“GOD WON’T GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN BEAR!”
I have heard so many people (myself included), say this very thing and yet this promise IS NOT found in God’s Word. The truth is God will often allow us to experience more than we can bear, so that we learn to rely upon Him.
IN TIMES OF TRIALS, PEOPLE SAY, “I KNOW GOD HAS PROMISED NOT TO PUT MORE ON ME THAN I CAN BEAR….” Oh really; tell Job that. God gave Satan permission to test Job. (Job 1:12) Do you think that Job lost his whole family; his wife, his children, his friends, his land and all his possessions and was able to endure by his own goodness or strength? No! Job was reduced to wholly relying upon God.
Hebrews 5:8 speaking of Jesus says, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.”
If Jesus, the very Son of God could only learn obedience through the suffering of trials, who are we to think that we should never suffer?The verse we misquote speaks of temptation; 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises; 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
We sometimes get angry with God for NOT fulfilling His Word according to our misunderstanding of it. The truth is that life is full of situations and trials and sorrows which are beyond our ability and our capabilities; if we understand this, we understand our need of God, if we do not understand this, we may be tempted to think that God has failed us.
1Peter 4:12 warns us “BELOVED, DO NOT BE SURPRISED AT THE FIERY ORDEAL, WHICH COMES UPON YOU FOR YOUR TESTING, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING WERE HAPPENING TO YOU.”
The next time you hear someone say, “GOD WON’T GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN BEAR!” gently say, “yes He will because He loves you that much, but He will see you though, if you place your trust in Him.” Amen!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID
“WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.” PSALM 56:3
Interesting isn’t it that God doesn’t promise us that we will never be afraid? Is there a person who likes the emotion of honest fear, not the kind you experience on a thrill-ride (where you understand that you’re probably safe), but who enjoys honest fear; where the situation you dread the most could become reality?
The psalmist makes a determination; he doesn’t proclaim that he will never be afraid, for he knows that would be intellectually dishonest. Instead he says, “WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE”. In whom is the psalmist placing his trust? He is placing his trust in God. He says, “God, in those times I am afraid – I choose to trust you!”
Trust is a choice; lack of trust in God is sin for the Bible instructs us “ANYTHING NOT BORN OF FAITH IS SIN”. This man says, as we should also say; “WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.”
The psalmist says, “In those times when fear arises in me, I choose already to put my trust in you!”
Having placed his trust in God doesn’t indicate that the fear will immediately disappear or even fade away, it does indicate that in spite of being in fear he will proceed in faith with God.
Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is doing the right thing in spite of your fear. This is the greatest sort of courage; doing what we ought in the face of fear; “THOU PREPAREST A TABLE FOR ME IN THE MIDST OF MINE ENEMIES!” “I may be surrounded by enemies, by death, by fear, but I am going to feast in you even if they do not disappear, even if they do not leave, even in their presence.” How many times we allow fear to dislocate us from God’s will for us. God’s will for the three Hebrew Children was that they be thrown into the furnace to show His faithfulness. His great mercy and care and their unwavering faith allowed them to walk out without a single hair singed.
Do NOT allow fear to push you from God’s presence, even if you are to go through the furnace. Even there; God will show Himself faithful. “WHAT SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD?” In short – NOTHING!“WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.” AMEN!
Interesting isn’t it that God doesn’t promise us that we will never be afraid? Is there a person who likes the emotion of honest fear, not the kind you experience on a thrill-ride (where you understand that you’re probably safe), but who enjoys honest fear; where the situation you dread the most could become reality?
The psalmist makes a determination; he doesn’t proclaim that he will never be afraid, for he knows that would be intellectually dishonest. Instead he says, “WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE”. In whom is the psalmist placing his trust? He is placing his trust in God. He says, “God, in those times I am afraid – I choose to trust you!”
Trust is a choice; lack of trust in God is sin for the Bible instructs us “ANYTHING NOT BORN OF FAITH IS SIN”. This man says, as we should also say; “WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.”
The psalmist says, “In those times when fear arises in me, I choose already to put my trust in you!”
Having placed his trust in God doesn’t indicate that the fear will immediately disappear or even fade away, it does indicate that in spite of being in fear he will proceed in faith with God.
Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is doing the right thing in spite of your fear. This is the greatest sort of courage; doing what we ought in the face of fear; “THOU PREPAREST A TABLE FOR ME IN THE MIDST OF MINE ENEMIES!” “I may be surrounded by enemies, by death, by fear, but I am going to feast in you even if they do not disappear, even if they do not leave, even in their presence.” How many times we allow fear to dislocate us from God’s will for us. God’s will for the three Hebrew Children was that they be thrown into the furnace to show His faithfulness. His great mercy and care and their unwavering faith allowed them to walk out without a single hair singed.
Do NOT allow fear to push you from God’s presence, even if you are to go through the furnace. Even there; God will show Himself faithful. “WHAT SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD?” In short – NOTHING!“WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.” AMEN!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Death or Life?
Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35)
Over 10 years ago a dream was born, a dream to see the Word of God come alive through His people. The dream is to have a Church for the unchurched, a place where we would tell people, "Come as you are and met God as He is!" For the first 7 or 8 years life after life was touched and changed. Many who had never known the mercy of God found new life, often at the very door of death.
Ironically enough; success breeds apathy and apathy; discontentment; discontentment; carnality and carnality; abandonment.
What had been a thriving congregation a decade ago has undergone many transformations. Thousands of lives have been touched not only in Ohio or in America, but also around the world.
Now, this much is certain; every ministry like every person has a predetermined life-span. It's easy to speculate that if this event hadn't occurred or if that particular person had been more faithful or if we, as a congregation had tried harder, our position today could be so much different from what it is, but then no situation is beyond the will or control of our God.
Does the caterpillar understand that new life lies ahead as it surrenders to the tomb of cocoon, which surrounds it? Does the worm who can only crawl realize that the gift of greater beauty and limitless flight is beyond the confines of its self-imposed translucent shell?
What future is there is remaining where you are? Life is change and change is life. Without the willingness to venture where we have never gone before we are condemned to remain where we are, even death itself is the final transformational step into the unknown.
If we cling to what we are; we may never know the possibility of what we are to be.
Within the next three weeks our Church will reach a new plateau; either we will finish the course that God set for us or we will cocoon until we emerge into new life for New Hope. Please join us in prayer for God's direction.
Next week (March 29) we will share a Love Feast and the Word - the Next Sunday, April 5 is Palm Sunday; - we will commemorate Our Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The following Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday we will meet for an Early Sunday Easter Service at 7:30am to celebrate our Lord's resurrection victory.
By April 19th, the course will be set and together we will discover the direction of ministry.
Over 10 years ago a dream was born, a dream to see the Word of God come alive through His people. The dream is to have a Church for the unchurched, a place where we would tell people, "Come as you are and met God as He is!" For the first 7 or 8 years life after life was touched and changed. Many who had never known the mercy of God found new life, often at the very door of death.
Ironically enough; success breeds apathy and apathy; discontentment; discontentment; carnality and carnality; abandonment.
What had been a thriving congregation a decade ago has undergone many transformations. Thousands of lives have been touched not only in Ohio or in America, but also around the world.
Now, this much is certain; every ministry like every person has a predetermined life-span. It's easy to speculate that if this event hadn't occurred or if that particular person had been more faithful or if we, as a congregation had tried harder, our position today could be so much different from what it is, but then no situation is beyond the will or control of our God.
Does the caterpillar understand that new life lies ahead as it surrenders to the tomb of cocoon, which surrounds it? Does the worm who can only crawl realize that the gift of greater beauty and limitless flight is beyond the confines of its self-imposed translucent shell?
What future is there is remaining where you are? Life is change and change is life. Without the willingness to venture where we have never gone before we are condemned to remain where we are, even death itself is the final transformational step into the unknown.
If we cling to what we are; we may never know the possibility of what we are to be.
Within the next three weeks our Church will reach a new plateau; either we will finish the course that God set for us or we will cocoon until we emerge into new life for New Hope. Please join us in prayer for God's direction.
Next week (March 29) we will share a Love Feast and the Word - the Next Sunday, April 5 is Palm Sunday; - we will commemorate Our Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The following Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday we will meet for an Early Sunday Easter Service at 7:30am to celebrate our Lord's resurrection victory.
