Bible Study Blog

Sundays sermon

2008-11-11T20:35:00.001-06:00

....was on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Pastor Shaylon presented the thought..."The question isnt 'Who is my neighbor?', rather it is, 'Whose neighbor am I?'" Food for thought.

Job 39:19-25 (New King James Version)

2008-11-05T18:09:00.001-06:00

Glen Coffee of the Alabama crimson Tide uses this verse as one of the themes of his life....

19 “Have you given the horse strength?
Have you clothed his neck with thunder?^[a]

20 Can you frighten him like a locust?
His majestic snorting strikes terror.

21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
He gallops into the clash of arms.

22 He mocks at fear, and is not frightened;
Nor does he turn back from the sword.

23 The quiver rattles against him,
The glittering spear and javelin.

24 He devours the distance with fierceness and rage;
Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.

25 At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
The thunder of captains and shouting.

Romans 13:12

2008-07-20T18:53:00.002-05:00

"The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light." (NIV)

A nugget...

2008-06-03T21:02:00.001-05:00

from Sunday's sermon.

Value Character and process over charisma and event.

A few thoughts.....

2008-04-13T19:45:00.002-05:00

....from today's sermon at The Crossing

1. The enemy does not hate our rebuke as much as he does our worship, repentence and obedience.

2. God requires the best because He gave his best.

3. We were created to be worshippers and warriors, giving God total devotion, obedience and repentence.

Pastor Michael Sharp.

A Reminder

2008-03-06T21:54:00.000-06:00

I found thnis quote in a daily devotional I get from beliefnet. It reminded me of things Al Baker, my college pastor, taught us about social justice. We must always remember to never look down on anyone. The ground is always level at the foot of the cross.

Justice demands that we seek and find the stranger, the broken, the prisoner, and comfort them and offer them our help. Here lies the holy compassion of God.
-Mechtild of Magdeburg

Peace in the Storm

2008-02-11T06:12:00.001-06:00

Pastor Buddy Gray of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama had two children who lost practically everything in the tornado at Union College in Tennessee. They were in a safe place and survived.

When asked about the situation he pointed to Job 1:21 which says, "the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

He said that is not being fatalistic it is based on trust and assurance of knowing that God is in control. That really is so true and it really carried a lot of meaning for me personally.

Disciple- Things Left Unsaid/The Wait is Over Live

2008-01-23T19:11:00.000-06:00

A thought.....

2008-01-22T20:56:00.000-06:00

....from How to be a Man of character in a World of Compromise; Insights from the Book of Proverbs by Richard Exley

"Adversity tests a man's character, his ability to hang in there when times get tough. Success, on the other hand, tests a man's integrity, his ability to remain true to himself, morally and ethically pure." (p.167)

A Godly response to tragedy

2008-01-22T19:00:00.001-06:00

Quotes from Rick Burgess regarding the death of his precious two year old son, Bronner.

Satan made a huge mistake attacking my family. He miscalculated greatly.

So many lives have already been changed because of the appointment God had with him.

The biggest injustice you can do to my son, to my family, to God, is to leave here unchanged.

Bronner is in the care of the only Father who loves him more than me, the Father who he really belongs to.

Satan you have kicked up a can of worms

The fight is on.

Bigger than Before

2008-01-10T12:58:00.000-06:00

The above is the title of a sermon preached by our Associate Pastor Shayl0n Sharp. Below are some notes from that sermon.

Some of the church staff went to a seminar on the universe. After they walked out they realized God was bigger than before. It hit them anew that God was the creator of it all.

Psalm 19 -"Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere."-(Shaylon read this particular quote from The Message.)

So often we make Him to0 small. We are like Him but He is not like us.

If we are the center of the Universe it is too big but we're not.

All of Creation is about God.

The Milky Way is so big if we counted 1 star per second it would take 2500 years to finish counting them. Yet Isaiah says God calls each by name.

Again, we tend to undersize God.

In comparison to the Milky Way, the solar system is like quarter laying on the North American Continent.

Sometimes we think too much of ourselves and not enough of God.

Who are we to tell God what we will believe and how we will live?

One irony: The creator of the world chose to hang from a cross made from trees HE made.

Shaylon said all this to say this. He is bigger than your sins or problems. Remember how great God is.

"Things Left Unsaid" - Disciple

2008-01-03T06:53:00.000-06:00

Powerful song...maybe I can post a YouTube video soon..

Just a matter of time a few days ago,
I saw you you were fine
Remembering what you said
About the book you read
The one I got you the begining of the end
Oh how we talked, for hours upon end
What I would give just to do it again
Your lying there in this hospital bed
Wont you open your eyes
And lets talk once again.
If you fly away tonight, I wanna tell you that I love.
I hope that you can hear me, I hope that you can feel me.
If you fly away tonight,
I wanna tell you that Im sorry,
That I never told you
When we were face to face.
Well Ive been here all night
And Im watching you
Breathe in and Breathe out
Is it really you or just a machine
Thats giving you life and
Making it seem that there could be hope
I could say it to your face?
If it werent for you then
There would be no grace
Thats covered my life.
You took the time to speak into my mind
And my harsh words were lies
If you fly away tonight
I wanna tell you that I love you
I hope that you can hear me
I hope that you can feel me
If you fly away tonight
I wanna tell you that
Im sorry
That I never told you
When we were face to face

Even before He was born

2007-12-15T16:52:00.000-06:00

Luke 2:8-20.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus was always going to places no one else would go and calling people to Himself that no one else wanted. In the above passage the angels anounce Jesus' birth to shepherds abiding in a field. Scripture tells us God is not a respecter of persons. This is a great example. Shepherds were basically the dregs of the earth in that culture. I've known many years that Jesus called these type people to Himself throughout his earthly ministry. tb wasnt until my Pastor pointed it out that I realized Jesus was doing this even before he was born.

