Cry Holy

I thought yesterday was just great! I love to worship God! Rain, snow, ice, sleet, hot, cold, scorching, and windy! I just can't miss the greatest time to be with God. There's nowhere else I rather be than to worship Him! I, for one, don't understand others who just don't come merely out of boredom, busy-ness, or are being bombard with the pressures of Satan.

Yesterday, we had a handful coming together. Carl and Nina Moore came to Fairfax and it was great seeing them. We love them with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths. I gave Carl the opportunity to preach God's Word to us and he did a very good job. It was a long lesson but he gave it with all of his heart. He PREACHED the Word, and that's what's important! I was so glued to all of the Scriptures he used for his lesson, "Why Should We Obey God?". So glued that I hardly ever notice the time, I just didn't care (time) because it is God who is speaking to us. If I were to limit Carl with a "time", I am limiting God. But, of course, it's important that the congregation gets His message in a clear way with a clear mind. Thank you, Carl, for preaching His message. You have helped us in understanding that "obedience" is very important. Amen!

I want to talk a little about holiness. Both you and I know God is extremely holy. There's no wrong in Him. There's no blemish. There's no defect. He's an omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing) and omnipresence (everywhere - all places) God! Amen!?

"I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy." Leviticus 11:44 (niv)

God has always and will always be in the presence of His children. During the days of Israel, God walked with them through the wilderness just as He is doing today! Israel has always stood before the Lord because His tabernacle can be seen. Israel devoted their time and life to the Lord. So they actually worshipped God, E-V-E-R-Y-D-A-Y, including on a sabbath which was very important to God. Sabbath is a day of rest because God rested on the seventh day! It is a day to look back on all God had done for Israel. When they come into the presence of the Lord just like Moses did, they are standing on the Holy Ground!

"Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5 (niv)

Though, God knows all we're doing (motives), where we are (presence), what we're thinking (understanding), we're standing on the Holy Ground. Instead of Israel being able to see God in the tabernacle, from the world, we see God sitting on His throne in Heaven. He's watching us from the throne room: watching our every moves, every thought; in your homes, on the road, in your workplace, and in your heart. We are to be "a people who are "holy":

"..for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 14:2 (niv)

Awesome! We're His prized possession. He cares for us. He choses us. But we have to choose Him, first. He wants us to love and obey Him. He wants us to be holy covered with the blood of Christ. He wants us to be ".. a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,.." 1 Peter 2:9 (niv)

Isn't that what His church ought to be? Priesthood of God aren't people who are lazy or bored about their relationship with God! They aren't a group of people worrying about time spent in worship. They are people who "Cry Holy!" to the Lord! They are people who open the eyes of their hearts to the Lord and ask Him to feed them with His love and Word! They are people who are "..true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23 (niv) God seeks a church that is spiritual and seeking the truth! Sing this song, over and over!

__
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You. I want to see You.

To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the midst of Your glory,
Lord, pour out Your power and love,
As we sing, Holy, holy, holy!

And we cry, Holy, holy, holy!
Holy, holy, holy!
I want to see You!
__

When we"cry holy" asking God to continue to bless us, God will see each of us as His prized possession.

Cry holy to our Lord, daily!

Lowenstein Family Reunion

This was taken, as what my aunt, Marge, said, "Many Moons Ago!" My dad is pictured in the back row (first of the three, my brother, Matt, in white preppie shirt). You can see me directly below my cousin, Kevin, the only one with a hat and shades. It's a long story. Ha! In my blog, "God, Happy Father's Day", that's the smile that touched my heart. Thank you, dad, for being an example to me. Now, I smile to everyone I meet. That's the beauty God made!

God, Happy Father's Day!

Tomorrow is Father's Day. I have been thinking about all that my father has done since July 10th, 1968. I remembered all he had done for me, protected me, comforted me, encouraged me, and even reared me. I am so thankful to God for my dad, Jerome (Jerry) Francis Lowenstein, for all he has done for me and still do. He helped me to accept who I am (my deafness). He was there helping with my homework. After he arrived home from work, he changed his clothes and went right behind the batter's plate to help me improve my pitching techniques. He encouraged me to be a hard worker: renovating an old home, apartment house he was an owner of, a major work in the basement, yard work, etc.! He embraced me when we lost our dog, Flipper. Right now, he has been strickened with Parkinsons. My heart goes out to him and all those who have Parkinsons.

My aunt, Marge Ryder, sent me an email with a picture attached of the whole family during one of our summer family reunion years ago. I saw my dad, all smiles, in the rear. When I saw the smile he portrayed, it hit me hard! But those years have been wonderful! Now, I can see how fragile life is. With my dad having Parkinsons, you just never know what will hit us. One day, we all must be prepared to appear before God. I believe "obedience" needs to be in check before we depart from this life.

"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." John 14:21 (nas)

Therefore, we only live once so I am very thankful for my dad. But now, I am even more thankful for my Father in Heaven. He's the Provider of all things. He is a patient God. He doesn't want everyone to be destroyed but to come to the knowledge of the truth. He loves us and that's the reason why He sent His Son to die for us for our sins. He blesses us over and over, more than you can ever imagine. Despite of all the fathers in the world today, whether good or bad, we have One Perfect Father who is in Heaven that cares for each of us! That's the Father we all need everyday!

God, Happy Father's Day!

Unperfect Perfect

Ain't being "human" wonderful? We all make mistakes. Small or large, it doesn't matter. A mistake it a mistake. But it doesn't mean that we go through a "smorgasbord of sin" and "sin" all we want because we're only human.

I just read a comment from a dear sister in Christ of mine. She pointed out to me that it was another guy who commented, "Some or most of us talk the talk but not walk the talk". It wasn't Paul Dymoke who quoted this last Sunday, it was brother Matt Sickon. Well, I am only human because my "human" mind was telling me that there's a resemblance: Two Mr. Shorty. They both are "short", excuse me for saying this, fellas. ; ) And they both have "short" hair. But, there was an evidence present. Matt's DNA and Spirit was in the room last Sunday while Paul was not. : ) So it was Matt who quoted, "Walk the Talk"! Thanks, Brenda, for pointing this out to me. : )

Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good--only God. Luke 18:19 (nas)

Michelle and I were working on assembling a new desk for our office yesterday. It took us about 3 1/2 hours to complete one desk! We're going to work on the other one today! While I was nearing the completion of the first desk, I stumbled into a roadblock.

All but one drawer fits into the desk. I struggled with one and read the instructions again to make sure I assembled this one drawer correctly. I thought I had it all "perfected" until the very last one, it wasn't. I realized that it wasn't assembled correctly and finally declared that I wasn't perfect in building this desk. It was a bit frustrating and disappointing because I wanted to complete this project and go home!

I took apart the pieces of that one drawer to make necessary corrections but ran into another roadblock. After many trips from the instruction guide to the wood, I realized that it wasn't me that was imperfect. It was the wood. I had been deceived. I believed that "I" made a mistake by not following the instructions correctly. I listened to "me" thinking it was "me" that did it all wrong. The instructions were correct but the wood didn't have the holes in the right place. It was the "wood" that wasn't perfect. It was defective. It didn't match the layout on the instruction sheet. I see a strong resemblance here. It's a battle between us and Satan.

