INNERQUEST

2008-09-11T17:41:00.000-07:00

Not Forgetting Our Motto

In remembrance of the September 11th, 2001, attack on our nation, I would like to share with you what I wrote to the high school youth I worked with at that time.

INNER QUEST #62 FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM Sept. 18, 2001

My dear friends,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for the congregation this past Sunday. When you were asked to join the choir for the singing of the introit, you honored that request and in doing so, showed the congregation what it needed most, in this time morning and uncertainty. UNITY!

When you sang together with the choir, you brought with you many different schools, different families, different heritages, different ages and eras, and became as one voice. United in song, united in patriotism and united in God. It is that type of unity that is the backbone of our country.

There are too many ways in which to share my thoughts with you this week. Right now, I cannot find the right words to express what I am feeling, so I will try to keep it simple.

God gave us freedom. God gave us freedom to think for ourselves and to chose how we live. God also gave us laws to go by so that we know where right and wrong are separated. Our country is based on that freedom and those laws. We are not perfect, but we must defend that freedom from those who try to take it away. And we will defend other nations that have their freedom threatened. That is what God calls us to do, to help each other

Last night the David Letterman Show returned to the airwaves from New York City. This is a show that many people rely on for laughs. Monday night, the laughs were missing.

CBS News anchor Dan Rather was Dave’s guest. Dan said that after last weeks attack, singing “America The Beautiful” would never be the same to him, and then started to cry. As Dan felt the embarrassment of not holding his composure, David looked at him and said, “Good Christ! You are only human!”

Yes, we are only human and we have the right to cry, the right to laugh, the right to be mad, the right to enjoy peace and we have the right to defend our freedom when it is threatened.

Those rights and our freedom, not just as a nation, but as a global family, have now been threatened. How we respond will be dependant on the strength of our unity. Put faith in our leaders and pray for them. Ask God for guidance, understanding and strength.

No challenge is without sacrifice and that will be hard to handle at times. If the 300 firemen
that lost their lives were given a second chance I believe they would have gone right back in there. Back there to help those get their freedom back.

“Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground.
Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down.”
-Steven Stills (Crosby, Stills and Nash)

Your friend and defender, John

There are those outside our boarders and inside our boarders who will stop at nothing to destroy this nation. They seek to dismantle us bit by bit; socially, morally, economically, physically and spiritually. We must not forget why this country was formed and we must fight hard on every level if we are to survive. This is a pivotal year in our nation’s history, so, what’s it going to be? Divide and conquer? That seems to be the intent over the past years on how we are acting towards each other. That will only lead to the end of one great nation.

If we are to be ONE nation, then we must be like the band at the end the movie, “Drumline”. There was a lot of dissention in their ranks, but when faced with elimination they finally understood the meaning of their motto, “One band! One sound!”

What’s our motto going to be?

2008-07-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

LEAP OF FAITH

TIMOTHY 1: 15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

“I do.” These are two simple words spoken between a man and a woman, when asked if they choose to accept each other in marriage for the rest of their natural lives. As simple as those words are they represent a huge commitment, because from that moment on their lives will be forever changed.

Leading up to marriage, a certain amount of time is needed to learn about each other and find out if each other’s personalities are compatible enough to make for a lasting relationship. When the decision is made to marry it is still a leap of faith in each other, that life together will be all that it is hoped for, because, life is full of uncertainties.

In the beginning, or the honeymoon period, all is blissful and life is wonderful. Eventually though, that honeymoon period will end and the world’s reality comes back into each other’s lives. Finances, job worries, illnesses, disagreements, raising children, anxieties of every nature will at some point enter each other’s lives. The faith, hope and commitment between married people will be tested. Patience, encouragement and unbreakable love will be needed to ensure that commitment with each other will endure.

In the movie, “What About Bob?“ young Sigmund Marvin has his own ‘leap of faith’ to consider. He wants to dive off of the family’s boat dock into the water and enjoy the thrill that everyone else has experienced. His father, Dr. Leo Marvin, a noted psychiatrist, has tried countless times to coach his son in diving into the water, but his impatience, self-centeredness and lack of compassion has resulted in failure to get his son to commit.

Along comes troubled but lovable Bob Wiley. Bob is a patient of Dr Marvin’s, and feels the need to be constantly treated, even at the Dr’s family vacation spot. Even though Dr. Marvin is quite upset at his presence, Bob’s genuine kindness has found a way into the hearts of the Dr’s family. It is through Bob’s kindness, encouragement and patience that Sigmund’s confidence is restored and a commitment is made. Sigmund dives off the dock and the thrill that he waited so long to experience has finally become part of his life.

Jesus Christ is so committed to the well being of our lives that he took all our sins, the dark side of our past, and sacrificed it on the cross, to give us new hope and a new life. He knows each and everyone of us and has promised the ultimate thrill of eternal life in His Father’s kingdom.. The compassion, patience, mercy and unending love that Jesus offers are there for us to embrace, forever and ever.

Accept his proposal and say, “I do” and take the life changing leap of faith.

2008-03-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

Short Stint, Long Term

Our entire lifetime is consumed with education and how to use it. Besides all the different schools we may attend, we receive even more education in the real world; family, friends, co-workers, bosses, media, government, strangers, the list goes on and on.

But, our most crucial form of education is discerning the truth between what is right and what is wrong, and acting on it. Time is important, because we only have so much time to use what we’ve consumed. When our bodies are all used up and the life we now know is over, the answer sheet comes out and it is then we find out if we have passed on to the next level.

God, Dean of the universe has given us more than enough material to study, and because he wants each of us to graduate into his mighty kingdom, he sent his star professor, Jesus, to lead us past all that can be destructive to our lives. For it is Jesus who offers the only course that will guide you on to the next level. If you dedicate your own life to his teachings and follow his principles your rewards will be ongoing.

Subjects taught, lessons learned,
Errors made, merits earned.
Choices given, decisions made,
Missing mark, passing grade.

Dependent on, freedom of,
Petty hate, endless love.
Past remembered, future dreams,
Lonely ones, united teams.

Simon says, Jesus walks,
Speech deceives, walking talks
Many roads, only way,
Darkened nights, lighted days.

Visions lost, renewed sight,
Never wrong, always right.
Empty feeling, fulfilled heart,
Break away, become part.

Tuning out, focused on,
Hopeful now, doubting gone.
Bearing cross, ceasing strife,
Earthly death, eternal life.

Become one of Christ’s students and emulate the life he lives for you, so that others too may pass on his teachings and become part of God’s glorious kingdom.

2008-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

WHAT IF YOUR TOMORROW CHANGED?

JAMES 4:13-16 Now listen to me, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.” You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: ‘If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” But now you are proud, and you boast; all such boasting is wrong.

PROVERBS 27:1 Never boast about tomorrow. You don’t know what will happen between now and then.

What I would like you to do right now is to sit back and relax for a few moments and think about everything that went on with you yesterday. Think about all the people you talked to and were with. Think about all the activities you took part in. Think about the different surroundings you were in and how you got there. What were your biggest dreams you had as of yesterday?

Did today go just as planned? Was anything missing? What changed? Were any dreams altered?

If your day is going totally as planned, consider your day blessed. If today gave you at least one thing unexpected event, you’re not alone.

Do you take for granted the people you see each day? Do you consider certain events, trips or appointments that are planned well in advance as little more than routine? Do you take God’s word for granted? Are you prepared to follow God’s will for you?

What if your tomorrow changed your dreams?

Think about the people who lived on these days and how their world changed the next.

Galgotha (outside of Jerusalem) Thursday, a little over 2,000 years ago

Pearl Harbor December 6, 1941

New Delhi, India January 29, 1948

Memphis, TN April 3, 1968

New York City, NY September 10, 2001

A man, who had the major income in his family of four, was told his job was safe and not to worry, lost his job three days later.

A young boy woke up on a sunny October morning and was greeted with the news that his father had died during the night.

A young mother, working two jobs, to help save for an exciting family vacation, loses both.

After buying a beautiful gown for the big dance, a girl finds out her date changed his mind and is going with someone else.

A Missing family of five, plus one on the way, is found in their vehicle submerged in a Kentucky creek.

These were true events that startled the world, shook a nation, devastated a town and left individuals devastated and uncertain.

When we have dreams that can change our lives for the good and suddenly face a change in how those dreams are carried out, look to God and his son Jesus. God’s dream for us did not die on the cross with his son’s crucifixion. It was the beginning of a new day in which the ultimate dream of eternal life became the possible dream. Those who believe in him have kept that dream alive and made it real and have changed lives for the good.

A man, in a segregated south, had a dream to help change our world toward the good. On April 3rd, 1968, his tomorrow changed, but those who have believed in his dream have kept it alive and our world is better.

Our tomorrows are full of uncertainties, and by ourselves we can become lost when our dreams are changed. But, if we give our lives to Christ, our dreams and paths will be lighted. God is here to guide us through it all.

When our last ‘today’ has come to past a new day will be given, and an eternal life in his kingdom, where all dreams are fulfilled beyond imagination, will be lived.

All things are possible

With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.

MARK 10:27

2008-01-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

KNOW THE TRUTH

JOHN 8:31-32 To the Jews who believed in him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This morning I was helping teach our Senior High Sunday School class, and the topic was about finding a scripture that represented each person’s new year’s resolution. Up until this morning I really hadn’t come up with a new resolution for this year, but I thought I would let the Bible give me one.

I turned to the book of JOHN, and as I was turning the pages, the words, “The Children of Abraham” in the middle of Chapter 8, caught my eye. As I read verses 31 and 32 I decided that those verses would be my new resolution. When asked to explain the passages I chose, I said:

“To fully understand the teachings of Jesus Christ is to understand how I must live. To live as a true disciple of Christ does not keep me free of hardships and persecutions, but gives me the strength to overcome these obstacles, and show the world the strength, power, love and grace of God.”

Usually, the resolutions I have chosen in the past have been on a more personal level that centered on making me a better person. But, as I continue to learn more about God and grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ I am reminded about a line I comically use in reference to Dr. Phil, “It ain’t about you!” For me to fulfill this resolution I must focus my efforts in being a true disciple of Christ, and for Christ, by teaching God’s word to the youth I work with, and walking that ‘talk’ with them, my family, the people I work with, play sports with and those with whom I am with in social functions. How I conduct myself around strangers is just as important, as it says in 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19 “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”

How can I be a true disciple of Jesus if I only went to church services, listened to sermons, sang a few songs and read the Bible? Jesus Christ, the son of God, physically committed his life to me and to you, freed us from our sins, and through his teachings showed us the way to live and gain eternal life in God’s kingdom.

I have made plenty of mistakes and have felt the hardships of life and persecutions, but they have NOT broken me, because my faith in God gives me the strength to overcome, the patience to endure, the power to continue his work, the love of Christ to share, and the grace of God to pass on.

My resolution is to keep growing in my relationship with Christ, that fuels my faith in God, and to physically commit my life to help others learn about God’s son, Jesus Christ, his teachings, and to know the truth.

