Not fishing at Lake Adger - even though that sounds great right now as the weather is warming and I am sure the bass are biting..... but fishing for people. Reading my Purpose Driven Church book tonight making some notes for our Sunday night Rock Group meeting and this is what I have learned... or atleast reminded of.
Go where the fish are biting – Go to where the people will listen. Take advantage of the responsive hearts that the hold spirit prepares.
Matthew 10:14 – “If a home or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake its dust off your feet.”
We aren’t supposed to pick the green fruit but to find the ripe fruit and harvest it. We are not supposed to stay around unresponsive people.
It is not good stewardship to continue badgering someone who has rejected Christ a dozen times when there is a whole community of receptive people waiting to hear the Gospel for the first time. The Holy Spirit wants to direct us to the people he’s already prepared to respond. Jesus told us not to worry about the unresponsive. Shake the dust off your feet and move on.
The Apostle Paul’s strategy was to go through open doors and not waste time banging on closed ones. We should not focus our efforts on those who aren’t ready to listen. There are far more people in the world who are ready to receive Christ than there are believers ready to witness to them.
Friends - what do you think this means in your own words? Comments please.....
WOW - Light bulb going off here........ Ok Lord I get it. I am on it..... I understand - a promise is a promise but the seeds are planted - its in your ball park now. I have some fishing to do!
Father - I pray for those seeds - for it is all I can do - the rest is up to You Lord.
Amen ~
Monday, March 12, 2007
God being first....
The day that my son comes to me and asks me - "Dad are we going to church today?" is the day I have failed. I don't know if he will ever ask me because by midweek he can't wait for Sunday - Neither can we!! Our Rock group parents all have similar stories in their families - the kids can't wait till Sunday. God gets the first day of our week - He gets the first hour of my day - He gets the first of our money - He gets my first attention.
Do you ask yourself on Sundays if you're going to church or not? Does family or friends call you or do you call them looking for someone to go with you? I think you need a reorder - a new church if the message does not have passion in it and it speaks to you and you are involved - connected and experiencing God. NO distance is long enough for someone to experience a church that does this in your life. People walked for days to spend an afternoon with Jesus - and they didn't even know who he was!!
Don't sit and mark the check box off in your life - LIVE IT - EXPERIENCE IT - Get involved and get moving..... be part of something already. God deserves to be first - and the answer is YES we are going to church - and YES we can't wait to get there! My eternity is not going to be based on an excuse - I am not going to stand in front of Jesus and try to explain to Him that I didn't feel like it or I had nobody to go with me or it was too far or people might see who I really am. Friends you can go to church and feel comfortable, feel welcomed, feel moved by the PASSION that a pastor has for you and you are moved by the message, feel a direction in your life because of Jesus - than you are at the wrong place and its time to move along. Don't settle just because its comfortable or because its convenient. Expect God to deliver and He will. All it takes is a little faith. Nike came out with the slogan - just do it. Horrible shoe but great slogan to a shoe empire. one excuse is as good as another - what will be your next excuse? - think God hears that excuse? - what do you think his response is to that? I wonder......
Randy~
Do you ask yourself on Sundays if you're going to church or not? Does family or friends call you or do you call them looking for someone to go with you? I think you need a reorder - a new church if the message does not have passion in it and it speaks to you and you are involved - connected and experiencing God. NO distance is long enough for someone to experience a church that does this in your life. People walked for days to spend an afternoon with Jesus - and they didn't even know who he was!!
Don't sit and mark the check box off in your life - LIVE IT - EXPERIENCE IT - Get involved and get moving..... be part of something already. God deserves to be first - and the answer is YES we are going to church - and YES we can't wait to get there! My eternity is not going to be based on an excuse - I am not going to stand in front of Jesus and try to explain to Him that I didn't feel like it or I had nobody to go with me or it was too far or people might see who I really am. Friends you can go to church and feel comfortable, feel welcomed, feel moved by the PASSION that a pastor has for you and you are moved by the message, feel a direction in your life because of Jesus - than you are at the wrong place and its time to move along. Don't settle just because its comfortable or because its convenient. Expect God to deliver and He will. All it takes is a little faith. Nike came out with the slogan - just do it. Horrible shoe but great slogan to a shoe empire. one excuse is as good as another - what will be your next excuse? - think God hears that excuse? - what do you think his response is to that? I wonder......