By April 19th, the course will be set and together we will discover the direction of ministry.
इघ्तेऔस Forsaken
“I HAVE BEEN YOUNG, AND NOW AM OLD; YET I HAVE NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS SEED BEGGING FOR BREAD.” PSALM 37:25
I do not know if our Church has finished its mission or not. Perhaps, after 10 years we have completed our course. I do not know whether or not I am finished in ministry. I honestly don’t know. I am certain that I am tired of caring when so few others seem to care. I have no interest in building buildings; I have always desired to build people. I have no interest in having church services for the sake of saying we have a church. I have no desire to build another mega-mall of spiritual programs. I believe the contemporary church has so little in common with what we are supposed to be.
Easter could be our last service and after 10 years of seeing God’s faithfulness, I cannot say that I would be at all disappointed in God. I believe that Easter will the last worship service for our church as we know it, it will almost certainly be the last service we hold in our current location. We are paid weeks in advance, but the Elders are in agreement that we are in the wrong place; and our worship is at the wrong time of day.
God has been shouting in my Spirit for weeks, “Tell the people to “STOP GOING TO CHURCH AND COME BE THE CHURCH!” I thought it was a message for Gahanna, but I’m not certain that Gahanna is interested; spiritualism certainly has a stronghold in the community.
So I am asking you to pray with me for God’s direction for New Hope Community Fellowship. I believe with all my heart in the vision God has given us, but it is not a vision I can call to fruition alone. I love to pastor, but I cannot pastor without people to pastor. John Maxwell says, “You may believe you’re a leader, but if no one is following, you’re only taking a walk.” I say, “Life is too short to be out on a walk.” My identity is rooted in the One who saved me, not in a title or position. If no one is willing to follow, perhaps I shouldn’t be leading. I have always said that as long as there were people who wouldn’t go elsewhere to worship, I would give my all to see our church vision fulfilled. Has that time come? I guess we’ll see.
I do know this, regardless what happens over the next 3 weeks, Pastor Jim and I will be who God has called us to be. We may need to go about ministry differently, but we are who we are. I began serving God as soon as I was born again and I don’t need to be a pastor in order to do that. Life is too short to labor, where your labor is not desired.
Men may make you beg, but God never will. God is faithful; always. He has never forsaken us. We need to be bread givers, not bread beggars, so – let’s see where God takes us from here. If I sound disappointed, I am, but not in God. Beyond it all, God is in control. Pray for us as we seek His’ direction and assurance. Amen!
I do not know if our Church has finished its mission or not. Perhaps, after 10 years we have completed our course. I do not know whether or not I am finished in ministry. I honestly don’t know. I am certain that I am tired of caring when so few others seem to care. I have no interest in building buildings; I have always desired to build people. I have no interest in having church services for the sake of saying we have a church. I have no desire to build another mega-mall of spiritual programs. I believe the contemporary church has so little in common with what we are supposed to be.
Easter could be our last service and after 10 years of seeing God’s faithfulness, I cannot say that I would be at all disappointed in God. I believe that Easter will the last worship service for our church as we know it, it will almost certainly be the last service we hold in our current location. We are paid weeks in advance, but the Elders are in agreement that we are in the wrong place; and our worship is at the wrong time of day.
God has been shouting in my Spirit for weeks, “Tell the people to “STOP GOING TO CHURCH AND COME BE THE CHURCH!” I thought it was a message for Gahanna, but I’m not certain that Gahanna is interested; spiritualism certainly has a stronghold in the community.
So I am asking you to pray with me for God’s direction for New Hope Community Fellowship. I believe with all my heart in the vision God has given us, but it is not a vision I can call to fruition alone. I love to pastor, but I cannot pastor without people to pastor. John Maxwell says, “You may believe you’re a leader, but if no one is following, you’re only taking a walk.” I say, “Life is too short to be out on a walk.” My identity is rooted in the One who saved me, not in a title or position. If no one is willing to follow, perhaps I shouldn’t be leading. I have always said that as long as there were people who wouldn’t go elsewhere to worship, I would give my all to see our church vision fulfilled. Has that time come? I guess we’ll see.
