I was talking with a student the other day and she had said something like this,"Well everyone prayed, I guess it wasn't in God's plan". And that made me think a little (I know, I actually think, there I said it before you did) about is that really the right response. I mean we all know that God doesn't always answer our prayers or at least the way we want them answered, but is it because it wasn't God's plan?
I am going to have to say, I am not sure that is a acurate statement. Isaiah tells a little different story. Some of us know this but let me just think this through. Sometimes we don't get answers becaise there are other factors that are involved. I am only going to talk about two of them but yes there are more than this.
1. If there is sin in our lives, God will not answer, Isaiah 59:1-2 says in the (NLT) "Listen! The LORD's arm is not too weak to save you nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call. It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Maybe it is God's plan but sin and not so much the sin of the person who did not get the prayer answered but others. (to make sure to keep this person's identity a secret I will not be able to elaborate any further). The others could be a family memeber or a spouse, etc.. This bothers me when i hear that it "wasn't God's plan" because we do not know all the factors.
2. And that leads me into the second factor, who are we to know what God's plan is, we have an idea and you might have a calling but how it all turns out, really is up to God. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) says "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts" says the Lord. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts".
In closing, all I want you to do is look back at these two points and wonder am I and everyone that might be involved on the right track. We know that God will get us to the point that He wants us we may just be taking detours because we are relying on ourselves and not God.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Pepper and Sneezing
As I was working on a future event, a thought came across my mind and that was Why does Pepper make you sneeze. I know what you are thinking but I could not help my "unofficial" ADD kicking in. So anyway here is why "Pepper contains an alkaloid of pyridine called piperine. Piperine irritates the nerve endings inside the nose, triggering a sneeze. The sneeze is a natural reaction to the irritant in pepper, meant to clear it from the nasal passages. At the same time mucous membranes activate to help wash away the offending agent"
So there you go but I was thinking again (Don't say it) God why did you put that thought into my head? Well, in pepper there is this thing called piperine and that is a pungent substance found in plants of the Piperaceae family — including Piper nigrum (black pepper) and Piper longum (long pepper).
Now I am not going to get into it any more then to tell you that these peppers have been used in Ayurvedic (you will have to look that one up) medicine for the treatment of various diseases and discomforts. And this event that i am planning has a lot to do with this. The blood of Jesus dying on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus and asking Jesus to be Lord of your life is the treatment of Sin (Disease) and the Holy Spirit is the one that takes away that discomfort.
This event that I am planning will hopefully and prayfully help you with this.
Okay, well I am going to get back to planning this event. Oh, if you are wondering what this event is I will tell you.....later in the year. Sorry
Go MAD
So there you go but I was thinking again (Don't say it) God why did you put that thought into my head? Well, in pepper there is this thing called piperine and that is a pungent substance found in plants of the Piperaceae family — including Piper nigrum (black pepper) and Piper longum (long pepper).
Now I am not going to get into it any more then to tell you that these peppers have been used in Ayurvedic (you will have to look that one up) medicine for the treatment of various diseases and discomforts. And this event that i am planning has a lot to do with this. The blood of Jesus dying on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus and asking Jesus to be Lord of your life is the treatment of Sin (Disease) and the Holy Spirit is the one that takes away that discomfort.
This event that I am planning will hopefully and prayfully help you with this.
Okay, well I am going to get back to planning this event. Oh, if you are wondering what this event is I will tell you.....later in the year. Sorry
Go MAD
Monday, August 10, 2009
What Can I do?
Below is a story on teenagers shoplifting. As you read this you might be saying to yourself this isn't you but maybe you know someone who does. What can I do? or What do you want me to do about it? Remember you are that Night Light to the dark world, be there for them, help them see that it is wrong by your actions. Don't get yourself involved. There are many more ways but this should help get you started.
The new shoplifting numbers are out and they are staggering: 35 billion dollars in losses and 92 percent of all retailers were victims, up 8 percent over 2007. An estimated one in four teens has shoplifted. Why they do it and what you can do to prevent your child from stealing.
A man sees a compact disc he likes, so he hides it in his pants. A girl stuffs something she wants in her purse, and still another pretends to try on a shirt, but behind dressing room doors, she steals it.
All of these cases are re-enactments played out for television news cameras. But teens say that in real life, shoplifting happens all of the time.
“Yeah, a lot,” 17-year-old Nicole smiles coyly.
Ryan, 17, says teens are more likely to steal, ”clothes, necklaces or stuff that’s easily fittable.”
