I was blind Bartameus

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

I was blind Bartameus

I was blind yet not from birth, 

Regained sight to see 

Begging, blind, He held my mind 

Howled "have mercy on me"

Crowd will crow, scoffers show 

Persist, He hears our cries 

Jesus calls, faith stands or falls 

He will heal our eyes 

What then, Once healed what's next 

Allegiance to Christ is owed 

Like ole Bart, we get new start 

Follow Jesus along the road.

Mark 10:46-52

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Salome save

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Salome save 

She was asked to dance, did she have a chance 

Asked by her king and her mother 

Had John killed, for us blood was spilled 

Shows at Tomb, grieving for Another

King's birthday dinner, thought he was the winner 

Ended up eaten by distress 

Herod's day was done, Jesus Christ has won 

She's not to blame, Salome to bless 

Waiting for the sabbath, the girls got together 

Spent what they had on His anointing 

Weren't expecting Spirit, asked each other as they near it 

Who'll roll the stone to where He's pointing

King's birthday dinner, thought he was the winner 

Ended up eaten by distress 

Herod's day was done, Jesus Christ has won 

She's not to blame, Salome to bless 

King's birthday dinner, thought he was the winner 

Ended up eaten by distress 

Herod's day was done, Jesus Christ has won 

She's not to blame, Salome to bless. 

Matthew 14:6-12

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Mark 16:1-3

Jesus Has Risen

16:1-8pp — Mt 28:1-8; Lk 24:1-10

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

How long, LORD, will the wicked?

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

How long, LORD, will the wicked?

Godless fools who live by hate, jubilant songs they sing 

O, but their end, He'll surely send 

Sheol is the burden they bring 

Upon this earth there's joy and mirth 

The Godless are dying 

Wicked folks bear heavy yokes 

Flailing, not flying 

Jesus says, "Come to Me all you who are weary"

Take His yoke, your soul awoke 

Real rest, your choice is cheery.

Psalms 94:3

How long, LORD, will the wicked,

how long will the wicked be jubilant?

Matthew 11:28-29

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Plunder

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called: 

Plunder

I sin, I need The Lord 

His mercy covers all 

Each morning I make mistakes 

Evil one ties and takes 

Still strong as I hear and heed His call 

Holy Spirit speaks, He protects and He frees 

His goal is always freedom for man 

He's been around forever, man curses Him will never 

See His face, He's fair because He can 

Without Him I'm afraid , I'm weak and at risk 

Like a lamb , lion looks to slaughter

Satan is a prowler, tries to trap as fowler 

Laid his evil trap for Eve and caught her 

I am no better, I am just like Eve 

Without His protection I'm a goner 

With him I'm strong, eternal, lasting long 

Free to follow Jesus, in His honor.

Genesis 3:2-5

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Mark 3:22-29

22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Pilate’s wife

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Pilate’s wife

See women in the Passion , see it in Creation 

Eve is Adam's other side 

Pilate's wife feared for her life 

Knew nowhere her husband could hide 

Dreams are often accurate, a restful mind is strong 

Don't judge a book by its cover 

Women's intuition, significant suspicion 

Eve was way more than Adam's lover 

Had Pilate listened, actually heard 

Don't know if Passion could’ve changed 

One things for certain, when Jesus tore the curtain 

All our sin for Him was exchanged

Dreams are often accurate, a restful mind is strong 

Don't judge a book by its cover 

Women's intuition, significant suspicion 

Eve was way more than Adam's lover 

Dreams are often accurate, a restful mind is strong 

Don't judge a book by its cover 

Women's intuition, significant suspicion 

Eve was way more than Adam's lover.

