Who Am I Casting Crowns

I love this one!!! :)

Sabbath and others..

Morning, Bloggers!

Happy Saturday! :) I have a role this weekend. I'm Mr. Mom while Michelle is at Skycroft Retreat center in Maryland attending the Deaf Ladies' Retreat. It will be good for her and the deaf ladies this weekend. They're in my prayers. I trust that the Lord will provide for them spiritual food that they starve after. Cathy Williams from Austin, Texas, daughter of Loyd Williams, will be there to inspire the ladies. Lord, bless them today and tomorrow!

Yesterday, Michelle and I had a wonderful "Sabbath" time together. I learned about "Sabbath" last year at Zoe in Nashville. I must admit that I've put off observing our "Sabbath" time together on Fridays and we are going to try and lock Fridays as our day of "Sabbath".

Michelle was reading the book called, "Mary Heart in a Martha World", the theme for this year's Deaf Ladies' Retreat. Our Lord works wonders yesterday! While we were doing our "Sabbath", Michelle read a paragraph that also talks about "Sabbath". There will be things that will come up such as doing chores around the house, catching up with your work or shopping on a Sabbath. The author encourages not to substitute anything for the day of Sabbath. Put your pagers away. Stay away from the computers, videophones, etc. Of course, if there's an emergency, that's to be expected. I read another article about Sabbath:

Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.

Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't. (hint, hint)

Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period!

Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most. (not only this can be with your physical family but your spiritual family as well (leave your pagers at home or in the car!)

Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, He saw that it was good.

Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.

Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.

Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, "I didn't do anything today," and I don't add, "And I feel so guilty!" (Amen?)

Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email, and you can't get a hold of me.

Awesome, huh? Now, you'll ask me, what's the benefit(s) of doing weekly Sabbath? Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom (peace) of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to an idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying.

Also, Sabbath is to reflect all you have done from Monday through Thursday whether good or bad, whether you provided for or not, whether you have shown your light or diffused it, and preparing for the day when we all come together to worship Him on Sunday asking Him to prepare us for, once again, our daily battles against the dark forces of evil.

Michelle read in the "Mary/Martha" book that the Africans trek for 3 days and stop and rest for one day. People were asking why they do that, trek for 3 days and rest all day? They answered that it's their "Sabbath", waiting for their souls to catch up.

Interesting, huh?

God bless you all!

A Special Message

Our announcing a possible move to the Midwest where we can be closer to the family and provide for two of our ailing family members. Pray for us!

Before You Tell...

Before you tell...

..your friends..
..your co-workers..
..your girlfriend..
..your boyfriend..
..your boss..
..your best friend..
..your neighbors..
..your enemies..
..your children..
..your grandchildren..
..your relatives..
..and the list is endless..

That you're a Christian...

But IF you can't be a Christian...

Please don't go out into the world and tell people you're a Christian.

Why?

Because you'll screw it up for the rest of us...

- Rob Bell (in part)

"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." Philippians 3:17 (niv)

The Day Of The Lord Part 1

"The Day Of The Lord" with focus on Noah, Elijah, Joel and three points to help us prepare for the "Valley of Decision" (judgment).

The Day Of The Lord Part 2

With emphasis on Elijah against 450 and 400 false prophets of Baal and Asherah..

The Day Of The Lord Part 3

Continuing with the prophet, Joel..

The Day Of The Lord Part 4

Closing with three things in preparations for the Day. One interesting slide will be shown at the end of the video...

If It Happens...

Here it is now! Better? :) Now, my "second" thought of the day! :)

If It Happens...

I had to remove it due to poor video quality.. I'm in the process of doing this vlog again.. So stand by... ;)

Sleeping Like Eutychus?

Here's my thought for today.. :)

Spring Deaf Retreat '08, more...

This is our speaker, Philip Box, from 'Bama!



Alyson Lowenstein getting serious with ice cream.



Brandie Young taking in a chunk of ice cream.



Kayla Cesone screamed for ice cream!



Ethan Gournaris and Solomon Forshay all smiles!



Jason Bard, pro Hooper!




Kenny Hynes with Mark Lowenstein

Spring Deaf Retreat; more...

Thanks to the Cesones for supplying these photos:



Christmas brothers?



Our wonderful speaker, Philip Box, with kids!



Cookin' up a storm!



Plain crazy!



Deaf Hulk!

Deaf Retreat '08 @ Wamava

Bonfire time with SMORES!!


DODGEBALL!!!!!
This is the game that everyone enjoyed the most!


Ring of fire (game)


Heaven's Kitchen with Steve Williams and Tim Stewart


Cario all hooped up!


Tim Stewart, Michelle Lowenstein @ Bev Young all smiles!


FLINCH game: sudden death with Cindi Cesone and Jasmine Bard; John Gournaris throwing the pong.

Spring Deaf Family Retreat '08

Wow! I'm really exhausted today! It's been a great weekend with the brothers and sisters. We're sure glad Philip Box came to share with us his heart and God's Word. We're thankful for his wife, Paige, and his two kids for allow him to come up to Virginia to be with us.

Also, we're glad the Gournaris family came flying in from Minnesota. The Gournaris used to be with us at Fairfax for a couple of years before moving on to Flordia where John worked to finish his PhD degree. Now, they're in Minnesota working in the Mental Health department. John loves his job as well as his wife and three boys! It was good having them here.

35 people were at hand for the weekend fellowship! Wamava is the place to be! We feel spiritually refreshed but physically tired. We prefer to be spiritually recharged though our physical state had been drained! :) That's the way it is! It takes physical energy to be spiritually recharged!

Thanks to all those who chipped in to make this retreat possible! We couldn't do this without any of you hard workers for the Lord!

I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get them uploaded on my computer. Stand by!

The next Deaf Family Retreat will be this Fall in October. We're hoping the Deuschles from Alaska will be with us for the Fall retreat! For those attending the retreat this fall will be in for a big treat!

God bless you, Blogreaders!

What Do I Do With The Bible?

Is it possible that we run into biblical naivety and illiteracy?

Here's a question for you:
Why is it that often (at least in my experience) the people with the best Bible knowledge are so relationally challenged?

Clue: When writing about love, the Apostle Paul mentioned how knowledge “puffs up.”

1 Corinthians 8:1b-3: "..We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God." (niv)

Colossians 2:18: "Some people enjoy acting like they are humble and love to worship angels. Those people always talk about the visions they have seen. Don't let those people say, "You don't do these things, so you are wrong." Those people are full of foolish pride because they think only the thoughts of people, {not the thoughts of God}." (erv)

(niv): "..his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions."

