A Heavenly Strategic Planning Session
And the Lord said, "Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?" One suggested this, and another that. - 1 Kings 22:20
There are few times we get a glimpse of what goes on in Heaven. Here is one instance when the angels were conferring with the Lord about the judgment of King Ahab for his sin and who was going to set up Ahab for this judgment.
If God wanted to use you to impact your world for Jesus Christ, what circumstances would have to be created in order for you to respond to His call? Would prospering you materially encourage you to this end? Would a major change in what you are presently doing be necessary? What would your response be should God and the angels conclude that the only way to move you into a position of fulfilling God's purposes was to remove some things that might be very dear to you? Would you agree with their plan if you knew this would be the only way you would achieve the purposes for which God made you? Hard questions, aren't they?
This is the very thing God does in many who have been called for a special mission. Moses had to be stripped of his royal position in the family of Egypt and sit in the desert for 40 years. The apostle Paul had to be knocked to the ground, blinded, and receive a personal visitation from Jesus. The 12 disciples had to leave their jobs for three years to follow Christ. Imagine what kind of disruption this had on their lives. There are many examples of God bringing major upheaval in the lives of those He called for His purposes. Why?
The reason is that we do not seek God with a whole heart in times of prosperity and comfort. Prosperity and comfort tend to breed complacency and satisfaction. It is rare to find the man or woman who seeks God with a whole heart who does so simply from a grateful heart. We often must have pain or crisis to motivate us. Eventually, that crisis bridges us to a new calling, and we embrace that calling if we are open to the Holy Spirit's work in us. We can actually thank God for the change that was required to get us to this place, but it is not without anguish of heart.
Would you be willing to sit in the strategic planning session for your life and agree with the plans God has for your life? Could you give God complete freedom to implement that plan, no matter the cost? Ask God to give you the grace and trust in His love for you to say "yes."
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/29/06
God’s Seal of Ownership
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.—Ephesians 1:13
In the apostle Paul’s day, goods shipped from one place to another would be stamped with a wax seal and imprinted with a signet ring, bearing a unique mark of ownership. The same was true of an important document from a ruler. No one would dare open it other than the addressee.
As a part of the great work of conversion, the Holy Spirit also seals us. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
God has set His royal seal on us. It is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And when the devil comes to wreak havoc on our lives, he is stopped cold by that seal of ownership. He sees an imprint on us that says, “Property of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,” because we are under the protection of God.
But what about the person who is not a believer? Can the devil wreak havoc on an unbeliever’s life? Absolutely. He can have his way, for the most part.
But as believers, we come under God’s protection. Ephesians 1:14 says the Holy Spirit “is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession. . . . ” It is the idea of putting a deposit down on something. And it is a reminder that God will keep His promise to you, that you will see Him one day in heaven. Now that is a serious down payment.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.—Ephesians 1:13
In the apostle Paul’s day, goods shipped from one place to another would be stamped with a wax seal and imprinted with a signet ring, bearing a unique mark of ownership. The same was true of an important document from a ruler. No one would dare open it other than the addressee.
As a part of the great work of conversion, the Holy Spirit also seals us. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
God has set His royal seal on us. It is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And when the devil comes to wreak havoc on our lives, he is stopped cold by that seal of ownership. He sees an imprint on us that says, “Property of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,” because we are under the protection of God.
But what about the person who is not a believer? Can the devil wreak havoc on an unbeliever’s life? Absolutely. He can have his way, for the most part.
But as believers, we come under God’s protection. Ephesians 1:14 says the Holy Spirit “is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession. . . . ” It is the idea of putting a deposit down on something. And it is a reminder that God will keep His promise to you, that you will see Him one day in heaven. Now that is a serious down payment.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/28/06
The Promise of Power
“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.—Acts 2:39
A dimension of power is available to believers today that is sadly neglected by many. It is a dimension of power that will radically affect your ability to share the gospel with others, a dimension of power that will deepen your prayer life and understanding of God’s Word. It is the same power the early church received, which enabled them to turn their world upside-down.
The same power that was poured out on the day of Pentecost is available to believers today. After the Holy Spirit was poured out, Peter said, “For the promise is to you,” speaking to the people that were present at the time, “and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). So this was not an event that was only for the early believers. It was for the generations that were to follow as well.
Now there are some ways we can go wrong in relating our experience to Scripture. One is by claiming things that go beyond what the Bible says or even contradict it. Sadly today, much of what is done in the name of the Holy Spirit has little or nothing to do with Him. This makes the church a laughingstock to the world, and it is an embarrassment.
Yet the same Holy Spirit that set the church into motion some 2,000 years ago is working today. And He is ready and willing to empower you to be the witness for Jesus Christ that you have always wanted to be.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.—Acts 2:39
A dimension of power is available to believers today that is sadly neglected by many. It is a dimension of power that will radically affect your ability to share the gospel with others, a dimension of power that will deepen your prayer life and understanding of God’s Word. It is the same power the early church received, which enabled them to turn their world upside-down.
The same power that was poured out on the day of Pentecost is available to believers today. After the Holy Spirit was poured out, Peter said, “For the promise is to you,” speaking to the people that were present at the time, “and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). So this was not an event that was only for the early believers. It was for the generations that were to follow as well.
Now there are some ways we can go wrong in relating our experience to Scripture. One is by claiming things that go beyond what the Bible says or even contradict it. Sadly today, much of what is done in the name of the Holy Spirit has little or nothing to do with Him. This makes the church a laughingstock to the world, and it is an embarrassment.
Yet the same Holy Spirit that set the church into motion some 2,000 years ago is working today. And He is ready and willing to empower you to be the witness for Jesus Christ that you have always wanted to be.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
Monday, November 27, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/27/06
Staying Connected
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8
Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world with the touch of a button.
My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.
The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day. It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps. If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.
The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice. David, the author of this psalm, was a warrior, king, and businessman. He understood this principle of connecting with God in the morning. His morning allowed him to connect with God's love, renew his trust in Him, and hear His directions for his life. Shouldn't you and I do the same?
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8
Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world with the touch of a button.
My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.
The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day. It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps. If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.
The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice. David, the author of this psalm, was a warrior, king, and businessman. He understood this principle of connecting with God in the morning. His morning allowed him to connect with God's love, renew his trust in Him, and hear His directions for his life. Shouldn't you and I do the same?
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
About to Get Ready to Go to Bedford
Lora and I are about to get ready so we can head down to Bedford so I can preach again at Faith Fellowship Assembly of God. This morning, I am going to begin a series - Unwrapping the Gift Of Christmas. My message today is The Gift Of No-Limit Giving.
Main text today is 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 - Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
My sub text is the promise of John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The BIG IDEA is this: Jesus never pretended that life would always be easy, but Jesus promised us life without limits.
Christ enables us to live a life without limits by providing each of us who follow Him with...
1. Unlimited Resources
2. Unlimited Strength
3. Unlimited Access
We must be willing to unwrap the gift of no-limit living in our personal lives.
Main text today is 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 - Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
My sub text is the promise of John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The BIG IDEA is this: Jesus never pretended that life would always be easy, but Jesus promised us life without limits.
Christ enables us to live a life without limits by providing each of us who follow Him with...
1. Unlimited Resources
2. Unlimited Strength
3. Unlimited Access
We must be willing to unwrap the gift of no-limit living in our personal lives.
Daily Caffeination 11/26/06
Freedom and Boundaries
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" - Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries-freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries. God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God's will for His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" - Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries-freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries. God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God's will for His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Day After Thanksgiving Tradition
Every year that we are in town, Lora and I drag all of our Christmas stuff down from the attic and we decorate. After spending Thanksgiving Day eating roast beef, Lora's famous apple, cranberry, currant pie and spending time with Lora's mom and brother, we spent yesterday cleaning and decorating for the Christmas season.
I love this time of year. It is so festive, but most of all it is a celebration of God's gift to us, His son, Jesus. We cannot have His (Jesus) death on the cross without His birth in a manger in an ol' stable in Bethlehem. This is a great time of year to celebrate the birth and life of Christ. So what that it is so commercial, I see that as an opportunity to share with others what Christmas is all about. It is a great time to put our faith in ACTION.
Well here are some pictures of our decorated house & one from Thanksgiving day.
Representin'... Steelers Baby!!!
What Christmas is all about...
I love this time of year. It is so festive, but most of all it is a celebration of God's gift to us, His son, Jesus. We cannot have His (Jesus) death on the cross without His birth in a manger in an ol' stable in Bethlehem. This is a great time of year to celebrate the birth and life of Christ. So what that it is so commercial, I see that as an opportunity to share with others what Christmas is all about. It is a great time to put our faith in ACTION.
Well here are some pictures of our decorated house & one from Thanksgiving day.
Lora, her mom's dog Butch, her mom and her brother Philip on Thanksgiving Day
Representin'... Steelers Baby!!!
What Christmas is all about...
Daily Caffeination 11/25/06
Wholly Committed
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”—1 Peter 1:15–16
God’s highway is a holy way. In Isaiah 35:8 we read that “it will be called the Highway of Holiness.” The Bible also tells us that without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
When we think of holiness or a holy person, we may think that a holy life means a dull life. Words like obedience, holiness, sacrifice, and commitment are so unappealing to us. We envision a life spent with boring people doing boring things—no fun at all. Yet how untrue that is. The holy life is the happy life. The Bible says that if you want to be happy, then be holy. If you seek to be a holy person, then you will be a happy person.
By “holy person” I mean a person who is living to please God. So instead of spelling holy “h-o-l-y,” try spelling it “w-h-o-l-l-y” and thinking of it as being wholly committed to God, giving everything over to Him, letting Him be the Lord of your life, and letting Him guide your steps. This is the fullest life there is. You will get up in the morning with joy in your heart and with God’s Word and His Spirit to lead you. It is the best life there is.
Yet none of us can be holy on our own. We try to live by certain regulations. We try to be honest and caring and considerate. But we fall short. So how do we gain access to God’s highway of holiness? We must come to God and ask Him for His forgiveness, and He will make us holy people.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”—1 Peter 1:15–16
God’s highway is a holy way. In Isaiah 35:8 we read that “it will be called the Highway of Holiness.” The Bible also tells us that without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
When we think of holiness or a holy person, we may think that a holy life means a dull life. Words like obedience, holiness, sacrifice, and commitment are so unappealing to us. We envision a life spent with boring people doing boring things—no fun at all. Yet how untrue that is. The holy life is the happy life. The Bible says that if you want to be happy, then be holy. If you seek to be a holy person, then you will be a happy person.
By “holy person” I mean a person who is living to please God. So instead of spelling holy “h-o-l-y,” try spelling it “w-h-o-l-l-y” and thinking of it as being wholly committed to God, giving everything over to Him, letting Him be the Lord of your life, and letting Him guide your steps. This is the fullest life there is. You will get up in the morning with joy in your heart and with God’s Word and His Spirit to lead you. It is the best life there is.
