Razor Ray’s World

Well, I see it has been quite some time since I have written here, and with such a long absence, I imagine readers will be few, but I am writing this more for me probably than anyone else.

All around me, there seems to be quite the storm. Everything from nation to work appears to be headed in the wrong direction. Needless to say, it has been quite disturbing. I have been looking around and my heart has been troubled. But every time I come to Daddy seeking His direction, I keep getting the same answer……over and over again.

Q. Daddy, our nation is going in the wrong direction, what do you want me to do?

A. Follow Me.

Q. Every door I knock on for work seems to close, what should I do?

A. Follow Me.

Q. Father, there is turmoil in my family, what do you want ME to do?

A. Follow Me.

Q. Father, your bride is falling apart and chasing after worldly things, what do you want me to do?

A. Follow Me!

Eventually, I think I started getting the point. God wants me to simply follow Him. Every time I look at the problem, it seems to reason I am no longer looking at Him. Every wave that crashes, and I divert my attention, I lose sight of Him. He simply ask me to do one thing, FOCUS and FOLLOW.

But Daddy, dont I need to do……..

Son, follow ME!

I shared with a brother last night, in our lives, when we start diverting our attention to fixing a nation, fixing a church, fixing a family, fixing a problem, it bears to reason that we become entangled in the web of the problem and are no longer available to have a relationship with our King because we are working on something for Him. However, if we focus on Him, He tends to lead us in directions that allow for us to be an influence in the areas that need to be drawn back to Him.

I am afraid for our nation. I will not lie. I sense a heavy cloud of darkness settling in over our nation, clouds of pain and persecution driven at His people. Clouds of ungodliness like we have never seen. YET, I also see a simultaneous season of unparalleled times of the Gospel being spread and true believers being born. The latter excites my heart, and I am personally willing to bear the former to see the latter take place.

However, I know that the key to enduring will be found in two words, Follow Me. No matter where the road will lead, I will follow Thee!

During these very times, I have seen my Daddy do things in lives around me, and also been given Scriptures at opportune moments like I cannot explain. I am begging my true brothers and sisters to lift up your weary heads, look unto the hills from whence will come your help, and divert your eyes from the issues all around, and simply Focus on your Lord and Follow Him!

Pursue Life, Follow Christ!

Awhile back, I started having some very serious questions about some things going on in my life. I was really enjoying my walk with Jesus, but was silently struggling with some issues regarding things in life. Finances, relationships, giving, being a new dad again, and the list goes on.

My greatest concern however was coming in the area of finances/giving. Having not been in an organized “church” culture for several years had brought us to a place of waiting and trusting Him to show us where to give. Our walk in this matter had somewhat evolved as the months wore on as we strove to simply see Him at work and give as He led. However, this old nag kept bugging me regarding 10%. I did not know if it was just the old hag of religion, or Him speaking. I thought about asking the opinions of several people, but something Craig and I had discussed before came to mind!

“Just ask Him!” Taking the question to the Scripture and simply seeking His words on the subject matter. So I did. I started in Matthew and was looking to see what Jesus had to say about money and giving.

But, I was not finding “the answer” I was looking for. Several weeks in and it just wasn’t coming to me. There were not a-lot of Scriptures screaming out at me, and I was still be nagged in my heart that maybe there was something aloof with my search.

About a week ago it HIT me, and Hit me hard. A quite voice rocked my world and said, “Why are you looking for ’something’ when I AM the answer?”

It all came back full circle. There are topics in Scripture from which we can learn, however, HE in his person is the answer to all our questions. It is in our walk WITH him and listening to His voice that we know where to go and what to do. It is NOT found in the letter of the law but in the ONE who fulfilled the law.

SO here I am again, staring once again at Jesus in all his beauty. And in staring at Him, my issues have found rest in knowing he will direct me in His paths. My only “job” is to Listen and OBEY! aka, Follow Him!

John 5:19-40

I sent this to some friends via email today and wanted to share it with you guys as well.

“If Jesus is powerful enough to save a wretch like me, then His power exceeds all impossibilities that one can imagine. He can heal broken families! He can heal broken bodies! He can move the immovable! He can do the impossible and make far fetched dreams come true.”

We believe in Jesus, but yet are afraid to believe He can do what we consider impossible. What have we placed out there and said it was impossible, and therefore have made our hearts unwilling to believe in what only He can do?

