*Parking Solution*

A pastor of a two-church parish had to drive every Sunday morning about 4 miles from the 9:30 service at one church to the 11 o’clock at the other. He would often find the parking lot of the second church full, and be forced to park down the road and race to the church on foot.

The problem was finally solved when he selected a parking spot near the side door of the church and posted a sign that read, “You Park – You Preach.”

Just curious:  Does your church consider visitors when it comes to parking or is the 1st ones that get there get the best parking? 

From the loneliness of a prison cell, Paul recalled with great gratitude the faithful friendship and support he’d received from the Philippians. He felt forgotten and abandoned by some others, but the Philippians were different: “After I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone.” They proved that they “were concerned” by sharing in his affliction.

In his own life, Paul had “learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” He discovered “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (vs. 10-13). Yet he still had needs.

The Philippians hadn’t merely sent one gift, but “more than once” they sent financial seeds of support. The NIV translates this verse, “you sent me aid again and again.” Perhaps some churches thought it was enough just to give once, but Paul was encouraged because the Philippians continued to support him.

But Paul focused on their spiritual condition and eternal rewards: “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account” (v. 17). He knew God would bless them abundantly because of their gifts. Because of their generosity and faithfulness, he knew that “my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (v. 19).

The best years of my life – By: Paul
Hi, my name is Paul and this is my story how I found happiness. After working for years for the church in a dead end job I came to a place where one day on the way to Damascus I finally saw the light. Of course my momma always said don’t look directly into the sun or you’ll burn your eye balls.. well.. momma was right.

AND this light stopped me dead in my tracks like a traffic light on main street! From this light came a voice from Heaven asking “Saul (my friends used to call me Saul).. why are you persecuting me?” You see, before this Damascus Road moment I was as dangerous to Christians as a fundamentalist on too much caffeine.. or a legalist getting up on the wrong side of the bed… or the ACLU! I was as it was written about me.. a man breathing murders and threats against Christians.

Well this voice from this light was Jesus Christ and his followers were the very ones I was breathing murderous threats against. In fact, I was making a little side money working as a coat checker at the stoning of Stephen.

So here I am blind as a bat with cataracts.. and had to be led the rest of the way to Damascus. This is where I met God and to show God’s ironic sense of humor I had to resign from my position of ‘Chief Church Prosecutor/Persecutor’ since it became an obvious conflict after I got my calling to the Mission field for Jesus Christ.

Once my sight returned I could not stop preaching the truth of Jesus Christ. I was of course at first received very cautiously by this early Christian movement. I guess breathing murders and threats up til this point put me in a bad light with Christians.. GO FIGURE! and now preaching Jesus put me in a bad light with my Pharisee Lodge brothers. So at this point my list of friends was almost nil.

But in time Christians saw my new found faith was real, and the Jewish community realized this was not just a Pharisees mid-life crisis. Life would never be the same, and while it was never a bed of roses it was without a doubt was the best years of my life.

These were dangerous times, miraculous times, frustrating times, and even a time where differences within this new church movement meant we had to agree to disagree . It was a time to sing , and a time of high drama , and a time to stand up for the truth there is ONLY ONE GOD ! There was that good reunion at the METU Convention (Middle East Tentmakers Union). Good friends, good times were had by all.

I also remember when a young man fell asleep during one of my long winded sermons, fell to his death, but got better? Anyways let’s just say from this day forward Eutychus became known as the unofficial patron saint for those who ‘sleep in church’ .

Like I said, it was the best of times, and the worst of times. Time of great revival where God used me the once great persecutor of the church to speak to a world that needs Jesus. This message that was for both the Jew (God’s chosen people) and the Gentile (that is everyone else). Unfortunately the established Jewish leaders were about as ready accept Jesus as maybe some in your church accept overheads and guitars replacing hymnals and organs .

So then God uses this zealous anger to get me arrested , while some threw little hissy fits , and others plotted my death . Yes these were the best years of my life. Persecuted for the truth of God. I can’t say prison life, or being hated was high on my list of things to do.. BUT God was able to use these times to share his truth like only He could. While I suffered, God gave me peace that none of this was about me. It was about sharing hope in Jesus Christ.. this was my mission.. dare I say my MISSION IMPOSSIBLE . God placed in my heart a zealous fervor to serve him even in the face of prison, death, and condescending words from rulers who sadly believed they were above the need for Jesus.

