You have a bright future. Let me share that with you this morning friends and please let that sink into your mind and hearts. This life may be full of struggles, things may not be going your way and one thing is on top of another and you see no way out or any hope of things getting any better. God has something to offer you: His-
Grace - God offers unmerited favor - Gods grace is undeserved and if we had to earn His grace we would have to keep doing what we were doing right? - If we stopped doing what we were doing - we could lose it. What if God decided to stop it? - Nothing we can do will earn Gods grace for our lives.... its a free gift.
Mercy - its the opposite of grace - It's God not giving us what we deserve. We deserve death - we deserve to not take another breath in this sinful place - but God gives us Mercy, offers forgiveness and accepts us the way we are.
Peace - its a calm reassurance that God is on control and a confidence that God will do what He says He would. Ever wonder why some people just have a peace about them when all things are falling down around them - or when a stressful situation is in front of them. Its Gods peace that makes them calm - gives them a sound mind to make decisions.
I experienced this peace with my mom when she was sick and when I was having some health issues a few years ago. Its amazing to experience the peace that God will grant those who ask for it. I am experiencing it right now with the 1 year date of my moms passing fast approaching. There is a calming affect to not fly off the handle, make a rash and unjust decision in life when everything is breaking loose.
Friends you have people praying for you. Draw on the grace that God is offering you and thank God for the friends you have in this life. Many are going through the exact same things as you are. Many have already went through them and some will some day but either way a blessing can be shared - because of friends. Friends that pray together - stay together. What an awesome message that is! Rekindle that flame in your faith. We have nothing to fear - dont choose to stay down and where you are today, many of us are choosing to take this route in fear of getting knocked back down or the attitude of why bother if I am just going to fall again. God gives us the supernatural power to face our fears, to love each other when we think we can't love again! I think that many times in life WE are our own worst enemy. Put things into perspective - major on the major things in life and not the minor things. God sees you where you are today friends, He understands where you are standing, He hurts with you - Ask Him to rise you above the place you are in right now and in your understanding. WHY linger where you are? Take up the passion and persevere! Don't give up - don't pack it in - don't quit when things are too hard - make the decision today (this afternoon!) and put God into your life. Don't give up on your marriage, friends, serving, your parents and loved ones. Persevere!!!
Psalm 73:
21-24 When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
The prayer of Jabez: Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil.
Carry on loved ones and don't give up. Hold your head high and know - God is with you -always.
love you all,
Randy~
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Persevere.......
Wow, another update and its not tomorrow yet! I have been in deep thought today with what I posted earlier today about an urgency I have had today. It's clear to me that more I study and learn Gods word and what He wants me to do in my life - the more the devil wants to take me down. So from time to time, I feel a need not only for myself to lift prayers to God but I do so for you as well. I couldn't tell you honestly why I felt urgent today - maybe it was God showing me something - maybe it was the door that opened for me this evening. I will be honest and share with you that I have been praying to go to the Sr home here in Harrisburg for months. I wanted to drop some flowers off to someone who could use a smile - I did this at the request of my wife back in December with her birthday roses. It was pretty awesome but tonight I stepped it up a notch because I knew God opened the door for me - He eased my fears and put a sense of peace over me so that I may experience what I was going to do. I haven't seen my friends parents in a few months, they have had some health issues and concerns and I know this has been heavy on the heart of my buddy here at work. This is big decision time stuff and the wrong decision can have drastic consequences. So I stopped and got some flowers for his mom and I drove to their apartment. It was nice seeing them, his mom was sooo excited to see me. She did not recognize me at first with my hat on but as soon as I started to talk - she knew who it was. My buddy's dad was sitting in his chair - and I greeted him with a handshake and with kind words. It was a great visit and I promised them I would see them again soon - I would bring Bojangles next time and they were very excited. I reached out when I was looking in today. God took me by the hand and opened this door - so on the way home I honored God by stopping at the Sr center - the place I have been praying to go to for months. I was scared, nervous and not sure what I was doing or what was going to happen. I had the love of Jesus with me - and when I walked in there is a small room - a fireplace and a coffee table with 2 couches. There is an elderly woman sitting on the couch and she smiles at me when I walked in. I said Good evening ma'am and handed her the flowers. She screamed - thinking security was coming I kind of started to back up some and she was screaming with her hands on her cheeks - "Oh my heavens" "what is this for" " who are they for" she asked me. I said ma'am they are for you and they are from Jesus because He loves you. And again she screamed " Oh my heavens". I smiled and walked through the doors. I promise you - it was so cool and so awesome - I will do this again! Don't believe me, I challenge you to give it a try. Make someone smile today and do something out of the ordinary for someone. God wants us to do not do the ordinary - He want us to be on fire for Him.
