This Past Sunday in Church really made me cry. Tears of joy, which is a great thing men. In our class before 2nd service we were told to go into the Sanctuary quietly and Pray. It was hard not knowing what service was going to be like. No Church bulletins or talking or laughing, just come in, sit down and pray.
Ok change is hard! When you do something for so long you get used to it or it becomes repetitive at least with me it has.
My Heart was not in it that day.
You want to give God your best every day! Think of the movie Facing the Giants. In that movie the coach is yelling incouragement to his football player "I want your Best, Give me Your Best, Your Absolute Best, Don't Give Up, Keep Going, Your Best, Your Very Best,....."
You need to watch that movie even if the actors weren't to great. But I own the Movie and it gets me everytime.
So anyway just like in Church I was feeling bad that I don't give God my very Best and I always fall short of my Goals or I sin so much.
Now we are half way through our service and I feel it has been very hard to give God my attention at Church. I felt like I couldn't stay focused on anything. You can clearly tell I was not thinking about God it was all for me. Me, me, me, me....
Then communion time comes... Our Minister John says something like " get out a piece of paper and write down your sins and lay them at the foot of the cross for Jesus." We had a big cross in church that day and it is never there. It was in the way of the big screen and It was hard to read while we were singing all day.
So as I am writing my sins on the paper he said we will take communion up here at the 2 tables instead of it being handed to us at our seat. Another change that we had. Again thinking of me, me, me, me, me...
I get up out of the pew and start to walk down the aisle, not first of course. Then waiting in line I am starting to ask God to forgive my sorry behind, feeling not worthy at all. Then I hear... A Loud Thump Thump Thump..... Thump Thump Thump.
Three men are at the cross nailing our sins on the cross. We had several people in Church that day maybe over 300 hundred so there was a lot of hammering.
After I took communion I stood at our pew I closed my eyes and asked God to really forgive me I told Him sorry for being such a pain. I told Him this time, and I hope to mean it the same next time. It hurt me to realize how bad I really can be. If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you can nail your sins to the cross and be forgiven. That's what life is about. You need Jesus in your life. You cannot live without Him. I can't breathe without Him and He is the reason why I live today.
If you have seen Passion of the Christ, you may have seen the part where Jesus gets nailed to the cross. Or you turned your head and listened to the Hammer Thumping the Nails through His Hands and feet.
I thought about that in Church when we nailed our sins to the cross.
I pray that I become more Christ like and that I change to be more like Him. I also Pray that others will come to know Him as well.
Sunday one of my friends decided to get baptized in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thank you Lord for such a great day!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Noahs Ark # 2
In the year 2006, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans.
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, You have 6 months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard -but no Ark.
Noah! He roared, Im about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?
Forgive me, Lord, begged Noah, but things have changed.
I needed a building permit.
Ive been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.
My neighbors claim that Ive violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations.
We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.
Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark is move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.
Getting the wood was another problem.
Theres a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.
Then the EPA ruled that I couldnt build the Ark until theyd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.
Im still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities Im supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.
The trades unions say I cant use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.
To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming Im trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.
So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, You mean youre not going to destroy the world?
No, said the Lord.
The government beat me to it.
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, You have 6 months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard -but no Ark.
Noah! He roared, Im about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?
Forgive me, Lord, begged Noah, but things have changed.
I needed a building permit.
Ive been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.
My neighbors claim that Ive violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations.
We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.
Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark is move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.
Getting the wood was another problem.
Theres a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.
Then the EPA ruled that I couldnt build the Ark until theyd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.
Im still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities Im supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.
The trades unions say I cant use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.
To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming Im trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.
So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, You mean youre not going to destroy the world?
No, said the Lord.
The government beat me to it.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT DEATH
Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death! Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the end.
It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Here are some men and women who mocked God:
JOHN LENNON: Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said: "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.
TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil): During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.
CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet): During a show in Canecïo ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you." He died at the age of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.
THE MAN WHO BUILT THE TITANIC: After the construction of the Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: "Not even God can sink it" The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.
MARILYN MONROE: She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: "I don't need your Jesus". A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.
