Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

- Jeremiah 33:3

Reflecting Christ for Your Children

How are you living your life and faith in front of your children? Do you reflect a life of faith and trust in Jesus? Does your life reflect what you say?

The following is a short cool video about how kids observe what their dads do and what they learn and although it's a father and son in the video, the same applies for both mom and dad, boys and girls.

Nothing New Under The Sun

“The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them...providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church...the need is for Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt that it sets men aflame.”

- CH Spurgeon


The title of this quote is taken from Ecclesiastes 1:9-14.

Because Truth matters,
George

Food for Thought

I recently came across this interesting picture from a postcard that churches can sent out to people. I think that it's very thought provoking, not only along the lines of it's original intent, but also for what it means to the individual Christian.

The way that I see it is that it's a call to an awakening; a process of self-examination for Christians attending churches and pastors alike.

Christian: Do you give God the leftovers of your day, grabbing a bite of the Bible when you have time, or are you taking the time to feast on the riches of God's Word?

Pastor: Do you fee your flock the Word of God or are you giving them just enough of a "rush" to get through to the next service where they will come back and hear the next feel good message?

We cannot neglect our spiritual bodies and expect to be a healthy and growing Christian, much like the fact that we can't neglect our physical bodies and expect to be healthy.

To quote an old church sign,

7 days without God's Word, makes 1 weak.

Because Truth matters,
George

Called and Equipped for Service

The following is from an email list that I belong to. It was taken from J. P.'s Inspirations.

The reading deals with a call to ministry, something that I am dealing with on a personal level. I have known that I have been called to the preaching ministry, but have had difficulty in dealing with it in as far as discerning the next step. In the mean time, I am seeking God's will and am doing the last thing that He told me to do until I have know what the next step is. (thanks Dr. Blackaby)

The article reminds me of some of the "simple" truths of the calling such as:

• God's ways are not our ways / His thoughts are not our thoughts
• He chose us (we did not choose Him)
• He will equip us for what He has called us to.
• To obey is better than sacrifice

Humanly speaking, we see Moses was an unlikely candidate to be called as the one to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt. There was a price on his head in Egypt and he was in exile. Yet, we see God's ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. Moses was chosen by God. Even though he felt he was not qualified to be their leader, God equipped Him with all he needed to carry forth His will and set God's people free.

We are also unqualified for the mission which the Lord calls us. Jesus will remind us that He chose us, we did not choose Him. (Jn. 15: 16). He will supply all we need to enable us to successfully work for Him. By His Spirit and Word, we are led and spiritually fed. As God gives us spiritual food and leads us, we are also to share with others.

If we let the Lord's will be done in our lives and follow Him, we shall have success in all we attempt in His service. Success in the eyes of God, is different than in the eyes of men. To obey is better than sacrifice, and God rewards our faithful obedience.

Remember that God told Moses, "I will be with you" and still tells us these same words today. If we listen closely, we can hear the Lord speaking to our hearts. He will never leave or forsake us. He will always be there, even until the end of the age. Whatever God has called us to do, God will go before and prepare the way. If we are called to share God's Word with others, the Lord will bless us as we seek and let Him equip us for the task. He alone is able supply the spiritual food to sustain souls that they might grow in His grace and knowledge.

We have God's blessed assurance and can claim every promise He has given us. We give thanks for the ever abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and God's help in our lives each day.

What an incredible article that was. It was succinct, but contained all that one needs to hear regarding a calling.

Thank you Lord for your leading.

Because Truth matters,
George

Romans 6:23

I believe that every now and then that we, as Chrsitians must look at the source of our walk,... our faith... and our hope. It is my firm belief that Christians need to hear and keep hearing the Gospel of Christ like the lost need to hear the Good News.

In out Sunday Youth group, we are going through an Evangelism program entitled Sharing Jesus Without Fear. One of the verses that is discussed that we go over with a lost person is Romans 6:23, which reads,

for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This truth is a fundamental aspect of the preaching of the Word of God. Through it, the sinner is made aware that yes, there are consequences for a life that is lived apart from God. Through this verse, the Holy Spirit can convict the heart of a lost person as well as strengthen the hope and assurance of a Christian.

