Lord, Have Mercy

I was watching the news last night and saw all those in Pakistan under the rumble of stones from the terrible earthquake that shook the country! It's hard to watch these images: people crying out for help, the hurting, the hungry, the sick, and the poor. The worse-case of all this is there are some people buried alive under the rumble. All I ask from you is that you daily and constantly lift up your prayers for that nation in need of God's powerful hands!!

And remember, we have many within our community that are experiencing the hang-ups, hurts and habits that desires Christ-like compassion. As I look at this picture and thinking of all the people in our community, I hear in my heart Michael W. Smith's, "Lord, Have Mercy":

----
Jesus, I've forgotten the words that You have spoken
Promises that burned within my heart have now grown dim
With a doubting heart I follow the paths of earthly wisdom
Forgive me for my unbelief
Renew the fire again

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
(2x)

I have built an altar where I worship things of Man
I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from You
Now I am returning to Your mercies ever flowing
Pardon my transgressions
Help me love You again

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
(2x)

I have longed to know You & Your tender mercies
Like a river of forgiveness ever flowing without end
I bow my heart before You in the goodness of Your presence
Your grace forever shining
Like a beacon in the night

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
(2x)
----

Lord, have mercy on me - I will begin to provide for others
Lord, have mercy on me - I will strive to Show Jesus to every soul
Lord, have mercy on me - I will grow in fellowship with all believers
Lord, have mercy on me - my heart will hunger for lost souls
Lord, have mercy on me - I will pray unceasingly
Lord, have mercy on me - if I failed to please You and You only
Lord, have mercy on me - help me love You again
Lord, have mercy on me - I will turn away from a doubtful life
Lord, have mercy on me - my Spirit's fire will burn bright before the eyes of the world
Lord, have mercy on me - I will provide my eyes, ears, hands and heart for the hurting

Lord, have mercy on me!

Zoe '05

Deaf Zoe '05: David, Jennifer, Teresa, Paul, Isaac, Amanda, Tim, Cario, Forrest, David, Cindi, Michelle, Alan, Becky, Angela, Alyson, Mark, Dennis, Kayla and Jose! (Not pictured: Mike, Gina, Donna and Rachel)














Singing praises and shouting hallelujahs!!















Zoe group leading us to awesomely sing His praises!!

Spiritual Doctors

**Warning: long blog but important!!**

I believe compassionate churches (people) are built on broken (hurting) people.

Brokenness means a willingness to abandon our pride, our pretensions, and our self-righteous posturing. This is a pre-requisite to God's blessing on our lives and His church. So many of His children in His church are playing the "mask game". They cover themselves up with hypocrisy and say, "I love God! I am serving the Living Lord!" They have, not only overlooked their own destruction, but the destruction of others in the world without Christ.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mt. 5:3 (niv) When we reach the end of the rope, we give up our self-sufficiency then God moves into our lives with healing and growth, eventually moving into other people's lives for the same blessings!

How can anyone praise and glorify God if we're not leading them to the blessings of God over their hurts, anger, poverty, and abandonment. We're challenged with a very difficult task. Finding deaf people that are hurting in the world is like finding a "needle in a haystack"!! We want to reach out but don't know where they are. We want to help but struggled to find those who need it. Not one of us is untainted, and because of sin, we've all hurt ourselves and hurt others and others have hurt us. So where are these deaf people that are hurting:

Drug addicts
Alcoholics
People whose lives are out of control
Addiction to gambling
Divorcees
Abused
Abandoned

Each of us need repentance and recovery in order to live the lives the way God intended. There are people out there with incredible hurts, habits and hang-ups from 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago! Now, my question is, are we taking the "realization that there are hurting people out there" seriously? What are we doing to open the door leading the hurting to God at Fairfax or in His church in your community? We need faithful and compassionate men and women to oversee this important matter! I have heard, over and over, that when hurting people come to one of our members, they say, "Go and make an appointment with Mark (preacher)!" "I don't have time but Mark is available to see you." "I am sorry, I don't know anything about this but I am sure Mark has resources." These people are missing the grandest point! These hurting people want your eyes, your hands, your compassion, your empathy! They're not looking for words of wisdom in how to deal with their issues, they're looking for the Jesus touch a member may have on them. They may want a hug. They desire company. They want us to lead a "listening eyes".

We should consider taking this seriously and pray about this. Perhaps, we have too many events within the church that is keeping our lives away from those who are hurting. Consider this, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17 Is our focus on those without Christ, those hurting, those without a purpose in their lives. We shouldn't be attracting other "so-called believers" (whether they're lukewarm or inactive) to His church but reaching out to the unbelievers, those hurting.

Of course!!! What do you expect when His church makes a major transformation in their plans and visions when we, instead of focusing on the internal, but begin on those outside of God's blessedness? If we're serious about dealing with broken people, then we're going to bring in a lot of problems with us when they come to church. I keep thinking of the classic 12-step program for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They'll come in completely broken but as time goes and the Word of God is fed into their precious and fragile souls, the saving power of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit will be evident!

A couple of things:

Are we bringing the Word of God to those who are hurting?
Are we helping them focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past?
Instead of playing the "accuse & excuse" game of victimization, are we helping them avoid poor choices and transition into making right choices?
Are we emphasizing spiritual commitment to Christ? (Are you a perfect example of commitment?)
What kind of a community (church) are you?
Are we, as a church (not limiting only to the minister), addressing all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups?
Are we servants of the Most High Living God in our community? (Christlike!!)

If we allow God to help us be transformed into being "spiritual doctors" for the hurting in our community, we're going to see lives changed in dramatic ways that we cannot help but talk about what Jesus has done and still does and what the church is doing to them! We'll see hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful habits, hang-ups and hurts. Read the Beattitudes (Mt. 5-7)!!

All Hyped Up!

We just returned home after a long but exciting and fantastic week/weekend at Zoe in Nashville!! I must tell you how spiritually refreshed I am now that I am home with a renewed sense of purpose in pursuit to glorify our Loving and Living God! During the whole conference at Zoe, God provided me with His blessings helping me to learn and understand a deeper meaning of worship and how we are all to worship our Creator! I will, indeed, show you all the spiritual bruises I received from the teachers of the Word.

Not only was I there but my family, the Stewarts, the Cesones and the Hinckleys were all there for the conference. I can see the lessons stirred up the Spirit in them and they're eager to do "all the more" for the Lord. They're already in an "outpouring of the Spirit" mode discussing ways to bring ourselves out of our "comfort zones" and into the "uncomfortable level of service". I will have to save this for this Sunday's 40 Days campaign because we're going to begin on God's purpose #1: WORSHIP!

Changes must be made and that will soon happen within the next month or two to give us a whole lot of room for energy and time for God among others in our community. I recommend that you keep reading my blog for powerful insights we all learned at Zoe this past weekend. The conference certainly is a great, great place to receive a spiritual renewal and leave the conference empowered to sacrificially serve the Lord! So many of us, Christians, love to remain in our "comfortable boundaries" that we wouldn't go too far to be like the Good Samaritan who stepped out of his (comfort zone) to help a bleeding and beaten person along the road.

I'm all hyped up for changes and challenges ahead! How about you?

Don't forget about the 40 Days blog: http://deaf40.blogspot.com. :)

The Day Is Here!

Bloggers!

No, no.. Not the second coming of Jesus, yet! :) It's the day of our move from the old to the new! We're very excited and nervous but everything will go very well, Lord willing. Just wanted to keep you on schedule:

September 29 & 30: our move
October 1st: 40 Days Kick-off picnic at Burke Lake Park #2
October 2nd: we're going to focus on another "24" series about two things we need to do throughout the day after waking up praising God in the morning!
October 6th through 9th: Zoe conference in Nashville.
October 9th: start of the 40 Days, "What On Earth Am I Here For?"

