Modify your behavior

Bible Thought: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." (Colossians 1:21-23, NIV)

Do all things without complaining or arguing. This is one of my favorite scriptures because it is completely non-interpretive. I try to change my behavior by following the scripture in my daily living. Do the dishes without grumbling. Talk to my children without arguing. Drive the car without complaining. Live with my spouse without arguing. Care for the sick without complaining. I then become aware of how much I need God.

When God asks me to modify my behavior, He also makes it possible. He does this in two ways. The first is by washing me with the blood of Jesus. The second is with the Holy Spirit living within me. As I am made clean with the blood of Jesus, I am forgiven when I fail to do everything without complaining. The Holy Spirit then reminds me that God’s love is not taken away when I do fail. I know I can then "continue in my faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel."

Father, Thank you for the forgiveness and hope we have in Jesus from you. In Jesus, Amen.

Bald Old Man: 48; Long haired high school graduate:18; Enjoying the day: Priceless

Old Man = Glen Aus Graduate= Jonathan Aus

To change

June 1st,2006 was the 11th anniversary of the death of our 4th son, Matthew. His death was due to complications from Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. On June 2nd, 2006, our oldest son, Jonathan graduated from high school.

Something's you don't think about until they happen to you, but you spend all your time creating a family when you are married and then after a few years, you spend your time letting it break up.

And you can talk about daughter-in-laws and grandkids, but there is a big difference between talk and the actual event.

I think that life is about change. A rut is just a grave site with the both ends kicked out.

Jesus has called us to change, to grow and become "mature and complete, lacking in nothing."

James 1

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

I challenge you to look at today not as a series of problems but as an opportunity to work toward becoming mature and complete. As we grow we can become a blessing to those around us.