The following is a quote from The Berean on this verse.

One of the most basic truths in God's program involves the fact that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The death we are intended to understand is the second death. There are only two ways to satisfy this basic truth: First, all humans must be paid that wage because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Second, another, an innocent One on whom death has no claim because He never sinned, must pay that wage in our stead, substituting His death for ours. We find both aspects applied to practical Christian life in Romans. Paul writes in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It is essential that we thoroughly understand that Christ died, not merely as a benefit, but for us, that is, in our place. His death substitutes for our well-deserved death, which we earned through sin. Earlier, the apostle had written in Romans 4:1-5: What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. When confronted by such scriptures that cannot be broken, our only possible conclusion is that the sin-debt that each person owes to God absolutely cannot be worked off. It is so huge and serious that an already sin-defiled person cannot pay it off. Once a person sins, his debt is absolutely irredeemable by anyone or any action except through death. Either each individual pays for himself, or Christ pays in his place. These are the only acceptable payments.

Because Truth Matters,
George

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family!

What a year this has been and what an awesome time to sit and reflect on the Lord and His blessings. The love that our Father has seems so inconceivable (no, I don't keep using that word). to quote a recent email that I received...

This Christmas…

May your hearts be filled with His Peace
And may your cup runneth over with His Joy
May your life be flooded with His Presence
And may you experience the true essence
of Happiness in Him


This New Year…

May you reach deeper than ever to find Him
May you spend more time getting to know Him
May you reach out to others to share Him
And may you go beyond yourself to please Him

May the joy of the event of our Saviour's birth be yours this Christmas and all through the year.

Thankful Heart

At Thanksgiving Day celebration we as Christians must remember than to be thankful is a commandment to trust God Word that He is guarding over us with His blessings at all times as we should remember His many promises in the Bible both in the Old Testament and specially for us.

"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 hope and a future"

-Jeremiah 29:11

We need to see it to it that no matter what happens in our lives that we know in our hearts that God is on the throne. I came across this quote that is very fitting...

I made up my mind today to live in an attitude of gratitude for God's blessings and not to emotionally react to daily life because what I live is temporal and subject to change but God's Life is eternal.

Every now and then, a Veggie Tales lesson pops into my mind. Today as I wrote this, Junior Asparagus and his Thankfulness Song did.

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
Thats an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!

It's a bit simplistic, but the one thing that it does show it that we should thank God for ALL of our blessings because ALL good things come from Him.

Patriotism and the Battle Hymn of the Republic

It seems that patriotism is a lost form or at least is losing luster in our society. I remember recently going to sporting events where people don't take off their hats or place their hand over their hearts during our National Anthem.

Anyway, I recently came across a link to a performance of the Battle Hymn of the Republic that was done by public school students. The song starts with elementary school kids singing. Later they are joined by 4 high school choirs and a high school band.

This is a really incredible and moving performance that's bound to stir the patriot in anyone.

Click here to hear the performance!

Keep patriotism alive in our country!

Because Truth matters,
George

Lost in Translation

I just read an interesting article on a new Bible translation. It's being put out by Brian McLaren and Leonard Sweet, stalwarts of the Emergent church "movement", "conversation", or whatever they call themselves today.

Below is an except from their Gospel of John...

1Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking. The Voice was and is God.
2This celestial Voice remained ever present with the Creator;
3His speech shaped the entire cosmos. Immersed in the practice of creating, all things that exist were birthed in Him.
4His breath filled all things with a living, breathing light.
5Light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazing through murky bottoms. It cannot, and will not, be quenched.

My main concern is that they, the Emergent church as a whole, play "fast and loose" with doctrine and attempt to redefine the very meanings of the essentials of the Christian faith, redefining what truth is or isn't; saying that we can't know anything for sure and tailoring their experiences toward the worldly culture.

