There are people out there who do not care for people like myself who seem to always be upbeat! Well I am not always upbeat, sometimes I am beat, I just don't surrender to the beat part! My life has had obstacles, yet it has not been as bad as some around me. Those are the folks I watch, those are the folks I set my eyes on, who seem to always praise God even through the storms that come their way!
I have watched those around me, even young folks who have suffered tragedy, yet have not given up, they fight, they reach out to God their healer for help and strength. One such young man I would like to mention is Mike Rooney. He was in a motorcycle accident that put him in a wheelchair. A young man, in his early 20's, who could of given up and caved in yet with his faith in God, and a very loving family, he has done amazing things.
I remember my sister Robin, who I share very little about, at 18 dove in a swimming pool and broke her neck, her remaining years would be lived out as a quadriplegic. During that time she came to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Folks would tell me after a visit how their lives where changed, how, though they came to encourage and a left with more encouragement than they came with.
One Sunday morning as I was getting ready to preach, my heart was overwhelmed by a special guest and his mom and dad. Sometimes God just knows what you need to inspire you at a time you need it most. When I saw this young man being pushed through the door, a smile from ear to ear, if I had any doubts, if I was a little down, that smile of victory put me right back in touch.
With who you ask? God, Mike's unwillingness to give up reminded me that day, we have a God that can get us through anything if we just trust and hold on. Now I am sure Mike has his down times, and memories of youthful things he may not be as able to do. Yet he fights, his mom Michelle and dad Michael fight and pray. His sisters Kara and Erin fight and pray.
I watched this family come together and give God the glory, not for him to walk necessarily, but just grateful Mike is with them. Though there were times of trial, they reached out knowing and trusting that God would answer their prayers, and He did. Through traches, learning to eat again, to many other challenges, though beat at times Mike and his family were never beaten.
I do not even remember them asking for big miracles, but everyone they would receive, they gave God the glory. So you see, when you are feeling beaten, when you feel that life is unfair, you can give into the beat down and be defeated, or think of those around you going through so much more and find a reason to be aggravatingly upbeat.
Psalm 116:1-2 "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice, and my pleas for mercy. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Frustrated with ministry?
If ministry is a frustration, you may need to evaluate who you are in ministry for, God or you? Remember Jesus had a pretty busy schedule also, the only time He was frustrated was with people who had priority problems! So reevaluate who you are doing things for, stop take a breathe, turn it all back to God, because He wants you too. Get free, get the victory back and serve Him because you have joined Him where He is. If you do it right you will not be overwhelmed you will be over blessed!
When we lose sight of what God's plan is, we usually lose sight of our direction and lose focus on our relationship with God. We tend to feel that if we are doing it for God we must be doing what we should. That is not always so. Just because we are doing a lot does not mean God is always in what we are doing. The Pharisees thought they were doing a lot for God, but in essence it was all about them! (Matthew 23)
Working hard for God and getting frustrated with God at the same time does not make sense does it? Well it is not to late to stop and truly ask God, if what you are doing for Him is genuine. Are we doing it because we see Him working, or are we doing it because we think it is our soul responsibility to do it all? The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few Jesus said. ( Matthew 9:37)
If we are frustrated, than maybe what we need to be doing more of is discipling others to come along with us. We may have a calling on our life, but it is never a calling to do it all! Are we praying and asking God for direction, or are we controlled by feelings? What we need to see is, we can do a whole lot of things half halfheartedly, or one thing successfully? What do you think God thinks here?
Get out of the way, let God have His way, and see if you don't see your way, a little better today!