Thank God that no matter what we've done or how bad we think we are, He still wants us.

Mission: Possible....

2007-12-14T09:22:00.000-06:00

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee..."

Mark 10:27 "Looking at them, Jesus said, 'With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.'"

Our God is an awesome God

2007-12-06T06:25:00.000-06:00

Deuteronomy 7:21 "Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God."

Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome..."

Exodus 15:11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"

Nehemiah 1:5 "Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands..."

Daniel 9:4 "I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands..."

Matthew 1:23

2007-12-04T22:29:00.000-06:00

23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."

Isaiah 40:31

2007-11-06T22:49:00.000-06:00

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

Seek first...

2007-10-24T23:01:00.000-05:00

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Good Article

2007-10-04T21:12:00.000-05:00

This article showed up in my inbox Tuesday. Thought I would share
thelife.com/explore/goodpeople.html

Isaiah 43:1-3

2007-09-30T19:13:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 43:1-3 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you I have summoned you by name; you are min. When yo pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God.”

This verse was posted by a very courageous lady, Brenda Ladun, who is undergoing her second major battle against cancer.

Great blog posts...

2007-09-18T23:41:00.000-05:00

I read a couple of very well done blog posts by my pastor from my college days. Check out his excellent website, Early Church History - CH 101 and his posts about "Water Baptism in the Primitive Church" and "Wine in the Ancient World - Part 1". Really good stuff!

The Word of God found while tailgating!

2007-09-17T19:58:00.000-05:00

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I Love You, Lord!

2007-09-11T22:39:00.001-05:00

Do you have any worship songs that you always come back to on a regular basis? I do. There are songs that just rise up in my heart sometimes. One of those is this song:

Here is the story behind this precious worship song. Read this short story!

I love you Lord and I lift my voice

To worship You O my soul rejoice

Take joy my King in what you hear

Let me be a sweet, sweet sound In your ear

I love you Lord and I give my life

To worship You under pain and strife

Take joy my King in what you see

May I be a sweet sacrifice Unto Thee

God Bless America

2007-09-11T06:14:00.000-05:00

An eternal perspective...

2007-09-08T00:33:00.000-05:00

WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO.

God's call

2007-09-03T16:09:00.000-05:00

Last week marked the anniversaries of the deaths of Princess Di and Mother Teresa. One was celebrated due to her status as a potential Queen of England. The other labored in relative obscurity.

So many people measure their lives by the success and position they hold. Mother Teresa labored form many years seeing very little results from her work. One time she was asked how she could go on seeing so little results. Below is the reply that was attributed to her:

"God has called me to obedience not success."

We would all do well to remember this.

A moment in time

2007-08-18T16:11:00.000-05:00

Today, I attended the funeral of one of the older saints in our church. During the service Pastor related a story I wanted to share.

Jake was a WW2 veteran. He accepted Christ at the age of 11. During the war, he was in a foxhole with one of his buddies. During this time God allowed Jake to share the Gospel with this young man. Minutes later that foxhole was hit and that young man stepped into eternity and into the prescence of God. Because of Jake's faithfullness and obedience to share that man met his Maker right with Him.

I want to encourege all Christians to consider Jake's example and be faithful and obedient. I encourage non-Christians to consider the other young man. Any presentation of the Gospel you hear could be your last chance to know God.

Take advantage of this moment in time God has given you.

Another look at Psalm 23

2007-08-17T13:06:00.000-05:00

This is precious! Check this video out!

I know the PLANS I have for you!

2007-08-15T21:59:00.001-05:00

I know the PLANS I have for you,

declares the Lord,

Plans to PROSPER you and not to HARM you,

plans to to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.

Jeremiah 29:11

Tony Dungy

2007-08-04T14:43:00.000-05:00

I read a good article today. Thought I would share.

http://tpe.ag.org/Articles2007/4863_Dungy.cfm

2007-07-03T19:04:00.000-05:00

Saw another good quote today. As usual, though I would share.

There are two freedoms: the false where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true where a man is free to do what he ought.-Charles Kingsley

You are so blessed!

2007-07-03T17:51:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had a down day? Who hasn't? We all do that. Sometimes the reason we get down is that we look at our circumstances and compare them to the circumstances of other people. That can get us down. Sometimes we compare our circumstances to what we would consider an "ideal" situation.

The problem is that we often pick out our worst circumstances and focus on those. God never promised that everything would go our way. What we do so often though is ignore the truth of how good we actually have it.

If we are going to play the "comparison" game, we should compare ourselves to the rest of the people in the world, past and present. We might also compare ourselves to Christ Himself! Most of us who are able to read this post will have to admit that we fare quite well.

Enjoy this presentation and reflect on just how blessed you are today!

A couple of thoughts...

2007-07-01T20:15:00.000-05:00

from the past week...

Jeremiah 29:10-13
"This is what the Lord says 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fufill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart....' "

God wants to be found, however, He wants us to be willing to give all we are and have to find Him. Are you willing to seek Him with all your heart today?
******
Also heard Jeff Foxworthy say something on an awards show I thought was pretty good. He was speaking of God being a prominent part of country music. He said that we were not trying to offend anyone but the evidence we have seen of God working in our lives trumps the opinion of those offended.

Once again the greatest proof we can give of His existence is what He has done for us personally. Our personal testimony is one of the greatest tools we have.

They'll Know We Are Christians

2007-06-24T21:18:00.000-05:00

Does this bring back any good memories? They don't write many like this any longer.

