If you haven't seen the beautiful song of praise that Carrie Underwood recently sang, "How Great Thou Art", I am providing you with the link;
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/ourcountry/94317/carrie-underwoods-how-great-thou-art-moves-the-masses/
It speaks for itself. The only thing that was missing was having the whole crowd bow to their knees and raise their hands in the air and give God all the glory!
It is awesome. Take a look and let me know what you think.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I Will Go Wherever You Want Me To Go
"I will go wherever you want me to go and do whatever you want me to do."
Those are the words of surrender that I told the Lord back in June of 1982. I was in the jungle on the Island of Panay in the Phillippines. I was with a group of 20 Christian teenagers and 4 adult leaders. We were there for 30 days building a block church for the local believers and the Christian Missionaries. My surrender was sincere and heartfelt. I was by myself and I felt the loving presence of the Holy Spirit as I willingly gave my life to Him.
As the years followed I decided to stop going to college to become a teacher and instead spent two years at home with my parents praying and seeking the Lord in trying to decide how I should serve Him. One time while I was at home praying and reading the Bible and seeking the Lord for direction, I fell asleep. I woke up and heard a real voice saying "Daniel, Daniel, your tools are here." I had fallen asleep with my Bible on my chest and my hands around it. I knew that God was calling me into full-time ministry. In 1985, I went to Christ for the Nations Bible College in Dallas, Texas to prepare to become a missionary.
It is now some 26 years later and I have not gone to the mission field and become a missionary. Or have I?
This is my 18th year in Education. I am currently teaching Physical Education at Rancho Viejo Middle School in Hemet, California. I teach approximately 350 students in seven classes each day. Since all of the students on campus have Physical Education every day, I see all 1,500 students out on the P.E. fields. God has brought me here to do a work for Him. This was not my idea of a mission field, but it is God's mission field. Remember, I told Him "I'll go wherever you want me to go and do whatever you want me to do."? Our ways are not God's ways. His ways are higher than our ways. It just didn't fit into my original thoughts of what He wanted me to do. I have struggled with this over the years and prayed and asked God "Is this really what you want me to do?" I grew up in Minnesota and went into teaching because I enjoyed my schooling and the school environment in Minnesota. The California schools are much different than the school I went to in Minnesota. Schools are over-crowded here and there are a lot of students that struggle because of broken families. But, I surrendered it all too Him and it is His plan and not mine that matters.
I started out teaching at a Christian school for my first five years of teaching. That was easy to feel I was being used in a real full-time ministry. Since then, I have been teaching in the public schools. Guess what? You don't have to be a Pastor, Missionary, Worship Leader or even work in a church to be in a full-time ministry. The fact is, the moment we surrendered to Jesus Christ, we went into HIS full-time ministry.
I accept where God has sent me. I still struggle with it at times and ask for His guidance and am open to other jobs if He leads me there. But for now, I do my best to serve Him each day by being a light of his love to all of my students. I can share things that Jesus said like "Forgive and you will be forgiven" and "If you give mercy you will be given mercy." I can talk to kids about their families and church and tell them about mine. I can't try to lead any of them to salvation. That's O.K. God knows what He is doing and where He has sent me.
How about you? Do you know you are in a full-time ministry? If you are a Christian, you are a full-time minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. Open your eyes and look around you (and I will do the same), the harvest is ripe and ready for the touch of the Lord. Let's let Him lead and do our best to follow and be ready to plant a seed or water one that has already been planted.
I am adding the words of Jesus as even He struggled with the will of the Father and then surrendered even to death on the cross:
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘ I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[d]
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[e] I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Those are the words of surrender that I told the Lord back in June of 1982. I was in the jungle on the Island of Panay in the Phillippines. I was with a group of 20 Christian teenagers and 4 adult leaders. We were there for 30 days building a block church for the local believers and the Christian Missionaries. My surrender was sincere and heartfelt. I was by myself and I felt the loving presence of the Holy Spirit as I willingly gave my life to Him.
As the years followed I decided to stop going to college to become a teacher and instead spent two years at home with my parents praying and seeking the Lord in trying to decide how I should serve Him. One time while I was at home praying and reading the Bible and seeking the Lord for direction, I fell asleep. I woke up and heard a real voice saying "Daniel, Daniel, your tools are here." I had fallen asleep with my Bible on my chest and my hands around it. I knew that God was calling me into full-time ministry. In 1985, I went to Christ for the Nations Bible College in Dallas, Texas to prepare to become a missionary.
