Everywhere The Good Shepherd Leads.

I see hills and mountains everywhere!

"Some are for you to climb, and many are for you to come alongside sharing the climb with others. Do this, knowing that I will give you all, the strength, guidance and provision on your way. And as your good shepherd, I will lead you and the flocks I call you to lead, to cool, calm, refreshing waters when you need it most". -God

Life these days seem filled with angst and challenge for me, many of my friends and loved ones. I find myself at times overwhelmed with tears of sadness, other times with tears of joy, and all the while wondering if The Good Shepherd is trying to gather His sheep, get our attention and demonstrate His power to rescue, protect, and lead us as we wrestle for position, seek our own way, and just aimlessly go about our sheep business. Often the nearby bleating seemingly overpowers the voice of our shepherd in our ears, and could rise to an overwhelming cacophany if we let it. But other shepherds get their instruction from Him, leading us scattered flocks in the way of The Good Shepherd.

It has become my soul desire to listen to The Good Shepherd, and clearly He seems to be asking me to come alongside others to help them hear the voice of The Good Shepherd. Nothing in my life has brought more comfort in angst, more joy in beauty and more strength in my weakness. When I feel lost, He comes to find and lead me. When the seeming power of death pressed against me, He came to heal me. When I need encouragement, He shares His through His people or directly Himself. When I frequently fail, He gently picks my head up, tells me to sin no more, and dusts off or washes my clothes clean. I frequently require bathing, renewal, forgiveness, healing, and every time, He has provided and restored. Forged in this heart is the call to humility, to honor, to let God glorify Himself, in and through me.

I am overwhelmed, but desire nothing less than His best, His call, His leading, His provision, His passion to move into and through this ever growing heart. I long to be His inspiration in the lives of others to desire the same and find the joy of serving, advancing from sheep, to shepherd, formally or in. We can all choose to either just look at the ground before us, eat the grass and drink the water as we 'wander', or discover, together that the greater peace comes from knowing and being close to The Good Shepherd, discovering that we aren't just aimlessly wandering, there is a point, a reason, a purpose in everywhere The Good Shepherd leads.

Rising to the Rigors of His Revelations

Nearly four years ago I asked God to help other men become men of prayer, finding myself being asked by Him to become more of one first. The transformation has taken this long, and I now find myself doing, thinking and walking in prayer more often than ever in my life; His fingerprints pressing on my soul, then reaching out to press on others. Having seen the power of prayer, the miraculous, the magnificent, and monumental response of God to both mine and the intercession of others, this form of communication has moved from casual to imperative.

The imperative nature of prayer has been unleashed upon my soul as the penultimate form of change and transformation for nations, people and friends; not engaging the act, but engaging The Only One who can complete the act of transformation, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, now at the right hand of the Father, and the Holy Spirit; the act being also completing in me.

Rising this morning, I found myself inspired by this question: If prayer is so powerful and truly changes lives, living and circumstances, why is it that we do not spend far more time in prayer than any other activity? The truth being, that we spend the most time doing what we believe to be the most important, and it isn't prayer!

So this morning, I found myself rising to the rigors of revelation; God asking me to become a man of prayer and now coming full face to the quandary of the position and importance of the act. What does it truly mean to be a man of prayer? Five hours a day? Six? Twelve? Twenty-four? Ah, yes, available twenty-four hours a day, nothing less, nothing more (as if more were an option?). Rather than telling people I will pray for them, why not stop immediately and do it now, with them! Rather than relegate it to my 'closet' Jesus time, why not in public? Why not in the moment? Why not any time, any where? For how long? As long as it takes. For what purpose? The purpose of seeing God's glory. For what reason? Because it is and has been what He has asked of me, and may be asking of you.

With the millions upon millions of Blogs out there, all vying for readers, all competing for readership and time, I am humbled that anyone would take the time to read these musings of mine. Yet, even if none read, here stands a tribute to the only wise God, the only God who can change and has changed the world, and is willing to let me be a part of that change, not that I can get puffed up and boast in myself, but rather that I can know that I stand with The Almighty and Glorious King, The Only One who can and has created and continues to create, and The Only God who responds to the prayers of this minuscule servant in The Kingdom of God, rising to the rigors of His revelations.