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 (niv)

I see the "defective wood" as Satan and the "instruction" as the Bible. Remember, Satan "..himself masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14 (niv)), is a Deceiver and a Liar. He displays incidences, issues, and other things making us think we made a mistake and did not follow the Bible correctly. It is as if there's something wrong with the "object" (incidences and issues) that the holes were not in the right place. It is Satan's job to make you feel miserable. He wants you to feel disappointed that you didn't fulfill the Lord's will. But you didn't realize that it was Satan that had it all planned. Though, we're all human beings, we make mistakes, yes. And other times, we have done the right thing, Satan is there to make sure you're thinking you didn't! Remember, we need to think that we are "perfect"! Even though, we're unperfect (fleshly), still perfect (in Spirit). How is that?

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." James 3:2 (niv)

You will know you're doing the Godly thing, everyday! And Satan will make sure you think the opposite! Even though, we all stumble in many ways, check yourselves and make sure you're saying the right words and doing the right things. It may not be "you", but it may be Satan doing his thing. Then you will know you have kept your whole body in "check" and is perfect (not that you obtain righteousness on your own, we need Jesus to make ourselves right with God! Remember, no one is good!)

Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 (niv)

How so?

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." Colossians 1:28 (niv)

Then go: PROCLAIM JESUS, ADMONISH OTHERS IN JESUS, AND TEACH ABOUT JESUS!

Thank You, God, for I am an "unperfect servant" but "perfect in Christ"!

Worthy Of The Gospel?

Before we get started on this blog topic, "Worthy Of The Gospel?", what does "gospel" mean? It means, "good news!" It is the rendering of the Greek, "Evangelion" , I.e., "good message." It denotes, "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. The term is often used to express collectively the gospel doctrine (teaching); and 'preaching the gospel' is often used to include not only the proclaiming of the good tidings (news), but the teaching men how to avail themselves of the offer of salvation, the declaring of all the truths, precepts, promises, and threatenings of Christianity." It is termed "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), "the gospel of the kingdom" (Matthew 4:23), "the gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:16), "the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15), "the glorious gospel," "the everlasting gospel," "the gospel of salvation" (Ephesians 1:13).

"Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.." (Acts 8:4).

I like what Charles Colson wrote, “... when we Christians take the biblical message to heart and have the courage to live in obedience to Christ’s radical commands, we are compelled not only to preach the Gospel, but to take it into the world and live it out...”

It is possible that the today's church has forgotten a most important ingredient in evangelism: a proclamation of the gospel from the base of a life that reflects the gospel. It is not a new problem for even the early church struggled with living in harmony with God’s will.

“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” Paul said to the Ephesian church.

“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” he wrote to the Philippians.

“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” he encouraged the Colossians.

Twice to the Thessalonians, he made similar statements.

But we tend to leave it out of the practical living of life! So what do we do? How do we convince the "believers" to do Jesus' Great Commission? So, what's the REAL PROBLEM?

I’m sure it relates to weakness of faith and commitment. I have no doubt it’s because temptation is strong, and the weakness of the flesh leads us to act in ways we know are wrong. It is the Christian’s constant struggle. So, whatever I say here, understand that it is said knowing and acknowledging our imperfections, weaknesses and struggles.

An author, Mr. Denton, wrote about Evangelism which makes perfect sense:

"I believe there are two major roadblocks to evangelizing the world. The first is that we simply do not preach and teach the gospel enough. We’re too quiet. We don’t want to offend, insult or impose ourselves on friends, family, and neighbors. That’s good... to a point, but silence never converted anyone. (OUCH!) Second, when we do speak about the gospel, the first thing people think about is that the Christians they know don’t seem to be living like this gospel. (Very true!) There is often a decided conflict between our message and our conduct."

Brother Paul Dymoke shared with us, last Sunday during Bible class, that many Christians (or so-called Christians) "Talk the talk but do not Walk the talk!" We have many who is just only talking faith, not talking and walking faith.

God is calling us all into the world to share the good news. But first, are we worthy of the gospel? Are we walking the talk? Are we the "Walking and Living Bible"? We know God is a Holy God. Since we're sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)! Sanctification of our conduct is a "consistent" moving away from sin and corruption while moving toward righteousness, goodness, and godliness. The message we share with people is about forgiveness of sins; it is not how to be comfortable with sin.

The person who enjoys spiritual health and who is best equipped to share the gospel with others is not the person who has never sinned or never struggles with sin, but the person whose life shows that the gospel is effective both in forgiving sin and in changing the life of the sinner. Did you see that? A strong Christian is still a sinner. If we want to give hope to a world deep in the pit of sin, we must be able to show that Jesus not only saves and redeems for eternity, but he also saves and redeems right now!

Come, let us be worthy of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, today!

Alyson's birthday

Volcano Cake!

Here's a pic of my daughter, Alyson, on her birthday last week. She was thrilled to get her "Volcano Cake" where the server put sparklers in a humongous dip of vanilla ice cream layered with hot fudge on top of delicious warm brownies and "walled" with brownies. I wrestle with words on the last part of this, "walled" because four long brownies were actually posed as a layer of mountain (dirt, if I may say) resting on the ice cream as well as one at the bottom of it.

Well, happy birthday, Princess!

Don't forget the verse of the week:

"Here is a trustworthy that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15 (niv)

A Normal Sunday

It's been a great weekend with the family! We went to the Jump5 concert last Friday and the girls really had a great time. Brandon, Chris, Brittany and Lesley really showed the crowd all their awesome acrobatics!

It's been a great Sunday! We're still focusing on evangelism. Please scroll down to "Harvest DC" and read my blog about the importance of evangelism. It's one of the most important ministry God desires to see "active" but the least done in the church. The members of the Lord's church simply just open the door and wait for people out in the world to just show up. It is highly likely "not" going to happen. If we continue to do this, we're probably looking at a mere 2% chance people will just show up because they saw the church on a web or newspaper or via word-of-mouth. Most of the time, they're just passing through and checking us out. They need to be invited. They need an impact. They need to feel welcome. God wants them to be recognized as a prize possession. They would appreciate the thought of us inviting them to church. Ask them to meet for breakfast before worship or class time. Invite them in your home and get to know them. Give them your testimony, if God truly has made a huge impact in your life, about how God is working in your life and the lives of others. Be an influential person, influencing the love of Jesus.

Michelle and I were watching a movie, "Ladder 49" about a fireman by the name, Jack, whom, after the floor caved in, fell a couple of stories down in the middle of a huge ring of debris and fire. He was trapped. All the firemen from different units raced to find him and bring him to safety. While Jack was waiting for the rescue team, he looked back to the great times he had with his "fire brothers and his wife". One scene shows the firemen relaxing, reading newspaper, talking, playing pool and even wrestling together. They weep for one of their fallen brother. They embrace each other like they are a family. When they quarrel, the captain would come up to them and scold them to stay together and be a family that they are not to fight among each other but fight against fire!

Isn't this what God wants in His church? He wants to see His children not fighting among each other but loving, supporting, praying, encouraging, building each other up. The only fight they ought to fight against is: Satan and Sin. If we quarrel against each other, do you think you would hear God, our captain, telling us through His Word that we're to stay together and be a family. Of course, there will always be problems in His church and that's how we grow and be a strong family. Yet, when someone comes and visit or if one of you invites a friend to church, I strongly believe they would like to see a church that ties together like a family. We shouldn't act holier than them because we're simply "members of the church". We shouldn't classify ourselves like members of God's "country club" where we're a "stuck up" to our visitors. We're a normal people on normal Sunday.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." Matthew 5:13 (nas)

How is your attitude before the people (unchurched) in the world?
How do you respond to them (rude, blunt or pleasant, understanding)?
Are they tasting the fruitfulness of God that you're reflecting on them?
Are you "Showing Jesus"?
What do they see in you that, perhaps, you don't see in you (negative)?
If you have become "tasteless", do you know how you can be "tasty" again (repentance)?
Are you seeking, "my-way" or "God's way"? ("my-way" is tasteless while "God's way", tasty!)