Here are some positive and negative aspects toward the Word of God:

Bible gluttony (knowledge becomes more important to you than love (puffed up)
Excessive Bible Ingestion
Reading the Bible as "required checklist" (without recognizing His power through the lives of the people during the Old and New Testament)
We became the Pharisees… all about “the word,” without becoming like The Word (Christ.)
Interacting with the truth
Reading the Bible like clockwork every day for an hour or more is pointless if it's not done out of a desire for relationship with God.
Reading the Bible (as if taking a vitamin supplement or aspirin) when we are feeling a little low and need a "inspire me now". It's not about the reading or the knowing. It's about the Living! That's what we need to work on.

I am not promoting biblical ignorance and I am not saying that if people find reading the Bible devotionally is meaningful that they should stop. I am just relating my experience.

It seems like I have a lot of knowledge of the Bible that needs to work itself out. (I just realized that sounds like some kind of strange constipation. "chuckle")

I also realized I need to be in community to discuss what some of these truths mean to our lives. Like we're to be the Bible people read through our influence, our love, our forgiveness/being forgiven. I am for pondering how to live what we read in the Bible rather conquer it on some superficial technical level.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (niv)

Seven for Your Children

7 Tips for Better Relationships with Your Kids

Our kids are looking for a relationship with the Lord - something they can count on. It’s up to us as parents to show our kids what that relationship with God really looks like. The best way we can do this is to model a healthy, accepting, God-honoring relationship between them and us. Josh McDowell shared in his book, "Beyond Belief to Convictions" the seven principles for helping parents be the role of Christ to their children - and I can't agree more with these principles:

7 Tips for Building Better Relationships with Your Kids.

1. Affirmation
When we affirm our kids’ emotions, it gives them a sense of authenticity. See Romans 12:15.Sharing their joys as well as their sorrows; their successes and their failures, conveys the message that you really care and are doing your best to understand!

2. Acceptance
Your unconditional acceptance of your child provides them with a strong sense of security. See Romans 15:7. Without realizing it, too many parents send the message that acceptance is based on performance (like when we praise our kids when they get A’s in school and withhold praise(or even criticize) when they get B’s or C’s). Unfortunately, many of our own parents used shame-based parenting when we were growing up – and so we use the same kind of parenting style with our kids. If you use shame-based parenting with your kids, I want to challenge you with the truth – it simply doesn’t work!

3. Appreciation
When parents express appreciation to their kids, they communicate that their kids are significant. See Romans 1:8 – where the Apostle Paul essentially says, “I appreciate you.” Rather than taking your kids and their contributions on behalf of your family for granted, look for times to express authentic appreciation. For some, it may take work, but catching your kids in the act of doing something good – and recognizing them for it will help to build an importance sense of self-worth in their lives.

4. Availability
When parents are available to their own children, they gain a sense that they are important. Your presence in their lives is one of the most significant ways that you can communicate your love and care. I call it the “Power of Being There”! Remember, kids spell love, T-I-M-E.

5. Affection
When parents give their kids affection, it sends them the message that they are lovable. Everyone wants to feel that they are lovable! Your kids are no different. They need to know they are loved both by your words, through your actions and through appropriate touch! Dads – particularly –never underestimate the power of a well-timed hug! Bless your kids with the gift of affection!

6. Approach Their World
When parents approach their kids’ world, it tells them that what is important to them is also important to you. Sometimes, this means moving out of your own comfort zones – in order to enter their world. You may not be thrilled by watching your kids participate in a certain sport or activity. But, remember that 1 Corinthians 12 says that “love does not seek it’s own.” When you show up at your kids’ events, it sends the all-important message that they really matter!

7. Accountability
Parents must set reasonable limits and boundaries for their kids. See the discussion about the value of discipline in Hebrews 12. Consistent discipline by parents teaches kids the skills of responsibility and self-control that they need to live a successful adult life. In fact, I don’t believe that parents can be sure they are sending the message that their kids are loved without providing consistent discipline.

Not only this is helpful for all the parents in the world but it's also helpful for me and my wife as we parent our three girls. Satan is out there to destroy the livelihood of Christian families with worldly influence, hollow and deceptive philosophy of raising children!

Pray for us as we pray for all of you parents! Go and show Jesus (love) to your kids!

Personal or Impersonal

Wow! What a weekend!! While my wife, Michelle, went to the LANO (ladies') event, I took my kids and a friend to go see Amanda play softball against Herndon. The game went well. I noticed the other team had tall girls and they look like 15 years old girls playing against our 12 year olds. The storm blew by and the game was called.

Then we waited another hour for our game but it was also called due to the storms. Then the girls (all four of them) and I went on home to R-E-S-T!

The deaf worship, yesterday, was great! I concluded the lesson on our man, Habakkuk! We focused more on how we're to "wait" on the Lord. In my sermon, I gave three things that will help us understand how the Lord answers our requests and prayers:

1. He'll answer, "Yes!"
2. He'll answer, "No."
3. Or He'll say, "Wait."

We may question God and say, "God isn't answering my prayers." Well. He may have. It's either a "No" or just "wait" for His answer(s).

Change of subject... I had a wonderful lunch with our beloved members of the church at Joe's Crab Shack. Some great questions came up. Someone asked this one question,

"Why aren't deaf people committed to Jesus? Why aren't deaf people attending a deaf church? Why aren't God's children doing the Lord's will?"

I believe there are two groups of Christians living in the world today:

1. Personally Experiencing Jesus
This individual is addicted to Jesus with no plans to recover from it.
This individual live the life of Christ.
This individual portrays/influence the attitudes of Jesus.
This individual is a vessel of Christ (lifeblood flows from Him through him/her).
This individual lives sacrificially meaning he/she sets the Lord's plan above all other plans.
This individual is in love with Jesus (Bride/bridegroom).
This individual is humbly involved in the work of the Lord.

2. Impersonally Experiencing Jesus
Outsider
Unattached
Isolated
Without unity
Unsacrifical
Comes-and-goes
Lukewarm (Rev. 3:16)
Fruitless

One day, God will call each of us home. Imagine standing before His throne and He asks this one simple question,

"What did you do with My Son, Jesus?"

How would you answer His question?

Yes! He desires our answer to be as genuine and personal as possible. If you aren't personally experiencing Jesus daily, why not start now? What are you waiting for? Come and do the Lord's will, starting right now! Say a prayer. Ask Jesus to revive the fire in your hearts. Ask God to transform you into righteousness and use you for His glory! Do all this in His precious and powerful name!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (niv)

Let It Rise

Praise God for this lil kid!! Makes me hungry to see deaf children come to know the Lord!

Spring Retreat '08: CROSS TRAINING!