2 Timothy reads - This is a letter to Timothy written by Paul shortly before he died. Times where difficult, both morally and spiritually. Paul wants to encourage Timothy to persevere in his faith and in his life. As you read this passage - do you find your strength today in Jesus and inspired by His word?
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Encouragement to Be Faithful 3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
We all have this spiritual gift - some of us don't know it and others are choosing not to use it. Fan the flames dear friends, and let God burn into your hearts! If you could have seen that woman today with her hands on her face and shouting, Oh my heavens - this is what its about. Making a difference - living radical for Jesus - spreading His love to the community - fear not because you have a bright future with Jesus. As a child of God we have no reason to fear. I needed to hear this today as well - but I put my fears in Jesus and He opened a door for me today. Gods nature - Grace - Mercy and Peace. I will do my best tomorrow to tell you what those are.
Enjoy the flowers today Ma'am - I will see you again soon. Thanks for making my night and Yes - OH yes - Jesus loves you - just like He loves all of us. Persevere loved ones and don't give up..... more to follow
Randy~
2 Timothy reads - This is a letter to Timothy written by Paul shortly before he died. Times where difficult, both morally and spiritually. Paul wants to encourage Timothy to persevere in his faith and in his life. As you read this passage - do you find your strength today in Jesus and inspired by His word?
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Encouragement to Be Faithful 3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
We all have this spiritual gift - some of us don't know it and others are choosing not to use it. Fan the flames dear friends, and let God burn into your hearts! If you could have seen that woman today with her hands on her face and shouting, Oh my heavens - this is what its about. Making a difference - living radical for Jesus - spreading His love to the community - fear not because you have a bright future with Jesus. As a child of God we have no reason to fear. I needed to hear this today as well - but I put my fears in Jesus and He opened a door for me today. Gods nature - Grace - Mercy and Peace. I will do my best tomorrow to tell you what those are.
Enjoy the flowers today Ma'am - I will see you again soon. Thanks for making my night and Yes - OH yes - Jesus loves you - just like He loves all of us. Persevere loved ones and don't give up..... more to follow
Randy~
Urgency ........
I come to ya'll this morning with an urgency in my heart. I am not sure why I am feeling this or if its just me or maybe its you. I know God will handle this for me and reveal whatever it is I am struggling with today. I pray for all safety and for health for all of us. As I feel weighted down this morning - I think back to a time when my mom was laying in the bed at home. While many nights sitting and talking with her - crying with her and praying with her. Anything I could do to make her more comfortable even if it meant knelt over across the bed and holding her hand - I remember one morning looking out the window at the tree out front from my mom and dads house. Fresh snow fallen and everything is white and beautiful - a bird sits in the tree branch outside my moms window all puffed up and singing. How my mom loved the snow and her birds - I opened the window and we listened to the bird sing its most awesome song. It was a moment I wont ever forget and a moment I know that meant many things for my mom. It was a quiet and peaceful feeling that overcame us and in a way we were "one" sitting and enjoying each others company. I am made much like my mom in that I love the mornings - many of you know I am not a night person and a good cup of coffee in the morning with my family or friends is my happy place in this life. Even as I struggle today with my own burdens - I am trying to stay focused on what God wants me to do. We all have full plates - we all have struggles and things we need to work on to make things sometimes even bearable. Are we too out of focus and too busy to reach out to others - to do Gods will over our own? I am feeling the pressures for those in my life today who just are not getting it. Who are choosing to struggle with life - with circumstances and decisions - their current life situations and self pity. I know the 23rd is coming up - one year since my mom left a gaping hole in my family. But what makes this day any different than any other day? Why put this milestone in our lives - each day is a day we don't have mom here with us. What makes the 1 year things so important? - 1 year, 1 month, 10 years - it is just a number and another day that mom is in heaven. I have a peace about all this and maybe this is my heart trying to reach you to help you come to terms with this - every moment is a slice in time in this life. We choose what we do with it - we can put our own obstacles in our lives, we can make a decision each morning to have a good day, we can focus inward on our selves or we can focus outward and upward - we can decide that today is going to be a good day - we can choose to do something to honor mom every day and not just on the 1 year anniversary or the 1 year 1 month, 2 year whatever - We are meant for something grande and something that is bigger than ourselves.
