I Believe...
That just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change
I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in
a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.
I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe..
That my best friends and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.
I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When
you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've
had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how
many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe...
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change
your life Forever.
I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally
different.
I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who
don't even know you.
I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you........you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Appreciate Your Calling
So I just got the book, Starting Your Day Right, a devotion book by Joyce Meyers and I love it. I find that it gives me focus in the morning and reminds me to be the best me I can. In the book she starts by saying that the book isn’t a replacement for Gods Word, but that the book is to give you direction and to remind you that you need to have God clearly insight in order to follow him. If we don’t fill ourselves with the Word, how do we know how to follow him? I have to admit that I don’t spend as much time in the Word as I should. So I have been using this book to help me focus, and really get in the Word rather than just reading threw it.
Here is some of the devotion for October 26th.
Appreciate Your Calling
So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Romans 12:5
Learn to appreciate the call of God on your life. He has a different call for everybody. None of us are called to do all the work that needs to be done, but we can each enjoy the assignments given. We can also enjoy the work God does through others.
Today holds an opportunity to mature in the knowledge of God and to enjoy whatever God has called you to-do. Your part is needed. Ask God early in the day to show you where to use your gifts to help others.
When I read this it reminded me of the Ministry I am involved in at church. And really applies to all ministry. We are all ministers of the word. As the devotion says, God hasn’t called one-person to-do it all. Take the First Impressions Ministry for example. God has called a group of men and women to work together. Some have been called to serve as Greeters, Ushers or at Vision Central; others have been called to serve in Security or the Parking Team. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Lately I had to admit I couldn’t do something. This was a great learning experience for me. Even thought I lead up the First Impression Ministry, it doesn’t mean I have to know everything, or have the ability to do it all. I have my own strengths, and I have weaknesses. God has put people in the First Impressions Ministry who have strengths were my weaknesses are. We work together. Like Romans 12:5 says, So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ and individually we are parts of another. This applies to ministries within the church. Some of us are called to minister to children. It’s not a competition of who has the most volunteers in your ministry. We should all want to help each other find what our calling is. When we find our calling, the body comes together as one, and works like a well-oiled machine, so to speak. This applies to churches as well. If we are trying to reach the lost, and share the Word with those who don’t know Jesus; it can’t be one church, it has to be all of us. It’s not a competition. We can enjoy the work he does through others as well.
God also does this in our lives. He puts people in our lives, and we balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy and press on with what God has called you today. If you don’t know what your calling is, pray, give and serve, and pray, give and serve, and follow his word. If you are faithful and follow him in all the ways he asks you to, he will bless you and reveal your calling when the time is right. Your part is needed. The body can’t function as 100% without and arm or a leg. Are you the arm or leg? We need you. I am needed! Look at your neighbor and say, "I am needed!" Sorry couldn't resist, lol.
Here is some of the devotion for October 26th.
Appreciate Your Calling
So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Romans 12:5
Learn to appreciate the call of God on your life. He has a different call for everybody. None of us are called to do all the work that needs to be done, but we can each enjoy the assignments given. We can also enjoy the work God does through others.
Today holds an opportunity to mature in the knowledge of God and to enjoy whatever God has called you to-do. Your part is needed. Ask God early in the day to show you where to use your gifts to help others.
When I read this it reminded me of the Ministry I am involved in at church. And really applies to all ministry. We are all ministers of the word. As the devotion says, God hasn’t called one-person to-do it all. Take the First Impressions Ministry for example. God has called a group of men and women to work together. Some have been called to serve as Greeters, Ushers or at Vision Central; others have been called to serve in Security or the Parking Team. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Lately I had to admit I couldn’t do something. This was a great learning experience for me. Even thought I lead up the First Impression Ministry, it doesn’t mean I have to know everything, or have the ability to do it all. I have my own strengths, and I have weaknesses. God has put people in the First Impressions Ministry who have strengths were my weaknesses are. We work together. Like Romans 12:5 says, So we, numerous as we are, are only body in Christ and individually we are parts of another. This applies to ministries within the church. Some of us are called to minister to children. It’s not a competition of who has the most volunteers in your ministry. We should all want to help each other find what our calling is. When we find our calling, the body comes together as one, and works like a well-oiled machine, so to speak. This applies to churches as well. If we are trying to reach the lost, and share the Word with those who don’t know Jesus; it can’t be one church, it has to be all of us. It’s not a competition. We can enjoy the work he does through others as well.
