God is Good!

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren,I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

God is so good! First off, He allowed Ohio Christian University to schedule a week break during the exact date of my families move from Ohio to Texas, and now a devotional that hits home for us this very moment.

Our devotional this week states, “When we mean to do good, opposition abounds. But the Scriptures remind us to persevere, to press on toward the goal, toward the prize.”

This is what we are doing and living this very moment. On faith my family and I moved here jobless. Satan has been attacking us from every angle, hoping to derail us from the calling of God on our life. Knowing that God has called us here, we know full well that God will provide all our needs according to His riches in Glory (Philippians 4:19), and we know that He will give us our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) so that my family will not be forgotten, because My God even cares for the lilies of the field and the birds in the air (Matthew 6:26-28).

I also recognize that Satan has to get permission to attack (Job 1) but even in the trials I hold to Romans 8:28, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

A Science class post

The Big Bang
The text states about 14 billion years ago the Big bang occurred. It says and I quote “An INCOMPREHENSIBLY large explosion that sent all matter of the universe flying outward at incredible speeds. In time, the debris from this explosion, which was almost entirely hydrogen and helium, began to cool and condense into the first stars and galaxies” (Tarbuck, 4). So if in fact the Big Bang was so INCOMPREHENSIBLE, then why are we forced to comprehend it?

• 14 billions years ago - the Big Bang occurred
• 10 billion years ago - Stars were created
• 5 billion years ago – Sun was created
• 4.5 billion years ago - the Earth was created from molten form
• 3.8 billions years ago – the First oceans

The Creation from God’s Word – Genesis 1-2:7
The creation story in the Bible, is a beautiful account found in Genesis chapter 1 through chapter 2 verse 7. This does not seem too difficult to understand, or incomprehensible. A Creator (something bigger and more powerful than us) created everything we see and don’t see (to the tiniest detail).

• Roughly 6,000 years ago
• Day 1,2 - Water covered the Earth
• Day 3 - Dry land and plants
• Day 4 - Sun, Moon & Stars
• Day 5 - Sea and flying creatures
• Day 6 - Land animals and Man

I said this a few weeks ago, that I have an interesting perspective on the creation of Earth. I believe there could have been a big bang. But I believe the big bang came from my Big God’s mouth, the Creator of all things, when he said, "Let there be Light!" BANG~ something happened in that moment. When the Creator speaks the whole Earth trembles!

lil warrior <><

Amazed by Desperation Band

Often times I listen to worship at Pandora while I am completing my weekly homework assignments at Ohio Christian University (to block out the family noise in the background). Every single time this song comes on, I am taken back by the words and I just sit there and worship my Almighty God. Is there songs that you come across that really speaks to your heart like this song does to me?

Until the whole world hears,
Luke <><

As I was doing my homework assignments for my Earth Science class at Ohio Christian University I came across a question that asked, “Which controls of soil formation is most important.” I was intrigued by the different factors that create “good soil.” Then I think God gripped my heart and sent me to Matthew 13 where it talks about the different soils. The “Good soil” in the parable from Matthew 13 says, “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Reading through the different factors or controls, I was like well each of these are important, in fact, I was sold on the fact that climate was the most important when the text said, “Climate is the most influential control of soil formation.”

However, as I continued to read, I was informed that several controls or factors are involved in creating “Good soil,” such as; parent material, time, climate, plants and animals, and topography. Neither of them are most important, but they all work together to form good soil. All these factors or controls make soil what it is. The goal of a Christian, with respect to the parable in Matthew 13, is to be good soil. So what controls or factors in our life help create good soil in our lives, soil that will “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted?”

I immediately think about when I feel the closest to God and His Spirit, and it is when I am consistently in His Word, in communication with Him, and listening and obeying His ordered steps for my life. If I am a fully devoted follower of Christ in a passionate relationship with my Creator, then He will create a soil in me that will “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” That’s when a good fruit inspection is in order…are you producing any fruit for God?

Have you been washed?

“Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

John 13:4-17

"So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."

I love the example of Jesus in this passage. He wanted and willingly knelt down to wash the feet of his disciples. He used this moment as a teachable moment. I love this subject, and I pray that I will be and continue to be a servant leader wherever I am. The ultimate servant leader was Christ Himself. In this passage Jesus kneels down and begins to wash the mud and dirt off of His disciple’s feet. A job meant for the lowest slave, but not for the most Humble of Kings.
I have participated in many foot washing ceremonies. In fact, my most memorable foot washing was when I was passing the torch from being the leader of a Bible Study group to the next leader. I took the leaders bare foot in my hands, and said to him, "Serve them, with everything in you, serve them like Jesus, and love them like Jesus." Then the leader washed everyone's feet in the study. It was quite a sight. What would your subordinates think if you decided to wash their feet?

Ownership

“Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.”
Exodus 15:16

I love the term of possession or ownership that this passage portrays for us. The imagery of being purchased and a possession of the Most High God can be an extraordinary thought. In 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20, it says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." I think John Wesley makes a great note about this particular verse. "Glorify God with your body, and your spirit - Yield your bodies and all their members, as well as your souls and all their faculties, as instruments of righteousness to God. Devote and employ all ye have, and all ye are, entirely, unreservedly, and for ever, to his glory." Those words speak of someone who is a living, breathing asset for God. I know my life's ambition is to be as much like Christ as possible, and in that noble pursuit, I will be His asset! Blessings to you all!

Blessings, Lil Warrior

"Hello world! Ready or not...here I come!"

My son Preston Joshua Pollock was born on 16 February 2010 @ 0646. He was 19 1/2" long and 7.4 lbs. He was delivered via c-section at Med-Central Hospital in Mansfield, Ohio. What an amazing experience to have another BEAUTIFUL son that my Daddy in heaven fashioned together in the my brides womb. What a gift!

To Preston,

Welcome to the Pollock family. You do not know us yet, but you will. We have been praying for you since we found out that you were conceived. God has blessed us with another wonderful child to raise up in the mighty army of God. Our prayer for you is to know the True God at a young age, that you will live your life in accordance and authority of Jesus Christ. Preston your life verse that mommy and daddy have been praying over you is found in Mark 12:30 where it says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." That is our prayer for you. Your first name Preston means "Priest" and your middle name Joshua means "God is salvation!" Know that you are truly loved and have been lifted up and bathed in prayer, from the very beginning...and even cooler...God has predestined every one of your steps, and He loves you so much.

Welcome and we love you,

Moma and Dada