The only thing Jesus will not do (notice it does not say ‘cannot do’), is what you are unwilling to let him do by the attitude of your heart!  ( Mark 10:27, Matthew 13:58)

Absolute surrender can accomplish more than dogged determination!

Have a great week!

God has been speaking to me lately through a few verses. Here are some of them.

Luke 9:23-24 (New International Version)”

²³Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

and Luke 14:26-27

²⁶“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:37-39

³⁷“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25

²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 8:21-22

²¹Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

²²But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

in the Message 8:22 says, “Pursue Life! Follow Me!”

Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

³⁴“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

James 4:13-15 (English Standard Version)

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

What I have started to see is a focus on the words “daily” and “right now”. “Cross” and “Follow”. This got me to thinking maybe it wasn’t in “changing” what I am doing presently and living differently as if I had just a few days, weeks, or months to live. But rather, more of walking daily in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and giving Him (Jesus/God) my all in every moment I was presently living. Maybe it wasn’t so much of doing more service or giving more to ministry, or sharing my faith more. Maybe it was more in living every moment for His glory and knowing He was going to guide me to the perfect situation to give him glory (playing kickball with the kids in the neighborhood. Making an investment with His money. praying with a friend, Having lunch with a fellow believer. being a husband. Typing a blog on my computer. etc.etc.etc….) Learning to live a life in tune with the Holy Spirit! Hearing His words and obeying Him!

Everyday is but a gift from our Creator. And not just a gift of mercy, for I have come to see mercy would be to have me with him NOW. But rather, the gift of today is a gift of Grace. A gift to give to my Daddy, my King, My Lord, My Redeemer, My Savior, to give Him my very best in my service to Him in order to glorify His name. Every breath I breathe on earth is an opportunity to bring glory to His name and to serve Him in gratitude for His gift to me, which is a relationship with Him.

Therefore, I see everyday as an opportunity to live as if it is my last. Not by selling off everything I own and living a life of poverty or in ministry as we define it. Not a chance to do more good deeds to my fellow human beings. Not to give “more” to his work, but rather this:

It is an opportunity to do my absolute best in what He has placed before me that day/moment. If it is service in missions, give it my best for His glory! If it is service in Real Estate, do my very best for His glory! If it is in being a father to my children, do my absolute best for His glory. If it being a husband, be my absolute best for his glory. A friend. Auctioneer. Son. Brother. Companion. Helping Hand. Steward. Whatever it is, doing my best in the moment I am in, ALL for his Glory.

and why?

Because this day, this hour, this moment, might be my very last chance to glorify Him before eternity. My last day to serve Him here on earth. And I believe what He is looking for in my heart is, did I give Him my all, my absolute best, today? If so, glory be to God. If not, may He give grace for the next moment.

I do not think He would have us chose a path this world considers religious, but rather, give Him our absolute best in the path He lays before us today!

I pray He will continue to draw me closer and allow me to give Him my best Right Now!

Thanks for reading!

This might sound like a sermon you are bound to hear eventually from any pulpit, so for that I apologize. But there is an amazing revelation coming to light in my own life that I thought I should share.

In the course of a relationship with Jesus, we are introduced to Him as our Savior! He is the one who “wants to save us from our sins.” We are told of our need to be cleansed from our sins so that we can “avoid” the eternal pits of hell and enjoy eternity in the bliss of heaven. That is who Jesus has become to our world, a Savior!

Now granted He is that very thing, and he did die to offer us redemption from our sins and life everlasting in heaven. BUT, is he only our Savior? I know we hear the word KING and LORD a-lot, so those make a little sense (would make more if we had a real grasp of a king and lord and the meaning of those words.) In our churches today we hear the word “friend” alot. But the reality is, He is SOOOOO much more.

Growing up, there were books on the names of God and the meaning of them. I remember reading one by A.W Pink on the “Attributes of God.” All good books and good for your studies. But one thing I have SLOWLY learned about God and His Son Jesus is, they desire to teach you about themselves through personal revelation. In other words, you can study names and attributes till your blue in the face, but God prefers to work in “personal revelation.” In His realm, He would rather you learn about Him by spending personal moments with Him. Like:

To learn He is Provider, He will put in in a place of need so you can watch him provide.

To learn He is Almighty, he will put you in a place of weakness to show yo His strength.

To learn He is Love, he will show you your unholiness and then hold you tightly in his arms of love.

To learn He is Patient, He will endure our slow path to learning.