It is now some 26 years later and I have not gone to the mission field and become a missionary. Or have I?
This is my 18th year in Education. I am currently teaching Physical Education at Rancho Viejo Middle School in Hemet, California. I teach approximately 350 students in seven classes each day. Since all of the students on campus have Physical Education every day, I see all 1,500 students out on the P.E. fields. God has brought me here to do a work for Him. This was not my idea of a mission field, but it is God's mission field. Remember, I told Him "I'll go wherever you want me to go and do whatever you want me to do."? Our ways are not God's ways. His ways are higher than our ways. It just didn't fit into my original thoughts of what He wanted me to do. I have struggled with this over the years and prayed and asked God "Is this really what you want me to do?" I grew up in Minnesota and went into teaching because I enjoyed my schooling and the school environment in Minnesota. The California schools are much different than the school I went to in Minnesota. Schools are over-crowded here and there are a lot of students that struggle because of broken families. But, I surrendered it all too Him and it is His plan and not mine that matters.
I started out teaching at a Christian school for my first five years of teaching. That was easy to feel I was being used in a real full-time ministry. Since then, I have been teaching in the public schools. Guess what? You don't have to be a Pastor, Missionary, Worship Leader or even work in a church to be in a full-time ministry. The fact is, the moment we surrendered to Jesus Christ, we went into HIS full-time ministry.
I accept where God has sent me. I still struggle with it at times and ask for His guidance and am open to other jobs if He leads me there. But for now, I do my best to serve Him each day by being a light of his love to all of my students. I can share things that Jesus said like "Forgive and you will be forgiven" and "If you give mercy you will be given mercy." I can talk to kids about their families and church and tell them about mine. I can't try to lead any of them to salvation. That's O.K. God knows what He is doing and where He has sent me.
How about you? Do you know you are in a full-time ministry? If you are a Christian, you are a full-time minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. Open your eyes and look around you (and I will do the same), the harvest is ripe and ready for the touch of the Lord. Let's let Him lead and do our best to follow and be ready to plant a seed or water one that has already been planted.
I am adding the words of Jesus as even He struggled with the will of the Father and then surrendered even to death on the cross:
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘ I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[d]
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
The Prayer in the Garden
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[e] I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Faith Is the Substance of Things Hoped For...
When we surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, we are not guaranteed a life without problems and challenges. We are not promised a life of ease. The promises we are given go much deeper than that. This life is temporary, this World will not last forever. As the old christian hymn says, "This World is not my home, I'm only passing through."
Jesus said, "I will never leave or forsake you." He also said, "I go to prepare a place for you that you can be with me always." His promises to us are for now and for the eternal.
Many good christian people have difficult challenges in life. There are some circles in Christianity that try to insinuate that if you have enough faith you will never have any sickness or any problems. We know that is not true and that God's word teaches the opposite. "In this life you will have many trials." Difficulties and trials are not caused by a lack of faith, rather, they are the testing ground for our faith. Real faith in God says "Lord I will trust you and love you and follow you no matter what." Job said, "Though God slay me, yet will I trust Him."
I read today about Pastor David Wilkerson's challenges. His daughter Debi just had surgery for cancer and his 29 year old grandson Brandon is having chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer. His wife and family have had multiple trials with cancer. For those that might not know who Pastor Wilkerson is, he was the young Christian believer that walked the dangerous streets of New York City about forty years ago and lead gang leader Nicky Cruz to become a Christian. They wrote the famous book (and movie) "The Cross and the Switchblade" based on their experiences. I am including a excerpt from one of Pastor Wilkerson's messages in 2005 that gives more details about his families challenges;
Dearly Beloved:
May the love of Jesus shine on you.
As we read Paul's epistles, we often find him sharing very personal matters with his audience. Please bear with me as I share a few personal things with you.
My wife, Gwen, is now recovering from a knee replacement—her twenty-first operation (five for cancer). She told me this was the most painful operation of all. She is recovering well and will soon be able to travel with me to ministers' conferences around the world.
The Lord has seen us through deep waters of affliction over the past years. Both of our daughters, Debbie and Bonnie, are also cancer survivors. God has graciously delivered Gwen from a cloud of guilt she carried for a long time, thinking she had “passed on cancer” to them. Doctors called it a cancer cluster. Today, Gwen, Debbie and Bonnie are all doing well. God be praised.
