Tuesday, December 8, 2009

a little trick

someone is always trying to trick you.

for instance... mortgage payments.

i know ... just bear with me all you who don't have jobs yet.
all you who don't understand the significance of 26 pay periods in one year.

every month i make a house payment... for X dollars.

if i paid that every two weeks it would be 1/2 X dollars... right?

well, some say that's a good thing cause you can chisel down on your interest and just hit the principle.

well... what they don't tell you most of the time is 52 weeks in a year. half that is 26 payments. but there's 12 months... you get paid on average twice a month... that's 24 payments...
but some months are longer than others... so two weeks are extra.

what the lending companies do is save those extra 2 payments and make them at the end of the years as an extra payment for you. its a trick... you could do that yourself... instead of paying their little fees which aren't little at all.

they want your money.

satan wants your life.
your thoughts.
your time.
your attention.
He wants the reigns to your life.

And you better believe that he's better than the mortgage people. a lot better.

Eph. 6:12 says:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

have you ever been amazed at a card or magic trick?
what happens after you figure it out and you see it again?

not so impressive is it?
we have to see past the trick and see it for what it truly is.

What's the biggest trick Christians have to deal with today???

Monday, November 23, 2009

don't be shy...

sitting up at the hospital waiting on ollie to make his first appearance...

and i got to thinking... we're always saying that you shouldn't be ashamed to tell people about God... but can we be too shy?

shy to talk to people in general... don't be shy.

i remember my first day of junior high in a different district... mark, luke and rachel invited me over to their table at lunch ... that room was so big... and i didn't see anyone i knew (all my friends that i did know at this district were one year oldler than me). they said... "Hey you wanna sit with us?" i sat down... and we were friends from then on out.

i was shy. they weren't. i'm glad they weren't.

we are saved. they aren't. we should be glad when they ARE. But its up to us.

don't be shy.

Hebrews 4:16

16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

devo wednesday night...

don't let me forget that i got it wednesday night...

but since no one reads this... i doubt i'll get reminded.

so its up to me to remember.

wednesday is going to be interesting.

later.

Friday, October 9, 2009

the Love Boat...

no... not the old show... but i did watch it.

now i watch Magnum P.I.

wait... what was i talking about???

oh! Love... that was it.

we'll be talking about love wednesday... get used to it.


someday all problems will be solved.

Doesn't that sound awesome. it is. for some people.


if you have a problem with someone right now... that's a problem between you and them.

but eventually it will be a problem between you and God.


more wednesday.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

There's lots of Work to do...

I'm at home sick today... stomach... I'll spare you any specific details.

but i still can't not do work... dishes, laundry... why is that?

There's always a lot to do, i'm sure you'll agree.

when it gets neglected, well laundry turns into a mountain and dishes turn into a trip to wal-mart to get some paper plates.

there's always gonna be laundry.
there's always gonna be dishes.

There are different kinds of works...

1) Works of the flesh...

In Galatians 5: 19-21 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


2) Our own works...
II Timothy 1:8-9 8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,



3) Works of the law of Moses...

Galatians 2:16 16nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

4) Works of Obedience...

Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
***as an example based on neglect of obedience***

Acts 10: 34-35 34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,

35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.
***as an example based on the act of obedience***

our good works show many things.
they show our love for God.
They show our dedication to the life we've chosen.
They show how our idea of love has been made more perfect by understanding God's love for us

our good works should be from an earnest desire to do God's will... not for the praised of men or the adoration of society.
Our good works are a pattern that we follow from our example of Christ and one that we pass on to others.

we are told in Romans 12 to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service...

Reasonable is an interesting word in that passage... it makes sense that we do this!
why?


its reasonable to do this, because it is not that hard. it may be hard to a certain degree... your friends may want you in their life more... but if that draws you away from God... its reasonable that by your actions you should prove who you love more.

if events get in your way... take the detour back to the straight and narrow.

if work gets in the way... you got the wrong job.

this is our reasonable service to God.