But in every facet, He is doing it through PERSONAL TRAINING. Each individuals path different from the rest. There is no one size fits all training pattern in learning God and His ways. His desire is a Personal Relationship. You can study all you want, but knowledge can only take you to a certain point, it is not until you experience His attributes and Names that you can ever fully KNOW GOD!

He is your Savior, but friends, He is SO MUCH MORE! Please take the time to stop, stare (Focus), and Follow! Your life will be transformed! I promise!

Yesterday, after writing about Jesus being enough, my dear wife had some medical issues arise. These issues have been on and off for two years now, ever since her miscarriage with Rylan in March of 2007. She typically has stomach pains and passes out and in 30 minutes, all is well. Yesterday however, they carried on for over 6 hours. Debilitating pains laying her on her side all curled up in pain. Very hard to watch.

As the day went on, our youngest, Raygan,  crawled up in bed next to Katie and asked her the following: “Momma, are you going to go see Jesus tonight?” Amazingly, there was no fear or trembling in her voice, just a simple question out of curousity. In her eyes, being with Jesus was okay! The heart of a child.

However, as we smiled talking about the occassion, one had to stop and wonder “what if?” What if God did call Katie home? What would my reaction be? I pondered!

We have experienced a very interesting road in our walk these past few years. Losing all we were accustom to, and being drawn into a walk we never could have imagined. Along the way, we have learned many lessons. One of which is Jesus is to be our all. Our EVERYTHING! We struggled through this when we lost our son. We wrestled through it as financial security came and went. We lost ourselves in wondering if we would make it another day!

Then Jesus came and asked a simple question, “Am I Enough? Are you satisfied with me and me alone?” We know from our teaching we are suppose to say yes. We know from our teaching that our salvation is through Christ and Christ alone. But, do we live it when the rubber meets the road? Do we have a firm grip on it when life is in the “toilet?”

So, I have seen him come and test! And although the test have not been as deep as say Jobs, in our lives, they have been of huge proportions. And each time, we are asked the same question, “Am I Enough?”

This morning as I was quiet before my King, He asked me again, “Am I Enough?” I cried out from the depth of my soul, “YES, You are! YOU are enough!” and then my heart broke into singing “All in All” and ‘I’d Rather have Jesus”.

I love my wife, but I’d rather have Jesus.

I love my girls, but I’d rather have Jesus.

I like financial security, but I’d rather have Jesus.

I enjoy the security blanket of fellowship, but I’d rather have Jesus.

He is Enough for me! And everyday I have with these listed gifts he has blessed with me, I will enjoy to His satisfaction!

I have been going through some vicious thought cycles regarding “Is It Enough!” It has been on my mind like “white on rice!”

In our world, we “have” many things that we either own, want to own, or own us. I have long been a listener of Dave Ramsey. He loves to talk about “piles of cash” and helping you build wealth. BUT, what wealth are we really building? I know Dave talks about putting yourself in a better position financially in order to be able to “help” more people. You can hear that sermon every week at church. They offer financial classes (often Mr Ramsey’s) so you can learn to be a better steward of “your” money!

But I am beginning to question the wisdom of this “focus” on money. Or maybe better said, the idea of a blanket philosophy surrounding money, or any other issue for that matter.  When it comes to matters is stewardship, there are any number of books on issues regarding how we should or should not handle them. But is there a mold for everyone to follow in these areas?

Over my last two years or so in my journey with Christ, I am starting to think that the answer is “No.”  There really is no “one size fits all” Christianity. Although some principles can be extremely beneficial for our journey, saying there is a higher, better, or only way to handle a particular stewardship issue does not seem to jive with “walking in the Spirit.” Although I believe being wise in stewardship, I do think God is more interested in our “listening and obeying” His leading. At times this could mean saving up, at other times it could be giving it ALL away.

What I have been wrestling with is the question “Is Jesus Enough?” and “How do you know Jesus is enough until He is all you have?” or, can you learn that lesson while having it all?  From what I can tell, God’s ultimate purpose is to transform me (and His children) into the image of His son, Jesus. This will surely take many different roads for his beautiful diverse body of children. The only “one size” I can find is OBEDIENCE to His voice.

So, at times I am sure “storing up” like Joseph will be His leading, while at other times, giving it all away (like the rich young ruler). What is required is learning to listen and seeking Him for the ability to obey! The key is whether or not Jesus himself is Enough for me!