Yet none of us can be holy on our own. We try to live by certain regulations. We try to be honest and caring and considerate. But we fall short. So how do we gain access to God’s highway of holiness? We must come to God and ask Him for His forgiveness, and He will make us holy people.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
Friday, November 24, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/24/06
Check Under the Hood
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. - Colossians 3:8
"The root issue you are dealing with is fear. The physical symptom is control, and when you cannot control, you get angry because of unmet expectations." These were the words I spoke during a conversation in a restaurant to my friend who was separated from his wife. He described his anger and how he never saw some of these characteristics in his life until he entered this marriage.
A friend once said to me, "Anger is like the lights on a dashboard. They tell you something is going on under the hood. You must find out the source of the problem." Whenever we have expectations of another person and those expectations do not materialize, our tendency is to get angry. The source of the anger is often the fear that the unmet expectation will negatively impact us. We fear that our finances, our well-being, our image, or any number of things may be impacted by the unmet expectation. My friend's wife had not met his expectations in many areas of his life, so then, many times it resulted in harsh words that damaged his wife's self-esteem. Now, it was leading to a marriage crisis.
Jesus often spoke of living as though we were dead. How can you live as though you are dead? "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6:11). It is a choice each of us must make. Once you become dead to that which stirs an emotion in you, God is free to change that situation. Until then, you can expect God to allow that situation to remain until you reckon yourself dead to the effects of the issue that causes you to struggle.
Is there something that causes anger within you? Ask God what the source of that anger is. You might be surprised at what you find. Then ask God to give you the grace to reckon yourself dead to that issue. You will find new freedom in your relationships and your own peace of mind.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. - Colossians 3:8
"The root issue you are dealing with is fear. The physical symptom is control, and when you cannot control, you get angry because of unmet expectations." These were the words I spoke during a conversation in a restaurant to my friend who was separated from his wife. He described his anger and how he never saw some of these characteristics in his life until he entered this marriage.
A friend once said to me, "Anger is like the lights on a dashboard. They tell you something is going on under the hood. You must find out the source of the problem." Whenever we have expectations of another person and those expectations do not materialize, our tendency is to get angry. The source of the anger is often the fear that the unmet expectation will negatively impact us. We fear that our finances, our well-being, our image, or any number of things may be impacted by the unmet expectation. My friend's wife had not met his expectations in many areas of his life, so then, many times it resulted in harsh words that damaged his wife's self-esteem. Now, it was leading to a marriage crisis.
Jesus often spoke of living as though we were dead. How can you live as though you are dead? "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6:11). It is a choice each of us must make. Once you become dead to that which stirs an emotion in you, God is free to change that situation. Until then, you can expect God to allow that situation to remain until you reckon yourself dead to the effects of the issue that causes you to struggle.
Is there something that causes anger within you? Ask God what the source of that anger is. You might be surprised at what you find. Then ask God to give you the grace to reckon yourself dead to that issue. You will find new freedom in your relationships and your own peace of mind.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving
I pray that each of you who celebrate the holiday of THANKSGIVING will have a blessed and wonderful day with you family and/or friends. Please enjoy eating all the that turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce shaped like a can, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pies. My day however, will consist of eating roast beek (oh yeah) my type of holiday dinner, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and an apple cranberry current pie also know as LORA'S PIE, yes you guessed it Lora, my wife made it (pictures of the pie will come later).
Please don't forget to give thanks for alll that our awesome God has given you. Just as I preached this past Sunday morning in Bedford, THANKSGIVING is more than just words or one special day in the year, it is an attitude of the heart.
Thanksgiving is...
Please don't forget to give thanks for alll that our awesome God has given you. Just as I preached this past Sunday morning in Bedford, THANKSGIVING is more than just words or one special day in the year, it is an attitude of the heart.
Thanksgiving is...
- The Foundation of Our Praise and Worship - It is the gate through which we enter in to praise...Psalm 100:4 – Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Hebrews 12:28 – says “…let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God “god is a consuming fire.”
- A Continual Action, A Lifestyle - Thanksgiving must be a lifestyle for every Christ-follower/believer, we honor God by thanking Him for all that He has done and for who He is, it must overflow from through our actions and deeds, it must be a lifestyle. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Something That Will Be A Testimony To Others - People will notice our attitude of thanksgiving, it will stand as a testimony to others. They will see it especially during the bad time, in those difficult circumstances. True heart of thanksgiving will be reflect from our lives with joy and celebration. Psalm 105:1 -Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 107:8 & 15 –v. 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and
v. 15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
Daily Caffeination 11/23/06
Remember
“Remember the Lord, though you are in a far-off land. . . . "—Jeremiah 51:50
In the book of Genesis, we are told that after God brought judgment upon the world through the Flood, He remembered Noah (see 8:1). Though He had dealt harshly with the world and rebellious humanity, God remembered Noah. Later we read that when Noah and his family landed on terra firma and stepped off the ark, Noah brought an offering to the Lord. So not only did God remember Noah, but Noah also remembered God.
That is something we need to do: remember God. We need to remember all that He has done on our behalf. The Bible tells us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth (see Ecclesiastes 12:1). Not only are we told to remember the Lord when we are young, but we are also told to remember Him when we are in a distant land. Jeremiah delivered those words to Israel, reminding them that when they were in bondage and surrounded by a pagan culture, they were not to forget the Lord (see Jeremiah 51:50).
In many ways, we are living in a pagan culture today. We are living in a culture that has no interest in God, for the most part. People are interested in spirituality. People are interested in religion. But are they really interested in the true God?
As Christians, we are to remember the Lord in a distant land. We are to remember that God has a plan and purpose for our lives. Why? Because He is constantly thinking about us. He is aware of us. He never forgets us. Therefore on this day set aside for giving thanks, let’s be sure to remember Him.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
“Remember the Lord, though you are in a far-off land. . . . "—Jeremiah 51:50
In the book of Genesis, we are told that after God brought judgment upon the world through the Flood, He remembered Noah (see 8:1). Though He had dealt harshly with the world and rebellious humanity, God remembered Noah. Later we read that when Noah and his family landed on terra firma and stepped off the ark, Noah brought an offering to the Lord. So not only did God remember Noah, but Noah also remembered God.
That is something we need to do: remember God. We need to remember all that He has done on our behalf. The Bible tells us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth (see Ecclesiastes 12:1). Not only are we told to remember the Lord when we are young, but we are also told to remember Him when we are in a distant land. Jeremiah delivered those words to Israel, reminding them that when they were in bondage and surrounded by a pagan culture, they were not to forget the Lord (see Jeremiah 51:50).
In many ways, we are living in a pagan culture today. We are living in a culture that has no interest in God, for the most part. People are interested in spirituality. People are interested in religion. But are they really interested in the true God?
As Christians, we are to remember the Lord in a distant land. We are to remember that God has a plan and purpose for our lives. Why? Because He is constantly thinking about us. He is aware of us. He never forgets us. Therefore on this day set aside for giving thanks, let’s be sure to remember Him.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
To Improvise (a great observation/quote)
Pastor Mark Batterson, over at evotional.com and lead pastor at National Community Church often says as challenge for pastors, "we need to stop doing ministry from memory." I couldn't agree with that statment anymore. I believe that for ministry and in life. I was reading an article over at Fast Company, "To Extemporize Is Human." In this article Linda Naiman, a creativity consultant makes a great observation/quote, "Improvisation frees us from being perfect, being in control, thinking ahead, and second guessing."
I believe personally, that is a great observation/quote even when used in the context of doing ministry. I improvisation goes hand and hand with genuiness and being real. Let me say this, there is no substitute for being prepared and knowing what you are speaking about, but I believe a certain amount of improvisation in a message speaks from the heart. I find myself getting off my script (outline/notes) and improvising more during my messages, it allows me to speak directly to those I and sharing with from my heart and it allows me to trust God more.
Here is a little excerpt from the article which I believe is true not only in the context for which is shared, but is true in preaching...We improvise far more often at work (and everywhere else, for that matter) than we realize. Say you're in a meeting and the big boss barks, "So what are your brilliant new ideas?" Suddenly, it's showtime. You have to look this guy in the eye and demonstrate that you're an intelligent, enthusiastic employee, and you won't cut it with some dead-on-arrival canned pitch. When your star sales rep walks into your office, closes the door, and tells you she's leaving for a competitor, it's time to extemporize--and you'd better be good. Read more here
I believe personally, that is a great observation/quote even when used in the context of doing ministry. I improvisation goes hand and hand with genuiness and being real. Let me say this, there is no substitute for being prepared and knowing what you are speaking about, but I believe a certain amount of improvisation in a message speaks from the heart. I find myself getting off my script (outline/notes) and improvising more during my messages, it allows me to speak directly to those I and sharing with from my heart and it allows me to trust God more.
Here is a little excerpt from the article which I believe is true not only in the context for which is shared, but is true in preaching...We improvise far more often at work (and everywhere else, for that matter) than we realize. Say you're in a meeting and the big boss barks, "So what are your brilliant new ideas?" Suddenly, it's showtime. You have to look this guy in the eye and demonstrate that you're an intelligent, enthusiastic employee, and you won't cut it with some dead-on-arrival canned pitch. When your star sales rep walks into your office, closes the door, and tells you she's leaving for a competitor, it's time to extemporize--and you'd better be good. Read more here
Daily Caffeination 11/22/06
A Question of Ownership
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. - Matthew 10:39
Otto Koning was a missionary in New Guinea. He worked among a native tribe that had known only their village ways. One of those village ways was stealing from others. When Otto and his wife arrived and moved into a hut, the natives often came by to visit. The Konings would notice that after the natives left the missionaries' home, various household items had disappeared. They saw these items again when they went to preach in the natives' village.
The only fruit Otto could grow on the island was pineapples. Otto loved pineapples, and he took pride in the pineapples he was able to grow. However, whenever the pineapples began to ripen, the natives would steal them. Otto could never keep a ripe pineapple for himself. This was a frustration, and he became angry with the natives. All during the seven-year period in which this took place, Otto preached the gospel to these natives, but never had a conversion.
The more the natives stole, the angrier Otto became. Finally, one day Otto had a German Shepherd dog flown in from another missionary to protect his pineapple garden after other frustrated efforts failed. This only further alienated the natives from him.
Otto took a furlough to the United States and attended a conference on personal rights. At this conference, he discovered that he was frustrated over this situation because he had taken personal ownership of his pineapple garden. After much soul searching, he gave his garden to God. Soon the natives started having problems among their tribe. They discovered that Otto was the reason for their problems because he gave his garden to his God. The natives saw a correlation between what Otto had done and their own lives being affected by calamities in their village. When Otto gave his garden to God, he no longer got angry and was free from worry. The natives started bringing him fruit from the garden because they didn't want any more calamities to come into their village.