Genesis 2:21-22

21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Matthew 27:19

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

You renew

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

You renew

2024, a  year of renewal, a brain that was hurt, renewed 

This year the heart, I offer at start 

My worship not yet to conclude 

My task at hand, not conform to a land 

Be transformed by Your renewal 

Test and approve, Your will is my groove 

Perfect, I live through accrual 

Finish strong, live long 

My worship is what I offer 

While I'm still living, it's me that I'm giving 

Don't finish a scorner or scoffer 

My task at hand, not conform to a land 

Be transformed by Your renewal 

Test and approve, Your will is my groove 

Perfect, I live through accrual 

My task at hand, not conform to a land 

Be transformed by Your renewal 

Test and approve, Your will is my groove 

Perfect, I live through accrual.

Romans 12:1-2

A Living Sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Nothing to do with dirt

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Nothing to do with dirt 

Identity's not national, nor is it political 

Spiritual is the only share  

Levites got The Lord, in today's sense they scored 

God can consistently care

Nothing to do with dirt 

Land can end in hurt

People protect the border 

God is over Earth, He's your place of birth 

He made you, knows you, has all things in order 

Look ahead to His return, He's coming back to Earth 

Again He'll be the One to move the dial 

Peter even knew, his catch of fish was through 

he walked on water even through denial 

Nothing to do with dirt 

Land can end in hurt

People protect the border 

God is over Earth, He's your place of birth 

He made you, knows you, has all things in order 

Nothing to do with dirt 

Land can end in hurt

People protect the border 

God is over Earth, He's your place of birth 

He made you, knows you, has all things in order.

Deuteronomy 10:9

That is why the Levites have no share or inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the LORD is their inheritance, as the LORD your God told them.)

Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Ancientdom

Imagine the regret, the horror of the scene 

Vipers all around and no way out 

Knowing you'll be struck, you've made this mire and muck 

You see Bronze snake, in pain you scream and shout 

Damaged and in pain, you feel your strength regain 

Somehow you saw and now you live 

God's your second chance, all you did was glance 

You now see all there is to give 

You're seeing through the years, Salvation through tears 

You can't know why but somehow know He sees us

You want eternal life, you know you've caused this strife 

Lifted up is your Saviour Jesus. 

Numbers 21:8-9

The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

John 3:14-15

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Humble Assurance

Faithfully brave, humbly sure 

Surety safeguards a saint 

Saviour says all things are His ways 

Son selects saint or no saint 

Magic , murder, morality mounts

Hell's no laughing matter 

Monstrous, massive, don't be passive

Move above the clatter.

Luke 10:22

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars —they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Am I the rabble?

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Am I the rabble 

I don't know but You do, what we each are

I'm who You say I am 

whether I'm the rabble, bringing thankless babble 

May die in the desert, damned 

Oddly, I'm not damned, here I stand alive 

I didn't get what I deserve

Three days in the grave, Christ, who died, can save

He came not to condemn, but to serve 

Since, alas, I'm saved, all I can do 

Follow and obey, He's leading 

Once in His Word, I'm now seen and heard 

Obedience for me is keep on reading 

Oddly, I'm not damned, here I stand alive 

I didn't get what I deserve

Three days in the grave, Christ, who died, can save

He came not to condemn, but to serve 

Oddly, I'm not damned, here I stand alive 

I didn't get what I deserve

Three days in the grave, Christ, who died, can save

He came not to condemn, but to serve. 

Numbers 11:4-6

Quail From the LORD

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna! ”

Mark 10:33-34

33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

Lead Well to Be Pursued

 Lead Well to Be Pursued

Text: Isaiah 35:10 (ESV)

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

---

Introduction

Every man longs to feel wanted by his wife—to be admired, respected, and even pursued. But pursuit doesn’t just happen. It’s the fruit of godly leadership. In Isaiah 35:10, we see God’s people joyfully returning to Him because He made a way and went before them. In the same way, when a man leads well, his wife is drawn to him with joy. Leadership unlocks pursuit.

---

Point 1: Step Out in Front – Leadership Precedes Pursuit

Biblical Insight:

God’s people returned to Zion because God took the initiative. A man must also take the first step. Leadership is about direction, not domination.

Scripture Reference:

“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church.” – Ephesians 5:23

Personal Application:

• Spiritually: Be the one to initiate prayer, Bible reading, and church involvement.

