Where do we go?

Hey everyone,

As many of you know, I have started a bible study in recent weeks. This week however we are struggling to find a place to have it. We cant host this week or any week for about a month due to other complications and while we were thinking about having it outside at trashmore the weather looks like it isnt going to hold up fo rthat ...BOOO... so we are without home this week....if anyone has an idea or suggestion about places to go for an hour or two...pleae email me... and if you cant come up with an idea...pray for us... I know that GOD wants us to continue on this path.....Ijust dont know where he wants us to have it yet :) so like I said please pray for our group....right now we really need it. Thanks in advance for the prayers.

Grace and peace be upon you all.

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (New International Version)

Wow.....You ever heard someone say take a bite out of that....this is a whole meals worth.... This is a lot of meat and can be explained several different ways....but ill just cover the basics...

This passage at its basic level is a prayer for you to know and understand the love of GOD...it talks about how blessed we can be and already are because of his love for us. This passage explains to us that his love is greater than knowledge....that part hits hard with me because I am a thinker before a feeler so to hear someone tell me that love is more important than knowledge really stands out and makes me take notice. I have heard this passage used for prosperity teachings....and I'm not all together against prosperity teachings ....they are apart of the Bible and deserve to be talked about...at this time in the world its nice to know that not everyone is out to tell us that we are in a recession...GOD wants us to flourish for his glory....but that's another topic...I'm just saying this has been used as a prosperity base and at first glance it can be ...but the heart of this message is the same heart of the bible....its about love..his love for us and how great it is. I encourage you to take some time today ....his day...and think about all the ways the LORD has tried to show you he loves you...you will be surprised when you actually sit down and take account for yourself how much love he has really put into you.

I know this is short but I hope it helps someone
Grace and Peace be upon you all

Hello

Hey everyone,

I am posting this post from WORK!!! update....MY JOB ROX!!! at any rate I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and still intending on updating this site and now that I know I can do it from work I will probably take some time from my lunch hour and give regular posts again....computer time is so hard to come by now that my laptop is broken and I am forced to share a computer with a gamer who plays non stop from 3pm to 1 or 2 am everyday.....so I apologize for lack of posts but problem is now solved....soooo.....be prepared to start setting aside some time each day to read and spread the word about the blog...talk to yo all later.

Psalm 105

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1 (New International Version)

forgive the lack of posting....alot going on these days....I will post bible passages up here until I can devote more time to posting. thank you fo ryour understanding.
Grace and peace be upon you all

Big Week

UPDATE:

Just a quick note here. We started our bible study this week ...it will offically be called "Faith Group"... there were 7 of us for the first meeting ....it went well...we all got to talk and come up with things we want to do and get from the group....I feel like 90% or better will be back for the next meeting which is encouraging... we covered some basic bible facts and kept the floor open....this week we are all meeting at mount trashmore to have a group prayer and exchange testimonies....the following week we are going to meet and discuss the book of Job...im excited about the possibilities here....great times.....

Grace and peace be upon you all.

Good Advice

I get a weekly quote of wisdom and this week contained this little nugget....

Christ must be at the center of your relationships because He provides a stable, fixed point of reference; otherwise, your relationships will be frail and fragile.

I know this to be true, I have experienced both sides of this and let me tell ya....Jesus needs to be your rock...build everything on him and it will never be destroyed....I have had a few friends come and go and there are very few things in life more painful than losing a friend or love one. I also found it really awesome that I get this the day before I do my very first bible study and start expanding my friendship base...I will literally be building friendships based on GOD....How awesome is that?

In other news....I am loving my new job.... but unfortunately the time I'm at work is usually the time I update my blog so bare with me if posting is sporadic for a few days until I get my new schedule figured out.... thanks in advance for that....

oh...soul central tonight for those of you who watch online or attend ...Faith group tomorrow night for those of you who can attend.....cell group is Friday for those who belong to one...sat is soccer for those who would like to attend...Sunday is of course church...so if you need anything from me...I'm free Monday after 6 and before 9....LOL...funny how when you let the lord in he fills up your schedule LOL....

Hope this helped someone...
PEACE and GRACE be upon you all!!!!

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)

If you have been reading the blog then you will remember a quote I brought back to you from the retreat. I believe its quote number 2 and it talks about Christ living in us.

I think the most powerful thing we can learn about this verse is that by accepting Christ as our Lord and saviour we no longer live a life for ourselves...we live a life to serve him....we no longer worry about winning the lotto so we can have a life of ease ...or getting that promotion so we can have more power or money....often our thoughts are how can we change the world or save souls or change lives.....once you allow Christ to take over your life ...everything changes...your outlook on what is and is not important...your morals...your hope...your overall quality of life...life in no way becomes "EASIER" but it definitely allows you to take the hard times without as much STRESS....why? For me its because you know that there is a reason this is happening to you, and that GOD has a plan to take this hard time and make it a good work in one way or another...just keep faith in him and know that there is a reason...times are hard for a reason ....there is always something good waiting to reveal itself in every hard time....just know that GOD knew you would be going through this hard time and he gave you all you need to make it through...he filled you with the holy spirit and there is nothing more you need to make it through....I could talk about this for days ...but I don't have that kind of time...email me if you want to discuss this.
Grace and peace be upon you all.

