You can help feed the poor and hungry
April 30, 2008
Tonight we talked about the growing problem of the shortage of food in some countries and about what we can do to help. Here’s one way. Click on the picture and it will take you to the link.
Abide In Me
April 28, 2008
Started into a book I’ve wanted to read for a while now. It’s called Abiding in Christ; A Classic Devotional Edited for Today’s Reader. It’s the original work of Andrew Murray edited and updated from the 1895 version. From the preface I wanted to share these quotes:
“During Jesus’ life on earth, the phrase He used most often when speaking of the relationship of the disciples to himself was “Follow Me.” When about to leave for heaven, He gave them a new phrase, which better described their more intimate and spiritual union with himself in glory: “Abide in Me”
“Unfortunately there are many earnest followers of Jesus who fail to grasp the full meaning of these words. While trusting Him for pardon and help, and seeking to some extent to obey Him, they have not realized the closeness of union, the intimacy of fellowship, or the wondrous oneness of life and interest He invites them to when He says, “Abide in Me.” This is not only an unspeakable loss to them personally but also a great loss to the church and the world around them.”
“Who would be content, after seeking the King’s palace, to stand in the door when he is invited in to dwell in the King’s presence, and share with Him in all the glory of His royal life?”-Andrew Murray
“Abide in Me and I in you…”- John 15:4a
Here’s a favorite from Natalie Grant found on the WOW Worship Aqua double cd
The Prayer of Jabez or The Prayer of Paul
April 21, 2008
One can be a best selling book and the other we can skim right over and say “it doesn’t apply to me!” The prayer of Jabez is something we all want to apply to our life found in 2 Chronicles 4:10,
Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me”
Easy to see why it was the subject of a best selling book. Might also show the state of American Christianity. Let’s look at the prayer of Paul in Philippians 3:10 and ask why this wouldn’t be the subject of a best selling book in America:
that I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
God brings glory to Himself in the blessings and even in sufferings. No life wasn’t meant to be fair but it was designed to be a series of events to radiate, reflect, and to point to God’s glory. Check out this book for more on Cat and Dog Theology
I challenge you!
April 16, 2008
Yesterday I saw a sign at a restaurant that read something like this:
This past week or so I really have been trying to simplify some things in my life. Cutting out activities that take time away from being with God. I know God is always around but I mean quality, quiet, silent, total concentration on Him, meditating, worshipful, praising, digging deep in the Word, loving Him heart, soul, and mind time. I really wanted more. And needed more. The 10 minutes alone time just wasn’t enough for me. After going through the Experiencing God study I really wanted to experience God talking to me and the closeness with Him in knowing His voice when He does speak. That doesn’t come without some real heart examination and some real changes in my life. Like saying, “O.K. this time of the day is my time with God, and here is where I will spend that time with Him and this is what I will do. This is me and God’s time together and nothing else (deadlines, hobbies, chores, errands, busyness, noise, people, worries, fear, etc.) have any part in and of this time.
So I read some interesting articles on slowing down, being still, annd pushing the pause button. Here are some interesting facts from Life Action Ministries in an article I read:
- The average American worker receives 108 emails a day.
- 243 million Americans own cell phones or hand-held wireless devices. There’s always one more task, one more call, one more e-mail or text message.
- Google currently indexes more than 3,307,998,701 web pages. Information is always available online-you can keep clicking forever! If you give in to it the searching will never end.
- Research shows that the constant information stream is addictive and exhausting. Our brains are trained to constantly flit around the universe of messages and information, seeking brief “hits” of excitement.
- The ability to multi-task is really a myth. Research shows that multitasking is just a series of constant micro-interruptions and stop-starts, all of which tend to reduce mental and motor performance.
