There's a subtle, but huge difference, between knowing about God, and having a personal relationship with Him.

You can know that God is all powerful and all knowing, without experiencing the peace that comes from trusting Him.

You can know that God forgives sin, without experiencing the grace of His forgiveness for the worst thing you've ever done.

You can know that God wants you to have joy, without experiencing the patience He shows while you fight His plans to provide it.

You can know that Jesus paid for your access to this relationship, without feeling the love that compelled Him to pay such a price.

• (00:00:02) - Swimming in the Pool
• (00:03:08) - TRAVEL: Adventures along the Mississippi
• (00:04:11) - Strengthening Yourself in the Lord
• (00:05:09) - Lost Phone
• (00:06:02) - Strengthening Yourself in the Lord
• (00:12:01) - Trusting God
• (00:16:18) - Heavenly Wait: Praying For Changes
• (00:19:45) - How to Strengthen Our Souls in the Lord
• (00:26:24) - Part 3 of Humility
• (00:31:57) - Knowing About God and Knowing God
• (00:36:37) - Getting Away From the World
• (00:41:45) - Quiet Time on Vacation
• (00:46:08) - Pray Without Ceasing for the Lord
• (00:48:16) - Another homework assignment for Philippians
• (00:48:33) - Philippians 1:21: To Live Is Christ
• (00:52:16) - Andy Griffith on His Face

As I grow closer to the Lord, the more I am marveled by His creation around us. I love to point out nice sunsets to the kids, or find a good place to go for a walk away from the man made stuff.

But it can be easy to forget that of all of God's creation, we are His most precious. He created the world around us to show us His power, but He created us to show us His love.

How can we be a light that points others to His love the same way the sun points us to His power?

Serving God isn't an obligation. It's a priviledge, one given by Him and Him alone. God doesn't take church attendance. He doesn't count Hail Mary's. We aren't credited with righteousness based on mission trips or Sunday school. We are credited by grace alone, through faith alone.

We are natually born scorekeepers. We appreciate that Jesus wiped out the bad that we've done. But we still want Him to credit us for the good He's done through us.

He doesn't need us. He can do anything, any way He chooses. And He chooses, above all else, to have a relationship with us.

He paid all He possibly could to offer us this gift, and we expect a pat on the back for accepting it.

• (00:00:02) - Benjamin on Confessions
• (00:00:57) - Daniel Had A Funeral
• (00:03:35) - Sausage in the City
• (00:06:05) - Birthday Gifts for Kids
• (00:09:09) - Swimmer's Swim Cap
• (00:12:31) - A Good Guy's Gift
• (00:14:03) - Brandon Gets A Birthday Gift
• (00:15:28) - Ben's 55th Birthday
• (00:18:05) - Kenny Westbrook on His Birthday Present
• (00:18:29) - God's Love For Crazies
• (00:22:03) - Don't Worry About Relationships at 25
• (00:25:37) - Don't Worry About Tomorrow
• (00:29:39) - God's Love for Us
• (00:34:11) - Walking by the Spirit
• (00:37:18) - Golf Lessons For Amateur Swimmers
• (00:39:15) - God's Weight on Us
• (00:42:07) - Daniel 9: In Jesus Name
• (00:45:17) - The Lord's Prayer
• (00:49:31) - He Uses The Sip Club at Panera
• (00:52:39) - How To Get Out of a Racket
• (00:54:14) - Daniel 9: The End of Man in One
• (00:57:49) - Patriotism in the South
• (01:03:24) - Understanding the Infinite Love of God
• (01:05:39) - How to Love Your Mother
• (01:08:40) - How to Pray for Your Own Life
• (01:12:18) - Ben's Car Gets Passed Inspection
• (01:14:12) - The 6 P's of Bible Study
• (01:18:43) - Reasons We Had A Pool