Romans 12: 9-end...
9Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

20"BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Audit

Sorry it took so long between posts... i'll try harder in the future.

Anyway...


We're going through an internal at work.

for those of you that don't know what that is... it is basically when people come into your worklife and ask you countless questions about what you do and the things you are expected to know.

for example: "adam, What are the main objectives of your section and how do you ensure that you are meeting those objectives?"

Fascinating huh?

You are placed under a microscope and then when all the questions are answered (correctly or otherwise) they leave to compile their findings and report their recommendations to Administration.

Sometimes it turns out we're doing good... other times they identify areas of improvement or just areas of flat-out neglect.

Imagine if we had auditors in our Christian lives...

think about that for a minute.

you wake up one morning and you hear people in the living room. you walk out there and they say... "Have a seat... we'll be with you in a minute."

you sit down and they turn to you and say, "Can u tell me the current location of your bible?"

"of the goals you set for yourself over the past year, have you fulfilled them?"

"Do you feel that you succeed in forgiving others? Letting go of anger? Loving your Christian brothers and sisters? Taking an interest in those that have not obeyed the Gospel yet?"

"How would you say that people know you are a Christian? Do you tell people or show them?"

"Have you completed all literature reviews (bible readings) that have been assigned to you since the last audit?"

"Do you have regular meetings (Prayer) with your supervisor?"

"Are you involved in any sub-committees (are you active) at work(in your walk with Christ)?"


i don't think it would be a bad thing if we audited each other... sometimes we forget. we let things slide. sometimes we think we're doing enough... but then we take a closer look or someone else does for us... and we consider the possibility that their recommendations are valid.

Try a little self audit.

Read Lamentations 3:40

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Wednesday...

i got the devotional.
Mark 6:3

Carpenters use tools, right?

we'll talk about tools.

don't miss it.

more later.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Sunday Night's Sermon....

How Old Are U?
Where Do U Live?
What Do U Do 4 A Living?

More later... okay... its later

we all know the story of joseph... right??

Favorite son. Nice coat. Thrown in a pit. Sold into slavery. Good worker. Falsely accused of indecency… Thrown in to jail. Trustworthy prisoner. Interpreter of dreams. The man with the plan. Second in Command to Pharaoh. Saves family(including brothers who sold him into slavery).

At this point… joseph brings his father Jacob before pharaoh. And pharaoh asks Jacob a question…

How old are u? now I don’t know how he said it… but it’s the answer that is of more interest to this lesson…

The years of my sojourning ( or pilgrimage) are 130.

A pilgrimage is a long journey to a place that is better than where you came from. Like a sacred place.

now turn to Hebrews 11: 13-16. read it... i'll wait. .................................................................

do you see? if you ask someone how old they are... they're gonna answer with a number that denotes the number of years they've been alive. but that's not how old they are! Jacob knew that.

The years of my sojourning are 130. Jacob didn't see this world as his home. He was seeking another home. A heavenly one. He was a pilgrim... an exile.

No matter how old you are... you're a pilgrim if you're a disciple of Christ. A Christian is an exile from a better land... a sacred place that we are journeying back to.

its all a matter of the mind. how you live your life... is it the accumulation of money and praise of men your priority or is pleasing God? Is speaking in a discouraging way about others your way or is it speaking words of encouragement to or about others your way? Are you a servant or are you waiting to be served?

You see... it all has to do with the way you see your life. At the end of this life is the ... well, end of life. it'll be over... this life will be, anyway.

the way you see your life here has EVERYTHING to do with how you will live your life.
think about it...
in summary... How old are you?