I later on endured a storm at sea , was shipwrecked in a boat named I believe the S.S. Minnow. I must say if not for the courage of the fearless crew we would have all perished . Then while huddled around a fire on this island I was bit by a snake . Of course God protected me again.. I shook off the snake and the only frustrating after affect was that several of the crew took this as a sign and after we were rescued started the very first ‘Snake Handler Church’.

After 3 months on this Island we set sail again and made our trip to Jerusalem where again I could plead my case for Jesus and the truth that he was the son of God who came to earth, lived, was crucified for our sins, and was resurrected, and now is in Heaven with the Father. What an honor for me the once great hater of the church to be used by God to share this perfect truth. God is so good, I am so blessed. Yes, I suffered plenty after I met Jesus on that Damascus Road. Before then I was an important (maybe self-important) man in the Jewish community, but after the Damascus Road experience I was blinded, beaten, hated, ship wrecked, and thrown in prison… but truth be told.. I was too busy serving to hardly notice .

May God bless each of your lives, and give you opportunities to love Him, serve Him and others in ways that make your lives full and complete. May your happiness never be about comfort and wealth, but about the truth of God, and His perfect love and Grace. When you discover this, then you also will be living the best years of your lives.

Paul

Gilbert Keith Chesterton worried that government power was growing too strong and even would take the place of God in many people’s lives. Born in London in 1874, Chesterton became one of the leading essayists, novelists, and writers of his time. He also was a strong defender of Christianity.

In 1932, after attending a conference in Dublin, he observed, “It is only by believing in God that we can ever criticize the Government. Once you abolish God, the Government becomes God.”

In the years since Chesterton made that statement, governments have become even more power-hungry. More than ever, governments dictate morality, set standards, and determine right from wrong. Some even have sought to remove God from public life.

When the concept of law was being developed in Western nations, the Bible was recognized as the foundation of the legal system. English jurist William Blackstone, author of the highly influential Commentaries on the Laws of England, pointed out that God had created “eternal, immutable laws” which are “binding over all the globe and all countries, and all times: no human laws are of any validity if contrary to this.”

Despite such warnings, governments increasingly ignore or reject God’s Word. Judges and politicians feel justified to determine morality according to their subjective standards.

With that said, I am shocked that we as the USA are turning from democracy to a socialistic style government.  It’s all being done under the title of “Bailout”.  How did we get here?  I felt a few Presidents ago that we as a nation were doing things that gave us immediate results, verses long lasting results.  We can’t fully blame the Clinton Administration for it because we as a nation wanted everything and wanted it now.  At that time high government officals put a lot of pressure on the banking industry to make quick, unsafe loans in order to create an appearance of an immediate strong economy.  The appearance was there, but it was short lived.  After this “Bailout” bill is passed and it will be pasted because of the fear that was created, we will have a much stronger government.  Is that bad?  Depends on who is the leader.  Joseph helped Egypt become a socialistic government.  That was OK in that generation but the following generations it became oppressive.  The writing is on the wall.  The USA is being prepared for the rule and reign of a very strong government.   Come soon Jesus. 

On this day in 1789, the Congress of the United States called on President George Washington to proclaim a national day of prayer and thanksgiving. The leaders of the young country realized they had a mountain of problems, and many observers around the world doubted the nation could survive. But these leaders also could look back and see how God had helped them in the past. Whenever they had called upon Him, He had answered their prayers.

Congress requested that “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” be held, when they could observe “by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.” Washington agreed, and proclaimed a special day, which was celebrated that November.

The young American democracy was following a tradition that began in ancient Israel, as with the dedication assembly during the time of Nehemiah. These were times of celebration, thanksgiving, and remembering all that God had done. But they also were times of prayer when they could call on God, humble themselves, acknowledge their need of His help, and seek His face.

Today, people in every nation need this kind of prayer. But you don’t have to wait for a special declaration to be thankful or pray for your country. Dedicate yourself to intercession, right now. Pray for your leaders. Pray for elections. Get involved. Vote. Don’t be silent, but speak out for Biblical principles. Make sure that you are living a life of righteousness. And pray for revival!