Hearts Poured Out with Thanksgiving

Look hard at the lives of others and in many you will see the fingerprints of faith, a God who is working wildly worthwhile works for His glorious kingdom through His ever mindful children. Ebbing and flowing from moments miraculous, to a singular, seemingly simplistic smile placed at just the right moment. Maybe it is just sitting silently with a friend in angst, or praying, unnoticed by any other in the world, in the corner of a room.

Life seems complex, but should rather be complexly intertwined with the heart of our glorious Lord, moving in and out of steeped interaction with His call and leading in our lives. Once again, rising in my heart is His call to greater things, greater works, the manifold power of Christ, rising through our lives. Yet it is balance, and must be so, in such a way that we see, in God's economy, that even the apparently unglorious (in man's eyes), such things that no one else may see, but God Himself calls us to, is a part of that greater thing.

It is the complete balance, forged with tenacity and thanksgiving that presses upon us, pressing us into a life of greater things. As we celebrate around tables this Thanksgiving, let's share the gamut of His stories from small to large, in celebration of His fingerprints upon us. Like the widow's mite, we should also understand that the smallest, given with fullness of heart and faith, stand head and shoulders above the acts that have even a twinge of self serving. May our hearts pour out with thankfulness to our God this season.

Moments of Fame, Monuments of Faith

Having completed the project for my mother-in-law successfully, and, making myself available to the other opportunities around me during that time(leading music in worship on Sundays for a month at the local church in Rogers City, engaging in rich conversations with many people), I found myself in two interesting, but similar positions as I left one place and returned back home. You see, as I left my mother-in-law's and Rogers City, she, and many of the people there told me that I would be sincerely missed, and while returning home, many friends spoke to me of deeply missing me for the month I was absent. Could I have, in both places, been building relationships in such a way that my presence with and absence from them for only a month, forged and had forged deep and considerable magnitudes of care into their lives, while for those at home, regularly rose within them a hole that I usually filled for them? As I walked through my days there and here, was I leaving God's fingerprints upon the lives of those I lived with and encountered? Is that why my presence will be and was, missed? How is it that my life could have such an impact in such a short time? Why is it that my presence was so greatly missed at home?

As I press towards my earthly demise,the permanent absence from this planet, I have come to realize that I have a choice, I can choose to leave my fingerprints upon the planet as I touch things and people around me, or leave His, you know, God's fingerprints upon their lives. I have found that if I choose to leave mine, the result is one of lackluster results and nondescript or minuscule accomplishments. However, if I manage to let God leave His fingerprints upon those I encounter, something much larger, more significant results from our presence (Jesus' and mine together). There is a key to making a difference and it isn't dependent upon money or any other gift into or out to others. It isn't based upon a pure heart of benevolence and good doing. It is dependent upon His work, His leading, His words, and in fact, His presence, pressing onto the lives of others. Sure, there are things for me to do, like building a car ramp up to the living level of my mother-in-law's home so she can move in and out of her home easily with her walker, or the daily stuff that needs accomplishing at home, but even these kinds of things must be moved ahead, in faith, led by Jesus. It is just that simple.

As I returned, a host of my friends told me that they rejoiced at my return for many reasons and that I was really missed. While it would be easy for me to become big headed and prideful about it all, I have come to realize that what they were saying and truly missed was the spirit of God that moves through me as I walk and do in obedience to Him. They missed 'our presence'. Not that it gets accomplished with high frequency, but it seems to be happening more and more as I give my life over to His leading more and more. Of course my wife missed me, as I did her, for she is a part of God's presence in my life and her absence left a huge God/Carrie size hole in my life! Sure, talking on the phone and via emails helped cross the time, but nothing takes the place of presence. I found myself missing them, the wonderful inputters and infusers of God's grace into my days apart from them, all the while in the presence of others pressing into me while away in Michigan.

You see, as we mature in Christ, there should be this God sized revelation that it isn't only our own doings that forge meaningful memories and life events into others, but our doings that are joined with God's doings, His leadings, His forging that accomplish powerful and eternally meaningful events into the lives of those around us. I have started asking the question of God, why shouldn't I have the same kind of impact as Paul or any of the disciples in the Bible? You see, they are still impacting our lives today! The widow and her minuscule offering speaks volumes of loving God (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4). Seemingly insignificant life events, transformed by the understanding and obedience of following our leader, knowing His heart.

