I was wondering, how do we do it? What do I mean by that? As Christians we hold to a higher standard then those who are not. Now it doesn't make us any better then them, except we have a Savior that we can go to at anytime to help us through our diffuicult times. But what i am wondering why don't we act like we live like we have a higher standard. And what I mean by that is we as Christians have to answer for the things that we are suppose to do but don't. Let me give a one or two examples:
1. What do you watch on T.V. or in the movies or listen to?
When I asked Jesus to be my Lord of my life and Savior, it was at an independent church (very strict). One of the things that we were asked (for a lack of a better word) was not to go to movies. You say what!! no movies, I would never go to that church. But hold on for a minute, there was a reason. One of the main reasons was you did not want to offend a younger christian (not by age but maturity) by entering in a movie place that might make them stumble. Let me just say now that i do go to movies but I can understand where they were coming from.
We go to movies and we watch whatever they allow us to watch and then some and or what you may watch on Tv. and think nothing of it, but what is it doing to you as you watch it. As I said in another blog we don't think about it in that moment but Skillit puts it this way in one of their songs Looking for angels
"when we will realize we've been desensitized by the lies of the world" when we watch or hear things that we know our wrong by God's standards what does that make us. We don't have to go to the movies to make others stumble, just the way we live our lives does that.
I sent out today the EDGE newsletter that goes to students and in there i said
"As I was putting this together today, I thought to myself, whether you have been a Christian for a long time or for a short time, Now What? We have this thing called salvation that we want people to experience but when then do what’s next? I think we really need to think about that statement for a little while, do we go back to doing what we did before or do we decide that enough is enough and I am going to change my lifestyle"
see that is it, our lifestyle, at the end of my newsletter I put Go MAD (Make A Difference) and that is true we need to stop listening to the lies of this world and change our lifestyles. When will you decide which way.
My prayer is for us to start paying attention more of what is going around us that is making us desensitized and focus on more of what Jesus did at the cross for YOU and ME.
God Bless and here are the lyrics to skillit's song. Read the words and think about what it is trying to tell us.
SKILLET LYRICS
"Looking For Angels"
Walk this world alone try to stay on my feet
Sometimes crawl, fall, but I stand up cause I'm afraid to sleep
And open my eyes to a new day, with all new problems 4. and all new pain
All the faces are filled with so much anger
Losing our dignity and hope from fear of danger
After all the wars, after settling the scores, at the break of dawn we will be deaf to the answers
There's so much bigotry, misunderstanding and fear
With eyes squinted and fists clinched we reach out for what is dear
We want it we want
We want a reason to live
We're on a pilgrimage
A crusade for hope
Cause in our hearts and minds and souls we know
We need it we need
We need more than this
[Chorus:]
Going through this life looking for angels
People passing by looking for angels
Walking down the streets looking for angels
Everyone I meet looking for angels
So many nations with so many hungry people
So many homeless scrounging around for dirty needles
On the rise, teen suicide, when we will realize
we've been desensitized by the lies of the world
We're oppressed and impressed by the greedy
Whose hands squeeze the life out of the needy
When will we learn that wars, threats, and regrets are the cause and effect of living in fear
Who can help protect the innocence of our children
Stolen on the internet with images they can't forget
We want it we want
We want a reason to live
We represent a generation that wants to turn back a nation
To let love be our light and salvation
We need it we need
We need more than this
I became a savior to some kids I'll never meet
Sent a check in the mail to buy them something to eat
What will you do to make a difference, to make a change?
What will you do to help someone along the way?
Just a touch, a smile as you turn the other cheek
Pray for your enemies, humble yourself, love's staring back at me
In the midst of the most painful faces
Angels show up in the strangest of places
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Holy Spirit
Hello All,
I came into work today and as I was going through my email, I came across this and the Lord asked me how much do you know about the third part of the trinity. So today as you read this devotion, I ask you how much do you know? We give God the glory and we know what Jesus did for us and we are very grateful, but do we ever give recognition to the third (Holy Spirit), if you were to answer that honestly most of us would have to say no. Today my prayer is that you start adding the Holy Spirit to your prayer life for He lives in us and He is the one that can give us comfort when no one else can.
God Bless,
The Holy Spirit
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. —John 14:16-17
But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. —John 16:7
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is very much on the same level in the Trinity as the Father and Jesus. His role in the Godhead (Trinity) is different, just as the roles of the Father and Jesus. The Father is the Creator and the Son Jesus is the Savior. The Spirit is the Counselor and Comforter.
The Holy Spirit's job is to empower and guide you in living the Christian life. In order to have the power of God working in our lives we must surrender and submit ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit. We can surrender and submit to the Holy Spirit simply by asking him to fill us with his presence.
