Don't Worry Ive Got it from here.

     I love this verse.Its found in Exodus 14:14 in the middle of a great story you need to read It doesnt get any clearer than this. Chill, Ill deal. I was talking to our worship pastor here about this verse a while back and he asked me what does that mean to me. Crazy to ask as its very clear what it means really. I need to remain calm in everything going on right now. God will take care of it. It's like when I have reached the bottom and have nothing literally nothing left to give, God's at full force taking care of everything. As if He's saying "Don't worry, Ive got it from here." He always shows up in better ways at the most needed times.

     Then just a couple days ago I ran across Psalm 131. If there was any perfect way to respond to God in times like these. This is what He wants of us. I cant do anything close like God does it and want to stand out of his way, even when it seems I want full control. I am working on being peaceful. Sometimes As the saying goes, sometimes God stills the storm, other times he stills our hearts. I am trying to be patient and wait as he does His thing. Whatever it is. Psalm 131 says...  

God, I’m not trying to rule the roost,I don’t want to be king of the mountain.
I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans.
I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content.
I wait for God. Wait with hope.

God's Not A Genie.

   I was getting ready today and while putting in a contact dropped it in a sink full of soap bubbles that hadnt drained yet. I said God pleases help me here I dont want my day to start like this and have places to be. I reached my hand in and pulled out. My contact in my hand. No joke. I drove to downtown Flag in a hurry and prayed God please help me find a place to park really close so I can not be late. Only one open spot was available. Right by the door. Two for two. I like that.

   Later in the day I thought Id try again.... I asked this time for some help over more important things, life situations that really matter........

Two times evidently was my max for the day.

I was really hoping for that third "granted request".  But afterall Gods not a Genie. He's God.  Seriously tho, He answers how he sees best for the better of us and not just to answer. His blessings come in many different ways and more than 3's.   Reaslistically if you stop to take a look at all the requests weve asked even in just a years time I bet you'd be suprised at the amount of good responses you've gotten. The good ones however...the big requests that really matter, take a little longer it seems. For many reasons we don't or wont, cant or maybe even shouldnt know. Even tho Ill be honest thats not what I want to hear. I literally hate that. That thought alone actually drives me nuts.

For whatever reason tho it has to be worth the wait. Its more than obscene to think otherwise. I keep telling myself to remember  that God is ultimately in control in all circumstances even when it doesnt seem like in any way shape or form. To be honest a lot of the times that seems pretty often to me. But I, like you, am learning.

Never Stop Praying (A message from a Humming Bird)

     Many times a week when I'm on my treadmill at home Ill look out the window over my deck and see a humingbird buzz around the bird feeder.  The weird thing is first of all the bird feeder is empty and second its not even a Humming bird feeder! My question is why does it keep coming back? Or even why does it come in the first place. Its been empty literally for the whole short time Ive lived there (mainly because Ive been too lazy to just go out there and fill it.)   Ive been waiting to hear a small peck on the window and a dirty look from this bird pearing in at me until I feel guilty enough to refill it.  But regardless it shows up continually checking it out. Never stopping and always returning even when its still empty. So while I was thinking about this unique daily scenario, for some reason the words never stop keep coming to mind.

     Never stop is a reminder I keep telling myself everyday in the middle of my life circumstance.  Never stop pursuing God, never stop hoping, never stop making the most of everyday, never stop praying. I find some prayers Ive prayed to be just like that birdfeeder.  Empty. Never answered. Just there.  I lift them up and keep coming back to them but no answer. No results. But ironically I know that is no excuse to stop praying.  I have learned many times over many years that even tho my prayers sometimes can be lifted up and get no response, to stop praying is not really an option. ( I wrote more thoughts about this in my book called book Sinking Deeper). God will eventually answer and do His thing. Unlike me, he's not too lazy to "refill the feeder" or answer us when we continue returning back to Him.

I love the worship song "Not For A Moment". It helps to better understand that God is constant and never fails us. Its a pretty amazing lyric that is fairly new but something everyone needs to hear and remember especially when you feel you want to quit.  Never Stop Praying. Not for a moment does He stop listening.
He is always wanting to hear from us all the time.

No matter whether empty or full  this bird is going to keep coming back. So the thought I've concluded from everything on my mind and this little buzzing reminder is...............
We might not like it when we are ignored but neither does God. Neither do Hummingbirds.
So never Stop praying and always fill your bird feeder.

