Enjoying LIfe

James mentions in his letter that our lives are but a vapor; here today and gone tomorrow. I am 34 years old and it seems like life has flown by so fast. I have settle in my own mind and life to enjoy and cherish every moment that I can. I want to enjoy life. Yes, I know that there will be storms but I am going to strive cherish and enjoy every moment of life that I possibly can as a father, husband, and believer.

So, do you think life is short? Has the years gone by fast for you? How do we cherish every moment of life? How do we enjoy the life we have despite the storms? Do we enjoy the todays? What robs us of our joy in life? If we have lost the joy how do we get it back?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Persecution

Have you experienced persecution from those who claim to be "Christians" or those of the "World" or "Neither"?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Things Kids Say

My mom and the grandsons were driving to Vacation Bible School when my middle son Collin said, "I see heaven." Riley my nephew sreamed with hands over his face, "Hi God. Hi Jesus. I love you guys so much!"

When playing at the playground at the Mall of Abilene my middle son Collin told Pop that He was as old as God. I guess 60 in the eyes of a child is as old as God..LOL!

When the boys were looking at the clouds my oldest son Ethan said, "I see Mario!" Quinn the youngest said, "I see a bird." Granny said she saw a turtle. My middle son Collin said, "I see Pop!"

My son Ethan wasn't dunking his brothers in the pool, he told us that he wasn't dunking them he was baptizing them.

What stories do you have about your kids or grandkids. Please share some funny stories with us. I believe that innocence and humor is helpful to the soul.

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Letting Go

Letting go of the past is hard to do but the past can keep us as believers from moving forward. The past is one of Satan's favorite weapons. We all make mistakes but we can't change the past. I know many people who live in the past and dwell on past mistakes. I know believers who have said, "I've made so many mistakes that God will never forgive me." Others say, "If you knew the mistakes I've made in the past you'd never want me to do this service or ministry from God." We all fail. We all make mistakes but living in the past hinders our faith and a healthy relationship with God and Christ.

Listen to what the Message translation says in Philippians 3:12-ff: "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wonderously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. I'm off and running and I'm not turning back.
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision- you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, lets stay on it.
Stick with me friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sad, I'm having to do it again. All they want is the easy street. They hate Christ's cross. But easy street is a dead end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Mast, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies of His own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around Him."

Paul mentions that he is off and running and he's not looking back. Paul could have stopped running if looking back he would have allowed Satan to get him to only live in the past.
So many things could in his past could have caused his faith to shatter. Paul could have been the prime example of what to avoid as a Christian yet Paul let go of the past mistakes and pressed on toward Christ and heaven. What a powerful testimony to us all!

The questions I want us to discuss are: Why does Satan use past as a powerful weapon? What happens to Christians if they live in the past? What happens to our faith if we get caught up in the past? Can churches get caught up in the past? What happens to churches when they do? Have you known a Christian who gave up because of past mistakes or living in the past? How do we let go of the past? How do we fix our eye on Jesus and reach toward Christ? What has helped you live for the moment and future?

Are You Sure?

As a youth minister I remember being at camp and asking a group of 150 teens, "those of you who are Christians, if you were to go to meet God tonight, if he was to return, do you think you would go to heaven? How many of you could say you would be saved?" Only about 5 teens of the group raised their hands. I asked this question at youth rallies, youth devotionals, and meeting all over the country and still had very few respond that they would know that they were saved. Why? Self-esteem perhaps? Doctrinal teachings of their churches? Maybe. Both?

I stressed that Jesus Christ wants us as believers to know that we are saved. How are we to make other believe if we ourselves don't? Listen to the words in Romans, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I love the words of John as well, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may KNOW that you have and eternal life." (1 John 5:13; NIV).

I hope that we will bring up believers that will know that they have eternal life. I hope that we can be confident in our salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ.

So the questions I have are: Why do some doubt their salvation? How does this doubt affect the relationship we have with Jesus Christ? How does this doubt affect our influence on the world? Should we have this confindence? Why is having confidence in our salvation so important? Have you doubted? Why? Is it self-esteem? Doctional teachings? What can we do to change what is being taught? How can we help other believers have confidence in knowing that they have eternal life?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts?

God Works In Mysterious Ways

I know it sounds cliche' but isn't true?!?? As most of you know I have been suffering from extreme migraines and neuropathy pain. As I mentioned in previous posts I am trying alternative medicine to find healing.

Well, this past week I tried hypnotherapy and have been migraine free for 7 days. I have been extremely relaxed and have found comfort as well. I am also trying yoga, meditation and exercise.