So why do some teens shoplift?
“Because they don’t want to pay for it,” explains Keke, 14.
Often, the reasons vary. Some children steal because of peer pressure, to get attention, to be rebellious or simply because it’s exciting.
“Part of what makes something thrilling is knowing that it’s forbidden, knowing that you are not supposed to do it, knowing that you could get in trouble if you get caught,” explains psychologist Dr. Gary Santavicca.
But in some ways, he says, the reasons don’t matter.
“The last thing we want to do is communicate to the youngsters that having reasons, having motives, having excuses, having a charming manner is going to get them out of the obligation to respect other people’s property; to be concerned about what is harmful to others, what is illegal and what is wrong,” Dr. Santavicca says.
He says parents must act as a moral compass for very young children, but older kids need to rely on their own conscience.
“We want that voice to come from within,” Dr. Santavicca says.
The new shoplifting numbers are out and they are staggering: 35 billion dollars in losses and 92 percent of all retailers were victims, up 8 percent over 2007. An estimated one in four teens has shoplifted. Why they do it and what you can do to prevent your child from stealing.
A man sees a compact disc he likes, so he hides it in his pants. A girl stuffs something she wants in her purse, and still another pretends to try on a shirt, but behind dressing room doors, she steals it.
All of these cases are re-enactments played out for television news cameras. But teens say that in real life, shoplifting happens all of the time.
“Yeah, a lot,” 17-year-old Nicole smiles coyly.
Ryan, 17, says teens are more likely to steal, ”clothes, necklaces or stuff that’s easily fittable.”
So why do some teens shoplift?
“Because they don’t want to pay for it,” explains Keke, 14.
Often, the reasons vary. Some children steal because of peer pressure, to get attention, to be rebellious or simply because it’s exciting.
“Part of what makes something thrilling is knowing that it’s forbidden, knowing that you are not supposed to do it, knowing that you could get in trouble if you get caught,” explains psychologist Dr. Gary Santavicca.
But in some ways, he says, the reasons don’t matter.
“The last thing we want to do is communicate to the youngsters that having reasons, having motives, having excuses, having a charming manner is going to get them out of the obligation to respect other people’s property; to be concerned about what is harmful to others, what is illegal and what is wrong,” Dr. Santavicca says.
He says parents must act as a moral compass for very young children, but older kids need to rely on their own conscience.
“We want that voice to come from within,” Dr. Santavicca says.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Unknown
Well, I have not posted a blog in a while so I decided to write a little something about an a stupid thing that i did on our HSMT.
The day was Monday July 27th we had just finished our first full day of surf and sand. That morning our quite time had us talking about what can we share with people in need. Not knowing and I am sure that even today the students would not think that our devotion would come into play.
There was a storm that day that really flooded the streets and parking lots (see pics of it on FB). We were headed out to PNO (Parents Night Out) over at the west campus of OC Baptist. I am going to write down some of what I wrote in my journel:
" Dummy me wanted to be funny. it started out as just driving in circles at a Wendy's parking lot that was a good amount of water on it. That part was not bad, but it did lead me to do the following.
As we were driving to the church, there was part of a parking lot that we had to go through that was partially flooded. Instead of being cautious (becasue the Wendy's parking lot was not that bad) I decided to be stupid and ride through it without slowing down. In the process the molding of the front bumper came (broke) off (thank God allowed that to be the only thing, it could have been a whole lot worse). There are many things that are wrong here,point 1: one of them is that a church member entrusted me with their van to use and to take care of. ( I have spoken to this church member and she said that we could use it again) Thank you God for allowing her to have a Spirit of mercy and forgiveness.
I must admit that this was my worst moment of my time at FBC Edgewater. I am not sure what i was thinking but it was not the right thing to do. now this is where our devotion came into play. I was that person that was in that time of need (comfort) and some of my students did exactly that, they gave me comfort in many forms, i won't mention names but you should know who you are. Point 2: God uses all circimstances in our lives and I really beleive that this devotional was going to be used and it was and I think after the students read this from Edgewater that went on it and reflect that day's events that they will see this too.
Point 3: and this is one of many things God taught me that day, when looking at future situations (flooded parking lot) we just can't go through them fast without looking at all of our options, because going through them without looking at Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2) we are just playing with danger and it will cost us something.
So what is it going to cost me:
- The cost to fix the van- Everyone we must realize even though the church member forgave me for my mistake and Jesus forgives us when we ask, we must still have to pay for our wrong.
