Always...

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!" [Philippians 4:4-7, NLT]

Did you hear that...Rejoice! Not just sometimes! Not just when things are going well! Not just when the family is getting along, the kids are asleep and all your relationships are peaceful! Not just when the office and your time, energy and talent is experiencing great success or great financial gain! But ALWAYS!

Come on, Lord...Always? Did you really mean "always"? Talk about an impossible posture and perspective! And "Agape Praise" - unconditional and unselfish Praise to our Heavenly Father for the things He has not only done, but is doing and will do in our future is impossible - because we have our eyes fixed on the action, not on the One who is, has been and forever will be! See - that is the HOPE we have in Christ Jesus and in the Promise of the Holy Spirit - that no matter what "happens" in our world, families, communities and personal lives we can shout praise in the midst of trial, testing and tribulation... because He "who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." So give Him Praise - because in our time of weakness, difficulty, adversity, struggle and when we are crushed, tired and perplexed in our "waiting" the Holy Spirit is right beside us - helping us along the journey! [Romans 8:27-28]

And it is impossible - It is absolutely impossible to Agape Praise in every dark valley, every massive storm, and in every shadow of death...unless we fix our eyes on Jesus, pursue the Holy Spirit and present our lives as a living sacrifice before our Heavenly Father! So let us no longer conform "to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind. Then [we] will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will!" [Romans 12:1-2, NLT]

And again, please know...just as Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-15...I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you [and/or me]. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made!

Jackson Update: Today is the day - "that you have made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!" [gotta love spontaneous singing!] Today is HUGE - ya'll! And we don't know what the news will be, but we do know that the Lord will work it out! We are prepared for "no news" or "bad news", but we are hoping and asking for "great news"! And I plea with you to continue to reinforce the foundation of prayer that you have laid with us! The ultrasound starts at 12:30, and the echo follows around 2! And these appointments are just another opportunity for God to reveal His Glory, Majesty, Power and Healing - and we are praying, petitioning, and requesting with THANKSGIVING - that He who begun the Miracle in Jackson's life and in this family to be completed - and we stand firm on the Promise of 2 Kings 20:5 that He has heard our prayers, seen our tears and surely He will complete the healing in Jackson's heart - we are just not sure how! But He created every cell, and knows Jackson's heart [and our own] more intimately than we could ever fathom! And hey ya'll..."He's got the whole world - in His Hands!"

Move Update: We will rejoice always! [And you thought the sermon was for you...] Because even when we don't see "what" and "where" to rejoice about - we are Rejoicing! Seriously - home shopping can be/is frustrating at times...but God! He is preparing a home for us, and we will "wait" until HE reveals it to us! Jordyn and I went through another 6 homes last night - while Kelly had a girls night out, which included a jewelry party - and experienced another 6 strikeouts! But it is all good - and remember - "no" is answer and with it brings much clarity! Please continue to be in prayer for "where" and "which home"...and ask the Lord to give us the eyes of Joshua and Caleb - that as we go into the land/market of Giants that we see His Promise amongst them!

And please let me say thank you! Thank you again for all your energy, encouragement and support! The way that the Lord is expressing His Strength and Provision through you all is just awesome - and we are so blessed by the community, friends and family that the Lord has brought us into! All Praise, Honor and Glory are His Alone - and we see, hear and are experiencing His unfailing and everlasting Love, Grace, Mercy, Compassion and Peace through you all in ways we never thought possible! Love you all...

And Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!