My family recently purchased the DVD movie "Nacho Libre" for our home movie library. This movie is about Ignacio, the bumbling, yet big-hearted Catholic Monk who cooks for a local orphanage by day and moonlights at night as a professional wrestler to raise money for the orphans in the orphanage and win the affection of the lovely Sister Encarnarcion. While he doesn't win many wrestling matches he does win the big fight in the end and takes the money and buys a bus for the orphans. I don't know if you like funny, silly movies but this one is a nice movie for the whole family. Hope you have a great day. God bless.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Every Kids Hero
My family recently purchased the DVD movie "Nacho Libre" for our home movie library. This movie is about Ignacio, the bumbling, yet big-hearted Catholic Monk who cooks for a local orphanage by day and moonlights at night as a professional wrestler to raise money for the orphans in the orphanage and win the affection of the lovely Sister Encarnarcion. While he doesn't win many wrestling matches he does win the big fight in the end and takes the money and buys a bus for the orphans. I don't know if you like funny, silly movies but this one is a nice movie for the whole family. Hope you have a great day. God bless.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ask Him
"Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me." (Isaiah 45:11)
The other day my son Brice and I were spending some time together and while having lunch my son asked me a very funny question that I am sure some pastor's kids have asked before. He asked me, "Dad why don't you work a job like other kids parents?" I then explained to him after laughing first, that I do have a job as a pastor. I think he understood. Thankfully, my son is not afraid to ask me something about myself he doesn't know. Its' the same in our walk with the Lord. It has taken most of my life, my Christian life, to finally realize that if I want to know something from the Lord, then I just need to ask Him. Sounds kind of like a no-brainer, but for some reason, I spent most of my time dealing with the Lord and my personal requests. I have prayed pretty much my whole life. I have prayed very specifically at times and I have prayed in the bigger picture at times, but I have always prayed. What I did not necessarily pray about, though, were of “things to come.” I think many of us tend to pray about the here and now issues, or the things that we want “to come,” not necessarily asking the Lord to reveal what He is doing “concerning the work of My hands.” Why is this important to understand? When I see verses that say to “ask” the Lord for something, then I know that must be His will. Today’s verse even says “you command Me.” Instead of just focusing on the issues in our immediate path, let’s ask the Lord about what He is doing down the road, so to speak. I have been immensely blessed and have had huge increases in my own level of faith because I have learned to ask the Lord “of things to come” and have seen Him answer through circumstances or situations that have come to pass. My role is to ask, then to pray for wisdom and discernment in how to go forth in what He shows me. We need to know that the Lord is more than willing to reveal things to us, if we are seeking Him with all of our hearts. As we grow in our walk with Christ, He will teach us His ways and mold our character into more of His image. When we spend time in His Word, we begin to see how verses like Isaiah 45:11 take on a whole new meaning to us personally. When the Holy Spirit impresses a verse upon your heart, take it to prayer and seek the Lord in what He is saying to you. Maybe God wants to reveal something to you…maybe “of things to come.”
The other day my son Brice and I were spending some time together and while having lunch my son asked me a very funny question that I am sure some pastor's kids have asked before. He asked me, "Dad why don't you work a job like other kids parents?" I then explained to him after laughing first, that I do have a job as a pastor. I think he understood. Thankfully, my son is not afraid to ask me something about myself he doesn't know. Its' the same in our walk with the Lord. It has taken most of my life, my Christian life, to finally realize that if I want to know something from the Lord, then I just need to ask Him. Sounds kind of like a no-brainer, but for some reason, I spent most of my time dealing with the Lord and my personal requests. I have prayed pretty much my whole life. I have prayed very specifically at times and I have prayed in the bigger picture at times, but I have always prayed. What I did not necessarily pray about, though, were of “things to come.” I think many of us tend to pray about the here and now issues, or the things that we want “to come,” not necessarily asking the Lord to reveal what He is doing “concerning the work of My hands.” Why is this important to understand? When I see verses that say to “ask” the Lord for something, then I know that must be His will. Today’s verse even says “you command Me.” Instead of just focusing on the issues in our immediate path, let’s ask the Lord about what He is doing down the road, so to speak. I have been immensely blessed and have had huge increases in my own level of faith because I have learned to ask the Lord “of things to come” and have seen Him answer through circumstances or situations that have come to pass. My role is to ask, then to pray for wisdom and discernment in how to go forth in what He shows me. We need to know that the Lord is more than willing to reveal things to us, if we are seeking Him with all of our hearts. As we grow in our walk with Christ, He will teach us His ways and mold our character into more of His image. When we spend time in His Word, we begin to see how verses like Isaiah 45:11 take on a whole new meaning to us personally. When the Holy Spirit impresses a verse upon your heart, take it to prayer and seek the Lord in what He is saying to you. Maybe God wants to reveal something to you…maybe “of things to come.”
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
More than once since I committed this verse to memory have I had to embrace it as truth and pray that I not give in to a “spirit of fear.” I have come to believe that the word “fear” really is a four-letter word and should be considered profanity. Wouldn’t it be great if we could somehow have it censored from all of our thoughts and feelings, like bleeping out a bad word? But instead, fear is very much a part of our reality, even more so than we realize or want to admit. I know there are times when being fearful can be a good thing, such as being afraid of doing something that might bring harm or danger. I always drive very slowly in snowy weather because I am just fearful that I will slide off the road and have an accident. However, the spirit of fear as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 is a different kind of fear. This fear hinders what God has given us in His power, love and sound mind. This fear grips us with doubts and insecurities, waging war with our thoughts and feelings. This kind of fear is not of God but of the enemy, the devil. I believe that fear is one of the greatest weapons Satan uses against us, especially in our minds. He tells us that we are no good, not worthy, unloved and useless. These thoughts affect us all, he picks on everybody, no one is spared. How can we fight against such thoughts? By believing the truth of the second part of the verse. God through His Holy Spirit has given us power, love and a sound mind, not in our strength but in His. Are you dealing with fears today that are gripping you so tightly that you feel helpless and hopeless? How can these types of fears be broken? Start by praying for the Lord to open your mind and help you understand how to use the power given by His Holy Spirit. The power precedes love so next, pray for your heart to be filled with His love, knowing that His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). What a great pair…power and love! Then, ask the Lord to clear your mind and bring to your thoughts His words, taking captive those thoughts not of Him. It will help you gain victory over fear.
