Well I know that this is officially my second entry but I wanted to officially welcome you to my blog. With this blog I want to take you on a journey with me in my quest to Experience God and be near Him. To some this may sound strange. Why would anyone desire to be near God? Because God desires to be near us. He created us to have fellowship with him.

At "The Well" (H2O's small group for guys) we are going to go through a book called Experiencing God. This is an intensive study that requires at least 1/2 hour a day reading through the lesson, spending time with God and meeting once a week to discuss what God showed us. It's intense! By doing this we will get in the habit of spending time with God every day and then sharing with others how God is working in our lives. It is my passion that not only I get to know God intimately but I want others to come alongside and join with me in this path that I am taking.

Each week I'll highlight things that we are learning in this study. Will you join me in my quest to be a living sacrifice?

Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship"

Not too long ago I was working for a friend pulling out bushes that were very overgrown. I had a trailer hitched to the back of my van and I piled it up with the bushes and went to the dump to dispose of them. I came up to the entrance with my first load and she let me by with a wave. I came back with a second load and there was another woman there and very rudely told me that my trailer was longer than eight feet and that I had to pay $25.00 a load. I tried explaining that the previous person let me through and she just yelled back at me saying that they didn't know what they were doing and I better pay up now or leave. Needless to say I was really ticked off at first but then I decided to respond by saying, "You're right, I'll go ahead and pay." You should have seen the look on her face! She was astounded that I didn't yell back at her and to her surprise, and mine, she replied, "Hold on, let me talk to the supervisor." She said, "Hey, you can go through, no charge." In the end I was able to dump all eight loads for free.

If you think you are wronged, you have a choice. You can used words that will melt animosity or you can use words that add fuel to the fire of hostility and anger. How do you choose a conversation that will bring hope and peace rather than frustration and resentment?

Paul tells us in Philippians Chapter 2 "Has there ever been encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love, any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? Then make me happy by working wholeheartedly one with the other, loving one another by working together with one heart and one purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression, Be humble and always think of others better than yourself.

My prayer for you today is that you will choose to build up and encourage one another for the sake of Christ.

Peace!