Guess whos back...back again..

Hello everyone

I took a couple days off to go to a mens retreat in Headwaters Virginia. The resort is a cool place...I climbed a rock wall, played some pin pong (where my brother rewrote the definition for landslide), I also played some horseshoes (where I paid him back for the ping pong). The area was beautiful and there was plenty to do. We spent a lot of time in fellowship and thinking about forgiveness...4 different speakers delivered 4 different messages that all pointed in the same direction.....it was cool. If you get the chance to go check them out ...take it...I guarantee you will at least find a place to relax and be at peace if nothing else.

While I was there I got to talk to my brother and learn a little more about his Branches of the cross vision...I'm really excited for him and can't wait to see it start coming together, if it gets to be a tenth as big as its potential it will still have accomplished a tremendous amount.

One of the best things about this weekend was the "golden nuggets" of information I found....there were 3 that stuck out the most and I feel the need to share with you....

1 Transparency is the key to being able to forgive and be forgiven....people find it easier to share their shortcomings and ask you to forgive them when they know they wont be judged....and they only know that when you share your faults with them....thanks for that one Jack

2 When we accept Christ we become a new creation and Christ lives in us....and since Christ lives in us any sin against us is a sin against him...therefore we should be able to forgive that person because they didn't offend us .......they offended GOD and it is now up to them to ask for forgiveness from him....Thanks Mike

3 I learned a truth about our testimonies that I previously didn't know....I knew our testimonies where great for letting people know what the lord can do ...but one other thing about your testimony that is almost just as if not more important....its undeniable truth....its your story nobody can twist what happened to you like they can twist the bible...nobody can misinterpret what you said because you are the one saying it...and no matter how many times you get stumped talking about the bible you will never get stumped about your story.....when you think about your story from this point of view it opens up so many new ways to think .....thank you for this one Ronnie it is life changing

Hope some of these help someone....
Grace and Peace be upon you all.

Mothers Day

Headwatters

Ok people im off to a mens retreat for the weekend....im going to get reloaded on the lord and come back with a FRESH word for everyone.... keep me in your prayers.....in other news...GOD blessed our family with a new place to call home and a new job for me this week......

More exciting news..the job is soooo Good that it will support the entire family and allow Anna to quit working and stay home with the family......we are excited about the changes GOD is making in our lives keep praying for us and dont forget to comment...how else am I supposed to know who needs prayer.

Oh yeah ...what do you know?

Hey all....

It has come to my attention that a lot of Christians these days have questions that just aren't being answered by their church. Most of these questions can easily be answered by reading the bible, however, I know that most people find themselves too busy to read the bible some days so... if you have a question concerning the bible ...or christian life....or Hindu life...or Muslim life or whatever your question is please just post here or shoot me an e-mail and I will answer it for you.

question 1
What is the "Gospel"?

The "Gospel" actually means the good news.....so when you hear go spread the gospel....they are saying to you go spread the good news....so whats the good news? that Christ came for us and died for our sins so that we can be freed from the burden of sin and have eternal life through him....this can be found in your bible...books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...they are commonly referred to as the 4 gospels.

question 2
Did Adam have a belly button?

I'm not 100% sure....GOD may have given him one so he would fit in however from a scientific stand point the answer is NO.....he was not born he was created ....the first person to have a belly button would have been the child of Adam and Eve according to this theory.

question 3

What is my "Testimony"?

Your testimony is an account of what happened according to you....It is your story about how GOD has touched your life....a story of how he opened your eyes and you were able to find him....the things that changed about your life once you made a decision to follow his word..... It is in its basic form your tale of transformation from non believer to faithful follower.

Hope this answered a few of your questions ..keep them coming.
Grace and Peace be upon you all.

Is he hip hop hard?

I was thinking about the real JESUS...the one that seems to get washed over and over until we all get a diluted version of him and it got me to thinking..... if everyone wants to be hard these days....and being the "Thuged out " Rapper is really a desirable goal for young guys would JESUS make the cut? I mean he is supposed to be all things to us...so I have compiled a list...not completed...but begun a list of similarities.....feel free to comment any you can think of that I have missed.



Biggie -self proclaimed "lyrical genius" whose messages would reveal things about him to us as well as some things about ourselves.

JESUS - prophet and son of GOD who spoke to us in parables that to this day show depth and life application to people around the world...some things he spoke are to this day still being interpreted

2PAC -believed to have faked his death and still writes powerful songs we can relate to.

Jesus- Actually died and came back! and still speaks to each and everyone of us DAILY!

50 cent- shot 9 times and lives

Jesus- Beaten with the cat of 9 tales and various whips and other objects to within inches of his life....then NAILED to a cross and stabbed with a spear.... only to rise from the dead and continue to spread his message

Jay-Z self proclaimed dealer of illegal substances for his own financial prosperity.

Jesus- worshiped dealer of a truth that was and in some parts of the world still is illegal for the betterment of man kind!