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us

2007-06-24T20:44:00.000-05:00

I was given an insight today in church that I never really thought about before in these exact terms. I love it when that happens! 3 John 6 says that we should "send them on their way in a manner worthy of God." Pastor Steve Britt of Northbrook Baptist Church in Cullman, Alabama had a very good illustration of this passage. He said, basically, that we should treat everyone as if they were Jesus Himself. That is obviously scriptural. What a challenge, though, huh?

What would you say to Jesus if he was your co-worker, neighbor, person who sat next to you in church, etc.? We should treat everyone with the same level of respect and love we, as Christians, have for the Lord!

Re-Simply Christian

2007-06-17T19:05:00.000-05:00

It's not so much that being a Christian is about doing the right things or not doing the wrong things. It is about the pursuit of a person-Jesus Chrtist. It's about getting to know the heart and character of God. What He is really like. If we pursue Him with a vengeance then all the things that are bad for us will naturally fade out of our lives.

One of my favorite definitions of a Christian I heard years ago came from the late Keith Green. A Christian is someone who is bananas for Jesus.

Simply Christian

2007-06-10T16:59:00.000-05:00

Thought I would share a quote from the above book by N.T. Wright.
"Christian holiness is not (as people often imagine) a matter of denying something good. It is about growing up and grasping something even better." (pp.236-237)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

2007-05-16T20:07:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Here is a really good discussion about this verse.

Anyway

2007-04-23T22:15:00.000-05:00

I first heard this song a month or so ago. It's not explicitly Christian but I still think it gives us a lot to think about, particularly the chorus.

AnywayMartina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren (BMI)
You can spend your whole life buildin'Somethin' from nothin'One storm can come and blow it all away Build it anyway
You can chase a dreamThat seems so out of reachAnd you know it might not ever come your wayDream it anyway
(Chorus)God is great, but sometimes life ain't goodWhen I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anywayI do it anyway
This world's gone crazy and it's hard to believeThat tomorrow will be better than todayBelieve it anywayYou can love someone with all your heartFor all the right reasonsAnd in a moment they can choose to walk awayLove 'em anyway
(Repeat Chorus)
You can pour your soul out singin'A song you believe inThat tomorrow they'll forget you ever sangSing it anywayYeah sing it anyway
I sing I dream I love anyway

Where it's at

2007-04-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

People love love Christmas and rightly so. It is a time of year when we remember the birth of the saviour Jesus Christ.

However all too often we forget why Jesus was born. Jesus came into the world to show us how to live and then to die for our sins. Friday marked the day that Jesus was crucified, dying for our sins. Today marks the day he won final victory over Satan by rising again. Think how important this is. Without the resurrection, we would be walking around hopeless. The resurrection to me is the ultimate evidence of the truth of who He was and is. The most hardened skeptic cannot explain it away. The bottom line is that they can go back to His tomb and look all they want and they won't find his body. It is the ultimate proof Jesus was who He said He was and did what He said He would do.

Again, Christmas is great but Easter is "where it's at."

My best friend...

2007-03-29T05:42:00.000-05:00

I woke up a little while ago thinking about my best friend. My best friend is Jesus. To those of you who do not believe, I may sound like a nut. At best, you may think, "That's good for him, but I do not need a crutch." All I can say is you don't know what you are missing!

I can talk with him about anything, anytime, anywhere. He is always there for me. Though He is perfect in every way, He loves me unconditionally despite all of my flaws. He has literally died for me. Where can you find a more awesome friend than that?

It's great to wake up and know that no matter what happens to me today, He will be right there in the middle of it with me. I hope to have a good day. But if I don't, I will call on Him. Actually I will call on Him anyway. I want to be a good friend to Him.

- - -

John 15:12-15
12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Somebody's Praying Me Through

2007-03-19T07:27:00.001-05:00

This song was played during a slideshow of the destruction, pain, and rebuilding caused by Hurricane Katrina and the recent Enterprise tornado. I was visiting Gardendale First Baptist Church.

Somebody's Praying Me Through
Pressing over me like a big blue sky
I know someone has me on their heart tonight
That's why I know it's gonna be alright
'Cause somebody's praying me through
Somebody's praying me through
It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad
Or an old friend I've forgot I had
But whoever it is I'm so glad that
Somebody's praying me through
Somebody's praying me through
Through the tears, through the rain
Through the sorrow, through the pain
It keeps bringing me through
Over and over again
So when you're drowning in a sea of hurt
And it feels like life couldn't get any worse
There's a blessing waiting to push back the curse
'Cause somebody's praying you through
Somebody's praying you through
Someone got down on their knees and prayed for me
Somebody's, somebody's praying you through

Written by Darrell R. Brown and Ty Lacy© 2002 Almo Music Corp/Original Bliss Music (ASCAP) administered by Universal Music Group and Ariose Music (ASCAP) administered by EMI Christian Music Publishing.

A couple of thoughts

2007-03-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

We are reading a book called Simply Christian by N.T. Wright in our small group on Sundays after church. I just thought I would share a couple of good quotes from the chapter titled "Jesus and the Coming of God's Kingdom."

"The need which the Christian faith answers is not so much that we are ignorant and need information, but that we are lost and need someone to come find us, stuck in the quicksand waiting to be rescued, dying and in need of new life." (p.92)

"Something about Jesus and the chance there might be more to him than our culture has realized still awakens in millions a sense of new possibilities and prospects." (p.93)

I Believe It, I Believe It!

2007-03-09T22:41:00.000-06:00

Today I was taking a walk at break. I was listening to my son's MP3 player. I was listening to one of my all time favorite songs, "Creed" by Rich Mullins. There is something special about listening to that song while enjoying the beauty of the Lord's creation.

At the risk of sounding maudlin, I want that song to be played at my funeral, because it states what my life is all about better than anthing else I know.

Here are the lyrics...