2007-11-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

LOOK BEYOND THE GIFT

Time is growing near. The eagerly awaited “Black Friday” is just a paycheck or two away. The day after Thanksgiving is what many people call the official start of the Christmas buying season. I tend to call it the day I get to wake up late, stay home (which permits me to avoid the traffic jams on the road, parking lots and in stores) and to let my bloated belly relax from the previous day’s feast... at least until lunch.

Buying presents for people can be fun, but it can also be chaotic if you’re not sure what to get, or you can’t find what’s on their list of desires. I have found that shopping alone and being done within a very short time period has yielded the best results. If you have to look for a long time for something, then the chances of finding the right gift may go unfound. That’s been my experience, maybe not yours.

I love giving gifts to people. It brings a smile to my face to see the happiness in another person when they’ve received my gift. I also like receiving gifts; that too makes me happy, but my real deep down happiness comes from giving to others, especially if the gift makes an impact on their lives.

What makes a gift so special that it has an effect on a person’s life? It comes from the heart. The gift may not have been a purchased item and it may not contain any material value, so to speak, it may not even be planned or asked for, but to the receiver the gift is priceless.

A teenager’s life hangs in the balance due to poor decisions and risks losing everything good to them. When all seems lost, a door is left open and a new start is waiting on the other side. A gift of forgiveness and new hope is given and received and a young life is saved from destruction.

A mother is heartbroken, with a mind full of hurts, unanswered questions and feelings of guilt. A friend sits and listens as the mother empties her heart out. The first part of the healing process has begun. A gift of caring and friendship is shared and a pain is eased.

A father’s heart stops and he collapses in front of a gathering of people. A person trained in CPR quickly comes to the rescue and keeps the father’s heart working until the medics come and take him to the hospital where he recovers. The father’s life is saved, because of the gift of a son who knew CPR.

A family loses their home and all of their possessions to a disaster. Another family offers to house and feed the distraught family and find them clothing. Lost hope turns to new beginnings.

Two friends are not going to see each other for a while and without asking, one friend reaches out and gives the other a warm hug. True friendship is shared.

A lifelong criminal, who was being hanged on a cross for his hideous crimes, looks at the young man being nailed to the cross next to him and says, “If someone like me could end up in the kingdom you’re headed to, that would be fantastic!”

Without hesitation, the young man gave the repentant man grace and said to him, “Today you will be with me in my kingdom.” The man’s past was buried and a new eternal life was given.

All of these gifts were real and from the heart and all are priceless. What bind all these gifts together are the teachings and the fulfilling promise the young man nailed to the cross gives to us. Jesus, the ultimate giver of life, came not only to save the criminal from his horrid past but to save each and every one of us from our own past and give us a future filled with purpose and an everlasting life, if we are willing to give him our past.

When you look beyond the gift that Jesus is giving us, you will see what true forgiveness, friendship, hope, salvation, encouragement, love and life really is, and is all about.

If you are still looking for that perfect gift for someone, then put your cash and credit cards away and give them the opportunity for a relationship with Jesus Christ. When the gift of a life with Jesus is given and accepted, the spirit filled joy will be seen and felt, and that kind of happiness is….. PRICELESS!!

Have fun shopping. I hope you find what you are looking for.

2007-10-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

STAND FIRM

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

In the six years since September 11, 2001 I have become greatly concerned that our faith and stance has been weakened by forces that want to take our freedom and put further control over our lives. Not only by the terrorists who seek to destroy us at any cost, but by those who want to lead our country and will try, and have tried, to destroy anything in their path to do so.

Below is the IQ letter I wrote to the Sr. Hi. youth group I worked with, the week after 911.

INNER QUEST #62 FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM Sept. 18, 2001

My dear friends,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for the congregation this past Sunday. When you were asked to join the choir for the singing of the introit, you honored that request and in doing so, showed the congregation what it needed most, in this time of mourning and uncertainty. UNITY!

When you sang together with the choir, you brought with you many different schools, different families, different heritages, different ages and eras, and became as one voice. We were united in song, united in patriotism, and united in God. It is that type of unity that is the backbone of our country.

There are too many ways in which to share my thoughts with you this week. Right now, I cannot find the right words to express what I am feeling, so I will try to keep it simple.

God gave us freedom. God gave us freedom to think for ourselves and to choose how we live. God also gave us laws to go by so that we know where right and wrong are separated. Our country is based on that freedom and those laws. We are not perfect, but we must defend that freedom from those who try to take it away. We will defend other nations that have their freedom threatened. That is what God calls us to do, to help each other.

Last night the David Letterman Show returned to the airwaves from New York City. This is a show that many people rely on for laughs. Monday night, the laughs were missing.

CBS News anchor Dan Rather was Dave’s guest. Dan said that after last weeks attack, singing “America the Beautiful” would never be the same to him, and then started to cry. As Dan felt the embarrassment of not holding his composure, David looked at him and said, “Good Christ! You are only human!”

Yes, we are only human and we have the right to cry, the right to laugh, the right to be mad, the right to enjoy peace and we have the right to defend our freedom when it is threatened.

Those rights and our freedom, not just as a nation, but as a global family, have now been threatened. How we respond will be dependant on the strength of our unity. Put faith in our leaders and pray for them. Ask God for guidance, understanding and strength.

No challenge is without sacrifice and that will be hard to handle at times. If the 300 firemen
who lost their lives were given a second chance I believe they would have gone right back in there. Back there to help those get their freedom back.

“Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground.
Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down.”
-Steven Stills (Crosby, Stills and Nash)

Your friend and defender, John

Can we still STAND FIRM?

2007-09-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from the O.R.

A lot of people go there more frequently than others in hopes of finding a cure for what plagues them, so that they will become healthier and stronger. Some only go on extreme occasions, while others refuse to go saying they don’t need it, they can live fine without it.

For those who end up there on a regular basis there can come a point to where some of them might say, “I don’t see where this is getting me anywhere, because I don’t feel any different.” and decide to take a break from the O.R.

I worked in a hospital for nearly ten years and observed a lot of regulars coming in for almost anything and wanting to be cured right then and there. It doesn’t always happen that way. For most people it takes time for their lives to be fully healed. But, this is not the O.R. I am talking about. I’m talking about Organized Religion.

Over the past few years I’ve been involved with a number of web sites that let people converse on many topics. I am also involved with several Christian groups. Between all these groups of people and others outside of these groups, I have found a number of them have decided to stop attending their church and take a break from organized religion.

What is interesting to me is that a number of these people are instructors and teachers. I wonder how they would feel if their classes decided to take a break from organized education. I do see a correlation between the two when it comes to those who chose to take a break. Boredom and a lack of growth, both mentally and spiritually I believe are the two main reasons.

As people age from infants to elder status many things have changed. The individual and the world’s community of people go through many changes over time and that requires a lot of teachers, instructors and learning institutions to adapt to those changes in order to educate people to be the best they can be and to survive in our ever changing world.

The church body is not exempt from these changes, even though God is constant and the Bible, written thousands of years ago, remains the official Word of God. We must be able to teach and spread God’s word in ways that ignites a fire within the human soul. From the sermons to Bible studies, from music to activities, and from anything connected with the Christian life, we must resist the urge to stay content in what’s been done before, because it can lead to stagnation instead of growth.

Maybe we should do away with the term ‘organized religion” because that is a misconception of what Christianity is all about. It is a RELATIONSHIP with Christ Jesus! We should treat all aspects of the Christian church the same way, as a relationship.

Doesn’t the idea of having an exciting relationship sound better than going to the O. R.?

2007-08-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Greatest Show On Earth, and Beyond

The other day I was wondering; “Why is it easier for females to attend a Christian church than men?” That got me to thinking about movies. Yes, I know, I’m a bit odd in my thinking, but bear with me. Men and women, on average, tend to like different types of movies. Men like action, adventure, sci-fi, war, historical epics, un-realistic bizarre shows. Women tend to prefer realistic, romance, certain amounts of adventure, heartwarming and happy ending movies… what we call in the ‘macho’ world, ‘chick flicks’. Then it hit me, no, not my wife’s purse for being a chauvinistic pig for my views on men and women’s movie preferences. It is the correlation between movies and the Christian church.

It has nothing to do with religion either, because in truth, Christianity is NOT a religion, like so many people call it, it is a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. We meet Jesus, he courts us through our lives, he teaches us how to be a better person, he forgives us when we make mistakes, he begins to grow on us and we become emotionally attached to him, and then it happens. He tells us he loves us and will give his life for us. If we accept his invitation to follow him he will give us more than anyone could imagine, and our lives will be richly blessed.

Oh, my gosh! It’s a CHICK FLICK! No wonder the macho man has a hard time dealing with Christianity.

Well, fellas, I have some Good News for you (and you ladies too). No matter what kind of movie you like, they are no match for the most creative mind in the universe. He is not only the director and producer, but also the master sound and lighting technician, chief artist and prop designer, casting director, human resource developer, not to mention food and drink coordinator, health specialist, animal expert extraordinaire, fitness instructor, legal counselor, and everything else needed to make “The Greatest Show On Earth, and Beyond”.

He, of course, is none other than the Supreme Almighty God. Just like so many other movies of today, His greatest work, which took many, many years to put together, comes to us in a book, simply titled, The Bible. But, unlike most books, where a movie is made to cover the whole book, The Bible is full of enough story lines to make countless movies. There is enough variety in these Biblical subplots to fill every movie style ever made.

Here are a few examples with titles and where they can be found in the Bible. (You may recognize a few titles): “Deliverance” (Epic Adventure. Starring Moses and the Israelites, EXODUS Chap. 3-4), “She’s All Mine” (Romance. Starring Jacob and Rachel, GENESIS Chap 29-30), “Forty Days” (Disaster. Starring Noah and the Amazing Twos, GENESIS Chap 6-9), “The Comeback Kid” (Medical. Starring Lazarus & Jesus, JOHN Chap 11), Solomon’s “Song of Songs” (Musical. Starring Solomon’s love, SONG OF SONGS), ‘The Apocalypse” (War. Starring God and the villainous, Belial, REVELATION), “Jonah and The Whale” (Bizarre. Starring Jonah, JONAH 1-2),
“Law and Order” (The Ten Commandments. Starring Moses and God as the burning bush, EXODUS Chap 20-23), “Attack of The frogs” (Comedy. Starring lots of frogs, EXODUS Chap 8), “The Temptation” (Suspense. Starring Jesus and Lucifer, MATTHEW 4:1-11), “Keeping the Faith” (Mystery. Starring Job, JOB), The Beginnings” (Inspirational. Starring John The Baptist and Jesus, MATTHEW Chap 3-4), “The Crucifixion” (Horror. Starring Jesus, JOHN 18-19:30), “The Return” (Sci-Fi… yet, real. Starring Jesus, LUKE Chap 2-4).

Those "movies" only scratch the surface of the most amazing and exciting stories ever told. To see and hear more of these shows, find a local church near you that present the works of the Bible. It’s more than a "chick flick". There is no better excitement!

Plus, as an added bonus, you will be given the chance to meet the shining star of the Bible, Jesus, and learn all about him. You will also have the opportunity to join his cast and help present the works of The Bible almost anywhere in the world.