The light came on one day when a native said to Otto, "You must have become a Christian, Otto. You don't get angry anymore. We always wondered if we would ever meet a Christian." They had never associated Otto with the kind of person he was preaching about because his message did not line up with his life. Otto was broken in spirit when he realized he had been such a failure.
At the end of seven years, he witnessed his first conversion, and many began coming to Christ once he fully gave his garden to God. The fruit grew so abundant that Otto began exporting it and growing other types of fruit, such as bananas. His village became the most evangelized in the whole region, yet for seven years he had not one convert.
Otto realized something each of us must realize: To gain your life you must lose it, along with your possessions. It was only when he gave all his possessions to God that he became free from them. God measured back to him manifold once He had complete ownership.
Do you have some possessions that you need to give up to God today? Let God have all that you have. Become a steward, not an owner. You will be surprised at how well God can take care of His possessions.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. - Matthew 10:39
Otto Koning was a missionary in New Guinea. He worked among a native tribe that had known only their village ways. One of those village ways was stealing from others. When Otto and his wife arrived and moved into a hut, the natives often came by to visit. The Konings would notice that after the natives left the missionaries' home, various household items had disappeared. They saw these items again when they went to preach in the natives' village.
The only fruit Otto could grow on the island was pineapples. Otto loved pineapples, and he took pride in the pineapples he was able to grow. However, whenever the pineapples began to ripen, the natives would steal them. Otto could never keep a ripe pineapple for himself. This was a frustration, and he became angry with the natives. All during the seven-year period in which this took place, Otto preached the gospel to these natives, but never had a conversion.
The more the natives stole, the angrier Otto became. Finally, one day Otto had a German Shepherd dog flown in from another missionary to protect his pineapple garden after other frustrated efforts failed. This only further alienated the natives from him.
Otto took a furlough to the United States and attended a conference on personal rights. At this conference, he discovered that he was frustrated over this situation because he had taken personal ownership of his pineapple garden. After much soul searching, he gave his garden to God. Soon the natives started having problems among their tribe. They discovered that Otto was the reason for their problems because he gave his garden to his God. The natives saw a correlation between what Otto had done and their own lives being affected by calamities in their village. When Otto gave his garden to God, he no longer got angry and was free from worry. The natives started bringing him fruit from the garden because they didn't want any more calamities to come into their village.
The light came on one day when a native said to Otto, "You must have become a Christian, Otto. You don't get angry anymore. We always wondered if we would ever meet a Christian." They had never associated Otto with the kind of person he was preaching about because his message did not line up with his life. Otto was broken in spirit when he realized he had been such a failure.
At the end of seven years, he witnessed his first conversion, and many began coming to Christ once he fully gave his garden to God. The fruit grew so abundant that Otto began exporting it and growing other types of fruit, such as bananas. His village became the most evangelized in the whole region, yet for seven years he had not one convert.
Otto realized something each of us must realize: To gain your life you must lose it, along with your possessions. It was only when he gave all his possessions to God that he became free from them. God measured back to him manifold once He had complete ownership.
Do you have some possessions that you need to give up to God today? Let God have all that you have. Become a steward, not an owner. You will be surprised at how well God can take care of His possessions.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Relevent's Interview with Derek Webb
Derek Webb is one of my favorite musical artist...he is very provocative and a gifted musician and writer. He challenges the thoughts of his listeners. He did an interview with the folks over at Relevant Magazine and I could not agree with him more on this excerpt from the interview...this is how I have been aligning myself politically. He put into words exactly how I feel and think on the issue of politics.
Let me make another point, it is the church that needs to stand up for social issues...i.e. homeless, injustices, widows, orphans, the needs of children, etc. and not the government!
Let me make another point, it is the church that needs to stand up for social issues...i.e. homeless, injustices, widows, orphans, the needs of children, etc. and not the government!
When you visited the RELEVANT offices a while back, you said you align yourself with the Libertarian party. What drew you to that ideology?
I think that the Libertarian party, at this point, represents what I have always believed that the Conservative party was supposed to represent. And that is truly small government—government that basically leaves the governing of morality and some other really hugely important areas to bodies better equipped to govern those areas and really wants to stay out of the lives of the citizens.
I think the federal government has amassed so much power. It was supposed to be a government by the people for the people. This is not the government—I don't believe—that our founding fathers dreamed about. The power has really gotten out of hand. What I like about the Libertarian platform on the whole is that it seems to really want to dismantle some of that structure of power and decentralize it to some extent, and I think that's such a good idea.
Now do I believe that's ever going to happen? No. But I want to see the day coming where we will finally have the government that we were made for and that we ultimately long for, which is our King in our kingdom. It's King Jesus on the throne rightfully pronouncing judgment over all. That's the government we're made for. And while democracy is great, it's not that.
I don't think that having the right guy in the White House is going to solve any problems that we have in the world. I do think we should be participating, and we should be working, holding that man accountable—whoever is there. But I'm not pinning all my hopes on one day the right guy getting in there. I definitely try to be thoughtful about elections, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.
Daily Caffeination 11/21/06
Megafreeway or Narrow Way?
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.—Proverbs 14:12
There is a road to heaven. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).
Jesus was saying there is a clear way to walk in life. Certainly He was not advocating the fuzzy thinking of our time that claims that all roads lead to God, that says, “You have your truth, I have my truth, and eventually we will all end up in the same place.”
Some people seem to think the road to heaven is like a megafreeway where we all have our lanes, and we are all going to get there eventually. Some have a lane of religion. Others have a lane of philosophy. Others have a lane of something else. And the pervading belief about this freeway to heaven is that we can change lanes if we want to: I don’t like this philosophy lane. . . . I am going to go over to the religion lane. . . . I am going to go over to this other lane. . . . That is how they envision it.
But that is not the way Jesus described it. He said, “Broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
Some say, “I will find my own way.” Maybe they will. But it can be the way of death. The road Jesus offers is a narrow one. If you have not yet chosen to walk on that narrow road, take the next exit from your megafreeway. You can choose to walk with Christ. Choose life today!
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.—Proverbs 14:12
There is a road to heaven. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).
Jesus was saying there is a clear way to walk in life. Certainly He was not advocating the fuzzy thinking of our time that claims that all roads lead to God, that says, “You have your truth, I have my truth, and eventually we will all end up in the same place.”
Some people seem to think the road to heaven is like a megafreeway where we all have our lanes, and we are all going to get there eventually. Some have a lane of religion. Others have a lane of philosophy. Others have a lane of something else. And the pervading belief about this freeway to heaven is that we can change lanes if we want to: I don’t like this philosophy lane. . . . I am going to go over to the religion lane. . . . I am going to go over to this other lane. . . . That is how they envision it.
But that is not the way Jesus described it. He said, “Broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
Some say, “I will find my own way.” Maybe they will. But it can be the way of death. The road Jesus offers is a narrow one. If you have not yet chosen to walk on that narrow road, take the next exit from your megafreeway. You can choose to walk with Christ. Choose life today!
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
Monday, November 20, 2006
Happy 13th Anniversary
I want to wish a Happy 13th Anniversary to my amazing wife, Lora. It has truly been an amazing 13 years. Thanks so much for being my partner in life and ministry. I am truly blessed to have a woman as wonderful and as special as you. I am looking forward to what God has for us next...
I love you Lora!
Chris
I love you Lora!
Chris
Daily Caffeination 11/20/06
Starting Over
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. - James 1:9
Do you find yourself in humble circumstances? If so, James tells us that we are to take pride in this "high" position. These two things would seem to be an oxymoron. Most of us would not consider humble circumstances a high position. Successful business tells us that being on top means being wealthy, attaining favor and status, or having power to influence. However, Jesus influenced not from power, but from weakness.
J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million.
By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six.
By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 340-343.]
The success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God's mercy in his life to bring him out of his humble circumstance. Do you find yourself in a humble circumstance? God is the only one who can help you see your humble circumstance from His viewpoint-a high position. It is a high position because of what God is going to teach you in this place. He does not intend you to stay there; it is merely a stopping place to learn some important things you would not learn otherwise. Press into God and trust Him for the outcome to your circumstances.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. - James 1:9
Do you find yourself in humble circumstances? If so, James tells us that we are to take pride in this "high" position. These two things would seem to be an oxymoron. Most of us would not consider humble circumstances a high position. Successful business tells us that being on top means being wealthy, attaining favor and status, or having power to influence. However, Jesus influenced not from power, but from weakness.
J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million.
By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six.
By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 340-343.]
The success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God's mercy in his life to bring him out of his humble circumstance. Do you find yourself in a humble circumstance? God is the only one who can help you see your humble circumstance from His viewpoint-a high position. It is a high position because of what God is going to teach you in this place. He does not intend you to stay there; it is merely a stopping place to learn some important things you would not learn otherwise. Press into God and trust Him for the outcome to your circumstances.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Going to Bedford, VA This Morning
It is 5:57 and in about a hour I will be leaving to go to Faith Fellowship Assembly of God in Bedford, VA, to preach. This is the first Sunday I am going and I am not sure how long this will last, it is ultimately in God's hands, as well as my Sectional Presbyter.
This morning I will be sharing on our need of having, "AN ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING." Please pray that all goes well. Also, pray that God gives peace to my heart this morning as well, I will be missing my Crosslight Family. I know with confidence that is all in God's hands and He is sovereign. I am looking forward to this opportunity that God has given me, I have an ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING. :-) I live out what I preach.
Well I am going to go and get ready. Have a great Sunday and be blessed today.
This morning I will be sharing on our need of having, "AN ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING." Please pray that all goes well. Also, pray that God gives peace to my heart this morning as well, I will be missing my Crosslight Family. I know with confidence that is all in God's hands and He is sovereign. I am looking forward to this opportunity that God has given me, I have an ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING. :-) I live out what I preach.
Well I am going to go and get ready. Have a great Sunday and be blessed today.
Daily Caffeination 11/19/06
Are You a Romans 8:14 Christian?
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:13-14
Joshua and Caleb are described in Scripture as men who had a different spirit. They were two of the 12 spies sent into the Promised Land to determine if it could be taken, as God had promised it to them. The other ten gave a bad report that instilled fear in the people, which ultimately caused a rebellion. This resulted in an entire generation dying in the desert. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who were led by the Spirit of God, versus the spirit of fear. They were the only ones to enter the Promised Land from their generation.
Are you a person led by the Spirit? The verse above tells us that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it" (Num. 14:24). Caleb was a Romans 8:14 man! The Spirit led him. He was not led by fear.