I do know this, regardless what happens over the next 3 weeks, Pastor Jim and I will be who God has called us to be. We may need to go about ministry differently, but we are who we are. I began serving God as soon as I was born again and I don’t need to be a pastor in order to do that. Life is too short to labor, where your labor is not desired.
Men may make you beg, but God never will. God is faithful; always. He has never forsaken us. We need to be bread givers, not bread beggars, so – let’s see where God takes us from here. If I sound disappointed, I am, but not in God. Beyond it all, God is in control. Pray for us as we seek His’ direction and assurance. Amen!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
गोइंग BLIND
“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERSH: BUT HE WHO KEEPS THE LAW, HAPPY IS HE.” PROVERBS 29:18
This must be one of the most misquoted verses in God’s Word; we often hear “without a vision the people perish”। We seldom hear it in context of the whole verse.
“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERSH:” what prevents the people from catching the vision? Is it poor pastoral care? Is it poor leadership? Do the people miss the will of God because they aren’t taught the Word? No!
Disobedience to the Word of God blinds us to the will of God। Disobedience to the will of God prevents us from walking in the joy of God. Disobedience to the will of God prevents us from seeing the heart of God.
How many people no longer worship where God has called them because un-confessed sin has separated them from fellowship with God and man? How many people are jumping from church to church and from fellowship to fellowship, from friendship to friendship trying to escape the conviction of their sin?
The New Living translation of this verse says, “WHEN THE PEOPLE DO NOT ACCEPT THE DIVINE GUIDANCE, THEY RUN WILD। BUT WHOEVER OBEYS THE LAW IS HAPPY.”
When do I have the most trouble following God’s plan for my life? I most stumble in following God when I am determined to live MY life - MY way। God has a place of contentment for you, but you will never find it in sin; you will never find it in disobedience; you will never find peace in the middle of your temper tantrum, you will only clearly know God’s divine plan for you as you walk according to His Word.
“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERSH: BUT HE WHO KEEPS THE LAW, HAPPY IS HE.” AMEN!
This must be one of the most misquoted verses in God’s Word; we often hear “without a vision the people perish”। We seldom hear it in context of the whole verse.
“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERSH:” what prevents the people from catching the vision? Is it poor pastoral care? Is it poor leadership? Do the people miss the will of God because they aren’t taught the Word? No!
Disobedience to the Word of God blinds us to the will of God। Disobedience to the will of God prevents us from walking in the joy of God. Disobedience to the will of God prevents us from seeing the heart of God.
How many people no longer worship where God has called them because un-confessed sin has separated them from fellowship with God and man? How many people are jumping from church to church and from fellowship to fellowship, from friendship to friendship trying to escape the conviction of their sin?
The New Living translation of this verse says, “WHEN THE PEOPLE DO NOT ACCEPT THE DIVINE GUIDANCE, THEY RUN WILD। BUT WHOEVER OBEYS THE LAW IS HAPPY.”
When do I have the most trouble following God’s plan for my life? I most stumble in following God when I am determined to live MY life - MY way। God has a place of contentment for you, but you will never find it in sin; you will never find it in disobedience; you will never find peace in the middle of your temper tantrum, you will only clearly know God’s divine plan for you as you walk according to His Word.
“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERSH: BUT HE WHO KEEPS THE LAW, HAPPY IS HE.” AMEN!
Friday, March 6, 2009
गोद इस higher
“LOOK TO THE HEAVENS AND SEE; AND BEHOLD THE CLOUDS – THEY ARE HIGHER THAN YOU.” JOB 35:5 “FOR AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH, SO ARE MY WAYS HIGHER THAN YOUR WAYS, AND MY THOUGHTS THAN YOUR THOUGHTS.” ISA. 55:9
Do you believe God when He tells you that He knows better what you need, than you know yourself? Do you believe that God is still in control even with a Socialist President, and a dying economy? Can you believe still God? Would you still believe in Him if you lost your job or your wife or a child or grandchild?
Is our God not bigger than tragedy? Is He not bigger than the foolish choices of men? Is He not bigger than all these things? Is His grace not sufficient even through these times?