If you do accept his invitation to join his cast you will be greatly rewarded. That’s why I call it, ‘The Greatest Show On Earth, and Beyond”. You’ll be privy to a whole new world. Don’t miss out!

John 8:18:07

2007-07-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Can we ‘Give All Our Worries To God’ and receive what we need?

“You know how we're just supposed to give all of our worries over to Him? Well, it doesn't work... how in the world is that really supposed to help someone, because I find it almost impossible to accomplish. I'm consumed with worry.”

This question was asked of me earlier this week and I asked if I could take some time before offering my response. My request was granted…. Interesting.

I am sure that many of you, like me, may have been taught, that any worries you have should be taken to God. After all, weren’t we also taught, “Ask and it shall be given.”?

1 PETER 5:7 “Cast all you anxiety on him because he cares for you.” There it is in black and white. God cares for us and will accept all our worries.

No matter what level of anxieties each of us will face throughout life, we want the cure for those stressful times to be fixed as quickly as possible, because we will undoubtedly end up uttering the phrase, “I don’t know how much more of this I can handle,” the longer it progresses.

Now, Let’s look at PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in evrything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

To know God is to love God for all he has given us, and be thankful and give him praise. Through our faith in him, we must put all our trust and be willing to accept the time that is needed in answering our prayers. God loves each one of us and would never turn his back on those who believe in him. Why then do we put him on our own timetable and challenge his love for us?

I know very well how some situations can be terribly unbearable and threaten your own sanity, But, we must… we must be willing to let God be the loving God he is. He knows who we are and our weaknesses. He will guard our hearts and he will ease our minds in the Spirit of Christ Jesus.

When my request was granted for time needed to respond to the question above, I became intrigued as I typed that sentence. I was given time, with no set hour or day to respond. Yet, when it came to asking God for answers there was a timetable apparently in mind.

With all due respect, it is not with criticism that I say this, but with concern that a full trust in God is not there and that has led to a lack of faith. In Truth, I have been there on more than one occasion. Questioning my own faith only led to a more empty feeling, but with the help of other’s prayers, friendship and their faith in God, my faith was rekindled and my trust became even stronger.

That is my response to you, my friend. I offer my friendship, prayers and the faith that I have in God. And hopefully, with the help of others, your faith in God and trust in him will be strengthened, and that your heart will be mended and your mind eased.

Yes, we can give all our worries to God, but we must give them with no strings attached.

2007-06-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Stuck on Band-Aids

“I am stuck on Band-Aids, ‘cause Band-Aids are stuck on me.” What a catchy little song.

A young child sustains a cut on his knee, runs to his mommy, she reaches in her first aide kit and pulls out the ever popular Band-Aid*, and applies it to her son’s knee. They are both happy and he goes back playing in the yard.

Band-Aids are a quick fix to a minor problem. Covering up something that’s been damaged or hurt in hopes that in time, when the covering is removed, the damage will be gone and all will be well.

Band-Aids are also for protection of the affected area from becoming infected, which could lead to a more serious problem.

Too often we use a bandage approach to things in our lives that we want to cover up, in hopes that time will erase the discomfort it brought us and all will be well.

Maybe, we cover up things so we don’t have to deal with them. Pretend that they never really existed in the first place. If you can’t see it, it was never there.

Maybe that’s why some people have such a hard time dealing with the belief that God exists. Can’t see God, God must not exist. Then there’s the story of God sending us his son, Jesus, whom he let die for us so we could live. That story is over 2,000 years old, but does it prove he existed and still exists in some kind of spiritual sense? When Jesus supposedly ‘rose’ from the dead and came back to see his friends, one friend, in particular, did not believe who he was. Thomas, Mr. Doubter, needed proof that the man standing in front of him was indeed Jesus. By seeing and touching the holes in Jesus’ hands and side, doubt left Thomas’ mind and he believed.

Ok, I hear a question arising. How does the doubting Thomas story relate to Band-Aids?

Those who believe in God and accept Jesus as the son of God also believe in the eternal life after our physical bodies die on this Earth. When we enter this eternal life all of our physical impairments are gone and our bodies are restored to their unblemished state. But, when Jesus rose from the grave and came back to see his friends the holes in his hands, feet and side, from his crucifixion were still there for all to see. Why? Why weren’t these scars removed from his body? Simple. To remind us that it did happen, that it was real and he is real. God was not going to bandage over something that we needed to know for ourselves.

Throughout our lives we suffer many forms of hurts that leave scars on our bodies or in our memories. We may try to Band-Aid them but they will always be there. These imperfections are a part of who we are and what we’ve been through. Yet, some hurts are so significant that our lives are changed from what we hoped it would be. Some try to cover them up in a way to distract others or themselves from seeing or being reminded of those hurts.

Remember when your mom or dad put that Band-Aid on your boo-boo, then hugged you before you went back playing with your friends? Comforting wasn’t it? You wore the bandage proudly for days, until…. It was time to take it off. “No! Please don’t take it off. It will hurt.” But, with persistence your mom or dad rips the bandage off.
Soon after that brief but sensitive experience there is calmness. Your hurt has been healed and all is well.

The problem with Band-Aids and other things we use to cover our imperfections is that they are not cures, just temporary fixes. Although, there are some things we apply to ourselves that are more permanent, all they do is hide the truth.

“…And the truth shall set you free.” Every one that knows of God has their own type of relationship with Him. Some believe and focus their lives on God, Some believe but are struggling with their earthly traits, some are not sure if God is real, and some refuse to believe God even exists.

Isn’t it interesting that everyone that has used a Band-Aid believes it will help take care of their wounds; yet, they haven’t the foggiest idea who created them? Ah, but you can look up that information on the internet or in books and even though you have never met the person face to face you believe he existed and what he did for you.

Then why is it so difficult to believe in God, the creator of so many magnificent things in your life, the one who can heal every hurt that penetrates your life! Is it because you are scared to reveal to God what you have hidden beneath those ‘bandages’? The truth is, is that God already knows what lies beneath your bandage, but until you are willing to let loose of your guarded condition those imperfections will continue to consume your life.

Let God remove the Band-Aids that are stuck on you, so that he may heal your imperfections. Just as Jesus came to his friends still bearing the scars from his past, you too will bear reminders of your past, but the hurt will be gone and a new life will be given.

Soon after that brief but sensitive experience there is calmness. Your hurt has been healed and all is well. Go out and play and be joyful.

* Band-Aid is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson's

2007-05-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Overcoming the DTs

On this and every other Memorial Weekend, we take time to honor all those who have given their lives, and to thank all who give of themselves, to protect our lives from those who threaten to destroy us. We remember the fallen, because they are our fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, friends and coworkers. We knew them personally, and even though they are no longer in our presence, they are forever in our hearts.

There is one son, that many years ago also gave his life for us. But, his sacrifice was not to just protect our lives, but to renew our lives, and give us the promise of eternal life with him and his father, to those who take up his cross and follow him. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not only gave his life for us, he also took away the parts of our lives that threaten to bring destruction to ourselves and each other. When he died on the cross he took with him all of our sins and forgave us. He did this so that we could have a new life; A new life with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God kept his promise of eternal life by raising his son, Jesus, from the dead. We too can have eternal life, by believing and following Jesus Christ. JOHN 10: 27, 28 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never die.”

Seeing is believing, and the eternal life that we can have, through Christ, is beyond our eye’s vision, and more than our minds could ever imagine. It takes our own personal belief and faith in God, neither of which we can see or touch, that we give our lives, so that we can bask in the glory of God’s eternal life with Jesus and all those who follow.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to be on retreat with a group of middle school youth. In between the fun, food and fellowship were times the youth spent learning more about their personal relationships with God and Jesus. Some had a stronger relationship than others and some were still in the pre-Christian state of mind. As with many pre-Christians there is a need for hard proof of God’s existence. People have a hard time believing in something if they cannot see it or touch it.

The last meal we shared together that weekend featured mashed potatoes as one of the side items. I don’t put gravy on my taters I prefer butter. I couldn’t find the butter so I asked one of the cooks for some. As he was getting the butter for me another cook came out and said, “I don’t now why you need more butter, I put in a lot of butter when I made them.” My reply was, “That’s good, but I need to see it.”

On the drive home I got to thinking of what I said to that cook about needing to see the butter. “O Ye have little faith!” What a revelation! Why did I doubt the existence of what was told to me by the cook? I believed her but I needed to see the butter for myself.

I knew what had come over me. I was suffering from the DTs.

After Jesus had risen from the grave, he came to his disciples one evening and they were filled with joy by his presence. Another disciple, Thomas, came in later and was not so sure it was Jesus, and said to the other disciples in JOHN 20: 25-29 “ Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my fingers in those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me.”

I am a believer in God and Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I do not have to see them now in this life because I know I will see them in the eternal life. But, I also know from my experience with the cook’s mashed potatoes, that for some people it is hard to fully believe in something when it cannot be seen.

We believe in the lives our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and coworkers gave for us to protect our lives, because we knew them and saw them and touched them. The love we have for them remains in our hearts, which is something you cannot see or touch but we know it’s there.

Overcoming the DTs is to understand the truth that not all things in our lives can be seen or even touched. Have a little faith and release the Doubting Thomas from your life.

God is everywhere and someday you will know it and will be filled with the Spirit and you will be happy.

If you’re hungry for a better life maybe ya just need some mashed taters to get started.

2007-05-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

God’s Intimate Presence

On Sunday, May 6th. I took a hike through Sugarceek Reserve, one of the five Dayton Metro Parks, that is located on the southern side of Bellbrook, OH. With camera in hand, my aim was not to merely walk through the reserve to see how many paths I could take in the time I was there, but to observe and capture God’s beauty in a way most hikers tend to walk past.

I have hiked through many reserves and parks and the wild wilderness over the years, and many of those times it was with groups of people. For many of those people in these groups there were two primary activities that were the primary reason for taking the hike; 1) To be with friends and be able to talk with each other throughout the hike. This can be a great experience, due to the fact that we have become so busy with our individual and family’s activities, that our non family friendships can become distant when there is not enough time to get together. So, if the time permits and the weather is good, take a hike with some friends. 2) To get from point A back to point A. This is one I have seen many times working with youth groups on retreat. Oh, how they love to get back to nature and breathe in the fresh air and take in God’s green acres. Then, in a flash, the race is on to see who can cover the most ground in the shortest time, and be the first one back to the cabins. I wonder if they show that same speed when the bell rings to change classes?

I am fascinated by God’s beauty and the seemingly endless amount of his creative ability. Everyday, new discoveries are made throughout our world of sea and land, and the galaxies. But what’s really cool is to see first hand the abundance of beauty God has put right in front of our eyes.

During my hike in the reserve, I did see some friends and took time to chat, and I did get from Point A back to Point A. But, I was there to see God’s creations in a more intimate presence. I was not let down. God provides.

When you let God’s masterpiece of nature encapsulate your eyes and mind, it can transcend you into a world of serenity. The complexities of life will take pause and let you breathe in a fresh and ever changing world of God’s awesomeness.

You don’t really need to take a hike in the woods, God’s intimate presence is all around you.

