The Dawg Howse

The Jezebel Spirit

2012-01-26T14:48:00.001-06:00

The following was sent to me today by a fellow pastor here in Galesburg and it was so good that I felt it needed to be shared.

In the Bible, Jezebel was a powerful, wicked queen, and wife of a passive king called Ahab. She was a false prophetess who worshiped the false god, Baal. Baal was the god of prosperity, god of the harvests, god of fertility and sex. Child sacrifices were common. She was killed by several eunuchs at the order of commander Jehu.

Jezebel was a witch, and her spirit of witchcraft is still in operation today in the church, and in the world. It will take both a Jehu and the cooperation of the injured victims (spiritual eunuchs) to kill her again.

The Jezebel spirit is a sociopath. Behaviors you might see (3 or more):

1. They gain power by attacking/destroying others. They seek to influence people and pull them away from the leadership of others. If they "leave a church" they can never do it alone, but they will always take others with them, and draw them to themselves, making themselves out to be a "spiritual leader" to them. The problem is, they are leading them astray, to their own destruction. It is like an adrenalin rush when they “win” over someone. They manage to get in positions of authority, and are difficult to displace, once there.

2. They are controlling, manipulative, bossy.

3. They can either be war-like in their personalities, so that they are intimidating,

so “sweet,” “perfect,” deceitful, “timid” and sneaky, they are able to fool and recruit others to join them. Sometimes they can be very charming and charismatic.

In fact, they are usually a blending of the two! They turn on the sweet and charm to lure folks in, and then "sweetly" spew venom out to turn these against their pastor/leader.

4. They are critical of others, (while, ironically, pointing out how the other person is critical/judgmental). They are vicious to the point of becoming bloodthirsty.

5. They are never wrong.

6. (As already stated) They recruit others in their charges against their victims. They act to persuade recruits, and do not give up this activity until the recruits are won over. If the potential recruits do not cooperate and buy into things, this angers them, and eventually they will turn on their recruit, telling them that "God is leading them" to distance themselves from the recruit.

7. They are narcissic. While they can tend to be oversensitive themselves, they have no concern for the feelings of others. They are not sympathetic to their victims, and tend to play the role of victim themselves, in order to gain sympathy. This way the real victim is left stranded, and opposed by others if they ask for help. Being the center of attention really pleases them. They convince their recruits that this is "God's judgment" upon the victim.

8. They lie, and they believe their own lie. Avoiding the truth, or intentionally acting to withhold truth is part of this. They present a completely false or heavily slanted picture to others concerning their victim.

9. They are very impulsive, fail to plan ahead and can be quite chaotic at times. They can "love" their leader one minute, and turn on him on a dime. They change churches frequently, (every year or two) always leaving "because the Holy Spirit led" them and always leaving with others attached at their hip and attacking the leadership of the church where they had been.

10. They have a complete lack of remorse after hurting someone. They justify the harm they have done as "God's judgment" upon them.

11. They are consistently irresponsible... always starting tasks (ministries) that they "felt led" to begin, but then "feel led" to abandon. This is NOT a Godly characteristic!

12. They are people of great irritability, aggressiveness (open , or subtle), can be quick tempered, harsh and cruel.

13. They have a failure to conform to social norms. This type person is an “outlier” or non-conformist and always has their own way(s).

14. Psychological counseling will not help this person, since they deny what they are.

15. They often claim to very "spiritual" and need not submit themselves to a pastor or other leader because they "hear from God" themselves. However, they are very superficial in devotion, mostly dependent upon the latest book or TV or radio sermon. They have a pitiful sense of discernment, and are drawn to teaching that appeases themselves.

16. The Jezebel spirit is almost always seen in a women, but can be men. The women tend to be very controlling of men, often with sex. They pick passive (or spiritually weak) men (Ahabs) so they can dominate them.

17. This woman is usually married, but has a very poor marriage. If they are single, they could be lesbian, (or a homosexual man, or promiscuous man.)