Many of us have failed to enter into our own Promised Land because we have failed to be led by the Spirit rather than by fear. Fear prevents us from entering into what God has promised for each of us. God has reserved an inheritance for us that is exceedingly good. God described the Promised Land as a land of milk and honey. Our own Promised Land is the same. But you must be led by the Spirit to enter in. You cannot be led by fear, reason and analysis, or even skill. The Spirit must lead you.
Commit yourself to being a Romans 8:14 man or woman. Then you will enter into the land God has promised for you.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:13-14
Joshua and Caleb are described in Scripture as men who had a different spirit. They were two of the 12 spies sent into the Promised Land to determine if it could be taken, as God had promised it to them. The other ten gave a bad report that instilled fear in the people, which ultimately caused a rebellion. This resulted in an entire generation dying in the desert. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who were led by the Spirit of God, versus the spirit of fear. They were the only ones to enter the Promised Land from their generation.
Are you a person led by the Spirit? The verse above tells us that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it" (Num. 14:24). Caleb was a Romans 8:14 man! The Spirit led him. He was not led by fear.
Many of us have failed to enter into our own Promised Land because we have failed to be led by the Spirit rather than by fear. Fear prevents us from entering into what God has promised for each of us. God has reserved an inheritance for us that is exceedingly good. God described the Promised Land as a land of milk and honey. Our own Promised Land is the same. But you must be led by the Spirit to enter in. You cannot be led by fear, reason and analysis, or even skill. The Spirit must lead you.
Commit yourself to being a Romans 8:14 man or woman. Then you will enter into the land God has promised for you.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/18/06
Someone Like Me
For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.—Psalm 103: 14
When we look back on the first-century believers and the apostles in particular, we tend to see them on pedestals, as though they walked around carrying pedestals under their arms, and when they were preparing to say something, they would climb up on them. They would speak in King James English. We see them as perfect people in stained glass.
Yet when we read the biblical accounts of their lives, this is certainly not the case. If we were to have had the opportunity to check these guys out back then, the last thing we would have thought was, I think these men will change their world. These were common, salt-of-the-earth-type people. They had calloused hands and few social graces. They were uneducated. They had a limited knowledge of the world. They had undefined leadership and no money. We wouldn’t have bet too much on their future.
But something happens to a person when he witnesses someone rising from the dead. That has a way of changing your perspective. It dramatically impacted these men.
One of the things I love about the Bible is that it’s a thoroughly honest book, presenting us with those whom God used, warts and all, shortcomings and all. That is one of the reasons I am so appreciative of the Bible. It gives hope to people like me . . . people like me who fail . . . people like me who fall short. We think, If God can use someone like that, maybe there is hope for me. That is precisely the point. God recorded all this for us so we can see that He can work in spite of our weakness.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.—Psalm 103: 14
When we look back on the first-century believers and the apostles in particular, we tend to see them on pedestals, as though they walked around carrying pedestals under their arms, and when they were preparing to say something, they would climb up on them. They would speak in King James English. We see them as perfect people in stained glass.
Yet when we read the biblical accounts of their lives, this is certainly not the case. If we were to have had the opportunity to check these guys out back then, the last thing we would have thought was, I think these men will change their world. These were common, salt-of-the-earth-type people. They had calloused hands and few social graces. They were uneducated. They had a limited knowledge of the world. They had undefined leadership and no money. We wouldn’t have bet too much on their future.
But something happens to a person when he witnesses someone rising from the dead. That has a way of changing your perspective. It dramatically impacted these men.
One of the things I love about the Bible is that it’s a thoroughly honest book, presenting us with those whom God used, warts and all, shortcomings and all. That is one of the reasons I am so appreciative of the Bible. It gives hope to people like me . . . people like me who fail . . . people like me who fall short. We think, If God can use someone like that, maybe there is hope for me. That is precisely the point. God recorded all this for us so we can see that He can work in spite of our weakness.
(Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.)
Friday, November 17, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/17/06
Product Testing
His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" - Matthew 25:21
Testing allows one to discover how well a product is made when placed under extreme stress. Increasing the pulling pressure between two objects reveals the amount of tension that can be withstood in a chain link. Eventually, the "choking" point occurs. In sports, we ascertain the "choking" point for athletes by putting them into a pressure situation. At what point will the athlete lose concentration and collapse under the pressure? It is under these stressful times that we discover how well we have been trained to withstand the pressure and make right decisions regardless of outside influences.
In my younger days I played sports. I came to observe that we fail under pressure usually because we reach a point where our ability to focus on execution yields to concern about outcome. This worry about outcome forces us to lose our concentration. The fear of failure begins to rule our emotions and actions, which ultimately results in our failure. What we fear has come upon us. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
In life, we see giving in to pressure in the form of compulsive behavior, withdrawal, anger, abuse, moral failure, and dishonesty, to name just a few manifestations.
Jesus never yielded to pressure. He never made decisions based on outcome. He always made the right decision. He always performed the same no matter what the circumstance. He lived a life based on absolutes, not circumstances. He never gave in to "situational ethics."
As God entrusts us with more and more responsibility, He brings more and more pressures into our lives to "test the product," to make sure that He can give even more responsibility to us. This process helps us see where we are in our maturity and determines our level of future responsibility.
Are you a product that can withstand the product test? Will you perform as the Maker designed no matter what outside pressures come? Know that you cannot perform well unless you are continually in relationship with and obedient to the one who made you. Trust the product developer today. He has made you to perform well under pressure.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" - Matthew 25:21
Testing allows one to discover how well a product is made when placed under extreme stress. Increasing the pulling pressure between two objects reveals the amount of tension that can be withstood in a chain link. Eventually, the "choking" point occurs. In sports, we ascertain the "choking" point for athletes by putting them into a pressure situation. At what point will the athlete lose concentration and collapse under the pressure? It is under these stressful times that we discover how well we have been trained to withstand the pressure and make right decisions regardless of outside influences.
In my younger days I played sports. I came to observe that we fail under pressure usually because we reach a point where our ability to focus on execution yields to concern about outcome. This worry about outcome forces us to lose our concentration. The fear of failure begins to rule our emotions and actions, which ultimately results in our failure. What we fear has come upon us. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
In life, we see giving in to pressure in the form of compulsive behavior, withdrawal, anger, abuse, moral failure, and dishonesty, to name just a few manifestations.
Jesus never yielded to pressure. He never made decisions based on outcome. He always made the right decision. He always performed the same no matter what the circumstance. He lived a life based on absolutes, not circumstances. He never gave in to "situational ethics."
As God entrusts us with more and more responsibility, He brings more and more pressures into our lives to "test the product," to make sure that He can give even more responsibility to us. This process helps us see where we are in our maturity and determines our level of future responsibility.
Are you a product that can withstand the product test? Will you perform as the Maker designed no matter what outside pressures come? Know that you cannot perform well unless you are continually in relationship with and obedient to the one who made you. Trust the product developer today. He has made you to perform well under pressure.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Need Your Prayers
Beginning this Sunday, I will be traveling 2 1/2 hours to Bedford, VA, to a church that had their pastor leave. The church is in need of someone to fill in and preach. I will more likely be doing this for several months, perhaps up to 6 to 8 months. I am "filling the pulpit" or doing "pulpit supply.". I know those are old school terms, pretty much I am going to be there to preach/teach the Word on Sundays.
This is a great opportunity for me, as well as a learning experience. I will still be serving at my current church, Crosslight Assembly of God, as the Associate Pastor/Student Ministries Pastor (by the way I have an amazing team of leaders who will fill in for me some on Wednesday nights.) Actually, Rachel Wood will be doing a series for the Student Ministry in January.
The church I will be ministering at on Sundays is a "small country church" in a small town. I believe there are about 20 people on a given Sunday. I am looking forward to this great opportunity to inspire and influence lives. However, this will be a ministry that I am not quite used to...I am a city guy from the suburbs of Washington DC, with a postmodern/emerging church mindset. Pray that I can be effective and find that balance and will be able to connect to those I will be ministering to.
Again, I am looking forward to this opportunity and I really see it as an honor to preach the Word of God. Thanks for your prayers.
Oh, I will miss being with my church family at Crosslight on Sunday mornings.
This is a great opportunity for me, as well as a learning experience. I will still be serving at my current church, Crosslight Assembly of God, as the Associate Pastor/Student Ministries Pastor (by the way I have an amazing team of leaders who will fill in for me some on Wednesday nights.) Actually, Rachel Wood will be doing a series for the Student Ministry in January.
The church I will be ministering at on Sundays is a "small country church" in a small town. I believe there are about 20 people on a given Sunday. I am looking forward to this great opportunity to inspire and influence lives. However, this will be a ministry that I am not quite used to...I am a city guy from the suburbs of Washington DC, with a postmodern/emerging church mindset. Pray that I can be effective and find that balance and will be able to connect to those I will be ministering to.
Again, I am looking forward to this opportunity and I really see it as an honor to preach the Word of God. Thanks for your prayers.
Oh, I will miss being with my church family at Crosslight on Sunday mornings.
Daily Caffeination 11/16/06
The Ultimate Franchise
And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? - Luke 2:49 KJV
Earth is God's business. He has set up many franchises (churches) designed to send His representatives (Body of Christ) into the world to make known the best product ever given to mankind (Jesus). His branch managers (pastors) have been given the responsibility to teach and support those in the field. God's goal is to establish a franchise in every nation, state, and city. It is the ultimate business because when you introduce someone to His product (Jesus), you receive a reward from the home office (Heaven). God has promised that His representatives will have all the tools and customer support needed to accomplish their strategic plans.
Jesus knew that He was to be about His Father's business. He knew He was sent to earth not to enjoy the pleasures of lowly man, but to accomplish a task for which He alone was sent. When He had accomplished His mission, He was to entrust this mission to other representatives into whom He poured His life for three years. This field training allowed Jesus to mentor, model, befriend, and demonstrate firsthand the model for a successful business to be launched and sustained.
God has big plans for His franchise. He wants every human being to partake of His product; however, even God knows that not everyone will. Nevertheless, this does not thwart His efforts in seeking to make it known among His audience.
You have been called to be part of the ultimate franchise. How many new recruits have you been responsible for bringing into the franchise lately?
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? - Luke 2:49 KJV
Earth is God's business. He has set up many franchises (churches) designed to send His representatives (Body of Christ) into the world to make known the best product ever given to mankind (Jesus). His branch managers (pastors) have been given the responsibility to teach and support those in the field. God's goal is to establish a franchise in every nation, state, and city. It is the ultimate business because when you introduce someone to His product (Jesus), you receive a reward from the home office (Heaven). God has promised that His representatives will have all the tools and customer support needed to accomplish their strategic plans.