Two years ago, our twelve-year-old granddaughter, Tiffany, died of brain cancer. This was especially difficult for Gwen, who had to fight off the same old accusations from Satan that Tiffany's cancer was also hereditary. The Holy Spirit has been so faithful to comfort and heal the hurt. We know God always does what is best for all concerned.
Many of our readers have written asking for information about our family, and that is why I am sharing a few personal tidbits. Gwen and I have four children and ten grandchildren. My oldest son, Gary, is a seasoned minister and travels with me for ministers' conferences. Greg is a youth evangelist and producer of Christian films. Debbie, our oldest daughter, and her minister husband, Roger, have a full time outreach to street children called Father's Love. Bonnie and her minister husband, Roger, founded “Front Porch Ministry” at a Pennsylvania farm, where they minister to young people from the inner city of New York.
As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises. Our ministry is debt free and we have not had to beg or plead for finances. We have faced huge burdens, both personal and ministry related, but we have come through them all with joy unspeakable.
From the beginning, this has been a faith-based ministry. We have “prayed in” all our finances and we still do. Never once has God failed to meet all these needs. We boast only in his faithfulness.
Your prayers and support are needed and much appreciated.
In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
Pastor Wilkerson has followed the Lord through all the trials and challenges. Being a Christian does not make us immune from difficulties. Being a Pastor does not stop the challenges of this life. Even God's own Son Jesus had tremendous trials and challenges. He suffered a horrible death to save us from our sins. He had his mind set to follow the will of His Father no matter what. He suffered real pain and agony. Even the Son of God had to suffer.
Put your faith in God and trust Him through all the good times and the challenging times. This life is temporary. Our time here is short. Lets put our complete trust in our loving Father and His son Jesus. They will not let us down.
Jesus said, "I will never leave or forsake you." He also said, "I go to prepare a place for you that you can be with me always." His promises to us are for now and for the eternal.
Many good christian people have difficult challenges in life. There are some circles in Christianity that try to insinuate that if you have enough faith you will never have any sickness or any problems. We know that is not true and that God's word teaches the opposite. "In this life you will have many trials." Difficulties and trials are not caused by a lack of faith, rather, they are the testing ground for our faith. Real faith in God says "Lord I will trust you and love you and follow you no matter what." Job said, "Though God slay me, yet will I trust Him."
I read today about Pastor David Wilkerson's challenges. His daughter Debi just had surgery for cancer and his 29 year old grandson Brandon is having chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer. His wife and family have had multiple trials with cancer. For those that might not know who Pastor Wilkerson is, he was the young Christian believer that walked the dangerous streets of New York City about forty years ago and lead gang leader Nicky Cruz to become a Christian. They wrote the famous book (and movie) "The Cross and the Switchblade" based on their experiences. I am including a excerpt from one of Pastor Wilkerson's messages in 2005 that gives more details about his families challenges;
Dearly Beloved:
May the love of Jesus shine on you.
As we read Paul's epistles, we often find him sharing very personal matters with his audience. Please bear with me as I share a few personal things with you.
My wife, Gwen, is now recovering from a knee replacement—her twenty-first operation (five for cancer). She told me this was the most painful operation of all. She is recovering well and will soon be able to travel with me to ministers' conferences around the world.
The Lord has seen us through deep waters of affliction over the past years. Both of our daughters, Debbie and Bonnie, are also cancer survivors. God has graciously delivered Gwen from a cloud of guilt she carried for a long time, thinking she had “passed on cancer” to them. Doctors called it a cancer cluster. Today, Gwen, Debbie and Bonnie are all doing well. God be praised.
Two years ago, our twelve-year-old granddaughter, Tiffany, died of brain cancer. This was especially difficult for Gwen, who had to fight off the same old accusations from Satan that Tiffany's cancer was also hereditary. The Holy Spirit has been so faithful to comfort and heal the hurt. We know God always does what is best for all concerned.
Many of our readers have written asking for information about our family, and that is why I am sharing a few personal tidbits. Gwen and I have four children and ten grandchildren. My oldest son, Gary, is a seasoned minister and travels with me for ministers' conferences. Greg is a youth evangelist and producer of Christian films. Debbie, our oldest daughter, and her minister husband, Roger, have a full time outreach to street children called Father's Love. Bonnie and her minister husband, Roger, founded “Front Porch Ministry” at a Pennsylvania farm, where they minister to young people from the inner city of New York.
As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises. Our ministry is debt free and we have not had to beg or plead for finances. We have faced huge burdens, both personal and ministry related, but we have come through them all with joy unspeakable.