18. They falsely accuse you, and they do NOT forgive you... ever.

How to break this spirit:

Since these individuals usually have achieved some level of authority where others look up to them, only someone who outranks them, or a group effort will work. If you are a woman, you need to strong and self confident. If you are a man, you need to be the same, and also not be influenced by threats or tears out of a woman. You also need to have enough male hormone to stand up to her.

1. Be sure you are not enabling this person; ie. you are not an “Ahab”

2. Gather facts about the person’s activity and behavior, be able to prove it. You have to start by addressing real behavior. You cannot start by telling someone “they have a spirit.” Be prepared to question the person why they behave that way. Make a list of wrongs. Be prepared.

3. Gather witnesses, who are also sincere believers (if in a church setting), or other credible authority figures, because the person will attack back, and deny everything. The aggressive types will use their authority to abuse, criticize, & threaten you, and try to have you discredited, or removed. The more sneaky types go into “victim hood” mode, immediately trying to solicit and recruit support, and make you look like you are the abusive one.

4. Isolate the person. make sure their own recruits (buddies) are not around. It gets its power from others….so if you get it alone, it is more vulnerable, and more easily defeated. You have to remove the source of its power and “gang up” on it.

5. Confront the person with the facts. – expect denial. They will lie through their teeth!!

6. Reject the person’s behavior based on the facts. Tell the person they will not be accepted back into the group unless they repent.

7. If the person repents – showing willingness to change- then

a. In a Church setting – as a group, bind and cast out the demonic spirit in Jesus name, and persist until it is gone.

Expect high resistance, since it is a controlling (witch) spirit.

There will be screaming and yelling before it is cast out.

It will try to attack you and call you names.

Also, expect and ignore plays of “victim hood” during deliverance.

Sometimes the spirit cycles between being the attacker, and being a victim.

This is to confuse you, so do not give in.

b. In a secular setting – document records, give warning that future behavior will be monitored. This is because their basic nature has not changed yet, and an eventual repeat of behavior will occur. If it does, the person needs to be expelled from that environment.

8. Once the spirit is gone, the person needs support and counseling to examine how the spirit entered to begin with, so they can close the door on further attempts by the spirit to enter.

9. If the person does NOT repent, then cut off ties with the person, telling them forgiveness and deliverance is available to them.

If you do not cut off ties, they will worry you to death and destroy your peace.

There's Still Time

2012-01-24T23:25:00.000-06:00

Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run

There's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder.

(from Stairway to Heaven lyrics)

What's Your Price?

2012-01-19T11:50:00.000-06:00

I have a website set up for a small business doing weddings. This week, I was contacted by a couple who live about 2 hours away from here about doing their ceremony and they said they wanted a "non-religious" ceremony this June, with about 35-40 guests. They said there was a conflict of religions within the family and to keep from having a fight, they wanted a "religious neutral" ceremony. I told them that I could and would do that for them, and asked them to send me a copy of what they were wanting in the wedding so as to make sure I was in agreement with their desires. Today they sent me a copy of what they wanted for their ceremony, and it was NOT a non-religious ceremony, but rather a pagan ceremony, celebrating the "mother spirit" that supposedly leads and guides all forces in and on the earth. I told them I would not do this ceremony. They kept raising their offer and got to $1000, plus my motel and another $150 for mileage and food expenses. I told them I simply would not compromise my beliefs for any amount of money. (I'll admit... it was tempting.)

Here's the kicker. After all that, they sent me another email back saying that I was the man they wanted for their wedding, that all this had been a test to see if I truly believed and stood by what I said I did. They told me that they had done this with 4 other ministers and all four had in fact sold out, for less than what they had offered me. Turns out, they want a Christian ceremony, AND they asked me to preach a short Gospel sermon at the ceremony because most of their guests will be unsaved friends and family!

I'm stunned... and very thankful that I made the right choice. Someone dangles $1000 in front of your face for a 15 minute ceremony, temptation rises! The thought crossed my mind that it was 2 hours away and no would ever know. But I told myself that I would know, and my God would know... and I was not going there. Thank God for strength!

But this has me wondering... just what is our price? What's mine? I hope this causes me to be even stronger in the future because we just don't know when we are being tested... by man OR God!