Friends, let me share Acts 1: with you and try and focus with me here:
The Ascension 6So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Before we even are born, God knows the exact amount of time we are going to be here. Make the most of it and decide to make the most of your life - put your heart and soul into Jesus. He will give you the comfort you are seeking today - the answers to your giants - Jesus knows when our time is and we have to be ready and excited about this! My heart hurts today - for you, for the lost ones and the ones who are struggling today. God knows my heart and I give it to Him in honor for you. This life is what we make it - decide what you make out of it - Don't look back and fix your eyes on Jesus - He is the life and bread we all are seeking. Aren't we all tired of being hungry? There is an urgency this morning - a small prayer and a decision this afternoon - can change your world. Will you walk with me? .......
email me lrbatema@gmail.com
I love you - time may be running short - where will you end up in the race of "life". I pray- first place in Gods record book. Otherwise all of this is null and void. No returns, No warranties, no money back - NOTHING - close the store, its over. We have failed.... and in some cases - I have failed.......
Randy~
Friends, let me share Acts 1: with you and try and focus with me here:
The Ascension 6So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Before we even are born, God knows the exact amount of time we are going to be here. Make the most of it and decide to make the most of your life - put your heart and soul into Jesus. He will give you the comfort you are seeking today - the answers to your giants - Jesus knows when our time is and we have to be ready and excited about this! My heart hurts today - for you, for the lost ones and the ones who are struggling today. God knows my heart and I give it to Him in honor for you. This life is what we make it - decide what you make out of it - Don't look back and fix your eyes on Jesus - He is the life and bread we all are seeking. Aren't we all tired of being hungry? There is an urgency this morning - a small prayer and a decision this afternoon - can change your world. Will you walk with me? .......
email me lrbatema@gmail.com
I love you - time may be running short - where will you end up in the race of "life". I pray- first place in Gods record book. Otherwise all of this is null and void. No returns, No warranties, no money back - NOTHING - close the store, its over. We have failed.... and in some cases - I have failed.......
Randy~
Monday, February 5, 2007
Facing YOUR Giants....
Ok friends - I am especially motivated today for some reason - I will accept that God has something extra on my heart today. So you get the benefit of reading a little extra. I have to first say that I fully enjoyed sharing and spending time with our small group last night. What an awesome bunch of misfits we are! We are all sinners, we are all trying to make our way in life, to learn about Jesus and be more like Him, learn about each other and how to love one another and serve one another, to be better parents and a better family but more important we are learning to face our giants. What loved ones, are your giants that you are facing today?
My family and I rented friday night the movie "Facing the Giants" - wow what a movie. If you get the chance share this awesome movie with your family - invite a non church person or family over and watch it with them. God gets all the glory and it was so refreshing to see God taking center stage and have His teachings and promises on the big screen especially in something we all can relate with. FOOTBALL - Here are some of the comments from the web site concerning the movie:
"The storyline was right on it: with God, all things are possible. There is a lesson for all that can be learned from what we saw. Hopefully the word can be spread and Hollywood will get the idea. This is one of the few movies that you wouldn't mind Jesus sitting next to you and sharing the popcorn."