From the beginning, this has been a faith-based ministry. We have “prayed in” all our finances and we still do. Never once has God failed to meet all these needs. We boast only in his faithfulness.
Your prayers and support are needed and much appreciated.
In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
Pastor Wilkerson has followed the Lord through all the trials and challenges. Being a Christian does not make us immune from difficulties. Being a Pastor does not stop the challenges of this life. Even God's own Son Jesus had tremendous trials and challenges. He suffered a horrible death to save us from our sins. He had his mind set to follow the will of His Father no matter what. He suffered real pain and agony. Even the Son of God had to suffer.
Put your faith in God and trust Him through all the good times and the challenging times. This life is temporary. Our time here is short. Lets put our complete trust in our loving Father and His son Jesus. They will not let us down.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Homemade Solutions To Stop Snoring
Homemade Solutions To Stop Snoring
(the list above was an attempt at humor. If you hurt yourself laughing, write a comment. If you fell asleep with boredom, write a comment.)
Real Snoring Devices Being Sold On Amazon
Stop Snoring Mouth Piece - Anti Snore Device Sleep Apnea Cessation Aid
Snorepin - The Smarter Solution Against Snoring and Sleep Apnea (Advanced Design Save Your Lungs)
Nasivent Tube - Soft Medical Silicone Anti Snoring and Sleep Apnea Aid
Stop Snoring Mouth Piece - Anti Snore Device Sleep Apnea Cessation Aid
Zzoma for Snoring
- Place a sock in your husbands mouth
- Tell him you heard someone knock on the front door and lock the bedroom door
- Elbow him accidentally
- Sound the fire alarm
- Convince him that there is going to be a nuclear attack and he needs to wear a gas mask
- Call the police and say you heard a loud scary sound
- Push him off the bed and tell him their was an earthquake
- Spray him with a water bottle and tell him it was a hurricane
- Place a pillow over his face yell "Marshmellow attack!"
- Float the sheet over him and yell "Pull the parachute cord!"
(the list above was an attempt at humor. If you hurt yourself laughing, write a comment. If you fell asleep with boredom, write a comment.)
Real Snoring Devices Being Sold On Amazon
Stop Snoring Mouth Piece - Anti Snore Device Sleep Apnea Cessation Aid
Snorepin - The Smarter Solution Against Snoring and Sleep Apnea (Advanced Design Save Your Lungs)
Nasivent Tube - Soft Medical Silicone Anti Snoring and Sleep Apnea Aid
Stop Snoring Mouth Piece - Anti Snore Device Sleep Apnea Cessation Aid
Zzoma for Snoring
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Food & Clothes
I just finished watching the television show Secret Millionaire on ABC. I have to admit it, I feel like crying every time I watch that show. "Why do I feel like crying every time I watch that show?", I ask myself. The answer is, not only are they donating to people in need, they are also affirming the people who are volunteering and reaching out to the poor and the homeless. They are encouraging them by telling them that their hard work is important and valuable.
Food and Clothes. John the Baptist told the new believers to prove their faith by giving their own food and clothes to the hungry and the poor. Jesus said "Feed the hungry and clothe the naked." I am crying when I watch that show because I am not doing my part for the Lord. I am not reaching out to the poor and the hungry and the naked. I have plenty of excuses and they all stink. "If you love me, do what I say", Jesus said. No excuses! I need to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. They are all around me but I chose to ignore them. I need to open my eyes and do what the Lord told me to do. Period! No excuses.
Are you feeding the hungry and clothing the naked? Food and clothes. That's pretty basic stuff. Especially if you don't have it.
Lets not pray about it, lets start doing it.
Food and Clothes. John the Baptist told the new believers to prove their faith by giving their own food and clothes to the hungry and the poor. Jesus said "Feed the hungry and clothe the naked." I am crying when I watch that show because I am not doing my part for the Lord. I am not reaching out to the poor and the hungry and the naked. I have plenty of excuses and they all stink. "If you love me, do what I say", Jesus said. No excuses! I need to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. They are all around me but I chose to ignore them. I need to open my eyes and do what the Lord told me to do. Period! No excuses.
Are you feeding the hungry and clothing the naked? Food and clothes. That's pretty basic stuff. Especially if you don't have it.
Lets not pray about it, lets start doing it.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Prove By The Way You Live
"When the crowds came to John for Baptism, he said, "You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God's coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don't just say to each other, 'We're safe, for we are descendants of Abraham'. That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones."