What are your thoughts?

p.s. Dave Ramsey does say, and with great wisdom, that Financial Peace is the result of walking with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ!

This morning I was privileged to meet with some guys for some time in Scripture.  The lesson came from Luke 5.

“   ^{1 -3}Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

⁴When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”

^{5 -7}Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

^{8 -10}Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

^{10 -11}Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.”

I have heard this story spoken on numerous times growing up! How all the sudden the nets were full of fish, or how Jesus had such a huge crowd, he had to seek refuge out on the water. How the nets broke and how we can trust God even when things seem impossible or His commands seem ridiculu0s. Just trust and obey. Or, how people fear God’s presence for how it exposes their sin. And, each lesson has meant a-lot to me growing up.

But, as these lessons were being rehearsed this morning, I was captivated by something else. Someone else. Jesus.

Jesus was always focused on one passion, doing the will of His Father.(John 5:19-20) He was always intent on obeying His Fathers voice! Amazingly in the Gospels, it is apparent over and over that Jesus was always more concerned with the individual vs the crowd or fame. As we read this morning, I started to see something I had missed before. Even though Jesus “preached” to the crowd, His main interest was in one person, Simon!

Notice the story! Proud Simon had just spent an entire night wasted in fruitless effort on the seas. As Jesus walked along the shore, he chose a fisherman and a vessel to push out into the sea to speak to the people. Is it any wonder that he chose the vessel of the man who would become one of the most prominent apostles? Is it any wonder he was there on the day when Simon was feeling utter defeat and failure?

Do you remember Simon Peter? Proud! Boastful! Brash! Can you imagine his state of mind? He was cleaning his nets after a night of failure. A man walks up and ask to use his boat to speak to the crowd. We have no record of his sermon or the reaction of the crowd.  We have no clue as to if they stuck around or just brushed off His words. And, we have no reaction from Jesus regarding the crowd. What we do have, is Jesus turning to the dejected, yet proud, Simon and asking him to shove on out into the deeper water. Once there, he turns to Peter and says “cast out your net!”

Okay,  let me take a Simon Peter stance for a second.  I am a proud fisherman! I am skilled in my work. I have just spent a fruitless night fishing trying to provide for my family, and, I have cleaned my nets! A sign I am finished and going home for some rest. Then, some stranger comes along and ask to borrow my boat and he uses it to preach to some people on the beach. NOW, he is telling me how to do my job? (I hate when people do that to me personally!) This “carpenter / teacher” thinks he knows how to do my job better than me! And, just to prove himself right, he throws the net over thinking, “when I pull this back in and it is empty, this preacher boy can clean them this time!”

Then we know the part where the catch was so big that the nets almost broke. They called in backup and barely make it to shore before the boats go under. As this is going on, proud, brash, powerful Simon has gone to his knees, realizing he is in the presence of someone mightier than he. Holier than he was. He begs Jesus to leave him alone!

However, Jesus responds with a simple, “Do not be afraid!” and an invitation to follow Him. Simon and two more, James and John, drop everything, nets, boats, and the richest catch of their life, and follow Jesus.

Now I know there is more to the story than just one lesson, however, I believe the greatest lesson for us is the fact that Jesus did all this for one man, Simon Peter. And, if he is willing to go to all this to gain one (or three as James and John came too), how far will he go to get you and me to follow him?

Jesus, how amazing!

I know what I am about to write may be a declaration of war on the enemy and his turf. My dad told me to expect a “hit” once I did write the following. So, with a little apprehension, but with great joy, I will write it.

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ( 1 Cor 1:9)

In our (Katie and I) journey, we have always known that God was walking by our side. We have both been raised under the teaching of Scripture and God’s faithfulness. However, this winter we have seen His Word come more to life in an area of our lives in which we have always struggled. WORRY.

Every winter, Real Estate takes a slump in production. Every year, we seem to scrape and scrimp, and barely get by. For the last 3 or 4 years, we have had to borrow from the girls savings accounts hoping for things to pick up. Usually by the end of May or June I would be back square, having repaid them and got us up to date. All the while, I honestly spent hours worrying, stressing, and struggling. It has never been a pretty site. (and yet we are still here.)

This year though, I started reading through some promises during my times with the Word. During those moments, these promises started coming ALIVE in my heart. Those speaking of His faithfulness and promises to provide our daily needs. Abraham’s story of the ram in the bush and many others really started sinking in. I read a book in which the character was asked this question, “Do you have enough for today? Isn’t that all he promised?”  Therefore, we made a silent commitment to trust Him daily for our daily need. We asked a few close friends to pray a simple prayer with us, that we would trust Him and not have to touch the girls money through this winter.