• Relationally: Don’t wait for her to fix what’s broken. Plan the date night. Make the first move toward reconciliation.

• Practically: Set financial goals. Make plans for your family’s future. Lead with intention.

Challenge:

Pick one area—spiritual, relational, or practical—and take one bold, intentional step this week.

---

Point 2: Lead with Love – The Path to Joyful Pursuit

Biblical Insight:

Joy comes when love leads. Christ laid down His life for the church; real leadership in marriage reflects that same sacrificial love.

Scripture Reference:

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5:25

Personal Application:

• Listen well. Be fully present in conversation.

• Serve her. Do the small things—dishes, errands, chores she didn’t ask you to do.

• Speak life. Affirm her daily—not just her beauty, but her character and strength.

Challenge:

Send a daily note or text this week sharing one specific thing you admire or appreciate about her.

---

Point 3: Create a Vision Worth Following

Biblical Insight:

The people in Isaiah 35:10 were returning with joy because they were going somewhere—Zion. A man must lead his family with a clear sense of purpose and direction.

Scripture Reference:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Personal Application:

• Talk about the future. Where do you see your marriage and family in 5 years?

• Invite her into your dreams. Ask her what she’s passionate about.

• Move with purpose. Don’t wait for “someday.” Start building now.

Challenge:

Plan a “vision night.” Share goals, pray together, and write down a direction for your family. Revisit it monthly.

---

Conclusion

Isaiah 35:10 is a picture of joyful return. God’s people pursued Him because He went before them. If you want to be pursued by your wife, step into godly leadership—go first, lead with love, and cast vision. When you do, you create a marriage where pursuit, passion, and purpose flourish.

---

How great the pain of searing loss

Hi Team

Three years ago almost to the day our family and friends had an experience I thought I should write down and pass along to people we love. 

Our only son, Connor (12), went missing for three hours yesterday after his rep rugby practice. For an agonising period of time yesterday we thought we had lost him forever.

I went to pick him up from practice as usual and upon arrival (about 5 mins late) the clubroom was locked and no Connor to be seen anywhere. At first I didn't worry as I simply went and picked up a nearby friend who needed a ride and said to myself, "He'll call and explain and let me know his location." 

No call came.

Upon arriving back home minus Connor, Julia asked where he was and I told her I didn't know but I'm sure he would call pretty soon.

No call.

Elissa (17), my oldest daughter, and I then decided we should jump in the car and go back to the clubrooms just in case I missed him the first time. God had thankfully provided for us to have an awesome group of friends over for lunch after church who had kids keeping our youngest daughter Lily-Beth (7) totally oblivious to the angst and panic that her older brother was somehow missing. 

Elissa and I searched all around and couldn't find him. To make matters worse we didn't know if he had his phone on him as it would ring several times and go to voicemail indicating that the phone was turned on but not answered. 

I began to be worried. Elissa (and at home Rosie as well) covered it really well with stoicism but both were worried too as this is totally uncharacteristic of Connor, normally pretty responsible.

What happens next is such an awesome example of Community I just want to raise it up in thanks to the Lord. Several of his teammates parents and the coach heard he was missing and rallied the troops and ALL jumped in their cars and began searching for Connor. Even the friends at Greta Point cafe sent out one of their own upon my telling them of my only son...missing. 

If you live in Wellington you will understand this sacrifice. This sacrificing of the first sunny Sunday after a massive monsoon hit Wellington means ALOT to those of us who were cooped up indoors for 4 days while being pounded by the storm. We deeply understand the need to take advantage of those precious sunshine hours because we know in Wellington winter the next storm is coming pretty soon and so it shone out like a light in the darkness that these people cared about Connor and were going to search until we found him.