God also does this in our lives. He puts people in our lives, and we balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy and press on with what God has called you today. If you don’t know what your calling is, pray, give and serve, and pray, give and serve, and follow his word. If you are faithful and follow him in all the ways he asks you to, he will bless you and reveal your calling when the time is right. Your part is needed. The body can’t function as 100% without and arm or a leg. Are you the arm or leg? We need you. I am needed! Look at your neighbor and say, "I am needed!" Sorry couldn't resist, lol.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Happy 13th Birthday Adam!!
I can't believe my son is 13 years old. Enjoy the slide show with pics from the last 13 years. Lots of good times, and lots more to come.
Monday, October 12, 2009
If we are the body
I haven't blogged in a while. I felt a message in my spirit last week, and wanted to write about it, but it didn't really come together. Then as I listened to my Pastors message on Sunday, it all came together, and I sat down it is just started flowing.
Last week as I was listening to the radio I heard the song, If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns. I have heard this song a ton of times, but I heard it in a different way last week. I have heard people refer to Christians as the body of Christ, but I thought it referred to us as a body of people, like a group of people. With this frame of mind, I heard the song as we are the believers, and why isn't Jesus' arms reaching me, why aren't his hands healing me, why aren't his words teaching me. This is a very selfish way of hearing this, and as I think of this, I wonder if this is how a lot of us think, as a matter of fact, I am positive this is how a lot of us think. Sunday my Pastors sermon really brought all of this together. As "Church People", we feel we are entitled to something, like we are owed something. Like my Pastor said, we deserve Hell, it's because of the blood of Jesus that covers me, that we have his grace and are forgiven.
Last week when I listened to this song, this is what I heard:
If we are the body, (we are his arms, legs, hands and heart),
why aren't his arms reaching (our arms are his arms, so why aren't we reaching the lost),
why aren't his hands healing(instead of passing judgment and hurting others, lets accept them and help them heal),
why aren't his words teaching(our words should always reflect him, why are we quick to point out someone’s faults, and tell them everything they are doing wrong, lets teach them how God wants us to live, lets let our words always reflect his love, lets teach them the word),
why aren't his feet going (our feet are his feet, why do we sit on our couch and in service and take, take, take, but not get out and serve, go the distance, go out and find the lost),
why is his love not showing them there is the way (we need to show the love of Jesus to those who do know him, and those who don't know him. We can't be nice to those at church and hateful to the lost because you feel like they aren't living right. And we can't be nice to the lost to reach them, and then be hateful to "church people", because how you act, even if you think no one is looking, is always on display. We have to show them there is a way).
As a church, as the body (Jesus is apart of us) why aren't our arms reaching the lost? Why aren't our hands healing those who have so much hurt in their lives. Jesus was about love, acceptance and forgiveness, why do I see so much hate, judgment, and unforgiveness in "Church People"! Church is scary for someone who comes broken and hurt. They are afraid of the pointing fingers, just like the song says, "It's crowded in worship today, As she slips in, Trying to fade into the faces, The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know, Farther than they know", "A traveler is far away from home, He sheds his coat, And quietly sinks into the back row, The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances, Are better out on the road" It's sad, but sometimes that is exactly what they find. Pointing fingers, whispered words in there direction. Is this how we reach the lost, is this how Jesus reached the lost, No! We have to get our heart right. People are afraid of being judged by “Church People”, not the world. If we judge them, they will feel safer in the world, something is wrong when that is the case. We have to offer them a safe place. Sometimes a simple, "hi, how are you?" can mean so much to someone.