Remember, we have a very "unpopular message" to give to the world. Yet, it is, with great privilege, to share the "good news of Jesus" to them! Not only we're showing them the good news, we ought to reflect the beauty of our Lord to them using Christ-like examples that He left with His Disciples, then eventually passed it on to us and us to the world!

May I ask that we pray for all the "married's" in the world today: both deaf and hearing. Divorce is growing at a "fast pace" rate and it is not only destroying the spouses, but the children in the world! They (children) are being influenced with the "divorce life" and eventually will follow the same pattern as their parents did. It is my prayer that the Lord will help all of His leaders to put a stop to it: influencing the parents (fragile or not) and the children in the world the love of God!

Squealing 4 God

JUMP5

Today is our third daughter's birthday (Alyson). She turned 6!! Happy birthday, Princess! She loves to be called a "Princess"! It's really hard to believe how fast our kids have grown: Amanda is now 9 1/2 years old and has less than 7 months left before she hits the double digit age! Angela is 7 but will be a whooping 8 years old this October!

Well! Our kids are screaming in the house, in the car, outside, in the bathroom and in their bedrooms. Michelle and I are deaf and they still can blow out our ears using their high frequency squeals! Now, we have a spiritual vertigo! They're ultimately, hilliariously, squealingly crazy about going to the Jump5 concert tomorrow night! They are excited to see Brittany, Brandon, Lesley and Chris sing with us praising the Lord. Amanda just told me that she likes the fifth girl in the group whom had to leave the Jump5 group for personal reasons. I don't remember her name but we do wish her God's blessings as she continues to move on through other avenues, prayerfully, serving God.

Well, bloggers! Have a great weekend! If I can't hear you, that means I probably have become deafer than deaf.

Blessed Be His Name!

A Good Day!

I started having this nasty sinusitus (or any other kind of allergy symptoms) that has plagued my head yesterday! It is one of that you call: stuffy and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sinus pressure, body aches "so you can rest medicine" type of sickness!

Then another problem came up! Our black labrador retriever, Hope, hasn't been feeling all too well, either! The other day, she chewed on a piece of towel and swallowed a chunk of it. She was resting in her crate and objected in there along with all the objects tangling on her hair. It wasn't a pretty thing. Despite my having the sinuses, I had to give her a quick bath and clean out her crate. Then decided to take her to the ER to see if there's any more obstructions in her body. Well, after two x-rays, there weren't any more because she objected the ball of towel!! I am sorry for being so graphic about this but it's reality! I learned something about labs. The doctor explain that labradors are the worst kind of all dogs when it comes to eating. They eat just about anything, even swallow a huge chunk of things leading to an expensive visit with the doctor! She isn't all too well today so took her to the vet for more observations and the well of my pocket is becoming dry.

Hey, it's a good day! Despite the illnesses in the family, it's a good day!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (niv)

As our great Lord says, "..in all things.." refers to any incidences, whether positive or negative. He works for the good in these situations and it's for His great purposes. Many of us don't understand and ask the "why" question. Though, the affliction we take in on our lives can be very painful but it's something that's everlasting. The faithfuls (Christians) in this life understands that "nothing can happen to him/her", that is, his/her saved inner selves. In other words, it is, to the saved person, his/her reaction to life's woes, is a controlled response. Paul says,

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11 (niv)

Regardless of any circumstances, it's a good day! That's the attitude we need, everyday!

Relationship Evangelism

Good morning, bloggers! I am reading this book, "DNA of Relationships" by Gary Smalley which is highly recommended by my brother in Christ, Darrin Forshay, and found this book as one of the best books on relationships. This is a "must read book"! Here's a small portion of the book I feel we all need to be aware of concerning "needs" and "wants". This is also a very important lesson in relationship to evangelism and our relationships with others.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (niv)

We shouldn't look to others to make us happy. Have you heard of the phrase,

"You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

In other words, if you meet my needs then I'll meet yours, or vice versa. But what happens when others we know and love don't meet our needs? You'll know it because the feelings and emotions all begins within you. You're the one that triggered whatever you're feeling. When my needs are not met, we boil, fume, irritate, and become bitter! The external problem is not the problem. The problem is, "me". There's either a little or big, "I, me, my" in us. What's in it for me? What about my "needs"?

But the truth is, what we often call "needs" normally better fit the category of "wants". We want others to respect us, admire us, need us. But are those true needs? No one can meet all our needs aside from God Himself. If you depend on a spouse, a friend, a brother to meet your "needs", you set yourself up for trouble. When you expect the "other" to meet your needs and they don't, you're in for a emotional wreck! The relationship becomes an unhealthy, codependent one. This is one of the reasons why friendship or relationship isn't intact.

So your fulfillment is not the job of someone else. God has given this job to you, and only you can shoulder it. "And my God will meet all your needs.." (Phil. 4:19) You are the one who cooperates with Him and receives His riches as He gives them.

The truth is, no one can "make" you happy. Not a spouse. Not a friend. Not a boss or a neighbor or a minister. And you, and not someone else, choose how you will react to what life throws at you. You, and no one else, decide what you will do when someone pushes your "fear button".

Each of us have a "fear" of something. "Fear" of rejection, disappointment, lack of control, and hundreds of other emotional signs. When we're rejected, the "others" pressed our "fear button" enabling us to do the "fear dance" (irritated emotions, outbursts, anger). So it is our responsibility to make sure that we don't do the "fear dance". If the "others" do not meet my needs, for all I care, I am satisfied and relieved that it is, "GOD" who meets all of my needs. I pray that it is the same for you. Don't let "others" let you down when they do not meet your needs.

You can choose to think about life and how you handle your emotions (fear buttons, fear dance) and do a different kind of dance, the Godly dance. It takes tremendous amount of humility to simply allow whomever tries to push your button to fade away. I am not saying that we become a cold and impassive person of God. We forgive. We listen. We ask questions for the reason for it in a Christian way. This will determine your level of happiness and fulfillment. If you do the "fear dance", don't expect happiness to swirl around in your life.

Apostle Paul wrote, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 (niv)

Yes! It depends on you. The external problem is never the problem. The real problem lies within you. Surprised? So am I! You behave the way you want to behave because you're not getting what you need/want! Instead, we must simply remove the "Fear Buttons" inside us and live a productive life with God; dancing with God!

And remember, this is only a very small portion of the whole book, "DNA of Relationships" by Gary Smalley. The world is watching us in how we behave. How is your relationship with your co-worker, your family, your friends, your children, your spouse and the most important of all, God?

(Bloggers, feel free to make comments along with my blogs.)

Harvest D.C.

For the next several weeks, God has given me the excitement to share with His church at Fairfax the importance of evangelism. You and I know that evangelism is the number one ministry God desires to see happening. Jesus taught His disciples a number of lessons on evangelism. However, sad to say, it has become the least active ministry of ministries in churches today! The reason: Satan.

Satan has kept God's children very busy. He knows how to keep them away from doing the "e-thing". He knows God's plan and does an excellent job by counter-attacking on His children bombarding them with self-centeredness. Satan puts "fear of rejection" in the hearts of God's children. Now, I am blogging this to you giving you a couple of simple verses that we need to put in heart.