Randy~
Just a plane trip......
I heard a story this morning that I wanted to share because it is moving and its exactly my point in making a difference in the lives of people around us and people we meet in our daily lives.
A woman (Paula) was on a business trip and was getting on the plane for her return flight home. She has an isle seat and was looking forward to spreading out and taking a nap on the plane because nobody was next to her. Just before the plane doors shut, a man and a woman get on the plane - they sit next to her - thus - ruins her nap home. A man sitting in the middle seat gets comfortable and a lady in the window seat opens a book. Paula decides since she cant nap now she pulls out some work and decides to work on a manuscript that she had been working on. At the top its title is written - My walk with God. After a few minutes the man next to her says to her - I am sorry but I couldn't help to look over and read the title of your paper. God - tell me about this God. She begins slowly and tells him what she is writing - a message/manuscript for a talk she was doing at a church - and what God has done in her life. After a few minutes of talking she reaches down and get her bible - she explains to the man the important scriptures over the years that have meant the most to her and why. After an hour of discussing and sharing - God nudges her to give this man her bible. She argues - and says Lord - why - this is my bible - I have tears on my bible and notes. After a few minutes of arguing with God - she takes out all her papers and notes in the pages and gives the bible to her new friend. He refuses but she tells him God told her that He wanted him to have it. So he accepts and says to Paula - that nobody has ever explained God to him before - never had he realized that God was his direction in life and he promised Paula he would study it and read it. After the plane landed and they said goodbye - the woman in the window seat stopped Paula and told her how touched she was with her testimony and how she opened up to the man sitting between them. She was going home to make her marriage work and to rededicate herself to God because she was made aware of the direction her life was taking and she wanted no part of it. She thanked Paula and said goodbye. 3 weeks later Paula gets a call - its a woman on the phone and she told Paula that she got her number from a bible that her husband had - how he came home this time from his business trip "different" than all the other trips in years past. He took the week off following his trip and read that bible you gave him. She thanked Paula for sharing Gods word with him because she had been doing that for 25 years and it didn't seem to be making a difference.
Paula was on her next speaking trip out of town at a small local church. She was tapped on the shoulder and it was her friend from the plane! He said he was driving down the road and he stopped - he said something made me come in to this church - I was headed to a bigger church down the road but something told me to come in here. Paula didn't share her written story that day - but shared their story to everyone at that little country church on that glorious Sunday morning.
Friends we never know when God calls us to do something - even during the normal routines we have every day. God is calling us to do something bigger and reaching to those around us. We never know when we might do or say something that will change the course of someones life. Its stories like this testimony here - God is working - even when we can't see Him.
A woman (Paula) was on a business trip and was getting on the plane for her return flight home. She has an isle seat and was looking forward to spreading out and taking a nap on the plane because nobody was next to her. Just before the plane doors shut, a man and a woman get on the plane - they sit next to her - thus - ruins her nap home. A man sitting in the middle seat gets comfortable and a lady in the window seat opens a book. Paula decides since she cant nap now she pulls out some work and decides to work on a manuscript that she had been working on. At the top its title is written - My walk with God. After a few minutes the man next to her says to her - I am sorry but I couldn't help to look over and read the title of your paper. God - tell me about this God. She begins slowly and tells him what she is writing - a message/manuscript for a talk she was doing at a church - and what God has done in her life. After a few minutes of talking she reaches down and get her bible - she explains to the man the important scriptures over the years that have meant the most to her and why. After an hour of discussing and sharing - God nudges her to give this man her bible. She argues - and says Lord - why - this is my bible - I have tears on my bible and notes. After a few minutes of arguing with God - she takes out all her papers and notes in the pages and gives the bible to her new friend. He refuses but she tells him God told her that He wanted him to have it. So he accepts and says to Paula - that nobody has ever explained God to him before - never had he realized that God was his direction in life and he promised Paula he would study it and read it. After the plane landed and they said goodbye - the woman in the window seat stopped Paula and told her how touched she was with her testimony and how she opened up to the man sitting between them. She was going home to make her marriage work and to rededicate herself to God because she was made aware of the direction her life was taking and she wanted no part of it. She thanked Paula and said goodbye. 3 weeks later Paula gets a call - its a woman on the phone and she told Paula that she got her number from a bible that her husband had - how he came home this time from his business trip "different" than all the other trips in years past. He took the week off following his trip and read that bible you gave him. She thanked Paula for sharing Gods word with him because she had been doing that for 25 years and it didn't seem to be making a difference.