So here is my challenge to you. 1 HOUR with God. Surveys indicate that most Christians spend five minutes or less each day in prayer. A meaningful time with God is vital to a strong, close, intimate relationship with Him, but many don’t know how to get started. Here is a simple pattern I got from a magazine of Life Action Ministries and it has helped me organize my daily time with Him. Spend 5 minutes on each of the following:
- Confession Sin is the greates roadblock to prayer; early in your prayer time, confess and ask for forgiveness-agree with God about your sin. (Psalm 139:23-24; 51:10-11; 1 John 1:9)
- Praise Dwell on God’s attributes. He is an awesome God! (Psalm 34:1-3; 63:3)
- Waiting Quiet your mind and heart before God; focus on Him, being quiet in His presence. (Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 40:31)
- Scripture As you open your Bible, ask God to bless you with concentration and understanding as you read His word. (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 19:7-8
- Intercession Develop a list of names of others to uphold in prayer. (1 Tim 2:1-2; Ps. 2:8
- Petition Make a list of your own personal needs, and check them off as God answers prayer. (Matthew 7:7; James 4:2)
- Thanksgiving Thank God for what He has done. We have so much to be grateful for! (Philippians 4:6; Psalm 100:4)
- Singing Sing Scripture back to the Lord, or use your favorite hymnal or worship cd. (Psalm100:2; Ephesians 5:19)
- Meditation Actively ponder and digest a passage of Scripture or a character trait of God. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2)
- Listening Ask God for specific direction concerning the day’s activities. (1 Kings 19:11-12; Psalm 46:10)
- Psalms Read a psalm, and pray back portions to the Lord. (Psalm 95:2; 147:1)
- Praise You began your time with praise. What better way to end it? (Psalm 50:23; 150:1-2)
If you take this challenge feel free to leave a comment! Tell everyone what He’s done for you!
AFK
April 5, 2008
Recently I have become self aware of some things in my life that have taken hold of me, controlled me, made me a slave. Things that aren’t wrong in the sense that they are evil, but in the sense that they are controlling my schedule, my day, my life. We’re all different and different things make us stumble or take time away from God and family. The computer I am sitting in front of now has been a controlling area in my life. Time taken away from family, friends, being outside, responsibilities, and God. I feel I have become a slave to this computer, blogging, reading numerous blogs, commenting on numerous blogs, checking email, and checking activity on blog. So for a few weeks I am stepping away from all this. Please feel free to continue to read and comment as comments will be moderated and approved by a close friend. This is something I have to do for myself to free myself so that I am a slave to nothing of this world. I have to prove to myself that I can do it. I am not saying that all the time spent blogging has been wasted time. I really feel that God has used this blog for His Glory and to reach others for Christ. His word never returns void. So now time normally spent in front of this glowing box will be filled with quality time with my wonderful wife, my incredibly fun kids, friends, family, and my Heavenly Dad. Please read the full passage from Romans 7:15-25 as this has the problem and the solution described perfectly. Read it once and then read it again slowly and see if it applies to you. On your own, dig deeper and go on into chapter 8:1 for a great Hope. Hope this verse is helpful to someone as it has been for me.
Romans 7:15-25 (The Message)
17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different
Friday praise
April 4, 2008
Psalm 84:2 b “…my heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God!
Psalm 73:26, 28 26 My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.
Thank you Lord that You are always faithful and firm in Your love for me even when I am weak. Thank You for Your strong hand that holds me and my family.
Defender of this heart
You loved me from the start
You never change
Through the highs and lows
As seasons come and go
You never fail
Day after day Your love will remain
Faithful and true, You are good
You are God with us
You’re victorious
You are strong and mighty to save
For Your word stands true
There is none like you
And when all else fades, You remain
When trouble comes my way
You guide and You sustain
Lead me, I pray
Forever you will be
The great eternal King
Now and always
Day after day, Your love will remain
Faithful and true, You are good
Day after day, You never change
Day after day, You are the same
Day after day, You remain-Starfield
O.k. let’s get this straight. I am not Louie Giglio. But here is his complete Indescribable video originally titled sermon Astronomical Grace. It is amazing! Be sure to check out the short snippet from the follow-up dvd How Great Is Our God and learn about laminin! Order them here and also check out his blog there too and leave him comments!
from vodpod.com posted with vodpod
Stress Reliever
April 3, 2008
Here it is for those of us in need of relieving stress from the daily grind. Click here for instant relief.♥