Could it be that our nation stands as heathen, because we have offered so little as His followers? Have we, in doing what we think is God's will, offered to them tainted goodness? Do people who look at Christians really see a genuine heart that leaves a God sized impression upon their lives, or are we really no different that anybody else?

My desire is to be like the widow who gave everything she had to God monetarily, because she understood where it all came from and that more would be coming. Many gave more in the tills of offering that day, but they were not lauded. She not only gave the tenth, not only gave of her first fruits, she gave it all and Jesus recognized her faith! I desire my moments of fame to be monuments of faith, in such a way, that for eternity, God's glory will be recognizable and His presence, forged within me, will be missed when away, and appreciated when present. The fingerprints of faith, given me by God, once again, for eternity, will remain indelible.

In Fact, in Faith and in Fellowship

My journeys have brought me here, to Rogers City Michigan, home of my beloved mother-in-law and the shrinking town where my beloved spent her years learning and growing into the glorious young woman of God back then, before I knew her. Our footprints have been and are being pressed forward by the fingerprints of our Lord, for those of us who choose to use the dust of the journey to strategically brush and reveal His fingerprints upon us. This blog is my attempt to 'lift' His fingerprints and expose them to anyone who would choose to read and then discover His fingerprints upon their own life.

Joining the millions of unemployed in our nation, for the past months I find that employment would only get in the way of the current opportunities and places to be Jesus where He leads. My days are filled with things to do, people to engage, listening, really learning to listen, and finding the balance between waiting and doing. A pastor (and accountability partner in faith) here has stated to me, some look at unemployment as a loss while others see it as an opportunity. I am in the second lot.

There has been a call upon my life to be intimate, nimble, authentic and effective for Jesus long before this time of worldly unemployment. I choose to look at this time not as being unemployed, but being redeployed fully for Christ. Did not God promise to care for us (Matthew 6 and a host of other places)? Do I really believe that I am His in my job and while I am at work? Then should it not be that as I continue to seek Him in this time that He would continue to 'employ me' in His work at His will, with His continued call?

You see, I am still employed by Christ as long as He gives me breath. I do not get my fulfillment from my 'job' or 'career path', but rather from Christ alone. If I truly trust Him, do I truly trust Him in this time of 'need'? Does my life fully and realistically reflect this trust? Are others, including strangers hearing my complaints, struggles and bad attitude? Or are they hearing and seeing that in fact, in faith and in fellowship that my life continues on as it has, being as Paul put it, content in abundance, and in want?

Phil 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Many have told me that my 'comfort' comes from having a wife gainfully employed, and yes, that is partly true. I do not take His hand of blessing lightly, but it is my hope and belief that even should He take her and all I 'own' away, my faith would still remain undaunted. No one would wish such a thing upon anyone, nor do I wish to actually face such challenge, but if called to do so, should not He be sufficient? Only time will tell what He will ask of me or my loving partner in life, but many times I have been required and found God to be faithful!

This long separation from my wife (I came here to work on my mother-in-law's home to help her maneuver in and out without having to negotiate steps to the living level of her home as she is relegated to using a walker) has been set apart by the leading of my God, and I can see and feel His hand of pleasure upon me as I do so. While many praise me for such an endeavor, my response and full belief is that I am only doing what God has asked of me in this time. He will care for me, lead me and continue to guide my work as I live in each day as His servant for His glory, for His kingdom. Sure, it isn't without struggle. It isn't without the unknown. It isn't without heartache. But it is with Him. It is with His leading. It is in response to His call.

His fingerprints continue to press upon my life today and will do so for eternity! How freeing it will fully be, when one day, I will be relieved of this earthly struggle and angst, to revel in the fullness of His presence, His glory rising as easily as I take each breath here, for to live and breathe, is to serve at the table of our Master, Jesus, here, and in His completed, holy, heavenly dwelling.

Deeply Devoted Disciples

For years a pastor friend of mine and I have shared similar spiritual musings in parallel places, unbeknown to each other, he in Michigan (currently) I in California. Stephen has tried to entice me to ministry with him, but God has not seen fit to allow, yet in our current state, the opportunity seems to be moving such that we can minister together in separate places.