Paula was on her next speaking trip out of town at a small local church. She was tapped on the shoulder and it was her friend from the plane! He said he was driving down the road and he stopped - he said something made me come in to this church - I was headed to a bigger church down the road but something told me to come in here. Paula didn't share her written story that day - but shared their story to everyone at that little country church on that glorious Sunday morning.
Friends we never know when God calls us to do something - even during the normal routines we have every day. God is calling us to do something bigger and reaching to those around us. We never know when we might do or say something that will change the course of someones life. Its stories like this testimony here - God is working - even when we can't see Him.
Being glad in all our days.....
The 12th of March already.... where is time going? Still adjusting to the 1 hour spring ahead - I just don't see why we can't just leave it where it is!! The older I get, the harder it seems to adjust to this hour thing. I woke up this morning and it was dark out, thinking it was still in the early morning, I was ready for a few more hours of sleep until the clock went off right after that. Has anyone ever wanted to throw the alarm clock before? I have heard about people throwing phones and other stuff but never actually seen it done! Just wondering......
Last night Carol and I had off from our Sunday night Rock Group meeting - it was a good break but I have to admit - I missed everyone.... looking forward to get back on track next week. Carol and I had a chance to sit and watch Extreme home make over. Carol loves that show and I myself have not watched it much - but she was sitting there last night telling me how much she loved that show - I couldn't tell from the tears falling!! This show makes a difference in the lives of those the show is about. This family had their house burn down - no place to live and the next week the oldest son dies in a car wreck. Talk about a hard couple of weeks. The son was a organ donor and his heart went to a family who's daughter needed a heart - they got to meet on the show. Whew - hurt and joy all wrapped tight there! House was paid for by the donations of those who want to make a difference for this family. A new house and a new chance at life. A reset - a mulligan a DO-OVER! I have to say though - this family has been through some tough things but together they remain strong. They in many ways, seem to be a stronger family as if nothing could come between them. The loss of a loved one has become the magnet that draws them closer together. I wish I could say that about my family - I really do. In many ways we all have drifted since my mom left and in many ways I feel like I am thousands of miles away, when in reality I am only an hours drive. I am thankful for my church family, my rock group family and the love of my wife and son and those in my family who have stepped up to the plate when our families have needed it most. I feel like I have many who have my back and are leaning on me for all the right reasons. I am doing the best I can with fulfilling my moms promises but sometimes I wonder if I am making any headway what so ever. Its during those times when I am quiet and still that God talks to me - he sends me someone to remind me that its in His hands. Its still hard to believe at times that mom is not here - sometimes it really grabs me and its like a dream or something. Its then that I look upward and thank God that mom is where she is and how I need to dig deep and press through - press through for others - reach out to people and make a difference - however small or large that may be. Our time here loved ones is short - make the most of it. I have so much I want to share with my son - so much I want to teach him and show him - show him how much I love Jesus so that when he is older and has a family himself he will be that much more ahead because he will know what is expected because he will have had a good example to go on. The love his mom and dad had for Jesus - it showed in their lives. I never thought I would be taking part in a Sunday School class - never the less help teach it. Never did I think I would be praying with 20 kids around me and sharing with them that we are family and their prayers matter to God just as much as mine do or their parents do. Never did I ever think, me the selfish sinner would not want to be any place on earth that God is not. Sometimes I come to work and God sends me people - He sends me friends who need direction and they need help - they need to see God. Friends - we all need some direction - we need to put down our selfishness and help those around us see and feel the maker of the universe. He cares about you - He is waiting on you - nothing is more important to Him than you are.