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ
His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried

CHORUS:
And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not
The invention of any man

I believe that He who suffered
Was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and
On the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where
He sits at God's mighty right hand
I believe that He's returning to
Judge the quick and the dead
Of the sons of men

CHORUS

I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son,
Our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church, the communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends

CHORUS

I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it

The Priestly Blessing

2007-03-09T22:21:00.000-06:00

May the Lord bless you and keep you - יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ

May the Lord shine His face upon you - יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ

May the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and grant you peace -

The Message

2007-03-01T16:06:00.000-06:00

I've been reading Eugene Peterson's Bible paraphrase, The Message, lately and it has some tough passages that have absolutely poleaxed me. Peterson tries to recapture the gritty, visceral feel the original marketplace Greek conveyed to a first century audience. And he rephrases things so that they aren't familiar but they mean the same thing. You can read a passage and not realize it's a verse you know by heart until you are finished getting hit with its meaning. This makes it fresh (and newly convicting) when you're reading something for the hundredth time.

The book of James has been especially stringent yet empowering at the same time. Here's a small sample from James 4:4-10:

"You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.

"So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet."

Why is it wrong to hate?

2007-01-31T19:28:00.000-06:00

Matthew 24:10
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

John 15:23
He who hates me hates my Father as well.

Titus 3:3
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

1 John 2:9
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

1 John 2:11
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

1 John 3:15
Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

1 John 4:20
If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Never washed away

2007-01-26T08:25:00.000-06:00

In the past week, this verse has turned up in both my daily devotional book and in my box of little Daily Bread cards. Perhaps I should listen to it!

"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it." - Song of Solomon 8:7

Hope

2007-01-25T21:12:00.000-06:00

Read this quote from my beliefnet daily devotional. Thought it was neat so I decided to share it.

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up. -Anne Lamott

1 John 4:7, 11-12

2007-01-14T22:54:00.000-06:00

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God ... Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."

1 John 4:7, 11-12

John 4:19

2007-01-14T22:53:00.000-06:00

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the satisfaction for our sins."

John 4:19

1 John 4:18

2007-01-14T22:52:00.000-06:00

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "

1 John 4:18

Ephesians 4:32

2007-01-14T22:35:00.000-06:00

"And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

I got this email...

2007-01-05T08:35:00.000-06:00

Usually a lot of the "chain" emails I get are not that great, especially from a Biblical perspective. I really liked this one so I thought I'd post it here.

Pray this even if you don't feel like it

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said, or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And it's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. I pray for each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt, and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it. If you prayed this prayer, change the number in the subject box before forwarding the message so people can see how many people have done so. God bless! Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves! God I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please.

Isaiah 54:17

2006-12-21T19:43:00.000-06:00

"No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. (NASB ©1995)

Story

2006-12-10T22:00:00.000-06:00

Just thought I would share a pretty neat story our church leadership gave us a copy of last week.

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled somec women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meantabout the charcter and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at the next Bible Study. That week the woman called a silversmith and made an appoint ment to go watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiousity about the process of refining silver.

As he watched the silversmith he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked if it was true the silversmith had to sit there in front of the firev the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver , but he had to keep his eye on the silver the entire time it was in te fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she aked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answeredf, "Oh that's easy-when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Proverbs 27:17

2006-11-28T22:12:00.000-06:00

We need each other.

Thanks, Mike for helping to sharpen me.

Ancient of Days

2006-11-14T06:39:00.000-06:00

We sang this song in church Sunday. It reminded me of my days in college back in the early 90's.

Ancient of Days
by gary sadler

blessing and honor, glory and power
be unto the Ancient of Days
from every nation, all of creation
bow before the Ancient of Days

every tongue in heaven and earth
shall declare Your glory
every knee shall bow at Your throne in worship
You will be exalted, o God,
and Your kingdom shall not pass away
o Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
sing unto the Ancient of Days
for none can compare to Your matchless worth
sing unto the Ancient of Days

His Name

2006-10-29T22:20:00.000-06:00

Lord we love Your name
Lord we love Your name
Lord we love Your name
Lord we love Your name

Lord we praise Your name
Lord we praise Your name
Lord we praise Your name
Lord we praise Your name

Your name has made the broken whole
Your name has saved my soul
Your name is what we're living for
Lord we love Your name
Jesus we love Your name

One more thought from today's sermon-
Take your mind, heart and home for Jesus then you can take your city, state, country and world for Him.

Indescribable

2006-10-24T06:54:00.000-05:00

An awesone song by Chris Tomlin:

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing His majesty...
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring -
Every creature unique in the song that it sings,

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name,
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim,
You are amazing God!

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go,
or seen Heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to it's light,
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom...

Indescribable....

Revelation 3:14-17 (New International Version)

2006-10-23T17:19:00.000-05:00

Just food for thought: Do we in America resemble this?

To the Church in Laodicea

14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Psalm 37: 7-11

2006-10-06T19:49:00.000-05:00

Here is one of the passages that the boys and I read this morning before school and work...

Psalm 37: 7-11

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth ; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
-----

Brokeness

2006-10-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

The world looks at brokeness as a bad thing. We as humans like to think we have it all together. However God sees our brokeness and has mercy on us.

Jesus was going up in a religious procession when a blind man, Bartimaes, cried out "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" Those who were with Jesus tried to quiet the beggar, however he just cried out all the more. Jesus commanded he be brought to him and healed Bartimaeus.

Jesus loves and wants the broken things for His own. He wants our brokeness so he can heal us, use us and be glorified.

Psalm 23

2006-09-28T04:09:00.000-05:00

The boys and I read and discussed this chapter last week before school...

A psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The Way of Love

2006-09-10T16:25:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 13

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

John 11

2006-08-25T19:30:00.000-05:00

I read and discussed these verses with the boys this morning before school...