I want all to know that i have asked for forgiveness with the church member and to God and that next morning I apoligzed to my students for what i did. There are many more anaolgy's that came out of this but this was the first one that God showed me.
The day was Monday July 27th we had just finished our first full day of surf and sand. That morning our quite time had us talking about what can we share with people in need. Not knowing and I am sure that even today the students would not think that our devotion would come into play.
There was a storm that day that really flooded the streets and parking lots (see pics of it on FB). We were headed out to PNO (Parents Night Out) over at the west campus of OC Baptist. I am going to write down some of what I wrote in my journel:
" Dummy me wanted to be funny. it started out as just driving in circles at a Wendy's parking lot that was a good amount of water on it. That part was not bad, but it did lead me to do the following.
As we were driving to the church, there was part of a parking lot that we had to go through that was partially flooded. Instead of being cautious (becasue the Wendy's parking lot was not that bad) I decided to be stupid and ride through it without slowing down. In the process the molding of the front bumper came (broke) off (thank God allowed that to be the only thing, it could have been a whole lot worse). There are many things that are wrong here,point 1: one of them is that a church member entrusted me with their van to use and to take care of. ( I have spoken to this church member and she said that we could use it again) Thank you God for allowing her to have a Spirit of mercy and forgiveness.
I must admit that this was my worst moment of my time at FBC Edgewater. I am not sure what i was thinking but it was not the right thing to do. now this is where our devotion came into play. I was that person that was in that time of need (comfort) and some of my students did exactly that, they gave me comfort in many forms, i won't mention names but you should know who you are. Point 2: God uses all circimstances in our lives and I really beleive that this devotional was going to be used and it was and I think after the students read this from Edgewater that went on it and reflect that day's events that they will see this too.
Point 3: and this is one of many things God taught me that day, when looking at future situations (flooded parking lot) we just can't go through them fast without looking at all of our options, because going through them without looking at Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2) we are just playing with danger and it will cost us something.
So what is it going to cost me:
- The cost to fix the van- Everyone we must realize even though the church member forgave me for my mistake and Jesus forgives us when we ask, we must still have to pay for our wrong.
I want all to know that i have asked for forgiveness with the church member and to God and that next morning I apoligzed to my students for what i did. There are many more anaolgy's that came out of this but this was the first one that God showed me.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
How would you like to be ........
Matthew 7:12
As I was reading this, I thought uh oh, I have not listen to what Jesus was saying. What are you talking about you might be saying. I am glad that you asked, here goes, if you have a facebook page then you know where I am heading with this but for the ones that don’t here it is. I have been having issues with Verizon and they are taking care or should I say lack of problems with phone/DSl service, even they don’t know what is wrong, but anywho, they have not satisfied the problem with me and I have been very short with them and have been not been very nice, I know that they personally can not do anything about it but they are on the other end of the phone so they have been hearing it. Then I read this verse and say to myself, is this anyway to treat others, how would I feel if it was the other way around? Not very good I have to answer. I must treat them the same way that I would want to be treated and I know that I need to change that. I say all of this to tell you that I and no one on earth is perfect and it is no excuse the way that I or anyone else that is a follower of Jesus should act. But I must be reminded of Jesus and act according. May God give me the strength to deal and fix my issues with Verizon. The reason I wrote this is because I want you to know that we all must face the music and right our wrongs with not only Jesus but with those that we act wrong too. May God give you the strength as well.
As I was reading this, I thought uh oh, I have not listen to what Jesus was saying. What are you talking about you might be saying. I am glad that you asked, here goes, if you have a facebook page then you know where I am heading with this but for the ones that don’t here it is. I have been having issues with Verizon and they are taking care or should I say lack of problems with phone/DSl service, even they don’t know what is wrong, but anywho, they have not satisfied the problem with me and I have been very short with them and have been not been very nice, I know that they personally can not do anything about it but they are on the other end of the phone so they have been hearing it. Then I read this verse and say to myself, is this anyway to treat others, how would I feel if it was the other way around? Not very good I have to answer. I must treat them the same way that I would want to be treated and I know that I need to change that. I say all of this to tell you that I and no one on earth is perfect and it is no excuse the way that I or anyone else that is a follower of Jesus should act. But I must be reminded of Jesus and act according. May God give me the strength to deal and fix my issues with Verizon. The reason I wrote this is because I want you to know that we all must face the music and right our wrongs with not only Jesus but with those that we act wrong too. May God give you the strength as well.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Desensitized
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
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
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.
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