"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

From albertmohler: This madness of crowds is evident before our eyes. We must pray that some will find the Savior after the emptiness of mere celebrity worship.

What words did the "king of pop" hear from the King of Kings?

Psalm 37:4 "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.". Yes let's!!!

Hot today, but not as hot as hell... And that is eternity separated from God.

My fave verse-"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1- Awesome!

"Your words were found, and I ate them..." Jer 15:16
God's word should be first for every meal.

Why do we envy or gush over celebrities? "God will not share His glory with another." Is 42:8
The day is coming soon....

"He's not finished with me yet." Brandon Heath

Isn't God amazing! He gets us through all the storms of life. He will not give us anything beyond what we can handle. And He makes a way out for His children.

I love these two words: mercy and grace. I thank God that they shine upon me new every day.

Call Me Crazy

Why would I spend my life longing for the day that it would end?
Why would I spend my time pointing to another man?
The world sees that as crazy.
How can I find hope in dying with promises unseen?

I have not been called to the wisdom of this world, but to a God who is calling out to me.
And even though the world may think that I'm losing touch with reality,
It would be crazy to choose this world over eternity.

If I boast let me boast, in filthy rags made clean.
If I glory let me glory in my Savior's suffering.
Isn't that crazy?
As I live this daily life I trust You for everything.
I will only take a stand when I feel you leading me.
Isn't that crazy?

I have not been called to the wisdom of this world, but to a God who is calling out to me.
And even though the world may think that I'm losing touch with reality,
It would be crazy to choose this world over eternity!
So, call me crazy!

Mercy Me
"Crazy"
CD: Spoken For

I thank God for: Jim, Jenny, Devyn, Chase, and Kennedy Salter. Family coming to visit today from Michigan.

I thank God for my beautiful wife. Her prayers inspire and lift me. Her love fills me. Her faith overflows.

I thank God for my mother, Wanda Dale Rush. Today is her birthday. Happy birthday, Mom!

I thank God for our pastors: Dr. Chuck Herring and Dr. Tommy Vinson. We are praying for them now.

I thank God for the birds. Watching them today. He is watching over me.

Blessing Blogs and Twittering the Gospel

Friends,

It has been a while.

Busy is good, but it also keeps me from spending a few moments journal-blogging. I miss narrative storytelling and just talking about what's going on in our lives. That still may take a back seat for a while, so I have decided to take on this project/idea that I have been thinking about. 

Since the infection of Twitter in the American bloodstream, mini-thoughts have become a regular for many of us who are following this phenomenon. I have to admit that I was very skeptical at the beginning. How can 140 words or less relay any kind of thought-provoking or mentally-inspiring commentary? Silly gibberish from bored celebrities was my first inclination.

But something happened.

People that I admired and was really interested in became a part of this silly phenomenon.

Pastors. Preachers.

Christian singers.

News people.

Sports stars.

So, I did something crazy... I jumped in.

Yep, I signed up and logged in and away I went.

Oh, I have zero followers- so far :) (you can follow me on twitter @winkrush)- how is that for advertising?!

Instead, I read. Yes, there is a lot of nothing being transmitted on this twitterverse of technology. But, I am fascinated by the nuggets that I have found.

For instance-Pastor (@HarrisJosh) From Covenant Grace Church had a contest on who could twitter the gospel. What a challenge! Remember, 140 words are the max you can type in each text. Here are a few that were submitted.

All are sinners. Christ died to satisfy God's judgment and was raised on the third day. By this grace you are saved. Repent and believe.- Chris Hemmelman

Because you have violated God's law(Rom3:23)you must repent of your sin(Luke13:5)and believe and trust in Jesus Christ alone(Rom10:9). - Jerry

By the substitutionary, atoning death of Jesus, God has begun the new creation by forgiving and regenerating all those who through faith repent and submit to Jesus. -Scott Newman

Holy God in love became

Perfect man to bear my blame

On the cross he took my sin

By his death (and resurrection) I live again.

- Adapted lyrics of a song by Drew Jone

There have been many other fascinating applications.

Max Lucado "tweets" (texting term) each day about what he is doing, etc. He even asks people to respond about certain sermon topics.

John Piper just wrote about how twitter should not distract or be used during a worship service. Well, duh, but I think many people are truly overusing it. They have thoughts or comments about almost anything. Celebrities like Ashton Kutcher has rallied people to sign up and follow his daily life. He fought to have the most followers, by the first of May- 1 million. He did it! (Stupid me signed on to help his cause.) But I have found some spiritual and thoughtful posts on his tweets. He is currently trying to feed the hungry children that are in America. How novel is that? I even decided one day to ask him directly if he believed in Jesus Christ. I never received a response. I may never.

But don't be surprised if you do. Casting Crowns' Mark Hall asked for an idea and sent a "thank you." Same happened with Mercy Me's Bart Millard.

I guess the interaction is an attraction and becomes more intriguing everyday, but I think I simply like the idea that we are all tied together in the web of a nation. Technology has done that. The ease of communication is amazing. I may not want to know what Miley Cirus' favorite Starbucks treat or Shaq's favorite hamburger is, but I do find out, and on more than one occasion we are invited to come tweet and greet (if you are nearby), to join with them at their favorite hot spot/restaurant.

Let me get to my project. Simply, I am going to use this blog and my "tweetability" to post blessings. I want to give thanks to God for the people in my life. I am going to thank Him for all the amazing things that He continues to do in my life.

The main reason is I want to keep track of how much I am really blessed. I know that I take in for granted. We all do! But if I tweet/blog/journal all my blessings/moments/people that bless our lives, I will have to stop and take notice of how God really does bless us immensely each and everyday. I know I can pray more, and I will each time I stop and give thanks. I want this to be an exercise in glorifying God. As I sit here and type this I am thinking how much more I could say at this very moment, but I need to go. I want to start by thanking everyone who ever prayed for me or my family. I want to thank God for listening to those prayers. I want to thank Him for loving us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.

140 words are not near enough thanks. 140 years are not near enough time.

He is our Father. Thank you for your unconditional love. Use me and guide me in everything I do and say for the rest of my life.

Please follow Jesus first.

And if you want to follow this blog or my twitter, I will be honored. Your name will most likely end up on here because I thank God for you.

Your brother in Christ,

Wink

We are going to work the Union Mission tent revival Thursday night. Then we are going on a short vacation to Branson, Mo