So my blogging this weekend and next week will be very sporadic. Please take advantage of the blog link on the right hand side of your screen.

Show Jesus, bloggers!

Deaf40

Good morning, bloggers!

Just a short note to let you know, starting next week Sunday, October 9th, I will be posting a daily summary in reflection from Rick Warren's book, "Purpose Driven Life". Be sure to check daily by clicking on "living with purpose blog" link on the right side of your screen. Feel free to add your encouragement after reading each daily 40 Days blog. Please try and be as positive as you can and share with us how God is, each day, impacting your life.

I am really excited about this upcoming 40 Days campaign and I am sure some of you are! I will do my best to do a Nike blog this week but I am in the middle of a move from one home to another. I ask that you pray for us all as the upcoming two weeks will be very busy! Please pray for the whole world as well that all will come to lift up their hearts to our Lord Jesus Christ!

Don't forget about the Kick-off picnic at Burke Lake Park this Saturday!! There will be food, devotional, fun games under the predicted beautiful sunny skies and cool weather!!

Bless you all!! Show Jesus 40!

Mississippi

Good morning, Bloggers!

I am off to attend the gospel meeting at the Goodman Oaks church in Mississippi tomorrow. It will be interested to see what God has in store for them as well as for me. It will be beneficial because it will be extremely good to see other brothers and sisters hungry for the Lord and His Word. So please pray for me and the rest of the family at Goodman Oaks! Thanks..

Here's an interesting article I found on the web for you bloggers to read:

"Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God's very own family ... and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." Eph. 2:19 (LB)

Today, a lot Christians are what I call "floating believers." It is an expression of America’s rampant individualism. Anywhere else in the world, being a believer is synonymous with being connected to a local body of believers. You rarely find a lone ranger Christian in other countries.
Many American Christians, however, hop from one church to another without any identity, accountability, or commitment. They have not been taught that the Christian life involves more than just believing – it also includes belonging. We grow in Christ by being in relationship to other Christians.

C.S. Lewis once wrote an essay on church membership, reminding us that the word "membership” is of Christian origin, but it has been taken over by the world and emptied of all its original meaning.

Today, most people associate the term "membership” with paying dues, meaningless rituals, silly rules and handshakes, and having your name on some dusty roll. Paul, however, had a very different image of membership. To Paul, being a "member” of the church did not refer to some cold induction into an institution but rather it meant becoming a vital organ of a living body (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians. 6:15, 1 Corinthians. 12:12-27). We need to reclaim this image!

THE MEANING OF MEMBERSHIP

Joining a church used to be an act of conformity in our society. You joined a church because everybody else did. Now the rules have changed and conformity is no longer a motivating factor. In fact, George Gallup has found that the vast majority of Americans believe it is possible to be a "good Christian” without being "added to His number" (or even attending) a local church.

Membership is now an act of commitment. The way you motivate people to join today is to show them value-for-value what benefits are in return for their commitment. When people understand the meaning and value "being added to His number", they get excited about it.

There are numerous benefits to "being added to His number":
1. It identifies me as a genuine believer (Ephesians 2:19, Romans 12:5)
2. It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage me in my walk with Christ (Galatians 6:1-2, Hebrews 10:24-25)
3. It gives me a place to discover and use my gifts in ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4-27)
4. It places me under the spiritual protection of godly leaders (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 20:28-29)
5. It gives me the accountability I need to grow (Ephesians 5:21).

Nothing helps this picture come into focus like personalizing the purposes of His church (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, mission). This is especially important when convincing attendees in your crowd to "be added" to His church.

Specky Lil' Speck

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Luke 6:41-42 (nlt)

I think it's really amazing that some people just don't see themselves. They are people who "..like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." James 1:23-24 (niv) They are people who say one thing but doesn't even do it themselves. They just move their mouths (for the deaf, hands) but do not even do it themselves (action). In the same book, James argued that "..faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 (niv) They are unfaithful people with a huge "log" in their eye picking on the faithful with only a speck in his/her eye. Man! It's annoying to go through this and often times it is hurtful. Those with a "log" in their eye will always have a hard time admitting they have a "log" but constantly denies they have it and begins to point finger at those with "specks". They are nothing but talkers, whiners, complainers, and critical toward others. Their words are nothing but empty words. The "loggers" will continue to defend themselves that they ever have a "log"! That makes our relationship with them much harder because "pride" and "humble" do not mix! So what do we do?

Until God ordains otherwise, every person ought to bear patiently whatever he/she cannot correct in himself and in others. Consider it better thus - perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will provide the help so that you can bear them calmly.

If, after being admonished once or twice, a person (logger) does not change, do not argue with him/her but commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants (He's the J-man!), for God knows well how to turn evil to good, even will judge those who do evil on the last day!

Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure. If you cannot make yourself what you would wish to be, how can you bend others to your will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves.

Their great liberty (prideful denial) displeases us, yet we would not be denied what we ask. If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God's sake? But God has so allowed, that we may learn to bear with one another's burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough.

Therefore, we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man's virtue is best revealed in time of adversity - adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.

Then, Lord willing, the "Loggers" will possess specky lil' speck in their eye because they have allowed God to destroy their prideful denial and humbled them before others! For those who loves to "show and talk", be sure to look at themselves first. Are you a strong example to others before God? Do you commit wholeheartedly and faithfully to the service of our King? Do others look up to you and respect you because you work hard for the Lord? If one person suggest something before the church such as be faithful to Sunday's services but he/she doesn't attend faithfully, they are classified as a "Logger"! Be careful what you say because others are watching you and your example!

Where Are The People?

Even a little reading of Scripture reveals that God is looking for men. Ezekiel 22:30 says, "I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land that I might not destroy it, but I found no one." How many times do you think God calls on us to prepare for His service? A sand in a seashore!! But, often, we're standing on the sidelines looking at each other thinking, "Not me, today, I am busy. Hey, there's a potential." Can you hear yourself thinking this? Lesson after lesson, most of us are still sitting at home and going about our "own" business.

God is looking for people with humble hearts; people who will sacrifice anything for Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom, His church. It all started by Jesus calling a few men to follow Him... His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with Christians like you and me whom the multitudes (people) would follow ... People were to be His method of winning the world to God. Why are there so few godly people? Why does every church I know of have a leadership problem?

One of the reasons is a lack of an intentional strategy.
This was the case at His church in Fairfax six years ago. We've developed a men's and women's ministry, a sports ministry and a prayer ministry, Visiting Angels and several other ministries. Obviously, this is a God-thing! But in seeking God, we have followed an intentional strategy.

The first principle is a bottom-line dependence on prayer. A couple years ago, I gathered about eight of us to seek God's vision for His ministries. I told them that if God was going to do miracles, then we were going to have to ask Him. We agreed to meet every week and pray for an hour to ask God for His direction on this ministry.

Sometimes all eight of us showed up, sometimes it was just me, but for a year or so, we prayed every week. We asked God for miracles. We prayed for people's salvation. We prayed for people's marriages. We prayed that His children be spiritual leaders. What we need to do is open with a Scripture reading and then we pray. We don't talk about prayer; we pray! There are alot of ways to do prayer meetings and each one of them is unique. However, God does love a variety of prayer approaches. Every church ought to have prayer meetings. I must admit that Satan has placed a spiritual lock on the "prayer meeting" door because I received several complaints about how the prayer meeting is done. They say one thing while another say another. Their focus are on themselves, not on others in dire need for God's answer. I have given the task to one who ought to lead but I pray that he will be encouraged to bring the "lock" on the anvil and break it away paving the way for us to the throne room of God to pray!

What do we do? We don't share prayer requests; we pray them. We spend time in praise and thanksgiving; we pray for our small groups, our leaders, specific men in need and we pray every week!

