Posts Tagged ‘blessings’

Five Reasons: Amazed

Posted in Bible Study, Life and Ministry, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2018| Leave a Comment »

 

Why

I started this series some time ago but never finished it.  So I am going to present both a question and a series of answers over the next few weeks.  

The question was actually posed to me some time ago by a young German woman.  I had befriended her and her husband in an online game that I was playing.  She quickly became aware of my faith and one day as we chatted about life she abruptly posed this question.

 Why do you serve God?  What does he do for you?

My mind quickly went to all  the theologically correct answers that I had learned over the years but quickly discarded them.  First of all I don’t think her English was up to taking in a bunch of “Christianese” (and my German was certainly not up to conveying anything other than hello and thank you).  Secondly my guess is that perhaps somewhere she had already heard the platitudes.  She was looking for something more intimate, more personal.  She really wanted to know , why did Sam Guidry (or Flamefanner as my gaming friends know me) choose to serve this god.  I gave her an answer.  I do not even recall what it was, however it set me to thinking and so I give you:

Five Reasons that I serve God

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall praise your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of your majesty, And on your wonderful works I will meditate.  Men shall speak of the power of your awesome  acts and i will tell of your greatness.

Psalm 145:3-6

Reason 1:  God Never Ceases to Amaze Me

David served God as perhaps no other.  Yes he got to be king but he certainly did not serve God because his life was smooth and easy.  As we read his words here our first reason rings loud and clear.  David never ceased to be amazed by God.  He knew the Scriptures,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1- Pretty amazing

“So the Lord shifted the wind to a very strong west wind and drove them(the locusts) into the Red Sea”  Exodus 10:19

“…and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong East wind all night and turned the sea into dry land” Exodus 14:21

All amazing stuff but this Psalm is not the words of a man who experienced God only from the pages of Scripture, David had an intensely personal relationship with God.  God never ceased to amaze him.  In the same way Scripture speaks to us of His incredible acts throughout history.  Gideon defeats the Midianite nation with 300 men.  David slays Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, a spear and a javelin but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.” 1 Samuel 17:4  From little things like floating axe blades (2 Kings 6), to Jonah and the Whale, to the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, his death and resurrection.  Scripture amazes us with the deeds of a God who takes an active interest in His people.

God takes a young hot headed prince of Egypt and makes him the Spiritual leader of His people.  The shepherd boy is anointed to become king.  The arrogant, self indulgent businessman becomes an urban missionary….oh yeah, that’s me. (and not of course found in Scripture)  I could spend yours reciting the amazing things that we find in Scripture about our God.  I could spend hours telling you all of the amazing things that God has done in my life (some of which can be found recorded on the pages of this blog).  Some are big things but many are just day to day blessings that rise out of the nature of a personal relationship with God.

I know that if you take the time to get to know my Lord and Savior that you will be amazed too!

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”  

Joshua 3:5

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Posted in I'm Just Sayin', Life and Ministry, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on August 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Wow, here we are in Colorado.  Three weeks into our trip I am amazed at the hand of God in our lives.  He has provided ministry opportunities at every step, both opportunities to minister to people and opportunities to be ministered to.  I have been so touched by so many people already I am excited by what God is going to do over the next 17 days. 

Our time in Minneapolis was awesome.  Beth, Bruce, Grant and Luke were a blessing to us while we enjoyed their hospitality.  It was also great to be able to spend time with my son John and the most recent addition to our family his wife Julie.  We are so blessed and excited that God has provided teaching positions for both of them.  We know that they are going to be a blessing to their schools and to the children they teach.  Those of you that follow us on Facebook know of the great time that we had at Healing House.  Our time with the residents was such a blessing as well as the opportunity to contribute in some small way to the facility.  Highlights with the Olson’s included tubing on the Mississippi River, a visit to Big Lake, Great food, Neat fellowship and conversation for all; as well as an awesome day of playing Airsoft with the boys. We enjoyed our visit to Twin Cities Bible Church and it is always a treat to hear Julie play her violin no matter what the setting.  We are also thankful that God prompted Bruce and Beth to highly encourage us to take the time to travel through South Dakota and stop at Mt. Rushmore.  It was such a blessing to see so many facets of God’s creation.  It was also the beginning of the chain of events that led us to Mule Creek Junction and a visit with Velcro, head of  www.freeicewaterservices.com and of a Wyoming Biker Church (www.churchwithanattitude.com).  We enjoyed the free ice water, the kids enjoyed the free sugar-free cookies (yes they had sugar-free cookies!) and we were all blessed when Velcro prayed over our family.  The kids got a quick lesson in biker prayers and we were all touched by the Heart of this big burly biker, his wife and Coaster his associate from biker church.  We look forward to many more God-Appointments on this trip.  Be sure that God’s outlook calendar is full of appointments for all of His children.

So here we are in Westminster Colorado, enjoying the awesome hospitality of my other sister Lisa, her husband John and their kids Micaiah, Hannah, and J. Samuel (ok Joshua).  After one day of much needed rest I joined John, his father, Micaiah and Robert on a trip to the summit of Mt. Evans, 14,210 feet above sea level.  Fortunately there is a road almost all the way to the summit.  Unfortunately we parked about 1500 feet below the summit.  Fortunately the trail to the top is only 1.7 miles from where we parked.  Unfortunately this trail is UP the side of the mountain.  Fortunately I am not in horrible shape.  Unfortunately there is NO OXYGEN TO BREATHE…ok maybe a slight exaggeration.  Still I made it up…and back down so qualify as a hiker that has conquered a 14er as they call them.  There are over 50 of them in Colorado.  Robert has now climbed 3.  The view was incredible.  Again those of you who follow me on Facebook may have seen some of the pictures.  I may post some here but have not transferred them to my computer yet.  I am glad that I did not know exactly what I was getting into when I decided that this 1.7 mile hike couldn’t be so bad (Lisa did try to warn me!).  I might have decided it was too hard, that I did not have what it takes to succeed.  I would have missed the incredible Spiritual experience that it became for me.  I would have missed a view of God’s world that is breathtaking. If God has placed a mountain in your path, keep climbing.  I know that every joint in your life aches and that you feel like you can’t breathe, but the view at the top is awesome and God would not have you there if he did not KNOW that empowered by HIM you can do it. (Philippians 4:13)

We have another week of experiencing God’s blessings here in Colorado and then we head to Kansas City and Independence MO.  We are looking forward to visiting EPIC Church and Pastor Bobby Hawk (along with his lovely wife Vanessa and their new baby), as well as seeing Derek and Becca friends from the Lewis House!

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