Rooted Man

As a Christian,  I'd like to think that my life is fully devoted to Jesus and serving Him.  Doesn't mean I dont make mistakes and not sin, because I do.  What it means is that I am continually striving to get the crap out and insert Jesus in every aspect of my being.  The Lord has been after me when it comes to remaining humble, meek, forgiving, graceful, and dealing with lost people.  In this episode I get back to dealing with authority and learning to serve others as a potential leader.  I also briefly talk about the "End Times" term in the gospels "This Generation".  Stay rooted.

I gotta tell yall that the Lord has really been challenging me to look inward at my motives on situations.  Why do I do the things that I do?  What is the intent behind it all... or as the Word calls it "the heart".  The Father will always know my heart and see what is behind the rhyme or reason I act or react the way I do in life.  I pray that I always put Him first to honor and serve Him alone.  The world hated Jesus first, it will hate me, and if you live like Jesus - it will hate you.  I took a look at R.C. Sproul's video no. 4 with end times stuff that you can watch at the link below, and I must say that my mindset has completely changed on how I look at the "Olivet Discourse" and what Jesus said to his disciples directly.  This does not apply to Jesus' second coming and some sort of "tribulation" during the last days.  Jesus is not speaking to the 21st century people alive today; no, he is speaking to his disciples.  Stay Rooted!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb5B5pjacCM&list=PL30acyfm60fWm9jA8LNRnYizJj5VEduus&index=4

It was a blast going a bit deeper in the Word!  I had never heard the term "Olivet Discourse" or what it meant, but it is written in the first three gospels.  Its so important to take the scripture and read it in context to try and understand the true meaning of it.  In this episode I talk about the comparisons of the 'Olivet Discourse' between Matthew, Mark, and Luke while also pointing out some differences.  This is the most argued over topic among Christians, and I took the time to unpack a lot of it's meaning.  Do I believe that these gospels are in fact referencing the End of the World?  Take a listen and find out!  Stay Rooted!

This episode begins with some reactions to a statement I posted, "Sometimes the Lord calms the storm.  But sometimes He lets the storms rage to calm his child."  I feel like it really registered with me in my life right now, and other brothers commented on that as well.  I then go into part 2 of my study of 'End Time' theology with R.C. Sproul.  As mentioned in the first episode of this series... it't deep.  If you're interested in End Times talk, this episode is for you.  I go back into the early 19th century and uncover the origins of christianity.  How guys like Albert Schweitzer, and C.H. Dodd had impact on where we are today to a degree.The video of RC Sproul's teaching:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwOgsg6KJH8

Got some deep quality time with my Father.  He continues to work on my heart with certain things in my life. Also, I started to dive deep with End Times stuff, and I realize that I need to have solid knowledge of it.  We dont have all the answers, and things can be vague and hard to interpret, but it is required of us that we know as much as possible.  Im still learning about it and what I truly believe, and I begin a study of it in this episode.  Stay Rooted!

Was able to get into the word a little bit this past week in Tacoma, WA.  The Lord is continuing to work on me and iron out some details in my life.  But a lot of times, He will simply remind me of things I've already learned, and this week was no different.  I was reminded that my sinful nature is at odds constantly with my Spirit nature, and I need to be continually prepared to heed to the Spirit nature utilizing wisdom and self control.  And no matter what.... I'm not allowed to just do what I please and live how I want to live.  I go a little deep in this episode.  Stay Rooted!

Not a bad week fellas!  The Lord had to remind me about being peaceable and humble when it comes to those who are in authority over you.  There are going to be people in these positions that do not know Jesus, they are set in their own ways, and they may not have tact in how they critique you.  Regardless, we must show grace and love to them, even if we disagree greatly.  Also, we need to remember that we are not of this world, we dont belong here; we are strangers.  Knowing that, we have to remain Holy as He is holy by having self control and changing our thinking.  Stay rooted!

Per the title of this episode, I'm definitely gaining momentum when it comes to being consistent with my quiet time.  Im so thankful that it's happening!!  The transition into the off-season was tough as you all know.  So, the goal is to have smooth transition this time around... and it starts now.  This week though, the Lord reminded me of the basic stuff:  1. I have His seal of approval (when I accepted Him), 2. He will never cast me out, and 3. If I remain in Him, He will remain in me.  I touch on these things over this episode. Stay Rooted!

Spring Training is over, and now the season begins.  Home for one day, and I was reminded of how much my son Levi loves me.  He wanted ME to do everything with him, ME.  Sure I was gone for a while, but there was no doubt that my boy desired to be by my side.  The love I felt was overwhelming.  I imagine that our Father who sits on the throne feels something along these lines when we decide to be intimate with Him and seek him.  But one thing is for sure, He chose us FIRST.  Stay Rooted!

