I recently spent some time with new friends in San Clemente, California. If you have heard of the town then you probably know that it is a very well to do area between San Diego and L.A. It was beautiful. These people were very wealthy. Their home was amazing. They lived right on the beach. They have several decks that open to the Pacific Ocean. They have an outdoor kitchen complete with a brick oven flown in from France.

Inside there is wall-to-wall woodwork that is just breathtaking. The kitchen has so many gadgets and grills that many restaurants would be envious. There is a ballroom on the 3^rd floor with a karaoke bar and disco lighting. The basement was my favorite with a pool table, a theater, and a top to bottom stone laid wine cellar.  Then there is a large Coy pond, the Arcade games, the candy bar, etc.

All of these things and so much more and this in not the reason they are wealthy. They are wealthy because, with all of their worldly riches are madly in love with Jesus and are engaged in spreading His fame. They see their home as a resource for others to receive the love of God. Tom and Kim hold wealth without wealth holding them. I was more blown away at their humility and generosity, then their home.

They proudly tell how they both grew up in homes that were less then 1100 square feet. They are more in awe at what God has done with them they we were. It reminded me of the scripture, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:10-11 They live for the true riches that are only given in heaven. I pray for more Christian’s to live the way they do. 

One thing I love about God is that He never ceases to blow my mind. Now, I am not even going to pretend that I don’t go thought my accessional dry seasons. They are too frequent if I am completely honest. But every once and a while He gives me glimpses of Himself that wreck me for uninspired devotion.

The truth is, He is AMAZING! One touch, once insight, one glimpse of Himself and we see that there is nothing in this world like Him. He has no contemporaries. Infinitely beautiful, wonderful beyond compare. He is Almighty God and the fact that He even cares to know us and show Himself to us is the craziest thing I have ever heard.

When was the last time you allowed God to BLOW YOUR MIND! We can get in a rhythm of doing, and forget that He is the one that all of the doing should emanate from. GOD is GOD and that is enough to spark our hearts toward outrageous praise. I want to encourage you to ask God for a greater revelation of who He is. The reality is that He wants you to have it more than you do. “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

I have developed a rhythm in my blog writing and its time to expand and increase the influence of some others. I have asked some friends to write articles for this blog based on their areas of expertise. I am excited because many of them have not written out their amazing thoughts and learnings in a forum that would help others. It’s my desire to continue to write weekly and to supplement my blogs with those of these people I respect and cherish. Students, ministers and lay leaders alike will be adding their voice to site. So, I simply say welcome to them and get ready to all others. 

I have a 5-year-old son named Damian (his mother named him). He is an amazing little guy. He has some special needs, but he refuses to let it stifle his joy. One really cool thing about him is, he’s a daddy’s boy. I am not just saying that because I happen to be his daddy. He lights up when I enter the room. I am the Joy of his heart. He loves his mother, but he goes bananas when daddy shows up. I love that about that kid. As his father I love him and am overwhelmed by the fact that he loves me without reserve.

I more fully understand the Father’s love for us, his children more through the relationship I have with my son. Now, I don’t believe its wise to always try and understand God by our earthy examples. We are simply too small to for the measure to be true. But, when it’s a principle already laid out in scripture, then it is all right. This is a clear in the bible; Jesus himself told us that the best way to approach God was as a father. "This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” Matt 6:9

As the ultimate Father he loves that his Children delight at his appearing. Have you ever thought about how much God tells us to worship him? He is happy when we love being in his presence. Why, because there is no one like daddy. Daddy is better then everyone else and daddy loves for us to love him. Yes, we are to enjoy the world created by daddy, enjoy others in our path, and do the work he has asked us to do. But, without daddy’s presence it’s all worthless because he has no rivals.

That’s what I learned from my 5-year-old. It’s a critical lesson for everyone who is a child of God. Yes, the Father must discipline us and in fact we are not children if we aren’t disciplined. “Be patient when you are being corrected! This is how God treats his children. Don't all parents correct their children? God corrects all of his children, and if he doesn't correct you, then you don't really belong to him.” Hebrews 12:7-9 But, in spite of the kind of father you have or had on earth, God wants to Father you perfectly. God’s not a bully, a piggy bank, or an uninterested party. He is a loving Father. 

Father, I pray for the country of Haiti. In light of the country experiencing this devastating catastrophe let your grace to cover the country. Speed help there, and give strength to those who are in need. Bring coordination of resources and people that can truly support and offer assistance. Let relief and from countries around the world be distributed quickly.

I pray that the people of the Haiti would be comforted. For those people who are still alive, let them know healing and hope in the light of who you are. Let neighbor stand with neighbor and that nation come together like never before. For those injured, supernaturally heal wounds, where no doctor is present. Where families are separated allow connections to be made and information to be disseminated quickly. Allow supplies to get to those who are in the most need.

Where people have looked down on Haiti now cause Haiti to rise as a jewel here in the west.  Allow that government to stand with and for the people of that country and be true servants. Please let all of the money donated be used for its desired use.

I pray that churches would prove their worth during this time. Let those who can’t get to Haiti pray like crazy for that nation. Where we have allocated resources to frivolous things, inspire them to allocate it to the least of these in this desperate time. Teach your church to once again love mercy, deal justly, and walk humbly with you God.  In Jesus Name.