To view a collection of what I encountered, click on www.crainialeakage.blogspot.com

2007-04-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Do Not be Fooled

There is an old saying, ‘A fool and his gold are soon parted’.

“No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come--- neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows. What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch!” -MARK 13: 32 & 37

The past few weeks, we have been witness to several traumatic events that have shaken the lives of many people. Time will be needed to go through the needed grieving process, seek comfort, find strength and gain courage to move on.

There were three (why do bad things seem to come in threes?) tragedies that took place in that past few weeks that dramatically changed or will change people’s lives.

In a supposedly joking way, (which it definitely was not) a radio personality, referred to a group of student athletes, to his listening audience, as a group of natty haired hos. As a result of his repulsive remark, he was fired from his job. His attempt to proclaim his extreme sorrow for what he said, and the asking of forgiveness appeared to fall on deaf ears. Although his words did not speak to actually destroy anyone it killed his way of life.

A few days ago a well known celebrity’s voicemail message he had left for his daughter, was somehow sent to the media and played on national airwaves. The content of his message was so full of hatred and threats to his child that, this already strained relationship may have been permanently killed. It is too early to say if this will be the case, but much damage has been done.

The third and most violent tragedy was the killings at Virginia Tech. Simply horrific.

A few days after the Virginia Tech massacre, I had the opportunity to talk with a group of middle school youth about their feelings and how it had affected them. During our talk, one of the students said that, maybe this was their (the victim’s) destiny, that God knows when each person is going to die.

Is it our destiny of when, where and how we die? Does God control everything we do? God does KNOW everything we do, say and what we think, but to say that God controls our every step would be to make God out as a puppet master and not as the Divine Creator. He created us in his own image and also gave us a mind to use with rules on how to use it. But, you and I both know of another old saying, “rules are made to be broken”.

Do we have the ability to learn from our mistakes, our tragedies? Is it fair to lose a job for saying something that was not meant to physically harm anyone? Can there be help for reconciliation and forgiveness from strained relationships? Could the results from our actions during the Virginia Tech massacre be an omen for something that is right in front of our face? History can and does repeat itself. What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch! Your life is golden. Do not be fooled!

2007-04-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

From That Moment

“My mind is clearer now.” These are the opening words to the 1973 rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar”. My high school friend and I went to see this movie event when it first came out. When it was over, we and everyone else in attendance left the theater in silence. Not until Mel Gibson’s “the Passion” came out, have I witnessed this type of reaction to a movie about Jesus’ life. Though there were many people and organizations and churches that did not care for the way in which Christ’s story is told, to me it spoke volumes. Ever since I obtained a VHS tape of this movie, and now DVD, I have watched it every year during Lent. Each time I have watched it, something new is learned about my faith in God. Tonight is the night before Good Friday, and come Sunday, those who attend church will be there to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It will be a festive day and many people will gather with their families to eat and enjoy each other’s company. To many this is the most exciting and meaningful day of our Christian heritage. It is exciting to me too, but not the most meaningful. The meaningfulness of Christ’s life and what it means to me, comes on Friday night, on the cross, Just before Jesus’ last breath.

In the movie, the last words that Jesus speak are, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Let that sink in and what that represents to you and I, and everyone else.

We can’t be for certain what words Jesus really spoke, but his actions surely define it. It is from that moment, with that faith in God’s hands, God’s word would become true with a renewed life of the resurrected Jesus Christ.

A new life given to all, that we ceremoniously celebrate on Easter Sunday and give praise to every day of the year.

This new life could only have happened when Jesus gave his life and everything in it, to God. That is when his faith in God and love for us took all the sins in this world and sacrificed them on the cross, so that our lives would be forgiven and made new.

Our lives are full of crosses to bare and sometimes our strength becomes too weak and our backs turn from God’s hands. But, God’s hands never close and when you turn around and reach out, you will find his love there to embrace you and cleanse your spirit.

Several years ago a traumatic experience happened to me and my life was forever changed. I could not understand how evilness had come, the way it did, and throw its weight around, crushing hopes and dreams. I went through a personal crucifixion, and the cross was heavy and the pain was deep. For a time after that, my back turned from God’s hand. When I finally started seeking his guidance, I was amazed at how meaningful he spoke, through his messengers. My spirit started mending and new paths of purpose began to be lighted. The road is a work in progress and I hope the end is far off.

Several weeks ago I was involved in a 30 hour famine during a weekend of mission activities. The famine ended with sharing of communion. As I took the bread and dipped it into the cup, I looked up at the wooden cross and gave thanks to God for what he had given me, and letting me take part in this mission. It was then, that I could feel the warmth of Christ’s Spirit embrace me in a way that warmed my entire body. I knew from that moment, that my life had been renewed from death.

Jesus is our greatest teacher, and what he taught us is, in order for us to gain the life God wants us to have, we must be willing to sacrifice the life that we have, put it in God’s hands, and to him, commend our spirit. When you do, your life will be renewed, from that moment.

2007-03-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Can You Be A Believer of GOD Without Going To Church?

TIMOTHY 3:14,15 “As I write this letter to you, I hope to come and see you soon. But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

During a short conversation, a friend expressed a belief in God, but didn’t see it necessary to go to church. My friend, who had volunteered at a local medical establishment, to help those in need, felt it was a calling from God.

This friend asked how I felt, that, as long as a person believed in God and tried to live life helping others and by being a good person, going to church was not that important. Since we didn’t have adequate time to talk, I asked if it would be ok to try and answer this question in my INNERQUEST letter. It was agreed on.

My first questions to my friend and to those who feel the same is, “How did you come to believe in God and how have you grown in that relationship? Can you fully understand the Bible and how it relates to your life? Can you grasp the full meaning of why God sent his Son, Jesus to us and then sacrificed his life so that we may live? Do you know what Jesus is asking of you? If you love your family and enjoy those times together, eating, playing, teaching and helping your children grow, sharing life stories, helping each other, being there in times of turmoil, comforting each other in times of loss, why then, would you deny yourself that same type of relationship and growth with your Christian brothers and sisters in God’s family?

Everything we have learned to do in our lives comes from some type of education, through the teachings of one or more people. Everything. Most of our religious education and evangelical training comes from the church and its people. It is also where we come together in fellowship to praise and worship the Lord, as one body, to bond with each other in the Spirit of Christ Jesus, and to strengthen our lives in all that we say and do, for the glory of the Lord. Being active in a church and its mission should be part of your devotion to God. MATTHEW 19:20 For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them

EPHESIANS 4:11-13 It was he who “gave the gifts to mankind”; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ. And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God;

We have been given these gifts from God in proportion to what Christ has given. If we chose to live our lives apart from one another, then we weaken the body and starve the mind of what is needed to become a whole person of God, and a unified body of Christ, with one Spirit and one hope to which God has called you. ( based on EPHESIANS 4: 4,7)

You can believe and prove a building exists, but it would not be of use to the world if it were left to just a belief.

2007-03-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

Oy vey!

Previously on 24/7... BIG G: “David, my son. That’s why I am here. I’m worried about you” DAVID: “What have I done?” BIG G: “It’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you’re not doing!”...
MOTHER: “Try calling it snow. It will make for better songs.” BIG G: “OK. But, this snow keeps on melting.” MOTHER: “That’s because of all the hot air you have left over from the tropics. I’ll take care of that. It’s in my nature.” BIG G: “Thanks Mother.”

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock...

BIG G: “Hey Mother! Do you think I made enough snow this year?” MOTHER: “Well, let’s just say, when it comes to making blizzards, Dairy Queen falls quite short of your expertise.”
BIG G: “Oh goody! There goes little Al again.” MOTHER: “What’s he doing now? Oh my, he isn’t so little any more.” BIG G: “I wondered where you put that tropical breeze... Now, he’s traveling all over the place, trying to expel a lot of it and calling it global warming.” MOTHER: “He sure gets all riled up about it too. That must take a lot of energy.” BIG G: “Not to worry. He seems to have quite a bit, back at his humble abode... But, for some reason he thinks people have caused the world to get hotter. Oh, look a snowman!.. All I did was crank up the sun a notch. You’d think they would have noticed with all those fancy, smancy gadgets, they have now.”

MOTHER: “So, what else is going on?” BIG G: “Well, It seems there are people saying they will blow themselves up to please me. And, they are blowing others up that didn’t ask to be, just because they’re in Fidel.” MOTHER: “Where’s Fidel?” BIG G: “ I believe out west...I’ve looked all through my records and can’t find anywhere where I said to do anything like that, at all. Plus, they think by doing that, they will be given many gifts when they come to my house. MOTHER: “Sounds like they need to read your book again.” BIG G: “And to understand about Heaven, and the road to it.”

MOTHER: “What are the leaders doing?” BIG G: “Good question. Remember when Matthew wrote about Junior’s charitable message; ‘But when you give to someone in need, don’t let the left hand know what your right hand is doing.’.. Well, it seems the right hand has its fingers crossed and the left hand keeps hopping in and out of many pockets.”
And, the people seem to be staging a mass exodus and taking the bull by the horns and reliving the golden days in the desert.” MOTHER: “Holy Moses!” BIG G: “I hear ya. And I had a long talk with him on that mountain. You should have seen the fire in his eyes.” MOTHER: I did, but he looked so bushed when you were done with your commands.” BIG G: I know. That’s why I told him to take those two tablets and call me in the morning.” MOTHER: “Looks like a few more tablets are needed.” BIG G: “The first two were plenty, if taken whole, with food.” MOTHER: “And Junior fed them plenty.” BIG G: “Yeah, but you know how kids are, when the parents aren’t looking they hide what they don’t want under their plates.” MOTHER: “And now they look so hungry. Should we send Junior back and feed them some more? BIG G: “The food is there and it will never go stale, but he can’t force them to eat. Maybe, Junior should go clean up and bring his children home. What’s left on the timer?” MOTHER: “It’s still ticking. Maybe you should send them another sign, first.” BIG G: “Yeah, like the one that said, ‘Don’t make me come down there!’... Oy vey!” Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock...

LUKE 4:12 Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

2007-02-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

The Stage Is Set

“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,...” - William Shakespeare

There are at least 140 reality shows currently being aired on TV, via regular broadcast, cable or by satellite. After seeing a variety of these shows, I believe ‘reality’ should be excluded from their description, since the word reality is defined as something being a real thing or actual fact. Maybe ‘surreal’ would be a better word to use, because of the bizarre nature of many of these shows. Is TV a reflection of what we’ve evolved into, or are we becoming what we see on the tube?

What IS real and rather frightening is the attitude and actions our society has evolved into over the past few decades. Political correctness is at a level of absurdity; Have we become too scared to say or do anything of merit, because it may result in a law suit or being ousted from a group, or worse; because it may offend someone? Celebrity values are overtaking the minds and actions of way too many people. The media has lost its focus on how to report factual information. Elected officials across this vast land of ours have become so divided in their convoluted use, or should I say abuse, of power, that they have made a mockery of our Pledge of Allegiance. I wonder if the sanity in this country of ours can be regained and strengthened, so that we can honestly say, “One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

That first Pledge of Allegiance, from September 8, 1892 read: “I pledge allegiance to my flag, and the republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

This pledge went through some refinement over the years, and on June 14, 1954, the last change occurred when President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved adding the words “under God.” He authorized this change and said. “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”

Our pledge since then has said, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Like many strong family units, the big brother is looked upon for guidance and strength, by his siblings. America is the ‘big brother’ to many others in this world, but our ability is weakening because of the deterioration of our pledge and the alienation of God’s existence in our lives as a country. If this was a reality show, we’d be lost and in need of heroes, but content with idols. Are we too focused on the death of a celebrity, instead of the possible death of a nation?

