My Jesus Has Dazzled Me

"My Jesus has dazzled me." These were words spoken by one of those baptized at Harvest Bible Chapel, West Olive this past Sunday. All 10 of the baptized gave great testimony of the magnificent work of the Gospel in their lives. I loved it...and my Jesus dazzled me through their stories.

How has Jesus dazzled you? Have you seen it? Maybe there is a bigger question for you to answer...do you CARE to be dazzled by Jesus or are you doing just fine dazzling yourself? Well I, no the Lord, has a Word for you. And it is Psalm 104. Take a moment and read this EPIC Psalm and be dazzled by the greatness of our God!

Way to go Metaphor!

Metaphor, the young adult ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel, West Olive, deserves a really big "WAY TO GO METAPHOR!" The group just finished working through the book Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, and the challenge was put before them to step outside of themselves and give generously...and the giving would go toward blessing families in need during this Christmas holiday. What did they do? They gave!...And they gave!...And they gave! I am ashamed to say that with a group of 25 I expected that we might get $200.00. After all, they are either college students or very early in their careers. To my great surprise and joy, they dug deep into their pockets, gave up on the half off appetizers, and raised well over $900.00! I am blessed to be a part of your ministry, Metaphor. I pray that God's blessing would shower upon you this Christmas! "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."

Things To Marvel At

Things I marvel at. Let me share just one. The coastal redwood tree, also known as the Stratosphere Giant, is the mother of all woodland mind bogglers. Consider these facts. The tallest recorded redwood exceeds 379 feet. That's...really tall! The oldest to be recorded is more than 2,200 years old (22 centuries!). That's...really old! It would be silly to ask if Jesus took the chance to swing by and visit this tree. After all, He planted it! Get this. A redwood seed, which rarely germinates, is smaller than a tomato seed. That's...really small! So, to go from...really small to...really tall, and to grow to be...really old gives much reason to marvel. Not done. The redwood has proven to be the most resilient tree to exist. It is impervious to harmful diseases and insects. Mostly due to the thickness of its bark. The average thickness of the protective layer of bark that covers a redwood is 1ft. That's...really thick! And with skin that thick, even fire has proven to be no match for these ancient giants! If only I had skin that thick. Again, I marvel. But marvel at what, the tree? I think not. For the tree is no more than an expression of the Creator's might and majesty and glory and strength and power and...the list goes on. When I marvel at such a creation, two things happen: the Creator God gets...really big and I get...really small!

Oh Glorious Paradise!

The Moana Surfrider. She is called the "Queen of Waikiki." And she holds a very special place in my heart...and Wendy's. It was on the Surfrider's Banyan Court, pictured to the left, where Wendy and I shared our first dinner together as husband and wife. The moment was perfect. Romance was in abundance. I can still see my beautiful bride. She was the Surfrider's crown jewel that evening. Stunning. Captivating. Intoxicating. I was in all of my glory...and it had nothing to do with me! Thank you Jesus for my wife.