"..on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18 (niv)

Jesus is building His church. He laid the foundation (Eph. 2:20) and we're building on it. Jesus always keeps His promises. He said, "..I will build my church.." Is the Lord's church in your area growing? Are His children (members of the church family) in His church serving out the Lord's purposes (evangelism) and working in building His church? In Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.", indicates that if "Christ" is in you, He wants to use your life to build His church. He is NOT done with the work. He continues to build to this day!

Problem: if you're not reaching out to the lost souls in the world (especially D.C. or your area), you're preventing your Lord (Jesus Christ) in you from sharing the good news (gospel). You're not fulfilling one of five of the Lord's purposes [worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission (evangelism)].

Reason: fear of rejection, timing, too busy, it's the preacher's job, I don't have enough knowledge to share the good news, suppose they ask me a difficult question(s) that I am unable to answer, and it's not "my" gift. These comments/thought allows Satan, sitting on the throne of Hades, the opportunity to overcome you. But Jesus said, "..and the gates of Hades will not overcome it [while He is building His church!]." Church means a group of believers, ekklessia, the called out, saints. God is interested in men and women who is not easily swayed by the wind of negativity when they do all they can to share the good news with them, hence, not overcome by Satan's arsenals. So, suppose you do get a rejection, what do you do?

"And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." Mark 6:11 (niv)

Of course! There will always be a rejection! They may not listen to you! You don't have to wring their arm to get them to "believe". That's not your job. It's God's business. You may lose a good friend because you told them the truth! Even your family may reject you because you have left their "religious tradition".

"Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?" Galatians 4:16 (niv)

Not only they become your enemy, they have turned themselves against the Holy One!

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28 (niv)

So therefore......

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (niv)

Jesus said, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." John 4:35 (niv)

Go and harvest D.C. and the rest of the cities in the world!

Rock Freak

Here's a pic of me with my two of the three girls, Amanda and Angela, yesterday on Memorial Day. Michelle is behind the cam taking a nice shot of us down along the Potomac River @ Great Falls, Virginia. We were watching kayakers kayaking the Potomac rapids! It was a gorgeous day and our girls are rock freaks (they loved to climb)! Alyson was with her friend at the beach in New Jersey over the weekend.

Speaking of "ROCK FREAK", you may have never climbed a rugged area (mountains, cliff, or Great Falls, Virginia). Rock climbing is a strenuous activity. Lots of footwork, concentration, balancing, thrusting, strategies, dead-ends, aches, periods of breathlessness and wisdom. These are the things you will experience when you climb rocks. It's an adventure that makes us "ROCK FREAKS"!

Jesus is our ROCK on which we stand. All other ground is a sinking sand, sinking sand, sinking sand. In spiritual sense, we're "ROCK FREAKS" or in other words, "JESUS FREAKS". We're not ashamed to be called a child of God. We're not ashamed of the gospel (Ro. 1:16-17). We love Jesus and all He has done for us. He saved us. He loves us. He protects us.

"He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.." 2 Samuel 22:2 (niv)

So where do you stand today? Do you stand on a sand of materialism, selfishness, or dependance on the worldly ways and wisdom? You are standing on a weaker foundation (sand) because you have not listened to Jesus and obey:

"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:26-27 (niv)

It is really simple that we open our hearts and allow Jesus and His Word to come into our lives. Once we hear His words and put them into practice (actually do as He says - obedience), then we're standing on the rock, that is Christ!

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:25 (niv)

Of course, we will always have trouble in this world! Problems after problems, it comes like a crashing rapids hitting the rocks along the Potomac river. Did the rocks move? No. It remains as it is, UNMOVED! Therefore, the sand along the banks of the Potomac swirls around moving objects that sits on it, including us! We must rest our soul on the Rock, namely Jesus Christ.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (niv)

So, as Rock Freaks, lets cling our soul to Jesus by listening to Him, walking, aching, struggling, relying on His Word (wisdom), strategies (beware of Satan's plans, dead-ends and traps), defeat (but not the final defeat because you're holding on to the Rock) and victories (of course, in Christ, we're victorious!)! Regardless of how hard the "rapids of the world" crashes around you, Christ in you will not be moved because of your reverent and undying faith in HIM! Amen!

Are you a "ROCK FREAK"? Or sinking in the sand of worries, faithlessness and self...

Memorial Day BBQ and Funfest

Yesterday was a fabulous day! The Lord's house was almost full with people coming to worship Him! It's a day of rejoicing and praising!

Here are a couple of pictures for your enjoyment. Everyone really had a great time under a beautiful sunny and cool weather. Over 50 hamburgers and 20 chicken breast were BBQed and lots of great food and a lovely conversation among His children and our visitors!

Visit us at: www.fxcc.org/deaf and don't miss our next fellowship event!

What A Joyful Relief!

Angela Lowenstein pops a water balloon helping Neil Ferris remove the whip cream "shades" during the Memorial Sunday BBQ and Funfest.

Run To Jesus, the Living Water

Eric Tomas guides his wife, Sara, toward the water balloon pit.

Shade Me Blind

Peter Schmidt provides the whip cream "shades" on Dennis Cesone during the Memorial Sunday BBQ and Funfest!

A Soaker!

Ricky Newman pops a water balloon on Michelle Lowenstein removing whip cream "glasses" from her eyes. This is a game "re-enacting" the conversion of Saul of Tarsus in the book of Acts 9 and 22 after seeing Jesus, became blind, three days later, he received his sight.

Everyone enjoyed this game!

Why Do You Go To Church?

Thanks to brother, Gary Viall, for forwarding this email. This is a good one everyone need to think about!

Why do you go to Church?

I thought this one was worth forwarding.

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote. "

And in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons.

But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the ministers are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.

But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.

Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

All right ... now that you're done reading ...... let everyone know about this BLOG!!! I think everyone should read this!!

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?

A Simple Phone (Prayer) Call

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

God's #: 555.JER.33:3

I No Longer Live

Last night, we had another great bible study session focusing on the fruit of the Spirit. I am calling this class, "Juicy Fruit" because it's a gum we need to chew on and swallow everyday. Yes, it's not a typical American habit to chew on a gum then swallow it. But this is God's gum, a different kind of gum that requires "swallowing". Sadly, many Christians chew on God's fruit of the Spirit and spit it out thinking it doesn't apply to them. You may say, "Well, I have love, of course! But I am often a person with no control (lack of self-control). I may be a bit gentle (gentleness) but I am not always kind (kindness)." Can we say that? Or perhaps, they are thinking of God's 9 fruit of the Spirit in a worldly view: we try and be a good person (self-effort).

During class, last night, we talked about how deaf Christians behave toward one another. They behave just like what the "deaf world" behaves: blunt, arrogant, self-centered, rash, rude, prideful, gossip, backstabbing, and favoritism.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.." Romans 12:2

Christians are to be the "opposite" of the world (both deaf and hearing). God desires those in the "world" to see His children by their fruit. "By their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:16

We are to be "SALTY PEOPLE". "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Matthew 5:13 (niv)

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." Mark 9:50 (niv)

For thousands of years, prophets, Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, John, preachers, teachers have taught countless lessons on fruitfulness to those who "believe" in Jesus. And since then, many people have spit out the "Juicy Fruit" gum from their lives which eventually loses the strength of saltiness. And the world doesn't recognize Jesus in them.