Here is a prayer I pray regularly. I hope it will be your prayer today as well.
Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Melt me! Mold me! Fill me! Use me!
Asking the Holy Spirit to fill, empower, and control your life is connecting with the power source of God. It is putting God in the driver's seat of your life with you in the passenger seat. If you make that commitment, hold on because you are in for the greatest, most exciting, and challenging ride of your life.
I came into work today and as I was going through my email, I came across this and the Lord asked me how much do you know about the third part of the trinity. So today as you read this devotion, I ask you how much do you know? We give God the glory and we know what Jesus did for us and we are very grateful, but do we ever give recognition to the third (Holy Spirit), if you were to answer that honestly most of us would have to say no. Today my prayer is that you start adding the Holy Spirit to your prayer life for He lives in us and He is the one that can give us comfort when no one else can.
God Bless,
The Holy Spirit
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. —John 14:16-17
But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. —John 16:7
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is very much on the same level in the Trinity as the Father and Jesus. His role in the Godhead (Trinity) is different, just as the roles of the Father and Jesus. The Father is the Creator and the Son Jesus is the Savior. The Spirit is the Counselor and Comforter.
The Holy Spirit's job is to empower and guide you in living the Christian life. In order to have the power of God working in our lives we must surrender and submit ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit. We can surrender and submit to the Holy Spirit simply by asking him to fill us with his presence.
Here is a prayer I pray regularly. I hope it will be your prayer today as well.
Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Melt me! Mold me! Fill me! Use me!
Asking the Holy Spirit to fill, empower, and control your life is connecting with the power source of God. It is putting God in the driver's seat of your life with you in the passenger seat. If you make that commitment, hold on because you are in for the greatest, most exciting, and challenging ride of your life.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Transformers (the movie)
The only transforming is what Romans 12:2 says.
As most of you know, this past Saturday, my son Zack and I went to go see the movie. And I put a status up that said it was better then the first one except for all the language. Well i have had time to reflect on the movie and I would like to give you a better explantion of this movie.
First, i would NOT recomend this movie to anyone under the age of 10. I also urge parents to even considering any one of thier kids to see this movie. Why do I say that?
Answer to that is simple, in Philippinas 4:8 tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure (this being the key). Even though the action was WAY better then the first with WAY more transformers in the movie, there were plenty of times that the movie was looking for more then action. I thought that there was way more cursing then was needed and even though they did not use the Lord's name in vain nor the "f" word, there were at least a dozen times that the "a" and the "s' words were used. You may say so what, what i would like to say that it means everything to a follower of Christ. Enough of that we can talk about that in another conversation.
Second, The way that they use women in this movie was very degrading (Thanks Lydia for pointing this out to me), they were used as sex objects and even though there were no "sex" scenes in it, for what was seen, there might as well been. if you think that I am to extreme, just remember the verse that i started with. The old saying is junk in junk out and is that what we want to teach our kids, let alone us.
I must admit, watching this movie I was caught up in the movie and I looked past all that was wrong and for that I must admit to my Lord and Saviour that was sin. I think as adults we as well do that as well and what is that teaching our kids. We wonder why America is falling a part. We have forgotten to worship God
Ephesians 5:1 tells us to Imitate God, therefore in everything [we] do, because [we] are His children (Christians). The word imitiate means to mimic and i really find that we do that and that is our fault. i am so glad that he gives us not second chances but many chances to "get it right".
Just to let you know that tonight I will go home and talk to Zack about this movie and why we do what we do and pray that we can make better choices in the future.
If you think that I am making to much out of this, please come talk to me.
Jesus says in Mark 8:34 "if any of you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow Me".
Do you understand what that means? Back in the day when you took up your cross, you were walking to your death, and Jesus is telling us you will have to walk to your own death (yourself and all your old habits)
God Bless all those who read this and take to heart.
Go MAD!!!
(Make a Difference)
As most of you know, this past Saturday, my son Zack and I went to go see the movie. And I put a status up that said it was better then the first one except for all the language. Well i have had time to reflect on the movie and I would like to give you a better explantion of this movie.
First, i would NOT recomend this movie to anyone under the age of 10. I also urge parents to even considering any one of thier kids to see this movie. Why do I say that?
Answer to that is simple, in Philippinas 4:8 tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure (this being the key). Even though the action was WAY better then the first with WAY more transformers in the movie, there were plenty of times that the movie was looking for more then action. I thought that there was way more cursing then was needed and even though they did not use the Lord's name in vain nor the "f" word, there were at least a dozen times that the "a" and the "s' words were used. You may say so what, what i would like to say that it means everything to a follower of Christ. Enough of that we can talk about that in another conversation.
