The kid's of First Assembly raised over 600 dollars in a months time. Because of that my hair was dyed bright red. - What fun. The emphasis is for Children's Ministries in Africa.
Month: April 2005
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President Lincoln & David
1 Chronicles 19 talks about battle. David made a comment about God. "The Lord will do what is good in his sight". It makes me think about what President Lincoln said when someone asked him this question: "Is God on the side of the North or the South?" Lincoln replied, "It's not what side God is on that is important but are we on God's side". Both David and Abraham Lincoln didn't assume that God was going to do something for them. David was humble enough to continue to seek God and not assume he arrived. How about you? Are you still seeking him?
Randy -
Today is our adoption day of Kalli. We're so excited. Kalli is almost 9 months. We were able to name her and take her home from the hospital. Kalli's birth mom visits Kalli periodically and we're happy about that. I can't help but think of the verse that says we're adopted if we've asked Jesus to come in our hearts. Kalli is just like our birth children and she has all the full benifits as though she was. It's the same with us in God's family.
Randy
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The Wedding of Prince Charles
Eze 12:10-18 Ezekiel is about to tell them the meaning of what he's doing. It concerned the Prince of Jerusalem. I can't help but think of Prince Charles and Camelle's wedding this weekend. First they had to repent of the pasts sins. It was a ritual repentance, so only God knows if it was from their hearts. Sin will turn a Prince into a porter. The royal wedding this weekend was a distant shadow of the Charles and Dianna wedding many years ago. Why? Because of sin, specifically adultery. Sin casts a long shadow. The Prince of Jerusalem was expected to deliver Israel of its enemies instead Israel was delivered of it's Prince. Another King would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey and the people then thought he would deliver Israel from it's enemies. It didn't happen as they thought. People don't serve Jesus because he doesn't do what they want. How about you? Do you want to live in sin and still "feel" fulfilled and clean? That won't happen. God will rid this world of sin; don't be attached when the drain plug is opened and all filth is discarded. -
The Royal Wedding
What a contrast. The wedding I felt was beautiful. The message during the ceremony was out of Revelations: There will be a new heaven and a new earth. What a wonderful time to look forward to. After the ceremony came the possession to the reception. One reporter said it like this, "The Royal Family was ceremoniously dumped into a bus". The regal wasn't there after the wedding. I'm looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where both the ceremony and the after reception will be "beyond this earth's imagination."
Visit & Comment - Ezekiel
Randy -
I'm enjoying my study of Ezekiel, please visit and comment. Ezekiel
When 2 people Connect
Adam & Ever were the first 2 people to connect. The first time they needed help was when the Serpent gave them conflict and shame. God's discipline was sending them out of Paradise to work in an area of weeds and sandy soil.
We need to relate to one another, as husband to wife, with the confidence that we can help each other believe that by the grace of God, there is something good beneath the mess. Even when all we can see is the mess. We need to believe that we can nourish the good and encourage it's release because unlike Adam and Eve before they sinned we need help.
From the book Connecting by Larry Crabb -
I'm enjoying my study of Ezekiel, please visit and comment. Ezekiel
I read a good devotion on variance of light: Wittenberg Gate
God does things to people's attention . I remember one strange incident when I was working at a prison. One of the inmates told me something they were doing. It wasn't a good thing: He was trying to force the gospel on another. I didn't say anything to him at that point. I walked away and prayed to God. Several hours later I went to that inmate and jokingly told him to get to work. He looked at me startled. He proceeded to tell me that God had been just speaking to him about "working". He then asked my opinion of what he did to the other inmate. I had his attention and he received my words. I think too many times we try to talk the gospel instead of asking God to help us communicate the gospel. Jesus communicated the gospel in action. -
As I was praying this morning, my heart was grieved because of people worship. What I mean is the lifting up of another above God. It's not hard to do and Hollywood is not the only fault line. No, it's in the church as well. When we're moved more in the presence of another human being more than God we're into people worship. The fact of the matter is everyone will worship. I made a deliperate act this morning of worshipping my God. Was it easy? No Other things came into my mind and I had to put it down. I classified other things as more important and I had to put those things down. Worship is not a service I attend, it's a decision I make. I'm going to worship my God - the Lord Jesus today, how about you?
Randy
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Disconnected
Whether it's a electric notice or relationship this is a word that everyone hates. Parents above everyone else needs to stay connected to their children. We were watching a movie called "Odd Girl Out". It was a story of a group of teenage girls totally disconnecting with one girl. During commercials I asked my teenager several questions. One question: Why would a teen not want to include the parent when they go through problems. Her answer had two parts: 1. Afraid the parent would overreact and make the situation worse. 2. Afraid that the parent would lecture instead of listen.
Dr Dobson suggests in his book, "Raising Boys" to use the first 5 minutes of a relationship with encouraging words. Yes parents are busy but they're not that busy. I've found I have less problems with my kids if I truly connect with them. It's not easy but it's worth it.
Former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton told a story about her father, who never affirmed her as a child. When she was in high school, she brought home a straight-A report card. She showed it to her dad, hoping for a word of commendation. Instead, he said, "Well, you must be attending an easy school." Thirty-five years later the remark still burns in Mrs. Clinton's mind. His thoughtless response may have represented nothing more than a casual quip, but it created a point of pain that has endured to this day.
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More on the District Council. I had a great time in Rapid City at the AOG District Council. Tuesday afternoon we had a Communion Service. Tim Harris spoke on Matthew 6. We must come to Jesus without anything. I was challenged because I want to bring something. That something is a good job. But I can't. God is speaking to me for the book I'm reading is Uprising by Erwin mcManus. In the book I'm receiving the same message. Self must die. It's all about Jesus. Yet, I'll go towards control instead of the freedom in Jesus.
Dan Beltzer was excellent. He spoke at the Mount Rushmore Monument. Being able to see the monument and hear Dan was inspiring. His message was on Missions.