It's finally here! I've been waiting for the theme and lessons for May 2nd through 4th Deaf Family Retreat @ Camp Wamava..

The theme is: CROSS TRAINING! (Exercising Your Faith)

Lessons will be:

Lifestyles of the Fit and Faithful
Wait Training
The World's Strongest Man
In A Pit In The Snow With A Lion

Great lessons! Now, I am excited about this upcoming retreat!! Register ASAP at:

http://www.fxcc.org/deaf/events/dfr/registration.asp

It's $35 pp, children 12 and under are free!

Wait

Morning, Bloggers!

My wife and I did a "promo" before the sermon yesterday (4/20) on "God's Waiting Room"..

Many people in the world today do not like to "wait". Waiting in line, waiting at doctor's office or hospitals (unless there are magazines to read) and more. We live in a "Microwave Society" today! We want faster service: faster internet, fast-food, faster way from one point to the next.

It is encouraged that you read the book of Habakkuk. Regardless of how long we must wait for His answers, we need to be assured that "..the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." Hab. 2:20 (niv)

Romans 8:25 (erv), “But we are hoping for something that we don't have yet. We are waiting for it patiently.”

Thump. Thump. Who's There?

This is an article blogged by Terry Rush. Terry is a pulpit minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I've always enjoyed his lessons! Read on!

This blog is for young ministers who get thumped on occasion. I got mine today and should you think that somewhere along the ministry trail it quits, it doesn't. Furthermore, it's a necessary part of kingdom life; specifically personal growth. Yes, even old guys take a hit here and there.

A member came to see me today carefully expressing the dissatisfaction she and her husband have regarding my preaching. They get nothing from it. Nothing. They are bored and frustated at hearing nothing from our pulpit. How does this revelation hit me? Well, not good. It didn't make my day. The fact that such a conversation went on is only half of the event. It's what I intend to do with it that completes the project.


I INTEND TO GROW FROM IT. This is valuable stuff....painful in obvious places....but valuable. Don't waste yours. This isn't weird. It's useful.

I INTEND TO IMPROVE. I'm a better preacher than I was a few years ago and I anticipate I will be a better preacher someday than I am now. So why should I let such a conversation do anything but motivate me to stay in school and keep learning the method God chose to reach the world?

I DON'T INTEND TO ADJUST TO PLEASE THEM. If God's improving me pleases them, then that's a bonus, but my goal will not be to step up to the pulpit this Sunday and tickle their ears. Such will be up to Him, not me.

I DON'T INTEND TO POUT. I've spent too many days in such a useless pit. No more....when I can remember. Yep, the lady did hurt my feelings. Nope, I will not squander my young age fretting over something that He must work out. If I can get better awesome. Worry will not be a part of my sleep effort tonight.

I INTEND TO USE THIS EVENT TO BUILD SOME OF YOU UP. Criticism especially hurts ministers. We are usually in this work in the first place because we are sensitive. It's a part of ministerial fabric. Thus, for us, hurtful words really dig deeply. But we must not wither under such heat. We must regard it as training in the Kingdom Gym.

I am not being picked on. A couple doesn't care for my preaching. They are good people. Hey, I don't care for my preaching sometimes. Even when I'm lousy God uses such messages to promote His agenda in some way. You have a lot on the ball, young leader. Don't resist those who challenge you. Take it in. Sort through it all. Keep the valuable stuff. Toss the rest aside.

We have work to do and such workouts will keep us from giving up. Endurance is a kingdom matter....a big kingdom matter. Don't quit......II Cor. 4:16-18. If you are His minister it will be imperative you take a little thumping here and there. You won't like it because you arent' supposed to like it. We didn't like homework either. But both are designed for our learning.

Fellowship Luncheon!

Happy Treating!

Scars of Life

Here's an awesome story for you all! Thanks to Monica Shimmin for forwarding this story. This literally made my eyes well up! Read on!

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.

He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious att ack of the animal. And on his arms were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go.'

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril, and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack.

That's when the tug-of-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.

Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too. ~~~~ enough to not let them go.

Nana Star and the Moonman book in Sign Language.

I received this recently today.. Spread the word to those with deaf children and codas! :)

Hello!

My name is April Franz and I'm the marketing director for Chick-fil-A
in Chantilly. We have what we call "Family Night" every Tuesday
evening. At the end of the month (4/29--6:00--8:00 pm) we are having
one of our special Fifth Tuesday Family Nights in which we're
celebrating everyone's birthday. Our special guests that night will
be "Nana Star" authors Elena Patrice and Elizabeth Sills. At 6:15,
they will be reading their books to the kids as well as character
posing for photos, playing music and autographing their books. They
are bringing along a sign-language interpreter, so we wanted to
especially invite any families in your ministry that would enjoy being
a part of this special event.

They have a video on YouTube of one of their interpreters which is
really great to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke-nGsXqGXc

We would truly love for your folks to join us that night! We'll be
having a cake, Icedream sundae bar, goody bags for the kids and of
course the Chick-fil-A Cow as well.

Hope to have the opportunity to meet you!

April Franz
703 888-8592

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Today is Michelle's birthday!

Thank you God for giving her life. Thank you for her parents for how they raised her. Thank you for her brother and his Christ-like influence on her. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have three wonderful children. If it wasn't for her birth, I wouldn't be where I am (a faithful lover of Jesus Christ and God).

Today, we (me and my kids) celebrate her birth! Fireworks exploding! Showering confettis! And we sing this song:

We sing for joy!
We shout Your Name!
We celebrate Your creation!

God, we give you glory, honor and praise because of Michelle, her life, her love for You and her influence. Thank You for bringing her into this world!

Dry Bones Live!

Z-37!
Z-37!
Set!
Hut, hut!

Sounds like a quarterback giving calls?? Pretty close but not quite! Instead of hearing the quarterback's command, it's time to hear God calling the plays.

Funny how we have football stadiums filled with 50+ thousands of screaming, NFL jersey clad, beer guzzling, hotdog chomping fans, especially on Sundays! Parking lots are full and they even pay $5-10 to get in and park! There are tailgaters arriving early in the morning for a pre-game cookout. It doesn't matter how the weather is whether its minus 5 degrees or raining, the fans will be there! I don't think anyone will sleep during any games!! They wouldn't miss this for the world!

But in the church, the very church that Jesus died for, pews aren't filled to the edge. Parking lots aren't normally filled. Over there, we got pew-warmers. Over here, we got one that sleeps six people. If the weather is good, they'll be there. If it's cold outside, they won't, even though the church building adjusted the temperature to a nice, balmy 70 degrees. The church would barely keep their eyes (ears) open to hear the life changing message of God. Most of them actually feel that it's the preacher speaking, not God. Not so! And God is, of course, concerned about His children.