Second, The way that they use women in this movie was very degrading (Thanks Lydia for pointing this out to me), they were used as sex objects and even though there were no "sex" scenes in it, for what was seen, there might as well been. if you think that I am to extreme, just remember the verse that i started with. The old saying is junk in junk out and is that what we want to teach our kids, let alone us.
I must admit, watching this movie I was caught up in the movie and I looked past all that was wrong and for that I must admit to my Lord and Saviour that was sin. I think as adults we as well do that as well and what is that teaching our kids. We wonder why America is falling a part. We have forgotten to worship God
Ephesians 5:1 tells us to Imitate God, therefore in everything [we] do, because [we] are His children (Christians). The word imitiate means to mimic and i really find that we do that and that is our fault. i am so glad that he gives us not second chances but many chances to "get it right".
Just to let you know that tonight I will go home and talk to Zack about this movie and why we do what we do and pray that we can make better choices in the future.
If you think that I am making to much out of this, please come talk to me.
Jesus says in Mark 8:34 "if any of you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow Me".
Do you understand what that means? Back in the day when you took up your cross, you were walking to your death, and Jesus is telling us you will have to walk to your own death (yourself and all your old habits)
God Bless all those who read this and take to heart.
Go MAD!!!
(Make a Difference)
Monday, June 15, 2009
The final of the 3-part devotion
Today, we will conclude our 3-part devotion.
A little re-cap of the first two: part 1 I talked about where are we looking? Where is our focus? We need to have a hunger for God and part 2 I talked about We should be going to youth group not only because of friends (or whatever reason) but because we want to know more about Jesus so that we can be doing for Him.
Today I want to talk about Verse 3 of Colossians which says: “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God”. Or this version: “For as far as this world is concerned you have died. And your (new, real) life is hidden with Christ in God”. I have been talking about an article of this girl that was going to youth group for the wrong reasons and when her youth pastor preached on this passage (Colossians 3:1-3) at a youth camp that she decided to go because she and her “best” friend was not getting along (this was the reason that she went to youth group). That’s when she realized that she was missing out on Christ.
These are some of her words that she was thinking: “I felt totally convicted. I didn't have a hunger for God. I was totally focused on earthly things. Thinking back to my relationship with Jaimee, I realized I had a tendency to make my friends into idols. I had often let them take the place of God in my life. During a morning devotional time, I stepped into a canoe with only my Bible, a journal, and a pen. I paddled a good distance away from shore and soaked in the stillness.
The lake was calm and the morning breeze cool as I started thinking and praying. I opened my journal and wrote a prayer: Lord, I've learned I can't depend on people. I can only depend on you. I confess that I've idolized friendships and I want to change. Forgive me for my sins, and help me to walk with you and put you first.
Well in Vs. 3 “The passage says you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Is that you? Have you died to yourself? You'll know by how much you hunger for God."
Well she left that camp with a new hunger for God that she was just pretending to know.
So my question to you is this do you hunger for God? Have you died to yourself? My prayer for you as we close is that you will spend time alone with God and to ask Him to put that desire and hunger in you so that you will be able to share with your friends what Jesus Christ is all about.
I hope that you have enjoyed this devotion. I would like for you to comment on this and if you would like to see more of these please let me know as well. God Bless and go MAD
(Make A Difference)
A little re-cap of the first two: part 1 I talked about where are we looking? Where is our focus? We need to have a hunger for God and part 2 I talked about We should be going to youth group not only because of friends (or whatever reason) but because we want to know more about Jesus so that we can be doing for Him.
Today I want to talk about Verse 3 of Colossians which says: “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God”. Or this version: “For as far as this world is concerned you have died. And your (new, real) life is hidden with Christ in God”. I have been talking about an article of this girl that was going to youth group for the wrong reasons and when her youth pastor preached on this passage (Colossians 3:1-3) at a youth camp that she decided to go because she and her “best” friend was not getting along (this was the reason that she went to youth group). That’s when she realized that she was missing out on Christ.
These are some of her words that she was thinking: “I felt totally convicted. I didn't have a hunger for God. I was totally focused on earthly things. Thinking back to my relationship with Jaimee, I realized I had a tendency to make my friends into idols. I had often let them take the place of God in my life. During a morning devotional time, I stepped into a canoe with only my Bible, a journal, and a pen. I paddled a good distance away from shore and soaked in the stillness.
The lake was calm and the morning breeze cool as I started thinking and praying. I opened my journal and wrote a prayer: Lord, I've learned I can't depend on people. I can only depend on you. I confess that I've idolized friendships and I want to change. Forgive me for my sins, and help me to walk with you and put you first.
