SOMETHING IS MISSING

Quotes:
"Illusion is needed to hide the emptiness within." -Aurthur Erickson

"The beginning of love is a horror of emptiness." -Robert Bly

Scriptures:
"Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." -John 4:13,14

"The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family." -Acts 16:34

Recently I came across a story in the ESPN golf magazine about a long time successful pro golfer Bernhard Langer. This is an excerpt from his life story found on his personal website: "That year I won seven tournaments in five continents. I was ranked number one in the world, I had a beautiful, young wife, and had achieved everything that I could have ever dreamed of. The problem was that there was still something missing." Langer, who considered himself a Christian at the time, went on to say that one night at a PGA Tour Bible study he heard that in order to be saved he needed to be born again (John 3). He did not understand what this meant...he was 28 how was he gonna be born again. The minister explain to him the message of Jesus Christ. "He told me that every one of us is separated from the perfect and holy God because of our imperfection and sinfulness. He went on to say that many religious people think they can overcome this problem by doing lots of good deeds for God but no one is so good that they can save themselves and no one is so bad that God can’t save them. The reason that Jesus Christ came to earth was to pay the penalty for our sins so we would not have to be separated from God forever." After hearing this he realized what was missing: A real relationship with Jesus Christ! He had been trying to fill the void in his heart with success, money, career, possessions, fame, good deeds, and even family. But at the end of the day when he had all of these things he was still empty. He soon found the missing piece in his life and gave his heart and life to the Lord Jesus. Maybe you are empty today...maybe there is something missing in you! Can I tell you that the fill for that void is a relationship with Jesus. To walk closely with him, to know him, to live for him. He died on the cross so that we, includes you, could have eternal life and also the abundant life here on earth. This does not mean we will not have difficulty in this world as his follower, but It means that he will be with us every step of the way. Decide today to follow him! He is what is missing. He loves you and he is calling your name. Follow him. God Bless you.
-Cam
bernhardlangerstory.com

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Quotes:
"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." -Flora Whittemore

"Some choices we live not only once but a thousand times over, remembering them for the rest of our lives." -Richard Bach

"You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live." -Joan Baez

Scriptures:
"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14,15)

"At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her." (Ruth 1:14)

"Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh...." (Jonah 3:3a)

"Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'" (Acts 24:24,25)


The video above is a highlight from the okc thunder-la lakers playoff game. What an awesome series the underdog thunder played against the reigning NBA champs! I wanted to use this highlight to emphasize the power decisions play in the outcome of our lives. With time winding down Mr. Kobe Bryant, a notorious clutch shooter, dribbles down the court and misses the final shot. All the Thunder needed to do in order to win the game is get the rebound. I pause here to say that one bad decision can negate a lifetime of good decisions. The Okc Thunder had played a great game but did not box out one time and it cost them the game/series. I want you to be aware of how important the decisions you make this week will be. Some of us are putting off decisions that could cost us, some of us are stuck in bad decisions. Either way this life we are living is a life of decisions. A great sign of maturity is when we begin to make the right decision where we have always seemed to make the wrong one. Grow up for life is waiting and destiny hangs in the balance. Jesus loves you!
-Cam