If we have no hope larger than the word of man; we have no hope! If our confidence in God is shaken by calamity brought on by sinful man than we have no confidence. I believe in the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; these are God-given rights and I believe God Himself shall defend them, but even if He doesn’t; I will continue to worship Him.
All things dead and dying are the direct result of sin. Light and Life are found only in Christ. When sin entered God’s creation so did death; when Christ took your place on the cross He defeated death, hell and the grave and opened the doors to eternal life with Him.
All that we know here shall pass way. All that is present shall be done away with. Everything that has ever been, and all that is yet to be until the coming of Christ, shall pass away. Only our God is eternal, only our God is perfect, only our God knows best in every situation and so we must; in spite of the crumbling world around us, place our hope not in man, who will always fail, but in our God who never will. Amen!
Do you believe God when He tells you that He knows better what you need, than you know yourself? Do you believe that God is still in control even with a Socialist President, and a dying economy? Can you believe still God? Would you still believe in Him if you lost your job or your wife or a child or grandchild?
Is our God not bigger than tragedy? Is He not bigger than the foolish choices of men? Is He not bigger than all these things? Is His grace not sufficient even through these times?
If we have no hope larger than the word of man; we have no hope! If our confidence in God is shaken by calamity brought on by sinful man than we have no confidence. I believe in the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; these are God-given rights and I believe God Himself shall defend them, but even if He doesn’t; I will continue to worship Him.
All things dead and dying are the direct result of sin. Light and Life are found only in Christ. When sin entered God’s creation so did death; when Christ took your place on the cross He defeated death, hell and the grave and opened the doors to eternal life with Him.
All that we know here shall pass way. All that is present shall be done away with. Everything that has ever been, and all that is yet to be until the coming of Christ, shall pass away. Only our God is eternal, only our God is perfect, only our God knows best in every situation and so we must; in spite of the crumbling world around us, place our hope not in man, who will always fail, but in our God who never will. Amen!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
TODAY
How shall I make a difference today? Each day is a gift from God. Within it is all the potential for good and evil. It contains all that is necessary to achieve greatness and goodness. Today holds al the promise that every other great day in the history of mankind has ever held. It is no different than the day that Dr Jonas Salk discovered the polio vaccine nor is it different than the day Michelangelo finished painting the Sistine Chapel or the day the Beethoven began his 5th Symphony or the day Mother Teresa stepped into the dusty streets of Calcutta determined to be an instrument used of God.
This day is a day that you can lighten someone’s load, bring a needed smile or cause undue grief. You can find one person to help or perhaps a hundred. When you truly touch one life the good you do ripples through families and communities and eventually our world. The life you save today may save a thousand on a day yet to come or millions in the future. The life you touch today may be so changed that generations to come will be impacted. Do you find this implausible?
It was a single man on a single day, who knelt and prayed with a man all-night long in an empty church until the sinner was redeemed, but the man who found salvation was so changed that his young son later sought the same grace that had changed his father’s life and that young man grew-up to be Billy Graham. Only Heaven knows the lives changed through the faithfulness of Dr. Graham. But remember, it all started in a little forgotten church and one faithful servant of God who loved a sinner enough to stay with him all night; until he had “prayed-through”.
If sometime today; you feed a man or help one who is homeless or get one prostitute off the street or pray with one hurting soul, only God knows what a glorious day this could be in light of eternity. If sometime today; you encourage one person, or visit the sick or call on those who are lonely, only God knows what He should choose to do with your gift.
Most importantly; you have this day to lay down your sin, take up your cross and follow Jesus. You have this day to put down your drugs or your pornography or your adultery or your anger, unforgiveness or stubbornness and repent before God and to those you have injured to allow God to move in your life; only God knows the joy He has in store for you. His Word says, “INDEED, GOD IS READY TO HELP YOU RIGHT NOW. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2
You and I have TODAY – how will we use it to make a difference?
This day is a day that you can lighten someone’s load, bring a needed smile or cause undue grief. You can find one person to help or perhaps a hundred. When you truly touch one life the good you do ripples through families and communities and eventually our world. The life you save today may save a thousand on a day yet to come or millions in the future. The life you touch today may be so changed that generations to come will be impacted. Do you find this implausible?
