Growin' Up Gregory

I saw a quote earlier this month that said "I used to think that being a child at Christmas was the best thing ever.  Now I know it's having children at Christmas."  Brittnee and I are just now starting to get to see Thomas's excitement at Christmas time.  He loves looking at, and playing with, the tree even though that's a "no-no".  He has learned this year that Santa Clause says "ho ho ho" which is fun to hear him say as well.  As Christians, we know the true meaning of Christmas and I hope that we are all taking time during this season to reflect on the gift God gave us in Jesus.  But there is something special about seeing our children and loved ones open presents with such excitement and awe on Christmas morning.  Fortunately for us, our gifts aren't limited to just that one day of the year, we have been given gifts that last a lifetime in Christ.  So let's see what God left for us under the Christmas tree in Romans 5:1-11. The f...

During his time on earth, Jesus spent much time developing the faith of his disciples.  He did this so they would be prepared for what he had called them to do.  Jesus would often use his teachings and the scripture but some of his instruction was done through demonstration.  These guys had a front row seat as He healed the sick, cast out demons, fed thousands, and calmed the sea.  Just like us, the disciples faith at times was small and weak, but Jesus never gave up on them.  He questioned them when they did not exhibit the faith they should but also complimented them when they showed strength.  They would be tasked with the same thing we are today, to go and make  disciples.  Without faith, they would have failed and so would we.  Strengthening our faith is essential to our Christian life.  There are two primary ways that we can strengthen our faith.  The first is studying scripture, the holy inspired Word of God, which tells us...

I was listening to a sermon the other night and heard a quote from the evangelist preaching saying "Circumstances are like a mattress, when you lie on top it's nice and comfy.  But if you lie underneath you'll suffocate."  How true a statement. "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to be abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:12-13 Paul knew how to deal with any circumstance he faced. He was able to get by with only enough food and clothing to survive.  He also knew how to handle have plenty while still being reliant on God.  Paul then penned one of the most quoted and inspiring verses in the Bible from prison of all places.  How are you facing your circumstances today?  Are you facing them with the strength of God and rising to the top of them or are you letting them cause y...

"This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10 God desires a personal relationship with us, but our sinfulness made that seem impossible. God is a just God and our sin debt had to be satisfied. The death of someone without sin was required as payment and throughout the course of history there was only one who qualified, Jesus. God acquired the most expensive Christmas present ever, the price tag on it was the death of his Son.      God has done what was needed for us to have a fellowship and relationship with Him.  If you haven't experienced that relationship do so during this Christmas season.  Realize that we have all sinned and that Jesus is the way to salvation with God the Father.  Receive the greatest gift ever for Christmas this year, God's un-ending, un-paralleled love.   #GiveGodGlory #Love #Faith

Dictionary.com has named "Identity" as its 2015 Word of the Year due to the stories of Jenner not knowing if it's a male or female, Miley Cyrus's sexual attraction, and Rachel Dolezal who was born white but considers herself black.  It is a sad day in our country and in our world when we find our identity in things such as these.  So let me try to place a biblical perspective on identity and address the issues that Dictionary.com feels define our identity. First up is Jenner and gender identity.  In Genesis 1:27, God's Word says "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."  First book, first chapter, the genders of mankind are laid out there for us.  God created men and women as equal partners in this world in his image.  It is by divine design that we are physically diverse and can multiply and reproduce.  Neither sex could reproduce without the other which demonstrates our interdependen...

How many of you have watched a football game on TV?  Isn't it awesome how when it's a competitive game we get all into it and start rooting for our favorite team, or for the underdog.  And then there's a bad play or blown call and we start screaming at the TV and maybe even throwing a remote control or whatever else is closest to us.  We get so excited when our team wins that we may even jump and down in the living room.  But how much more exciting when we are able to attend the game?  To be inside the stadium, to see the players, to hear the band and the roar of the crowd when a big play happens?  It's so much better to be there isn't it! That's the experience that we miss out on sometimes when we see a need and feel a call of God to help with something but we simply donate a few dollars instead of actually getting involved.  Now don't get me wrong, giving is good, and needed.  But just like watching the game on TV, being there a...

The next time someone cuts you off traffic, has an attitude, or just does you wrong for no good reason and you decide that you will give them what they deserve, or even take the "Christian" route and ask God to give them what they deserve so you don't have to get your hands dirty; think about this, what if God gave us what we deserve? "Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  As many as seven times?'  Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." - Matthew 18:21-22 "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment." - James 2:13 Life is not fair, people do not get what they deserve.  And I thank you for that.  Because without your grace and mercy I would be a sinner with no way of avoiding hell. Lord, thank you for your mercy.  It's so easy for us to be willing to receive it from you but yet ...