11:38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it.
Iesus ergo rursum fremens in semet ipso venit ad monumentum erat autem spelunca et lapis superpositus erat ei

11:39. Jesus saith: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days.
Ait Iesus tollite lapidem dicit ei Martha soror eius qui mortuus fuerat Domine iam fetet quadriduanus enim est

11:40. Jesus saith to her: Did not I say to thee that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?
Dicit ei Iesus nonne dixi tibi quoniam si credideris videbis gloriam Dei

11:41. They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes, said: Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me.
Tulerunt ergo lapidem Iesus autem elevatis sursum oculis dixit Pater gratias ago tibi quoniam audisti me

11:42. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Ego autem sciebam quia semper me audis sed propter populum qui circumstat dixi ut credant quia tu me misisti

11:43. When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth.
Haec cum dixisset voce magna clamavit Lazare veni foras

11:44. And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with winding bands. And his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them: Loose him and let him go.
Et statim prodiit qui fuerat mortuus ligatus pedes et manus institis et facies illius sudario erat ligata dicit Iesus eis solvite eum et sinite abire

11:45. Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him.
Multi ergo ex Iudaeis qui venerant ad Mariam et viderant quae fecit crediderunt in eum

11:46. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things that Jesus had done.
Quidam autem ex ipsis abierunt ad Pharisaeos et dixerunt eis quae fecit Iesus

Pleasant Grove

2006-08-15T19:46:00.000-05:00

Last night I visited Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wren, just south of Moulton, Alabama. Chris McDaniel, formerly with the country music group Confederate Railroad, performed his music and gave his testimony. Chris was a former member of Confederate Railroad from 1984-2000. In 1992 his group received the ACM Award for New Group of the year and recorded his first No. 1 Single on the charts. He was nominated for CCMA Song of the Year.

Chris received salvation at the age of 15. Life continued and he went in different directions seeking a music career. In 2000, on Easter Sunday, he found himself in rehab for the third time with a sixty thousand dollar a year drug habit. He decided this time to give the problem to God.

He became a pianist at Unity Baptist Church in Rossville, where he played for over a year. On Jan. 19, 2003, he did his first concert of Contemporary Christian music.He is now involved with Heartbound Ministries, which is a prison ministry.

It was an awesome time of worship and encouragement. The pastor also delivered a short, but practical and convicting message about the reality of hell. He spoke about the reality (from the Bible) of who will be there and what it will be like for those who are there. He challenged non-Christians to accept Christ and shun hell. He challenged Christians to visit, call, and/or write to people that we know that we are not sure about where they will spend eternity and share with them the Good News.

The Most Important Thing I Can Say!

2006-08-14T23:06:00.000-05:00

These are some of the most important words ever written by me or anyone in the world, ever:

Do you know whether you are going to heaven or hell?

If you are not sure, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Son of God. Ask him into your heart and ask Him for a relationship and for forgiveness.

Just try it and I promise that He will not disapoint you if you open your heart to Him!

You then can count on gaining heaven and shunning hell.

That may sound radical and crazy to many people, but that doesn't make it any less true.

Proverbs 3:5-6

2006-08-11T18:47:00.000-05:00

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

I read this verse with the boys this morning before we left for school and work.

Matthew 6:33

2006-08-10T07:10:00.000-05:00

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Morewgood quotes

2006-07-23T18:48:00.000-05:00

The following quotes are from a book called Blue Like Jazz ritten by Donald Miller. It is bassically written from a seekers' perspective.

"....my Sunday School classes did much to help us memorize commandments and little to teach us who God was and how to relate to Him, or perhaps it was because they did and I was not listening."(p.4)

I think this is a big problem in America. We love to teach things about God, spoonfeeding people, but we don't want to take the time to truly disciple people and teach them to think for themselves and get into the Word themselves.

"I believe that the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but to have us wasting time........If he can sink a man's mind into habit he can prevent his heart from engaging God." (p.13)

"The genius of the American system is not freedom;5the genius of the Americanystem is checks and balances. Nobody gets all the power. Everybody is watcing everybody else. It is as if the founding fathers knew, intrinsically, that the soul of man, unwatched, is perverse.." (p.18)

One more.

".....The problem is not a certain type of legilation or even a certain politician; the problem is the same that it has always been."

"I am the problem." (20).

Just a few thigs to think about.

Welcome, Visitors!

2006-07-07T20:53:00.000-05:00

According to Site Meter, we have had visitors to Bible Study Blog from such far away places as Canada, India, Argentina, Germany, and Norway. Thanks to all who stopped by. I hope you come again soon!

Great services and sermons.......

2006-07-05T21:59:00.000-05:00

We keep having 'em at The Crossing.

I already posted something about last Wed. But Sunday's as well as tonights services were really good too.

Sunday Pastor spoke on "The hard sayings of Jesus." Thne focus was John 6 where Jesus did miracles then talked about what it took to be His disciple. As long as He was doing "magic tricks" people were fine. However when He started talking about how to really follow Him, people turned away, leaving Him. He then turned to the Twelve and asked if they would leave Him also. I just love Peter's response. "Lord to whom shall we go you alone have words of eternal life." That's really is the point isn't it? No matter what He asks of us, He has the right to because He has given us eternal life.

Tonight we talked about grace and justification. It was also really good. A good quote from tonight: "I would rather be know as a Christian American than an American Christian."

Two of the main Scriptures:

Eph 2"8-10
Titus 2:11-15

Check them out.

We Will Glorify

2006-07-03T22:16:00.000-05:00

Tonight I heard another classic worship song that really blesses me....

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I AM

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Oh hallelujah to the King of kings!
Hallelujah to the Lamb!
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords
Who is the great I AM!