Jesus knew that He was to be about His Father's business. He knew He was sent to earth not to enjoy the pleasures of lowly man, but to accomplish a task for which He alone was sent. When He had accomplished His mission, He was to entrust this mission to other representatives into whom He poured His life for three years. This field training allowed Jesus to mentor, model, befriend, and demonstrate firsthand the model for a successful business to be launched and sustained.
God has big plans for His franchise. He wants every human being to partake of His product; however, even God knows that not everyone will. Nevertheless, this does not thwart His efforts in seeking to make it known among His audience.
You have been called to be part of the ultimate franchise. How many new recruits have you been responsible for bringing into the franchise lately?
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
MAC VS. PC Parodies - Hilarious and Awesome
The following videos are from Community Christian Church a multisite church in Illinois. These are awesome and hilarious. Please enjoy them...
Chasing Your Dreams...
Tonight, I finish up my series - God @ The Box Office, with Akeelah and the Bee "Chasing Your Dreams". This message is a very personal message for me. It is a story of overcoming circumstances, failures, doubters and fears to achieve your dreams.
I believe each of us have God ordained dreams...the question is...Are we chasing those dreams? What is standing in the way of us acheiving those dreams?
My greatest dream is two-fold, first I want to be a part of a ministry, a community of faith that is significant in the Washington DC area that is doing great things to transform lives through the power Jesus (I am very passionate about the DC area, I love the culture and the uniqueness of the area.). Then secondly, I desire to be used in a significant way as a part of that ministry either as a church planter; as a point pastor; or on staff serving and using my gifts.
I want to eventually finish out my ministry calling in the Washington DC area, I want to be at a place for the long haul, build relationships and to be a part of the community.
Here are my questions to each of you: What dreams are you chasing? What things do you need to overcome to acheive those dreams? Havew you committed those dreams to God? How close are you to acheiving your dreams?
I would love to hear your responses.
Daily Caffeination 11/15/06
(On a personal note: It is more important to lead people to Jesus than leading them to church. Remember we are the church, people are transformed through salvation in Jesus Christ and not through the church.)
Real Customer Service
While they were going out a man, who was demon-possessed and could not talk, was brought to Jesus. - Matthew 9:32
Years ago, it was not uncommon to have your milk delivered to your home. Doctors made house calls. And when you made a call to a company to discuss a problem, you actually spoke to a human being. Those days of personal service are gone, and if we are not careful, we will follow the same trend in how we share the gospel.
So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the workplace because that was where Jesus could be found. Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the workplace. He took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the workplace. That is where the power of God was manifested. This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to bring the Church into the workplace, not bring the workplace into the church.
Paul understood this when he said,
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Paul understood that it wasn't words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.
When is the last time someone saw something happen through your life that could not be explained other than God working in your life? When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it. You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to the church. Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Real Customer Service
While they were going out a man, who was demon-possessed and could not talk, was brought to Jesus. - Matthew 9:32
Years ago, it was not uncommon to have your milk delivered to your home. Doctors made house calls. And when you made a call to a company to discuss a problem, you actually spoke to a human being. Those days of personal service are gone, and if we are not careful, we will follow the same trend in how we share the gospel.
So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the workplace because that was where Jesus could be found. Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the workplace. He took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the workplace. That is where the power of God was manifested. This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to bring the Church into the workplace, not bring the workplace into the church.
Paul understood this when he said,
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Paul understood that it wasn't words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.
When is the last time someone saw something happen through your life that could not be explained other than God working in your life? When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it. You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to the church. Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Great Post @ Perry Nobles Site
Check out this post on Perry Nobles site... it is an awesome post "Should The Mega Church Be Shut Down?"
The Ted Haggard story has ROCKED the Christian community…and some have used this mans fall to speak against the evils of the mega church…they say that if one mega church pastor is doing it then we all must be doing it; therefore, the mega church should be shut down, dissolved…broken into hundreds of smaller churches–that way IF something like this should ever happen again it would not govern that much attention.
There is a Greek word that describes this ideology: STUPID! read more here...
Daily Caffeination 11/14/06
Sold Out
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. - Philippians 3:7
George Mueller was a man known for building orphanages by faith in the mid-1800s. He raised literally millions of dollars for his orphanages, yet died with little in his own bank account. When asked about his conversion experience he commented,
"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you have taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!" [Basil Miller, Man of Faith and Miracles (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bethany House Publishers, n.d.)]
Many will never get to the place where George Mueller was in his spiritual life, because we are unwilling to release control of these areas of which he speaks. If we do release control, it usually is due to a process that God brings us through. Paul got knocked to the ground and was spoken to personally before he was willing to listen and follow completely. Peter had to live with Jesus three years and he still denied Him. It was only later, after he denied Jesus and realized how weak he was in his own faith, that he became fully committed to the Savior.
What will it take for you to fully surrender? You will know that you have given full surrender when power, money, and position no longer have meaning in your life. Paul said he came to a place where his life was the life of Christ only. It is a sacrificial life, but it is also a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning. Let God take full control and see His life lived fully through you.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. - Philippians 3:7
George Mueller was a man known for building orphanages by faith in the mid-1800s. He raised literally millions of dollars for his orphanages, yet died with little in his own bank account. When asked about his conversion experience he commented,
"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you have taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!" [Basil Miller, Man of Faith and Miracles (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bethany House Publishers, n.d.)]
Many will never get to the place where George Mueller was in his spiritual life, because we are unwilling to release control of these areas of which he speaks. If we do release control, it usually is due to a process that God brings us through. Paul got knocked to the ground and was spoken to personally before he was willing to listen and follow completely. Peter had to live with Jesus three years and he still denied Him. It was only later, after he denied Jesus and realized how weak he was in his own faith, that he became fully committed to the Savior.
What will it take for you to fully surrender? You will know that you have given full surrender when power, money, and position no longer have meaning in your life. Paul said he came to a place where his life was the life of Christ only. It is a sacrificial life, but it is also a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning. Let God take full control and see His life lived fully through you.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Monday, November 13, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/13/06
Meant for Good
“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”—Genesis 45:5
Joseph was a young man who had everything going for him. He was good-looking. He was sharp. He was loved by his father. The problem was that Joseph’s older brothers were very jealous of the attention their father poured on him. So one day, they decided to sell him into slavery and tell their father that Joseph had been killed by wild animals.
Joseph had been on top of the world, but the next thing he knew, he was sold into slavery. Fortunately for Joseph, he was bought by a man named Potiphar. Joseph did so well that ultimately, Potiphar put him in charge of his entire estate. But Potiphar’s wife, angry with Joseph for spurning her advances, falsely accused him of rape. So Potiphar had Joseph arrested and thrown into prison.
Where was God in all of this? He was right there next to Joseph. The best was yet to come. And when things were at their bleakest for Joseph, he found himself standing in Pharaoh’s court, where God gave him the interpretation to Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh said, “I like this guy. In fact, I am putting him in charge of the food supply for the approaching famine. He is second in command under me.”
Ultimately, Joseph’s brothers were affected by the famine. They came to Egypt in search of food, not realizing they were standing before their very brother, who now had the power to kill them. But Joseph eventually revealed who he was and told them, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good . . . ” (Genesis 50:20). You see, it seemed like God was late. But God was right on time.
MEANT TO LIVE by SWITCHFOOT
“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”—Genesis 45:5
Joseph was a young man who had everything going for him. He was good-looking. He was sharp. He was loved by his father. The problem was that Joseph’s older brothers were very jealous of the attention their father poured on him. So one day, they decided to sell him into slavery and tell their father that Joseph had been killed by wild animals.
Joseph had been on top of the world, but the next thing he knew, he was sold into slavery. Fortunately for Joseph, he was bought by a man named Potiphar. Joseph did so well that ultimately, Potiphar put him in charge of his entire estate. But Potiphar’s wife, angry with Joseph for spurning her advances, falsely accused him of rape. So Potiphar had Joseph arrested and thrown into prison.
Where was God in all of this? He was right there next to Joseph. The best was yet to come. And when things were at their bleakest for Joseph, he found himself standing in Pharaoh’s court, where God gave him the interpretation to Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh said, “I like this guy. In fact, I am putting him in charge of the food supply for the approaching famine. He is second in command under me.”
Ultimately, Joseph’s brothers were affected by the famine. They came to Egypt in search of food, not realizing they were standing before their very brother, who now had the power to kill them. But Joseph eventually revealed who he was and told them, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good . . . ” (Genesis 50:20). You see, it seemed like God was late. But God was right on time.
MEANT TO LIVE by SWITCHFOOT
Fumbling his confidence
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's bid for more than arguments
And failed attempts to fly, fly
[Chorus]
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken, broken
[Chorus]
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life, yeah
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/12/06
Created for His Good Pleasure
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10
Eric Liddell was an Olympic runner from Britain who won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was a man who had a deep commitment to the Lord and had future plans of being a missionary. In the meantime, he knew God had given him a special gift to run, and he often said, "I feel God's pleasure when I run."
He spent years training for the Olympics. He passed each hurdle and qualified for the Olympics. Finally, the day came for him to run in the games that were held in France. There was only one problem. One of his running events was held on Sunday. Liddell refused to run on Sunday, believing it dishonored the Lord's Sabbath. He held to his convictions and brought great persecution on himself. He made a decision that even if it meant losing his opportunity to compete, he would not run. God's laws were greater than man's applause. Just when the circumstances seemed hopeless, another situation arose that allowed Liddell to run on a different day.
So often this is the case in the spiritual realm. God tests our hearts to see if we will remain faithful to Him at the cost of something important to us. Once He knows where our loyalty lies, He opens a new door that meets the desires of our hearts.
God takes pleasure in seeing His creation used for His glory. Liddell understood why he was made to run; he used his gift of running to bring pleasure to his Creator. Later, Eric Liddell went on to serve God on the mission field.
Does your life work bring pleasure to the Lord? Do you understand that God instilled certain gifts and talents in you so that He might find pleasure in His creation of you? Take pleasure in the gifts God has given to you this day. And let His glory shine through you.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10
Eric Liddell was an Olympic runner from Britain who won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was a man who had a deep commitment to the Lord and had future plans of being a missionary. In the meantime, he knew God had given him a special gift to run, and he often said, "I feel God's pleasure when I run."
He spent years training for the Olympics. He passed each hurdle and qualified for the Olympics. Finally, the day came for him to run in the games that were held in France. There was only one problem. One of his running events was held on Sunday. Liddell refused to run on Sunday, believing it dishonored the Lord's Sabbath. He held to his convictions and brought great persecution on himself. He made a decision that even if it meant losing his opportunity to compete, he would not run. God's laws were greater than man's applause. Just when the circumstances seemed hopeless, another situation arose that allowed Liddell to run on a different day.
So often this is the case in the spiritual realm. God tests our hearts to see if we will remain faithful to Him at the cost of something important to us. Once He knows where our loyalty lies, He opens a new door that meets the desires of our hearts.