Remember that Hope and Change Thing?

2012-01-17T21:14:00.000-06:00

PRESIDENCY

SOME WILL APPRECIATE THIS AND SOME WILL NOT.

HOWEVER, ALL OF IT IS TRUE.

After 29 months of Obama ...

Here's your change!

	January 2009	TODAY	*% chg*	^Source
Avg.. Retail price/gallon gas in U.S.	$1.83	$3.44	84%	¹
Crude oil, European Brent (barrel)	$43..48	$99..02	127.7%	²
Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel)	$38..74	$91..38	135.9%	²
Gold: London (per troy oz.)	$853.25	$1,369.50	60.5%	²
Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL	$3.56	$6.33	78.1%	²
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL	$9.66	$13..75	42.3%	²
Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb.Fob	$13..37	$35..39	164.7%	²
Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall	7.6%	9.4%	23.7%	³
Unemployment rate, blacks	12.6%	15.8%	25.4%	³
Number of unemployed	11,616,000	14,485,000	24.7%	³
Number of fed. Employees	2,779,000	2,840,000	2.2%	³
Real median household income	$50,112	$49,777	-0.7%	⁴
Number of food stamp recipients	31,983,716	43,200,878	35.1%	⁵
Number of unemployment benefit recipients	7,526,598	9,193,838	22.2%	⁶
Number of long-term unemployed	2,600,000	6,400,000	146.2%	³
Poverty rate, individuals	13.2%	14.3%	8.3%	⁴
People in poverty in U.S.	39,800,000	43,600,000	9.5%	⁴
U.S.. Rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings	5	9	n/a	¹⁰
Present Situation Index	29.9	23.5	-21.4%	¹¹
Failed banks	140	164	17.1%	¹²
U.S.. Dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate	89.76	82.03	-8.6%	²
U.S.. Money supply, M1, in billions	1,575.1	1,865.7	18.4%	¹³
U.S.. Money supply, M2, in billions	8,310.9	8,852.3	6.5%	¹³
National debt, in trillions	$10..627	$14..052	32.2%	¹⁴

Just take this last item: In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation's history.
Over 27 times as fast. Metaphorically speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane.
27 times faster, it would be doing 7,555 MPH!

Sources:
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. Of Labor;
(7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC;
(13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 29 months -- so you'll have one year to come up with an answer. Every statement in this email is factual and directly attributable to Barrack Obama. Every bumble is a matter of record and completely verifiable.

Don't Give In to Fear

2012-01-12T09:45:00.000-06:00

My family and I are walking through a valley right now. Attacks have been coming upon our lives, individually and as a family for months now. Most of my readers know that since last April, my health has come under a major attack, and suffice it to say, that while I have made a turn and am finally feeling much better, the medical expenses have put a tremendous financial strain on us. My wife's job has come under attack, and not only is she just walking under a tremendous stress load every day (combined with her concern over my health and the financial burden) she has no idea if her job will be there in just a few months. Both of our kids have walked through some tremendous attacks and stress themselves. And I won't even go into the stress of pastoring the church. Several times I have found myself asking God, "Why?" The question comes, "Why are we walking through this, when we've been faithful?" Libby and I have found ourselves asking, WHY, when we've given our lives, paid our tithe, done all that He has asked us to do... we've turned down opportunities for moves to much larger and stronger churches, because we felt that God was telling us to stay... and we question God, "Why?" We all walk through times like this. Times where we question God and our faith waivers. The key is, not to give in to fear.

