Snapshots and Synapses

I believe only two things are truly important: Loving God and loving others. If I stop to consider the big picture, the very essence of reality, I have to acknowledge the existence of God and His fingerprints over all creation. So while not arguing Romans 1 from the theological perspective, or any of the various philosophical arguments for the existence of God, I know Him from a personal level as He speaks through the events of my life. And if in coming to the conclusion that He is real, I have to consider His desires, His promises, and His character as I make the decisions of my daily life. What is important to God? Apparently, I am. People are. It blows my mind to think that He never takes His eyes off of me, not as some omnipotent accuser, but as a Father waiting for me to come home. He is a King, ruling with my best interests at heart. He is a Comforter, walking with me in every activity I will ever consider. He loves me so much that He sent His only Son to bring me news of His l...

Jesse Copyright 2004 Mitchell Malloy building blocks on the book cases duplos strewn upon the floor hiding toys in strangest places how I miss all that and more how I miss all that and more sounds of laughter after bedtime cries that woke me in the night joyful eyes while pulling faces how I miss you, my sweet boy how I miss you, my sweet boy has Jesus brushed away your sorrow does He bounce you on His lap as you enjoy His many graces how I mourn my loss, my son how I mourn my loss, my son sounds of laughter after bedtime cries that woke me in the night joyful eyes while pulling faces how I miss you, my sweet boy how I miss you, my sweet boy building blocks on the book cases duplos strewn upon the floor hiding… seek in God’s good graces I shall turn and praise the Lord I shall turn and praise the Lord! sorrow, peace... not understanding “God exists!” your name defines finding joy within the sorrow 'til I hold your hand in mine touch your face in Heaven's time In 1999, a gre...

This has been awhile in coming, but I've posted the 2nd Driving Value of the Fort Ben Vineyard: Priorities in Relationships . This is something the Lord started speaking to me about a couple years ago, giving me a word picture of a cascading fountain. As I started down this church planting path, He reaffirmed His teaching through it's emphasis at the Vineyard Church Planting Boot Camp that Deb and I attended as well as through discussions with multiple local area pastors. As always, I'm interested in feedback, ideas and even critiques... As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another! ( Proverbs 27:17 )

Pray to God for rain— it's time for the spring rain — to God, the rainmaker, Spring thunderstorm maker, maker of grain and barley. "Store-bought gods babble gibberish. Religious experts spout rubbish. They pontificate hot air. Their prescriptions are nothing but smoke. And so the people wander like lost sheep, poor lost sheep without a shepherd. I'm furious with the so-called shepherds. They're worse than billy goats, and I'll treat them like goats." God-of-the-Angel-Armies will step in and take care of his flock , the people of Judah. He'll revive their spirits, make them proud to be on God's side. God will use them in his work of rebuilding, use them as foundations and pillars, Use them as tools and instruments, use them to oversee his work. They'll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one, their heads held high, striding through swamps and mud, Courageous and vigorous because God is with them , undeterred by the w...

It's always so much harder for me to get going in the winter: it's cold and the bed seems so much more inviting; the days are shorter; and to make things worse during these shorter days, the sun often hides behind thick, gray clouds. This is especially true when the events of life keep pushing me to leaner and leaner margins. However, even when the cold spells of life sap the energy from my limbs, I force myself out of bed to face life's challenges. I remind myself that this is only temporary, and even though I don't know how long it will take, Spring will arrive. Our spiritual walk has seasons like winter. One saint called it the "Dark Night of the Soul". The Son seems to hide from us and we wonder: Does He care about my situation? Why does He let certain things happen... is He somehow not powerful enough to change these events? Is He aware of what's happening? And again, does He care? Is He really the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Loving God that He c...