I love you all - but I have fought hard the last year for my family. I wonder how long I can keep this up? No amount of evidence or prayers lifted for you will do anything until your heart is opened and you are grabbed by God. I wonder how He will do that in YOUR LIFE? Might not be exactly the way you think it will be...... Friends God can take you places you never thought was possible. Doors will open and people will come into your life and make a difference. Surround yourself with people who will bring you up and not drag you down. Our lives are like the seasons - and with that comes change. Its time for a change.......
Psalm 90:10-14 NIV
The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Lord, help us focus on the joy in our lives even as we struggle and have faults in everything we do. Help us make a difference for someone today so that we don't focus all we have on our selves. Help us focus outward and just maybe Lord - Your light will shine for someone who doesn't know You - You have so much to offer, so much to give and You have done so much for us already - thank You for Your unfailing love and Your promises Lord. May we be setting a good example for our children and families and doing Your will over our own.
Amen~
Last night Carol and I had off from our Sunday night Rock Group meeting - it was a good break but I have to admit - I missed everyone.... looking forward to get back on track next week. Carol and I had a chance to sit and watch Extreme home make over. Carol loves that show and I myself have not watched it much - but she was sitting there last night telling me how much she loved that show - I couldn't tell from the tears falling!! This show makes a difference in the lives of those the show is about. This family had their house burn down - no place to live and the next week the oldest son dies in a car wreck. Talk about a hard couple of weeks. The son was a organ donor and his heart went to a family who's daughter needed a heart - they got to meet on the show. Whew - hurt and joy all wrapped tight there! House was paid for by the donations of those who want to make a difference for this family. A new house and a new chance at life. A reset - a mulligan a DO-OVER! I have to say though - this family has been through some tough things but together they remain strong. They in many ways, seem to be a stronger family as if nothing could come between them. The loss of a loved one has become the magnet that draws them closer together. I wish I could say that about my family - I really do. In many ways we all have drifted since my mom left and in many ways I feel like I am thousands of miles away, when in reality I am only an hours drive. I am thankful for my church family, my rock group family and the love of my wife and son and those in my family who have stepped up to the plate when our families have needed it most. I feel like I have many who have my back and are leaning on me for all the right reasons. I am doing the best I can with fulfilling my moms promises but sometimes I wonder if I am making any headway what so ever. Its during those times when I am quiet and still that God talks to me - he sends me someone to remind me that its in His hands. Its still hard to believe at times that mom is not here - sometimes it really grabs me and its like a dream or something. Its then that I look upward and thank God that mom is where she is and how I need to dig deep and press through - press through for others - reach out to people and make a difference - however small or large that may be. Our time here loved ones is short - make the most of it. I have so much I want to share with my son - so much I want to teach him and show him - show him how much I love Jesus so that when he is older and has a family himself he will be that much more ahead because he will know what is expected because he will have had a good example to go on. The love his mom and dad had for Jesus - it showed in their lives. I never thought I would be taking part in a Sunday School class - never the less help teach it. Never did I think I would be praying with 20 kids around me and sharing with them that we are family and their prayers matter to God just as much as mine do or their parents do. Never did I ever think, me the selfish sinner would not want to be any place on earth that God is not. Sometimes I come to work and God sends me people - He sends me friends who need direction and they need help - they need to see God. Friends - we all need some direction - we need to put down our selfishness and help those around us see and feel the maker of the universe. He cares about you - He is waiting on you - nothing is more important to Him than you are.
I love you all - but I have fought hard the last year for my family. I wonder how long I can keep this up? No amount of evidence or prayers lifted for you will do anything until your heart is opened and you are grabbed by God. I wonder how He will do that in YOUR LIFE? Might not be exactly the way you think it will be...... Friends God can take you places you never thought was possible. Doors will open and people will come into your life and make a difference. Surround yourself with people who will bring you up and not drag you down. Our lives are like the seasons - and with that comes change. Its time for a change.......