BON SCOTT: The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang: "Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell". On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.
CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005: In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter - holding her hand, who was already seated in the car: "MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU."
She responded: "ONLY IF HE(GOD) TRAVELS IN THE TRUNK, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL". Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none were broken.
Christine Hewitt: A Jamaican Journalist and entertainer, said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written, in June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle. Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.
JESUS Predicts His Death!!!
Jesus turned and said to Peter, " Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:23-28).
Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death! Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the end.
It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Here are some men and women who mocked God:
JOHN LENNON: Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said: "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.
TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil): During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.
CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet): During a show in Canecïo ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you." He died at the age of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.
THE MAN WHO BUILT THE TITANIC: After the construction of the Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: "Not even God can sink it" The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.
MARILYN MONROE: She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: "I don't need your Jesus". A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.
BON SCOTT: The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang: "Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell". On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.
CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005: In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter - holding her hand, who was already seated in the car: "MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU."
She responded: "ONLY IF HE(GOD) TRAVELS IN THE TRUNK, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL". Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none were broken.
Christine Hewitt: A Jamaican Journalist and entertainer, said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written, in June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle. Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.
JESUS Predicts His Death!!!
Jesus turned and said to Peter, " Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:23-28).
Thursday, March 15, 2007
AWANA
Well sorry it took me so long to tell everyone that I had a great time at AWANA! I was the speaker for there AWANA Grand Prix. They did a pine wood derby race and it was my first experience. It was so awesome to see how much time they put into the cars to get them ready. The kids thought about racing these cars for 4 months prior to this event. Sort of like racing in a National Racing Calendar event. So the kids were excited!
I did my best to get the kids interested in racing there cars and telling them how important it is to have Jesus in there life. Also giving God the glory for the great things he has done in our lives.
This was my first experience of being a guest speaker so I know I will do better in April when the next one comes.
I had a wonderful time at North Alliance Church on Sunday as well. They made me feel very welcome and I felt like I was at my Church. I really enjoyed talking to the kids in Sunday School
class and felt that the Lord helped me to share everything I needed to share with them. Bunch of great kids and Families at that Church. I hope to take my wife and Daughter up there someday. Thanks to Dave for introducing the muffins to me. After Church service we all had Fellowship time eating Muffins and drinking coffee. I enjoyed this the most and I encourage other Churches to have a fellowship time together before during or after Church. Our Church has this as well. I guess I enjoyed it so much because I was eating those great muffins and had more time to fellowship.
Thanks to Cheryl and Dave Young for getting me started, I was more nervous than any bike race I have done since I was 12. Thanks to AWANA and Larry for a great time and giving me the chance to speak. Also Thanks to the North Alliance Church and the Pastors and Pastors Wives for a great two days.
P.S. It was great to go out on the roads Saturday with Dave and show me how hard it is to ride up in Norwalk. The wind that day was at least 30 mph! Now wonder why he is so strong.
I did my best to get the kids interested in racing there cars and telling them how important it is to have Jesus in there life. Also giving God the glory for the great things he has done in our lives.
This was my first experience of being a guest speaker so I know I will do better in April when the next one comes.
I had a wonderful time at North Alliance Church on Sunday as well. They made me feel very welcome and I felt like I was at my Church. I really enjoyed talking to the kids in Sunday School
class and felt that the Lord helped me to share everything I needed to share with them. Bunch of great kids and Families at that Church. I hope to take my wife and Daughter up there someday. Thanks to Dave for introducing the muffins to me. After Church service we all had Fellowship time eating Muffins and drinking coffee. I enjoyed this the most and I encourage other Churches to have a fellowship time together before during or after Church. Our Church has this as well. I guess I enjoyed it so much because I was eating those great muffins and had more time to fellowship.
Thanks to Cheryl and Dave Young for getting me started, I was more nervous than any bike race I have done since I was 12. Thanks to AWANA and Larry for a great time and giving me the chance to speak. Also Thanks to the North Alliance Church and the Pastors and Pastors Wives for a great two days.
P.S. It was great to go out on the roads Saturday with Dave and show me how hard it is to ride up in Norwalk. The wind that day was at least 30 mph! Now wonder why he is so strong.
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