The Crowds asked, "What should we do?"
John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."
(Luke chapter 3)
Wow! That is very convicting. Here's John The Baptist talking to a group of people who are trying to do the right thing. His words cut right to the heart. To paraphrase, John is saying, 'Don't come here and play the game. If you mean what you say, if you really want to do God's will then prove it by the way you live. Give what you have to the poor. Give them clothes and give them food. Let your faith be shown by the way you live."
Our words are meaningless if not verified by our actions. Our faith is empty if not shown by our deeds. Saying that I care about the poor and seldom giving them anything proves that I really don't care too much about the poor. We spend too much time talking about our bills and not giving to those in need. We waste too much time thinking about how we can make more money and not how we can give more. I'm guilty of this. I don't give enough. I have plenty of food and clothes and I need to share it with the poor. No excuses. Writing this does nothing for the poor. Talking about it and even praying about it does nothing for the poor. If I love Jesus, I must DO WHAT HE SAYS! Being baptised in water is a good thing. But John takes it a step further and says don't just get baptized in water as an empty religious exercise, PROVE that you have repented and turned from doing things your own way by doing things God's way. Give clothes and food to the poor. This is not symbolic or a nice idea, this is to be taken literally. I make too many excuses for myself. I see someone asking for money and I immediately think 'con-man, don't give him anything'. That may or may not be true. There are definitely many people in America who are pan-handling and playing the con-game. But there are also many people in need. Giving through a church ministry or an established non-profit is the safest way of giving.
I challenge you (and me) to give to the poor today and to be committed to giving everyday. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice when He gave His very life. We need to follow His example and lay down our lives, die daily, and give unto others.
Let me know what you think? Tell me what happens when you give to the poor.
The Crowds asked, "What should we do?"
John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."
(Luke chapter 3)
Wow! That is very convicting. Here's John The Baptist talking to a group of people who are trying to do the right thing. His words cut right to the heart. To paraphrase, John is saying, 'Don't come here and play the game. If you mean what you say, if you really want to do God's will then prove it by the way you live. Give what you have to the poor. Give them clothes and give them food. Let your faith be shown by the way you live."
Our words are meaningless if not verified by our actions. Our faith is empty if not shown by our deeds. Saying that I care about the poor and seldom giving them anything proves that I really don't care too much about the poor. We spend too much time talking about our bills and not giving to those in need. We waste too much time thinking about how we can make more money and not how we can give more. I'm guilty of this. I don't give enough. I have plenty of food and clothes and I need to share it with the poor. No excuses. Writing this does nothing for the poor. Talking about it and even praying about it does nothing for the poor. If I love Jesus, I must DO WHAT HE SAYS! Being baptised in water is a good thing. But John takes it a step further and says don't just get baptized in water as an empty religious exercise, PROVE that you have repented and turned from doing things your own way by doing things God's way. Give clothes and food to the poor. This is not symbolic or a nice idea, this is to be taken literally. I make too many excuses for myself. I see someone asking for money and I immediately think 'con-man, don't give him anything'. That may or may not be true. There are definitely many people in America who are pan-handling and playing the con-game. But there are also many people in need. Giving through a church ministry or an established non-profit is the safest way of giving.
I challenge you (and me) to give to the poor today and to be committed to giving everyday. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice when He gave His very life. We need to follow His example and lay down our lives, die daily, and give unto others.
Let me know what you think? Tell me what happens when you give to the poor.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
"Why Did You Search For Me?"
This morning I read the account of Joseph and Mary leaving Jerusalem only to find out later that their son Jesus was not in there group. They had been traveling all day with their friends and relatives and had to go all the way back to find him. It took them 3 days to find him. Like any good parents in their situation, Mary and Joseph were frantic and worried about their son. Just think of the thoughts that were racing through their minds for those 3 days. Jesus was only 12 years old and they could not find him. He was in a big city. So big that it took them 3 full days to find him. When they found him Mary said, "Jesus, why have you done this, don't you know your Father and I have been frantically searching for you?" And Jesus said, "Why have you been searching for me, didn't you know I would be at my Father's House?"
Jesus said, "Why did you search for me?" For Mary and Joseph, that had an obvious answer. Any good parent would say "I searched for you because you are my son and I love you and I want to make sure you are safe". Jesus was being sincere with his answer, he was not being disrespectful with his answer. But I want to pose the same question to you and me, "Why did you search for me (Jesus)?" Why did you search for Jesus?