Psalm 90:10-14 NIV
The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Lord, help us focus on the joy in our lives even as we struggle and have faults in everything we do. Help us make a difference for someone today so that we don't focus all we have on our selves. Help us focus outward and just maybe Lord - Your light will shine for someone who doesn't know You - You have so much to offer, so much to give and You have done so much for us already - thank You for Your unfailing love and Your promises Lord. May we be setting a good example for our children and families and doing Your will over our own.
Amen~
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Never a ho-hum day -
Today was a double duty at church today. Missing an hour of sleep and having a hard time falling asleep left us running a little behind this morning but we were on time - just a little rushed. Carol did an awesome job with Sunday school and teaching the kids. I did want to share something with you today because my wife and I did something we have not done before. Before we started - I had everyone come to the front and gather around. Its always cool when you have the attention of children and its in a way that they know they are loved and belong. As I told the children they are at church today because someone from their family brought them, I told them they as we are together now and we all know Jesus - that makes us a family too. We are a team when you are in church. I had all the kids put their hands in and I prayed for them. One girl prayed for her teacher - she broke her ankle - another girl prayed for her mom and another told us her dad past away 1 year ago today. So as I sit now and reflect on the lives of those children - they too are in a grown up world. We have struggles and deal with the loss of my mom in my family so to do other people have to deal with that. This little girl is missing her dad now and life just doesn't seem fair at times. It reminds me that just like those kids in Sunday school today - we are a family and we have to stick together. Reach out to someone today - just maybe with that prayer and that time together for that girl in Sunday school - made today a little easier for her.
1 John 3:
Love one another
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
I pray you have a giving spirit - because no matter what you're walking through today - someone has walked in those shoes already. Help each other along loved ones and let Gods spirit guide you in doing what is right.
Father, I pray today for the person who needs a smile - who needs to know they are not alone and someone has walked in their shoes before them. Lord help us focus on Your spirit in our hearts so that we may do what is right and reach out to others. Lord give us the strength and courage to open ourselves up and let people in - so that we may all begin the healing process and for You to take over our hearts and soul. Grab us Lord and lead us where You want us to go.
I pray in Jesus name,
Amen~
1 John 3:
Love one another
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
I pray you have a giving spirit - because no matter what you're walking through today - someone has walked in those shoes already. Help each other along loved ones and let Gods spirit guide you in doing what is right.
Father, I pray today for the person who needs a smile - who needs to know they are not alone and someone has walked in their shoes before them. Lord help us focus on Your spirit in our hearts so that we may do what is right and reach out to others. Lord give us the strength and courage to open ourselves up and let people in - so that we may all begin the healing process and for You to take over our hearts and soul. Grab us Lord and lead us where You want us to go.
I pray in Jesus name,
Amen~
Friday, March 9, 2007
Brick by Brick
Our Rock Group has been reading and studying the Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren the last few weeks. I am amazed at how smart this man is and how he is leading so many churches across the world today. After reading part of this book, having read the Purpose Driven Life and now I can't seem to put down anything he has written. What can I apply in his teachings to my life? What am I not doing and what am I doing right? Where can I use my talents and what I am learning to lead people to Christ - to lead in my church and lead my Rock Group? The doors are open.....
I came across Ephesians 2:19-22 today while looking up foundations - because I wanted to know where my family stands. How did we get to this point and why are we not standing on better ground.... I am also thinking about my friends, their families and my church family as well. We all come from different places and from different directions but as these awesome people have come into my life - we have a common foundation to life now. JESUS -
Friends we have a foundation to stand on - we have footing in the sand - together we make up the body of Christ because we all play a part in it together. Just like no church can reach everyone - all churches must work together to get the Good News out and bring people to Jesus. We all make up the bricks that build a strong home - to go against the winds, rain, struggles, pressures, relationships, drug addictions, abuse and anything else this world throws us.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19-22That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.