So, as we have walked through this winter, we have had several days in which it appeared we were going to have to do the very thing we were hoping not to do. We have had days in which we were down to $200 or less total in the bank, with absolutely no idea of where money would come from. There have been dark days, but, we committed to never take our eyes off the hills, watching and waiting for our Help to come. We anxiously watched for the messenger to appear with good news. It was a “funny” feeling, no stress, no worry, just knowing God would remain faithful, even if our particular desire was not His way. BUT, every time, literally out of no-where, He has brought the necessary funds to pay the bills, right on time. Once in November, once in January, and then again today.

Each time, as money dwindled to below $200 (once even down to $50), he sent what we needed to be “paid through midnight,” as I now like to look at things. But this month, February, was one I will never forget.

Last week, I told Katie that I had NO idea how God could possibly pull this month off. I had gone all year with only one contract which had fallen through, and the only way we had made the past two times was that someone who owed me money called and sent us a payment early, without me asking for it. But, this time, I had NO clue and had no deals even on the horizon. Although I had been steadily working on securing work for the year through letters, emails, and phone calls, nothing was really breaking through.

So, Thursday came, and I was meeting a friend for prayer, then off to an appointment to show some farms to a guy who had been referred to me by an old college friend. We went on a whirlwind tour of four counties looking at farms. He and his wife and two 3 yr old twins followed me through the country side looking for a spot. We had a great time, but didn’t find “the one.” I mentioned I knew of a few more potentials that were out there and wanted to meet him on Friday to see just a few more. They agreed!

Friday comes and we look at 4 more places, one which was amazing.  The next day they left and went to Knoxville, and I was back to wondering how God could possibly provide our needs this time. I had more than $2500 in bills due by the end of the month, and only $50. It looked like the girls savings would have to come through once again!

Sunday comes and I get an email from my clients from Friday wanting to make an offer on one of the places we saw. It was somewhat lower than the asking price, and in my heart, I knew it would NEVER work, but I proceeded with outward confidence, hoping maybe something would happen for March anyway. To my surprise, the owner countered much closer to the amount offered than I ever expected. But, my guy was not too thrilled to come up much. However, he made one last effort. I started asking friends to pray that things would work out via text messages. Within 2 hours, the deal was struck over the phone AND, they wanted to close as soon as possible.

Long story short, we met Monday to sign contract papers, and less than 24 hours later, the farm was closed, and you guessed it, the commission was MORE than enough to cover our needs!

My heart is overwhelmed by the faithfulness, and the trustworthiness of our Father in heaven! I am slowly seeing Him more clearly every day and beginning to understand what my brothers and sisters in Christ before have testified to, He is Faithful!

In some small way, I hope you are encouraged through our story and can set your eyes on the goodness and faithfulness of our Heavenly Dad!

This week, I had a blessing in taking my Dad and two girls down to Nashville to eat sushi on a “Sushi Date!” as the girls say. We have a favorite lunch spot over at the Wild Wasabi! We get to eat some great sushi, buffet style! LOVE IT!

As me and the girls waited on my dad in the car, I found a book Katie had gotten for them. Narnia, Edmund and the White Witch. It was a short abbreviated book that focused on Edmund and his battle with the White Witch’s temptation. Do you remember it?

As he was walking alone, she showed up and instead of killing him, she offered him a warm ride and some sweet candy, which Edmund liked very much. She chatted with him and said if he would deliver to her his brother and sisters, she would make him prince of all of Narnia! Remember?

Well, the battle raged and Edmund decided he want to be prince, that sounded very good. He trekked through the snow to the castle, and found himself afraid and very much in trouble as he had come alone. The White Witch had him thrown into the dungeon, and Edmund had to be rescued!

Here is the kicker. Remember the end of the movie/book? What was Edmund and his siblings crowned as? Prince and Princesses? NO! Kings and Queens! What the White Witch (devil and worldly temptations) had offered sounded good, but it was FAR less than what Edmund had been born to be! What he failed to realize was that he was already a king!

Do we not do that often? When faced with the choice, we choose a place of royalty as a prince or princess, when in fact we were born (through Christ) to rule as Kings and Queens!

This again is a simple reminder to REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST!

Have a blessed weekend!