Sadly, those who follow these "leaders" will probably pick up this translation and encourage their followers to as well.

The Monkey and the Banana

I dunno, I feel like posting something totally out there today, so here it goes...

The Monkey and the Banana

A rope is placed over the top of a fence, the same amount of rope on both sides of the fence. The rope weighs one - third pound per foot.

On one end of the rope hangs a monkey holding a banana, and on the other end is a weight equal in weight to the weight of the monkey.

The banana weighs two ounces per inch. The length of the rope (in feet) is equal to the age of the monkey (in years), and the weight of the monkey (in ounces) is as much as the age of the monkey's mother (in years). The combined ages of the monkey and its mother are thirty years.

The weight of the banana plus half of the weight of the monkey is one-fourth as much as the sum of the weights of the weight of the rope, where all weights are in the same units.

The monkey's mother is half as old as the monkey will be when it is three times as old as its mother was when she was half as old as the monkey will be when it is twice as old as it is now.

How long is the banana?

Blazing The Trail

Congratulations to G3!

Today, George won the JROTC cadet of the month for his batallion. He was chosen to represent his company against three other companies.

He was tested on his knowledge of a variety of subjects, including drill, chain of command and current events on a local, national and international basis. He was also judged as well on his appearance.

We are very proud of the time and effort that he has invested in this program.

It's also incredible to see how humbly he accepted this honor and the young man that he is becoming.

Way to go!

Halloween

Well, it's that time of year again. No, not Christmas, although the decorations, etc. will be out in the stores (if it's not already) very soon. It's October 31, Halloween.

Whew, I said it! I know that the holiday of Halloween is a great source of consternation for a lot of Christians. Some don't participate at all, locking themselves in their houses with the lights off, while others decorate their houses with abandon.

Somewhere between the two schools of thought lies a middle ground; a place of participation, but not pandering to the overtly evil side of the day.

Don't get me wrong. I dislike the evil that is associated with Halloween, but would like to give you some thoughs to remember.

What better time of the year to talk to your neighbors and friends in the area than tonight when everyone will be out?

What better a night for a witnessing opportunity, when people COME TO YOU!

While reading various sources today, I came across this interesting, cool quote from Tim Challies' blog:

Perhaps the greatest fallacy Christians believe about Halloween is that by refusing to participate in the day we are somehow taking a stand against Satan. And second to that, is that participation in the day is an endorsement of Satan and his evil holidays. The truth is that Halloween is not much different from any other day in this world where, at least for the time being, every day is Satan's day and a celebration of him and his power. Another member of the Discussion List wrote the following. "Yeah... I've heard all of the 'pagan' reasons Christians should avoid Halloween. The question is whether we are actually particpating in Samhain when we participate in Halloween? Who or what makes the 'Witch's League of Public Awareness' the definers of what Halloween is, either now or historically? Such a connection between Samhain and my daughter as a ladybug or my son as a Bengals Boy is highly dubious."

Our church will be hosting a Trunk or Treat time tonight. It'll be a safe time for the kids and a chance for us to be able to meet people in the community that maybe we don't know. It'll give them a chance to see what the people are like at that "church down the road" where the Light is always on :)

Although this time of the year, we see ghost, goblins and ghouls, we will let our children dress up in costumes that are not scary. If you come to our house or church, don't expect to be scared, but do expect to be greeted with a smile and delicious candy by a princess, pig, caveman, soldier or farmer.

BTW, be nice to the farmer, he goes through Snickers withdrawals :)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

If my father were alive today, he would've been 73 years old. Wow, that seems old, then again, when I was growing up, I thought that 30 was old and that 40 was ancient... lol

Now that I am 40, I still think that it's ancient, but I reflect on the years as a chance to look back and remember where I was then and when I am now. I have learned a lot of things in what/how a parent should and shouldn't be through my parents. These things help to shape my life for the better.

Growing daily with Jesus and making life purposeful changes things.