The second principle of His ministry is that - without apology - we challenge people to become authentic spiritual leaders.

Our mission is "to connect people with God and to other people, so that they become authentic spiritual leaders in their families, in the church, in the community and in the world."
What this means is that we do ministry with the end in mind of discipling people into mature reproducing leaders. Paul said in Col. 1:28-29, "We proclaim Christ, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ and for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."
Our outreach events, our Bible studies, our discipleship groups, our prayer meetings and especially our retreats, are all prayed for and programmed for challenging people to be spiritual leaders.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Prov. 27:17)

"And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Tim. 2:2)

"One another's" presence will allow us to send more people as ambassadors for Christ. God wants your church to be filled with people who love Him more than anything else; people who will pay any price and serve in any capacity to bring Jesus Christ glory. Those people are sitting in the pews. They are at the gym. They are in your neighborhood.

And they are waiting for the church to pray for them, to welcome them, to encourage them and to train them to be men of God. So, where are you, today? Where are the people that God has called?

TIVO

Morning, Bloggers!

Yesterday's worship is still fresh in my heart this morning! What am I thinking? I am thinking of each of you. Last night, I talked with Michelle about all of our brothers and sisters and our precious visitors and said, "I wondered if the Lord's Word is reaching their hearts?" Michelle simply answered, "Mark, you do what you are commanded to do: "to preach, to teach, to guide, to serve, to help, to instruct, to rebuke, to correct, to encourage" and God knows what lies in the heart of those who "heard Him" and will do what He has to do. Remember, God will send Jesus and His angels to gather His little ones home but the "weeds" He will bind and throw into fire. (Mt. 13)" Then I remembered something. I looked back into the history of the Old:

• I saw Noah preaching His warning to the people around him.
• I saw Moses who tried so hard to encourage Israel to be faithful to God for His time for the Deliverance "will come" (after the 10th plague).
• I remembered Isaiah preaching the Word.
• I remembered Elijah preaching with boldness and fear then the next time, feared for the awful queen, Jezebel.
• I remembered the lone prophet, Jeremiah. Jeremiah is my man!
• I remembered John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord.
• I remembered Jesus for some accepted Him but many rejected Him!

Noah preached. Moses preached. Isaiah preached. Elijah preached. Jeremiah preached. John preached. Jesus preached. Yet, many rejected His Word and fell away from the Lord. "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." Luke 10:16 (nas)

Now, about TiVo, it is time to invest in it! TiVo is a "digital recorder" that records your favorite programs on television. Why would I encourage you to invest in TiVo? My answer is: 15 minutes. It's a very simple answer. You will cut approximately 15 minutes of commercials OUT (well, actually you will fast-forward with a superfast digital speed through all the commercials)! Then that leaves you 15 minutes to read His Word, talk about God, chew on what was preached, and pray! TiVo anyone?

Dont' forget about "24" A Day With God! SHOUT IT, FEEL IT, HIDE IT, SAY IT!

Fall Season/24

Fall season began yesterday with the girls first softball practice! Cool temps are in the air. Leaves are, once again, changing. Today is the official Kick-off of the Fall Season at Fairfax Church of Christ. We're gonna have a good year! The year actually starts today, not January 1st.

Today, I am preaching a three-part sermon called, "24 - A Day With God". I am encouraging the congregation and congregations throughout the world to keep God the Lord of your life 24 hours a day! Beginning in the morning, throughout the day and while you're sleeping. Pray that God will give you visions/dreams of what He would like for you to do for Him. Surely, God does go to His childrens' mind like Joseph (concerning Mary), Jacob (resting his head on a rock visioning the stairway to Heaven) and others.

In addition to this Fall season, we're hosting the 40 Days of Purpose campaign starting on October 9th through November 20th. Also, Jose Abenchuchan is coming to D.C., once again, for the 40 Days conference on November 11th through 13th. Zoe conference is on October 6th through 9th! And we're having another movie in the making will, Lord willing, will debut next summer.

I pray that each of you will begin your walk with God today with a renewed sense of direction, the God-way! Follow Him. Listen to Him. Love Him more. Read His Word. Share with others the gospel (good news). Pray, pray, pray! And God bless each of you!

Oh My __________!

Christians, any profanity (word or deed) must be omitted from our very own minds and hearts!! Using the f-word and s-word or any words in relation to filth must be removed from our mental vocabulary! If you've been a Christian for a long time and still use these words, there's really something wrong. They're either not taking "Christianity" seriously or they're not really Christians. I may be blunt but it's true!

God tells it all about the use of "profanity"! Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Ephesians 5:4 (niv) Also, wrote to another church in Colossae, "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.. ..since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:8-10 (niv)

When you used such words like, "f-word", "s-word" or any other "word" without guilt, your mind and heart is obviously polluted by the world's conversations. It is nothing but filth! Those who use cuss-words makes me squirm in my seat, especially those coming from the mouth and hands of a Christian. I have heard many Christians who told me that they have tried so hard to quit but couldn't. Must I spell this out that it is, indeed, hard for the person to stop but it is NEVER hard for the Spirit! Christians ought to examine their lives and those around them. Who are their friends? Do they read the Bible? Who do they fellowship with the most? You may be using cuss-words because you're with a Christian who uses them too. Such person is probably hanging with the wrong person because they are "polluting the mind of a Christian" instead of a Christian "cleaning the mind of the pollutant" with Jesus' love!

When I am conversing with a Christian who uses such filthy words, it's hard for me to see the fruit of the Spirit in the person. It's even more harder for me to continue conversing when they continue cussing. What should our conversation be? "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.." Colossians 3:6 (niv)

I am inserting Murray Sanderson, our worship leader's comments regarding using the Lord's name in vain:

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7

A dear friend of mine (a FXCC member) recently brought to my attention that she often hears “Oh my G-d” said aloud in the lobby of our building. This exclamatory phrase, perhaps used by all of us at one time or another, greatly disturbs her, and rightly so. It should disturb all of us. By biblical command, we should treat God’s name with utmost reverence.

If we sing on Sunday morning, “Lord, I lift your name on high!” Then on Sunday afternoon we exclaim, “oh my G-d!” in casual conversation, then you’ve just lifted the name of the Lord down low. You’ve reduced it to a common, trivial expletive.

As a church, let’s together admit that we can do much, much better with revering God’s name. Let’s not throw stones at any of us who casually use this phrase and haven’t really given it a thought. Let’s confess it as sin and move on. Commit to treating God’s holy name with the greatest care. Eliminate from your vocabulary “oh my God” as an exclamatory phrase. And no, “oh my ga”, “gosh”, “gee”, “Geesh”, “Geez” aren’t suitable either.

Remember, you can’t change yourself on your own power; allow the Holy Spirit to renew and transform you, every detail of your life…even your exclamations! He will give you the grace & conviction you need to gradually morph into the God-honoring person He intends you to be.

Extreme Commitment

I have asked the church to develop extreme commitment to God at Fairfax. Regardless of who the people are, the distance to and from the church, the timing of the service, or what Fairfax offers and lacks, I have asked for "EXTREME COMMITMENT". Am I seeing some people within the body of Christ at Fairfax walking with God? A very few, yes!! The word, "commitment" is often misunderstood among the body of Christ. They are thinking, "Ok, I am a "baptized" believer and attend the "name" church. That's not commitment. Commitment is more than just a name or a confession you've made before God and people.

Two brothers of mine came up to me discussing about a "vision" they had together. They wanted to provide a ministry that provides a "spark"! Each and everyone of us need series of "sparks" every now and then! It is extremely easy, again I say this, extremely easy, to simply let the fire for God die down and give up. When that happens, the commitment you promised to God has ceased! Many of us are often offended by another brothers' or sisters' rebuke or criticism because they see something dying in them. They are doing all they can to glorify God by providing a spark on another instead be brushed away by their lame excuses.

