iamsureofthis

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all..."

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:05 -0600

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

- 1 John 1:9, ESV

- Ascend the Hill

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:00:06 -0600

- Ascend the Hill

"At the cross I find the beauty of Your matchless grace At the cross I see a King who died to take my..."

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:05 -0600

“

At the cross I find the beauty of Your matchless grace
At the cross I see a King who died to take my place
It’s the moment that You made me clean and pardoned my soul
Amazing grace that I would be allowed unto Your throne
Not by my own will but solely by Your will alone
I’m unworthy of this love you have shown to me
I see my desperate need

The beauty of the cross is that there’s One who has redeemed my soul
Beauty of the cross is that I’m finally free and letting go
Beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am

Not by my own works that I may boast or I may come
But simply through your Son the sinless and Exalted One
Only through the cross that I’m made clean to draw near to you
Saved so that you would receive all glory due Your name
Everlasting God from age to age you never change
A true love story remains for all eternity
That all the world would see

My sinful soul could only be
Redeemed by the blood of a sinless King
So you came to the world that You had made
Conquered sin on the cross and You rose from the grave

That’s the beauty of the cross

”

- Jonny Diaz

"Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been..."

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:05 -0600

“Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.”

- Isaiah 53:1-9, ESV

3 AM Chat with a Cop

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:08:48 -0600

PO: "What are you doing?"
Me: "Running."
PO: "At 3 AM?"
Me: "Yes sir."
PO: "Do you live out here?"
Me: "No sir, I live over there (pointing to our street)."
PO: "Okay, are you sure you're okay? It's raining."
Me: "I couldn't sleep and love running in the rain, just making the best of it."
PO: (Pauses for a moment) "Well, be careful."

Not gonna lie, that pause had me a bit worried...

28 gifts...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:07:31 -0600

Today I turn 28 and during my run this morning, my mind was flooded with reminders of the gifts God has given me. Though way too many to number, I thought I’d make a list of 28 to share…

He has given me the breath and heartbeat to make it 28 years
He has given me the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation
He has given me the priceless gift of adoption by two loving grandparents
He has given me a beautiful, loving, and faithful wife
He has given me a passion to serve Him “vocationally”
He has provided for us a place to stay while our house sells in Arkansas
He pas provided for us financially, even when the numbers simply don’t add up
He has provided me with a job that I love, serving people I adore
He has provided us with fuel efficient cars which help us financially, especially now
He has provided me time and is teaching me to use it wisely
He has given me the dearest friendship of Todd and Jennifer Mason
He has given me a strong and faithful brother in Christ, Caleb Southerland
He has given me the constant friendship and encouragement of Aaron and Karice Ledford, Cameron and Erin Newton, and others
He has given us the friendship of Malcom and Becky Johnson, who introduced me to Rebecca
He has given us lifelong friends at several churches like the Wilsons, Vineyards, McFarlands, Spriggs, Geeos, and many others which would be impossible to list
He has transformed me from a 288 pound sedentary man into a 153 pound running machine
He has and continues to transform my heart to love the things he loves and hate the things he hates
He has given us a church to serve that is passionate about the gospel and the transformation of the city
He has gifted me with the ability to write and make music
He has gifted me with the desire to make Him known
He has forgiven me
He has adopted me
He has redeemed me
He has restored me
He has given me the Advocate, Intercessor
He gives me the strength to battle and fight for joy and against depression
He has given me the strength to lead, protect, and provide for my dear wife
He has given grace…grace upon grace, marvelous grace!

“Soar back through all your own experiences. Think of how the Lord has led you in the wilderness and has fed and clothed you every day. How God has borne with your ill manners, and put up with all your murmurings and all your longings after the ‘sensual pleasures of Egypt!’ Think of how the Lord’s grace has been sufficient for you in all your troubles.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

Jesus I Come

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:45:05 -0600

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my wanting and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward forever on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

William Sleeper

"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we..."

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:08:40 -0600

““Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.””

- Acts 4:19-20, ESV

My favorite shot from Daytona Beach, Florida.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:01:28 -0600

My favorite shot from Daytona Beach, Florida.

Good morning, friends. During the month of December, I shared...

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:05 -0600

Good morning, friends. During the month of December, I shared some resolutions that I had written hoping to stay focused during the holidays, vacation, etc. As I prayed here, as did Edwards, that God will help me keep these “resolutions” as long as they’re agreeable to His will and for His glory.

