We live in a fast-paced, move-it-or-lose-it society. We don't like to slow down because we think we'll miss out on the next big thing or incredible opportunity. We always want to be on top and ahead of the game. But when we zip through life like that, we miss out on the most incredible opportunities of all time—to bless those around us.

God wants to bless you. And he wants you to use those blessings to bless others. And that's not something you can do if you're flying through life at breakneck speeds.

Don't go through life overlooking the people who God has placed in your path. Take some time to slow down and take note of those around you. Ask God to show you opportunities where you can share your blessings. Remember, God blesses us so that we can bless others. Because when we do, we will experience the true power and excitement of living in the zone and being an audience of one - the one that made us.

"Build houses and settle down... seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you... Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:5&7

Child's Play

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

For many of us, this verse brings to mind our children's gifts or abilities socially, athletically or artistically speaking. Parents, and in particular fathers, love to see their kids excel outwardly. We push them to learn more, run faster or perform better. But all too often, we tend to forget about the most important aspect of our children's growth—character.

True success in life starts as an inward thing. It emerges out of a personal relationship with Christ. We, as parents, should be in the business of character training by first introducing our children to Christ and living out our own relationship with him. And that is a value that is more caught than taught.

As you walk down the rugged path of reality, your children are watching the character that you display. They watch you in traffic, at the store and on the phone. They're watching as you interact with people in every situation and circumstance. So lead by example. Teach them about what truly matters. And train them to display the character that God has designed for them — a character of generosity, integrity, honesty and compassion.

Happy Father's Day!

It’s good to be a man, isn’t it, men? “Why?” you women may be asking?
1: Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
2: A 5-day holiday requires only one suitcase.
3: When clicking through the channels, you don’t have to stall at every shot of somebody crying.
4: Guys in hockey masks don’t attack you ... unless you’re playing hockey.
5: Michael Bolton doesn’t live in your universe.
6: Car mechanics tell you the truth.
7: You can admire Clint Eastwood without starving yourself to look like him.
8: Gray hair and wrinkles only add character to men.
9: If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you just might become lifelong buddies.
10: The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
That’s why-:o)

Happy Father's Day!

God moments!

We've all had those moments when something in nature captivated our attention, whether it was a multi-colored sunset, a snow covered mountain or a rainbow peering through the clouds. We've all seen something in nature that has caused us to stop what we were doing and gaze at the beauty of God's creation.

Those moments are testimonies of God's existence. They let us know that something greater than ourselves exists. They are examples of the different ways that God chooses to reveal himself to us.

However, that doesn't mean we can look at a mountain and be saved. But it does mean that God has placed enough evidence in the world for us to consider his existence and seek him out.

Take some time today to seek God and thank him for his creative beauty. From the refreshing rain to the glow of the moon, God wants you to see his handiwork and know that he did that for you. He's put reminders everywhere, so that you will never forget that he loves you, hoping that you will find your way to him.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" Luke 19:5-6

Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a career that was notorious for being crooked. Many tax collectors used their authority to take advantage of people and extort money from them. Jesus, though, didn't let that stop him from going to Zacchaeus's house for a meal. And it shocked the religious people of the day.

Zacchaeus had come to see Jesus. And Jesus revealed himself to Zacchaeus, despite the disapproval of the religious elite. And in doing so, Jesus mirrored God's desire to reveal himself to man.

God knows we aren't perfect. Yet, he still wants us to have an intimate relationship with him. And he provided the way for that to happen.

Jesus is the only way to God. God did not send Jesus to turn people away; he sent Jesus to draw people near. And God isn't the one hiding. It is us who thinks we can hide from him. But God knows right where you are and is waiting to reveal himself to you.

The light of the world!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6-7

The apostle Paul traveled throughout the area around the town of Galatia preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. But during his travels, he received news that another group had entered the Galatian church and was spreading false teachings. So he wrote a letter to warn the people about the danger of listening to that false teaching.

That same warning speaks to you and me today. There are so many other religions in the world that teach something other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. And there is danger in listening to those teachings, because they are not the true gospel. As Paul writes, they are really "no gospel at all."

How can we be sure? Because of the work that Jesus Christ did on the cross. Every other religion in the world can be spelled "d-o." They teach us that there is something that we can do to get into a relationship with God.

Christianity, though, is spelled "d-o-n-e." Jesus has already done the work to bring you into a relationship with God. All you have to "do" is believe in Him and receive Him into your heart. And then, continue to turn to Him for His truth and His light in your life.