1 Peter 5:6, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. (NKJV)
Psalm 51:17, "My sacrifice, Oh God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." (NIV)
When we lose sight of what God's plan is, we usually lose sight of our direction and lose focus on our relationship with God. We tend to feel that if we are doing it for God we must be doing what we should. That is not always so. Just because we are doing a lot does not mean God is always in what we are doing. The Pharisees thought they were doing a lot for God, but in essence it was all about them! (Matthew 23)
Working hard for God and getting frustrated with God at the same time does not make sense does it? Well it is not to late to stop and truly ask God, if what you are doing for Him is genuine. Are we doing it because we see Him working, or are we doing it because we think it is our soul responsibility to do it all? The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few Jesus said. ( Matthew 9:37)
If we are frustrated, than maybe what we need to be doing more of is discipling others to come along with us. We may have a calling on our life, but it is never a calling to do it all! Are we praying and asking God for direction, or are we controlled by feelings? What we need to see is, we can do a whole lot of things half halfheartedly, or one thing successfully? What do you think God thinks here?
Get out of the way, let God have His way, and see if you don't see your way, a little better today!
1 Peter 5:6, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. (NKJV)
Psalm 51:17, "My sacrifice, Oh God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." (NIV)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
A wonderful son, probably not.
You know something? People are always telling me what a wonderful son I am to care for my mom. Well without a wonderful God and being blessed with a wonderful wife who loves my mom as much, I would probably fall a little short of wonderful! Though I would care for her anyway, it sure makes it a double blessing to have the relationships I do!
We have a support system from our church family, our children, our neighbors, my wife's family jumps in when we need them. To be wonderful, whatever that truly means, you have to have some amazing people in your life also. And an amazing God who transformed my life for just moment as this! Wonderful no, a son always! The scripture tells us we are supposed to take care of family.
1 Timothy 5:8, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
So you see I am not trying to be wonderful here, just faithful, not anything special, just a son who wants his mother to have the best care! Just a son and a believer who wants to be an encouragement to anyone going through the same as my wife and I. I know there are different circumstances in life, and not all situations are the same, but family is family and they still deserve the best we have to offer.
I am always reminded of what Jesus did for me at Calvary, He gave his very best for my very worst! He gave His life so I could live! He took my place so I would have the place I do now! He restored my life, healed my marriage, set me free so I could serve. So I do, with His help, the help of my precious wife Karen, and so many other wonderful people He has put in our lives.
So when people around me call me wonderful I have to tell them, probably not, I am just doing what I am supposed to do. Wonderful? No just being a son!
We have a support system from our church family, our children, our neighbors, my wife's family jumps in when we need them. To be wonderful, whatever that truly means, you have to have some amazing people in your life also. And an amazing God who transformed my life for just moment as this! Wonderful no, a son always! The scripture tells us we are supposed to take care of family.
1 Timothy 5:8, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
So you see I am not trying to be wonderful here, just faithful, not anything special, just a son who wants his mother to have the best care! Just a son and a believer who wants to be an encouragement to anyone going through the same as my wife and I. I know there are different circumstances in life, and not all situations are the same, but family is family and they still deserve the best we have to offer.
I am always reminded of what Jesus did for me at Calvary, He gave his very best for my very worst! He gave His life so I could live! He took my place so I would have the place I do now! He restored my life, healed my marriage, set me free so I could serve. So I do, with His help, the help of my precious wife Karen, and so many other wonderful people He has put in our lives.
So when people around me call me wonderful I have to tell them, probably not, I am just doing what I am supposed to do. Wonderful? No just being a son!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Be encouraged please!
Those families struggling with Alzheimer's, as hard as it may seem, and though there is little understanding still, just be you always, because they cannot be them! They may have forgotten, but you shouldn't. Is it hard? Yes. Is it hurtful? Yes. But never, ever forget, they are still mom, dad, uncle, aunt, and human beings. Yes they need help, yes they may even have to go to a care facility, but they are still who they are, no less!
They just don't remember and it is hard for them also, trying to figure it all out, looking at you, knowing you belong in their life, just not where! They try, they do, they just cannot help what has happened to them, and that is no punishment toward you, or them! One thing you can never, ever forget though, is you! Take a break, get some rest, find a support system, and what ever you do, do not be or feel embarrassed.