What caused you to search for Jesus? How did you find Him? Did you look at his Father's House? Where did you find Him? Are you searching for Him today? Are you looking for Him today?
Lets make it our goal today to search for Him. We will search for Him today because we need Him, we love Him and He loves us. We want to please Him, to follow Him, to worship Him, to honor Him. We will search for Jesus today because, as Peter said, "you have the words of eternal life". We search for you today Lord Jesus because You are the word made flesh, the first and the last, the light of the World, the Lamb of God, the soon and coming King, the Creator of this World, the Messiah, the only begotten son, God with us, and our Prince of Peace.
Jesus said, "Why did you search for me?" For Mary and Joseph, that had an obvious answer. Any good parent would say "I searched for you because you are my son and I love you and I want to make sure you are safe". Jesus was being sincere with his answer, he was not being disrespectful with his answer. But I want to pose the same question to you and me, "Why did you search for me (Jesus)?" Why did you search for Jesus?
What caused you to search for Jesus? How did you find Him? Did you look at his Father's House? Where did you find Him? Are you searching for Him today? Are you looking for Him today?
Lets make it our goal today to search for Him. We will search for Him today because we need Him, we love Him and He loves us. We want to please Him, to follow Him, to worship Him, to honor Him. We will search for Jesus today because, as Peter said, "you have the words of eternal life". We search for you today Lord Jesus because You are the word made flesh, the first and the last, the light of the World, the Lamb of God, the soon and coming King, the Creator of this World, the Messiah, the only begotten son, God with us, and our Prince of Peace.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Road To The Resurrection
I am posting a link to Pastor Greg Laurie's website about an event they are starting called "Road to the Resurrection". I heard him talking about it briefly on the radio this morning. I love listening to Pastor Greg when I am in my car at 8:30 when his show is on 107.9 KWAVE. I am always challenged and encouraged.
Here is the link for "Road to the Resurrection"
http://www.harvest.org/risen/?utm_campaign=RoadToTheResurrection&utm_source=risen.harvest.org
His idea is to make a bigger deal out of celebrating Easter, our Lords Resurrection. I think it's a good idea. Talking about it ahead of time and building the anticipation of it like we do for Christmas.
Let me know what you think. I will try to implement this with my own family and get on board with remembering and celebrating this season with thanksgiving.
It will also connect you directly with http://www.harvest.org/ where you can find all kinds of uplifting and challenging material. It also lists there church service times.
May God bless you today!
Dan
Here is the link for "Road to the Resurrection"
http://www.harvest.org/risen/?utm_campaign=RoadToTheResurrection&utm_source=risen.harvest.org
His idea is to make a bigger deal out of celebrating Easter, our Lords Resurrection. I think it's a good idea. Talking about it ahead of time and building the anticipation of it like we do for Christmas.
Let me know what you think. I will try to implement this with my own family and get on board with remembering and celebrating this season with thanksgiving.
It will also connect you directly with http://www.harvest.org/ where you can find all kinds of uplifting and challenging material. It also lists there church service times.
May God bless you today!
Dan
Monday, April 4, 2011
A Father's Perspective On The Wars
The following was sent by Michael Jorgensen (my older brother) in reply to the story "Bring Our Men and Women Home". His son Matthew Jorgensen served his country bravely with several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011, 4:41 AM
I took some time to think about this
one. Here's what I came up with. While I think that our
goals in Afghanistan may have been in defense of our
country.(Osama and the Taliban) I don't believe they were as
clear, ever in Iraq. Now as witnessed by the recent events
in Afghanistan, we need to remember that these are a warring
people who have been doing that for thousands of years. So I
doubt that just because we come in and say "Here, try a little
democracy", will change that. Now we also need to remember
that there were certain factions in these countries that
asked for our help. Now does that mean we need to do that?
Probably not. So after all that, I do agree that it is time
to bring our young men and women home, immediately. I wish
this was one promise President Obama had kept.
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011, 4:41 AM
I took some time to think about this
one. Here's what I came up with. While I think that our
goals in Afghanistan may have been in defense of our
country.(Osama and the Taliban) I don't believe they were as
clear, ever in Iraq. Now as witnessed by the recent events
in Afghanistan, we need to remember that these are a warring
people who have been doing that for thousands of years. So I
doubt that just because we come in and say "Here, try a little
democracy", will change that. Now we also need to remember
that there were certain factions in these countries that
asked for our help. Now does that mean we need to do that?