Something is afoot. The fingerprints of God touching, leaving His impression on listening hearts, as always, in similar veins within His deeply devoted disciples. What is Jesus doing now? Always asking this question, it seems that as I look around, I can see that His fingerprints confirm what is in my heart, His stirrings, the similar movement of His people everywhere I look; the movement to make disciples. If this is not evidence of Himself, then surely there must be some strange 'harmony' of deeply devoted, immersed leaders as followers in the church, my pastor, Brian, my friend and another pastor, Stephen, and others I engage as leaders in God's movement. I carefully chose not the word 'church', because it, like so many other forms of religion is too encumbered with baggage.

It is a movement. A calling. The essence of our 'job' here on earth. Jesus did and told us to 'go and make disciples'. Not of ourselves, disciples of Him.

You see, my pastor (Brian)at home, has been touting the lack of discipleship in the church, and pressing us via the spirit, his sermons, and leading, to engage in the deep accountability of our members for quite some time now, and I find it interesting that in the small church, and in the heart of my friend's small church, Stephen is wrestling with this as well. However, in his church, he finds his hands being tied by the people and all the 'church baggage' that they bring every week.

We are people. Prideful. Arrogant. We want our way. In fact we even want God our way. He sits in heaven humored by our meager attempts at being Him and conjuring up our 'take' on Him while saddened by where it leads us; away from His love, His blessing, His glorious desires for His people. He is not interested in our perception of He and His leading; He is God. He is not interested in catering to us, giving in to our bane requests, or empty hearts, He is God. He will respond to the request of genuine hearts, seeking hearts and transforming hearts, He is God. He sees clearly and purely into each heart, unwrapping the complexities of our motives and desires, knowing at our deepest level, if our hearts are genuine, He is God!

For those who choose to listen and do, quietly, gracefully, honorably, powerfully, He moves in the hearts of His people. It is a movement that will warm the weary while winding up the wrath of the arrogant. Interestingly, never before in our nation has there been a time where most have seen 'church' but not seen God. The God they have seen is a contortion of those who claim to be His followers, Phariseeical in word and deed, respected by others who have bought their form of leadership, and most want no part. Like the leaders of the synagogue the Pharisees) at the time, Jesus took them on and they rose to stir the people to confirm and require His death; Jesus himself winding up the wrath of the arrogant.

One true test of a diligent follower of Christ is the lack of such arrogance, or, when it wields its ugly head, the beating down of such acts and brokenness before their Master. I have seen such in others, and desire such in my life. The life of the apostle Paul was lived as one such person, bold for his leader, humble in service. Paul was one such deeply devoted disciple, in discipline, service, calling and life. Most of us make the excuse that we are nor never will be a Paul. Is it time to release the excuses and press toward being more like a Paul every day? In the words of D.L. Moody, why can't I be 'that man'? Or at least more like him?

Ailed Allegiance, Oiled Allegiance

Two realities put their fingerprints on me, the physical reality and the spiritual reality. The physical, earthly reality press relentlessly, assaulting my senses, vying for my allegiance with belligerence or cunning, and if I succumb, I have an ailed allegiance. Yes, in hostility, the world wages war to wrap my wishes in the here and now. Cunningly the world entices my desires promising present soothing, a self-serving semblance of security. All the while, the less visible yet more extant spiritual reality is overwhelmed by our senses and the apparent need of the immediate.

This battle between apparent physical reality and spiritual reality appears more visibly leveraged on the physical side of the balance as our eyes, ears, tastes and touches tie us with force to the world around us. The spiritual reality requires a diligent searching and exploration beyond what our senses seem to tell us. Not that our senses will not confirm the spiritual, but the physical frequently overwhelms the spiritual. Yet it is this spiritual, Godly allegiance that brings the oil into our lives; The oil that reduces the friction of ills rubbing against us to wear us down bringing us to ruin.

Just as in life, the immediate, the apparently more necessary task of the physical now, can do much to derail us from the deeper character of a well disciplined, relatively focused overall life. It should be that as we mature, we discover that, while there are many noble ventures, if we were to attempt to accomplish them all, we would in fact accomplish very little with any form of depth. Life would be shallow, scattered and mostly insignificant.