The stage is set and the curtain is up. The performance of our lives is at hand. Reaffirm God’s place in our lives and transcend that religious faith in America’s heritage and for its future. Strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace, which we want, and war, which we are in.

2007-01-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

God’s Blanket

Rushing here, rushing there,
no time to rest, no time to spare.
Always wishing, always dreaming,
never living, never beaming.

Temperatures rising from with-in
fighting sickness, cannot win.
Freezing cold, freezing rain,
canceled functions, life’s a pain.

Where’s the vision, where’s the light,
where’s the answers, out of sight?
Too much worry, too much stress,
so many directions, so much mess.

It came so quickly, it piled so deep
it stopped the moving, it let us sleep.
Working’s stunted, studies halted,
Oh, for so many, God is exalted.

God’s blanket was needed, it came just in time,
to slow down the pace and give rest to the mind.
At first it did bother, until those who could see,
God gave us a present, so priceless and free.

We slid on its surface, its depths we would dive,
we rolled it, we threw it, it brought us alive.
We ate it, we packed it, we shoveled it high,
we laid on our backs and gave a big sigh.

The noises were muffled, our visions were brightened,
was God’s blanket to us, here to enlighten?
Amid all this chaos, could there be a cease?
Look out your window and there you’ll find peace.

Take off what blinds you, let go of the pain,
take in God’s treasures, there is everything to gain.
God’s blanket came to stop us and let us restart.
Embrace what is given, let it come from the heart.

2007-01-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

THAT LIFE FOREVER

Welcome to 2007! By now, I imagine that many New Years resolutions have been made, and sadly many of those resolutions have once again been broken. Or, on their way to be short lived goals.

PROVERBS 20:25 Think carefully before you promise an offering to God. You might regret it later.

For several years now I have not made a new years resolution, for the simple reason that most resolutions do not offer a change to who the person is, just to a habit we want to quit. I wanted something more. I needed something that would take command of my life in a positive way, that would not only benefit me but to those around me.

In a local newspaper last Sunday (New Years Eve) several people were asked if they made resolutions. The first person’s reply hit it right on the head, for me. This lady responded by saying, that as a child of God, she always strove and tried to grow in her walk with the Lord.

Yes! That was it! It wasn’t a resolution, it was a commitment. A commitment to grow in communion with Christ. It is not a yearly commitment, it is a daily commitment. Each day offers new challenges and the possibilities of doing things right or doing them wrong. And, like any other person who breathes on this earth, doing things right is not always accomplished.

There are days when my communion with the Lord is like being at the opposite end of a long table, with all the nourishment at the Lord’s end of the table, while I am left with stale bread and an empty cup. But, when I am on the right course, the table is gone and I can feel the presence of the Lord around me, and all that I hunger is gone.

Every day I hope to grow more and more in communion with Christ, realizing that some days I may end up a bit hungry, but I will not give up. It is worth much more than any New Years resolution.

Below is a song I composed back on January 2, 2001. It is my prayer to God, and hope for all.

Life Forever

“I want to live life, just as you lived life,
my life as your life, that life forever.

You gave your all to save all the people,
your life for their life, your life forever.

The strength you showed us, led to believing,
all the we can do, just by receiving.

All that we must do, is put all our faith in
all that you say, to make our lives win.

You make the sun shine, clear all the gray skies,
you breathe new life in to those you hear cry.

Lead us from darkness, show us the pathway,
light up our own eyes to see the right way.

If we do wander, please come and find us,
we need your guidance, someone we can trust.

I want to live life, just as you lived life,
my life as your life, that life forever.

You gave your all to save all the people,
your life for their life, your life forever.”

Amen

2006-12-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

Twas The Night Of A New Birth
(adapted from two Christmas classics)

Twas the night of a new birth, the Messiah, they say
would this be the king, that will lead us some day?
The sheep were all scattered and running amok
with hopes for a shepherd, to guide their wild flock.

While many had settled for life that was poor,
others still prayed for a life that held more.
I picked up my drum and tapped out a beat,
and followed the seekers, without shoes on my feet.

I wondered in silence, which way we should go,
then along came these wise men, and they seemed to know.
These sages had come from near and afar,
and seemed to be following this bright shining star.

I walked up behind them, to my drum gave a tap ,
and noticed these men had gifts in their wrap.
“Oh no!” I whispered, as I grabbed my cloak’s string.
What should I do? I have nothing to bring.

With no coins to spend on something of worth,
I wish I had something to bring to this birth.
Maybe I’ll find a gift on the way,
and what of its cost? I have nothing to pay.

The night had grown longer with no end in sight,
but I never gave up as we walked to the light.
The animals followed, as if they knew too,
that this night was special, with something anew.

At the top of a hill the wise men looked down,
to see crowded houses in a dimly lit town.
Is this the place to which we might see,
the birth of a child, come to set us all free?

We entered the gates and saw many men,
waiting outside the town’s only Inn.
The Innkeeper said there wasn’t room for this stranger,
try looking out back in a shabby old manger.

There in the field was a small wooden place,
where we first laid our eyes on his beautiful face.
The parents were kneeling, by their new baby boy,
you could see in their eyes of this wonderful joy.

Still without gift, I had only my drum,
so I started to play, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.
The soft gentle sound had calmed down the sheep,
and the little boy, Jesus, was soon fast asleep.

This is the child, come from God up above,
he came not to judge, but to give out his love.
And I thought of God’s promise as I laid by the stall,
there’s good news to tell, and new life for all.

2006-12-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

A GIFT FOR LIFE

Every year many people gather together as friends and as families to celebrate Christmas. We spend an unbelievable amount of money to buy gifts, that we hope will bring joy and happiness to the ones we give to. And, like many of us, we also receive gifts in return.

After that day of celebration is over there is usually a feeling of satisfaction on what was given and received. There is also the feeling of relief that the shopping frenzy is over, except maybe the tens of thousands of gifts that are returned or exchanged the next day or soon after, for one reason or another.

Ah, Christmas, that glorious time when retailers hope to see their businesses gain enough sales profit to once again be free and clear of debt. Most notably, the notorious ‘BLACK FRIDAY’. The day after Thanksgiving, where countless mobs of shopping maniacs start the day earlier than most people start on a normal day, just to get the most sought after and precious gifts, thus putting retailers, hopefully, in the black, financially.

I have mixed feelings about how we celebrate Christmas. I do enjoy giving gifts to my family and friends and I also enjoy receiving gifts as well. However, I do not participate in Black Friday (for my own sanity, and the enjoyment of sleeping off the turkey day’s gluttony of food intake), and I hope that what I give or receive does not need to be exchanged or returned for one reason or another.

Another part of me sees and honors the part of Christmas, that Christians all over the world recognize as the birth of Jesus. It is that gift from God that brings to us a gift so perfect, so valuable, and so beneficial to our everyday lives, that words cannot always explain the joyfulness and happiness that is gained through receiving of it. How much did God spend on this gift to us? EVERYTHING he had. And it was all out of love for each and every one of us. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.” JOHN 3:16, 17

It is in the book of Genesis chapter 5, where it is said, when God created human beings, he made them like himself, that I would like to give my thanks to the special gifts we’ve been given:

To all the parents and to all the families and friends who helped in the raising of the men and women who serve in our country’s military, may God bless you. May God bless the parents who gave the lives of their children, so that we may continue to enjoy life. May God bless all of those in the military who give their lives or who have given their lives, so that ours might be saved.

When we begin to understand God’s greatest gift to man and what that means to us, we may also begin to see where images of God are alive within us and are at work, not to judge us, but to preserve life, from the evils of this world.

2006-11-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

Have You Settled?

For the past twelve weeks I have been involved in a study using the book of ACTS as our guide. During that time, many questions have been raised about one’s relationship with God. One question that has stuck in my mind is, “Am I settled in my faith?”

I thought back to the time I was baptized, as part of my confirmation class’s graduation ceremony. I was in ninth grade and, along with the rest of my class, was baptized in front of our congregation during the main Sunday morning worship service.

How did that change my life? I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and vowed the two great commandments, “I shall love the Lord, thy God, with all my mind, with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul. I shall love my neighbor as myself.” But in truth, I felt no spiritually different from the moment before I was baptized.

Even though I felt little change, I did want to become a better Christian. To build my relationship with God, I became involved, as a student, in church activities and after graduating became even more involved. As time went on, my relationship with God was like riding a cork screw roller coaster, gradually climbing upward anticipating the excitement of reaching the summit. With my hands raised high I could feel the awesomeness of being on top of the world. Then...
The real truth of the world appeared to me as I soon discovered that there were forces ready, willing and able to bring me down. And down I came, very, very fast. No longer were my hands raised freely in the air but grabbing onto anything that I felt could keep me secure. This roller coaster had some rough twists that I was totally not prepared for. While others around me seemed to be gliding on a comfortable ride, I felt like mine was just warming up, and wondered if there was ever going to be a smooth ride for me.

It wasn’t until a series of traumatic experiences, in a beastly part of my roller coaster adventure, that I was forced to change seats and experience my spiritual ride from a different perspective. Then, I began to see why my ride felt so different. EPHESIANS 6:12,13 “For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.”

I have chosen to take on whatever my wicked roller coaster tries to defeat my will with. I was already doing just that, but it wasn’t until a change in seats and a better understanding of what I possess, that it became clear. I will not settle for a smooth ride, because that will not strengthen my spirit or my faith, and it would not fulfill God’s will for me. I am excited and look forward to the rest of my ride, with hands raised high!

How is your ride? Have you settled for a smooth safe ride or chosen to wear God’s armor and experience the ride of a lifetime?

2006-10-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

GOD DOES NOT APPEASE!

PSALMS 33:10-12 The LORD frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans. But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.
Happy is the nation whose God is LORD: happy are the people he has chosen for his own!

Dear Friends,
We are living in biblical times. Every day we see more and more of the evil spirit dividing and concurring the ways in which God had intended us to live. We have only ourselves to blame.

At a time when more and more people are seeking a more spiritual life, which God has given freely for us to embrace, we are also facing the demoralization of society and the possible total destruction of who we are.

Instead of standing firm on the rock and defending God’s WORD, we have let our feet slide into the sand, where the weight of the world’s corruption has driven our lives deeper and deeper into an unforgiving pit. We have only ourselves to blame.

Instead of putting an end to the tyranny, unconscious behavior, destructive divisiveness and wayward living, we have found it better to appease those who see life differently.

By giving in to the demands of others, so as to bring some type of peaceful resolution, we are slowly, bit by bit, giving away all that we have, which makes us who we are.