"My dad, brother and I saw the movie. My dad is not a believer and the movie really affected him. My brother is a believer, but is cynical about Christian movies. He absolutely loved it! As a teacher, the movie truly encouraged me to bring glory to Jesus in my classroom."
"We laughed, we cried and we came away with a renewed sense of God's direction in our lives."
"The movie was very faith-inspiring to say the least. After the movie I thought, 'If I can give 100 percent to something, why not push to do 110 percent?' I don't look at things the same way since I saw the movie."
"I am a high school teacher. Lately I have been discouraged, wondering if I am having any impact on my students. God had me see your movie today to realize that I need to focus more on being the teacher God wants me to be."
"My father-in-law said it was a tremendous movie and I could hear the excitement in his voice. Yesterday, my father-in-law gave his life to Jesus Christ and asked him to be his Lord and Savior. My mother-in-law is a strong Christian and has been praying their whole married life for his eyes to open to God and have a personal relationship."
There are those in my life right now that need direction, hope and inspiration - a comfort knowing that someone is with you; that someone has your back and will never leave you hanging or walk away when things are tough.
No matter what your facing today loved ones, God will walk with you, listen to your tears and calm your fears - he will battle your giants for you.
Enjoy the movie....... http://www.facingthegiants.com/home.php
Love you all,
Randy~
My family and I rented friday night the movie "Facing the Giants" - wow what a movie. If you get the chance share this awesome movie with your family - invite a non church person or family over and watch it with them. God gets all the glory and it was so refreshing to see God taking center stage and have His teachings and promises on the big screen especially in something we all can relate with. FOOTBALL - Here are some of the comments from the web site concerning the movie:
"The storyline was right on it: with God, all things are possible. There is a lesson for all that can be learned from what we saw. Hopefully the word can be spread and Hollywood will get the idea. This is one of the few movies that you wouldn't mind Jesus sitting next to you and sharing the popcorn."
"My dad, brother and I saw the movie. My dad is not a believer and the movie really affected him. My brother is a believer, but is cynical about Christian movies. He absolutely loved it! As a teacher, the movie truly encouraged me to bring glory to Jesus in my classroom."
"We laughed, we cried and we came away with a renewed sense of God's direction in our lives."
"The movie was very faith-inspiring to say the least. After the movie I thought, 'If I can give 100 percent to something, why not push to do 110 percent?' I don't look at things the same way since I saw the movie."
"I am a high school teacher. Lately I have been discouraged, wondering if I am having any impact on my students. God had me see your movie today to realize that I need to focus more on being the teacher God wants me to be."
"My father-in-law said it was a tremendous movie and I could hear the excitement in his voice. Yesterday, my father-in-law gave his life to Jesus Christ and asked him to be his Lord and Savior. My mother-in-law is a strong Christian and has been praying their whole married life for his eyes to open to God and have a personal relationship."
There are those in my life right now that need direction, hope and inspiration - a comfort knowing that someone is with you; that someone has your back and will never leave you hanging or walk away when things are tough.
No matter what your facing today loved ones, God will walk with you, listen to your tears and calm your fears - he will battle your giants for you.
Enjoy the movie....... http://www.facingthegiants.com/home.php
Love you all,
Randy~
Blind but now I see...
Some football game huh? Commercials are falling down in my opinion but the game is all the hype! Congrats to Coach Dungy and the rest of the Colts team. Bears - you played a hard battle but fell short in the end. Hang your head high this morning - Today is a day the Lord has made, Rejoice and be glad in it.