You are not alone, and there is nothing to be ashamed of! Hang in there and just be you for them, you never know when that one moment will come, that they will remember just a little, and how blessed you will be because you were there!
They just don't remember and it is hard for them also, trying to figure it all out, looking at you, knowing you belong in their life, just not where! They try, they do, they just cannot help what has happened to them, and that is no punishment toward you, or them! One thing you can never, ever forget though, is you! Take a break, get some rest, find a support system, and what ever you do, do not be or feel embarrassed.
You are not alone, and there is nothing to be ashamed of! Hang in there and just be you for them, you never know when that one moment will come, that they will remember just a little, and how blessed you will be because you were there!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Just sharing a concerned heart!
You know, sometimes you just need to share your heart. As a Pastor I sometimes, well most times, write with a lot of scripture or write what I have gained from life and shared what scripture matches that story. Well today I felt let's just to share my heart. Just share some things I have on my mind without making anyone work to hard to understand.
When a Pastor writes anything I do feel he needs to show where he is coming from, yet not to the point that causes people to feel inadequate or intimidated. When we write or speak it definitely needs to be truth, backed by the word, and challenging! Yet never should the word be used as a battering ram to get our way or to intimidate anyone to gain anything.
We need to make sure when we speak it is God lead and God speaking, by that I mean prayerfully seeking God when we study and prepare, to insure it is not about us and all about Him! If we remain genuine, and committed, and truly just trust God and His word, His word will do the work intended, not having us help it along.
You see, we as Pastor's do not last forever, but His word does, and that is the seed that needs planting and less our opinion of things. When we start to impose our will on matters of sin and wrong, what are we telling people about God's word? Our responsibility to the body of Christ is to preach the word as spoken it 2 Timothy where Paul was used by God to give Pastoral instruction.
2 Timothy 4:1-5,"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill you ministry.
Simply put God does not need our help or gimmicks, He just needs us to preach His word faithfully, truthfully and purely! We should never, somehow water down the word and try and give people loopholes to sin and convince them it is alright because Jesus loves then where there are. Well He does loves us where we are, but He loves us to much to leave us there! Preach the word, just sharing.
When a Pastor writes anything I do feel he needs to show where he is coming from, yet not to the point that causes people to feel inadequate or intimidated. When we write or speak it definitely needs to be truth, backed by the word, and challenging! Yet never should the word be used as a battering ram to get our way or to intimidate anyone to gain anything.
We need to make sure when we speak it is God lead and God speaking, by that I mean prayerfully seeking God when we study and prepare, to insure it is not about us and all about Him! If we remain genuine, and committed, and truly just trust God and His word, His word will do the work intended, not having us help it along.
You see, we as Pastor's do not last forever, but His word does, and that is the seed that needs planting and less our opinion of things. When we start to impose our will on matters of sin and wrong, what are we telling people about God's word? Our responsibility to the body of Christ is to preach the word as spoken it 2 Timothy where Paul was used by God to give Pastoral instruction.
2 Timothy 4:1-5,"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill you ministry.
Simply put God does not need our help or gimmicks, He just needs us to preach His word faithfully, truthfully and purely! We should never, somehow water down the word and try and give people loopholes to sin and convince them it is alright because Jesus loves then where there are. Well He does loves us where we are, but He loves us to much to leave us there! Preach the word, just sharing.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Burden or Blessing?
Is it hard to care for someone who can no longer care for themselves? Yes it is if you look at it as a burden, and not an opportunity God has given you to be a blessing! Sometime we lose sight of family and how important they are because we get caught up in what we are doing, and how important we are! Life never, just, revolves around us, it always involves us!
In some way someones life touches us, how we perceive that it how we will receive it either as a blessing or a curse! It is not punishment that we are called upon to care for, or look after anyone. It is a honor and a blessing that we are seen as that person. It is never a mistake that it falls on you, if you truly look at your capabilities alone it may seem that way, but you are never on your own, as much as it may seem!
