Life on Snow Hill

These days, anything can be a ‘god’ (Little g). A boat, a game, a gadget – whatever it may be that you find yourself unable to live without, whatever it is that takes up the majority of your time, or whatever it is that takes time away from the one true God.

I personally have several things that if I were to allow them, they could easily take first place in my life – the place God wants to be.  This is not to say that I have completely conquered those things that would become gods to me.  Far from it, in fact.

I find myself more and more having to be careful what I allow my mind to dwell on, or being careful about what I spend my time doing.  For example, I’m trying to get up earlier in the morning so that I can have more time to start my day off right in prayer and in reading the Bible.  But sleep is such a great feeling and I count sleep as a precious thing.  But that’s the problem with all of this – which is more precious to me?

This month has been a great month at our church – it is youth month, and the theme is “The Lord Jesus Christ, Our Souls’ Desire”.  You see, having the Lord first in our lives can go such a long way in having the rest of our lives line up with what they ought to be, according to God’s Word.  Having Him first in our lives means our priorities are more in line with what He wants for our lives.  Sports, activities and ‘things’ all have their place, but they must be after God.  If God doesn’t have first place in our lives, we will begin to lose sight of Him and begin to stray.  Other things will begin to take first place in our lives more and more, and God will soon be way down on the list.  We will become miserable.  We might have fun and be happy, but it’s only superficial.  Deep down, our joy will be gone.  That joy that only God can give will be nowhere to be found – until we get God back into first place in our lives.

One thing that has been stressed all month it seems is that we have to individually get alone with God in prayer, reading and meditation.  It’s easy to serve God while we’re at church, but a whole other thing to serve Him and seek Him when nobody else is around.  It is necessary, however, for us to be able to have a Spiritually fulfilling life.

It’s been said a few times this month that we can have all of God that we want.  I’ve heard it all my life, but lately it is becoming more real to me.  How much do I really want God?  Am I ok with just a little ‘dab’, or do I really want all of God that I can have?

It all goes back to who (or what) is in first place in my life.  If He isn’t in first place in my life, all the time, I’m ultimately going to go to church and put on a front.  I’ll be a different person outside of church – not necessarily a sinful person, but anyone would be able to look at me and tell that God wasn’t in first place.  On the other hand, if God is in first place in my life, all the time, first of all I’ll be the same everywhere you see me.  Second, you’ll be able to see something different in me.

I want that closer walk with God.  I want to do what it takes.  I want to spend time alone with God.  I want to meditate on His Word more.  What is my motivation, you ask?  I want Him to be my soul’s desire.  I want Him to be at the center of my life.

Our church hosted a Valentine’s Banquet this year for our teenagers.  As part of that banquet, the pastor, Becky and I put on a skit right at the beginning.  It’s “Rednecks’ First Date”.

It’s been forever since I’ve blogged about anything at all, and this topic is definitely blog-worthy, so here it is.

Since Becky and I have joined Fellowship Baptist Church, we’ve been encouraged, blessed and strengthened.  Leaving Open Bible was a hard, hard thing to do, but the Lord led us and we are so thankful.

Every February, Fellowship has a month that is dedicated to the youth.  The first Sunday of the month was Youth Sunday.  We had Youth Sundays at Open Bible, so I was already familiar with most of the format and how things would work with the youth taking over different areas of the service.  I’ve always found it refreshing to see young people eager and willing to serve in whatever capacity that they could.  All of them put their hearts into it.  Although some of them were pretty nervous, they were able to get past their nerves and press ahead.

I was privileged to kick off Youth Month by preaching both services of Youth Sunday.  Although I fully believe I followed the Lord in what He wanted me to do, I always feel inadequate.  I do hope that someone was helped, not necessarily because of me, but even in spite of me.

Yesterday we had the group, “Breaking Ground” with us for both services.  They are a bluegrass Gospel singing group, and 4 of the group are preachers – all of them preached for us yesterday.  They all gave great messages and were all an encouragement to me personally, and I believe they were to the entire church as well.  They’re a great group of young people (The oldest in the group is 25) whose hearts are directed toward the Lord and His work.

I’m looking forward to the rest of the month – the last week will be a Youth Revival that goes all week long.  I hope and pray that will get all of us fired up enough to last all year long!