Friends I have something to share with you and it applies to myself as well so I pray that as I share things with those who read this - that I am not in anyway different than you are - or have the same problems or struggles - we are in this together. Its something that occurred to me a few months back and has been strengthend since our Rock Group has been together - since momma has left - and that is, we are in this together. Many of us are struggling with things. Many of us have issues in the past that we can't seem to let go or get over. Many of us have people in our lives that depend on us for far too much and letting go is scary in many ways because we give up that control or maybe we are also afraid of letting them go. Some of us don't even have that option because we have people in our lives that can't make it without us. We are struggling sometimes with many things at one time and just for the life of us - we just can't see our way through it. SO we slide into depression, think nobody cares, our self centeredness grows and becomes deeper, we see people not for the love they have but for what we can use them for, life has lost its passion and its vibrance - Life just needs a new train track to go down. But loved ones, I tell you this - there are 2 tracks on that train track - one for the struggles in life and one for the blessings in life. Which one are you looking at and focused on? If we focus on the bad - nothing but bad will happen and nothing but bad will be the things that stick out the most. God wants us to focus on the good track - the one He has blessings on. It might not be blessings to hand you the lottery winnings so that you can pay all your bills or you pay the car off or make the rent payment this month or even food on the table. BUT it might just be the people in your life - your family and friends - the real lasting things!
John 9: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
No matter what your struggles are today - God has a purpose for them. God continues to work in your life and through your life. Do others see Jesus in your heart, actions and words? If not, then you need to make a change, refocus and get your bearings straight. The blind man above had never seen before - it was not his fault - just like things in your life are sometimes not your fault - things happen but God will work through those things and deliver you from them. God will open your eyes friends, He will let you see the world in a new light. You can be victorious and obtain the goals in this life.
Coach Dungy lost his teenage son last year - a death that is just not right - but the coach knew his son was with him on the sidelines - coach stayed on course and fought a hard battle over the last year - he had good people standing with him to help him in his personal life and on the field. Last night he accepted the SuperBowl trophy and thanked God first and foremost above everything else. I have received 4-5 phone calls this morning alone from my brothers and sisters - saying "Did you see coach Dungy? He praised Jesus right out front for everyone to see". Do you think that God doesn't take notice to that? God wants to hear from you, He wants to be a part of your decisions and your life. Just like for coach Dungy, as he buried his son and all the pain and grief that goes with that, God delivered for him - not just in a football game - but in life. No matter how bad you think things are friends, God will be with you and will carry you through the hardest and deepest parts - if you ask Him to.
The choice is yours........ Blind??? And now I see........
Randy~
Friends I have something to share with you and it applies to myself as well so I pray that as I share things with those who read this - that I am not in anyway different than you are - or have the same problems or struggles - we are in this together. Its something that occurred to me a few months back and has been strengthend since our Rock Group has been together - since momma has left - and that is, we are in this together. Many of us are struggling with things. Many of us have issues in the past that we can't seem to let go or get over. Many of us have people in our lives that depend on us for far too much and letting go is scary in many ways because we give up that control or maybe we are also afraid of letting them go. Some of us don't even have that option because we have people in our lives that can't make it without us. We are struggling sometimes with many things at one time and just for the life of us - we just can't see our way through it. SO we slide into depression, think nobody cares, our self centeredness grows and becomes deeper, we see people not for the love they have but for what we can use them for, life has lost its passion and its vibrance - Life just needs a new train track to go down. But loved ones, I tell you this - there are 2 tracks on that train track - one for the struggles in life and one for the blessings in life. Which one are you looking at and focused on? If we focus on the bad - nothing but bad will happen and nothing but bad will be the things that stick out the most. God wants us to focus on the good track - the one He has blessings on. It might not be blessings to hand you the lottery winnings so that you can pay all your bills or you pay the car off or make the rent payment this month or even food on the table. BUT it might just be the people in your life - your family and friends - the real lasting things!
John 9: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
No matter what your struggles are today - God has a purpose for them. God continues to work in your life and through your life. Do others see Jesus in your heart, actions and words? If not, then you need to make a change, refocus and get your bearings straight. The blind man above had never seen before - it was not his fault - just like things in your life are sometimes not your fault - things happen but God will work through those things and deliver you from them. God will open your eyes friends, He will let you see the world in a new light. You can be victorious and obtain the goals in this life.
