preach are tied to who we are “fully human”, fallible, imperfect and prone to mistakes and lots of them. Flowing throughout, however, is The Word who is perfect and holy. Our desire for this blog is that God would use our words to encourage, inspire and uplift those who are living “real life” on this planet.
As we strive to be authentic and real before you, without hypocrisy and pretence, you will more often than not discover lives that are…messy, broken and struggling. But, always…always …there is grace and there is mercy.
In the midst of “real life”…grace and mercy
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
Denah