Resolved to, in all things, give thanks to God.
Resolved to, no matter how busy life becomes, take time to pray.
Resolved to, by word and deed, make much of Christ.
Resolved to make glorifying God my greatest of joys.
Resolved to, when circumstances seem dark, remember the mercy, grace, love, and faithfulness of God.
Resolved to live as if eternity will begin any moment.
Resolved to hunger and thirst, not just for food or drink, but for righteousness.
Resolved to have my check book reflect my theology and mission.
Resolved to love, serve, lead, equip, and encourage my wife.
Resolved to have my calendar reflect my theology and mission.
Resolved to serve and honor my parents and our families.
Resolved to offer the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart as a pleasing offering to my Rock and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Resolved to stand firm, unmoving, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Resolved to reflect Christ by my generosity.
Resolved to live in such a way, that those around me say, “The Lord, He is God.
Resolved to, when I find my mind or heart wandering, remember the Fount of every blessing, Jesus Christ.
Resolved to make my tongue an instrument of peace, encouragement, and healing rather than of war, discouragement, or hurting.
Resolved to, in all seasons, rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Resolved, no matter what the cost, be it humiliation or persecution, to follow Christ.
Resolved to entrust myself to Him who judges justly, and Him alone.
Resolved to be made restless until I am resting in God.
Resolved to, when seeing a need unmet around me, meet the need without delay or desire to be noticed doing so.
Resolved to have the word “complacent” as the antonym of my life.
Resolved to be faithful in the little things.
Resolved to believe this, and live like it: [Jesus Christ is] “Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.” (Charles H. Spurgeon) - Christmas Day, 2011
Resolved to make war against my sin, especially the “hidden” ones.
Resolved to make sure that, no matter the audience, my speech is genuine, faithful, and pure.
Resolved to be willing - or be made willing - to be a nobody simply making much of Jesus Christ, no matter what.
Resolved to take time to rest, reflecting on my assurance in You.
Resolved to slay that which seeks to destroy my joy.
Resolved to, whether by verse and chorus or point and sub-point, stay faithful to God’s Word.
Resolved to never cease to be in awe of the majesty, glory, and splendor of God. - New Year’s Eve, Midnight, 2011
Resolved to never cease to be in awe of the mercy, grace, love, and the holiness of God. - New Year’s Day, Midnight, 2012

"Resolved to never cease to be in awe of the mercy, grace, love, and the holiness of God."

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:01:05 -0600

“Resolved to never cease to be in awe of the mercy, grace, love, and the holiness of God.”

- Matt Henslee, January 1, 2012 at Midnight.

"Resolved to never cease to be in awe of the majesty, glory, and splendor of God."

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:59:05 -0600

“Resolved to never cease to be in awe of the majesty, glory, and splendor of God.”

- Matt Henslee, December 31, 2011 at Midnight

"Resolved to, whether by verse and chorus or point and sub-point, stay faithful to God’s Word."

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:06 -0600

“Resolved to, whether by verse and chorus or point and sub-point, stay faithful to God’s Word.”

- Matt Henslee, December 31, 2011

"Resolved to slay that which seeks to destroy my joy."

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:00:05 -0600

“Resolved to slay that which seeks to destroy my joy.”

- Matt Henslee, December 30, 2011

"Resolved to take time to rest, reflecting on my assurance in You."

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:00:05 -0600

“Resolved to take time to rest, reflecting on my assurance in You.”

- Matt Henslee, December 29, 2011

"Resolved to be willing - or be made willing - to be a nobody simply making much of Jesus Christ, no..."

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:00:06 -0600

“Resolved to be willing - or be made willing - to be a nobody simply making much of Jesus Christ, no matter what.”

- Matt Henslee, December 28, 2011

"Resolved to make sure that, no matter the audience, my speech is genuine, faithful, and pure."

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:00:05 -0600

“Resolved to make sure that, no matter the audience, my speech is genuine, faithful, and pure.”

- Matt Henslee, December 27, 2011

"Resolved to make war against my sin, especially the “hidden” ones."

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:00:05 -0600

“Resolved to make war against my sin, especially the “hidden” ones.”

- Matt Henslee, December 26, 2011

"Resolved to believe this, and live like it: [Jesus Christ is] “Immanuel, God with us in our..."

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:00:06 -0600

“Resolved to believe this, and live like it: [Jesus Christ is] “Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)”

- Matt Henslee, December 25, 2011

"Resolved to be faithful in the little things."

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:00:06 -0600

“Resolved to be faithful in the little things.”

- Matt Henslee, December 24, 2011