Yes.. It's pretty sad. Today, we live in a world where we can compare the difference between church and entertainment. That's why churches all over are struggling to compete or keep up with the entertainment world. Churches are dying everywhere. People are looking for things that will add spice to their life. They want to leave feeling entertained and feeling good. Churches are changing trends from "What can you do for the church?" to "What can the church do for you?" OUCH!

During the days of Ezekiel, the nation of Israel was gone! No government. No religion. No temple. No people. No recognition. Zip, gone, zilch! Or in other words, D-E-A-D! And God showed Ezekiel his people.. He asked one simple question:

"Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel 37:3a (niv)

Ezekiel answered, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." Ezekiel 37:3b (niv)

Amen, Ezekiel. It's not a "man's" job to bring life in dead and relationship-severed people. It's God. Only God knows. That's His business.

What happened next? God gave Ezekiel a command. I know this may sound silly but... Ezekiel did as God told him to do.

It wasn't adding music to wake up dead souls.
It wasn't doing a church-makeover to attract dead Christians.
It wasn't to add a bass-shaker (vibrate chairs) to keep pew-sleepers from sleeping.

Ezekiel did the same old method that we should all do today, Preach The Word!

The Word went into dead souls (whom have forgotten their first love, whom have led themselves astray from the truth, whom have been deceived, blinded and confused, whom followed their own heart instead of followed the command of the Lord) and the Lord breath His Spirit into them. Then they returned to life.

This Sunday, we'll learn more about Z37, where do we stand before God right at the moment and how do we return to God and stay with God!?

Wherever you are, may the Lord be praised!

Preaching...

Next month, we will be here for 9 years!! That's exactly the same age as our third daughter, Alyson. It's really hard to believe how fast time goes.

And it made me think... It made me think of the possibilities...

How we waste time arguing over doctrinal matters.
How we procrastinate in trying to accomplish important things.
How Satan does a pretty good job keeping us at bay (from doing the Lord's work).
How God can do marvelous things through us but we can't find the time to do it.

Okay..

Talk is extremely cheap. (You might say, "Yeah, I know I haven't done so and so..)
Excuses costs your life. (God is never interested in them.)

Then I often thought.. Why am I here?

After preaching over 2,000 lessons (sermons) (56 weeks a year (almost 56 lessons)) in 9 years!, not to mention that I work on my days off, preparing lessons on Powerpoint, communicate with Cario, our webmaster, and Tim, our deaf worship leader, what have each of you accomplished out of these lessons?

Few have marvelously transformed and continue to on the transforming lane.
Few have given their lives to pursue ministerial duties at Sunset (www.sibi.cc)

I guess I'm preaching to myself as I type.

I want to understand.

I want to comprehend what God is doing through me. He has been talking to me as I read the Bible, as I pray asking for His forgiveness and forgiving others, and as I listen to others filled with grief.
I want to understand why we're so distracted from doing His work. I want to understand why we've become so defensive against such a wise advice or a sharp but loving criticism.
I want to understand why we plan other things over spending time with God and His people.
I want to understand why, after one day we're on cloud 9 with God then the next day, we're doing evil things (a more Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Living).
I want to understand when I give the utmost Christian example to others, they don't see it and immulate.

After last week/weekend's deaf conference with Billy Leavell, God, through him, made me think about alot of things. God has new plans for me and my family. Now, we await for His "green light".

A Quest To Live Holy

It's been a crazy two weeks this month! With the loss of our dear brother in Christ, Bob Roth, and his awesome funeral last Saturday and celebrating the Resurrection Day (a.k.a. Easter), we're preparing for the DCnDC conference this week/weekend with Billy Leavell!

The quest to "LIVE HOLY" begins tomorrow night with Billy! Guess what?? I'm very excited about him coming! He's one of the great line of deaf preachers I have ever known. He has been "Living Holy" since a young age! He is definitely the walking Bible! I love to read him and how he lives for Jesus. There's no other place I rather be, this week/weekend, than to be with Billy. He's a strong Christian prism reflecting God's love and truth. And I need that warmth of that love God has through him!

Come and join us and be filled with Living Water (Jesus)!

I better go now! I'm now on my quest to continue living holy lives!

Resurrection Day!

Good morning!

I'm really excited about this coming Sunday when we all gather together to remember the "Resurrection Day". I'm not going to call it, "Easter". "Easter" is known worldwide and, of course, it is a holiday where many will celebrate with bunnies and eggs. I think it's cute to see the kids run around on the hunt for hidden eggs and excitingly curious what is inside.

But...

We need to teach our kids the real meaning of "Easter". It is actually remembering the resurrection of Jesus; it's a Resurrection Day; it's a day when God miraculously raised a dead body to life and that life is a promise to each of those who believe in Him, repents of their sins, confess that Jesus is Lord (which actually mean that you do not live your life the way "you" want but the way the Lord wills), baptize for the forgiveness of sins and live in Him forever (on earth and with Him in Heaven)! Amen? Amen!

We're closing this Sunday's "Love" series with the "Greatest Love In The World: Jesus Christ!"

What did Jesus accomplish on the cross?

One simple question.

Seven Answers.

Resurrection Day! Not just the Good News, but The Best News, ever!

DC Whiteboard #4 (Case for Conversion) - Pt 1

Studying the book of Acts

Case for Conversion - Pt 2

Studying the book of Acts..

Be A Road Sign For God!

As a deaf community, our deepest desire is to become more than a worship serivce or a weekly gathering of people. Our hope is that we become a deaf community that is completely committed to posting the road signs of God at every curve and corner of our lives.

We are a deaf community in motion; we are not confined by the walls of a church building. Instead, we are defined by our ability to tell the story of God the way we live, move, love within our place of influence on a daily basis.

Life in Christ, together
Change the Deaf World
Hope and forgiveness
Be who God has called us to be
Study to know Him
Live as He lived

Psalm 119:30, "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws."

Amen?

DC Whiteboard #3 Pt 1

He shall find rest..

Good evening...

We're heavy in heart and have been since last week. Our dear brother in Christ, Bob Roth, is getting close to departing this world to spend eternity with God. He will leave behind his beautiful wife, Tresa and five precious children under the ages of 13.

We admire Bob's faith with God. He has struggled with cancer for over a year and a half. At one time, we had thought, with God's help, he successfully conquered cancer but it crept back, rapidly! Right now, he's enduring the valley of the shadow of death. He is not fearing evil and knows God is with Him all the way through.

