This morning I was dreaming. I dreamt that I was on my way to a destination of a tropical sort. A warm destination with sand and waves and my surfboard. When I woke up I had a strong desire to call and cash in my sky miles to find a place to retreat. You know that commercial that says, "Wanna get away?" That was me!

What is it within us that wants to get away? What is it that causes us to want to retreat when the going gets tough, or life gets monotonous? What are the ingredients that can help us persevere through such times? Sometimes we feel that we deserve a break today and don't get me wrong, vacations and breaks are good, but it's what goes on here when it seems like there is no relief in sight that is significant.

In Hebrews 12:1 it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Knowing that there are literally hundreds and thousands surrounding me and cheering me on in the heavens helps me stay on track and to be true to what God is requiring of me. Knowing that others that have gone before me in the Faith are watching and encouraging me makes me dig deep and find the strength to carry on.

In whom do you put your trust? In whom do you put your faith in? Jesus Christ. Follow Him.

Ghandi once said, "I love your Christ, I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."

Why does that statement sting when I read it this morning? Maybe because there's some truth to it. I am constantly reminded that we need to be striving to be Christ like. It goes against our nature be like Him.
What's the remedy? What's a way we can prove Ghandi wrong! Stay close to God. How do we get close to God? David asked this in Psalm 15. What was God's response? He who does what is righteous, who speaks truth, doesn't do his neighbor wrong, honors God, and he who keeps his word even when it hurts! What can we do? How do we make it happen? Get close to God. Start living what we know is right. God honors that. He shows up, and he shows Himself strong in amazing ways. We have opportunities every day. Go for it!

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

-Psalm 15

"Father, help us to be more Christlike. Help people to see you in our everyday lives. Help us to put our selfishness aside to lead others into relationship with you. Help us to have a heart for You the way David did."

Have a great day and know that God's light can shine through you today if you let Him.

-andy

So I'm in my office today and I'm sitting here, the sun is coming through the window and I'm squinting because it's so bright, but I like the warmth that comes from it so I endure the brightness. I love light. My dream house would be a house that has a huge vaulted ceiling with a wall of windows with a view of a body of water.

When you start looking at the streams of light you see everything. You can see specks of dust flying around the room. Although it's painful at first, being in the light is a good thing. When we allow God's light to envelop us we see things that were once hidden and we need to allow God to deal with them. It takes us walking in that light before we are able to see and deal with things.

There is a song by DC Talk called "In the Light" I love the pre-chorus and chorus of that song.

"So tell me) what's going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
(This only) serves to confirm my suspicion
That I'm still a man in need of a savior

(CHORUS)
I wanna be in the light
as you are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars
in the Heavens
Oh, Lord be my light
and be my Salvation
'cause all I want is to be in the light"
"Dc Talk - In The Light Lyrics"

As I walk in the light I find that as things come to light it's a not a fun thing but every time it shows me that I need Jesus. I need Jesus in my life. I need Him now, and I need Him tomorrow and the day after that! I trust that God will bring to light those things that I need to deal with. Once he does, I simply repent and ask God to forgive me. There's a freedom that comes in that process. Where are you in that process? Open the window and allow His light to shine on you today.

Be in the Light!

Today is another sad day in the history of the Washington Redskins. My hero, Coach Joe Gibbs is stepping down as Head Coach. Just when things seemed to be turning around and the Redskins had a glimmer of hope because Gibbs was in the driver seat, the team will once more be a team that has to go through another major transition. Joe Gibbs is a man who lives by his convictions and is not afraid to be a stand up Christian. You will be missed, Joe...