Merry Christmas!

I have been thinking for weeks now, how I do not want this Christmas time to be filled with empty religious activities, to fly by and leave me wanting more. I want more then presents. More then the rituals that take place year after year after year.

Love entered the world 2000 years ago or so. Think about that, and let it guide you through this Christmas. Don't just be grateful for God's love shown to you, but...

Love others!

Oh Bugger!

One of the people I recently started to follow on twitter asks...

Do you cuss?

Excellent question. Cuss words are cultural. Some words we use everyday in America are quite vulgar in other cultures. Likewise, some cuss words in other cultures are no big deal to us.

That said to point out, it is not the word.

I grew up with an alcoholic dad that used the ‘big’ cuss words all the time. Thus they were ingrained into my vocabulary. I use them often, not out of anger or hate, just as words, adjectives, verbs, what have you.

I lived with many years of shame from the ‘religious’ telling me how evil and bad I was to use such words. I tried with all my might to stop. it never worked.

When I finally realized how much God loves me (yes even After becoming a Christian), that He was in the business of restoring and healing my heart (not washing my mouth out with soap). I was able to let go of the shame, and the effort, and simply rest in Him doing what He does best. (If that makes sense to you.)

Do I still cuss? Yep. But God loves me and is still restoring and healing my heart! (Rom 8)

Rocco
Rohon!

Restore the places long devastated (part II) ...

...So the weekend of October 16th I placed the cornerstone in the foundations of the future.

I went to a Daddy Daughter camp with my two girls. This was a first for me, as a daddy or a son. Let me tell you, we had an awesome time! Crud wars, climbing walls, zip lines, crafts, an awesome time! So, as the last day of the weekend was coming, the enemy really kicked my but. I was up all night with a headache and nausea. I was hearing all morning

"I need to leave, I got a 6 hour drive home. What if I get sicker and end up driving home vomiting all the way? The schedule looks like they are gonna have a 2 hour church service this morning, you definitely don't wanna have to sit through that!"

I knew it was the enemy, I made no agreements. Then as the morning started I found out that the 'service' was a time for each dad to take his daughter up in front and speak a blessing to her, the light came on and then I knew what all the crap hitting me was about. I called Sandy and we prayed through it. I sat there watching every guy go up and bless their daughter(s), still feeling Very Sick. As I went up there with my girls, I shared with the guys about my family history, how important this 'blessing' is, and how extremely sick I felt as Satan opposed this, and asked them to pray for me. I immediately felt good and was able to bless my girls from my heart, without distraction. As I stepped off the stage, I felt as sick as I did before. It was a long drive home. It was a great weekend!

Before the weekend started I received an email from a great friend...

Rocco,

I love verse 4 in Isaiah 61. It’s about you and me. We are rebuilding, restoring and renewing all that has been devastated for generations. That is what you’ll be doing this weekend!

Have a GREAT time and enjoy Father’s smile on YOU as your girls enjoy your smile.

-Evergood

Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

What devastated places has God restored in your life?

What devastated places do you need Him to restore?

Rocco
Rohon!