Here's a Good Story Baseball Fans

2006-07-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

We hear so many negative stories in the press about professional athletes. Those who do good deeds and especially those who take a stand for Jesus Christ are usually ignored. They won't be ignored on this blog!

http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/index2.html

http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=4649

Change My Heart Oh God

2006-07-02T20:07:00.000-05:00

Words and Music by Eddie Espinosa

Change my heart oh God,
make it ever true.
Change my heart oh God,
may I be like You.

You are the potter,
I am the clay,
mold me and make me,
this is what I pray.

http://www.walkthroughlife.com/midis/christian/
changemyhrt.htm

Your Mercy Goes Deeper

2006-07-02T19:02:00.000-05:00

We sang this song at church today and it was
a blessing to me!

Your mercy goes much deeper
Your grace it rescues me
Your mercy goes much deeper
Farther than I can see

I reach for Your when I'm going under
I wait for You Jesus You're my life-line

Where could I go where would I stand
How could I leave the shelter of Your hand

Farther than I can see
Farther than I can see
Much farther than I can see

© 2001 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/sg201934

Worship

2006-07-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

Do you want to worship God? Paul gives us one way.

Therefore, dear brothers, I urge you in view God's mercy
to present your bodies as living sacrifices.......This is your
spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12)

We need tro be sure we worship God by presenting
ourselves daily to Him for His use.

Psalm 25

2006-06-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome

2006-06-21T18:30:00.000-05:00

This "place" is, and should be, our hearts....
Here is an awesome worship song written by Dottie Rambo.

Chorus
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place,Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place;Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace,Thou Art Welcome in this Place.

Verse 1
Lord, in Thy Presence There's Healing Divine;No Other Power Can Save, Lord, but Thine;Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place,Thou Art Welcome in this Place

Verse 2Fill All the Hungry and Empty Within;Restore Us, Oh Father, Revive Us Again;Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place,Thou Art Welcome in this Place

Here's a Link to Some Awesome Worship Songs and Hymns, Played on Piano

Team Hoyt

2006-06-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

The pastor mentioned these guys and showed a video clip this Sunday during the Father's Day service.

http://www.teamhoyt.com/history.shtml

National Day of Prayer

2006-06-02T10:48:00.000-05:00

May 4, 2006

Welcome to the White House. I am really glad you're here. Thanks for coming. And I'm honored to join you for the National Day of Prayer. On this special day, we give thanks for the many ways that America has been blessed, and we acknowledge the Almighty, who is the source of these blessings.

President George W. Bush addresses guests in the East Room of the White House Thursday, May 4, 2006, during a celebration of the National Day of Prayer. White House photo by Eric Draper I appreciate the Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, Shirley Dobson. I notice you brought your old husband with you, too. (Laughter.) Thank you for organizing this event here at the White House and around the nation.

Mrs. Bright, it's good to see you. Thank you, welcome. I'm glad you're back again. Dr. Blackaby, thank you very much, sir, for being the Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. And we welcome Marilynn, as well.

I want to thank the members of the Cabinet who are here. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to be here to join.

I'm glad to see my friend, Archbishop Demetrios. How are you, sir? Thanks for coming. I appreciate the military chaplains who are here. Thanks for administering to the needs and souls of the men and women who wear the uniform. Yours is an important job, and I'm grateful, as your Commander-in-Chief, for what you do.

I want to thank Rabbi Ciment, Father Connor, and Jay Dennis for joining us. Thank you for your prayers and your strong statements.

I thank Rebecca St. James for your beautiful music. We're proud you're here. I want to thank those who accompanied you. About the coat -- (laughter) -- your answer is, it's the voice that matters. (Laughter.) And the spirit behind the voice.

And Gail, thank you for coming, as well. We're proud you're here. Thanks for sharing with us.

America is a nation of prayer. It's impossible to tell the story of our nation without telling the story of people who pray. The first pilgrims came to this land with a yearning for freedom. They stepped boldly onto the shores of a new world, and many of them fell to their knees to give thanks.

At decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables, we are a people humbled and strengthened and blessed by prayer. During the darkest days of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress and George Washington -- I call him the first George W. -- (laughter and applause) -- urged citizens to pray and to give thanks and to ask for God's protection.

More than two centuries since our first National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, we continue to ask for God's guidance in our own lives and in the life our nation. Each year, thousands of citizens write letters and send cards to the White House that mention their prayers for this nation and this office.

In my travels across the great land, a comment that I hear often from our fellow citizens is, "Mr. President, I pray for you and your family." It's amazing how many times a total stranger walks up and says that to me. You'd think they'd say, "How about the bridge?" Or, "How about filling the potholes?" (Laughter.) No, they say, "I've come to tell you I pray for you, Mr. President."

And the only thing I know to do is to look at them in the eye and say, that is the greatest gift that a fellow citizen can do for those of us who have been entrusted to lead our country. And for that -- (applause.) And so I thank thanks -- I say thanks to the millions of Americans who pray each day for our nation, our troops, and our elected leaders.

Prayer is a gift from Almighty God that transforms us, whether we bow our heads in solitude, or offer swift and silent prayers in times of trial. Prayer humbles us by reminding us of our place in creation. Prayer strengthens us by reminding us that God loves and cares for each and every soul in His creation. And prayer blesses us by reminding us that there is a divine plan that stands above all human plans.

In the stillness and peace of prayer we surrender our will to God's will, and we learn to serve His eternal purposes. By opening ourselves to God's priorities, our hearts are stirred and we are inspired to action -- to feed the hungry, to reach out to the poor, to bring aid to a widow or to an orphan or to the less fortunate.

On this day, we also remember that we are a people united by our love for freedom, even when we differ in our personal beliefs. In America, we are free to profess any faith we choose, or no faith at all. What brings us together is our shared desire to answer the call to serve something greater than ourselves.