Bob loves the Lord. He loves the church. He ministered in the area of benevolence. He has helped countless people with diverse issues especially the deaf. Despite he struggles, he managed to be with us to worship God, even at the weakest point in his life. He's a guy that wouldn't trade anything else for Jesus, for His church, for the time to be with Christians.

We know he's nearing the time of "rest". Psalm 62:5-7 says, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God, he is my mighty rock, my refuge."

Soon, he'll find the covet opportunity Christians seek, rest.

See you soon, brother. We love you. And we'll do our very best to comfort and encourage your family. May God be with you!

Cloud of smoke...

Wow!

Since the day I started "DC Whiteboard", I've been bombarded by other denominations criticizing the teachings of the Bible. Comments left on Lowenstein's YouTube and emails sent pointing that I teach a false doctrine and that the "churches of Christ" is a cult church. (I am literally laughing here!)

And I'm smiling here!

Cult church? How can the church of Christ be a cult church? Do they know the definition of the word, "cult"? We are nothing compared to the cult church like David Koresh, Jim Jones and many others. Denominations that uses the word, "cult" church trashed Jesus' name and probably for the sake of "competition". They do it to scare potential followers of Jesus away from His church. They are more like the modern day Pharisees who is out to get Jesus (His church).

They are nothing but a "cloud of smoke". (coughing)

Really! There's no perfect church. Period! I mean that there's no perfect people in His church because we continue to sin, on and on. I continue to be amazed in God's power and love through His church at Fairfax!

I see some making remarkable transformation and continue to be transformed!
I see some struggling to live for Jesus and I pray to God for them.
I see some involved in a ministry and continue to minister others giving God the glory!

I can say a whole lot about other churches in the world today. But this one thing I do, "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves." Ro. 14:22 (niv)

Church DNA

I love people with "Church DNA" in their hearts.
I love what we do for the Lord.
I love how we do it.
I love the people I'm serving beside.
There's no place I'd rather be than right where people are serving Christ.
When my brothers and sisters come to worship God with me, their devotion is remarkable!
Their commitment is inspiring. It's their commitment that inspires me!
Tomorrow (Sunday), our lives (me and my family) belongs to the Lord!

Tomorrow and any other Sunday, I'm inviting you into eternity.
I'm inviting you to get in the boat with me and go!

I can't think of a more exciting time to be with the church (worshippers).

I won't stay at home.
I won't slumber in our cozy bed.
I won't replace being with the church for families, friends, or last minute events.

We must change or we'll never accomplish the mission Christ has laid before us.
Think about it.

I know one who allows the "Church DNA" to flow around his/her vessels. How? I can tell by his/her fruit, commitment, love, obedience and acceptance.

Bamboozled?

It was a good day today! In fact, it's been a great week! I know I haven't blogged much these days. I've been doing DC Whiteboard every Monday and getting it out in the blogwaves.

I'm not giving up!

Despite receiving criticism and accusations that we're false teachers, I'm not giving up. I say what the Scriptures say. I quote what the Scriptures say. I do the best I can to explain the Scriptures to the hearts of the deaf in the world.

No. I'm not giving up!

Am I confused? Did I misread the Scriptures? I don't think so? I'm very confident about this. I'm not "self-deceived"! Though, there are remarkable capacity for "self-deception". We can hear clear teaching from Jesus and say, "We don't get it." Really? How is that? Is His instruction too complicated?

Someone quoted in the Lowenstein's "YouTube" saying that it is dangerous to teach the book of Acts to newbies (unbelievers and new converts)! Did that raise my eyebrows?

Most definitely, yes! Also, it jaw dropped!

I believe the most dangerous thing is "NOT" teaching the "WHOLE WORD OF GOD", from cover to cover; from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21! The Word of God (a.k.a. the Bible) isn't confusing at all. God is NOT the author of confusion. It's the people.

What about "Love the Lord your God" don't we understand? Too complicated?

What about "Love your neighbor" can't we grasp? Still too complicated?

What about "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" that we can't comprehend? Way too complicated?

What about "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men" escapes our comprehension? Do you say, "I can't do that."?

Are the fundamentals teachings of Jesus, Paul, Peter imprecise and vague?

Have you discovered your protests about Jesus' direction? Does it have to do with rebellion than ignorance? Do we possess selfish ambition rather than long for greater biblical clarity?

We can go on and on saying, "My church taught me this and that..; I don't believe your church's doctrine.; That's not what my minister said.; My daddy warned me about your church; Well, that's what your church teaches.; I have nothing to say, talk to my preacher."

What if Jesus meant what He said?

What if Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, meant what he said?

What if we know precisely what Jesus meant when Jesus said what he said?

What if we don't like what Jesus said? Or Paul? Or Peter?

What then?

What If God Answered?

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don’t interrupt me. I’m praying.
But — you called ME!
Called you?
No, I didn’t call you. I’m praying.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
There — you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME.
You said,
“Our Father who art in Heaven”
Well, here I am. What’s on your mind?
But I didn’t mean any thing by it.
I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord’s Prayer.
It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right.
Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name .
Hold it right there.
What do you mean by that?
By what?
By “Hallowed be thy name”?
It means, it means . . good grief, I don’t know what it means.
How in the world should I know? It’s just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what ‘hallowed’ meant before.
Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.
I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control,
of everything down here like you have up there.
We’re kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know;
but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn’t what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
You’ve really got a problem there, you know.
And then there’s the way you spend your money –
all on yourself.
And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me!
I’m just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse ME.
I thought you were praying for my will to be done.
If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones
who are praying for it.
Like you — for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.
Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven’t thought about it very much until now,
but I really would like to cut out some of those things.
I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good.
Now we’re getting somewhere.
We’ll work together — You and ME.
I’m proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don’t mind, I need to finish up here.
This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread.
You’re overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this?
Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in
and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing.
You just might get what you ask for.
Remember, you called ME — and here I am.
It’s too late to stop now.
Keep praying. ( . . pause . )
Well, go on.
I’m scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you’ll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up!
Why, Lord, she’s told lies about me, spread stories.
She never paid back the money she owes me.
I’ve sworn to get even with her!
But — your prayer –What about your prayer?
I didn’t — mean it.
Well, at least you’re honest.
But, it’s quite a load carrying around all that bitterness
and resentment isn’t it?
Yes, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
Boy, have I got some plans for her. She’ll wish she had never been born.
No, you won’t feel any better. You’ll feel worse.
Revenge isn’t sweet.
You know how unhappy you are –
Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann.
Then, I’ll forgive you;
And the hate and the sin, will be Ann’s problem — not yours.
You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you’re right. You always are.
And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh).
All right all right . . I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful!
How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad.
Not bad at all!
In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don’t think I’ll go to bed uptight tonight.
I haven’t been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know.
But, you’re not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I’ll do that.
Just don’t put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah I know.
Okay.
Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory –
What would really make me happy?
No, but I’d like to know. I want to please you now.
I’ve really made a mess of things.
I want to truly follow you.
I can see now how great that would be.
So , tell me . . . How do I make you happy?
YOU just did.