A life life lived most successfully is one uncovering our call, while setting in motion plans, distinct plans toward the continuation of the deepening of the call or purpose within our existence. None of us dream of having come to the end of our lives, disappearing off the planet with little impact or worldly benefit as the result of our toil. We all want our lives to count for something significant.

A squandered life is a sad one. Most of us would even go so far as to say a self serving, self centered life is a sad one, right? If nothing is more irritating than a life consumed and lived only for the satisfaction of itself, would a life lived in complete opposite have the complete opposite effect? Well, honestly, no. We would then live the derailed life of a scattered one, living and serving every need that comes our way, without a filter because another may be better suited to solve their problem. When someone comes to you with a legal issue, should you go as far as to represent them in court? Probably not if you aren't a lawyer. But will you tell them of a good lawyer you know? (and yes, there are many 'good' lawyers).

A balanced life is a life lived with greater content even in the face of disappointment and trials. The balance is found in the understanding of vacillating priorities that come our way. Sometimes I do need to take care of myself, other times I do need to take care of others. The most profound discovery in my life, has been that sometimes I need to let others take care of me. All this, part of the appropriate, correct balance of life.

There are two reasons why this balance does not occur. Our pride, and the fact that others are not looking hard enough into our life to see our need and make the sacrifice to help us, forcing us to either take care of the issue ourselves, or ask for help (but the second won't happen if we are steeped in pride). Honestly, most of us would point our finger at other's failure to meet our needs rather than point the finger at ourselves but when we do, we need to honestly ask the question:

What am I doing to sacrifice and meet the needs of others?

A life continually lived in defense, or with a belief of completely and fully doing so, is most likely living in a self-deceived state, as this question cannot be answered quickly.

So how does a life find balance? How does a life find their needs met? And the question of the century; How is what is happening now in civilization working for us?

Having now been unemployed for three months, I find my life wrestling with many questions. The foremost one being who am I? Followed by what am I to do? My career over the last 11 years has been led through change in such that I have insignificant tenure in any school district to remain employed, and even though many in the districts and schools I taught at would confirm my gift and abilities as top notch, I find myself unable to get a job, competing against many younger and more energetic potential candidates with the door to my career path seemingly closing. It is a potentially disturbing situation I live with.

I need help and ask for it. I pour myself into the expressive side of me (these blogs and other ways) with no result of income or ways and means for such. My wife and I have tightened our belts (thank God she has a fantastic job that pays well) and I press on, seeking balance, seeking truth, seeking my calling, seeking...God.

I find myself asking for His wisdom in this day, His call for my life, His desire to shape me into a man with His significance, His heart, His grace, His order forging discipline and care into my life. I have other friends in my same predicament with even more dire challenges, and I have many times been there too. I have been amazed at how often I settled for less and was severely disappointed. I also stand fully aware that I too have contributed to the disappointment of others, and the plethora of times I could have sacrificed just a bit more to make a huge difference in another's situation of life.

Rather than beat myself for these moments of coming up short, I choose now to rise and do, to listen and hear, to move and walk in a manner worthy of my God Himself. It is much larger than I can take credit for, requires more power and skill than I could ever dream of. I am tired of being a poor representative of Jesus Christ, and though I will fail, He will prevail through them. He has taken many of my poor choices and raised them to a level I cannot take credit for, but sincerely appreciate. It is not my decision and personal wisdom that I am touting, but the glories of God adding oil to my allegiance, to the friction of my life.

Our nation was built on balance. Our nation was built because we trusted in God. Don't believe me? Look on every piece of your money...oh that's right, we don't often use cash, so we don't often have such to look at, and even if we do, we overlook the 'truth' stated on each coin and bill. So how are things working for you? Has our nation, moving away from this belief solved and provided everything you need and desire as an American? Is it not time to stop looking for man's solution and wisdom to solve our national issues?

In my current state of employment, yes I continue to remain 'employed' by my God to be and do, and every day is filled with His call, His leading. I believe my life can be lived out in significance, and that won't happen with me planting my hind end on the couch watching blathering, insignificant media pouring fantasy in the name of reality into my life. It is time for a new venture, a new direction, a new place to be and go. Where? I will follow and listen to Him for today. I believe He is unfolding His call bit by bit, and that is enough for me.