It was a single man on a single day, who knelt and prayed with a man all-night long in an empty church until the sinner was redeemed, but the man who found salvation was so changed that his young son later sought the same grace that had changed his father’s life and that young man grew-up to be Billy Graham. Only Heaven knows the lives changed through the faithfulness of Dr. Graham. But remember, it all started in a little forgotten church and one faithful servant of God who loved a sinner enough to stay with him all night; until he had “prayed-through”.
If sometime today; you feed a man or help one who is homeless or get one prostitute off the street or pray with one hurting soul, only God knows what a glorious day this could be in light of eternity. If sometime today; you encourage one person, or visit the sick or call on those who are lonely, only God knows what He should choose to do with your gift.
Most importantly; you have this day to lay down your sin, take up your cross and follow Jesus. You have this day to put down your drugs or your pornography or your adultery or your anger, unforgiveness or stubbornness and repent before God and to those you have injured to allow God to move in your life; only God knows the joy He has in store for you. His Word says, “INDEED, GOD IS READY TO HELP YOU RIGHT NOW. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2
You and I have TODAY – how will we use it to make a difference?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
"इ अं'टी दाद येत!"
Perhaps it’s the anniversary of the church or my recent logging of my music to the internet or my ageing reflection in the mirror, but I am considering another recording session of primarily original music.
The anniversary has made me realize how quickly time goes by. Logging my music on the internet made me realize that I haven’t recorded anything in over a decade and as for my aging reflection; I’m not going to be around forever (at least not on this side of life).
I have a working title for the collection; “I Ain’t Dead Yet!” It’s a line borrowed from one of my musical heroes, Larry Norman, who unfortunately now has passed on.
This collection would be of songs, I have not yet recorded; most are my personal favorites. The oldest songs were written when I was 16, some were written in my 20s some in my thirties, well you get the idea – some in each decade of my life to present. Actually I haven’t written much of anything for the past 10 years, which is another reason to record these.
I would like to leave a record of my favorites; songs which I have written, always sung and never recorded. I would like to follow up with an “AIN’T DEAD YET TOUR”, but I wonder who would care?
So pray as I compile and sort through old tapes. I would like to have Larry Cook and Nori Kelley, my Brother Jerry and Heather and Eb and my daughters and even my old friends Jack Deater (a high school musician friend and Dave Smalley another high school friend to all collaborate on what would be of sorts an accumulation of my lie as a songwriter/singer.
Pray if you will – I would be recording in several locations are the country and would need to do the vocals close to home. The last project we recorded cost $ 10,000.00 and I couldn’t afford $ 1.000.00 right now, but if it is to be, it will happen. I think I need to start, if song by song and believe God for the rest.
Here is your lesson – you have today; don’t wait until your pet project is 40 years past due. We always intend to accomplish what God has us here for and as my old friends Pockets the Clown used to sing, “Tomorrow, Oh tomorrow!” we need to do it TODAY – that’s all we have. We can’t go back to what we should have done yesterday, it’s past. We can’t wait until tomorrow, because we are not promised tomorrow. If God forbid, I should die before these songs were recorded they would be lost forever. We have today; let’s do what we ought TODAY! AMEN!
The anniversary has made me realize how quickly time goes by. Logging my music on the internet made me realize that I haven’t recorded anything in over a decade and as for my aging reflection; I’m not going to be around forever (at least not on this side of life).
I have a working title for the collection; “I Ain’t Dead Yet!” It’s a line borrowed from one of my musical heroes, Larry Norman, who unfortunately now has passed on.
This collection would be of songs, I have not yet recorded; most are my personal favorites. The oldest songs were written when I was 16, some were written in my 20s some in my thirties, well you get the idea – some in each decade of my life to present. Actually I haven’t written much of anything for the past 10 years, which is another reason to record these.
I would like to leave a record of my favorites; songs which I have written, always sung and never recorded. I would like to follow up with an “AIN’T DEAD YET TOUR”, but I wonder who would care?
So pray as I compile and sort through old tapes. I would like to have Larry Cook and Nori Kelley, my Brother Jerry and Heather and Eb and my daughters and even my old friends Jack Deater (a high school musician friend and Dave Smalley another high school friend to all collaborate on what would be of sorts an accumulation of my lie as a songwriter/singer.