Many of us have "used" to live the world's ways, "..in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world.." Ephesians 2:2 (niv) but now no longer live yourselves but Jesus in you. Remember, the world is watching you. They will know you by your fruit, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" Matthew 7:16 (niv) I remember a time when I played kickball with a group of friends. Many times, a ball would be kicked into thornbushes near my home. I ran to the bushes and noticed long, sharp thorns primed and ready for a poking. My eyes are on the kickball. I would have to, carefully, weave my way into the thornbushes in order to retrieve the ball. Did the thorns poke me? Sure! It did and I hated it. Ouch here. Ouch there. If the ball goes into the thornbushes again, I would use a stick to get the ball. And other times, I couldn't find any object to use to retrieve the ball so we simply gave up and found other things to play with.

This is the same when it comes to a relationship with others. Thornbushes gets along with other thornbushes. But there should be no "thorns coming out of a Christian". We're the opposite from them. We try to weave our way into their lives and help them see God and change. Often times, they go poking around hurting us with their unfruitfulness. Then we keep ourselves in a distance hoping and praying through our Christ-like example, we'll change them because we love them. But they look extremely sharp (difficult, arrogant, bitter) from a distance that we begin to move on and find other people who desires to allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow in them.

In order for a person to grow with the fruit of the Spirit, the person need to die themselves:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 (niv)

You're not part of the "deaf world", your life is God's! So stop being like those in the world: their ways, their attitudes, their talk, and their walk! Do the God way: walk like Jesus, love like Jesus, talk like Jesus, listen like Jesus, be compassionate, be a person of prayer, a heart like Jesus, and attitude like Jesus. When you do the God way, you're proclaiming to the world that, "I No Longer Live... (but Christ lives in me!)!

Praying Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength

A brother in Christ of mine sent this to me, this morning, which I believe is a very good reminder for all the churches of Christ in the world! In Jim Cymbala's book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, prayer in the church is like an engine in the car. Without an engine, the car (body) will NOT run; powerless. Without prayer (engine) in the church (body), the church is POWERLESS! So thanks to this brother for sharing this message with us. Let's pray before we proceed:

Father, You are our true and loving God! Despite of all the incidences, problems, successes and failures, these are necessary to show that we're merely less-than-perfect human beings in need of Your help! In prayer and in trust, we depend on You for Your strength to endure our struggles in this life. We want to praise You for them. It is my prayer that each and every Christian develop a spirit of humility and respect. Pray for our leaders (in the spiritual world). Pray for Your servants and they may serve You with an undying devotion. And we thank You for your patience with us as we continue to take one step at a time growing toward spiritual maturity. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Thank you for serving God's church through prayer. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ called to serve the body in unity. God has given us His Holy Spirit and has placed within us one of the highest calling of the Christian faith praying for the needs of the body and others. Prayer team members are to encourage and left up the church.

Pray at home first. Make sure you are spending quality time alone with God daily in your own personal time of worship, prayer and fasting.. Do not allow the Church Prayer Meeting times to be your only time of prayer. Jesus warned us many times about those who love to stand before men and let their prayers be heard. Jesus called them hypocrites.

Enter the prayer room with good thoughts. Words of encouragements. Hope. Faith. Build up each other. Grumbling and complaining can set a bad tone for the entire evening.

Less Talking, More Praying. A prayer gathering is just a time to join together and pray. We have come together in a group to pray. Shared a few God stories filled with thanksgiving and praises. We enter the prayer's room with worship. Thanksgiving and praises. We cannot rush into the room waving our list of requests.

Make the Prayer Meeting a safe place. Do not make anyone others feel compelled to pray. The prayer meeting needs to be a safe place for beginners. Let beginners learn by listening to others. Listening and being still is ok. Never feel anxious about prayer or compeled to pray.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead. Learn to listen. Learn to ask God to show you what to pray for.

Pray short and sweet. Most recorded prayers of Jesus were very short. If you pray many topics at once, it makes it difficult for others to focus your prayers. That way everyone has a chance to pray along with you.

Simple prayers are fine. Jesus taught us to come to God as little children. God knows our hearts. He wants us to talk to Him as a child would speak to his father.

Pray from your heart. With reverance.

Keep Prayers in confidence. Personal prayers are shared in prayer room. They trust the prayer team members will not share with others. We are free to share with others only if those we have prayed for give us permission to share.

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religious is worthless." James 1:26

Pray with Love. Make sure your heart motivation is pure as you pray.

Pray without judgment. Do not judge others. Jesus is the judge.

Pray in faith. Faith is believing God for things we have not seen. We must pray with faith.

Pray for God's will to be done. Not your will. Stay in His word.

Ask God to grow a strong Prayer Ministry in the Lord's church. Ask God to teach you how to pray. Ask God to show you His glory. Ask God to make Fairfax a House of Prayer.

Dear Lord,
I praise you that You are the God who hears and answer our prayers.Thank you that You long to be with us. Thank you for allowing us to come to You in prayer.

In Jesus name we pray,
Amen

Joy of Worship

Here's a long, but a worthy BlOg for you!

I woke up at 5:20 this morning to let the girl of a single mom in. I felt a bit exhausted and decided to go back to sleep. But something else happened. I didn't go back into the deep state of sleep. I just simply closed my eyes and rested my body after a 4 wonderful days of worship to our God! The Spirit in me was singing the songs sung last night and the night before, especially hearing the ooooh's and ahhh's of Joyful Noise praise team and pondered the life of Jennie Jackson, her frustrating struggles with marriage, her husbands' molestation on their children, crack with another man who she thought was a "Christian", and finally the grandest victory in Jesus when she fully gave her life to the Lord and was baptized in 1996 then hearing her southern Christian gospel song, "You Are The Potter and I Am The Clay"! It moved me even more last night! I was sitting with a good friend, Art Roehring, a deaf blind man who was brought by one of our regulars, Karen Schettle and along with our sis in Christ, Monica Shimmin and Karen, helped with the interpreting for Art. I cannot go on and explain everything that the Lord had provided us last weekend: Rev5, Children's Ensemble, Movement Ministry, EverPraise, Singing Holy Hands and those who shared their testimonies of how our wonderful and loving God had shown His power and providence leading these people to a never-forgetting "Defining Moments" (life changing experience)!

I believe this is one of the "JOY's OF WORSHIP"! It's not about entertainment. It's hearing/seeing God's story in various forms, whether by preaching, bible teaching, testimonials or even singing! Looking back into the Old Testament when Israel walked with God for 40 years, there's always a time to worship God. We worship God everyday: in our homes, in our business place, on the road, with the congregation and everywhere! God calls people to come and worship Him. 2 million plus Israelites (men, women and children) come and surround the tabernacle of God to worship Him. He fills them with all kinds of blessings. I am sure there will be those in these millions who do not fully understand the true meaning of worship. They continue to grumble. They complain to Moses that it is too hard! The desert experience led most of the Israelites to a state of disorient, bewilderment. They become too attached to negatives of their surrounding and not holding and trusting on the joy of worshipping their true God. They're nearsighted about the great possibilities God can do.

A few hundreds of years later, David came to life. In many places and many times during His life, he longed to worship God. I mean that he was, literally, consumed with longing! Man! Isn't that what we're supposed to have in our hearts today, "literally CONSUMED WITH LONGING TO WORSHIP OUR GOD!" It is my prayer that we're not like those Israelites with what I am going to call, "D.E.S." (Desert Experience Syndrome). We stay home or we have a long "to do" lists that needs to be done. We allow the "D.E.S" of the world to overcome us. It's a syndrome that has given us a terrible delusion. We are unable to grasp the awesome power of God and all of His possibilities! We focus on the well-being of ourselves rather than allowing God to drench us with His blessings when we worship Him. If we're diagnosed with the "D.E.S", we don't understand the joy of worshipping God, regardless of all circumstances. If you're telling me that I don't understand your problems and that you have given not only me but God an excuse, didn't the Israelites say and do the very same thing to Moses. So what do we do? What should we do?