The discoveries of Michael Faraday still impact men and women throughout the world, every day. Faraday, who was born on this day in 1791, came from a relatively poor family in south London and largely educated himself. His big break came in 1813 when Humphry Davy appointed him as his chemical assistant at the Royal Institution.

Gradually, Faraday established himself as the outstanding scientific lecturer of his time and pioneered a staggering number of discoveries: the principle behind the electric motor and the development of electricity…the liquefaction of gases…the concept of magnetic lines of force.

Faraday also was a strong Christian. He knew his discoveries were possible only because of his relationship with God and his belief in His Word. He once said, “The Christian who is taught by God (by His Word and Holy Spirit) finds his guide in the Word of God.” Although many people believed the Bible was foolishness, Faraday knew that God would open up secrets and reveal profound innovations to those who believed His Word.

Today, many people still reject the very Biblical principles that were foundational for Faraday’s discoveries. How foolish! As Faraday knew, it was belief in the Bible that made it possible for him to tap into God’s great wisdom!

Learn from Faraday’s example. Base your life on God’s Word. Place your trust in Him, and don’t allow doubt to weaken your faith.

Every important city in the Roman world had at least one gymnasium. These were centers of physical training, but also places where philosophy, literature, and music were taught.

When Paul encouraged Timothy to “exercise himself” toward godliness, he used a Greek word from which we get the English words “gymnasium” and “gymnastics.” Using such a familiar term, Paul was urging Timothy to think about how our physical bodies develop: They need proper diet and exercise. To grow properly, our minds, muscles, and bones need to be used correctly, and often, or they will atrophy.

The same things are true in our spiritual lives: We, too, constantly need to grow and develop spiritually. As Christians, we are “born again” when we accept Jesus as our Savior. But, as new Believers, we are like babies. Paul wrote, “I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it” (1 Corinthians 3:2). We need to grow, and we need to keep growing. How? Through exercise and training.

We must mature as Believers and become disciplined about our Christian faith. In the same way that an athlete exercises himself in order to get in shape, we must exercise ourselves spiritually. This means studying the Bible, putting Biblical principles into practice, praying, sharing the Gospel, and being careful to avoid the places, people, and things that will weaken our faith and keep us from spiritual growth.

No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, remember to keep growing in your faith. Don’t be content with a mediocre faith, but seek to mature and become more like Christ. Draw closer to God. Exercise yourself toward Godliness. And stand boldly for Biblical principles.

Wild ride of the past week:
Wife recovering from foot surgery -can’t be on her feet
Daughter is in premature labor – way too early She’s bed rest here.
Other Daughter has recovered from surgery
Adopted daughter Over Dosed -in hospital
Going to court for Foster Child
Going to my Great Aunt’s funeral after that
Have to get my CASA report finished today.
Have to go see Adopted Daughter in the State Hospital
Besides that it’s been a normal week – lol

“‘Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.’ When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.” - Daniel 2:36-37 NASB

The wickedness of Nineveh was so great that God decided to send judgment. But after Jonah warned this city, something miraculous happened: The people “believed in God.” They fasted and “put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.” Even the king humbled himself, ordering everyone to confess their sins, humble themselves, and pray diligently. They hoped God might change His mind, and He did: He had “compassion on Nineveh” (Jonah 4:11).

By forgiving the people in this far-off land, perhaps God was hoping to get the attention of His own people and send them a message about the need for repentance. He had told them, “[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). The wicked city of Nineveh had done those things, but what about God’s people? Sadly, they did not heed His warning.

This story has an important message for us, too. We need to recognize that there is sin in our land. God has warned that we, too, will face the consequences of our actions. But, as Nineveh learned, He is a God of mercy. He can change His mind if we, His people, are willing to humble ourselves…pray…seek His face…turn from our wicked ways…and repent of our sins.

Don’t sit back and do nothing. Repent of your sins and the sins of your land. Cry to God for forgiveness. Humble yourself. Seek His face. The course of history is in your hands!

I pray Ray Boltz repents of his sin. 

My wife had surgery on her foot so she has to stay off her feet.  My oldest is due in December and she had some contractions last night so she’s here as well taking it really easy.  & my kids have decided this is the time to pull stunts. -  lol