Over the past five years, I have watched the American people answer this call. Some serve their fellow man on distant shores, placing themselves in harm's way so that others might live in freedom. Others serve in our nation's armies of compassion, bringing comfort and kindness to suffering communities at home and abroad. In millions of acts of service, the American people have shown the good heart of our nation.

From our nation's prayerful beginnings, America has grown and prospered. Through prayer, we humbly recognize our continued dependence on divine providence.

I want to thank you all for keeping prayer a part of our national life. May God bless each one of you, and may God continue to bless our nation.

And now it is my honor to welcome Reverend Jay Dennis. (Applause.)

The Priestly Blessing

2006-05-29T12:19:00.001-05:00

The Lord bless thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace!

Another good quote

2006-05-19T22:54:00.000-05:00

From last night's sermon based in the Book of Malachi:
"The question is not "How much should I give God?". It is, "How much do I have a right to keep?"

Think about it.

The Desires of Your Heart

2006-05-17T21:36:00.000-05:00

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4

"How to Work in Any Environment"

2006-05-16T16:59:00.000-05:00

By: T.D. Jakes

1. Don't expect to be appreciated. Your only expectation should be to get a Paycheck. Don't come to work to have personal relationships. Don't allow what you do to affect who you are.

2. Do your job well, but remember your mission. God put you there to be a Light.

3. Seek opportunities to change the atmosphere without commenting on the problems. You have a God to talk to. You are on an assignment. Quietness and competence shall be your strength.

4. Don't let your environment get inside of you. You should influence it, not let it influence you. Stop going to work to be fed. You didn't come to receive, you came to give.

5. Increase your capacity to work with different personalities. God will often bless you through people you don't even like!

6. Remember, where you are does not define where you are going. This will deliver you from frustration. God has a plan for your life. Keep your eye on the prize. When Peter did this, he was able to walk in what other people sank in!

7. Get the optimum results with minimal confusion. Be effective without making the environment worse.

8. Don't be associated with one group or clique. Labels limit your usefulness. God wants you to work with everybody but be labeled by nobody. Use all your gifts.

9. Always keep your song near you. Keep a consecrated place in your soul. Hold on to your praise.

10. Understand that God anoints you for trouble. Put on the whole armor of God before going to work.

Spiritual Heritage

2006-05-09T21:05:00.000-05:00

A huge part of my personal spiritual heritage is my involvement with Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at the University of Alabama. Here is a link to a post I made on the XA Alumni Blog this evening.

Thoughts on blessing.

2006-05-06T12:48:00.000-05:00

I guess this is sort of a response or an extension of the previous post.

One of the things we have to remember about the thnings that we think are God's blessings is that they are conditional. I don't mean that God does not want to bless us outright. He does. However we have to remember that God's chief characteristics is holiness. If it weren't Jesus never would have had to die for our sins. Therefore God's true blessings rest on the obedience of his people. Malachi says that God is waiting to throw open the gates of heaven, once His people obey Him in the Tithe. So God wants to bless us, however because of His holiness He requires obedience. None of this is intended to take away from my brother's previous. All of that is true. It's just another take on the subject.

I would also like to mention and give thanks to God for the fact that as of Wed our church got the final permit so we could occupy our new, partially done church building. When we started having church in a tent many thought we would never occupy a building. However, God has roven faithful. We obeyed Him and He has enabled us to occupy the building in His time. We're not surec when we'll hold the first service there yet. We want to make sure we're not ahead of God, so we're taking some extra time to make sure we're ready both inside and out.

God is in control and will continue to bless as we obey Him!

Wanna Be Blessed?

2006-05-02T16:50:00.000-05:00

Don't we all want to be blessed? I have a few thoughts on the subject I wanted to post. These are just thoughts off the top of my head, based on my experience combined with my understanding of Scripture. I haven't done any special research.

First I should define what I mean by blessed. By blessed, first and foremost I mean being in a state of peace with God and as much as depends on you, with other people and your circumstances. Secondarily, I mean having "better" circumstances. I think we often have a different definition of "blessed" than God's. Guess whose definition is wrong? To a large extent, God defines for each of us individually what it means to be blessed. I think there are some blessings he wants for all of us to experience, such as eternal life with Him in heaven, peace with Him and others on Earth, and joy, to name a few.

It also appears that God's definition of "blessed" can differ among individuals. This prompts the humanly unanswerable theological question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I'm going to "cop out" and admit up front that I do not have the answer to that. I know people, myself included, that have been victims of what I will call external forces, whether it involves other people or natural events beyond their control.

Sometimes I have a problem with the "victim" theory, though. Too often people would rather claim to be a victim rather than admit their own faults and take personal responsibility. We must accept that God sometimes allows bad things to happen in our lives, regardless of our choices. I still assert, though, that God, even in these situations, is willing and able to give us the grace and peace we need.

That leads me back to the question, "How can a person be blessed?" The primary barrier to blessings is not God! He is the source of all blessings. Then what is the main barrier? I contend that we are our own greatest barriers to being blessed. How? Simply put, when we submit and surrender to God and follow His leadership in our lives, we will maximize our blessings. When we choose to go our own way, we will minimize our blessings. It is important at this point to remember my definition of "blessed".

There have been people who followed the Lord into hostile territory, only to be executed, tortured, crucified, and mistreated in more ways than we want to think about. Who is to say, though, that they were not blessed? I have read and heard stories of people who were martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ, who continued to praise the Lord and expressed amazing peace
and contentment while being killed. How can that be? To me, it's a deep, abiding faith in Christ and being completely surrendered to Him and full of the Holy Spirit.