So what does Jesus really want from us? He wants the big "C"! In Luke 14:33, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple." His challenge was TOTAL COMMITMENT! I believe you know what Jesus is trying to tell us in Luke 14:33. What do you do on Sundays? Do you follow Jesus or your kids? Do you follow Jesus or your friends? Do you follow Jesus or your plans? Do you follow Jesus or self? You may say, "Oh, my friends are in town so I must entertain them." You have failed to regard God as God instead regarding your friends as gods. True! If you want to entertain them, the church is the place to be, not to "entertain them" but to show Jesus to them. You're setting an example to your friends that God comes first! And you're glorifying God!

I know God doesn't appreciate "wishy washy" Christians. They aren't sure where they stand. They stand on God sometimes. Other times, they stand on sand! They say one thing, "I am committed." then do the other, the opposite. Believe me, I see "ALOT OF THESE TYPE OF CHRISTIANS!" It's really sad because they don't realize they are blind to themselves thinking what they are saying is true. If you're committed to a church, that's the church you're committed to, no other. If you're bouncing from one church to another, pick one and stay there. Childrens don't have two fathers or two mothers or two sets of siblings. Childrens that have one parent is like a Christian that belongs to one church.

So what does Jesus want from us in our everyday lives? He wants us to be committed to:

BEING MOVED WITH COMPASSION......
"Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." " Mark 1:41 (nas) Many of us are not as compassionate as Christ is! Christ is still a compassionate God! When we're not compassionate, we're not an understanding person. We're not a good listener. We're not living in obedience to His commands. We're not living the Christ-like life.

BEING CHRIST'S EXAMPLE......
"So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."" John 13:12-15 (nas) Notice in the verse above, "..that you also should do..". All Christians should imitate Christ but often failed to do so. We neglect this simple command of Christ. He gave it to you then we simply stow it away. We do not examine Christ's life in the gospel and live like Him.

All I ask from you for the Lord is to increase your commitment to God. Not only that I am seeing the life each of you are ensampling, God is!

"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11 (nas)

People must be taught to make wise commitments. Otherwise, they are planted in a very difficult soil, "'The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.'" (Luke 8:14) To many people the barrier to spiritual growth is not the lack of commitment, it is overcommitment to the "wrong things"! Open your eyes, today, and see where you stand! If you're frustrated with church, your priorities are probably whacked out of order! As Christ said, "Follow me..", are you?

A Different World

This week has been kinda of a life that's gotten out of whack! I don't really understand all that's going on around me, my family and the church. My heart goes out to all the people in the world affected by the terrible catastrophe in Louisiana and Mississippi.

As I typed this blog, I am not trying to scare you but just thinking of the possibilities:

Funny, life seems so swell when we're a nation that is "Blessed by God" until 9/11! Our lives changed dramatically! All the airports in the U.S. (inbound and outbound) were closed. Planes all over the states were on standstill. That affects thousands of people whom works for the airlines. From CEO of the airlines to baggage handlers, all are without job security. Not only does it affect them, it affected us because we rely airlines for postage, business transactions, cargos, etc. Everything seems to have changed 360 degrees!!

Now, with the disaster by Katrina, the issue is "gas". How we all rely heavily on transportation such as cars, buses, trucks and many other small demands. It's a jittery feeling that area gas stations runs out of gas, being victimized by "gasoline" theft out of our very own cars (siphoning), car runs out of gas in the middle of the highway, and high gas price squeezing the dollars out of our wallets. Back in the good ole days, they didn't have cars and many people didn't own horses. There were bandwagons and "walking trails". We're so used to things that are so advanced to help us use our time in the most efficient way. We're so used to things that travel in the "speed of light". We're so used to living what seems to be done at the "blink of an eye". If we were to return back to the "good ole western days", would we freak out?! Indeed, it will be a totally different world so how prepared are we for such a day that may come?

We better not get accustomed to the life we're in. We just never know what tomorrow be. James 4 says,

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If its the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" James 4:13-15 (niv)

Are we ready to be cowboys and indians, again? Time to meet the "sheriff". We'll start building an "outhouse" in our backyard? Chimney will be our source of heat while shady trees the source of cooling? We will be parking horses and bandwagons. Guns will not be outlawed because help doesn't come at a "blink". We'll be hunting our own meat (I can't imagine that..!)..


Again, I am not trying to scare you but just that we never know what tomorrow be. Therefore, be prepared for a different world! You just never know. But one thing we all ought to be aware of is:

The only thing situations will not change is our worship to God and fellowship with all believers!!

What Is God Feeling About This?

It's been a hard week for me to post a blog. Hard to think of anything else right now but to feel for the people in the southern United States whose homes and virtual lives lie under feet of water, mud and rubble. My heart aches for every living soul there! I couldn't stop watching CNN. Every time I come home, I click on the television and tune to channel 200 to see how they are progressing in Louisiana. But it doesn't seem like they are making any. The Governor asked that the nation keep their situation in our prayers. But deep inside, I want to be there to help but they seem to have just about all the resource they can find: National Guard, police officers, Red Cross personnels, construction workers, reporters and some people who were already stuck in Louisiana have become volunteers to help! I'm sure that is a very common dilemma right now. It's hard to pull yourself away because it is so hard to imagine this happening to anybody, much less someone you know. It's moments like this when we feel so frail and helpless as human beings. We are victims of forces way beyond our control.

I don't know how to quote this because it's way beyond my capacity to understand situations like this. Is this an “Act of God.” It doesn't fare too well for God's reputation, huh? Is it that God doesn't have anything better to do than devastate the lives of hundreds of thousands of people? To some it may seem like that. Our human minds and nature doesn't quite understand all this. It is as if we're wrestling with a million pieces of puzzle that, never in our lives, would we be able to solve it? Impossible! The only way we do, because of our human nature, is that we call natural disasters “Acts of God” because there is no other way to explain them.

Therefore, I prefer to awesomely believe that God is and always has been and always will be in control, even through situations like this. Then we accept the inconsistencies that come with that belief, rather than living in the world where God is "NOT" in control and worse than the Louisiana situation, and where there is no purpose for our existence and no one there to hear our silent cries for help.

We are a very fragile living beings in need of God! We must understand (through the historical accounts in the Bible - The Flood, Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Joseph being sold into slavery by his own brothers, 400 years as slaves (Israel) in Egypt, many losses in battle against God's enemies (because of disobedience), exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon (606 B.C.), destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.) and a whole lot more! The same God who "allowed nature to take its course" allowed the world and His human creation go bad, then turned around and sacrificed His own Son in a horrible death in order to save the world! Now, do we understand that? Probably not! We're still struggling with the great things God has done and we don't say word. But when bad things God seems to have done, we turn to Him with clenched fist and curse Him!

But believe me! God continues to be the Protectant on those who deeply depends on Him for His hand! God doesn't expect you to understand but He wants us to learn to understand. Just as God suffered over His Son, Jesus, heartbroken over these loss of His Son on the cross. Whatever you feel, you can be sure God feels also, and then some. God is a compassionate God who does aches for His children. He will turn our lives and devastations into good somehow, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been alled according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (niv).

Life moves on and God will still be our God.

Old Has Gone, New Has Come

This is a great picture of our three girls all ready for their first day of school today! So here we are to say, "Goodbye, Summer and Hello, Fall!" The old has gone and the new has come! It's been a blessed summer for us all as family together. I totally believe God intended this summer to be a family summer. Normally, I would be on travel to the National Workshop and on a mission to Romania. But this year, God seem to close both doors and say, "You need to focus on your family, Mark." And He is right, as always! We're so blessed to spend the whole summer together in the Williamsburg, Outer Banks (OBX - North Carolina) and in the Virginia area.