God takes pleasure in seeing His creation used for His glory. Liddell understood why he was made to run; he used his gift of running to bring pleasure to his Creator. Later, Eric Liddell went on to serve God on the mission field.
Does your life work bring pleasure to the Lord? Do you understand that God instilled certain gifts and talents in you so that He might find pleasure in His creation of you? Take pleasure in the gifts God has given to you this day. And let His glory shine through you.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Lora = Richmond Ntelos 8K Super Runner
I just wanted to say how proud I am of my awesome wife, Lora. Today she ran and crossed the finish line of the Richmond Ntelos 8K. I am so extremely proud of her. She gets her mind on a goal and she goes after it. I am married to an amazing person, I love her so much.
Proud of you Lora!!! Great Job!!!
Place Name Bib Age Div Place Gender Place Official Time Net Time
3374 LORA JARRELL 11087 32 259 1674 1:05:40 1:01:52
Proud of you Lora!!! Great Job!!!
Place Name Bib Age Div Place Gender Place Official Time Net Time
3374 LORA JARRELL 11087 32 259 1674 1:05:40 1:01:52
Derek Webb Concert @ the Pace Student Center in Richmond, VA
Last night, Lora and I and two our newest youth, Christine and Laura Haitel went to the Derek Webb concert @ the Pace Student Center on the VCU(Virginia Commonwealth University) Campus in Richmond. This was an amazing show. Derek Webb is absolutely one of my favorite artists. His music awesome, vocals are great and his writing is absolutely the best and the most challenging lyric written. His songs are thought provoking. You can download his CD, Mockingbird for free at FreeDerekWebb.com, go there check it out, well what are you waiting for go now.
Here is some pictures from the show as well as a some lyrics from a couple of his songs. Read these lyrics with an open heart. And remember download Mockingbird for free at FreeDerekWebb.com.
Opening Act - Logan Jones worship leader for Pace Student Ministries at the Pace Student Center on Sundays @ 6:00pm
And DerekWebb, a mic and a 12-string guitar = Great Music
Here is some pictures from the show as well as a some lyrics from a couple of his songs. Read these lyrics with an open heart. And remember download Mockingbird for free at FreeDerekWebb.com.
Lora, Christine and Laura we had front row seats...yeah baby!
Opening Act - Logan Jones worship leader for Pace Student Ministries at the Pace Student Center on Sundays @ 6:00pm
And DerekWebb, a mic and a 12-string guitar = Great Music
Here are some lyrics from the Mockingbird CD
Mockingbird
there are days i don’t believe the words i say
like a life that i’m not living
a song that i’m not singing but to you
there are times that i believe i’m satisfied
like an intimate connection
despite this bad reception with you
because i can’t afford to pay
for most of what i say
so it’s a lucky thing
that the truth’s public domain
and i am like a mockingbird
i’ve got no new song to sing
and i am like an amplifier
i just tell you what i’ve heard
oh, i’m like a mockingbird
and yes, it’s true that i need this more than you
like one whose name is many
have mercy, please don’t send me away
and i’ll do all i can
to be a better man
oh i’ll clean up this act
and be worse than we started
A King & A Kingdom
who's your brother, who's your sister
you just walked passed him
i think you missed her
as we're all migrating to the place where our father lives
'cause we married in to a family of immigrants
my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it's to a king & a kingdom
there are two great lies that i’ve heard:
“the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die”
and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican
and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him
but nothing unifies like a common enemy
and we’ve got one, sure as hell
but he may be living in your house
he may be raising up your kids
he may be sleeping with your wife
oh no, he may not look like you think
My Enemies Are Men Like Me
i have come to give you life
and to show you how to live it
i have come to make things right
to heal their ears and show you how to forgive them
because i would rather die
i would rather die
i would rather die
than to take your life
how can i kill the ones i’m supposed to love
my enemies are men like me
i will protest the sword if it’s not wielded well
my enemies are men like me
peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication
it’s like telling someone murder is wrong
and then showing them by way of execution
when justice is bought and sold just like weapons of war
the ones who always pay are the poorest of the poor
A New Law
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
A New Law (Music Video)
there are days i don’t believe the words i say
like a life that i’m not living
a song that i’m not singing but to you
there are times that i believe i’m satisfied
like an intimate connection
despite this bad reception with you
because i can’t afford to pay
for most of what i say
so it’s a lucky thing
that the truth’s public domain
and i am like a mockingbird
i’ve got no new song to sing
and i am like an amplifier
i just tell you what i’ve heard
oh, i’m like a mockingbird
and yes, it’s true that i need this more than you
like one whose name is many
have mercy, please don’t send me away
and i’ll do all i can
to be a better man
oh i’ll clean up this act
and be worse than we started
A King & A Kingdom
who's your brother, who's your sister
you just walked passed him
i think you missed her
as we're all migrating to the place where our father lives
'cause we married in to a family of immigrants
my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it's to a king & a kingdom
there are two great lies that i’ve heard:
“the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die”
and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican
and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him
but nothing unifies like a common enemy
and we’ve got one, sure as hell
but he may be living in your house
he may be raising up your kids
he may be sleeping with your wife
oh no, he may not look like you think
My Enemies Are Men Like Me
i have come to give you life
and to show you how to live it
i have come to make things right
to heal their ears and show you how to forgive them
because i would rather die
i would rather die
i would rather die
than to take your life
how can i kill the ones i’m supposed to love
my enemies are men like me
i will protest the sword if it’s not wielded well
my enemies are men like me
peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication
it’s like telling someone murder is wrong
and then showing them by way of execution
when justice is bought and sold just like weapons of war
the ones who always pay are the poorest of the poor
A New Law
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
A New Law (Music Video)
Daily Caffeination 11/11/06
Receiving Only From God
I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me-to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share. - Genesis 14:24
Abraham's nephew was a man named Lot. Lot was part of Abraham's household until the land on which they fed their flocks could no longer support their growing families and herds. Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land where he wanted to live. Lot chose the land of Sodom.
Afterwards, four kings invaded Sodom, and Lot's family and goods were taken into captivity. When Abraham learned of this, he immediately gathered his best fighting men and pursued the armies to free Lot and his family. He was successful in freeing Lot's family and the families of Sodom. The king of Sodom was grateful to Abraham for what he did and wanted him to keep the goods he recovered. Abraham had made a decision before the battle that he would only keep what he recovered for his nephew Lot, and goods as payment for the men who fought.
Abraham understood the principle of receiving from God. He was a man with great integrity in God. He did not want to be known as someone who became wealthy because of the kindness of a wicked king. He wanted others to know that whatever prosperity he gained was a result of the blessing from God's hand alone. Abraham understood an important principle of receiving from God.
Jesus also modeled this principle by receiving only what His Father wanted Him to receive. God's will for Jesus was to receive based on a carpenter's wage even though He was the God of the universe who had access to all things. Imagine the discipline Jesus had to have, knowing what He could have had. He upheld His own financial integrity in God.
Each of us must discern what comes from the hand of God rather than the hand of man. As workplace believers, there are situations that allow us to manipulate, sweat, and toil our way to profit. There is also profit as a result of hard work done in obedience to our calling to the workplace. Knowing the difference in these two concepts is a sign of integrity before God. Only God receives glory when we receive what God wants us to receive. Are you receiving the fruit of your labor in God? Ask God to show you the difference of these two concepts for your own life.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me-to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share. - Genesis 14:24
Abraham's nephew was a man named Lot. Lot was part of Abraham's household until the land on which they fed their flocks could no longer support their growing families and herds. Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land where he wanted to live. Lot chose the land of Sodom.
Afterwards, four kings invaded Sodom, and Lot's family and goods were taken into captivity. When Abraham learned of this, he immediately gathered his best fighting men and pursued the armies to free Lot and his family. He was successful in freeing Lot's family and the families of Sodom. The king of Sodom was grateful to Abraham for what he did and wanted him to keep the goods he recovered. Abraham had made a decision before the battle that he would only keep what he recovered for his nephew Lot, and goods as payment for the men who fought.
Abraham understood the principle of receiving from God. He was a man with great integrity in God. He did not want to be known as someone who became wealthy because of the kindness of a wicked king. He wanted others to know that whatever prosperity he gained was a result of the blessing from God's hand alone. Abraham understood an important principle of receiving from God.
Jesus also modeled this principle by receiving only what His Father wanted Him to receive. God's will for Jesus was to receive based on a carpenter's wage even though He was the God of the universe who had access to all things. Imagine the discipline Jesus had to have, knowing what He could have had. He upheld His own financial integrity in God.
Each of us must discern what comes from the hand of God rather than the hand of man. As workplace believers, there are situations that allow us to manipulate, sweat, and toil our way to profit. There is also profit as a result of hard work done in obedience to our calling to the workplace. Knowing the difference in these two concepts is a sign of integrity before God. Only God receives glory when we receive what God wants us to receive. Are you receiving the fruit of your labor in God? Ask God to show you the difference of these two concepts for your own life.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Friday, November 10, 2006
Cool and Fun Students at Evangel Christian School
Today, I had the great opportunity to sub and hang out with with the students at Evangel Christian School in Colonial Heights, VA. I was substituting for 4 Bible classes today, which is always awesome. Today, we had a little fun with the ol' MacBook Pro and the Photobooth software. Take a look at some of the fun we had today. Please enjoy these...
Daily Caffeination 11/10/06
How Long?
Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?—Psalm 94:3
As we look at our world today, we wonder, How long, Lord, until You return to this earth and establish Your kingdom? How long will You allow this perversion of justice to continue? How long will You allow violent crime that takes the lives of innocent people to continue? How long will You allow people to flaunt their sexual perversion day in and day out, everywhere we look?
Sometimes,it seems as though God is late. But God is not late. He will be right on time. As 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
I want Jesus to come back as much as any other believer. But at the same time, I recognize that the Lord wants to bring more souls into His kingdom. And I am thankful that God has allowed us to reach thousands of people with the gospel message through the Harvest Crusades. Though it would have been great if the Lord would have come back 10 years ago, I rejoice that there are a lot more people who have put their faith in Christ because He has not come back. He will return when the time is right.
I feel that in many ways, we are living in the fourth watch, the time just before dawn. It may seem like it will go on forever, but I believe the sun will rise. I believe Christ will return.
Are you watching? He could come back at any time. Are you ready? Because it’s closer than you may think.
Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?—Psalm 94:3
As we look at our world today, we wonder, How long, Lord, until You return to this earth and establish Your kingdom? How long will You allow this perversion of justice to continue? How long will You allow violent crime that takes the lives of innocent people to continue? How long will You allow people to flaunt their sexual perversion day in and day out, everywhere we look?