Coach Dungy lost his teenage son last year - a death that is just not right - but the coach knew his son was with him on the sidelines - coach stayed on course and fought a hard battle over the last year - he had good people standing with him to help him in his personal life and on the field. Last night he accepted the SuperBowl trophy and thanked God first and foremost above everything else. I have received 4-5 phone calls this morning alone from my brothers and sisters - saying "Did you see coach Dungy? He praised Jesus right out front for everyone to see". Do you think that God doesn't take notice to that? God wants to hear from you, He wants to be a part of your decisions and your life. Just like for coach Dungy, as he buried his son and all the pain and grief that goes with that, God delivered for him - not just in a football game - but in life. No matter how bad you think things are friends, God will be with you and will carry you through the hardest and deepest parts - if you ask Him to.
The choice is yours........ Blind??? And now I see........
Randy~
Sunday, February 4, 2007
The BIG Game........
Hey everyone - enjoy the big game tonight! Hope there are some good commercials to go with it - makes it a complete tv watching experience right? Anyways - Go Colts...... just because I like Coach Dungy.
I only have a short message for you today - a followup from yesterday~
Come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.
1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT
Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.
Luke 17:4 NLT
Forgive each other - love like there is no tomorrow - and don't look back because we can't change the past. God is interested in YOUR future...... and mine. Put your heart where it needs to be - In forgiveness, grace, love and mercy from no other than Jesus himself.
Love you all, Enjoy the game! The only winners on the field tonight are those who are playing to honor God and by setting a great example for all the kids out there and for the families. Invite someone over to watch it with you - invest in each other and give the most precious gift to someone - Your time.
Randy~
I only have a short message for you today - a followup from yesterday~
Come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.
1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT
Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.
Luke 17:4 NLT
Forgive each other - love like there is no tomorrow - and don't look back because we can't change the past. God is interested in YOUR future...... and mine. Put your heart where it needs to be - In forgiveness, grace, love and mercy from no other than Jesus himself.
Love you all, Enjoy the game! The only winners on the field tonight are those who are playing to honor God and by setting a great example for all the kids out there and for the families. Invite someone over to watch it with you - invest in each other and give the most precious gift to someone - Your time.
Randy~
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Up & Down the slide.......
So where are you walking today? Got plans before the big game tomorrow - trying to get some excersize in before eating too much tomorrow? Going to a friends house or having friends over for the big game? I read somewhere that TV sales are the highest right before the SuperBowl than at any other time of the year - guess it would be cool to see it on a big screen in high defenition. I look forward to spending some time tomorrow with our Rock Group - having some play time together! I hope everyone has someone to watch the game with tomorrow and if you're not into football - thats why they have the commercials! $2.1 million for a 30 second spot - largest ever! All this activity and so much going on. Is it hard to stay focused on things for the long haul? I find myself after a few days off of work - my routine is different and I am very much a creature of habit. I like going through my day at a good pace and knowing what is coming around the corner but I can't have my way all the time. See my plans sometimes don't go along with Gods plans. I have to focus myself on God and hopefully I am clear in my heart to do His work and not my own. I was reading last night getting through a fabulous book - John's Story - Chapter 21 starts with John waking up and then his prayer:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." "Father, I am wholly Yours today, as always. Use me today as You see fit."