Well in Vs. 3 “The passage says you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Is that you? Have you died to yourself? You'll know by how much you hunger for God."
Well she left that camp with a new hunger for God that she was just pretending to know.
So my question to you is this do you hunger for God? Have you died to yourself? My prayer for you as we close is that you will spend time alone with God and to ask Him to put that desire and hunger in you so that you will be able to share with your friends what Jesus Christ is all about.
I hope that you have enjoyed this devotion. I would like for you to comment on this and if you would like to see more of these please let me know as well. God Bless and go MAD
(Make A Difference)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
EDGE Students
Tonight be on time 6PM SHARP!!!
We will have our 20 min. Bible Talk then off to RITA'S
Remember if you are late, you will NOT be able to go to Rita's with us (NO EXCEPTIONS)
Don't forget to bring money for Rita's
Any questions call me
We will have our 20 min. Bible Talk then off to RITA'S
Remember if you are late, you will NOT be able to go to Rita's with us (NO EXCEPTIONS)
Don't forget to bring money for Rita's
Any questions call me
Part 2 of 3
As we continue part 2 of 3-part devotion, let’s recap what we said last time. Where are we looking? Where is our focus? We need to have a hunger for God Colossians 3:1 says we are to seek God and not on earthly things.
Today I want to talk about Vs.2 of chapter 3. The verse says; “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth”. Another version says “set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things)….” So what is that telling us? In the article the girl said that “We knew we should have been paying attention to Giles's sermon, but we had no desire to listen to our youth pastor. There were movies and song lyrics to quote, boys to discuss, and inside jokes to crack.” So as the verse says to set our minds on above, what Paul is telling us is that we should be doing everything because of Jesus.
We should be going to youth group not only because of friends (or whatever reason) but because we want to know more about Jesus so that we can be doing for Him. There are a lot of earthly things that will distract you from doing what is right and it is your job (If that is what you want) to keep from those earthly distractions and stay focused and setting our minds on Jesus.
Again my prayer is that you spend time alone with Jesus and ask Him to help you with the distractions that this earth has and to put that energy into listening and doing for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We will conclude this 3-part devotion on Monday.
Today I want to talk about Vs.2 of chapter 3. The verse says; “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth”. Another version says “set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things)….” So what is that telling us? In the article the girl said that “We knew we should have been paying attention to Giles's sermon, but we had no desire to listen to our youth pastor. There were movies and song lyrics to quote, boys to discuss, and inside jokes to crack.” So as the verse says to set our minds on above, what Paul is telling us is that we should be doing everything because of Jesus.
We should be going to youth group not only because of friends (or whatever reason) but because we want to know more about Jesus so that we can be doing for Him. There are a lot of earthly things that will distract you from doing what is right and it is your job (If that is what you want) to keep from those earthly distractions and stay focused and setting our minds on Jesus.
Again my prayer is that you spend time alone with Jesus and ask Him to help you with the distractions that this earth has and to put that energy into listening and doing for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We will conclude this 3-part devotion on Monday.
Monday, June 8, 2009
3-part devotion
Going to youth group for the wrong reasons was an article that I read and I was wondering how many of us do that whether we go because we want to learn or we go because of our friends or maybe it is something else. Part of the article the girl in there stated that she felt totally convicted. She said that she didn't have a hunger for God. She was totally focused on earthly things.
Colossians 3:1-3, has some interesting words that we should be looking at.
The first part of Verse 1 says: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ”. To me Paul is telling the Colossians that hey you have Christ in your life now that things should be different.
The later part of that verse states: “set your sights on the realities (rich, eternal treasures) of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. To me that is telling me that our sights, whatever that might be should be focused on Christ and what He has done and what He has in store for us.
This will be 3-part devotion. This obviously is Part 1, with Part 2 coming in the next couple of days.
My Prayer for you all is that you take time alone with God and see where are your sights at and ask God do re-adjust your sight that will start focusing on Him.
Colossians 3:1-3, has some interesting words that we should be looking at.
The first part of Verse 1 says: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ”. To me Paul is telling the Colossians that hey you have Christ in your life now that things should be different.
The later part of that verse states: “set your sights on the realities (rich, eternal treasures) of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. To me that is telling me that our sights, whatever that might be should be focused on Christ and what He has done and what He has in store for us.
This will be 3-part devotion. This obviously is Part 1, with Part 2 coming in the next couple of days.
My Prayer for you all is that you take time alone with God and see where are your sights at and ask God do re-adjust your sight that will start focusing on Him.
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