I believe strongly that our actions influence others; we say we are Christians but do our actions display our beliefs. It's not about how often we come to church, or about the fact that we volunteer our time to the church, or the bumper sticker on the back of our car. It's about how we live our lives, how we treat others, and the relationship we have with God when no one is looking.
“Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come, and we are the Body of Christ”
Sunday at my church, when the alter call was given and people responded, I just kept hearing “healing” in my spirit. There was healing taken place because we offered love (the love of Jesus), acceptance (no one pointed fingers), and forgiveness (come how you are, we are all sinners who have been saved by the blood of Jesus).
If We Are the Body
By: Casting Crowns
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road
CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ
Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way
Last week as I was listening to the radio I heard the song, If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns. I have heard this song a ton of times, but I heard it in a different way last week. I have heard people refer to Christians as the body of Christ, but I thought it referred to us as a body of people, like a group of people. With this frame of mind, I heard the song as we are the believers, and why isn't Jesus' arms reaching me, why aren't his hands healing me, why aren't his words teaching me. This is a very selfish way of hearing this, and as I think of this, I wonder if this is how a lot of us think, as a matter of fact, I am positive this is how a lot of us think. Sunday my Pastors sermon really brought all of this together. As "Church People", we feel we are entitled to something, like we are owed something. Like my Pastor said, we deserve Hell, it's because of the blood of Jesus that covers me, that we have his grace and are forgiven.
Last week when I listened to this song, this is what I heard:
If we are the body, (we are his arms, legs, hands and heart),
why aren't his arms reaching (our arms are his arms, so why aren't we reaching the lost),
why aren't his hands healing(instead of passing judgment and hurting others, lets accept them and help them heal),
why aren't his words teaching(our words should always reflect him, why are we quick to point out someone’s faults, and tell them everything they are doing wrong, lets teach them how God wants us to live, lets let our words always reflect his love, lets teach them the word),
why aren't his feet going (our feet are his feet, why do we sit on our couch and in service and take, take, take, but not get out and serve, go the distance, go out and find the lost),
why is his love not showing them there is the way (we need to show the love of Jesus to those who do know him, and those who don't know him. We can't be nice to those at church and hateful to the lost because you feel like they aren't living right. And we can't be nice to the lost to reach them, and then be hateful to "church people", because how you act, even if you think no one is looking, is always on display. We have to show them there is a way).
As a church, as the body (Jesus is apart of us) why aren't our arms reaching the lost? Why aren't our hands healing those who have so much hurt in their lives. Jesus was about love, acceptance and forgiveness, why do I see so much hate, judgment, and unforgiveness in "Church People"! Church is scary for someone who comes broken and hurt. They are afraid of the pointing fingers, just like the song says, "It's crowded in worship today, As she slips in, Trying to fade into the faces, The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know, Farther than they know", "A traveler is far away from home, He sheds his coat, And quietly sinks into the back row, The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances, Are better out on the road" It's sad, but sometimes that is exactly what they find. Pointing fingers, whispered words in there direction. Is this how we reach the lost, is this how Jesus reached the lost, No! We have to get our heart right. People are afraid of being judged by “Church People”, not the world. If we judge them, they will feel safer in the world, something is wrong when that is the case. We have to offer them a safe place. Sometimes a simple, "hi, how are you?" can mean so much to someone.
I believe strongly that our actions influence others; we say we are Christians but do our actions display our beliefs. It's not about how often we come to church, or about the fact that we volunteer our time to the church, or the bumper sticker on the back of our car. It's about how we live our lives, how we treat others, and the relationship we have with God when no one is looking.
“Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come, and we are the Body of Christ”
Sunday at my church, when the alter call was given and people responded, I just kept hearing “healing” in my spirit. There was healing taken place because we offered love (the love of Jesus), acceptance (no one pointed fingers), and forgiveness (come how you are, we are all sinners who have been saved by the blood of Jesus).
If We Are the Body
By: Casting Crowns
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road
CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ
Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way
Friday, October 2, 2009
Every Friday and Saturday in October
Come check out this Haunted House. I will be there helping out every Friday and Saturday in October from 8-1am. See you there.
Hysteria Promo from Jason Isaacs on Vimeo.
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