I WANT TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, REGARDLESS!

Psalms 122:1- "I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD.""

Those around David desires to come together with David to worship God! They were glad (joyful) to do it!

THE THIRST FOR WORSHIP SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE - it's not about time, it's not about what you need to do after Sunday's gathering, it's all about God. Your time is God's time. He desires Your attention.

Psalms 42:1-2- "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. {2} My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Go to the STREAMS OF LIVING WATER where all the abundance of God's blessings overflow!

Matthew 5:6- "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."

John 6:33- "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."

Amen? Well, I can't hear you! Amen! And amen!!

It's a thirst to come together. We ought to be excited about coming together! If you're not coming together faithfully, you're missing the grandest opportunity!

Hebrews 10:25- "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Haven't you read about David? He wishes he was like the birds that "dwelt in the tabernacle" because the birds were there all the time to be with God! What a testimony! That's the attitude we all need to have. I rather spend the whole Sunday with Christians than sitting at home doing nothing!

SO GOD IDENTIFIES THOSE WHO ARE TRUE WORSHIPPERS!
(This is a part where you need to examine your own heart. Are you the person God wants to see? Who are you before the Living God!?)

1 Peter 2:5- "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Romans 12:12- "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Paul wrote to the church in Rome to rejoice in the hope they have, to be patient during the tribulations of individuals and c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e steadfastly in prayer!

Philippians 4:4- "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

Hebrews 11:6- "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Did you see this? "..without faith it is impossible.." Let me help Paul say it again, "..impossible.." "..to please Him." You gotta have faith, people!

1 John 5:4- "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith."

When we reverse this verse, "If the world overcomes you, you're not born of God.." "If the world has overcome you stripping the victory from you, you're a person without faith!." Trust in God and that His Word will lead you to living a faithful life.

When we trust in God, worship is more MEANINGFUL! That's the JOY OF WORSHIP! Brother Tim Stewart emailed me, this morning, telling me how God has really lifted him up with His stories and songs! He is on cloud 9 with God! I pray this is the same for those who came, not only yesterday, but also last night! Worship is a great joy for the true child of God. It is an opportunity to come before God, hear His story and express our gratitude for the greatness of God and the salvation that He has given as a gift to us.

Thank You, God! We love You!

Other LINKS:

Pictures: http://www.fxcc.org/events/definingmoments/2005-01.asp

Bruce Black's comments: "Defining Moments" http://bruce-black.blogspot.com/

Countdown to the 40 Days (campaign and conference)

What a weekend we had! With rehearsal for the "Defining Moments 2" production, wedding rehearsal, the DM2 production last night, today's worship focusing on "You Are Here" and studying Galatians 1 and our final DM2 production tonight, I am exhausted!! But this is for God's glory and I am extremely glad I am doing this for HIM! :)

I just couldn't stop thinking about the upcoming 40 Days of Purpose this Fall. Along with other events planned: Ladies' Retreat, Zoe conference, 40 Days conference, I sense that God will be outpouring His great love on us!! I just thought I'd share with you, if you have never experienced the 40 Days of Purpose campaign, take time in reviewing this:

During 40 days, your church members will rediscover God's five eternal purposes for their lives:
WORSHIP: We were planned for God's pleasure!
FELLOWSHIP: We were formed for God's family!
DISCIPLESHIP: We were created to become like Christ!
MINISTRY: We were shaped for serving God!
EVANGELISM: We were made for a mission!

And what will be the end result?

1. Your members will learn to CENTER their lives on God, not themselves, and live a lifestyle of worship for the glory of God because we were planned for God's pleasure. This begins with complete surrender of our lives to Christ.

2. Your members will CONNECT with other believers who experience real fellowship because we were formed for God's family. This includes identifying with other believers through baptism, joining a local church family and participating in some kind of small group fellowship.

3. Your members will CULTIVATE spiritual maturity and godly character because we were created to become like Christ. This includes developing the habits necessary for spiritual growth.

4. Your members will CONTRIBUTE something back by using their talents in ministry because we were shaped for serving God. This includes discovering your SHAPE for ministry and finding a place of service in your church.

5. Your members will COMMUNICATE God's love to others and develop a heart for the world because we were made for a mission. This includes learning to share your faith and participating in some kind of mission activity.

I must admit that it is easy to forget these important aspect of our Christian service. Sometimes, we forget that God is at the CENTER of our lives!! We may simply go about "our" own ways. The Lord's congregation ought to be CONNECTED to each other in fellowship. When we do not spend time with God in daily bible readings, prayer and bible studies, we lack the opportunity to CULTIVATE ourselves and one another toward spiritual maturity. We give back to God by CONTRIBUTING our time and energy for others. And lastly, COMMUNICATION is the key to a successful mission for God.

This fall will be a great "reminder" for those who have taken it over a year ago and an exciting adventure for those new with the campaign.

I have been praying for you. I believe God is preparing us all for a mighty movement of his hand in our generation, and I have often prayed that you and your congregation would experience the incredible sense of hope, energy and joy that comes from discovering what God put you on this planet to do.

Putting Power In His Ministries

If you do not put your foot on the accelerator, the car will not go. If the pilot do not push the lever up, the plane will not take-off. If you do not push a button, nothing will be powered on. Thousands of things in life requires action.

Today, churches in America are "sleeping". There's no exertion of power from their everyday lives. Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except for just "keeping" it. Oftentimes, members of the church run into a snare, no matter how big or small, whether another member offended them, or they found something that wasn't pleasing to them, or a very small matter got them driven up the wall, then quit serving God. "I am going to find another church," they may say. They simply held back their foot from the pedal of faith. God cannot do anymore for them when they call it quits.

The designation active member in most churches simply means those who attend regularly and financially support the church. They want to see their "close friends" and that's all. Not much more is expected.

But God has far greater expectations for every Christian. He expects every Christian to use their gifts and talents in ministry.

If we can ever awaken and unleash the massive talent, resources, creativity, and energy found in the typical local church, Christianity will explode with growth at an enormous rate. I believe that the greatest need in churches is the release of members for ministry.

But there's a problem that may prevent God from growing a "healthy church". An unhealthy minister. Satan does his own job to persuade the Lord's church to heavily depend on His servant (minister) in hope that the minister will be distracted from his service he should do for the Lord and lead him to severe burn-out. It is happening in most of the churches in America.

I think a healthy minister nurtures a healthy church by creating an intentional, well planned system for uncovering, mobilizing, and supporting the giftedness of its members. But that's only if the members are "Spirit-driven" to serve the gift God gave them. Members must be given a simple process that they can follow which will lead them to deeper commitment and greater service for Christ. They need a track on which they can move forward. Get them into the ballgame! It is not a one man team against many. The whole family of God ought to power up their "gifts" to service and glorify God.

Remember that skill, not dedication, is the key to effectiveness at anything. "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success." (Eccl. 10:10)

Here are five questions you need to ask about your Christian education program:
1. Are people learning the content and meaning of the Bible?
2. Are people seeing themselves, life, and other people more clearly from God's perspective?
3. Are people's values becoming more aligned with God's values?
4. Are people becoming more skilled in serving God?
5. Are people becoming more like Christ?