Is it enough for you? Are you feeling what I feel? Are you growing weary of your daily experience? Are you looking for a 'savior'? I know one I can trust. He isn't and hasn't let me or any of my brothers and sisters down yet. He owns and designed the physical world as the spiritual one existed before the physical. It is time to put the 'worlds' in their right order. It is time to set the priorities straight. It is time to rise above that which we can see only with our eyes to see beyond the physical to God's revelation, God's leading, God's purpose for all of us.

The questions remain. Is our allegiance ailed? Or, do we find our allegiance oiled? Friction is a scientific fact or property of movement. As I look at many of my friend's lives, some seem relatively unaffected by worldly friction, while others seem to be ground on hard, life wearing and tearing their lives apart. Is it time to restore our allegiance to the only one who has proven to provide in the past, and present?

I can't explain it, but I have tried God and found His hope, His provision, His guidance, His wisdom, far greater than any I have found in the world. How about you?

How is This Heavenly? How This, is Heavenly.

If anyone promised you or I that trusting in Christ would bring us a life without toil or trouble, they are walking in an disillusioned 'bubble'. For if not yet, surely toil and trouble will strike them, shaking them to their utter core. To be honest, I too wrestle with the fact that God leaves His Fingerprints on us by allowing difficulty and struggle, and some of us get to do more of that than others which doesn't seem 'fair'. How...is this...heavenly?

I have grown weary of a world whose major premise seems to be that equality of everything will make life...'fair'. Yes, we are created equally human, and have the rights to live and do as we believe, as far as those rights do not remove the rights of individuals to live as they believe. This is why I do not impose my beliefs upon others, feel that legislating beliefs is the answer, or engage in confronting wrong thinking and compelling others to abandon such as my 'cause'. Yet,this is why I do not have the right to take your life, unless you threaten to take mine or the life of those I love. And this too, is why you do not have the right to take my freedom to believe and do, allowing other beliefs to be flaunted in front of me, while squelching my right to humbly 'share' my truth. Many speak of 'tolerance' but only as far as it fits their belief. Many speak of equality, but only as their idea find equal ground as other beliefs or values.

So, in fact, is equality really something that should be grasped? Will equality bring heavenly utopia to our world? It seems we may never know, for complete equality will never be!

Imagine a world where everyone received the same pay for what they did for a living. Where everyone lived in equal estates with equal amounts of toys, and all covered with equal amounts of health care. Isn't this kind of thinking absurd? For those of us who believe in heaven after this life, we know that equality does not exist even there! But satisfaction and absolute unity and peace does exist there, of this we are confident! We will be satisfied, fully satisfied that we are present and together doing as we are supposed to do and be!

God's impression upon our earthly existence is therefore not one of equality, but divine provision and care through every single ordeal and blessing He provides for the good transformation of our unique and individual souls. I have seen the tragedy He brought me through bring comfort to others who face the same types of tragedy years later, in their 'now'. I have seen His hope, His sustenance in the face of incredibly impossible odds rise up in my life and the testimony of His work, provide a rope for others to hold onto while they are hanging above the pit of despair. Others have been my rope in such times of encroaching disaster, of whom I am always eternally thankful for their persistent presence in my life!

I find myself no longer asking the question "Why?", but rather spending better time asking the questions "What? Where? and How?". What do You want me to do? Where do You want me to go? And How do You want me to live and walk as an encourager with them in their time of need? Later, as I have found looking back on the lives of those who asked these questions and followed through in my life, my response to be...How this, is heavenly!!!!

Incredibly Indelible

Fingerprints fade; Usually. Just like the surface of weathering rocks, the etching of time and erosive forces remove them. But, unlike rocks, lives are shaped by the weathering of the soul and unlike rocks, weathering of the soul adds character rather than removes it. Surely, weathering uncovers what lies within a rock, but never does it add character, just reveals what already exists.

I have, however, found the remains of incredibly indelible Fingerprints upon my life. Fingerprints that do not fade, but press into and add character, God's character to this wayward soul. As He presses and touches my life, there rises within a new character, a boldness I have come to adore. I turn to read His writings and they are like the magic powder that reveals the image of these, His Fingerprints upon my life. The more I read, and the more I carefully observe the Fingerprints of my Master upon my soul, the more apparent becomes the calling and direction of my soul.