Now, summer is gone, it has aged, and it is in the past. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (niv)

You will also notice a "For Sale" sign behind the girls on our lawn. Lord willing, this house will be old and we will enter a new home soon. We're very excited about it. If it is still the Lord's will, we will reside near the historic town of Leesburg and closer to the Shennadoah Mountains! Leesburg appears to be the "central" point of all points: you can travel north on 15 toward Frederick (MD) where there's a deaf church on Market Street, you can drive east toward D.C./Maryland on Route 7 and other highways or you can drive south toward Fairfax, Manassas, Centreville, Warrenton where there are deaf populants in the area. Change is always exciting. It's a lot of work to do a change but we can make the hard work exciting! This is very similar to our walk with God. God desires us to always be on the "changing mode" for the better, not for the worse (evil). The Holy Spirit does His work in the very core of our lives and molds us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus!

"..who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:21 (niv)

We must always be on the "changing mode" for eternity! God isn't finished with us until life ends or His Son, Jesus, comes to bring us home. We know that will happen someday, soon I hope. But there are so many people in the world without Christ. They don't know who Jesus is. Jesus isn't interested in the "I know "of" Him." He wants us to "know" Him as a friend (relational intimacy)! Jesus wants us to "grow" all the more to love Him! Jesus has already shown His love for you: DEATH ON THE CROSS! That's their expression of LOVE!

So, everyday, we need to keep our life on the "changing mode". When we get up in the morning, it's a new day. Whatever happened yesterday or last night is old. Say a prayer of confession to God,

"Lord, we admire You and Your presence among us. Please forgive the wrong I have done against You! Help me live through this day as a "change person" ready to reflect Your love among those around me. You're an inspiration to me and I know You're still working in me to change me (talk, walk and thought). In Jesus' Name, Amen!"

Remember, you're not you, you're Jesus. Jesus lives in you (Gal. 2:20)! Make room for Christ in your heart and let Him be the guide in how you live your life among others and before God!

What Have You Done With My Son, Jesus?

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (niv)

They must comfort or encourage themselves and one another. And we may see, as those are most able and likely to comfort others who can comfort themselves, so the way to have comfort ourselves, or to give comfort to others, is in agreement with the exhortation of the word (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Note, we should not only be careful about our own comfort and welfare, but to promote the comfort and welfare of others also. He was a Cain that said, "Am I my brother's keeper?" We must bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ ("Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"Galatians 6:2 (niv)

They must edify one another, by following after those things whereby one may edify another, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19 (niv). It is Christ's law that we edify His church (others and self). As Christians are lively stones built up together a spiritual house, each of us ought to be on his/her journey to promote the good of the whole church by promoting the work of grace in one another. So how are you doing? Is sitting at home and "assuming that growing in Christ" is working? I don't think so. And that's not what the Lord has in mind. Those "disconnected from" or has "severed ties" with His church has violated Christ's law, not being present to "bear one another's burdens"! Per James 2:14-17 (niv), James pointed out that there will be people wishing others the best without helping them, "'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed.' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

And it is the duty of every one of us to study that which is for the edification of those with whom we converse, to meet all people for their real needs, especially babes in Christ!. We should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to another. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another. And it is the duty of those especially who live in the same area and family thus to comfort and edify one another. You have the greatest opportunity, as so are under the greatest obligation, to do this kindness one to another.

This is what the church in Thessalonica did (which also you do), imitate their example, do what they have done, love the love they loved, and this is what they are exhorted to continue and increase in doing. Note: those who do that which is good have need of further exhortations to excite them to do good, to do more good, as well as continue in doing what they do.

Otherwise, at the end of time (your death or Christ's coming), God will ask you one simple question, so simple that you may have a hard time answering because you may not be living the life of obedience to His commands:

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY SON, JESUS?

Whirlwind Weekend

Man! What a weekend! I don't know how all this had happened. Even though, I was a bit behind with my studies for yesterday's lessons, God managed to help me through it all. It was a tough Friday helping the Flavin family move from one house to another. They have alot of heavy stuff, especially the dining room set which was extremely heavy. We just never thought we would accomplish all this heavy stuff. But with God's power and might, He prevailed!

Saturday was a busy day, too! Talking with one of our sis-in-Christ on VP (which is called a videophone that the deaf people uses to see each other as a phone call!). It's a neat way to be in touch with someone and literally seeing them. We talked a good hour or so about various issues that needs to be addressed. I pray as she walks through the "valley of the shadow of death", she will fear no evil for she ought to know His rod and staff will always be with her! (Ps. 23) Then I went to the store to get more groceries to feed our hungry children! In the meantime, I bought my wife a venti Chai, 6 pumps! Then we had to get our home cleaned, again and again, before a couple of people come and look around.

The men zoomed into the beautiful Shennadoah mountains to prepare for whitewater rafting. It was a fabulous day and we really enjoyed the time together as brothers! We were in awe of God's creation gazing at the tall trees on the mountains (it's actually a foothill). The water wasn't that rough due to lack of rain this month but it was extremely nice. Overall, it was a fun time together as men of God. So I didn't get home til 9ish and was already hitting the Bible getting ready for the anticipated Sunday services.

Sunday, time to get up and go to church. Not one bit was I tired but I was pumped up and ready to glorify God! Yesterday, we had a handful of visitors attending the deaf worship service. God bless them for being with us and wanted to assure them that God loves them! One interesting verse, in relation to my lesson on, "High/Low Maintenance" that I showed to all those in attendance is (in several translations) Proverbs 18:9. I have given a lot of thought about this blog (prayer and bible reading):

"A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things." (NLT)

"Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." (ESV)

"One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys." (NIV)

Regardless of all the pressures and plans we endured through the week, weekend, God expects everyone to be present to worship Him and be ready to serve. Sunday is a awesomely important time to come together and give Him the glory. Not only Sunday is a time we make ourselves available to serve Him among others (move, visitations, fellowship, preparations for Sunday and more...). God is and will always be disappointed with those whom He called have become a "slacker".

He warns us in His Word that such "slackers" are people who destroys not only themselves but His church. Their influence is a grave spiritual danger to other brothers and sisters in Christ. They are providing stumbling blocks to both, the weak and the strong, but more on the weak. They are hindering their friends and childrens' desire to know and serve God. They are hurting our chances of reaching out to others because they will know who attends church but do not set a good example to them (visitors) then questioned why they should go to church if it doesn't make a "difference"! Ouch! I have seen people tell me this after they have seen and learned whom some of you are (within the church) and your example isn't Christ-like! Therefore, slackers are people who tremendously HINDERS THE GROWTH OF HIS CHURCH!

Regardless of just about any kind of pressures you had struggled with, God expects your presence. If you've had a whirlwind weekend like mine, worship is a way of life and we're called to put ourselves in His presence!

An Excuse That Won't Work On Jesus!

"As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:57-62 (niv)

What does this Scripture tells us that is divinely important!?

C O M M I T M E N T !

A man with a dying father said that he would follow Jesus wherever He goes. Then Jesus explained that He's always on travel and does not stay in one place. Then the man "changed his mind" giving Jesus an excuse that he couldn't follow because his father was dying. This doesn't mean Jesus doesn't care about his father, he cares if something will lead a man from seeing Jesus as the Lord! Jesus Himself attended funerals. Another man wanted to follow Jesus but he must remain with his family a little more longer before he makes a decision when he will follow. Would Jesus wait for them? The FIELD IS RIPE FOR HARVEST and time is critical here!

Curious, do you picture yourselves like these two men? Are you so tied up with activities or mixed priorities that keeps you away from the place of assembly? Have you not only set a bad example to yourselves, but to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and friends in the world?