After searching for two hours I, in trepidation, made the call to the police to report Connor as a missing person. They immediately started searching as well. Once the police were involved it seemed to take on a new level for all of us. If you have never been in this situation let me tell you that your mind will take you to the outermost and heinous places and just drop you there and leave you there. I had to continually pray one of my favorite verses just to keep sane in these times:

Isaiah 26:3

New International Version (NIV)

3 You will keep in perfect peace    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.

I actually prefer the King James translation of this verse:

Isaiah 26:3

King James Version (KJV)

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

God again thankfully provided that verse at the time I needed it.

At this point of course everyone involved is in panic mode fearing the worst and scrambling around the city trying to find Connor, my only son. 

The call finally came that Connor had been found! Safe! One of his teammates Mothers (bless her) found him casually walking home from Rugby practice (Kilbirnie to Khandallah) absolutely oblivious that anyone was even searching for him! 12-year old boys testosterone surge actually sucks most of the blood from the brain I think to attend to other areas of the body :-)

Needless to say, everyone stopped crying, threw their hands up towards The Lord and thanked Him for a most successful outcome -- Connor, my only son, is safe!

For a brief moment yesterday I knew the pain of searing loss. I will have to unpack God's plan in this for me (and Connor) but for a short time I felt it...my only son is gone.

Today as Julia and I sat down to pray and thank the Lord for his return it hit us both LIKE A TRUCK that God himself felt the exact searing loss when He sent His only son Jesus into the world to be a sacrifice for all of us. God felt the searing loss of His only Son. All I can do at this point is worship an Almighty God who would know of this pain and still persevere with His plan of salvation.

Lastly, I will share the lyrics of the song that Julia and I thought of in prayer today:

How Deep The Fathers Love For Us" - Stuart Townend

Lyrics:
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


Thanks heaps to all and blessings

Clay

The power of Peace

Why do men leave the church? I'm mainly talking to myself and my men friends here when I say, "don't be the guy who gets so many rocks and pebbles in your pocket that you get fed up and leave your church".  The reference here 1 Timothy 2:8. 

Don't be this guy!

Let me explain. I hope to present the problem here and suggest a solution or two. I call the solution the Power of Peace.

I have been in the same church (The Street City Church in Wellington, New Zealand) for 18 years now and, just like everyone else, there have been things about the church that I would have done differently and some of those things made me angry. Angry at who though? 

God? He is, after all, the overall leader of His church. 

How about the church leadership? They carry the brunt of the ire that is generated from people (like me) who, in a cruel irony, have set ideas about how 'church' should be done. How about the Head Pastor? Isn't he supposed to be the God-appointed leader who the buck stops with? 

I often found myself stewing over things that I had no control over and at the end of the day were really just 'Rocks and pebbles'. Rocks are big, substantial things that are sometimes due to real injustices that hurt us. Think child abuse or being wrongfully accused of a crime and serving time. Pebbles, however, are the small, personal injustices that are mostly acts of omission rather than commission meaning I am angry at the fact that someone DIDN'T do something as opposed to what they DID. Think about how many times you have been hurt because someone passed by you at church and didn't say hello or knew you were hurting and didn't offer any care or condolence. These omissions are simply what people didn't do or say when you thought they should. Pebbles.

Rocks carry absolute (yet only partial) responsibility on the part of the 'offender'. If your relative molested or abused you as a child then the relative carries the responsibility for that wrong and you have justification for blaming the relative. They acted wrongly in a sin of commission. Lets call this item a 'Rock'. However, if the relative just simply didn't call you when you thought they should or didn't send you the birthday card that they normally do well that is an 'act of omission' rather than a 'sin of omission' because we don't know what is going on with that person and it may well be that our not calling them at that point was a harsher act of omission. Everyone struggles. Let's call this item a 'Pebble'.