Some wonder why I do not grow weary of walking in the presence of war torn warriors of life. Those who mourn, those who have lost a loved one, those who have lost their marriages, those who have lost their jobs, these are the war torn warriors of whom I speak. I too am one such warrior of life, having lost my job, now 'aimlessly' writing and thinking, doing and listening. Yet I do not grow weary and I have not grown bored. Something has changed in my life. I am a long way from the man I started as when I was a scant 18 years old. It is as if my life has become transformed with the incredibly indelible Fingerprints of God.

Mind you, I do not speak boldly of attaining some perfection, or absolute purity, but I am moving in such appropriate direction with even my wife confirming this fact. Friends are encouraged with Fingerprints God places on their souls through this transformed heart. Many are perplexed at the peace that seems to rule my Fingerprinted soul. I have tasted and brushed death. I have sailed through numerous storms in life, and I have seen the provision of God through each trial. I have been blessed with 28 years of marriage to a gracious lady and best friend in life, and it hasn't been all smooth sailing, but we have persisted to this current harbor of rest together. I have been present at each of my children's births, participating in their raising, and have celebrated many joyous events. All these, both pleasurable and endearing, painful and pervasive leaving Fingerprints, each developing within me character, God's character.

His character is incredibly indelible. His holy, righteousness? Incredibly indelible. His power and majesty? Incredibly indelible. And His Fingerprints upon my soul? Incredibly indelible!

Whose fingerprints can be found on your life? Whose character, integrity and form does your life represent? When you exit this place, this terrestrial ball, who will be there to celebrate the fingerprints you have left in their lives?

Fingerprints press on each of us in significant events. Some are drenched in delight and splendor, others steeped in misery and angst. In between stretch the restful, fluid flows; the meanderings and majority of the living of life. Even here, The Fingerprints press onto our lives, only with far reduced force, a gentle firmness.

I believe in an incredibly indelible presence, persistence and power. He is more than all that, He is, God. He leaves incredibly indelible fingerprints upon our lives and He shows them to me with great regularity. Dust your life for His Fingerprints and you will see glory. Not our own, but his incredibly indelible glory!

Touched and Touching

As I start this new blog, I find myself, my life, touched by God's mercy through the loss of a dear friend's father, Bob. Life is all to brief. Looking back and my passing (a short while ago) of my half century of life, it becomes all too evident that even under the best of circumstances, this life of mine has past it's half way mark, with my demise, earthly as remains currently, rapidly approaching.

In some ways, Bob's life is similar to mine, both of us share a common name and participate in making music with saxophones, his, more complete and actually professionally recorded, mine a passion and dream that maybe one day may find such, but with his passing I am reminded with a hard slap in the face that it is time to make sure I'm fully awake and fully pressing on to speak of that which is fully, life.

You see, we are all touched and touching lives. Lives around us are touched and touching us, and for many of us, God is touched and touching our lives as we press into the lives of others around us. God touched by our lives? Yes, it seems like an impossibility that such 'insignificant' creatures such as you and I can have a impact of a righteous, holy and perfect God, but, as evidenced by Jesus Christ praising and celebrating the life of a widow who in kingdom currency gave more that others who gave, by the world's value much more, it can be accomplished!

It is now time, as a church, to be touched and start touching the lives of others as a response of love and communication with God. We must listen, let Him leave His impression upon our lives, and then live as the magic powder that exposes His fingerprints upon you and me to others who need to see them. His fingerprints build character, integrity and honor in such a way that others may not see directly, but experience in power and healing. Are you ready to let God's fingerprints touch your life so you can touch others with Him? It is time to 'let' God leave His impression, the full and true impression of who He is and what He calls us to do.

I have been touched by Him and He is touching my life as a response to Him. So as one touched and touching others, if we all do the same the world would be transformed towards the glorification of Christ, leaving His fingerprints everywhere we go. Are you ready to be touched and continue touching the lives of others? We have been touched. Its time to start touching others in, not religion, but the power and fullness of Jesus Christ.