DC Whiteboard #2 Part 1

More on Acts and beyond the Bibles pages...

DC Whiteboard #2 Part 2

More on Acts and beyond the Bible pages..

DC Whiteboard #1

Out Of Your Mind?

Remember, we're here to help.

Fruitful?

Yes!! The Lord is pouring out tons of messages and I have got to get them in my blog!!

I'm going back"Word" in the book of Matthew 7 (verses 20 up to 17)... Before reading on, you're that "tree" and the Lord will look for the kind of "fruit" you have:

(20) "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
(19) "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
(18) "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit."
(17) "'Likewise' every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."

Galatians 5:22-23 explains the 9 "fruit" of Spirit... And they are good fruit to be with..

Yesterday, I had a difficult time with a couple of people in worship. But thank God for the problems. It did affect my wife but we just moved on. Yet, I continue on giving God the glory regardless of the incidences.. The incidences continued through the day (bible class and potluck) and I felt bad that it was me and my leadership that caused it. Thank God that I'm not a perfect preacher nor are they a perfect Christian. I just wished they simply let this small matter go and not mention anything. Just a couple of small talks here and their and the "portrait of an attitude" was obvious.

I pray that they will forgive me (I know they do) but I also pray that they'll look at themselves in the mirror and reflect what they have done (making small matters, big).. Satan loves these.. So we just need to watch our attitudes.

Pray for all the churches in the world that experience these things!

L.O.V.E.

We had a great day yesterday in worship!! I opened the lesson asking the people in attendance to come up with a word out of L, O, V, E. this week.. Here's what I have come up with yesterday:

L: Let
O: Our
V: Vessels
E: Endure

In other words, let our vessels (life) endure with love through trials of many kinds!!

Feel free to come up with one and share it with us!

Do or Don't Do??

Ok.. Think about the two statements:

People will do what they want to do (always have and always will).

v.

People won't do what they don't want to do.

List a couple of things that people will do and people won't do..

Lent (40 Days before Easter)

Here's a great article on "Lent". Though it is not a "biblical word", we can still practice "Lent" in a biblical way. Check out this link:

http://zoewineskinsdevotional.blogspot.com/2008/02/40-day-guide-for-lent-and-easter.html

Some great daily things you can do for God leading all the way up til Easter.. :)

Lord, Be Praised!!

Mark L. <><

Misconceptions of the word, "CHURCH"

Bloggers,

This week, I'll be putting more focus on the "Love" for the church. Here are a couple of misconceptions that people, in general (those in the church and those in the world) see in "church":

1. Some of us attend and observe without becoming an integral part of of the body of Christ.
2. Many who profess faith in Christ remain totally impassive about the church.


Here's a powerful statement that I found in regards to how we are to be the "church" of Christ our Lord:

A high proportion of people who “go to church” have forgotten what it is all for. Week by week they attend services in a special building and go through their particular, time-honored routine, but give little thought to the purpose of what they are doing. The Bible talks about the “the bride of Christ” but the church today seems like a ragged Cinderella. It needs to reaffirm the nonnegotiable, essential elements that God designed for it to be committed to. [God’s forgetful Pilgrims (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978)]

And my answer to the above quote is, "He is right!"

I love the church. I am "settled, in-the-habit, and incurable lover of the church. It thrills me beyond expression to serve the church. I wouldn’t trade my ministry, my service in His church for anything in the world. The church takes first place in my ministry priorities.

Your "love" for God depends on you as a "church" (body of Christ)..

DCnDC '08: LIVEHOLY

Now announcing this year's DCnDC conference on March 26th through 30th: LIVEHOLY. We'll have a registration site open as soon as possible.

Strange Sermon Titles

Though, these are strange sermon titles, it does make us think!!

This one here powerfully applies to Christians living in the urban (high & fast living) area:

"I'll Have My Religion 'To-Go' Please" (Fast Food Christians in a Fast Food Era)

"Jesus Looking For F.A.T. Disciples" (F = Faithful, A = Available, T = Teachable)
The real question is:
If you are a Christian, do you really know what it really means to be "faithful"?
If you are a Christian, how often do you make yourselves "available" for God at all cost?
If you are a Christian, are you "teachable"? Are you the Bible people read or just a bunch of "man-made intelligence gathered here and there"?

"The Problem With Heart Disease"
This one is interesting!! Remember, God desires our hearts. Yet, our hearts may be diseased with boredom, laziness, gluttony, selfishness, pride, lust, greed, etc.

And my all-time fave!!!:

"WARNING!!!: EXPOSURE TO THE SON PREVENTS BURNING."
I love this one!! Very true!!

Have a great week!!!

Raining Ceiling

After we got home from a Super Bowl party, I found my papers on the kitchen counter wet and wondered how this happened. Then I noticed the grilling area (stove) was also wet. Then I looked up and noticed water dripping down from the ceiling!!

I ran upstairs to see if the toilet overflowed, or water was left running but nothing. Everything in our master bath was dry!

Then I ran downstairs into the basement to turn the main water off! It was at 10:45 p.m. Sunday after Super Bowl! I said to myself, this is the last thing I wanted happening in our home. And we knew it was an internal problem. A 5 year old home with this problem! We waited about 11 hours for the plumber to come in and get them all fixed. Now, everything is almost back to normal except for these holes and $ that we may get back from the construction company (plumber).

Today, the insurance man is coming in. He's going to get things squared out. He said if the problem is internal in a new home, we're in good hands. Sorry, it's not State Farm, it's Farmers. :) So we're hoping for our money back, Lord willing!

Here are some pictures:

PEPSI'S SUPER BOWL DEAF COMEDY SMACK TALK

Almost like Mac v. IBM!! :) NY v. NE!! I'm for the Giants!!

Change 4 Deaf (Part 1)

Something that I've always been so ignorant about "politics" but this one surely enlightened me! :)

Change 4 Deaf (Part 2)

Something that I've always been so ignorant about "politics" but this one surely enlightened me! :)

Gideon's 300 - Part 1

Sermon based on Judges 7

Gideon's 300 - Part 2

Sermon based on Judges 7

Gideon's 300 - Part 3

Sermon based on Judges 7

Cairo Egypt Deaf KFC

Wow! 17 deaf workers. Some hearing workers taking orders via phone.. Overall, interesting video!!