If you have rocks and pebbles in your pocket and jump in the ocean what happens? You sink to the bottom right? They key here is to get rid of the rocks and pebbles rather than hold on to them and be in danger of sinking! If you (or I) wind up throwing all our toys out of the cot and leaving our church then it is my fault (and yours) for not getting rid of the rocks and pebbles. At this point I can hear some of you saying, "my church has real issues though the leadership is not acting in line with how Jesus would have them act and the services are not teaching the Bible and x, y, and z." Some people may be right in leaving a church that doesn't have its act together. A Biblical model of church leadership is a good indication to make sure your church has it's act together with the right checks and balances with it's foundation in the Bible. Throughout the New Testament, principles of church leadership point to a central theme: plurality. The church is to be led by a plurality of godly leaders. By relying on consensual agreement of godly Elders selected from the congregation, the church creates a healthy checks-and-balances of leadership direction, financial accountability, spiritual guidance, and ministry implementation.

Most churches that have a Biblical model of church leadership (like mine) actually have the right checks and balances in place. Therefore, if I (or you) don't get rid of the stones and wind up leaving the church then it is actually on us to wear the responsibility for this decision...not on God or His church.

I mentioned at the start of this article a solution: how to get rid of the stones!

Firstly, be open to the fact that we are the issue. Not God. Not the leadership. Us.

If you (or I) are closed to the possibilities that WE are the problem then there is not a person on Earth that can help you throw the stones away. Be ready and willing to take full responsibility for the stuff you are thinking and you are on the right track to being able to swim through all the possible heartaches that come with being a human in a church. If you continue to put the blame for your wrong thinking on others you are sunk. Part of the good news is that the longer you live and stay in a good church the older and wiser you get and you by default you may be learning to throw the stones.

Secondly, use your God-given humility to approach your Pastor or Elder with your stone and let them know what it is you are unhappy about. The most likely outcome is that you will make a new friend or become a closer friend due to the fact that you have approached the issue in a Biblical manner (Matthew 18:15). You will also throw the stone away.

Lastly, use your stones to actually set up a bonfire to ignite your passion for His church! If you come out the other side with no stones in your pocket shouldn't the next logical thing be to put your own time and effort into building His church? If you find the power of Peace don't you want everyone to also find it...of course you do!

If you want relevance in your church -- Get involved! 

If you want to be involved in something bigger than yourself -- Get involved!

If you want a shot at greatness -- Get involved!

If you want to be challenged -- Get involved!

If you are looking for some different types of action, you want to be a leader, you just want some fun, you are looking for some brothers, just looking for healing. The answer to every one of these 2016 issues and goals is to get involved (and stay involved) in your local church. Just do it!

That is the solution.

In summary, if you make the decision to gather and carry your stones in your pocket until one day they weigh you down so much you decide to leave your church -- You alone have made that decision!

Lord, I pray for every reader to hear what I say in the right spirit: encouragement. Then decide to own up to the negative feelings and doubts they may have and take them to their leaders in a Biblical manner and, through this act of the will, be a better person and experience the power of Peace. Amen.

I can be the best in the world at this...

If you have read some of the business books of late several tell you that you want to focus focus focus on what you could be the best in the world at doing...then do that a lot! Frankly, that makes a ton of sense in the marketplace.

I was out training for my 50th birthday party today (yep I am training for a party coming up on the 21st). You see some guys go to Vegas for their 50th birthday so I want to do the opposite -- run/walk up three of my favourite mountains with some friends and family in one day, Mt Victoria, Mt Albert, and Mt Kaukau. Running group will start at Kingdom Fitness and run Vic to Albert and back. We will then have a break for lunch at our house, then hit Kaukau. Everyone welcome! My kind of party.

Anyway, I was out on a training run today when I realised this fact: I don't have to compete with other humans for my character. Not only that but I'd also go as far as to say it is ONLY God who truly matters when judging my character. After all, it is really Him that I am trying to serve anyway. I serve Him through serving His people but it is not the people I am trying to 'compete with' by serving. I am simply serving. Here are a few pics of my run today:

Therefore, I think I have found what I can be the best in the world at. It is MY relationship with Jesus. You see my relationship with Him is only mine and His. By the sheer exclusivity of this relationship I am the only one capable and responsible for this relationship. Therefore, I can be the best in the world at my relationship with Jesus! That is what I seek. Amen.