Pray if you will – I would be recording in several locations are the country and would need to do the vocals close to home. The last project we recorded cost $ 10,000.00 and I couldn’t afford $ 1.000.00 right now, but if it is to be, it will happen. I think I need to start, if song by song and believe God for the rest.
Here is your lesson – you have today; don’t wait until your pet project is 40 years past due. We always intend to accomplish what God has us here for and as my old friends Pockets the Clown used to sing, “Tomorrow, Oh tomorrow!” we need to do it TODAY – that’s all we have. We can’t go back to what we should have done yesterday, it’s past. We can’t wait until tomorrow, because we are not promised tomorrow. If God forbid, I should die before these songs were recorded they would be lost forever. We have today; let’s do what we ought TODAY! AMEN!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
१०थ Anniversary
“YOU DEAR CHILDREN, ARE FROM GOD AND HAVE OVERCOME THEM, BECAUSE THE ONE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO IS IN THE WORLD.” 1 JOHN 4:४
Against all odds, Our Church is 10 years old today। Ten years ago an excited group of people gathered together in the old American Legion building on Route 3 to begin a new spiritual adventure together. We had no idea what God had in store for us, but we had a vision. Our vision was to be a church for the unchurched. Our battle cry was “COME AS YOU ARE AND MEET GOD AS HE IS!”
Many have come and many have gone; a few have stayed, but the vision today has only broadened and deepened। We are a church for the unchurched and the wounded. We still say come as you are and met God as He is, but we also say, “Don’t just come to church – Be the Church!”
There is a new hunger and desire to reach the lost, the hurting and the wounded। We want to love all and serve all.
I think I spent at least 6 years of the first 10, making mistakes, but hopefully we have learned along the way। We are at a critical time right now where we need to grow numerically. We are growing spiritually and in community, but we need to have others join us so that we can better impact our Community of Gahanna for Christ.
We are touching lives as far away as Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Africa, and The Philippines, but we want to impact where we live and the rest of the world।
There have been many days that I have been ready to quit, some of the most difficult have been the most recent and then I remember our loved ones who were ministered to by this ministry and are now in Heaven; 35 people many who started out with us; many who came to know Christ for through this ministry and today stand before Him। Just last week another En Theos Member of our Church went home to the Lord; at 97 Pluma Bates has finally received her reward. No doubt we will miss her as we miss Jody, Tim, Peggy, Mike, June, Laura, Wilda, Barb, Ron Moody, Lou and David Mahr and so many others, but they are why we have fought the fight for ten years and they are why we will continue to do what God has called us to do, for their memory and for the souls of all the others we have yet to meet! WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU. Without you, I will never have the opportunity to be there for some other Husband, brother, sister, mother or friend will. The more I am pulled aside to do secular work to support my family, the fewer calls I can make, the fewer lives we can touch.
We have OVERCOME and by God’s grace and with your continued support of membership; giving of your time, talents and tithes, we shall continue to reach the lost and the hurting.
On this our 10th Anniversary, I invite you to make a fresh commitment to God through New Hope Community Fellowship. If you have been called to worship elsewhere God Bless you; will you considered supporting us as a missionary outreach here in the States? For those of you who remain; Thank You, your support means more to me personally than you will ever know this side of Heaven. Thank you to a faithful Associate and his wife and thank you to my family; they have endured the most and I couldn’t have done it without them; mostly Thank you to He who is greater in us than he who is in the world. Thank you Jesus! Amen!
Against all odds, Our Church is 10 years old today। Ten years ago an excited group of people gathered together in the old American Legion building on Route 3 to begin a new spiritual adventure together. We had no idea what God had in store for us, but we had a vision. Our vision was to be a church for the unchurched. Our battle cry was “COME AS YOU ARE AND MEET GOD AS HE IS!”
Many have come and many have gone; a few have stayed, but the vision today has only broadened and deepened। We are a church for the unchurched and the wounded. We still say come as you are and met God as He is, but we also say, “Don’t just come to church – Be the Church!”
There is a new hunger and desire to reach the lost, the hurting and the wounded। We want to love all and serve all.