Probably not. So after all that, I do agree that it is time
to bring our young men and women home, immediately. I wish
this was one promise President Obama had kept.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Use Your Blinking Turn Indicator!!!
This is not spiritual nor godly, this is just a rant of mine, stick with me and let me know if you agree or disagree with my observations.
I have had it with people who refuse to use their blinker light when they are making a turn or changing lanes. I cannot believe how many people do not indicate which way they are turning. It is very aggravating. Time and time again, I am sitting at an intersection, waiting to make a right turn , I see a car coming from the left, there is no blinker flashing so I assume they are going straight, then, right before the intersection, they slow down and take a right. I stare at them, they look back with no idea what is going on. I can't pull out in front and take a right because that is when the car will be going straight ahead and run right into me. It is rude. It is thoughtless. It is selfish. What can I do? Nothing. In this day and age, honking the horn at someone can get you shot. I am just dumbfounded. I know this sounds like a shallow rant, but it is very annoying. It is unsafe. Can I call 911 and report this? Of course not. I just have to deal with it. It is teaching me patience. It is teaching me to slow down.
I watched cars today and estimated that only 25% of the vehicles I watched were using their turn indicators.
I guess I can concede their are much bigger problems in the World and just deal with it and get over it. Jesus said pray for those who persecute you, this is not even close to the type of persecution He was talking about. So, I will do my best to pray for every person that refuses to use their blinkers and hope that somehow they will figure it out on their own. Until then, Use Your Blinking Turn Indicators America!!!
I have had it with people who refuse to use their blinker light when they are making a turn or changing lanes. I cannot believe how many people do not indicate which way they are turning. It is very aggravating. Time and time again, I am sitting at an intersection, waiting to make a right turn , I see a car coming from the left, there is no blinker flashing so I assume they are going straight, then, right before the intersection, they slow down and take a right. I stare at them, they look back with no idea what is going on. I can't pull out in front and take a right because that is when the car will be going straight ahead and run right into me. It is rude. It is thoughtless. It is selfish. What can I do? Nothing. In this day and age, honking the horn at someone can get you shot. I am just dumbfounded. I know this sounds like a shallow rant, but it is very annoying. It is unsafe. Can I call 911 and report this? Of course not. I just have to deal with it. It is teaching me patience. It is teaching me to slow down.
I watched cars today and estimated that only 25% of the vehicles I watched were using their turn indicators.
I guess I can concede their are much bigger problems in the World and just deal with it and get over it. Jesus said pray for those who persecute you, this is not even close to the type of persecution He was talking about. So, I will do my best to pray for every person that refuses to use their blinkers and hope that somehow they will figure it out on their own. Until then, Use Your Blinking Turn Indicators America!!!
Terry Jones Should Repent and Apologize
Terry Jones (I will not call him 'Pastor') is an example of someone taking the name of the Lord in vain. To call yourself a Christian and then do the opposite of what Christ represents and in fact demonstrated when He was on the earth is taking His name in vain. It is comparable to the Pharisee's, the self-righteous religious fanatics that put Jesus on a cross. Terry Jones does not speak for Christians and he surely does not represent Jesus Christ.
Terry Jones should not call himself a Christian. What he has done and is doing has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Jesus said to "love your neighbor" and Jesus said "pray for your enemies". Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus was sent to save people and not condemn them. While Jesus was being crucified on a cross, with nails through his hands and feet, he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".
Terry Jones can be forgiven for his ignorant acts of hatred but he should be put in jail for provoking these murders and hostilities.
Terry Jones should not call himself a Christian. What he has done and is doing has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Jesus said to "love your neighbor" and Jesus said "pray for your enemies". Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus was sent to save people and not condemn them. While Jesus was being crucified on a cross, with nails through his hands and feet, he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".
Terry Jones can be forgiven for his ignorant acts of hatred but he should be put in jail for provoking these murders and hostilities.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Bring Our Men & Women Home!
I've had enough. I'm tired of these wars. We need to speak up and let our Representatives and our President know that we have had enough. Bring our men and women home! Bring our brave soldiers back to the United States, back to their communities, back to their families. Ten years of fighting is enough! Ten years of bloodshed and innocent lives maimed and destroyed is enough!
