Last week I visited the great people at the Chocolate Necessities to say, “Hi.” and visit with the owner Kevin.  It’s a wonderful neighborhood chocolate shop next to the church that imports chocolate from all over the world.  Many times Kevin will show a new product that he is excited about and, if I’m lucky, he let’s me be the “quality control” person for a blissful, brief moment.  The latest sensation in his shop is the dark chocolate bar with chili peppers.  He’s says, “It’s wonderful smooth dark chocolate that’s very enjoyable and then you wonder where the chili pepper is– Bam! It gets you.  Believe me it’s in there!”
Isn’t that like the Word of God?  You read it and read it and at times it just seems like words on a page and then Pow! It comes alive.  It brings wisdom and revelation and conviction that cuts like a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).  I want to encourage you to keep reading because whatever you are looking for…it’s in there!

A couple of weeks ago, while doing some work in my back yard, I was burning some branches (legally) on a burn pile.  I was amazed at how quickly and how hot it burned.  The flame rose a lot higher than I thought it would and it affected the trees around it.  To my surprise, the tree closest to the fire got singed pretty good.  What a great picture of the presence of God— if we get close to the holy fire of God we will be changed.  Psalm 39:3 says "my heart grew hot within me." While I meditated, the fire burned. Get close to the flame and allow God to set your heart on fire for revival.

It’s hard to believe that my daughter, Hailey, graduated this week from Meridian High School. It just seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. Life passes by so rapidly and it is times like these that make me realize how fast it all goes. This past Sunday the Class of 2011 of Meridian High School chose me to speak at their Baccalaureate and I was amazed at the privilege and how God was honored in that place. In many ways this was a dream come true for me and I am blown away that God had placed me in this position to speak into the lives of these students. Join me as I continue to pray that their hearts will be set on fire for the things of God. 

I just got a new cell phone and my world has been turned upside down.  It is really taking a lot to get familiar with this new piece of technology in my life.  I was so used to using my "old school" cell phone and was becoming efficient with its system of communication– but now this new cell phone is killing me.  It takes me twice as long to text or call people because I simply don’t know the little quirks an nuances of this communication device.  It just seems so complicated!  I know that eventually it will work well for me– but right now I don’t like this adjustment period.
I’m so glad that communication with God isn’t complicated.  All we have to do is just speak to Him and He listens.  Simple.  Speak to God.  He’s waiting to hear from you.