<sup>Hebrews Chapter 10 Challenged me today...

19</sup> And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. ²⁰ By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. ²¹ And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, ²² let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Dedication

I am am challenged by dedication today. I tend to be a pretty "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of guy. I do think that I am missing out a lot on some of the things that come with patience and perseverance. I have a parental unit that has modeled and exhibited a dedication that I wih came through genetics, but rather has come through steady living and passionate pursuit of God's plan. The picture shown on this blog was what God me thinking about how much I value the character and attributes found in my parents. The poser was off for over a week in Arkansas, my dad made sure and found time for reading the word of God. I am looking forward to (I hope) beginning some of these same traits in my life.

The Wonder of Nquill

I am a huge fan of Nyquill, the main reason is that it works for me. Yesterday, I was a mess. I was miserable and slept most of the day. I was still feeling miserable last night so I went to "old reliable"-Nyquill. I woke up this morning feeling great. Nyquill is great stuff, you can take it fall asleep and wake up feeling completely different.

Nyquil is something that you don't want to drink when things are going well- you take it when you are desperate for sime relief and desire for the things that are putting your body in submission to be gone.

I begin to realize that I treat Prayer the same as Nyquill. When things get out of my control and desperate I seem to find it easy to pray. When things are moving along smoothly I might say a quick hello, or give thanks for a meal- but if I am honest I really don't spend a good amount of time in prayer.

The thing is that prayer is nothing like Nyquill. It is more like the Air. We absolutly need it to function, and take it for granted most of the time.

So today I am saying thank you to Nyquill, and hopefully spending some time (out of Love not Guilt) to ackowledge the most importatnt relationship in my life.

Band getting ready to tear it up tonight

Jerrod, Joel and Arnold

NEW WEEK

Looking forward to a new week. I actually enjoys Mondays, its almost like a fresh clean start.

I got the opportunity to go spend some time with a person who I consider a mentor. A person who's opinion and advice I have a great deal of respect for. I always feel refreshed when I get to see him and am encouraged by the wisdom he breathes into my life.

I would challenge everyone to strive to include a person in their life who will tell you the truth even when it hurts, who cheers for you, and rejoices in your victories but won't let you get a big head when you do well.

The thing that makes this mentor so influential in my life is his passion for God, His Word, and Truth. I am challenged to be a better Husband, Father, Son, Pastor and Friend when I am around him.

Have a great week and may God out people in your life to sharpen you and make you stronger.