Son

About four years ago my sons wrote a song called "sunset". Corey and I redid it a bit and recorded it for my newest cd. I changed it up again here just as a simple message to my boys Corey and Ethan. Check it out Son (sunset Song Remake) by kevinearnst on SoundCloud

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Sign Me Up

     I have to be honest, theres been a lot of very unncessary life circumstances and junk Ive been sorting through personally for quite some time. Its pretty incredible and insane. Im always amazed at all the ignorance and belligerance that goes along with it and how crazy things can get when the real focus is lost. But through it I always continue to search and wait on God which is a very hard thing to do. No matter how long you have tried doing it. I dont think I dont think I ever signed up for this kind of torment and grief and am often wondering where all this is headed.

I as anyone else, have days when Im pretty much done with all the craziness and want to hand it over to someone else.  I was told the other day by a friend of mine that they wanted to read me something I needed to hear. Being totally open to any encouragement at the time they read from a book the paragraphs below......
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The bottom line is you have to let go of everything that might hinder you from going deeper into the abyss of the ocean that leads into the awesome of God’s love. We have cried out to God. He has heard. Now we have to wait and trust. It’s the final stage. The final moment where we finally admit out loud


“I can’t do this anymore. Take all of me.”

“What was that?” He asks

“That’s right God I have faith and trust in you to take all of me and do your thing. I’m done being in control and trying to figure it out on my own. I want to sink deep into your ultimate will for my life.”

Once you come to this point I can see that smile that breaks out across the face of God as He begins to prepare us for the next step. When we finally recognize God in all His faithfulness we are just beginning to see the phenomenal things he will be able to do from here on out with our lives. He’s shaping you into his perfect plan. God’s faithfulness has extended from the very beginning of creation to this very second you are reading this sentence and He has no reason to stop now. His goal is to develop a similar strong and long-lasting faith in us even if it takes longer then we ever had planned.

Have faith in God. When God seems far away, have faith in God. When you are feeling trapped, have faith in God. When I can’t take anymore and feel like I’m going to go ballistic, have faith in God. Personally I don’t like being stretched past my limits but if it brings me closer to God and deeper into his love then I am all for it. Sign me up. Stretch me and pull me until I’m so out of shape that I’m not even recognizable anymore. Stretch me into something new.
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I was blown away and all of the sudden some things started to make sense. Im working through being totally sold on the fact that God will take care of every situation how He wants it. Even if presently seems far from fair or realistic. In the end He's got a bigger plan that if we believe in and wait for will be pretty amazing. I also was blown away by the fact that the words read in these paragraphs, my friend reminded me, were from a book that I actually wrote!!  "Sinking Deeper". Words I felt strongly about not many years ago. I had no clue I'd be in this kind of place when I wrote them. I had no clue when I said SIGN ME UP! that I was probably saying literally .... sign me up! and here I am.

I dont like being stretched past my limits but if it brings me closer to God........

What was I thinking?

Really tho.

At least I was reminded what I need to continue doing. This is an opportunity as Ive known all along to grow really really really close to God.... and I need to soak up every minute and trust that in the end He's gonna set the matter straight and make things right.

Even if I dont like presently all thats going on.

So I say a bit reluctantly because Im still learning but I need to say it......

Im still signed up so.......Bring It on.

pics on the bike ride

I always love the views when out bike riding. Always lots of beautiful changes , random views and cool sites along the way. Thought I'd post a few.

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Expectation Realization

     Lately in my job Ive been talking with many people about expectations. Why we have them, what they are for, realistic ones and unrealistic ones, etc. In many of the conversations it comes to expecations they have of others or for themselves and how they struggle with that daily. Its interesting at the same time in my personal life how Ive found actually that many good expectations Ive had people I know including close friends, and Christians evidently have been set too high. Ive found that what Ive expected of them or thought should be expected of them was not the case..
      Dont get me wrong Im not saying Ive perfectly met peoples expectations of me. I can say that there are several times when I didnt meet others expectations for me or Ive even had for myself.  I however know our ultimate goal as Christians is to be more like Christ. In that light we all should have high expectations to reach that goals and expect that of others. Rudness, disrespect, selfish gain, falsely accusing , critical remarks, negativity, pride and ignorance  are not good characteristics  you would expect from others. Especially Christians. Neither is the unwillingness to reach out even in awkward situations and take the time to talk to someone you might not want to for the sake of reaching out, prayer or gaining a new perspective of their personal story. Im sad to say I may have been there too but know others who are in that place now.
 
I am thankful for those people in my life who meet expectations and go above and beyon daily. For those people in my life I thank you. You are a blessing.

I love this verse in Matthew 5 from the Beatitudes in the sermon on the mount...

"You are blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. Thats when you discover who you really are and your place in Gods family."

That says it all. We are expected by God in all circumstances to always look for the most Godly way to handle things and be peacemakers. That is pretty simple. We are also asked to love those who continually look for ways to harm us. That part is not so easy but that is something Im doing and have set as an expectation of myself.

Expect something new in your life, try setting some higher expectations of yourself.