It has clearly been a long while (3 months) since I posted an episode.  There has been a lot of things going on and moving parts.  For now, I'm back to my job and on the road preparing for the upcoming baseball season.  Transition is not easy for anyone, especially when it happens frequently.  My walk with the Lord suffered over the past few months and it was not fun.  The void left in my heart and spirit of being selfish or just plain tired was one I could have prevented.  I'm thankful for how far my walk has come, but it has so far to go and grow!  In this episode I discuss these issues.  Stay Rooted!

Wow... What a great feeling from this past weekend!  I attended our annual "Calling for Christ" retreat, and that always gets me on a spiritual high.  The theme was about identity and we were blessed to also have Dallas Jenkins (director of "The Chosen") join us and share about his struggles leading up to the TV series.  Overall, the Lord worked in my heart and I had an amazing time being able to fellowship with other men and experience the community!!  Stay Rooted!

Had a great week in the word because I made sure to prioritize my time with the Lord.  Was I tired a little? Sure.  But it's always worth it and the difference is so obvious.  This week I went back to the beginning because I just wondered yet again... why did man choose to depart from God?  Why did this happen?  I was reminded that we are given choice and that Adam and Eve chose; even though they were deceived.  But Genesis 6 talked about the "Sons of God".  Who were they?  Who were the Nephilim?  I talk about these things this week.  Stay Rooted!

This past week was a doozy man.  Ive been procrastinating about spending time with the Lord and I'm putting it into action this week... no more games.  I touch on 2 Corinthians 13 where Paul has to deal with the folks at this church and still try to encourage them at the same time.  He tells them to test themselves and self examine.  Stay Rooted!

Martin Luther King had a great quote about "content of character".  It really struck me and inspired me to speak about it a bit.  This week was still inconsistent a little with the "quiet times", and its still frustrating.  But, the Lord is still speaking to me, so that's good!  I also read about the details of the Lord's temple that Solomon built.  Stay Rooted!

I had more "quiet time" opportunities this week (3), then I've had all month.  I'm still figuring out how to incorporate more of those as the days continue to progress, but I feel like I'm gaining steam to a degree.  I can look at myself critically and see what adjustments I need to make.  Adjustments are not typically fun for anyone, but they are necessary for us to improve our character.  What about you?  How do you feel about yourself currently?  Do you think you would like how folks perceive your character right now?  I talk about these things on this episode.  Stay Rooted!

An awesome interview in store for this one.  Guy Jones gave his testimony after being in prison for 10+ years.  The Lord got him and his life was completely changed.  If you have the time, do yourself a favor and listen.  Stay Rooted!

Still just finding routine with the change in lifestyle.  It's not been the easy part of the year, that's for sure.  Any time there is change in your life, you have to develop consistent routine or it's just going to be tough to find any rhythm.  There is no doubt that this is crucial for me and my fatherhood, and my walk with the Lord.  In 1 Kings, Solomon what thrusted into kingship after his father David died, but Adonijah (also son of David) placed himself as the next king.  Solomon didn't even have a second to develop any routine before making tough decisions.  I talk about this in this episode.  Stay Rooted!

I knew that it was going to be different when I came off the road.  I didn't realize it was going to be quite this different and taxing.  My wife is a legit trooper.  She was raising an infant and a 5 year old by herself practically.  Finding my role and being a father that shows grace are things I'm re-learning it seems.  No quiet time at all this week.... and that's truly frustrating.  Stay Rooted!

It was a long time coming; being home again.  When you have a family, and you're away, some folks think thats selfish of you.  I believe that the Lord ordains my steps and has my path laid out for me.  I have such a warrior of a wife that maintains and perseveres while im gone, it's truly remarkable.  But being able to re-establish myself as a husband and a father can be challenging.  The same could be said for when we are in a valley in our walk with the Lord.  In both situations though, it's important to give thanks and recognize what the Lord has done for us.  He is always faithful, even when we are not.  Stay Rooted!

The past two weeks have been pretty good, but I was definitely bitter when it came to an ordeal with the job.  Even when interceding for something fervently. there are times when the Lord moves in a different way than we would like.  When those times come, how do we respond when the answer is 'no', or 'not right now'?  I believe the Lord will make it evident when his answer is clearly 'no'.  But how I react is so crucial to my testimony and development with my walk.  Lastly, I truly believe that in order to hear from the Lord in many ways, we must be tuned in to Him to see, and hear what he is saying.  Stay Rooted!