firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. Our attention is one of the most valuable things we posses. Everything in the world is vying for it. What is worthy of our attention? What deserves it? Who deserves it? Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of life and faith, who joyfully went to His death on the cross for your behalf and now is seated victoriously at the right hand of God the Father. #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. There is usually a chasm between who we are and who we want to be. The problem is a result of focusing on a picture or dream of what a perfected version of ourself looks like. Subsequently, frustration and depression set in when we fail to achieve this perfected version of ourself through all the prescribed fixes being marketed to us. Consider Christ Jesus and His plan for transformation. Consider the freedom that comes through submission and obedience to God. Consider the God who is desiring to shape you and mold you to become the image and likeness of His son Jesus. Maybe it is here where we find ourself arriving at the person we have always longed to be. Transformed and set free. #firstlightseries (at Ecola State Park)

[firstlightseries]

First light. Go surf! Amen. #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. I have found self help and self fulfillment are never permanent or long term fixes. When my desire is change and healing, it is foolish to look to the very thing that is broken for the fix. My fixes are shortsighted. For example if I am overweight, my fix is to exercise or eat healthy until I am skinny again. The real answer comes from why food became something I abuse in the first place. In answering this questioning it becomes clear my help must come from something external. We are designed to be helped, we are designed to be fixed, and we are designed to be saved...but we are not designed to be the savior. Consider the one who is. Christ Jesus. #firstlightseries #filmisnotdead #utah

[firstlightseries]

First light. Peace is a word that taunts people. It's allure drives people to insanity as they pursue it. The problem with peace is that everyone is looking for it externally instead of internally. Peace won't happen in our workplace, families, neighborhoods, communities or the Middle East until it's accomplished internally and personally. Now the question that needs answering is what is the source of internal peace and is it sustainable? I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. -Jesus #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. Baptize my mind. I love to pray this and ask God to reset my anxiousness, pride, envy, lust, greed, selfishness, and worry. The bondage it carries is far to much to bare. Freedom comes from allowing God to reset and baptize you with a fresh beginning and mindset that is now focused on the goodness of Him. My prayer was answered literally today. Got soaked on this one! No water housing on the iPhone, just a soaked reminder to be baptized. 💦🌊🚿 #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. Peace is a word that taunts people. It's allure drives people to insanity as they pursue it. The problem with peace is that everyone is looking for it externally instead of internally. Peace won't happen in our workplace, families, neighborhoods, communities or the Middle East until it's accomplished internally and personally. Now the question that needs answering is what is the source of internal peace and is it sustainable? I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. -Jesus #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. I am curious to know who is willing to go and plant a church right in the heart of Fergusson? Who is willing to #prayforFergusson through the night and organize all community prayer meetings? Who is planning mission trips, youth rallies, outreach events? Who is willing to publicly call for prayer for Michael Brown's family as well as Darren Wilson and his family? We need to stop pretending like we care unless we are truly willing to engage. We must stop bringing Jesus into this situation unless we truly want to go and be Jesus to the situation. We can't keep using the word 'missional' unless we are willing to 'Go therefore'. Our facebook banter is as effective as a political bumper sticker. Yes, we state our point, but no one in history has ever changed their political mind because of the Michael Dukakis bumper sticker on the Honda Accord in front of them at a traffic light. I think it's time to stop with the meaningless social media posts and engage the hurting culture that surrounds us. Then again, this is just a meaningless social media post. #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. Anxiety is one of the worst forms of self-centeredness. My inability to control a situation constantly leads to worry and fear. What a joyless existence. Why not live in the rest and joy that comes from merely abiding with God? His presence dissipates anxiety and replaces it with love, joy, peace, patience..... #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

Your kingdom come. When we look at the current reality of this world it is hard to find true hope. Nothing seems to be working even in the most advanced and wealth filled countries. We have a million systems, politicians, philosophies, ideas, campaigns, religions, all pumping us full of false hope. We know the truth. Ebola is real, ISIS wants you dead, poverty is rising, the environment is decaying, Water is running out here in California... Whatever the case may be, we as humans have very little to be hopeful about. We can't seem to solve the problems without creating more problems. It is here where I find myself longing for 'His Kingdom' to come. Only here am I able to realize our true hope is our Fathers Kingdom is coming and His reign will satisfy every wrong that is present. #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First Light. You’ve got everything to loose. It is possible we could loose everything today. Health, wealth, happiness, and security could all vanish like the wind. We place a high value on things that are temporary and fleeting. Why not invest in today as if there were no tomorrow. Invest in loving others, invest in relationships and in a hope that satisfies. Forget yesterday and don’t anticipate tomorrow. Be present, today is all you have. #firstlightseries #nz

[firstlightseries]

First Light. Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God. Quote by William Carey The father of modern missions #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First Light. Ask forgiveness and forgive others. Seems simple enough. Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. #firstlightseries (at Taylors Mistake)

[firstlightseries]

First light. For the Joy set before Him Jesus endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2 There are a lot of 'gods' out there. Jesus is the only one who chose to willingly and joyfully sacrifice his life in order to pay the penalty of sin and death so that we might be in relationship with Him. All other gods demand that you sacrifice in hopes of being in a right standing with them. I'm thankful for Jesus this morning. #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. Last night this location was buzzing with dozens of emergency vehicles, lifeguards from all over San Diego, helicopters, search boats and hundreds of bystanders all hoping for a unlikely outcome. The hope vanished after overhearing the emergency radios change the status from a search and rescue to a recovery. This morning the search continues without the sirens, the divers and swimmers are accompanied by a pod of dolphins, and a few of us stand quietly on the beach hoping for something undefined. My thoughts this morning are; what is worthy of our hope? What deserves hope? Unfortunately I am reminded of the things I often put hope in that are rarely fulfilled. I am choosing to not live by hope today, but rather live by faith. Although hope and faith are usually synonymous I find their outcomes to be very opposite most of the time. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. #firstlightseries (at Carlsbad State Beach)

[firstlightseries]

First light. Psalm 61 Hear my cry oh God; Hear my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me. #firstlightseries

[firstlightseries]

First light. Here's a nugget to dwell on today. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5,6 #firstlightseries