Live Jesus

I was watching ESPN's "Around the Horn" and saw a commercial encouraging football fans to live football: eat football, drink football, sleep football, breathe football. Of course, it gave me a chuckle so I decided to say it this way since football doesn't give life:

Eat Jesus
Drink Jesus
Sleep Jesus
Breathe Jesus

In real life, eating and drinking is very important to keep our body energized and hydrated. Sleep is equally important to shut down our mind/body and be recharged and ready for the next day. We definitely need air to breathe otherwise we're all extinct on earth: everything in life need air to live and that's God's design.

In spiritual sense, by eating and drinking Jesus daily, we read His Eternal and Powerful Word. The Word keeps us inspired and energized in God. It's what our soul hungers for. Without the Word, you're a dying soul just as a body is dying without adequate food and water. Let's reflect our life on Psalm 23 where the Shepherd leads us to green pastures and still waters. It's a place of rest. Regardless of any circumstances, the Lord wants us to experience peace in Him. That's sleep for us. Finally, it's important to daily breathe Jesus! There's no life without air. There's no life without Jesus.

Eat, Drink, Sleep, Breathe Jesus everyday!

Bob's House -- Pepsi's new Super Bowl Ad

Ha! Awesome commercial!!! It will be on national television during Super Bowl night!!! :)

Personal Life: It May Not Be Convenient (Taking The Cross)

Our brother in Christ, Darrin Forshay, forwards Tozer Daily Devotionals to me from time to time. I've really enjoyed reading them until this one article which just seriously rocked the "temple" in me!!!

This is a perfect article for Christians (deaf and hearing) living in the urban cities where time and priorities are often conflicting with spiritual opportunities. The author made one good point that I would like to point out to Christians in the world, "inconvenience":

"The truth is that every advance that we make for God and for His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it!"

You may understand this in part or you may not understand it at all! Read on and I'll give an example:

****
It May Not Be Convenient

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. --1 Corinthians 9:27

What must our Lord think of us if His work and His witness depend upon the convenience of His people? The truth is that every advance that we make for God and for His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it! If we have been able to reduce spirituality to a smooth pattern and it costs us nothing--no disturbance, no bother and no element of sacrifice in it--we are not getting anywhere with God. We have stopped and pitched our unworthy tent halfway between the swamp and the peak.

We are mediocre Christians! (Mediocre means poor; settling for the ordinary; moderate in quality; barely adequate.)

Was there ever a cross that was convenient? Was there ever a convenient way to die? I have never heard of any, and judgment is not going to be a matter of convenience, either! Yet we look around for convenience, thinking we can reach the mountain peak conveniently and without trouble or danger to ourselves.

Actually, mountain climbers are always in peril and they are always advancing at their inconvenience. "I Talk Back to the Devil, 48."
****

Jesus said to His disciples:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26 (niv)

Here are some life instances that we see today to determine whether you are carrying the "cross" or not:

1. Train yourselves to be godly (bible studies, worship, fellowship events)
2. Repentance (daily turn to God)
3. Prayer (Continual conversation with God)
4. Daily Bible reading (Eat and drink God's Word daily which is necessary for growth)
5. Serving (community, neighbors, fellow brother/sister)
6. Correct misunderstanding
7. Being an example (to your spouse, children, family members, co-workers)
8. Let your conversation be seasoned with grace & faith (no profanity, ridicule)
9. Denying self (Jesus was tired yet He carried the cross and walked all the way!)
10. Go the extra mile (Jesus went all the way to die for you!)
11. Seriousness (sober judgment & mind)
12. Daily examination of self (What did I do wrong? What is lacking?)
13. Keeping faith in check
14. Forgive & forget
15. Enjoy the freedom you have with God
16. JOY: Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last
17. Remember your first love (at baptism) and stay loving God
18. Sacrificing self (never indulging in "rights")
19. Faith on Fire (Revelation 3:16; choose between hot or cold; not lukewarm (mediocre).
20. Seeking opportunites to share (keeping eyes and hearts open for opportunities)
21. Keeping the Sabbath Day (Sunday) (Worship your God with others)
22. Give up world's values, entertainment & esteem (Set your minds on things above.)
23. Live not in the flesh but in faith with God (Tired, overcome. Distance, go. Priorities, set God first)
24. Suffer shame for Jesus
25. Be humble
26. Give God the glory in all you do!
27. Be disciplined.
28. Be consistent.
29. Put God first in your life (He's #1 in your list of priorities! Never bump Him down!)

Why go through all this? Because Jesus did!

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" Galatians 6:14

"Lord, I don't know what You have in store for me today, in Your sovereign plan for my life. Help me to serve You faithfully, with full discipline, whether it's convenient or not. Amen."

Suffering: A Greatest Challenge to the Christian Faith

Good afternoon, bloggers!!

We're studying "Case for Faith" on Wednesday nights!! Lee Strobel's book, "Case For Faith" is awesome!! It's a highly recommended book to read!! Here's one excerpt that touched my heart! It actually felt like a train hit me!!

British minister, John R.W. Stott acknowledged that suffering is "the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith," has reached his own conclusion:

"I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross... In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statue of Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world. But each time after a while I have had to turn away.

And in imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me!

He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in light of His. There is still a question mark, the cross which symbolizes divine suffering. 'The cross of Christ... is God's only self-justification in such a world' as ours."

Powerful comparison and thought!!! And that's why I love Jesus! I love Him to death! He endured the cross for us.. We, in turn, ought to endure the cross ourselves!! In the next blog, I will be posting another article explaining "The Cross".. When you have taken the "cross" and followed Jesus, are you still carrying the "cross"? It's easy to misunderstand this part.. Please take the time and read my next post in this blog.

Christian Acronyms

Enjoy these acros!!

BIBLE: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
GRACE: God's Riches At Christ's Expense
FROG: Fully Rely On God
CIA: Christian In Action
PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens
IROCC: I Rely On Christ Completely
CIA: Christ Is Alive
COPS: Christians Obediently Preaching Salvation
IBIG: I Believe In God

W omen and men
A wakened
R emoving the spiritual veils
R emembering the blood
I ntoxicated with the spirit
O ffering help to those who God appoints them to
R aiding what Satan stole from them
S ouls fighting, warring against the metal and glass

BUSY: Being Under Satan's Yoke
BABE: Born Again Believer Eternally

ALIENS - A Light In Every Neighbourhood and School
ALIENS - Adolescants Living to Impact Everyone with News of Salvation
DOG - Depend On God
GOD - God Our Defender
FRIEND - Fully Reliable In Each New Difficulty (or Day)

WWJD backwards - Devil Just Won't Win
PUSH backwards - Holy Spirit Unites People
FROG backwards - God Our Righteous Friend

J Justified by God
U Under the blood
I In Christ forever
C Changed by the Holy Spirit
E Empowered by His love

B.A.S.I.C.: Becoming A Soldier In Christ
Be B.I.G.: Be Big In God

CHRIST - Certainly His Resurrection Is Supreme Truth
ASAP - Always Say A Prayer

WWJV: What Would Jesus View (Not your views; Not the worldview)

GPS:

G.P.S.
Getting People Saved
Guiding People to Salvation
Gospel Preaching Soldiers
Getting Prayers Said

***************************

In Len Sweet's book, he wrote down the acro for NUTS:
"The gospel presents a life-changing NUTS wisdom that conflicts with normal ways of making sense of the world. There is the World According to Normal. There is the World According to NUTS ... where NUTS is ...
.... Never Undererstimate The Spirit.
.... The wisdom of Jesus is a NUTS wisdom."
I live in the world of 'NUTS'!!!