I think I spent at least 6 years of the first 10, making mistakes, but hopefully we have learned along the way। We are at a critical time right now where we need to grow numerically. We are growing spiritually and in community, but we need to have others join us so that we can better impact our Community of Gahanna for Christ.
We are touching lives as far away as Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Africa, and The Philippines, but we want to impact where we live and the rest of the world।
There have been many days that I have been ready to quit, some of the most difficult have been the most recent and then I remember our loved ones who were ministered to by this ministry and are now in Heaven; 35 people many who started out with us; many who came to know Christ for through this ministry and today stand before Him। Just last week another En Theos Member of our Church went home to the Lord; at 97 Pluma Bates has finally received her reward. No doubt we will miss her as we miss Jody, Tim, Peggy, Mike, June, Laura, Wilda, Barb, Ron Moody, Lou and David Mahr and so many others, but they are why we have fought the fight for ten years and they are why we will continue to do what God has called us to do, for their memory and for the souls of all the others we have yet to meet! WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU. Without you, I will never have the opportunity to be there for some other Husband, brother, sister, mother or friend will. The more I am pulled aside to do secular work to support my family, the fewer calls I can make, the fewer lives we can touch.
We have OVERCOME and by God’s grace and with your continued support of membership; giving of your time, talents and tithes, we shall continue to reach the lost and the hurting.
On this our 10th Anniversary, I invite you to make a fresh commitment to God through New Hope Community Fellowship. If you have been called to worship elsewhere God Bless you; will you considered supporting us as a missionary outreach here in the States? For those of you who remain; Thank You, your support means more to me personally than you will ever know this side of Heaven. Thank you to a faithful Associate and his wife and thank you to my family; they have endured the most and I couldn’t have done it without them; mostly Thank you to He who is greater in us than he who is in the world. Thank you Jesus! Amen!
Monday, March 2, 2009
FRIENDSHIP
“GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE’S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.” JOHN 15:13
Friendship is the willing sacrifice of oneself for the good of another.
True friendship is carved from the hard rock of hurt and conflict. A friend keeps chipping the flint despite cuts and bruises and imperfection. The true friend loves the potential hidden within the stone and believes against all hope for what is yet unseen.
A true friend so longs to bless the other that any thought of himself goes unnoticed. A true friend doesn’t demand his own way. A true friend doesn’t keep a record of wrongs done for love covers a multitude of sins. A true friend is born for adversity and sticks closer than a brother.
Jesus said, “THEY WENT OUT FROM US, BUT THEY WERE NOT REALLY OF US; FOR IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US, THEY WOULD HAVE REMAINED WITH US; BUT THEY WENT OUT, SO THAT IT WOULD BE SHOWN THAT THEY ALL ARE NOT OF US.” 1 John 2:19
However, as Peter experienced, redemption is available to those who are willing to endure the pain of forging a relationship from the broken pieces of earlier failure.
In as much as love covers a multitude of sins, abounding love forgives sins and creates new life.
The test of one’s sincere faith is this; love for God and equal love for fellow man.Are you my friend? Are you a friend of God?
Love is laying down your life for your friend. Amen.
Friendship is the willing sacrifice of oneself for the good of another.
True friendship is carved from the hard rock of hurt and conflict. A friend keeps chipping the flint despite cuts and bruises and imperfection. The true friend loves the potential hidden within the stone and believes against all hope for what is yet unseen.
A true friend so longs to bless the other that any thought of himself goes unnoticed. A true friend doesn’t demand his own way. A true friend doesn’t keep a record of wrongs done for love covers a multitude of sins. A true friend is born for adversity and sticks closer than a brother.
Jesus said, “THEY WENT OUT FROM US, BUT THEY WERE NOT REALLY OF US; FOR IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US, THEY WOULD HAVE REMAINED WITH US; BUT THEY WENT OUT, SO THAT IT WOULD BE SHOWN THAT THEY ALL ARE NOT OF US.” 1 John 2:19
However, as Peter experienced, redemption is available to those who are willing to endure the pain of forging a relationship from the broken pieces of earlier failure.
In as much as love covers a multitude of sins, abounding love forgives sins and creates new life.
The test of one’s sincere faith is this; love for God and equal love for fellow man.Are you my friend? Are you a friend of God?
Love is laying down your life for your friend. Amen.
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