God wants us to give freely to those who need our help, and find ways to bring all people together, and to grow in a way that reflects the teachings of Jesus. But, one thing must be made clear: GOD DOES NOT APPEASE! God does not give in to those who use their free will to do things that go against the laws God gave to us. God will not amend His rules! God will not let those into his Kingdom to live their lives the way they want to live. ISAIAH 31:2 He knows what he is doing! He sends disaster. He carries out his threats to punish evil men and those who protect them.

As Christians we are witnesses for God, through the following of Jesus, His son. We must be strong and resilient to the evils of this world. To give in to the demands of our enemy, no matter how small, will only strengthen the grip the enemy has on our human bodies and minds.

Satan will come at us from every angle imaginable, most of it so small we rarely see it. No place is unpenetrable, not even a church.

You must understand that evil will not change either, But evil will show itself in a way that is misleading in order to capture you through any weakness in your armor, thus taking control of your life.

Let God be your armor and do battle with the evil spirit. GOD DOES NOT APPEASE!

2006-10-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

Is The Spirit Missing?

ACTS 1: 7,8 Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to then ends of the earth.”

Dear friends,
Nearly two weeks ago a 15 year old girl, from Kettering, OH was reported missing. Please pray for her safe return, and for her parents, family, and community of friends.

Below is a link you can copy and paste to your internet, so that you can get a full description of who she is, and what actions you can take. Her name is Emily Smitley.

http://LinkTiles.com/profile_missing.php?i=NCMC1054856

Words cannot express what a parent goes through when a child of theirs becomes missing. It is like a vital part of your being has been removed and you feel incomplete. Every ounce of strength you have and every waking moment is devoted to finding your lost child. Using every possible resource, the hope is to save the child and bring them home.

Can you imagine what God must feel when one of his children becomes missing? What resources does he use to find those that are lost?

The children of God I am referring to are not those that are physically missing from God’s sight, or ours. These are people who believe in God and attend church services and may also do other activities affiliated through the church, but for some reason a part of what makes them a child of God has become missing.

It is real easy through the course of time to let the comfort of our surroundings and traditions take control of how we believe or want our ‘church’ lives to be led. When we do that, we end up losing the very essence of God’s life in us. We lose the spirit of God’s purpose. We keep the Holy Spirit from entering our souls and letting that Spirit be our guide and strength.

Is the Spirit missing from you? What resources are you using and are you truly devoted into wanting the Holy Spirit to come be with you and make you whole?

Jesus said we WILL be his witnesses, but we cannot let the Spirit go missing if we are to fulfill God’s purpose.

My prayers are with Emily and all the other Emily’s, that they may be found and reunited with their families. My prayers are also with those who are missing their Spirit, that they too may find what has been lost and be reunited with God’s family. Both will take time, and we need to pray and give what is not in our control to the hands of authority, God.

2006-09-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

REACH FOR THE SUMMIT

“I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest ability who was willing to work hard and had the necessary imagination and determination.” - Sir Edmund Hillary, On reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, March 23, 1953 It was only the beginning of a lifetime of service to others.

1 CORINTHIANS 9:22b,23 So, I became all things to all men, that I may save some of them by whatever means possible. All this I do for the gospel’s sake, in order to share in its blessings.

There is a sense of awesomeness and exhilaration when a mountaineer reaches the summit of a mountain. But, before that can be experienced, much planning, preparation, training and commitment must be done before the apex can be reached.

After such an emotional trek, time is needed to rest, reflect and gather in what has been learned, so that the following journeys will have the ability to reach their own magnitude of celebration.

There are many summits reached and celebrated in the life of the church body as well. When a young person finishes the confirmation process and comes before the congregation and professes his or her love of God and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, and is then baptized, a summit has been reached. The new follower of Christ, the parents, pastor and congregation are as one, in the moment of an amazingly glorious time. You can feel the Holy spirit flow through you veins.

Anyone who has come back from a successful work camp, mission trip or spiritual retreat has a certain glow about them. You know that their lives were changed, and it is reflected in there excitement of retelling their ‘Story’.

Building projects, mission projects, musical cantatas, plays, special dinners and programs all have their own pinnacles. Even the weekly services and classes have their own peaks to reach. And, they all share a common thread. They all take planning, preparation, training and commitment. There is also the needed time to rest, reflect back and gather in what has been learned, so, that more people will be given the opportunity to be part of a summit celebration.

It is important that the church keep a focus on where these mountains are to be reached, and that there is the needed commitment by its leaders to prepare its people for these treks. It is those mountains and journeys, that give strength to the times in between and the hunger for reaching a part of God’s ultimate summit, when we can physically and spiritually feel God’s presence.

With its diversity of people and their God given talents, a church can reach out to all people, and with even the modest of abilities, imagination, determination, commitment and enthusiasm, help others climb their own mountains and reach for the summit. All for the gospel’s sake.

“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.
And I don't mind.” - Martin Luther King, Jr, 3 April 1968

2006-09-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

A TIME FOR EVERYTING
(taken from IQ#30 2/3/01)

BIG G: “Mother, I have to go down stairs again!”
Mother: “What for this time?”
BIG G: “Oh, one of the boys needs a little boost. I won’t be gone long.”
Mother: “I hope not. You promised to fix that crack in the globe for me.”
BIG G: “And I will. Have I ever failed to keep my promise?”
Mother: “No, but you did take over 40 days and nights to stop that water
problem.”
BIG G: “Yes, I know That. But! I did make sure all were pre-paired.”
Mother: “That you did...Ok. Go do what you must do.”
................................
BIG G: “David!”
David: “Yes. Who is it?”
BIG G: “It is I.”
David: “OH-MY-GOD!”
BIG G: “Yes,I AM.”
David: “JESUS CHRIST!”
BIG G: “That’s my boy!... He may be by later. He’s over in Spain delivering
a pair of bulls...Ha,ha,ha. I just love tellin’ that one.”
David: “What?”
BIG G: “David, my son. That’s why I am here. I’m worried about you.”
David: “What have I done?”
BIG G: “It’s not what you’ve done. It’s what your not doing!”
David: “I don’t understand.”
BIG G: “Let me ask you this. How do like to make people feel?”
David: “Well, I...want to make them happy.”
BIG G: “And what do you do to make them feel happy?”
David: “I try to do things for them, help them out in whatever they need...Being
nice to them.”
BIG G: “What else?”
David: “Uh...I try to show them the way to you.”
BIG G: “That’s good. But! What is it that you have always said you like to do?”
David: “......Make people laugh?”
BIG G: “N-29...BINGO!! We have a winner!” And for answering the BIG Q, we have these
lovely gifts chosen just for you....Paul, bring down those gifts for David,
will you? Paul? Paul?....Oh, you’ll have to excuse Paul, he’s busy writing
letters to all his friends... I tell ya, that Paul, you ask him to write a
few simple notes and he ends up writing books.

Anyway. David, where’s the laughter? I always look forward to hearing what
you come up with that make people get the giggles. Why are you being so
serious? You’re bumming me out, man.”
David: “I don’t know. I’ve been so hung up on what I need to do, that everything
else has taken a back seat. And just when I thought I had it figured out, I
messed it up.”
BIG G: “Did it ever occur to you that you were already doing what you need to do?”
David: “I guess so...But. I knew there was more for me to do and I kept asking for
help.”
BIG G: “And it was given to you.”
David: “I realize that. But, I didn’t do it right.”
BIG G: “That’s ok. You’re forgiven. It’s time to move on. Use what’s been given to
you. If you’re not sure how to use it, then ask. Help will be provided. If
you make a mistake, don’t dwell on it and don’t just shove it under the rug,
either. Identify it, discuss it and learn from it. You’ll find the answers.

Look at the Bible. All the answers are in there and it’s full of peoples
mistakes. That’s why, for thousands of years, people have been reading it,
discussing it and learning from it.”
David: “I’m trying, but instead of making people laugh, I’ve made them cry. Talking
has been tough and I feel so pressed for time. It hasn’t been easy”
BIG G: “If it was easy, what would you learn? There is a reason for everything that
happens, be it good or bad. There’s a time for tearing down and a time for
mending up. There’s a time for silence and a time for talk. There’s a time
to cry and a time to laugh.....Hmmm, I think that would make for a nice
song, wouldn’t you?”
David: “Someone already turned it into song.”
BIG G: “Oh, yes. You’re quite right...Kind of has a scriptural flare to it
too....Saaay. I get it! Someone already TURNed it into a song. See? You have
a little life left in the humor department....Hey! Are you hungry? I have a
lot of corn here. You want some? You can share it with your friends.”
David: “ That’s ok. My friends are up to their ears in corn from me.”
BIG G: “Well, shucks...So, David let me ask you. How do you feel now?”
David: “I feel a little better. Not quite at full strength, but better.”
BIG G: “That’s good. You have a lot to give and there is love in your heart. I know
because I put it there. Use it wisely. Be true to yourself , your friends
and whomever you meet. Remember, what you say and do has an effect on
others.”
David: “I read something about that last week and I have learned from it.”
BIG G: “Great! Now, I must go mend a few other problems.”
David: “Ok. Thanks! I’ll see ya around.”
BIG G: “Yes, you will...And David!”
David: “What?”
BIG G: “When your smiling, when your smiling, the whole world smiles with you.”

ECCLESIASTES 3:9-13 What do we gain from all our work? I know the heavy burdens that God has laid upon us. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us the desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. So I realized that all we can do is be the best we can while we are still alive. All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift.

2006-09-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

A Friend's Greatest Gift

JOHN 15:13-15 The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them. And you are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. Instead I call you friends, because I have told you everything I heard from my Father.

Are you willing to give your life for a friend? Whom do you call a friend?

If you have listened to Jesus, then you will realize why he calls you his friend. My question to you is, "How can you be a friend to Jesus?"

MATTHEW 25:38-40 When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you into our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you? The King will reply, "I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!"

Political Correctness, lawsuits at the drop of a hat, prejudging, fear of public reaction or loss of job or life. These are conditions we live in today. No wonder we can’t follow, or even attempt to walk, in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. We have immobilized ourselves from enjoying one of the greatest treasures we have in this world, the freedom to love and be loved. I’m not talking the romantic, heart thumping, clammy hands, head over heels affection for another person, I’m talking the type of love one shows by doing for others without the want or need of it being returned.

We are isolating ourselves from each other, and worse, we are teaching the young that it is better to have a cold heart than a warm soul.

It is bad enough in the secular world, but when churches, that are ordained to teach the laws of God and His love, through His Son, Jesus, become sterile in their compassion toward their own members, it is completely disheartening.

A person’s spiritual growth is a lifelong process that clarifies itself through acts giving. If we continue to prohibit or greatly discourage, and punish such acts, then we are turning our backs on the teachings of Jesus.

If Jesus came back today, he would once again be thrown into jail for crossing the line. Headlines will read, "JC isn’t PC. Suit to follow. He may get Life. Vote on line now."

And you know what? Jesus will stay true to His word, God’s word, and GIVE his life, because he loves us that much. He is that kind of friend. Willing to sacrifice all he has, so that our lives will be better.

RU4 JC or PC? Your answer, your actions, will determine our growth, our fate.