Paul mentioned in Philippians 1:21, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (King James Version) Matthew Henry's Commentary on this verse states, "Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, for ever. But those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them."

To me, it all gets back to our choices. Our first and most important choice is whether to accept Christ as savior. Once we have decided that, we have to decide to let Him be the Lord, in control, of our lives. Then we have to fight the battles every day against our selfish desires, bad influences, and risky behavior. This extends in to so many areas of our lives. This is the hard part for many of us, if we are honest with ourselves. We are like sheep. Sheep are not known for their intelligence. They tend to wander off. Isn't that just like us? The battle gets easier when we see that our moment by moment choices have a direct relationship to how much we are blessed in the long run. It gets even easier still when we realize that even if we cannot see the result, God will eventually honor our good choices. We need to continually ask Him to help us follow as we should. We should accept his chastening as a blessing. Even if it doesn't feel good at the time, remember that if you have accepted Christ, He will do great things in your life if you let Him!

I pray that you are blessed today and eternally!

Press in and press on

2006-04-10T22:04:00.000-05:00

Phillipians 3:10

Let's press into and on with God. Now is not the time to give up. We need to keep actively pursuing God, His plans and His purposes. We need to strain toward everything He is and everything He stands for. Press on!

An exclamation point......

2006-03-25T14:37:00.000-06:00

.....That is the way we should end our lives. We should live our lives in such a way as to leave no to Whom we belong. We need to be constantly striving to grow in our faith.

Today we said goodbye to a man at our church who lived life in such a way. James Kinard was one of the best men I've ever known`. Watchingv his lfe inspired me and many others to live a life for Jesus with passxion. God delivered James both s[piritually and physically many times. God protected him in Vietnam. He cxould have died there but God was merciful. God allowed him to live and raise a family. All his life, James dealt with great fear over many things. God helped and delivered him in many ways. Pastor made a point at the funeral this morning that in the year plus since James was diagnosed with cancer, James showed no fear but was at peace. He was not afraid to die because he knew his destination. He grew in the Lord, living his life in such a way as to end it with an exclamation point. "I AM A CHRISTIAN!"

How will your life be punctuated?

Want to be God's Friend?

2006-03-17T06:50:00.000-06:00

"Ye are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you." John 15:12-14

Is God's Word in Your Heart?

2006-03-16T06:51:00.000-06:00

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Meditating on and Obeying the Word of God Brings Success

2006-03-15T06:52:00.000-06:00

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have success." Joshua 1:8 (KJV)

Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and succesful." Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

What is Faith?

2006-03-13T22:23:00.000-06:00

One great definition comes from GOD Himself:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Sleep in Peace

2006-03-11T21:39:00.000-06:00

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Ps. 4:8

I Want to Praise Him!

2006-03-08T22:24:00.000-06:00

Do you ever just feel an overwhelming urge to praise God? I hope so! All Christians know it is something that we should do, but how often do we feel like it? I'll admit that I don't always feel like it. But my favorite moments are when I'm alone with God and there are no distractions and I have an unusually great awareness of his presence. I get that often when I go for walks. I enjoy the solitude; just enjoying a quiet time with the Lord and his creation. It's at these moments that I often praise Him, worship Him, and adore Him, not only for what He has done, but who He is. God is awesome and deserves more praise and thanks than we could ever muster in this life. It's never totally adequate, considering His greatness and holiness, but it is a wonderful thing to even be able to give Him praise. The only way anyone can do it "in spirit and in truth" is a result of His grace and mercy that he gives when we surrender to Him and invite Him into our heart. He changes us and helps us see His purposes and sets us on the path to eternal life. Thank you, Lord

Easter

2006-03-07T21:42:00.000-06:00

Something on my heart I'd like to share tonight.

Everybody love Christmas and rightly so. I do too. However, I've been meditating on something off and on for the last several years,

Too many people love to kneel and worship the babe in the manger without coming through the cross. You see it is uch more comfortable for us as humans to embrace a cute babe in a manger that than a beaten bloody saviour on a cross. See the cross reminds us of what it took to save us.

However three days later, God remindedc usa of Who the ultimate Victor is. Jesus rose from the dead and that is ultimately where our hope lies.

Tonight I urge anyone reading this to go all the way with Jesus. Do not simp[ly worship the babe in the manger but embrace the His death on the cross and the ultimate hope, His resurrection.

24-7 prayer

2006-02-28T21:39:00.000-06:00

My current reading material, Red Moon Rising, is an awesome book. It is very challenging, humbling etc. The vision of this movement is wrapped up in a poem written by its fonder. This is the easiest way I could find to share it. Please click below or copy and paste in your browser.
http://www.24-7prayer.com/cm/resources/28

I think God could use this to speak to you. I know he did me.

Replace Confusion With Peace and God's Guidance

2006-02-28T18:16:00.000-06:00

God is not the author of confusion but of peace. (1 Cor. 14:3)

God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)

Envy and strive produce confusion. Wisdom from above is peaceful, gentle, merciful, impartial, and not hypocritical. (James 3:16-18)

The Lord will help me not to be confounded. I have set my face like a flint and will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:7)

Don't think your trials or strange or unusual, rather rejoice that you are partaking in Christ's sufferings which will ultimately produce gladness and joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

If you lack wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you. (James 1:5)

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God will instruct you, teach you, and guide you in the way that you should go. (Psalm 32:8)

You will have great peace if you love God's law and you will not be offe nded. (Psalm 119:165)

Cast your burdens on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will not let the righteous be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

God will be with you even if you pass through the water or fire and you will be safe. (Isaiah 43:2)

He gives power and strength to the weak and the faint. (Isaiah 40:29)

Your ears will hear a word saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' (Isaiah 30:21)

Do not worry about anything, rather through prayer and supplication let your requests be known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)