He Chose Us

As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across the following scripture:

"You did not choose me, but I chose you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last -and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other." John 15:16

He chose me and he chose you (no matter our past) to bear fruit. What does that mean to bear fruit. I feel there are many ways to explain producing fruit...but the one I'd like to focus on are the fruits of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. I believe this is what God is telling us to produce in our every day life. I know I definitely need some work on this...especially self-control (when it comes to food) :). But the most important of these that is mentioned in previous books of the Bible is love. Jesus even mentions that at the end of the above scripture. "This is my command: Love each other."

John 13:34 says "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Unconditional love, no matter what another person does. I know I have screwed up so many times, yet like a loving Father God, has not withheld HIS love from me. There have been many times where I have known the truth, but have willingly walked away thinking I could do it better on my own. That's like a slap in the face, but God still loves me even in the midst of it. That is the kind of love that God wants us to produce daily. It's so easy to get offended and bitter towards someone who has done us wrong (believe me I know this as fact in my own life) but in the long run we are only hurting ourselves. If we take the higher road and love rather than letting it get to us, God can use us even more.

Now if God chose US to produce that fruit, that means He has equipped us and given us the grace to do so. "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy." (Romans 9:16) So in this case, we know that we can't do it in our own strength, but God can in His strength and can empower us to do it. So, ask Him today to help you produce all those fruits of the spirit in your own life and He will.

Sunday nights

Growing up in a pastor's home, there were very few moments where we had uninterupted family time. We tried our very hardest to not schedule anything on the weekends, but inevitably there would be a special service/meeting/event or my parents would be meeting with people in the church (especially in the beginning years of the church). Even when we didn't have things going on with church, some one from the church would call with a problem that would take up at least one parents time (this was the time when everyone in the church had our house number).

I am proud of my parents though for making sure that the weekends (over the past few years) are set aside for the family. Friday Nights and Sunday afternoon's are scheduled family time and rarely will they schedule anything else during those times. Even though Jessica and I don't live there any more, we still try to make it to my parents house on a Sunday night to hang out with them. I cherish these moments where we don't talk about work (or try not to) but just enjoy being in each other's presence.

Tonight all of us were at my parents house to watch a movie (Taken is an amazing movie by the way). I loved it. I haven't been over there in a while on a Sunday night because I have been busy, but am going to try to do it more often....because I am understanding more and more the importance of making time for my family even in the rush of life's busyness because they are who matter most to me.

Traveling is on my mind

In thinking about my upcoming Italy trip... I realized that I love to travel. I love every aspect of it: the plane ride, the culture, the food etc.
Here is where I have been:

1. Israel
2. Jordan
3. Venezuela
4. Australia
5. Brazil
6. Argentina
7. Italy
8. Spain
9. Canada

Here is my extended lis of places I want to go to:

Europe:

1. Greece
2. London
3. Portugal
4. Spain
5. Austria
6. Germany
7. Switzerland

Americas/Caribbean:

1. Brazil (I have already been here, but it was a quick trip)
2. Barbados
3. St. Thomas
4. Honduras
5. Jamaica
6. Costa Rica
7. Dominican Republic
8. Chile
9. Hawaii (not a country but a place i want to go to)

Africa:

1. South Africa
2. Morocco
3. Egypt
4. Madagascar

Asia/Middle East:

1. China
2. India
3. Japan
4. Philippians
5. Thailand
6. Israel

Australia and Oceania:

1. New Zealand
2. Australia (Sydney)

i know there are plenty more place i would love to travel to....

Where do you want to go??