More than once since I committed this verse to memory have I had to embrace it as truth and pray that I not give in to a “spirit of fear.” I have come to believe that the word “fear” really is a four-letter word and should be considered profanity. Wouldn’t it be great if we could somehow have it censored from all of our thoughts and feelings, like bleeping out a bad word? But instead, fear is very much a part of our reality, even more so than we realize or want to admit. I know there are times when being fearful can be a good thing, such as being afraid of doing something that might bring harm or danger. I always drive very slowly in snowy weather because I am just fearful that I will slide off the road and have an accident. However, the spirit of fear as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 is a different kind of fear. This fear hinders what God has given us in His power, love and sound mind. This fear grips us with doubts and insecurities, waging war with our thoughts and feelings. This kind of fear is not of God but of the enemy, the devil. I believe that fear is one of the greatest weapons Satan uses against us, especially in our minds. He tells us that we are no good, not worthy, unloved and useless. These thoughts affect us all, he picks on everybody, no one is spared. How can we fight against such thoughts? By believing the truth of the second part of the verse. God through His Holy Spirit has given us power, love and a sound mind, not in our strength but in His. Are you dealing with fears today that are gripping you so tightly that you feel helpless and hopeless? How can these types of fears be broken? Start by praying for the Lord to open your mind and help you understand how to use the power given by His Holy Spirit. The power precedes love so next, pray for your heart to be filled with His love, knowing that His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). What a great pair…power and love! Then, ask the Lord to clear your mind and bring to your thoughts His words, taking captive those thoughts not of Him. It will help you gain victory over fear.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Signs of the Times
AMEN TO THAT! God's Word is true...."The silver and the gold they are min says the Lord," God owns it all so put your trust in God and not the government. They aren't as reliable. God bless.Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Groundhog Day
Today is Groundhog Day and in the famous tiny hamlet of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the world famous groundhog "Phil" Seer of Seers , Prognosticator of Prognosticators, Weather Predictor, Extroidinaire, National Treasure, Most Photographed Pennsylvanian saw his shadow this morning so it looks like six more weeks of winter. I guess we will jut have to tough it out for the next six weeks. God bless everyone and have a great week.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Intimacy With God
"And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:9-11
When I read the verse that says, "the Lord spoke to Moses face to face," I have a longing in my heart to see the Lord like that. What must it have been like to be in such an intimate presence of the Lord? I try to picture in my mind what it looked like when the cloud descended. Regardless of how hard I try, I am sure that my thoughts could never come close to the awesome-ness of such a meeting. Moses was just a man, no more special than any other person. But, God called him for a special purpose and God equipped him for the job. Moses had a tough job leading the children of Israel through the wilderness for forty years. I do not envy his calling, but at times, I envy his intimacy with the Lord. These feelings, however, cannot remain too long within me because I have God's Spirit living within me. When I desire to be with the Lord in that intimate place of His presence, I can go to Him and be with Him. I no longer envy Moses because I have my own personal intimacy with the Lord, and so can you. For all who come to Jesus and accept Him as their Savior are sealed with the Promise of His Holy Spirit. Have you ever longed to be in the presence of the Lord God Almighty? Do you desire to experience Him intimately? Please know that you can find Him. The Bible tells us that if seek the Lord with all of our heart we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). The keys are in truly seeking Him, waiting on Him, and obeying His words to us. Find a quiet place and commit to just spending that time with the Lord. Start with worshiping Him and coming before Him with an open heart. Keep seeking and keep knocking until you find that sweet place of fellowship. Remember that He is always here for us…we
are the ones who get distracted and turn away from Him. Practice His presence everyday.
When I read the verse that says, "the Lord spoke to Moses face to face," I have a longing in my heart to see the Lord like that. What must it have been like to be in such an intimate presence of the Lord? I try to picture in my mind what it looked like when the cloud descended. Regardless of how hard I try, I am sure that my thoughts could never come close to the awesome-ness of such a meeting. Moses was just a man, no more special than any other person. But, God called him for a special purpose and God equipped him for the job. Moses had a tough job leading the children of Israel through the wilderness for forty years. I do not envy his calling, but at times, I envy his intimacy with the Lord. These feelings, however, cannot remain too long within me because I have God's Spirit living within me. When I desire to be with the Lord in that intimate place of His presence, I can go to Him and be with Him. I no longer envy Moses because I have my own personal intimacy with the Lord, and so can you. For all who come to Jesus and accept Him as their Savior are sealed with the Promise of His Holy Spirit. Have you ever longed to be in the presence of the Lord God Almighty? Do you desire to experience Him intimately? Please know that you can find Him. The Bible tells us that if seek the Lord with all of our heart we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). The keys are in truly seeking Him, waiting on Him, and obeying His words to us. Find a quiet place and commit to just spending that time with the Lord. Start with worshiping Him and coming before Him with an open heart. Keep seeking and keep knocking until you find that sweet place of fellowship. Remember that He is always here for us…we
are the ones who get distracted and turn away from Him. Practice His presence everyday.
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