Sometimes,it seems as though God is late. But God is not late. He will be right on time. As 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
I want Jesus to come back as much as any other believer. But at the same time, I recognize that the Lord wants to bring more souls into His kingdom. And I am thankful that God has allowed us to reach thousands of people with the gospel message through the Harvest Crusades. Though it would have been great if the Lord would have come back 10 years ago, I rejoice that there are a lot more people who have put their faith in Christ because He has not come back. He will return when the time is right.
I feel that in many ways, we are living in the fourth watch, the time just before dawn. It may seem like it will go on forever, but I believe the sun will rise. I believe Christ will return.
Are you watching? He could come back at any time. Are you ready? Because it’s closer than you may think.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/09/06
I have had a terrible cold with nasty sore throat over the last few days, please pray for me.
God's Proving Ground for Faith
He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience. - Judges 3:2
God brought the nation of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan through Joshua. After Joshua, there came an entire generation who had very little experience in fighting battles like the ones fought by Joshua. Training and testing God's people is one of God's important strategies that enable His children to succeed in spiritual warfare. This is why we do not live a life free of trials. These trials are sent specifically to see if our faith is real or simply empty words.
"They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which He had given their forefathers through Moses" (Judg. 3:4). God allows circumstances to develop around your life to give your faith opportunity to be proven. It is only when we are tested in battle that we become skilled warriors. You can be confident God will allow trials to come your way through situations like an unreasonable boss, a client who refuses to pay, a false assault on your character, or a difficult relationship that requires unconditional love. These battles are sent your way to test what you know in the mind in order that they might become part of your heart.
You will discover if you have passed the tests or if you need more battles that will give you the opportunity to learn the art of spiritual warfare. Do not fear these battles that are before you. God has already given you the victory if you choose complete dependence and obedience to Him. Then you will become one of God's greatest warriors, skilled in spiritual warfare.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
God's Proving Ground for Faith
He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience. - Judges 3:2
God brought the nation of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan through Joshua. After Joshua, there came an entire generation who had very little experience in fighting battles like the ones fought by Joshua. Training and testing God's people is one of God's important strategies that enable His children to succeed in spiritual warfare. This is why we do not live a life free of trials. These trials are sent specifically to see if our faith is real or simply empty words.
"They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which He had given their forefathers through Moses" (Judg. 3:4). God allows circumstances to develop around your life to give your faith opportunity to be proven. It is only when we are tested in battle that we become skilled warriors. You can be confident God will allow trials to come your way through situations like an unreasonable boss, a client who refuses to pay, a false assault on your character, or a difficult relationship that requires unconditional love. These battles are sent your way to test what you know in the mind in order that they might become part of your heart.
You will discover if you have passed the tests or if you need more battles that will give you the opportunity to learn the art of spiritual warfare. Do not fear these battles that are before you. God has already given you the victory if you choose complete dependence and obedience to Him. Then you will become one of God's greatest warriors, skilled in spiritual warfare.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Daily Caffeination 11/08/06
Hindrances to Christ's Rule
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. - 2 Corinthians 10:4
The Bible says when Christ comes to live in your heart, old things are passed away, all things become new (see 2 Cor. 5:17). The Lord has put a new Spirit in us. Previously, I could not understand why so many of us who proclaimed Christ had such little impact on the kingdom of darkness. It seemed to me that our culture should be impacted much more if His children walked in the light as Jesus did. Jesus impacted His culture like no other man.
I saw many workplace believers, who proclaimed Christ, living no differently than a person who had not claimed Him as Lord. These men and women had a form of religion, but little power that reflected Christ's rule in their lives. Then one day God took me through a time of testing that led to a discovery of generational influences that impacted the way I viewed people and circumstances on a subconscious basis. I discovered this was a stronghold that had been implanted many generations earlier. Because the stronghold operated on a subconscious level, it was not easily recognizable. Strongholds keep us from being free to reflect Christ in and through our lives because they require allegiance until they are dealt with. Strongholds can often be so hidden that we would not even identify them as evil. A stronghold of fear, control, rebellion, insecurity, idolatry, pride, or bitterness may be hidden until it is revealed through circumstances.
All strongholds are built in our lives as a result of seeking to meet one or more of seven basic needs God has created in us. Once we believe a lie that God cannot meet a need without our effort, we open our spirit to a stronghold. The more lies we believe, the more we invite these strongholds to take root in our lives.
Are you ineffective in your Christian experience? Are there besetting sins that seem to recur in your life? You may find that satan has built a fortress in your heart that has been there many generations. You must ask God's forgiveness for entertaining this stronghold, and you must renounce it. Then as Christ renews your mind and heart, you will see Christ's power released in your life like never before.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. - 2 Corinthians 10:4
The Bible says when Christ comes to live in your heart, old things are passed away, all things become new (see 2 Cor. 5:17). The Lord has put a new Spirit in us. Previously, I could not understand why so many of us who proclaimed Christ had such little impact on the kingdom of darkness. It seemed to me that our culture should be impacted much more if His children walked in the light as Jesus did. Jesus impacted His culture like no other man.
I saw many workplace believers, who proclaimed Christ, living no differently than a person who had not claimed Him as Lord. These men and women had a form of religion, but little power that reflected Christ's rule in their lives. Then one day God took me through a time of testing that led to a discovery of generational influences that impacted the way I viewed people and circumstances on a subconscious basis. I discovered this was a stronghold that had been implanted many generations earlier. Because the stronghold operated on a subconscious level, it was not easily recognizable. Strongholds keep us from being free to reflect Christ in and through our lives because they require allegiance until they are dealt with. Strongholds can often be so hidden that we would not even identify them as evil. A stronghold of fear, control, rebellion, insecurity, idolatry, pride, or bitterness may be hidden until it is revealed through circumstances.
All strongholds are built in our lives as a result of seeking to meet one or more of seven basic needs God has created in us. Once we believe a lie that God cannot meet a need without our effort, we open our spirit to a stronghold. The more lies we believe, the more we invite these strongholds to take root in our lives.
Are you ineffective in your Christian experience? Are there besetting sins that seem to recur in your life? You may find that satan has built a fortress in your heart that has been there many generations. You must ask God's forgiveness for entertaining this stronghold, and you must renounce it. Then as Christ renews your mind and heart, you will see Christ's power released in your life like never before.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Please Vote
Please Vote Today in the USA. Not voting is giving one more vote to the opponent. "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Proverbs 29:2.
If you read this and you are outside of the USA, please pray for our nation. Pray that God's will would be done. Pray for those that are end office that would have Supernatural wisdom and guidance as they lead.
If you read this and you are outside of the USA, please pray for our nation. Pray that God's will would be done. Pray for those that are end office that would have Supernatural wisdom and guidance as they lead.
Daily Caffeination 11/07/06
The Value of Hard Places
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. - 2 Corinthians 4:12
Being forced into hard places gives us a whole new perspective on life. Things we once valued no longer hold the same value. Small things become big things, and what we once thought big no longer holds such importance.
These hard places allow us to identify with the sufferings of others. It keeps us from having a shallow view of the hardships of others and allows us to truly identify with them. Those who speak of such trials from no experience often judge others who have had such hardship. It is a superficiality of Christian experience that often permeates shallow believers.
Those who have walked in hard places immediately have a kinship with others who have walked there also. They do not need to explain; they merely look at one another with mutual respect and admiration for their common experience. They know that death has worked a special thing in them. This death leads to life in others because of the hard places God has taken them through.
It is impossible to appreciate any valley experience while you are in it. However, once you have reached the top of the mountain, you are able to appreciate what terrain you have passed through. You marvel at what you were able to walk through. The valley of the shadow of death has yielded more than you ever thought possible. You are able to appreciate the beauty of the experience and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced.
Death works in you for a greater purpose. If you are there today, be assured that God is producing something of much greater value than you will ever know.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. - 2 Corinthians 4:12
Being forced into hard places gives us a whole new perspective on life. Things we once valued no longer hold the same value. Small things become big things, and what we once thought big no longer holds such importance.
These hard places allow us to identify with the sufferings of others. It keeps us from having a shallow view of the hardships of others and allows us to truly identify with them. Those who speak of such trials from no experience often judge others who have had such hardship. It is a superficiality of Christian experience that often permeates shallow believers.
Those who have walked in hard places immediately have a kinship with others who have walked there also. They do not need to explain; they merely look at one another with mutual respect and admiration for their common experience. They know that death has worked a special thing in them. This death leads to life in others because of the hard places God has taken them through.
It is impossible to appreciate any valley experience while you are in it. However, once you have reached the top of the mountain, you are able to appreciate what terrain you have passed through. You marvel at what you were able to walk through. The valley of the shadow of death has yielded more than you ever thought possible. You are able to appreciate the beauty of the experience and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced.
Death works in you for a greater purpose. If you are there today, be assured that God is producing something of much greater value than you will ever know.
(by Os Hillman, from Today God Is First, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Copyright 2000)
Monday, November 06, 2006
NUMB: Is the Church Losing Their Influence?
Here is a question that I am asking myself in the midst of all that is going on in Colorado…Is the church losing it’s influence in our culture and our world? I believe the answer is YES!
Here is a cold hard fact…people’s PERCEPTION is their REALITY. What people perceive of the church and Christians is that we are all hypocrites. With this kind of perception, how can we expect to influence the world?
Yes, the world is looking for leaders who will be real and genuine, however too many of our leaders are letting them down…too many of our leaders preach or say one thing and their lives are contrary to those things. Even within our own homes we have the do as I say and not as I do mentality.
Is it any wonder that our culture has gotten so NUMB to what the church has to say to them? Is it any wonder why we have lost our influence on a culture that so desperately needs to hear the Good News? We as Christians say we need to love, love unconditionally, love in spite of our differences, simply just love one another and yet all across the internet, I see blogs and websites bashing other Christians when they don’t agree with their methods. I see Christians throwing others under the bus for their failures. How can this be? How can we do this and expect those who do not know Christ to come to Him in a relationship?
In Christendom, we set up these laws, we tell people how they have to live according to our own church/denominational doctrine, while well meaning as they might be, we can’t just tell people to live by these laws and uphold them and then when they fall short we condemn them to Hell. The world doesn’t need anymore laws, they need more grace, need more forgiveness, more love, and yes more mercy.
People truly get NUMB to our calls to live a certain way and yet when they fail, we do not offer them an opportunity for restoration or we aren’t allowing an opportunity for repentence. We expect the culture to live up to the standard that many Christ followers aren’t even living by…and again we wonder why the world has become so NUMB and CALLOUS to the influence of the church.
I say all this because I have gotten questions about what happened with Ted Haggard. Honestly, I have no response to them. I have the “Christian” answer, and I know the Christianese. You know what? That just doesn’t cut it anymore, not for this culture and the world we live in. If you don’t believe, than you have been living a Christian bubble for too long and you need to come out into the real world. Here is are some comments and yes some of these comments have very foul language in them…but these are the people we are called to reach, right? These are comments from youtube.com website, the comments are with the clip of Ted Haggard on the Jesus Camp movie. These voices and the words of this culture the world we are called to reach, “that none shall perish.”