Father I pray tonight for those we know who are sinking and who don't have a strong foundation in their lives. Lord struggles and hard ships might have many of us down but You give us the strong footing we need to endure and raise above our issues. Lord thank You for laying down this ground work so that we may press through and continue fighting for You, our families and our friends in this life. May You touch those who need Your touch this evening, In Your sons awesome name in Jesus,
Amen
I came across Ephesians 2:19-22 today while looking up foundations - because I wanted to know where my family stands. How did we get to this point and why are we not standing on better ground.... I am also thinking about my friends, their families and my church family as well. We all come from different places and from different directions but as these awesome people have come into my life - we have a common foundation to life now. JESUS -
Friends we have a foundation to stand on - we have footing in the sand - together we make up the body of Christ because we all play a part in it together. Just like no church can reach everyone - all churches must work together to get the Good News out and bring people to Jesus. We all make up the bricks that build a strong home - to go against the winds, rain, struggles, pressures, relationships, drug addictions, abuse and anything else this world throws us.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19-22That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.
Father I pray tonight for those we know who are sinking and who don't have a strong foundation in their lives. Lord struggles and hard ships might have many of us down but You give us the strong footing we need to endure and raise above our issues. Lord thank You for laying down this ground work so that we may press through and continue fighting for You, our families and our friends in this life. May You touch those who need Your touch this evening, In Your sons awesome name in Jesus,
Amen
Kids and icecream.....
What a good day today - got to spend time with my kids today at lunch and share a few smiles. I bought some ice cream for the kids who did not have money to get some and that just makes me smile. When I see those kids, you can really see the ones who are needy and need that extra attention and love. I specifically make it a point to hold my hand out close to 2 girls there - they have had a tough childhood with their home life but I pray for just that 45 minutes on Fridays when I am with them - they forget all about their struggles and just enjoy the moment and attention. I guess I am fitting the mold that God has encouraged me in - being an encourager no matter the situation or problem that someone finds themselves in.
I was looking through some of the blogs today that I am behind on looking to see what I am missing as far as a message or something to share with you today. I came across a church who has their service video out there to view and its a church like the one my family attends and they opened the service with a Bob Marley song. I am thinking how cool is that? I will feel all right - Give thank and praise to the Lord and I will be all right. What a great song and it never occurred to me that Bob Marley was a spiritual man and had a song like that. I have heard that song thousands of times, been on the island of Jamaica and have had family get together with his music playing .... but never put it all together until now. I think back a few weeks ago where our Pastor Jimmy spoke about church being dangerous and taking risks - How church has become a church for women and children and men think church is for someone else. Church should be exciting and church should move you to a place where God is leading us - leading our lives and experiencing God in a new fired up way. You want to invite everyone you know and to take part in something so much bigger than ourselves. It changes our thinking and our hearts - it changes our future and if this is not something you are experiencing in church - than maybe its time to check into it.
Today, I am going to share with you some hope. Hope that you have in your life - hope in those children today at my sons class because God loves us - and He gives us hope in this life. Wherever you are today friends, their is victory in this life if you know Jesus. He gives us the hope to carry on because when we finish this life - we have the prize waiting for us. No matter what we are in today - tomorrow can be totally different and our lives can change in a small amount of time. So no matter how low you are - how far you have come - continue to praise God and give Him all the glory - stand steadfast and strong. For God is with you and always by your side.
Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God, for the flood waters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can't find a foothold to stand on.
I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched and dry.
My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me…
But I keep right on praying to you, Lord, hoping this is the time you will show me favor.
God will show you favor friends - keep praying, keep reaching, don't hold on so tight, let people in - enjoy the company that God wants to place in your life. People come into our lives for a reason and many of them are blessings you will never know if your wall is up around you. I think about the people who move here to the south from all over the US - how they feel alone and isolated with not knowing many people or leaving their families. I welcome them to our church where they will be comfortable - they will not be singled out and pointed at - they will have a chance to be taught Gods word and be exposed to people who love them and will care for them and pray for them.
I think about my sons class mates - how they are all special in their own way. The future to our next generation and their minds are easy to mold now and be taught - they are like sponges -except for their times tables (LOL) - but they come from all different walks of life. I love them all the same regardless of who they are - who their parents are - wealthy or not. I want to make a difference when I am there for 45 minutes - they have my attention and my love. When this school year is over I will forever miss my third grade class. They have touched my heart in ways I never thought was possible. Thank you all - I love each and everyone of you just because Jesus has given my heart the capacity to love. Even when and if I don't receive it. More like Jesus and less of like me.