Monday, June 15, 2009

happiness V. contentment

happiness is the quality or state of being happy.

contentment is being satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

in a way, you can know that you are content when you can be happy for someone else even when you are not doing that good.

a friend of mine got a video game one time... it was called Metal Gear. this was years ago... and it was for the original nintendo. i had wanted that game since it came out. when he got it, he came over to show me he got it. i was so jealous.

i wasn't content. i was not content with the games i had.

perhaps i've neglected to dig deeper into one of the main areas of interest in this posting... Happiness. what is it to be happy?

I want you to tell me what it is to be happy.

we will be discussing this in class wednesday night.

Blog Note: Thanks to Dictionary.com for the definitions used above.

Monday, June 1, 2009

happy June from the Blog

just a note to let you all know, one more time, that we are here and ready to discuss life lessons and how we find and understand Christ in our lives.

this blog is a new resource for everyone... primarily for the youth, but with an older membership representation, we can show our support for each other.

so join up and lets get going.

adam.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

...And forgiveness for all

I had an auto accident today... i rear-ended another car.

But its okay... i'm with allstate... and that guy on the commercials said they have accident forgiveness. What is that?

I don't know. Now i have to find out.

however... if it is anywhere NEAR accurately named... its got roots in one of the most fundamental Christian concepts.

i told the lady this morning, "I've never caused a wreck... and i'm really sorry you had to the be the first person involved in me breaking that streak."

Last night in class... someone told me they were sorry several times. and even afterwards too. do i forgive? Yes. i forgive because of my understanding of the child.

It doesn't mean that the wrong committed doesn't affect you.

Many people were affected when i was at fault this morning. Even the cop that took the report. I might have interrupted his breakfast. I was late for work. i missed a few calls. I upset my pregnant wife when i stupidly called her and told her i'd been in a wreck.

Think about sin. And then think about God saying, i FORGIVE you.

but i don't really deserve it. all i did was ask for it, God...

I'll take care of the rest, God says.

how much more is there, i ask.

God points to Jesus. There's a lot more, He says.

Now i see the value of my forgiveness. I see its limitlessness. i understand how important it is.

and i see how without it, i'm condemned to Hell.

I saw that before, and i've heard it all my life... but sometimes life just seems to make you see things differently. i was thinking about class last night when i had my wreck. i thought about how i should have texted one of my kids back last night but forgot to because i got home and had to deal with my nephew who's got great grades, but he's being a bully to little kids at school.

Imagine that. another person who needs forgiveness for the wrongs he's done.

The only thing holding forgiveness back is the heart-felt desire to make it right. to change. to repent. The turning from that which makes you require forgiveness in the first place.

I don't ever want to have another wreck. NEVER. The one this morning was nothing. no damage except to my pride. Did i feel bad cause i caused a wreck and i'd lost my bragging rights? or did i feel bad cause i could have hurt someone?

When i threw a briddle on my emotions, i felt bad because i did not take the responsiblity, that driving a car is, as seriously as i always need to (which could have led to another person' s injury). i let my guard down. it could have been worse.

So... accident forgiveness... not sure what that entails, but i will soon.

But Forgiveness from the Lord... That's definately something i want on my policy. And as luck would have it... i'm covered.

If you'd like Forgiveness added to your Christian policy, ask for it by name.

Get on your knees.
bow your head.
And you'll be in good hands.

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you
ACTS 13:38

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Who loves you??? Who do you love???

if i was to lock you in a trunk with Robin the WonderDog... when I opened it up, who would be really happy to see me?

Who would be really mad at me?

now... i know that locking you in a trunk with a dog (a sweet dog)... is stupid. But i do stupid stuff all the time. We all do.

We've all had that look in our eyes as we are confronted with our bad judgment... so we can all relate.

but how we react when we are wronged by others... that's really important. Would we react like Robin the WonderDog??? Take my word for it... She'd be so happy to see you.

Or do we lash out?

Be the dog. Blow someone's mind when you are wronged by people.

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

Our New Blog... a place where we can get together

I'm going to try to use this for a number of things... this will be open to all members but it will primarily be for the Youth.