Today we went to Tanyard Creek Falls in Bella Vista, for a short hike.  It was pretty frigid so we did’t stay out too long.  At Tanyard Creek is a beautiful waterfall that is evidence of our Creator.

Jonathan Edwards wrote some thought provoking words, “It is the spirit of a godly man to prefer God to any earthly enjoyments of which he can imagine.  He not only prefers God to anything he now possesses, he views nothing any other people possess to be as worthy of admiration.  Even if he could have as much worldly prosperity as he desired, the earthly things he could imagine, he values the portion that he has in God incomparably more.  He prefers Christ to earthly kingdoms.”

I have been trying to get Adam Clarke’s Commentary in book form for a long time.  It is my favorite commentary set but they are out of print.  I use the internet to read his commentaries now, but since I collect books I want them in book form.  The only place to get them is on Ebay.  You can find them here.

I was in an Ebay war today with someone else for a good set of Clarke’s Commentaries.  We went back and forth and in the end, I lost because he was willing to pay more than I was.  My blood pumps and the competitive juices flow in a bidding war.  My goal moved from getting the books, to making sure the other guy had to pay alot more for them:)  In the end, I lost and yet another bidder goes home with my prized set of commentaries.  On days like today, I wish Ebay was never invented:)

I just got finished going over my notes for Sunday’s message.  I am excited to preach in the morning.  The text has been stirring in my heart all week, but I didn’t decide to preach from it until Thursday morning.  I love to preach when a message has been kindling in my heart.  We are in week three of our Momentum series and tomorrow we will talk about reconnecting with God.  We lose Momentum, when we disconnect from God.  To regain the Momentum we must reconnect.  I am looking forward to what God does in the lives of our people tomorrow.

Robert Murray McCheyne said, “Live so as to be missed.”

If you  move to another place, will you be missed?  If you were to die, would you be missed?

Many people in life, live for themselves.  They live for their own pleasures or own gain, but when we live life only for ourselves, what do we leave behind?  As a child of God, we live for Christ, not ourselves.  Paul said, “For me to live is Christ…”  Is your life consumed by Christ?

We must live for others as well.  If we hold that charge well, we will be living for others and touching their lives, we certainly will be missed.  Our goal is to make disciples, to touch the needy and to minister to the hurting.  If we are doing those things, we will certainly be missed.  Again , “Live so as to be missed.”

We have been in Rogers for 3 months and haven’t seen much snow, until today.  I woke up this morning and looked out the window and it was coming down.  This morning was my first time to drive in snow.  I drove to Braum’s for milk and I made it back alive.  Hopefully it will keep snowing so Hannah can make a “no-man”.  As a matter of fact, yesterday she was wanting to see snow and Sonya and Hannah prayed for snow.  Hannah’s prayer was answered.  God listens to even the simplest of prayers. 

We are on day eleven of our 21 day fast.  Since we are through the hardest part I have learned a few lessons about fasting, especially an extended fast.

• The first 3 days are the hardest.  Our bodies are used to so much trash that we put into them.  When you take it away, it screams.  The headaches, hunger pains and withdrawals are tough because our body is used to them.  In so many ways we are addicted to food and caffiene.  If you can make it 3 days, you can make it! 
• Disciplining the body is good!  I am finding that if I can discipline myself in what I eat, I can discipline myself in other areas.  The more I dedicate myself to not eat much, I find it easier to discipline my prayer life and study of His Word.
• Sensing God’s direction is easier.  There is something about an extended fast that raises out spiritual perception.  Not during the first three days but in the middle of a fast, it seems easier to connect with the heart of God.  The longer you fast, the more awareness you have of God’s hand in your life.

These are just a few things I have been learning on this extended fast.  Keep it up and press closer toward Christ!

Recently on the Desiring God blog, John Piper shared some ways to pray for our children.  In the world we live in today, our children need our continued prayers.  He are Piper’s suggested prayers:

“That Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming.

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-15)

That they will respond in faith to Jesus’ faithful, persistent call.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

That they will experience sanctification through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and will increasingly desire to fulfill the greatest commandments.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

That they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

That their thoughts will be pure.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

That their hearts will be stirred to give generously to the Lord’s work.

All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord. (Exodus 35:29)

That when the time is right, they will GO!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)