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 (niv)

Come to think of this interesting thought. Suppose Jesus appeared on the Sunday morning we're at church to worship God but another "Christian or two" are either doing nothing but sitting at home or busy with your children's activities on Sunday or teeing off with your friends (you are teaching your kids and friends that worship on Sunday is a choice!), or hundreds of other excuses, how would you feel? How can you explain your actions? You have given up meeting with other Christians in worship. Where's the habit? Where's the encouragement? Here are a couple of thought I received from the "uncommitted":

1. Too busy or tired with work or school
2. Rather do some work around the house
3. Rather go shopping
4. Christ is important, not the church
5. Rather sleep in; I overslept; I forgot to turn on my alarm
6. Weekly attendance is not important
7. Jesus doesn't expect me to attend
8. Guest visiting for the weekend
9. Hard to form a habit of assembling
10. Regular attendance causes family tension; my kids drives us up the wall!
11. Those in attendance are not my kind of people; don't get along with anyone
12. No one cares about me; no one is interested in me
13. I must work on Sunday
14. Too far to drive; gas price is high so can't waste it on my trip to church (save for other important trips)

"They follow the Lamb wherever he goes." Revelation 14:4 (niv)

"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)

Do you have Jesus' sandals? If so, you're allowing Jesus to lead your life what He wants to do. Or does Jesus have to put his feet in your shoes and tell you which way is the way to go? It will be very uncomfortable. Christians will see one who is either 'committed' or 'uncommitted'. No matter how many times a fellow and faithful brother or sister try helping and encouraging other weak Christian, God knows what lies in the heart of such person. As James say, we must have working faith! Christians must not reject the words of Christ for the Word of God is the judge on those who misbehave and walk a faithless life. (John 12:48) Christians must surrender their all. A committed life to Christ does not come by accident. It is a life that is purposefully lived. We must realize that we must surrender our wills to the will of God. Look at this awesome verse Paul wrote to selfish Christians in Galatia!!

"Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other, so you cannot do just what you please." Galatians 5:17 (ncv)

You cannot do what your friends please. You cannot do what your boss please. You cannot do what your kids please. You cannot do what you please. Otherwise, any excuses you make will NOT work on Jesus! Believe me, He knows! Now, that's up to you!

Before I close, I want to assure you that no one is, in no way, perfect in this world. Only God and His Son, Jesus is perfect! It is only Christ that perfects us if we allow Him. I can be such an idiot or an ignorant person at times but thank God for our weaknesses! They help us become increasingly stronger day by day!

The Alpha and Omega!

Michelle and I just returned tonight after eating out at P.F. Chang (Chinese Bistro) then hurried from Fairfax to Sterling for the open-captioned movie, War Of The Worlds starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning. Man! It was an awesome movie!!! You know I love the old Orsen Wells movie, "War Of The Worlds". I don't know how many times I have seen it but it seems like a gazillion times that I clearly remember each scenes. Watching the newer version of "Worlds" gave me a firm prediction what will happen next. It is closely similar to the older version of "Worlds"..

As the movie began, they were showing things that cannot be seen with a naked eye. You'll have to use a microscope to be able to detect things like "parasites, DNA's, molecules, and whatever those scientist call those micros!". At first, I thought we were in the wrong movie section. "War of the Worlds" are in section 19 and it is open captioned. The scene went from micro to macro and it was "a drop of water" on a leaf. Then the title came, "WAR OF THE WORLDS". I was like, "Ok..." Let the movie begin!

Again, an awesome movie. The special effects. The suspense. The graphics. The scenery. Everything in the movie was heart-pounding!!! Mankind on earth were immaculately powerless against the Martians! No weapon can destroy them. No missiles. Not even a laser. Blackhawks flew against it but couldn't prevail against it. Howitzers rolled with some of the most powerful ammo known to man couldn't conquer them. The army, navy, air force, marines were annihilated! The aliens continue to snatch people and destroyed them. Mankind were on the brink of total annihilation; in other words, mankind would be wiped out from the world! But the aliens were dying inside their protective shield. After taking in air, people (blood), and whatever is nature, the aliens were dying. They became powerless! People were wondering why and how the aliens died. It wasn't the weapons of the world! They were all, like me, very puzzled. Until the end, the narrator talked about something that blew me away!

The scene came in showing NY in ashes but on a tree, a green bud was budding. Life begins again. As the cam drew near the fresh green bud, the narrator explained that the aliens died because of what God had created. Nature destroyed them: air, blood, water. Whatever God had created destroyed whatever was evil! It only took whatever is micro to annihilate evil! In other words, the aliens were infected with the good God provided! Evil was wiped out!

This movie reminds me of our Lord Jesus! It only takes a pure blood to wipe away the evil in us. Sin, has or still is, alienated in our lives and we're without peace! But God sent Jesus into the world to condemn sin in us and to give us the peace we're looking for and have. He became sin for us so that we be made right with God:

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (nas)

I believe Orsen Wells created this movie out of his understanding of God's powerful potential! Only God possesses the weapon against evil (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Bow down before the One that is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega!

13 years and still on our journey!

Happy anniversary, wifey!! It's really amazing that we've been married 13 years, TODAY! We don't have time to be "fed up" with each other. Our love hasn't corroded, instead continues to shine so brightly that you'll need your Oakleys! Our marriage isn't build on the foundation of sand but on the foundation of our mighty Lord Jesus Christ and His Father in Heaven! The kind of marriage that is powered by the Spirit which is eternal!

There are people who get married will agree and say, "Let's hope we're right for each other". "We'll see how it is as time goes. If it doesn't work, we'll agree to call it quits!" Do you hear/see such comments from your friends or your love ones in the family? This kind of marriage is built on sand. It is not firm. It doesn't prevail against hardships. Whatever or whenever the strong winds of negatives come their way, they're easily blown away. Instead, we ought to say, "We were made for each other. God brought us together for a purpose. Our marriage has been witnessed by our Great Father in Heaven." The right foundation every marriage should be is on the rock whom is Christ Jesus!

Anniversaries are a wonderful reminder of the beginning of our journey. A Christian journey. A marital journey. A Gold's (gym) journey (a healthy lifestyle). It would be an excellent idea to keep several "anniversary dates" noted, especially the beginning of your spiritual journey with God! You will be able to reflect back the years you've endured through and through!

Any kind of journey lives and dies. Marriage dies (it's what Satan wants, not God). A friendship journey dies. A healthy journey dies. A journey with God dies. But I want to point out that a journey with God is the most critical part we must examine. It's a matter of life and death, eternity with God or eternity with Satan, heaven or hell.

"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:13-14 (niv)

Paul wrote to the church (Christians) in Rome warning them with extreme caution that if they "live" according to the nature of sin (living in sin), they will be cut off from the lifeline of God! The love between such person and God has been severed! The love has died. The person has returned to "square one" by becoming, again, a sinful person. God has not regarded such person as one of the sons of God. So we ought to live with the help of the Spirit (Word) and put to death the sin that so severed the love between himself/herself and God!

If we continue to sin (intentionally), beware when Christ comes, He will say this,

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Revelation 2:4 (niv)

I pray that the journey you began with your wife, your husband and with God continues on forever! Indeed, death is the only thing that ends the marital journey and that's the way it should be! It is God's way! Many end their marital journey for selfish reasons. And many end their journey with God for foolish reasons. The journey you have with God ought to continue for eternity! Regardless of all the obstacles we face and stumble, overcome them and move on! And you will be blessed!

Happy anniversary, wifey! Our journey continues and Lord willing, we'll pass the mile (year) marker 15, 20, 25, 50! I love you with the love of Christ!

VaPoRiZeD!

Good evening, bloggers!