T.I. self proclaimed "King of the South" about to stand trial for attempting to equip people with illegal weapons

Jesus - King of all Kings Spent time on DEATH ROW for trying to equip people with the illegal weapon of TRUTH!

NWA- famous for saying F* the police

Jesus - challenged the accepted rules of the Pharisees in every place he taught!

Sugar Hill Gang- pioneers of a movement that would rock the world.

Jesus - the pioneer of a movement that SAVES THE WORLD.

Eminem- rocked world with shocking lyrics only then to claim it wasn't literal...just a song

Jesus - shocked the world with what he said....AND STOOD BY IT!

NAS- famous for hitting you with hard lyrics and never selling out

Jesus -hit you with hard lyrics, never sold out....not even when faced with death!

Kanye West- famous for his "I'm always right" attitude

Jesus - IS ALWAYS RIGHT!

All rappers- privilege of saying what they want under the first amendment...

Jesus - Did not have that protection and did it anyway ultimately ...was killed due to what he was teaching the people...

All rappers -do it for the business of making money

Jesus - did it for the business of SAVING YOU!

All rappers- could care less about you or what you think about them as long as you buy their CD

Jesus - cares about you and what you think about him regardless of whether or not you buy what he is selling.


I encourage you all to take and post this list anywhere and everywhere....twitter it...myspace it...face book it...blog it...whatever...get it out there and show those young guys and girls the similarities ....maybe the only reason they don't look to Jesus as a role model is because they don't know him like this!!!!!

Grace and peace be upon you all!

Choose a master!

Last night at church Steve Kelly had a great message on self esteem....you Can hear the whole message on www.wavechurch.com check out the podcast section.

The reason I bring this up is to tell you a brief part of the sermon..... Steve posed a question to the congregation that I think we should all answer and perhaps do....

Steve talked about how alot of times people get caught up in seeking the praise of others....co-workers, your boss, friends and so on..... but the bible warns us not to seek the praise of men....seek only the praise of the lord. Seeking the praise of men will stunt our growing faith in the lord.... If you are too worried about seeking your friends approval you are far less likely to step out on a limb for the Lord when he calls you to do so, however, if you are seeking his approval your going to do it...no questions asked.

This brings me to the question he posed...when is the last time you asked the lord what he thought about you? ask him to send you down some praise and see what he does....im not saying make it a habbit but sit down with the lord and ask him to show you where you stand.

Hope this helps someone...grace and peace be upon you all.

Happy EARTH DAY

For those of you who don't Know.... Today is earth day.... it's the one day a year dedicated to loving GODs creation and the planet we call home. I encourage you to get out today and enjoy the hard work the Lord did and still does for us. I challenge you to go out today....take a picture of some of the beautiful things you see in creation and send them to me...ill post them up for all to see! ....if yo don't have a digital camera ....I have a challenge for you as well..... there are hundreds of beautiful places to see in your community and I guarantee more than half of them have litter....give GOD a helping hand today and show him you appreciate his beautiful Creation by stopping to pick up and if you can recycle that litter.....help clean up his canvas....send me a note about how you got involved today and I will post your story on the blog for all to see...... My family and I are headed out to Mount Trashmore .... they are having an earth day celebration and we are going to go and get involved...Ill be posting pics and stories tomorrow.... Enjoy your Earth Day.
Grace and peace be upon you all.

How many licks does it take to get to the center?

Do you remember that old "Tootsie Pop" commercial where the kid asks the owl how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop....then the owl takes his Candy licks it 3 times and bites it off the stick.....he smiles at the child and says 3 it takes 3 licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop.....

I remember thinking as a child.....stupid owl..... then as I got older i thought stupid kid, you gave him your candy.... then as I got older and started reading philosophy I thought .....well, the kid did get what he was looking for....and the answer is 3...it took the owl 3 licks.....these days I'm relating it to scripture....

I don't really know where I'm going with this, I just found it funny that 1 that commercial has stayed with me for more than 20 years....2 I have spent way too much time thinking about something SO small and insignificant and 3 my views have changed on it sooo much.
I was going to do this posting on this clever way of saying ...we are like the tootsie pop....and god is breaking us down to that goodness inside one layer of candy at a time....but then as I'm writing this I realise I'm not all that comfortable with telling everyone we are being licked by the lord...its just a sticky situation...( man that was corny but I had to) .......

Now I'm sitting here breaking down this post going man ...what if I have it twisted....when I'm looking at my three things about the commercial...what if that's the way GOD views me?

1 I have been on his mind now for more than 20 years (29 to be exact)
2 he has spent a LOT of time thinking about something small and insignificant (me)
3 his views on me have changed over the years as I have struggled to find him

There is absolutely no rhyme or reason for this post...I just wanted to walk everyone through my creative process I guess....I find it funny though that I found GOD in my obscure thoughts and memories not in one way but in two....I guess that speaks to the truth about GOD....once you let him in he finds his way into all of you.....

Don't know if this post will but i hope it helps someone out there.
Grace and Peace be upon you all.