I purpose time to play dolls with Jules
I purpose time to play catch with the boys
I purpose time to be silly with Megan
I purpose time to love me wife and make sure that my children see how much she means to me.
I purpose time with God to pass on spiritual truths to the children,

Diana once said that "God made you an original, don't die a copy." Regarding our relationship to others, this is true. The only one that I want to reflect as a copy is Jesus and I am far from that.

So today, I look back and reflect and look forward with anticipation of the wonders that God has in store for me and our family.

How do you give your life to Jesus?

How do you give your life to Jesus? That is a question that I came across while on Love Worth Finding's Web site. I so enjoy listening to Adrian Rogers even though he has gone home to Heaven. Anyway, I came across this and wanted to post it, so for those who don't know or who are struggling to put it into words, here you go...

Admit Your Sin: First, you must understand that you are a sinner. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Abandon Self-Effort: You cannot save yourself by your efforts. The Bible is very clear that it’s “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Again, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Acknowledge Christ’s Payment: You must believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins. The Bible says, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That means He died in your place. Your sin debt has been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ, which “cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Accept Him as Savior: You must put your faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone for your salvation. The blood of Christ does you no good until you receive Him by faith. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). It couldn’t be any clearer than that. Now, if you would like to give your life to Jesus, then pray, “Oh God, I’m a sinner. I’m lost, and I need to be saved. I know I can’t save myself, so right now, once and for all, I trust You to save me. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, and make me your child. I give You my life. I will live for You as You give me strength.”

If you will make this your heartfelt prayer, God will hear and save you! Jesus has promised that He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith (John 6:37). He will make you a child of God, if you will turn to Him (John 1:12). Will you trust Him today?

Amen!

Because Truth matters,
George

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 17th Wedding Anniversary! I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to Diana!

It seems like just yesterday, when we "officially" began our lives together. I could never foresee all of the many blessings that God had in store for us.

I love you!

Love Always,
George

Hunter Education

The boys and I have been getting pretty serious about wanting to go turkey and eventually deer hunting. Well, one of the first things that they had to do was to complete a Hunter Education Course that the State of Tennessee requires for all residents born after 1969 in order for them to hunt. Even though I squeaked by the age limit (Man am I old...lol) I wanted to go through the course with them. We took the online classes and studies, completed the online test and headed down to Bass Pro Shops for more education, another test and a live fire exercise.

I am proud to say that we all passed. I'm not sure what the boys got a bigger kick out of, winning Bass Pro Hats or getting to shoot a .22 rifle.

Anyway, above is a pick of them with there certifications.

Great job, boys!

Sonic Car Show

This past Saturday night, I took the kids down to the car show at the Smyrna Sonic. It was pretty neat to see all of the cool cars that showed up, although I do have to say that the '57 Chevy was pretty much my favorite.

I think that the kids and I went crazy with the camera, but what a cool night out with the family!

Matt's Meet

Yesterday was our youngest son's first cross-country meet. There were 16 (or was it 19) schools represented and hundreds of runners that had to cover a distance of 1.5 miles. He had a great time.

I am very proud of him. He placed right in the middle of the pack, which is good considering that was up against Goliath-sized eighth graders and it was his first year running and first competition ever.

Needless to say, I can't wait until his next meet

The Emerging Obamanation

Earlier I wrote about Brian McLaren's endorsement of Barack Obama for President. Today I read that emerging church author Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz) gave the closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25th.

Now, out of curiosity, I'll admit that I've watched some of the DNC over the past few nights just to get an idea of what's going on. Unfortunately, I missed Mr. Miller's prayer. His prayer follows below...

"Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen."

His reason for being at the convention was to bring

"a message to Washington that no single party has the Christian community in their pocket,"

While I agree that no party has the "Christian community" in their pockets, as we should be Christians first, then Republicans, Democrats, etc. second, I would just say to you, the reader that we should look at the values that are represented and see what aligns with God's Word.

I can understand trying to unify people, but the Bible says that light has no unity with darkness. Christians are called to be unified with each other, not with the world.

I'll leave off with this quote from the Bible...

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20 (NASB)

Because Truth matters,
George