I'm a proud citizen of the United States of America. I still think this is the best country in the World. But I'm tired of being lied too and misled. The U.S. attacked Iraq and Afghanistan in reaction to the 9/11 bombing of the Twin Towers in New York. It was justified to go after the Terrorist camps in Afghanistan but there was no justification for attacking and invading Iraq. We were told that they had weapons of mass destruction. That turned out to be a lie. We were told our military was going into Iraq as liberators to set the people free, that they would be dancing in the streets. Well, we know the dancing lasted for a few hours and then the bloodshed continued. We did not liberate them, we killed their brutal leader and bombed their countryside. They killed our young men and women and we killed them.
I live in Southern California. I like going to the coastal cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad. Recently when I was in Carlsbad, I saw several young military guys walking around with prosthetic arms and legs. I saw some with scars on their face and arms from their injuries of war. Young men permanently maimed for their sacrifice to our country. It made me mad. I respect the soldiers but I hate the way our leadership has misled our country into these wars. When is enough, enough? What is the goal of these wars? Is it really worth the sacrificing of our young men and women? I know they have done many good things for the people of Iraq but was it worth the sacrifice of their lives? Was it worth the permanent mental and physical disabilities many of them will suffer with for the rest of their lives? We honor them for their brave service and sacrifice for our country. Now, we should honor them by bringing them all home.
I have heard several well meaning people say "they (the soldiers) are fighting for our freedoms". I hate that saying. It is misguided at best and a complete lie at its worst. They are not fighting for our freedoms---that war was fight many years ago---they are fighting for our government and at they are fighting for the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and now for Libya. What freedoms could we possibly gain from these wars? Lets be honest with each other, these wars are being fought for former President George W. Bush and the congress he had, and now, to my dismay, they are being fought for President Obama, the anti-war President, and the present congress. President Obama promised to end these wars and bring our soldiers home. He has given no indication at all that he is going to do that anytime soon. But we are at fault as well. In this democracy "by the people and for the people", we are supposed to speak up if we don't like something. It is time to speak up. It is time to get mad. It is time to demand that they bring our men and women back home. It is time to say 'quit wasting those billions of dollars on war and destruction and put it to use for people in this country. Quit sending billions overseas to other countries in aide (to buy their allegiance) and spend that money on our country's people'.
Bring our men and women home!
I'm a proud citizen of the United States of America. I still think this is the best country in the World. But I'm tired of being lied too and misled. The U.S. attacked Iraq and Afghanistan in reaction to the 9/11 bombing of the Twin Towers in New York. It was justified to go after the Terrorist camps in Afghanistan but there was no justification for attacking and invading Iraq. We were told that they had weapons of mass destruction. That turned out to be a lie. We were told our military was going into Iraq as liberators to set the people free, that they would be dancing in the streets. Well, we know the dancing lasted for a few hours and then the bloodshed continued. We did not liberate them, we killed their brutal leader and bombed their countryside. They killed our young men and women and we killed them.
I live in Southern California. I like going to the coastal cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad. Recently when I was in Carlsbad, I saw several young military guys walking around with prosthetic arms and legs. I saw some with scars on their face and arms from their injuries of war. Young men permanently maimed for their sacrifice to our country. It made me mad. I respect the soldiers but I hate the way our leadership has misled our country into these wars. When is enough, enough? What is the goal of these wars? Is it really worth the sacrificing of our young men and women? I know they have done many good things for the people of Iraq but was it worth the sacrifice of their lives? Was it worth the permanent mental and physical disabilities many of them will suffer with for the rest of their lives? We honor them for their brave service and sacrifice for our country. Now, we should honor them by bringing them all home.
I have heard several well meaning people say "they (the soldiers) are fighting for our freedoms". I hate that saying. It is misguided at best and a complete lie at its worst. They are not fighting for our freedoms---that war was fight many years ago---they are fighting for our government and at they are fighting for the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and now for Libya. What freedoms could we possibly gain from these wars? Lets be honest with each other, these wars are being fought for former President George W. Bush and the congress he had, and now, to my dismay, they are being fought for President Obama, the anti-war President, and the present congress. President Obama promised to end these wars and bring our soldiers home. He has given no indication at all that he is going to do that anytime soon. But we are at fault as well. In this democracy "by the people and for the people", we are supposed to speak up if we don't like something. It is time to speak up. It is time to get mad. It is time to demand that they bring our men and women back home. It is time to say 'quit wasting those billions of dollars on war and destruction and put it to use for people in this country. Quit sending billions overseas to other countries in aide (to buy their allegiance) and spend that money on our country's people'.
Bring our men and women home!
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