If you want to put "POWER" in the gift God has given you but don't know how, communicate this with your minister. Servants shouldn't wait for the minister to call you into His service. Be praying to God, asking Him what He wants you to do, and discuss your vision plan with the church as well as the minister of your congregation. Ask for more training sessions: it may mean you'll have to give up your Saturdays.

The church ought to daily motivate one another toward serving God. When people give their lives to the Lord in baptism, the first thing they need to do is to "get involved in a ministry and serve Christ by serving others. Christians need to be dying and hungry to serve God and to make a contribution with their lives. Just as Rick Warren quoted in the Purpose Driven Life book, "We Are Made For Ministry!" Then ask God to put the power in the gift He gave you and drive His ministry among others in the world!

Would You Run?

Imagine this happening to you...

One Sunday morning during service, a 2,000 member congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying submachine guns. One of the men proclaimed, "Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ remain where you are."

Immediately, the choir fled...

The deacons fled...

And most of the congregation fled....

Out of the 2,000 there only remained around 20. The man who had spoken took off his hood... He then looked at the preacher and said "Okay Preacher, I got rid of all the hypocrites.. Now you may begin your service. Have a nice day!"

And the two men turned and walked out.

TOO DEEP TO NOT PASS ON...

*Funny how simple it is for people to trash God ....and then wonder why the world is in the condition it is today....

*Funny how we believe what the newspapers say...but question what the Bible says...

*Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven... Provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. or is it scary?

*Funny how someone can say "I believe in God"...but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes"in God).

*Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire...but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, you think twice about sharing.

*Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace.. but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and work place.

*Funny, isn't it? Funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday...but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week.

Are you laughing?

*Funny how when you go to forward this message... You will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe... Or what they will think of you for sending it to them.

*Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me...... than what God thinks of me.

Are you thinking?

Will you share this with people you care about? Or not?

I picked you~

May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious to you; May the Lord lift up His favour upon you; And give you His peace.

Do I hear an, "Amen?"

Thanks to our sister in Christ, Nancy Rarus for passing this on to me. I pray that you will do the same. : )

Reviewing Your NIKE Status

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." (NLT)

While Nike® may have the trademark on the phrase "Just Do It!"

Jesus certainly said it enough to claim original authorship of this thought. He is serious: his teaching is not for philosophical inspiration, nor for intellectual conversations, nor just for Bible class discussions. The goal of his teaching is to help people understand just one important thing:

What the will of God is and then "Just Do It."

Right now, I am picturing a couple of brave soldiers who fought in Iwo Jima. Do you recall the picture of a couple of men on a hilltop working together to plant an American flag which tells the world that they have "overcome" their enemies. This picture is priceless! I must say that you ought to picture yourselves raising a banner of God like what the men at Iwo Jima did. When you have conquered your enemies of daily incidences, God will do a freeze-frame of your victory over them. It will be a Kodak moment for God. He will always be moved when you have overcome your struggles and weaknesses. You have done the "Just Do It" trademark of Jesus! You have done it because you trusted in Him. You have done it because you listened to Him through the Holy Spirit that lives in you.

While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with a holy boldness boast against all the powers of darkness.

Let Satan do his worst, he is chained;
Let the world do its worst, it is conquered: principalities and powers are spoiled and disarmed, and triumphed over, in the cross of Christ.

Who then dares fight against us, while God himself is fighting for us? And this we say to these things, we're more than conquerors through him who loved us! So my question is, "How much of a conqueror are you through God who loves us?" Then review your NIKE (conqueror) status everyday!

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Ro. 8:37 (NIV)

Unwinded

We're back, bloggers!!

Man! Our trip to Aruba was fantastic!! After days of sunbathing; snorkeling at the Antilla reef, above the 400' sunken Nazi ship, at the Baracuda reef (including driving a Rhino Rider which is a jet-ski-like-boat); a safari trek sightseeing a lighthouse, indian church, gold mine ruins, natural bridge and relaxing on De Palm island; shopping in downtown Oranjestad; visiting Baby beach and the church of Christ in San Nicolas; and cruising along the Caribbean sea for an amazing sunset sail, we're finally getting ourselves back on track with a fresh mind! There's so much to see and a two week vacation would be an ideal time! However, we're so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to escape and unwind.

Speaking of the word, "unwind", I was looking this word up in the dictionary. Here is what the dictionary defined it:

To reverse the winding or twisting of: unwind a ball of yarn.
To separate the tangled parts of; disentangle.
To free (someone) of nervous tension or pent-up energy.

Our enemy makes every undying effort to entangle us with the world. We, often, fall prey to whatever the trap the enemy has set before us. Sometimes, it comes to us as a surprise. Oftentimes, we knew it was coming. When a person is aware of the trap that is set before us, we're given a choice to whether to entangle ourselves with it or to flee from it. 2 Peter 2:20-21 quotes,

"If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have know it and they turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them."

God passed this message through Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. If you are a Christian and have buried your life in the Lord in baptism, you have "..escaped the corruption of the world.."! You were crushed in heart knowing you have sinned against God, though we're still sinners, Christ died for us! There will be a time when you have simply lost your faith in God, have wallowed yourselves among the world and its ways and have disconnected your relationship with God. Some of you may be in this state of divorce from God or are in the process of "divorcing" yourselves from God. After days, months and even years of faithful service to the Lord, the weariness sets inside the core of your heart which will eventually lead to a burn-out, or even worse, a divorce from God, turning your back on Him.

How do we avoid these serious consequences that may destroy the faith and relationship we have with God?

1. Daily bible reading and prayer with God.
2. One-on-one chat with a fellow Christian at Starbucks (or any convenient place).
3. Several vacation plans with family (get out to unwind - leave your computer/pager at home.)
4. Escape to the Shenadoah Mountains (or a countryside drive) and breathe.
5. Bible study - how many time have I told you this? Weekly studies together do a whole world of good! Believe me! If you're not reading and studying, you're depriving your soul of Living Water and Bread of Life. In other words, you're starving and dehydrating your soul.
6. Worship God 24/7, especially every Sunday!
7. Understand God's Divine Power which He has given us the ability to overcome!

Now that Aruba is seen in our rearview mirror, we're looking ahead with a fresh mind and Spirit. We were emotionally and spiritually drained prior to leaving for Aruba. Now, the enemy is returning for another round of beating. We will simply rely on God, His promises, and His divine nature then constantly escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pe. 1:4)

This Little Island God Made


Good morning, Bloggers! Time to wake up and smell the java of God! Ahhhh! A sweet, sweet smell of Eternity! That's the kind of coffee we brew at home...

Michelle and I will be taking our "long, long overdue" trip overseas to this little island of God called, "Aruba"! He designed it! He painted all the colors of that little island! So we're anxious to see His marvelous artwork!

Many thanks to those who volunteered to help my parents out by taking our childreno out. My mom cannot take all the pressures of raising and rearing our children since my dad has Parkinsons. Again, thanks! And please do pray that we will have a great and safe trip.

Do you know what this means? It means that I won't be able to blog (several commanded me to leave a computer alone, even in Aruba) from today through May 8th. So I will be anxious to share with you our trip and what God has done during our stay in Aruba. We, even, have plans to visit San Nicolaas church of Christ where I learned that there are three deaf members with no interpreters!! Michelle and I will be worshipping with them and we'll see what God has planned for this Sunday. We're very excited about this!