I had to read this 2 times because it just stood out at me. How awesome to start the day in the right frame of mind - praising our Lord - and asking Him to lead us throughout our day. Friends I think about many of us who have slide back from God and we all do this from time to time. Having a good service - a good message and thinking the preacher just spoke to your heart, his message was just for me. I can relate to what he is teaching and saying... I have heard this a few times from people I have asked to go to church with me - I have experienced this myself - sometimes every week but who is keeping track! I know when my mom was sick - God was with me - holding my hand and to be honest - I had never felt his touch that way before in my life - After mom died, I did not wan't to back slide into my old self - did not want to go back to my old ways but I also knew, I could not keep this emotional high for much longer. I did enjoy walking and feeling God right by my side - sitting on my shoulders and in my heart don't get me wrong but I needed to even it all out - stay on course and not lose my way either. See God continues to walk with us no matter what and He is always there - if you have accepted Jesus and have walked with Him for many years and you have went on in your life without Him - He is still there, still loving you and caring for you even if you have walked on. His love for you is still the same and He wants you back to where you were when you accepted him. I remember my brother standing at my moms casket - and he looked over at me and said with tears in his eyes, which I will never forget - "It took this for me to finally understand". Sometimes it does loved ones - sometimes hard and terrible things happen but God is always there. He was there before these horrible things happen and He will be there when we go through them. Slide back to the front if you find yourself like a lost sheep. Get back in the game and it will be like riding a bicycle - you never really forget how to ride it! Haven't attending church in awhile - ask someone to go with you - attend a new church or a church in the town next to you - search on the internet and find one. New faces are so cool when walking into a church for the first time - we have all been that person!
Psalm 23:
-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Friends, God has not changed a bit and He is our rock foundation. Sometimes when we have been gone from God and church for some time- the second time around is better than the first. I think we understand more and things mean a little more to us then. There is an urgency to why we have come back - it's kind of like going home after being away for a long time. It's the same looking but there is a different feeling to everything. Being home means many things to different people - and I have heard it once or twice - there is no place like home.
Afraid to take this step by yourself - want someone to go with you or you need a place to go to or just need someone to pray with ~~ Email me - it would be an honor to worship our Lord together ....
My offer still stands - Bojangles will be on me afterwards! :)
lrbatema@gmail.com
Randy~
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." "Father, I am wholly Yours today, as always. Use me today as You see fit."
I had to read this 2 times because it just stood out at me. How awesome to start the day in the right frame of mind - praising our Lord - and asking Him to lead us throughout our day. Friends I think about many of us who have slide back from God and we all do this from time to time. Having a good service - a good message and thinking the preacher just spoke to your heart, his message was just for me. I can relate to what he is teaching and saying... I have heard this a few times from people I have asked to go to church with me - I have experienced this myself - sometimes every week but who is keeping track! I know when my mom was sick - God was with me - holding my hand and to be honest - I had never felt his touch that way before in my life - After mom died, I did not wan't to back slide into my old self - did not want to go back to my old ways but I also knew, I could not keep this emotional high for much longer. I did enjoy walking and feeling God right by my side - sitting on my shoulders and in my heart don't get me wrong but I needed to even it all out - stay on course and not lose my way either. See God continues to walk with us no matter what and He is always there - if you have accepted Jesus and have walked with Him for many years and you have went on in your life without Him - He is still there, still loving you and caring for you even if you have walked on. His love for you is still the same and He wants you back to where you were when you accepted him. I remember my brother standing at my moms casket - and he looked over at me and said with tears in his eyes, which I will never forget - "It took this for me to finally understand". Sometimes it does loved ones - sometimes hard and terrible things happen but God is always there. He was there before these horrible things happen and He will be there when we go through them. Slide back to the front if you find yourself like a lost sheep. Get back in the game and it will be like riding a bicycle - you never really forget how to ride it! Haven't attending church in awhile - ask someone to go with you - attend a new church or a church in the town next to you - search on the internet and find one. New faces are so cool when walking into a church for the first time - we have all been that person!
Psalm 23:
-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Friends, God has not changed a bit and He is our rock foundation. Sometimes when we have been gone from God and church for some time- the second time around is better than the first. I think we understand more and things mean a little more to us then. There is an urgency to why we have come back - it's kind of like going home after being away for a long time. It's the same looking but there is a different feeling to everything. Being home means many things to different people - and I have heard it once or twice - there is no place like home.
Afraid to take this step by yourself - want someone to go with you or you need a place to go to or just need someone to pray with ~~ Email me - it would be an honor to worship our Lord together ....
My offer still stands - Bojangles will be on me afterwards! :)
lrbatema@gmail.com
Randy~
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