I find it amazing how God works in our lives day in and day out especially during the tough situations in life. I praise God for working in my life the way He has recently. God is so good!!!

Please pray that it continues.

I want us to discuss the following questions: How have you seen God work in Mysterious ways? How has God working in mysterious ways in your life effected your life? How have you been blessed through His working? Do we as Christians consider alternative medicine? Why or why not? How has alternative medicine helped in your life? What is your story?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Never Let It Die

Over the last two and half years I have struggled with depression. I delt with it in many damaging ways. I am now thankful that I have a great neurologist who knows what he is doing and alternative meditations and hypnosis will also be helpful. I have been moved by the powerfer message of a musician and artist that struggled with his own demons of deep depression. Jamey Jasta of the rock group Hatebreed tells of his battle on their album Supremacy.
Jasta states, "I believe that we all hav e a spark inside us that over time and though knowledge and experence can be ignited into something massive. It's a simple concept. Fan a flame adn the embers will burn into a huge fire. Throw cold water on it and it is extingushed. Never let anyone extinguish the spark inside youum. It may sound cliche' or cheesy but believe that what you have on the inside is more than you will ever know. " The song that follows tells of how we should never let that spark or power within us die. It is powerful.

Never Let It Die

The flame was almost extinguished
the will had faded and escaped me
Two years had passed and they wilted away
All that was left were memories of day I never lived

Now the fight is on, until there's nothing left
I'll fight like never before
The fight is on, until my final breath
I've never wanted anything more.

I must never let it die

Bonds are strengthened when they've been tested
and mended when they've been torn
so give all of yourself that there is to give
cause in life to have never risked is to have never lived
so give all of yourself that there is to give
cause in life to have never risked is to have never lived
Now the fight is on, until there is nothing left
I'll fight like never before
The fight is on, until my final breath
I'll never wanted anything more

I must never let it die

So resolve, seassure and push on with out fear
Ignight the flame, because only you govern what tomorrow holds
it's inside us all wait to be awoken
It is more than words described
That is the spark, let it burn, makit build
It will never be denied

Becuase the fight is on, untilt here's nothing left
I'll fight like never before
The fight is on, until my final breath
I've never wanted anything more

I must never let die,
We will let it die, NEVER
by Hatebreed

I am resolved to overcome my fight with depression and pain that I have been faced with in my life. I am going to fight to be the best husband, father, brother and believer that I can. I am going to fight until there is nothing left to overcome all the things that have harmed my relationships and hindered my faith. I am going to fight til my final breath to be the best friend that I can be with Christ God.

What are you willing to fight for? What do you want to overcome? What are you faced with in your life that has kept you from being the person you can become? How can we fan the flame within us to make the difference we want? What do you think about you having the power to handle your life the way you want in making a difference that is so huge? What will you never let die?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Is Suicide The Unforgivable Sin???

As I have been in ministry and done many funerals the question that comes up concerning a suicide is, "Is my loved one saved and are they in heaven?" Well, dealing with depression myself have had these questions sloshing around in my head. As mentioned in previous posts , I have been in severe pain for some time. I have thought to myself wouldn't it be good if I could just die and be in heaven where there is no sorrow or PAIN. The thing has that kept me from going through with the act is my family and the question of where does one go if the attempt is successful. Yes, I have been on anti-depressants. I have been on many and have finally found the anti-depressants that are working. I think it is totally okay and normal for Christians to be on these drugs. I think there are many preachers and Christians that think you have to be joyous and happy all the time and make real people feel guilty about the way they feel and meds that they are on. So, if you are on anti-depressants, know that you can be a believer and be on these drugs.

I know this subject is very sensitive, yet I want your true answers to the questions you choose to respond to as well. The questions:

Is suicide self-murder? If confession cannot be made after the act, then where does the soul go? Is there such a thing as pre-confession? Is the unforgivable sin suicide? Is there any sin that Jesus won't forgive? Is God's Grace big enough and cover even suicide? What does the Bible say about the "Unforgivable sin?" Does the Bible say it is unforgivable? What feelings does the act of suicide bring on loved ones? What are some signs of someone who might commit suicide? Does the act of suicide give loved ones hell on earth as they have feelings of guilt, blame, loss, sadness, depression, and even questions such as these and on and on? Have you ever had these thoughts? How have anti-depressants helped your life? Does it make you mad when preacher make believers feel guilty who are on these drug and can it drive a person to the act of suicide?

What do you think?
Share Your Thoughts.