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FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real
JOY: Jesus (first) Others (second) Yourselves (last)
PRAY: Praise Repent Ask Yield
SIN: Self Inflicted Nonsense
LOVE: Listen Overlook Value Encourage
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken): Kids For Christ
TLC: Teens Loving Christ

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I don't like the word, LUCK. But, if I see it in a different way, it would be spelled out like this:

Living Under Christ's Kingdom

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TGIF: Thank God I'm Forgiv'n

And finally....

As opposed to ESP, I'll say, HSP which stands for Holy Spirit's Perception

Baptism of Kyle and Megan

God bless Kyle and Megan!! Praise the Lord for these two precious souls!

God & War

Morning, bloggers!!

Pray you're all keeping the faith in Jesus today, this week, this month and throughout the rest of your life!

I believe this is a fantastic article and at a perfect time helping us understand war. With war in Iraq and Afghanistan and all over the world, I pray this article (link) will help you understand why God allows war. You'll be surprised to see the "numbers": years of war and years of peace since B.C. 3600!! Check out this link:

http://www.maxlucado.com/pdf/upwords.god.and.war.pdf

Lord, Be Praised!!

Shine Jesus Shine - Music Video

Shine on us, Jesus!!

Carrie Underwood - Jesus Take The Wheel - Subtitled

Touching song!!!

Random thoughts on the 3rd day of January...

Ok.. I'm going to try doing this every third day of the month. It just came to mind today. I don't know why. Another side of me tells me NOT to do this while another one tells me it's important to edify His church at Fairfax and elsewhere. Probably something the Lord wants me to do. And the third day has its own significance, many: Jesus rose on the third day, Saul was blind for three days before meeting Ananias and many others in the Bible.

If you're a family at Fairfax, I encourage you to encourage your fellow brother and/or sister in Christ to read this blog as well as other spiritual blogs in the blog world. Here are some thoughts that ran through my mind today and I pondered on them and prayed to the Lord:

1. Last night's class was small. Some were out of town while another had a medical reason. I don't know about the rest but, of course, I'll leave that up to God. I was personally exhausted after a 5 and 12 hour trip in two days with only one day of rest. And I thanked God for giving me a little more energy to continue through the day and eve for an opportunity to study His Word, to feed and be fed among His family at Fairfax. Also, I encourage everyone to "reserve" Wednesdays and Sundays as a time to be with God together as a family. The reason is, two things: being an example to others (members and visitors) and a personal establishment of setting God first in their lives (Matthew 6:33).

2. After seeing my dad in Kansas last month over the holidays, I've pointed the "prayer laser" at dad's heart in hope that God will (Lord willing) intervene on his behalf as he struggles with Parkinsons disease. After seeing him, he hasn't been doing very well. Just the morning we're getting ready to leave to return to Kansas City, I gave my dad a hug and encouraged him to keep on trusting in God and that I love him so much. I just had to leave immediately because my eyes were welling up and my heart reached my throat. I sought the Lord for His hand, His power, and His mercy be poured out on him. Bless my mother for her undying devotion to her husband. She's sticking by him every inch of the way.

3. Enemies Within... "I don't like him/her." We're battling the wrong being. Not that we will "never" have conflicts, we will. Believe it or not, it's a healthy way to grow. You'll learn more about one another with it than without. Seriously! But if we cringe and run away from this conflict, then you may never grow to appreciate your fellow brother or sister in Christ. You may say that you don't like one person in the church because he/she may be too quiet or he/she may be too loud like a drama king/queen. Remember, God created individuals in a unique way. Everyone has different personalities.. I enjoy quiet people. I also enjoy loud people. Sometimes. :) The real issue is Satan. He's the real enemy. We're fighting against him.. If you have an opinion about another people around you, pray about it. Let's be positive. Let's be Jesus.

4. I was reading Paul's comments to the governor in Acts 26:29, "Short time or long - I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am (Christian), except for these chains." (niv/parenthesis mine) Paul desires those he approached to tell them about Jesus to become like him. Paul loves the Lord. He imitates the Lord Jesus Christ, His love, His compassion for the lost, His zeal to give God the glory and His undying devotion to fulfill the will of the Lord, even to the point of death! Some or many of us have grown weary in our walk of faith.

That's my random thoughts on this third day! Lord, Be Praised!!!

Do you think the road to eternity is a long one? If you answered, "Yes", then you're wrong. For those whom have given their lives to the Lord in baptism, eternity lives in each of you as long as you're heartfully devoted to doing the Lord's will everyday! Paul also said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1. So, beware of others who do not give a good example to you. Avoid imitating them but only Jesus. One may decide not to go to church, would you follow their example as well? One may decide not to read the Bible everyday, would you follow their example, too? There are may other examples that I can list on and on but you know them yourselves. It would be good to daily examine your life closely:

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5 (niv)

Transfusion

Was talking with a brother in Christ of mine and we were joking a bit about how the things of life can affect and trigger our attitudes such as people pulling in front of you as you drive to home, work or wherever. The temperature of your blood rises to the point of driving you wildly mad, pounding the steering wheel and pumping your fist at them. Can you picture yourselves in this person's driver's seat?

Perhaps, even though you may have buried your old lives in the Lord and be covered with the blood of the Lamb, we ought to have a daily blood transfusion and put in the blood of Christ where it doesn't boil to the point of driving you wildly mad! :) Put in Galatians 5:22-23, the 9 fruit of the Spirit, especially when one of them is "self-control".

And, yes, you may say that you aren't a perfect Christian but that still doesn't give you the liberty of doing things that aren't in the will of God. We strive to be an example of Jesus Christ, 24/7. And, remember this, it's not you that's driving the car, it is Jesus Christ at the steering wheel. ;)