I am really excited about this Sunday's lesson, VaPoRiZeD! It is based on James 4:14 but I encourage you to read the whole chapter of James 4.. However, James 3 is even more powerful that everyone in the world ought to read, re-read and apply to their own lives!!

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 (nas)

A question we should ask ourselves is this, "What Is Your Life Anyway?"

Faithfulness (Men's Edition)

Have you seen this song, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." What a wonderful song. The words come from the book of Lamentations 3:22-23. Jeremiah had an achy-breaky-prophetic-heart. He was singing the blues. But I am gong to tell you something. Jeremiah, in the midst of mourning over Israel, says these words. “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Jeremiah said that. If you study the life of David, he had some hair-raising adventures early in his life. As he got older, he began to write the book of Psalms.

One of the major themes of the book of Psalms is the faithfulness of God. The people who would really sing this with passion were the elderly in the church. They would sing from the depths of their souls, “Great is thy faithfulness, thy hand hath provided.” I wondered why they would sing so loud and with such conviction. These elderly saints had experienced thousands and thousands of answers to prayer. They had experienced the Holy Spirit comforting them and loving them in times of divorce, in times of struggle, in times of trial. So they had a lot of God’s trustworthiness under their belts, so to speak. They could sing it with real unction because they knew God was someone they could trust.

Frankly, that is one of the reasons that I am so optimistic and fired up about the church at Fairfax! Do you realize that most of us here only have a year, two or three of God’s trustworthiness under our belts? We have traced God’s faithfulness for only a couple of months, but give us ten years and we will be able to sing that with such power that we could blow the roof off the top of the building and its walls with our hands! That fires me up! I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in my life and your lives. The Holy Spirit is faithful. We will experience a new supernatural power to be faithful.

It is tempting to stop right here and to just shut it down. But I can’t do that because I would leave us hanging. We have got to understand the take home, the application, and the relevancy. Now let’s see how faithfulness plays out.

Faithfulness is becoming a man of your word! You say something, you keep it! You give a promise, you keep that promise. That is what the Holy Spirit will do. He will keep telling you and me to become a man of our word of our word, especially in the area of relationships. The Holy Spirit will help me to become a man and help you to become a man of your word in your relational world.

I want to say a word to the husbands here. If you are a husband, please slip your hand up right quick. Years ago or maybe just months ago, you stood in a shiny polyester suit before God, a preacher and a group of family and friends and you made a vow. You gave your word, men, to honor, to love, to cherish, to submit, to hold your spouse in high esteem. Yes, you might have been mouthing the words just to get to the honeymoon in Jamaica, but you said the words. Guess what. Guess what. God holds you to your word. You can’t mess around with vows and covenants especially in the marital domain with a holy God. And if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God, we will find a supernatural infusion of faithfulness to love. We will experience a new desire to cherish, a new desire to court and to romance and to love and to pray with our wives.

Are you a man of your word in marriage? Ain't faithfulness a great feeling?!!

6 Days

Michelle and I have been doing a (full-blown) cleaning, painting, trimming, discarding, arranging, dusting, and finishing-touches on our home before we put it on the market (MLS) tomorrow!! It took us approximately 2 weeks to really get things done in such a small house! And our energy level dropped to an all-time low and we surely received a good beating: body aches, headaches, back spasms, cramped arms and scrapes and bruises. As a result of all this abuse, the house is just as good as new, spanking clean and ready to sell!

During the whole 2 weeks (could be a whole lot more), naturally, I think of God! I think of the "6 Days" God created the world, everything in the world and us! From light to darkness, from expanse to land to seas, from plants to trees to various kinds of fruit, from night and day, from living creatures to man in the image of God, He did it in "6 Days!" It took us over 2 weeks to bring our "tiny home" to a "near perfection" (it will never be perfect)! But it took God 6 days to bring the vastness of the earth and sky to an absolute perfection! What kind of an intelligence would build such a rock in the universe, including the complexity of all creatures and living things!

It awed the prophet Isaiah the creation God created! He wanted to remind us all that God has done!

"That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:20 (nas)

"Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,.." Isaiah 42:5 (nas)

"It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." Isaiah 45:12 (nas)

David, a man after God's own heart, wrote a song about God's marvelous creation in Psalm 148:

"Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and maidens, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
Psalms 148:1-13 (niv)

Concerning believing in God, if you believe that He created the earth and all that's in it, then you will not have any problem believing the rest of the historical accounts throughout the Bible. Otherwise, if you do not believe in the creation account, don't bother believing in anything the Bible says. In other words, if you do not believe God can create everything in 6 days, then it will be impossible for you to understand how God can raise His Son, Jesus from the dead after three days!

"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (niv)

Who Are You?

Who are you? What is your name? I am sorry, but I really don't know you.

If you have a friend of 20, 30 or 40 years that suddenly says, "Who are you?", how would you feel? It would come to a shock to you at first. Then the second response would probably be this, "You gotta be kiddin' me! It's me, man! You've known me for 30 years, dude!" Yet, he still says, "I am really sorry, I don't know who you are." Then walks away. Your jaw will drop to the floor. A buddy of 30 years vanished without a trace! You're eternally banned from a friendship with him. After all the laughter, tears, hundreds of thousands of conversations, mutual support, sporting events, restaurants and hundreds of great times, the friendship dwindles to a complete end! You may be thinking, "What did I do to deserve this?" "What did other people say to him about me?" "Why, after 30 years, did this have to happen?"

Could this happen to you in your relationship with Jesus? Sure!

"Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:23 (niv)

This is what we ought to fear the most. Jesus can end any relationship with God's children. If you read the whole chapter of Matthew 7, you will understand. Jesus expects God's children to bear fruit, stay away from false teachers, walk the narrow way (suffer for Him), and listen to Him. It really doesn't matter if you had some great times with Him to the point that you fell away from an intimate relationship with Jesus. You may still be thinking, "He's my Friend but I don't have time for church." "He's my Friend but I have other friends I fear to lose so I do what they want me to do." "He's my Friend but I still love to be like the world." "He's my Friend and I am saved then I go and play with sin a bit but He will understand because He is my Friend." I can give you hundreds of quotes thinking Jesus as your Friend, yet you "intentionally" sin against Him.

Then He may someday come to you and say, "Who are you? I am sorry, I don't know you." and walk away.

Does Jesus know who you are? He will if you listen to Him.

Got Worship?

Like the commercial, "Got Milk?". Now I say, "Got Worship?".

"Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." Nehemiah 9:5

"Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus..." That's a song our children love to sing!

But what happens to that youthful exuberance and joy at worshiping the Lord? God doesn't want us to lose it. Read through the Bible and highlight all the actions used to reverence and praise our awesome and eternal God. In a world which regularly uses God's name in vain, isn't it time we stood up and praised him -- not only in church (our private worship) and in our daily devotionals (our personal worship), but also in our lives every day (our public worship)?! In regard to worshipping the Holy God we ought to love, consider this powerful verse:

"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money." Isaiah 43:24

Worshippers at the temple were required to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few minor offerings to her (Israel's) Lord: this was an evidence of coldness of heart towards God and his house. Remember, God does not judge on what is outside (you may show you love God but really you don't) but what goes on inside the heart. He is more interested in the heart. Remember how Samuel chose a young David to be a king. Remember Jesus rebuking the Pharisees calling them white-washed tombs (they are dead inside but shining with pride on the outside)!

Brothers and sisters, does this never occur with you? Might not the complaint of the text be occasionally, if not frequently, brought against you?

A Consuming Fire!

Deaf worship under the beautiful sky! (August 24th)

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Ps. 24:1-2 (niv)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe for our "God is a consuming fire."

See to it, then, that you do not refuse his gracious call and offered salvation.