Read these comments, these are the voice of a culture.
from - www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6rSjrBhUIA
isighttech (11 hours ago)
Talk about the hypocrisy! IT'S WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE. Unbelievable.
Marker773 (11 hours ago)
Ugh - I need a Silkwood-esque shower after seeing that. What a creep.
infideljoe (10 hours ago)
Faith created the inquisition, reason/logic ended it.
Faith created the Salem witch hunt, reason/logic ended it. How would your life be any different if you didn't believe this dogma crap? And don't tell me you wouldn't have any morals. We are smart enough to figure out that killing and raping are wrong. And that stoning our back talking children, slavery, and stoning adulterers is wrong, which the Bible said was fine.
infideljoe (10 hours ago)
Apparently, it takes $20 million dollars to study the Bible. New Life spent all this money all buildings for worshipping and studying the bible (must be complicated, you would think the lord would have made the book easy to understand). But, I don't see any mention of a homeless shelter or soup kitchen being on the property...interesting.
skullaria (7 hours ago)
Isn't it possible to love God and want to immulate the spirit of Christ WITHOUT the Bible having to be cold and hard fact? I reject the Bible as infalliable.
That's what these sorts of arguments always seem to boil down to - if it is not infallible, or at least inapplicable - then go ahead, follow every dietary and sexual law ever made. If you follow a book written in the stone ages, then I hope you are happy when we all start acting like stone age people.
YoungAndDead (6 hours ago)
That was funny!
rok100 (5 hours ago)
This idiot & his cronies in the Bushpublican religious-right have controlled the way government funding flows into & out of social programs, they sit at the table & discuss military deployments, energy policies, judicial appointments & foriegn policy. How's that been workin' for us SO FAR?! Wouldn't our government be FAR better served if the former male prostitute was in on those White House phone conferences? He tells THE TRUTH!
rok100 (5 hours ago)
Please, all you religious nuts, go to the polls and vote for the GOP in the mid-terms - if you DON'T - it's going to scew-up the statistics for my soon-to-be-released book, "Your Jesus is a Red-Neck, Red-State Dumb-A**".
nedmorlef (5 hours ago)
this prostitute got his reward. he is now a nationally known gay drugdealer. he has marked himself and will be in jail before the end of 2007. he has basically committed a judas. he exposed a simple sinner but, he will pay a heavy price. his own life.
goopiegoo (3 hours ago)
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Instantly brings to mind the old bumper sticker, "Please Jesus, protect me from your followers."
HotCod (2 days ago)
first of all its "boy prostitutes nor sodomites" no where dose it say homosexual only the "act" so to speek and there is very few place even that is brought up and since one of them is in the same vers about wearing 2 kind of cloth its a bit hard to sit there while proably wearing 2 kinds of cloth and tell me you think that other bit should still be followed... on top of that paul was a freeking idoit and the driving force behind how sexist the church ended up
earthmother (1 day ago)
according to this i am DEFINITELY going to Hell.
ckosho2713 (1 day ago)
not so. according to the Bible, we should all go to hell. God sent Jesus to be punished in our place. If we give our lives to him, we'll be saved. Think of God's salvation as a parachute, you've got to put it on in order to be saved, you can't just believe in it. Look in to what I'm saying.
Nuff said.
DisturbedEarth (2 days ago)
Who would want to anyway..sounds like good advice to me.
iliketodrum (2 days ago)
My God you guys are f***ing idiots. You don't even know the history of the very book you live by. Shame on you're laziness!!
That word was ADDED to the most recent editions of the Bible. Read some f***ing history idiots, and do some research you ignorant sheep! The original King James version does NOT have a reference to Homosexuals. That's a FACT! You guys are delusion, ignorant and dangerous.
I also wanted to share this video by Linkin’ Park called NUMB, I believe this represents the voice of this culture. Church, leaders, pastors we need to stand up and start living upright lives, we need to live the way Jesus lived. We need to start being who we say we are. Yes, we must truly be transparent and authentic, not just say we are. We must come clean and we must get clean. If we don’t, the church we will continue to lose influence within our world…I would hate to see our great churches set empty i.e. many of the European churches today. So who is influencing who?
I could continue on about this, but I want to hear what you have to say. What are you opinions? How do you feel? What do you think?
Listen to the words of this song, I believe this a voice of a culture that is desperate.
Numb by Linkin’ Park
Here is a cold hard fact…people’s PERCEPTION is their REALITY. What people perceive of the church and Christians is that we are all hypocrites. With this kind of perception, how can we expect to influence the world?
Yes, the world is looking for leaders who will be real and genuine, however too many of our leaders are letting them down…too many of our leaders preach or say one thing and their lives are contrary to those things. Even within our own homes we have the do as I say and not as I do mentality.
Is it any wonder that our culture has gotten so NUMB to what the church has to say to them? Is it any wonder why we have lost our influence on a culture that so desperately needs to hear the Good News? We as Christians say we need to love, love unconditionally, love in spite of our differences, simply just love one another and yet all across the internet, I see blogs and websites bashing other Christians when they don’t agree with their methods. I see Christians throwing others under the bus for their failures. How can this be? How can we do this and expect those who do not know Christ to come to Him in a relationship?
In Christendom, we set up these laws, we tell people how they have to live according to our own church/denominational doctrine, while well meaning as they might be, we can’t just tell people to live by these laws and uphold them and then when they fall short we condemn them to Hell. The world doesn’t need anymore laws, they need more grace, need more forgiveness, more love, and yes more mercy.
People truly get NUMB to our calls to live a certain way and yet when they fail, we do not offer them an opportunity for restoration or we aren’t allowing an opportunity for repentence. We expect the culture to live up to the standard that many Christ followers aren’t even living by…and again we wonder why the world has become so NUMB and CALLOUS to the influence of the church.
I say all this because I have gotten questions about what happened with Ted Haggard. Honestly, I have no response to them. I have the “Christian” answer, and I know the Christianese. You know what? That just doesn’t cut it anymore, not for this culture and the world we live in. If you don’t believe, than you have been living a Christian bubble for too long and you need to come out into the real world. Here is are some comments and yes some of these comments have very foul language in them…but these are the people we are called to reach, right? These are comments from youtube.com website, the comments are with the clip of Ted Haggard on the Jesus Camp movie. These voices and the words of this culture the world we are called to reach, “that none shall perish.”
Read these comments, these are the voice of a culture.
from - www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6rSjrBhUIA
isighttech (11 hours ago)
Talk about the hypocrisy! IT'S WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE. Unbelievable.
Marker773 (11 hours ago)
Ugh - I need a Silkwood-esque shower after seeing that. What a creep.
infideljoe (10 hours ago)
Faith created the inquisition, reason/logic ended it.
Faith created the Salem witch hunt, reason/logic ended it. How would your life be any different if you didn't believe this dogma crap? And don't tell me you wouldn't have any morals. We are smart enough to figure out that killing and raping are wrong. And that stoning our back talking children, slavery, and stoning adulterers is wrong, which the Bible said was fine.
infideljoe (10 hours ago)
Apparently, it takes $20 million dollars to study the Bible. New Life spent all this money all buildings for worshipping and studying the bible (must be complicated, you would think the lord would have made the book easy to understand). But, I don't see any mention of a homeless shelter or soup kitchen being on the property...interesting.
skullaria (7 hours ago)
Isn't it possible to love God and want to immulate the spirit of Christ WITHOUT the Bible having to be cold and hard fact? I reject the Bible as infalliable.
That's what these sorts of arguments always seem to boil down to - if it is not infallible, or at least inapplicable - then go ahead, follow every dietary and sexual law ever made. If you follow a book written in the stone ages, then I hope you are happy when we all start acting like stone age people.
YoungAndDead (6 hours ago)
That was funny!
rok100 (5 hours ago)
This idiot & his cronies in the Bushpublican religious-right have controlled the way government funding flows into & out of social programs, they sit at the table & discuss military deployments, energy policies, judicial appointments & foriegn policy. How's that been workin' for us SO FAR?! Wouldn't our government be FAR better served if the former male prostitute was in on those White House phone conferences? He tells THE TRUTH!
rok100 (5 hours ago)
Please, all you religious nuts, go to the polls and vote for the GOP in the mid-terms - if you DON'T - it's going to scew-up the statistics for my soon-to-be-released book, "Your Jesus is a Red-Neck, Red-State Dumb-A**".
nedmorlef (5 hours ago)
this prostitute got his reward. he is now a nationally known gay drugdealer. he has marked himself and will be in jail before the end of 2007. he has basically committed a judas. he exposed a simple sinner but, he will pay a heavy price. his own life.
goopiegoo (3 hours ago)
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Instantly brings to mind the old bumper sticker, "Please Jesus, protect me from your followers."
HotCod (2 days ago)
first of all its "boy prostitutes nor sodomites" no where dose it say homosexual only the "act" so to speek and there is very few place even that is brought up and since one of them is in the same vers about wearing 2 kind of cloth its a bit hard to sit there while proably wearing 2 kinds of cloth and tell me you think that other bit should still be followed... on top of that paul was a freeking idoit and the driving force behind how sexist the church ended up
earthmother (1 day ago)
according to this i am DEFINITELY going to Hell.
ckosho2713 (1 day ago)
not so. according to the Bible, we should all go to hell. God sent Jesus to be punished in our place. If we give our lives to him, we'll be saved. Think of God's salvation as a parachute, you've got to put it on in order to be saved, you can't just believe in it. Look in to what I'm saying.
Nuff said.
DisturbedEarth (2 days ago)
Who would want to anyway..sounds like good advice to me.
iliketodrum (2 days ago)
My God you guys are f***ing idiots. You don't even know the history of the very book you live by. Shame on you're laziness!!
That word was ADDED to the most recent editions of the Bible. Read some f***ing history idiots, and do some research you ignorant sheep! The original King James version does NOT have a reference to Homosexuals. That's a FACT! You guys are delusion, ignorant and dangerous.
I also wanted to share this video by Linkin’ Park called NUMB, I believe this represents the voice of this culture. Church, leaders, pastors we need to stand up and start living upright lives, we need to live the way Jesus lived. We need to start being who we say we are. Yes, we must truly be transparent and authentic, not just say we are. We must come clean and we must get clean. If we don’t, the church we will continue to lose influence within our world…I would hate to see our great churches set empty i.e. many of the European churches today. So who is influencing who?
I could continue on about this, but I want to hear what you have to say. What are you opinions? How do you feel? What do you think?
Listen to the words of this song, I believe this a voice of a culture that is desperate.
Numb by Linkin’ Park
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)