God is there, He promises this, He is there His presence is all around. He tells us He will never leave us of forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) He promises that. We just have to call on Him in our time of need. When we do this we will come to the place, to serve others will never be a burden, but always a blessing!
Psalm 50:15-"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me. (NKJV)
1 Timothy 6:8-"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (NKJV)
Hebrews 13:5-"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have, ''I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NKJV)
In some way someones life touches us, how we perceive that it how we will receive it either as a blessing or a curse! It is not punishment that we are called upon to care for, or look after anyone. It is a honor and a blessing that we are seen as that person. It is never a mistake that it falls on you, if you truly look at your capabilities alone it may seem that way, but you are never on your own, as much as it may seem!
God is there, He promises this, He is there His presence is all around. He tells us He will never leave us of forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) He promises that. We just have to call on Him in our time of need. When we do this we will come to the place, to serve others will never be a burden, but always a blessing!
Psalm 50:15-"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me. (NKJV)
1 Timothy 6:8-"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (NKJV)
Hebrews 13:5-"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have, ''I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NKJV)
Thursday, January 16, 2014
When the church fails to stand!
When the church stops taking stands, it won't be long before it cannot stand! I have always loved the quote, "if you won't stand for something, you will fall for anything." I have read many views on how Christians should behave, and how they should conduct themselves. How we have freedoms, and how we have the choice to do what we feel in Christ.
Yes we have freedom, the freedom not to sin or to be like the world, yet the church today makes more excuse to follow the world. We can drink, we can smoke, we can eat the way we want, then wonder why there is so much sickness in the church, Alcoholism, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, the list goes on. Wonder if the church would stop and think, hmm, wonder if these freedoms we have are not truly freedoms but bondage in disguise?
In I Peter 2:11-12 it says, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." NKJV
When we feel it's alright to drink, smoke, or whatever suites our fancy, what are we saying about our faith in God? What are we saying to a world that struggles with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, eating problems, etc.? I feel when we fail to stand on the word of God we fall very short of extending His grace. People are looking for a way out of addictions, and the church is making excuse for them to stay right where they are!
They continue to struggle, we continue to pray, yet wonder what is happening when we see no results. God desires obedience rather than sacrifice, humility rather than self-centeredness, yes we do have freedoms, but these freedoms are not to be stumbling blocks, and the church has become just that! When we express our freedom are we really taking a stand or Christ? Or are we really creating a type of excuse for the world to continue in sin?
1 Corinthians 8:9 (AMP)
Only be careful that thos power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is your, does not [somehow] become a hinderance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or over-scrupulous [ giving them the impulse to sin]
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Yes we have freedom, the freedom not to sin or to be like the world, yet the church today makes more excuse to follow the world. We can drink, we can smoke, we can eat the way we want, then wonder why there is so much sickness in the church, Alcoholism, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, the list goes on. Wonder if the church would stop and think, hmm, wonder if these freedoms we have are not truly freedoms but bondage in disguise?
In I Peter 2:11-12 it says, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." NKJV
When we feel it's alright to drink, smoke, or whatever suites our fancy, what are we saying about our faith in God? What are we saying to a world that struggles with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, eating problems, etc.? I feel when we fail to stand on the word of God we fall very short of extending His grace. People are looking for a way out of addictions, and the church is making excuse for them to stay right where they are!
They continue to struggle, we continue to pray, yet wonder what is happening when we see no results. God desires obedience rather than sacrifice, humility rather than self-centeredness, yes we do have freedoms, but these freedoms are not to be stumbling blocks, and the church has become just that! When we express our freedom are we really taking a stand or Christ? Or are we really creating a type of excuse for the world to continue in sin?
1 Corinthians 8:9 (AMP)
Only be careful that thos power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is your, does not [somehow] become a hinderance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or over-scrupulous [ giving them the impulse to sin]
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.
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