Thanks, Bloggers, for your eyes and hearts! We love you!!

Blessed Be His Name,

Mark and Michelle <><

To Like Or Not To Like

There are alot of things I don't like. And there are, also, alot of things I like. I don't like putting on my Nike's without socks. You just never know what creeps from within the sole. I don't like seafood. Because they give a deathly stare at me before I ever put a fork to it. I don't like to see alot of blood. They give my head a big swirl. I don't like gossips. Because they always do more harm than good. I don't like it when people interrupt a good and divine conversation. You just never know what God has in store for them. I don't like to go to crowded places. You'll likely not end up where you want to be. I don't like people being critical to others when they have a "big log" in their eyes. It's like the audience telling Dr. Phil what's best in life. I don't like it when people say, "I need more time for self than for God." They're surely missing out the best of the best in relationships!

There are alot more that I don't like. But I don't need to tell you anymore. Now you know some of hundreds of thousands of examples that I don't like. And I don't need to tell you anymore. You can jot down alot of your likes and dislikes. Often, you'll see more being listed on the dislikes side! It is something that you and I have to deal with. We are unique human beings. God designed us for this very purpose.

There are alot of things that I like, too. People hugging people. Being loving. Being joyful. Christians high in the Spirit of God! People making a huge chunk of time with God, I mean, "huge"!

When it comes to a relationship with God, though, you and I, both, have differences in life (our likes and dislikes), doesn't mean that we have to turn around to "please a person" to fulfill their "likes" and diminish their "dislikes". There will be a time when we will not like what the "truth" is. God has set, before us, a boundary to stay within, regardless if you like it or not. There will always be a time when people enter the boundary, observe all that is being done within the boundary of God and express their "likes and dislikes". They may try and force a change to please their craving nature. Apostle Paul encountered this similar problem that is happening to us all today:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Paul was trying to bring the people into "obedience" to the Lord's command and to stay within the boundary of God. There were problems within the church in Galatia, namely, the Judaizers. It is a name for those who were formerly Jews that became a Christian. The judaizing teachers came into the church with a goal: to change the church into doing what the Judaizers like. The judaizing teachers, by whom these churches were corrupted: they mixed works with faith, and the law with the gospel, only to please the Jews, whom they were willing to compromise and keep in with, that they might escape persecution.

But Paul was a man of another spirit for whom the Judaizers do not like: Paul was not so solicitous to please them, nor to alleviate their rage against him, as to change the doctrine of Christ either to gain their favor or to avoid their fury. And he gives this very good reason for it, that, if he yet pleased men, he would not be the servant of Christ.

While we have our "likes and dislikes", we need to continue to keep things to ourselves and do the will of our Father in Heaven. We're here, not to please ourselves, but to please the One and Only, God! It is encouraged that every church in the world stay within God's boundary and while we do so, here are a couple of verses we ought to possess within our hearts:

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DIFFERING ASSUMPTIONS, yet: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5

WE NEED TO FIGHT FAIR (Fight the fight of faith!) So "Remind the people... to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all." Titus 3:1-2

MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THE LINE OF RESPECT by showing "..proper respect to everyone." 1 Peter 2:17

MAINTAIN HOLY MOTIVES when you listen to Jesus' words: "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." John 15:10

WHEN THE TOP FLIES OFF we ought to "Be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Cor. 13:11

A Friend That Stays

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

What kind of a Friend is Jesus to you?
Who is Jesus that you call Him your Friend?
Why is He Your Friend?

Jesus Is A Friend That Stays When The World Walks Out!

"You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15:14 (NIV)

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy to God." James 4:4 (NIV)

What are some of Satan's favorite ingredients that are "friendship with the world"? Jealousy, envy, quarrel, hatred, divorce (it's becoming much more common, in the world today, compared to 20 years ago!!), adultery (not only physical but mental and spiritual!!), lust, greed, favoritism, ridicule, lies, deceit, pride, gossip (popular among both deaf and hearing; with an intent to harm) and hundreds of other nasty ingredients!! These are what God hates!!!

"There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)

Jesus is a Friend that stays with those who love Him while the world walks out of those who love Jesus!

Meet Mr. Gullibility

IMPORTANT!!!!! READ THIS!!!!!!!

I know this guy whose neighbor, a young man, had a few stiff drinks at a party, and the next morning he awoke in a hotel bathtub full of ice and he was sore all over. When he got out of the tub he saw a note on the mirror saying that HIS KIDNEYS HAD BEEN STOLEN by Bill Gates, and he could only get them back by dialing 9-0-# and forwarding 5000 emails to a dying girl at Disney World.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!!

My uncle’s friend heard this story from his neighbor who got it from a guy who used to work for the American Cancer Society in a major city. Well the poor guy immediately tried to call 911 from a pay phone to report his missing kidneys, but upon reaching into the coin-return slot, he got jabbed with an HIV-infected needle around which was wrapped a note that said, “JOIN THE CREW”.

He was so distraught at this point that he went into the nearest theater and bought a ticket. It was then that he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder blade. The people behind him got up laughing and tossed a wadded-up paper ball at him as they ran out. When he uncrumpled the paper, it said “WIN A HOLIDAY”.

THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!

I have a friend who works next door to the police department of a major city and he heard it from his elderly aunt. The poor man, having no kidneys and infected with a dread disease, stumbled into a nearby Neiman-Marcus cafe and ordered a plate of cookies. He asked for the recipe and was told that it would cost “two fifty.” When he received his bill, there was a charge for 250 dollars! Furious, he fired up his laptop and tried to send an email to his lawyer. Unfortunately, he first downloaded a message titled “IT TAKES GUTS TO SAY JESUS” and it wiped out everything on his hard drive.

So anyway the poor guy tried to drive himself to the hospital, but on the way he noticed another car driving along without its lights on. To be helpful, he flashed his lights at him and was promptly shot as part of a gang initiation in a major city. He died before he was able to make it into the hospital.

THIS IS NOT A CHAIN LETTER!!!

Please forward this urgent message to every one you can, and spread the news that the Make-A-Wish foundation will donate a pair of Nike sneakers to everyone at Disney World, but only if you send it to 1000 people. Don’t be a thoughtless jerk — it only takes a minute of your time to spread this message, and it could be true!

I wonder what it is that makes us so gullible when it comes to e-mail messages. Chances are you have been the recipient of some of the hoaxes mentioned above. I wonder what it is that makes us so gullible when it comes to e-mail messages. Intelligent people in every other aspect of life will often fall victim to mindlessly believing anything and everything that comes through their e-mail account. And then, they will pass it along to all their friends without taking five minutes to verify its validity (incidentally, the best site I have found to check these things out is http://www.snopes2.com)

Gullibility, regarding Internet messages, isn’t nearly as serious, though, as gullibility in religious matters.

Many people are guilty of doing the same thing in regard to religious teaching.

They will believe whatever a friend or a preacher says (after all, he spent years in a bible school or seminary or colleges studying the Bible) without bothering to take the time to check and verify the truthfulness of what is being taught for themselves.

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth..." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV)

"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth...." 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NIV)

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)

When it comes to the salvation of our souls, we dare not trust anyone merely on the basis of their word (not even me). We cannot say, "I like what that preacher just shared with us." We ought to say, "Is that what God likes to hear or see?" God’s Word must be used as our sole standard of judging truth and error.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:23

Who has the "mind of the Lord" or who has the "gullibility of the world?"