Glad they all got ice cream today - nobody will do without if I have anything to say about it. Smiles today from 24 children and me. :) - God is so awesome...... another door in life opened because of Him.
Randy~
Father, thank You for those children today - thank You for opening the door for me to enjoy their smiles and their excitement when they see me. I love each of them Lord and I know some of them have it hard and life at home is not what it is supposed to be and that breaks my heart Lord. I pray You encourage them Lord and keep them working hard on their studies- I pray for their home life to improve and for You to enter into each of their lives. Lord I pray You keep them all safe and healthy and thank You for the chance to share some of my day with them. I often wonder if I am more excited than they are when we are together - but maybe not - I would call it a tie. Thank You for those blessings Lord and the 24 little hearts that make me smile.
In Jesus name,
Amen
I was looking through some of the blogs today that I am behind on looking to see what I am missing as far as a message or something to share with you today. I came across a church who has their service video out there to view and its a church like the one my family attends and they opened the service with a Bob Marley song. I am thinking how cool is that? I will feel all right - Give thank and praise to the Lord and I will be all right. What a great song and it never occurred to me that Bob Marley was a spiritual man and had a song like that. I have heard that song thousands of times, been on the island of Jamaica and have had family get together with his music playing .... but never put it all together until now. I think back a few weeks ago where our Pastor Jimmy spoke about church being dangerous and taking risks - How church has become a church for women and children and men think church is for someone else. Church should be exciting and church should move you to a place where God is leading us - leading our lives and experiencing God in a new fired up way. You want to invite everyone you know and to take part in something so much bigger than ourselves. It changes our thinking and our hearts - it changes our future and if this is not something you are experiencing in church - than maybe its time to check into it.
Today, I am going to share with you some hope. Hope that you have in your life - hope in those children today at my sons class because God loves us - and He gives us hope in this life. Wherever you are today friends, their is victory in this life if you know Jesus. He gives us the hope to carry on because when we finish this life - we have the prize waiting for us. No matter what we are in today - tomorrow can be totally different and our lives can change in a small amount of time. So no matter how low you are - how far you have come - continue to praise God and give Him all the glory - stand steadfast and strong. For God is with you and always by your side.
Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God, for the flood waters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can't find a foothold to stand on.
I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched and dry.
My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me…
But I keep right on praying to you, Lord, hoping this is the time you will show me favor.
God will show you favor friends - keep praying, keep reaching, don't hold on so tight, let people in - enjoy the company that God wants to place in your life. People come into our lives for a reason and many of them are blessings you will never know if your wall is up around you. I think about the people who move here to the south from all over the US - how they feel alone and isolated with not knowing many people or leaving their families. I welcome them to our church where they will be comfortable - they will not be singled out and pointed at - they will have a chance to be taught Gods word and be exposed to people who love them and will care for them and pray for them.
I think about my sons class mates - how they are all special in their own way. The future to our next generation and their minds are easy to mold now and be taught - they are like sponges -except for their times tables (LOL) - but they come from all different walks of life. I love them all the same regardless of who they are - who their parents are - wealthy or not. I want to make a difference when I am there for 45 minutes - they have my attention and my love. When this school year is over I will forever miss my third grade class. They have touched my heart in ways I never thought was possible. Thank you all - I love each and everyone of you just because Jesus has given my heart the capacity to love. Even when and if I don't receive it. More like Jesus and less of like me.
Glad they all got ice cream today - nobody will do without if I have anything to say about it. Smiles today from 24 children and me. :) - God is so awesome...... another door in life opened because of Him.
Randy~
Father, thank You for those children today - thank You for opening the door for me to enjoy their smiles and their excitement when they see me. I love each of them Lord and I know some of them have it hard and life at home is not what it is supposed to be and that breaks my heart Lord. I pray You encourage them Lord and keep them working hard on their studies- I pray for their home life to improve and for You to enter into each of their lives. Lord I pray You keep them all safe and healthy and thank You for the chance to share some of my day with them. I often wonder if I am more excited than they are when we are together - but maybe not - I would call it a tie. Thank You for those blessings Lord and the 24 little hearts that make me smile.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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