2006-08-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

GIVE YOUR STRENGTH TO GOD

2 TIMOTHY 3:12 “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted; and evil persons and imposters will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

...Remember, that all through history, the way to truth and love has always won. Tyrants and murderers, for a time, they seem invincible, but, in the end they always fall... Think about it....Always.
- Mohandas K. Gandhi

I just finished reading the book “99 Annoying Attributes of God” by Ray Albrekson, Janet Kobobel, Grant Alan, Gary Stanley and Kirsten Wilson. It is a collection of what the writers consider to be, well, annoying attributes of God. Most of the 99 attributes are backed up by scripture to give us a clearer view of why we don’t always see eye to eye with God.

I have been having a lot of conversations with God Lately that concern my pent up anger towards people who have hurt my family in one way or another. Not physically, mind you, but emotionally, verbally and spiritually. My main questions for God is how to best address the issue of wrongful persecution. The internet, gossipers, people with grudges and just plain mean spirited people can cause a great deal of damage just by opening their mouths and swaying others to chip in with this type of abuse.

Why do some people feel it is necessary to inflict malicious behavior on someone else? Is it because they feel inferior and need to shoot down someone else because of that person’s success? Is it because they have this fear of not knowing what the other person intends to do, so they do whatever is needed to stop the other person, whether the reasons are just or not.

It doesn’t matter where you work, where you live, or what organizations you belong to, there will most likely be people that don’t like what you do, say or wear and they will eventually spew out venomous accusations to others about you in hopes of you being labeled as a bad person.

So, what is the answer? What does God want us to do? In the scripture above it says we should remain truthful to what we were taught as a child. Can we do this? What about the people who have caused this harm? Is Gandhi correct?

It takes great strength to keep true. Give that strength to God and let Him take control.

2006-08-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

CAN WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT?

GALATIONS 5:16-18, 19a, 20b, 21b, 22, 23 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means you cannot do what you want to do. If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the law. 19a What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy and in indecent actions. 20b People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups. 21b I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.

22, 23 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

A pastor posed a question to the congregation: “What do most people look for in a church?”

For a long time I have asked myself this same question: What am I looking for in a church? And, What can I do in a church to help others find what they are looking for? I believe the questions are very easy to answer, by following verse 22, and living out those actions with sincerity. But, in reality, anything worthy of God’s blessing does not come easy.

God should be at the center of any church’s life. The style in which we worship, serve, and minister to others can only be worthy if we let God’s Spirit guide us in all that we do.

A church’s direction doesn’t come easy either. Every church has its share of conflicts in carrying out its ministry, most are small and are eventually resolved. However, some conflicts have been known to get so large that they engulf many people and in the end, deep wounds are left. If a church’s conflicts become more prevalent, the focus on its true ministry can suffer greatly, and that can only lead to the destruction of the church body.

When God is left out of any conflict in the church, how can anything be resolved? Worse is when scripture is used out of context to help some feel better of themselves. It is easy to let our own need for control to take over, when in fact, we should go to God and ask his guidance.

Our human nature is always there, ready to take control of our actions, our reactions and our convictions. That is why we need to keep God at the center of ALL things. God is patient and can teach us all we need to know, so that our lives will grow in the spirit of God’s will for us.

To live in the Spirit of Christ, we must be willing to let that Spirit take control of our minds and our bodies. Living out our lives with that Spirit within us will give the church a life that I want to be a part of. Where the church goes from there is in God’s hands.

Can we live by the Spirit?

John

2006-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

TEMPLE MAINTENANCE

MATTHEW 24:2 “Yes,” he said, “You may well look at all these. I tell you this: not a single stone here will be left in its place; every one of them will be thrown down.”

As Jesus told them about the fate of the temple, He went on to say how false prophets will mislead others to destruction. Fighting will break out in countries and kingdoms and famines of all kinds will wreak havoc over the world. All this must happen, but it will not end the world. Those who do not lose their faith and hold strong will be saved.

Today, we each have a temple that we are in charge of. The maintenance and care given to this temple will decide not only its fate, but the fate of its contents as well. As with all structures, nothing lasts forever. Time will eventually take its toll on our temples and their use will be over. However, if we have maintained our temple and its contents to the best of our abilities, a new life will have been saved.

How we treat our bodies (our temple) throughout our lives is dependent on the strength we carry inside this temporary frame. We must have faith that is based on the strengthening and building of every aspect of our selves. Our belief system must also be able to fend off the outside forces that constantly try to break through our barriers, so that they cannot weaken us with their false prophesies. If that were to happen, the temple and contents would soon fall

Sometimes, our bodies get penetrated by a disease, through no fault of our own, and our temple’s life span can be greatly reduced. With the help of many others and the strength of our own inner faith, we have been able to lengthen the temple’s life a little bit longer. How we have maintained our temple bodies throughout our lives will also have a great impact on the temple’s staying power.

My brother loved playing sports and other activities that required getting out of the chair or off the couch. Most of his life was spent doing physical activities. At the age of 37 he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, of which there is no known cure. He knew eventually that his lungs would become too contaminated with the disease to overcome, and that would be it.

His physical activity from that day of his diagnosis basically never changed. He kept his focus on doing all he could do and with the help of medications, medical people, family, teammates, coworkers, friends and his personal faith, he led a fun filled life.

Over the past year or so, the disease took a stronger hold on his body and on June 24th 2006, at the age of 54, my brother knew it was time to let his battered body go and gave himself back to God.

His pulmonary care giver told me afterwards, that it was because of all his activities that he was able to live so long. His determination to fight the insurmountable odds gave us all more time to enjoy his presence as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a teacher, a coach, a teammate and a friend.
I wonder how the effects of modern technology, which have drawn a lot of people away from physical activity, will affect the stability of people’s temples?

Why do people who profess a belief in God decide take their own lives, and others
as well, and say they are doing God’s will? I believe they have a big misconception on who God really is and what God wants from us.

And why do people do things to their bodies that can only lead to self destruction? My brother did not ask for this temple destroying disease . You may have a choice.

As with my brother, no disease or destructive forces have to be, or can be battled alone. God gave us each other to help in all that we can do, in keeping our temples strong and durable.

Temple maintenance, keep it active, keep it strong.

John (:-j

2006-06-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Cost of Free Will

The wonders and marvels of God’s creation is an endless amount of gifts to be thankful for. We have all been given so much, but rarely do we totally understand the significance in what God has bestowed upon us. There is an unseen possession we have, that we tend to take lightly. Until, that is, we do something, that causes us to lose it.

In God’s creation of man, we were given something no other life form was given; A mind to think and make our own decisions with. Our own free will.

Having that free will unleashes ourselves from the bonds of total compliance that all other life forms follow; being born, finding food, finding shelter, reproducing, then dying.

When a person gets old enough, their own personal decision making process begins to kick in, and if it is not controlled or maintained by the laws of God, family or society, disaster may rear its ugly head.

When you know someone who has used their free will to undermine all the good that has been given them, you can be left heartbroken.

As a loving and caring person you want to do anything you can to help someone who has become lost in the mayhem of self destruction. There is a willingness to sacrifice personal freedom in the hopes of saving another one’s life, but there are limits as to what can be done.

A person may be falling into a bottomless pit and you can see them and can reach out to them, but if their hands will not reach back, all your humanly efforts must be released to the grace of God.

This is not to say, that we only put our faith in God’s hands when all else fails. No, we should always have God in front, leading our lives in all that we do. But, there are those times when we have exhausted our own abilities and need to ask for God’s grace.

Pray for those who are lost and cannot see. Pray for all who seek God’s mercy. Pray for those who seek to do God’s will and not their own. Pray for your own strength that it will be just and mighty. Pray to God in thanksgiving for all you have been given and ask for guidance on how best to use these gifts.

ROMANS 9:16 So, then. everything depends, not on what man wants or does, but only on God’s mercy.

The cost of free will is your life and how you use it. May God bless all that you do.

2006-06-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD

There is a lot going on in our world right now that can really bring you down. Maybe too, in our personal lives, there are areas that we would like to do without, but we cannot always change what has been handed to us. We just need to find a way to let all that’s good be our strength for a better tomorrow. You might want to start by letting a little bit of God’s amazing creation re-enter your world.

Have you ever risen from a deep sleep, in the morning and breathe in the air that felt fresh and new, being welcomed to a day unlike the others. What a great way to start the day.

Driving down a country road in late summer, looking out into the wheat fields as the evening sun cast a golden hue onto the wind blown crops, and a gentle sigh eases out of your lips. Or, sit on a hillside and watch the slow moving billowy white clouds, against a neon blue sky, float by.

When was the last time you sat on the porch or looked through a window and watched as it rained hard on every inch of land? How about listening to the thunderous roar of a spring thunderstorm with bolts of lightening shooting randomly across the sky.
Lay on a blanket underneath the crescent moon and gaze at the starlit night, and hopefully catch a glimpse of a shooting star as it speeds from one end of the horizon to the other.

Did you ever have a sleepless night where you tossed and turned and just wished something would come along to help ease your stressful slumber? Then, as you stare at the wall, an empty branches shadow is cast through your open window, from the moonlit night. As the night time breeze whispers in your ear, your eyes catch sight of the shadow that now looks like a long arm reaching in with its outstretched fingers, and it gently sways back and forth as if it’s a mother’s arm has come to caress your cheek and bring you comfort. You’re at peace now and your eyes close back to a more dreamful state.

It is very easy to see all of these wonderful displays of God’s artwork, but to take each one of them in and consume their total being and savor the smells, sounds and visions, is an experience that can bring a contented smile and warming shivers down your spine.

Our God is an awesome God and his natural wonders are here for us to enjoy and be a part of.

Slow down a little and take it in. Don’t miss it! You wont be disappointed.

What an awesome God!

2006-05-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

THE TIES THAT BIND

Traveling down the highway in a mountainous region can be very awe inspiring, when looking at all the rolling landscape. The forest's luscious green foliage appears to go on forever into the sky's horizon. A feeling of contentment comes over your soul as you travel in midst of God's green acres.

Upon further observation of the wooded area closer to the highway, the velvety look cascading down the thicket of trees, turns out to be a mass of vines that have grown to cover all the trees. From a distance, all looked well and beautiful, but from a closer view, certain death and destruction lay underneath.

The trees that grew up among the vines, shared the same home, and there, their roots were planted, grounding them firmly together, binding their lives forever.

Unfortunately, the vines long reach and vast coverage over all life below it, refused to let go of their power over the trees. The trees growth was stunted and in time did not have the strength to grow to their fullest potential. When new seasons came to mark the rebirth of new foliage, less and less could be seen coming from the hindered trees. Soon, these trees that shared the same home and deep roots were to weak to go on. What remained were lifeless bodies, hidden beneath deceptive beauty. A beauty, whose purpose remained constant, keeping all things within its reach from ever changing, ever evolving.

To those who chose to see only from a distance, saw nothing more than a velvety blanket cascading down the rolling hills. To those who looked beyond the surface, saw the truth that lay beneath. Our own lives can often reflect those of the stunted trees when we become shielded from the whole truth. If we only see what is shown to us from one view we may cheat ourselves out of a more flourishing life.