See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks from heaven in His Word, with infinite tenderness and love; for how can those escape, who turn from God in unbelief or apostacy (led astray), because "There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18 (niv), while He so graciously seeks them to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting favor! God's dealing with people under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us, that he will deal with those who despises the gospe of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a way of judgment.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13 (niv)

We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with reverence and godly fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God the right way! God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of believers, which is eternal life with the Father, is secured to them (the faithfuls); and all things pertaining to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer.

Let us seek for grace, only the grace God gives, only the grace we receive through Christ, His Son, that we may serve God with reverence and godly fear. Think of the church, in the book of Acts, throughout Galilee and Samaria, "..was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." Acts 9:31 (niv) Why? Because our God is a "consuming fire!"

"Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Revelation 14:7 (niv)

Magnetic Starbucks

I am about to be honest about something that will make me vunerable to ridicule. I'm okay with that so here goes: I only like Texas sweet iced tea at home but when I go to Starbucks, I only get the cold sweet drinks. There, I said it. It's a Venti Iced Chai, 7 pumps with less ice and more whole milk. That's exactly how I say this to every barista I meet. Load it up.

I read somewhere about a book called, 'Pour Your Heart Into It' by Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks. Critics says it is a great book and I love learning about how Starbucks got started and how it became what it is. Just like Pizza Hut, they were founded about 2 1/2 hours from where I grew up (Manhattan, Kansas). Anyways, the truth of the matter is this: I LOVE Starbucks and so does my wife. I know people who loves Starbucks and I even ask if we could bring them a kawfee (my slang for coffee).

Speaking of kawfee, how can I love a place that is founded on dark roasted coffee beans, when I don't even like the 'coffee' part that much. The reason for that is this: I love the EXPERIENCE of Starbucks. I love the look, the feel. I love the smell, the colors, the nice baristas (the people). I love seeing people sitting around drinking coffee, having good conversations. I love seeing people I know. Starbucks isn't in the coffee business for people. It is in the people business while serving coffee. And, frankly, it's hard to stay away from the place.

So, I ask you. Yeah, you... reading this blog. Critical questions: What kind of experience are we giving those who don't know Christ? Are we (believers) getting it? Are people magnetized by what we are offering, or what He is offering? What are we doing wrong?

Hunger!

Bloggers, I added a comment in Dennis Cesone's blog and thought you all ought to read his blog! I was really excited to read his blog on, "My Food":

http://denniscesone.blogspot.com/2005/07/my-food.html

We've got to hunger for fellowship regardless if there's difficult people we're struggling to get along with.

We've got to hunger for His righteousness if we're daily reading His Word and meditating on them.

We've got to hunger to worship God which is not confined only on Sundays but everyday, 24/7 and for eternity! Sadly, many Christians go when they feel like it, just simply disappeared from the place of worship and fellowship during the whole summer, too, and are controlled by others (kids, friends, time) rather than God (conviction, inspiration, motivation).

We've got to hunger for discipleship because God wants those who love Him to shine His light before others.

We've got to hunger for mission because hundreds of thousands of deaf people are without Christ. Doesn't that make you SQUIRM knowing that you know Christ and they don't! Too few harvesters are out in the field. In other words, too few of them are hungry in this area!

We've got to hunger for ministry because God has blessed each of us with a gift He wants us to use for His service and glory. When we're not performing His precious gift, we're not hungry to serve.

In the passage, John 4, the Disciples, unintentionally, tries to distract Jesus from the opportunity to harvest Samaria (Samaritan woman and her community) by urging Jesus to eat food. Jesus wasn't interested in this type of food. He was hungry for food in another plane! Spiritual food. Food that brings people to His Father.

In the same way, Satan offers us "worldly food": time, events, extracurricular activites outside of the church that falls on Sundays and Wednesdays, social events that appears to be more fun than church, open captioned movies on Sundays (alot of people missed the blessedness of worshipping God because of this!) and hundreds more!! Like Jesus, we ought to say, "No to these because God comes first and the field is extremely ripe for harvest!" It's the harvest we ought to be hungry for! A Spiritual Harvest! So how hungry are you!?

If you're missing worship, missing the most important spiritual activities that provides you the eternal nourishment you need, you're NOT hungry.. You're simply hungry for the "worldly food", the food that spoils!

Beyond Comparison

(Warning: long post)

Jotham’s son Ahaz reigned over the southern kingdom after him, but he followed in the evil ways of the Canaanite nations. Ahaz closed the doors of the temple and placed altars to false gods on every street corner in Jerusalem and in every city in Judah. He even sacrificed his own sons to the false gods. On his death, he was not buried with the other kings, because of his wickedness, and his son Hezekiah took his place. (2 Kings 16; 18:1 - 19:37)

Hezekiah’s first command was to reopen the temple doors and to cleanse the temple. When the temple was cleansed, sacrifices were offered, the people sang, and the priests played David’s instruments. On that day, Hezekiah and the people knelt and praised God and dedicated themselves and the temple to his service once again. Hezekiah then sent messengers throughout Israel, inviting the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. God’s people responded to Hezekiah’s lead so that the Passover celebration was greater than anything in all Israel since Solomon was king. In fact, the people extended the celebration for seven extra days. These were exciting times of worship and praise.

Fourteen years later, Sennacherib of Assyria surrounded Jerusalem and proclaimed loudly that no God could protect Jerusalem from the hands of the mighty king of Assyria. In common terms, he dared God to do something. Hezekiah prayed to God for help, and Isaiah provided God’s answer. That night God defended his honor and his people, and 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died. Disgraced and defeated, Sennacherib returned to his home and shortly afterward was killed by his own sons.

Then what does that mean to us? How do we apply this in our lives?

God will always defend his honor.

When His children worship him and obey him and remember His relationship, He is honored.

When Christians renew their commitment to God, He is honored.

When His people kneel before His throne in daily prayer, He is honored.

When evil actions are thwarted and human pride is broken, He is honored.

When we stand before God and the world in weakness (meekness), He is honored.

Even in the discipline of His disobedient children, He is honored.

Awesomely, God will be honored — through us, or in spite of us. God, the Holy One, says, “Can you compare me to anyone? He is BEYOND COMPARISON!” Read Isaiah 40:

"Is anyone equal to me?” Look up to the skies. ‘Who created all these stars? He leads out the army of heaven one by one and calls all the stars by name. Because he is strong and powerful, not one of them is missing.

People of Jacob, why do you complain? People of Israel, why do you say, “The Lord does not see what happens to me; he does not care if I sin treated fairly”? Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world....

No one can understand how great his wisdom is. He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired." Isaiah 40:26-31

We shall overcome not "..by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." Zechariah 4:6 (niv)

Daddy's Empty Chair

Normally, I don't forward stories to anyone but this story, "Daddy's Empty Chair", is something I couldn't hold back from each of you! Very touching!

*****
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father.

When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said. 'No, who are you?" said the father.The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up," "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man."Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest." "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.""So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon "Did he die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. "Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
*****

I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend, He gave me YOU...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Holy Temple

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (niv)

We are God's temple! We are a Holy vessel! A dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. God lives in us. What we do in our bodies is part of our worship to him. We shouldn't sleep around, we shouldn't smoke, we shouldn't take drugs, we shouldn't get drunk. Rarely, do we focus on all the "positive" things it takes to care for and maintain these temples of ours? We are called to not only abstain from impurity, but we are called to glorify God in our bodies and honor the sacrifice by which our holiness was bought.

This Sunday, we're going to put more focus on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 3:16-17: The Spirit's Temple.

Let's pray: Father, I confess to you that I sometimes lose sight of how precious my body is to you. With aging and the other challenges that daily remind me that my body is a vessel of decay, I find it hard to believe that I can glorify you with it. Please, through your Spirit, quicken in me a deeper reverence and appreciation of your presence in me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.