I read a quote the other day from a famous celebrity and it made a lot of sense. "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." A.J.

Sometimes, we need to reach beyond what we are accustomed to if we are to grow and become the most we can be. We were given great potential and how to live life to its fullest, if we are willing to look beyond the ties that bind our hopes and our dreams.

JOHN 8:31,32 So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

2006-05-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

WHEN IT"S NOT THERE

The following is taken from INNER QUEST #143 and is intended for young adults entering the new phase in their lives. It is also for those who are raising, teaching and guiding these young people.

JEREMIAH 29:11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for."

What do we do when it’s not there? What are we to do when the answers elude us?

What happens when the plans you’ve prepared for get changed? How do you feel when the hopes and dreams you’ve held onto appear to be no more than a wishful fantasy? And maybe the hardest question to answer; "How can I know where I am going if I don’t understand the path I’m already on?"

While you were growing up, parents and a few other people have had most of the control over what you learn, how you are to behave and what you can do. As time goes on some of those controls are given to you for you to make the decisions with. Then, there comes a point in time when you are totally in charge of all your directions. Based on your experiences growing up, you will either follow nearly the same guidelines or you will attempt to completely redirect yourself in what you think may give you a better life.

Making your own decisions on how you want to live the rest of your life is a right that is passed on to each generation. There are many roads to choose from and each road has many side streets, that could be shortcuts to your destination or they could be dead ends. What will you use for directions?

In JEREMIAH the scripture says that God alone knows the plans for you and that those plans are to lead you to prosperity and not disaster, along with a future you had hoped for. If your faith in God is strong, then you feel comfort in knowing that whatever comes your way and where you are led to is by God’s will, because you’ve put your trust in Him to give you the life He promised.

But, our faith can be very weak when it comes down to the reality of our physical world. When our faith is weak, doubt will raise its head and cover the directions we are to take, leaving us wandering on which road to take when the sign we are looking for is not there.

It’s not always easy taking directions, especially if we feel trapped by its guidelines. Some directions take a long time to understand where they are coming from and why. What may seem insignificant or a pain in the rear to you now, may prove to be beneficial to you later. Patience is a virtue.

The most difficult road to be on, is the one that leaves you completely lost as to where you are and where you may end up. No matter how many people are around you, giving aim to your way, nothing said makes any sense and the isolation you feel leaves you cold.

God does have a plan for you and your directions are waiting for you, when you are ready to use them. God has kept his promise with everyone who put their faith in him. God loves you and his love is given to you through those that love God. It is that love for God and love for you that will help show you the road you want and need to be on.

If there is a time when the directions to the road you’re looking for leave you lost and confused, when it’s not there, turn to God and ask and your way will be given. But, you must keep you eyes ears and heart open and have faith, if you really want to know.

( To view the poem/song "LOST IN THE WOODS" that goes with this message, click on my CRAINIALEAKAGE site in the "see my complete profile section")

2006-05-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

A SHARP TONGUE WILL CUT YOU DOWN

"Remember this, my dear brothers! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry." - JAMES 1:19

The advancement in technology has made the "Information Age" become lightening fast. With the click of a button you can be given the answer, or multiple answers to any question you ask on web sites like GOOGLE. Even some new cars are equipped with navigation devices that not only show you where you want to go, but tell you when to turn left or right. How many of you have a corded phone with a rotary dial? Cell phones are starting to replace even the home cordless phone. You can take it anywhere, plus take pictures and send or e-mail them and text messages almost anywhere.

So, with all this new fangled electronic gadgetry we can deliver and receive responses immediately, with very little effort. What hasn’t changed is our tongue.
Our tongue is still connected to the same type of body which has been in use for millenniums. Yes, there have been some refinements over the years, and our knowledge has increased remarkably through time. Yet, we still have trouble with the control of our tongues. What makes it even harder to manage is the speed of delivery we now depend on, due to our advancement in the other areas of information. We want results NOW!

The trouble with letting our tongues blurt out responses more quickly is, that the processors in our mind have a variable reactor, which if not given the proper time to assess the information given, may spit out the first thing that comes to mind. This lightening quick response is sometimes called, the ‘gut’ reaction.

This ‘gut’ reaction is based solely on our unscreened thoughts to a sudden experience through sight, sound, touch or smell. For example: The car in front of you stops suddenly causing you to jam on your brakes. You start yelling, "What in the @#!$% Learn to drive!!" Then after a few moments you see that a ball had rolled into the street and a child was chasing after it..... another example: You’re walking in the mall and someone from behind you puts their hand on your shoulder. You freak out, only to discover, that this person was trying to get your attention before you stepped in a more freakish pile of goo on the floor. Or this example, that seems to be gaining more and more momentum: You hear or read about an individual who did this or that, and what that person did goes against your principles. Your gut reaction is to condemn that person. What if the accusations were false or said in a way to mislead you, so that the presenter of that information would look good in your eyes and gain your support? What about the person you cut down? Cutting remarks leave scars and can do significant damage.

If you do not take the time to process the information correctly and fully before responding, you may find that the aftermath from a sharp tongue will cut you down.

"Does anyone think he is religious? If he does not control his tongue, his religion is worthless and he deceives himself." - JAMES 1:26

2006-05-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS MY PURPOSE Even though I am new to the blog scene, I have been writing the INNER QUEST for a number of years. From time to time I will be sharing a past IQ for your viewing. These will be titled and dated like the one below.
INNER QUEST #183 WHAT IS MY PURPOSE Jan. 10, 2004

COLOSSIANS 1:16 For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth. The seen and unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him.
PSALMS 33:10, 11 The Lord frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans. But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33 Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory. Live life in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.
Dear Friend,
When was the last time you asked yourself, "What is the purpose of life? What is my purpose?"
What caused you to ask these questions?
It doesn’t matter what age you are or what position you may have in society, those questions come to a person from time to time. The questions may rise when your next phase in life is starting or a career change is about to happen, it may be just a frustrating period of time when you feel an emptiness in your value or just a time of reflecting on the past and pondering the future. Knowing your purpose in life and how you are to live it can cause great emotional and physical stress, if there is any instability going on that is blocking your vision on the directions you need to take.
This week has shown me that there are people all around us that are looking for answers to where they are heading in life. Some are so lost that it leaves me wondering, how in the world can I help or if anybody can get through to them and let them know that there are answers to their questions. Some answers don’t come easy, but you must be willing to go to the extremes if necessary.
God gives you a purpose for your life, to serve God and to please God in all that you do. Pretty simple isn’t it? No, you say? Well....you are absolutely right. Even though we were created by God in his own image, God gave us the freedom to choose what we do with our lives. There in lies the problem. We forget where we came from and tend to live out our lives the way we want to. When we do that and go against what God intended for us to do, we fall. Sometimes, we fall so hard that getting back up can be a real challenge. The sad thing is, is that some can never get back up and they remain down, living a life with unfulfilled dreams and little hope.
But there is hope and your dreams can be fulfilled and if you do fall, you will be helped back up.
But you must be willing to seek out what specific purpose God has for you.
It really doesn’t matter what kind of Job or career you chose or if you chose to stay home and and be a full time parent. What’s important is that you do everything you can, with the abilities you have for the sake of the others. Do everything you can for your co-workers, your patients, you clients, your students, your congregation, your friends, your family and your children so that they will benefit from your efforts. When you put the others first you will see the purpose God has for your life. No matter what your professional position is or your non paid duties are, you need to take the role of a servant as Jesus deed. Jesus, the son of God, our shepherd, pilot, leader, Lord and savior often took the role of a servant to show us that we must be willing to give of ourselves if we are to have a life worth living. No man or woman is greater than the other that they cannot serve one another.
Having a great life does not mean having everything come to you or you always getting what you want. Instead, you must strive to give of yourself and do for others first, then you will gain what it is you need and if it is to be, you will get the things you want.
Sometimes, the activities we do or the professions we have that guide our purpose in life changes through the course of time and we need to readjust what we are doing, so that we can pursue what it is we need to do. It does you no good to remain in an area where you have done everything you can do and no longer feel you are growing or feeding others in there needs.
Having a purpose in life is not catering to your own self indulgence. That is a selfish way to live and no one benefits from it, including your self. If you think and do only for yourself you will soon become isolated. There is no purpose in that.
You are a person that God has given special talents to, for you to use in helping others to have a better life. Some of those talents will take time to learn and some will be needed at different stages in your life. All that is asked is that you give it your best shot and not to give up when it doesn’t go well. There are others whose purpose is for them to help you, so that you will also have a better life.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way or to be too harsh on yourself when you do. We all make mistakes, but we can be forgiven as long is there is effort to do better.
To find out what your purpose in life is and in what way you are to use it, you must keep learning all you can, in the best way that is right for you. The answers and directions are there for you. Your purpose in life is waiting for you, but it is up to you to put it into action.

2006-05-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

CHECK YOUR BAGGAGE
Here you are standing in front of the airline counter awaiting those three little words from the well dressed clerk, "Check your baggage?" With little hesitation, but much apprehension, you hand over your tightly packed baggage, and pray that it makes it on the same plane as you do and arrives at the same destination you are venturing to. After all, the contents in your baggage are very valuable to you. Everything you need to make your trip a success has been all neatly bundled up and ready for your usage.
After a pleasant ride over some billowy clouds and colorful landscape, the first leg of your trip ends with a smooth landing. Once off the plane you head straight for the baggage claim and wait the arrival of your precious baggage...And you wait, and wait... Nothing! All the other luggage has been claimed, but yours never shows up. You go to the claims counter and ask the nicely dressed clerk about you’re your missing baggage. The clerk tells you that your baggage took another flight and is now on its way to the other side of the planet. The wonderful trip you had planned and prepared for was now in ruins, because someone sent your valuable possessions elsewhere. Your mood is quite somber.
Time has passed and once again you find yourself standing in front of a counter, but this time it is not a well dressed clerk, but a humbly dressed man. The man asks you in a gentle voice, "Check your baggage?". You look down and see there is no luggage, then you tell him you have nothing to give him. The man looks you in the eye and says, "I did not ask for your material belongings, I asked for the baggage that has been piling up inside of you. The baggage that came from the mistakes you made, that you can’t get rid of by yourself."
You ask the man, "Why do you want all this baggage of mine? I’ve carried it around with me a long time. It does get heavy from time to time and it tends to wear me out, but it is a part of me and something I just have to live with. Besides, I put it there myself, not always on purpose, but it’s there."
The humble man says, "That is why I am here for you, today, right now. This baggage you keep locked inside has kept you from experiencing a wonderful life. Let me have this burdensome baggage of yours and I will send it far enough away that you will never feel its heavy load again."
You ask the man, "Why do you want to do this for me?" He replies, "Because I care for you, I have made this great sacrifice for you. I have the strength and the power to release you and anyone who comes to me with this sinful baggage." And you ask, "How can I repay you?" to which the man responds, "By forgiving others for their sins against you, so that the load of their baggage will be eased . And, if you want to experience the best journey in life, come, follow me." EPHESIANS 1:7 For by the sacrificial death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. John 5:4:06