This morning I was reading my devotions, and what I read spoke clearly to me, and this is what I want to share in this entry. In the book of Genesis, God asked Abraham to do a very difficult thing when he instructed him to: "Leave your country...and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing..." It took some time, but eventually Abram left, and did what the Lord had told him. Knowing "the rest of the story" as I do, this spoke volumes to me, not only about our current situation, but something I want to give to others. If you are in a time of question or change... if you're afraid your situation, fearful of the prospect of changing jobs or locations, fearful of changes in your life in any area... it is time to boldly stand on this Scripture because as a child of God you are entitled to the blessing of Abraham. In reality, all our fears basically come down to these two questions: 1) 'Lord, will You protect me?' and 2) 'Lord, will You provide for me?' In our story with Abram (soon to be known as Abraham), God addresses both of these questions. He says to Abram: "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward." (Genesis 15:1 NIV) The words, 'very great reward,' literally mean, "I am your unfailing, inexhaustible, ever increasing source of supply." What an awesome promise that is! What this says to me and to you is that I don't have to go to anybody else for protection or provision! What it says is that God's got my back! He's got me covered! But the story is not finished... notice what happened next. It is at this point that God entered into a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18); He said to him: 'I'll take care of you and your descendants as long as you live.' This is the covenant that we live under today. But we cannot miss an important part of this story. There was a problem in the midst of this. The Bible says "Then birds of prey came down on the [sacrifice], but Abram drove them away." (Genesis 15:11 NIV) There's a very important lesson here that is crucial to our walking in covenant with God. Please don't miss this! The "birds of prey" represent Satan's attack! Even though God has promised to take care of me (and you) I (you) must drive away the worries Satan sends to prey on your mind! This is where we must take captive every imagination or thought that exalts itself above God! How do we do that? By standing squarely on the promises God has made to you in His Word. By standing on firm and defending what God has given to us and promised to us! Don't give in to fear, but stand in your "pea patch" and fight for what is yours!

Wolves In Sheep's Clothing

2012-01-10T09:56:00.000-06:00

Driving home from Peoria late last night, I was praying and I kept hearing the hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me telling me to sound the alarm as there were wolves in the sheepfold. My mind went back to a preacher I had watched on TV a few days ago when we were in Kentucky, and the things he was saying were in such error that I found myself become quite agitated and almost screaming at him his errors and quoting the Bible, while Libby's mom would say, "you're right Darrell." But as I listened and prayed, I became aware that this was not what God was speaking about. I was not exactly clear what He was saying, so I just continued to pray and wait. I hardly slept last night, as I was troubled. I was to "sound the alarm", but concerning what, exactly? Then this morning, I was responding to someone on Facebook who said that there were wolves in his church, and suddenly I was reminded of a study that I taught nearly 8 years ago on the relationship between a pastor and his sheep. (Pastor means "shepherd" for those who are unaware.) In this, study, I taught a section on the wolves among the flock. I'm not going to share the whole thing here, but a couple of nuggets, and what I feel the Holy Spirit has been prompting me about.

A couple of verses of Scripture that are crucial to understanding this:

* Acts 20:28 - 30 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

* Matt. 7: 15 - 20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

* Matt. 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

These Verses Describe The Nature And Intentions of Wolves Among The Flock

Paul said: After his departing, (his being Shepherd) that "grievous" (Burdensome) Wolves would enter, not "sparing" the flock. Also, from within their own ranks men would arise, (from the flock) clothed as a sheep, they would speak "perverse things"; meaning they would distort the truth and deliberately cause misunderstanding and cause division. The fact is, wolves always have the same purpose... and that purpose is To draw away followers to themselves.

Jesus warned to beware those who came clothed as sheep (one of you!) but on the inside, they had a selfish, purpose... to draw people unto themselves for selfish gain and pride. People have always interpreted this to mean they will scatter and destroy the flock (and that may in fact occur) but in reality, what they are doing is drawing people unto themselves. They will suddenly "feel led" to start a new study, a new group or a new church... which sounds like a good thing, doesn't it? But let's examine this a little closer.

If a man had a desire to have a family, that is a good thing. But suppose he did not want to take the time to find a woman whom is attracted to, take the time to woo and court her, marry her and then produce a family. Suppose he spied out another man's family and he admired what he had, so he developed a plan to woo that man's wife away from him, and he built a fancy house, and did all sorts of things to steal the affection of this woman and he eventually succeeds in causing a rift, and splits this family and takes it as his own. We would all call this man a thief and adulterer and probably a whole lot worse! Yet, this very thing is happening all over the land in our churches! Men move into a town and rather than go out and win the lost and "build a family" (a church) they spend thousands, maybe even millions of dollars (as was the case in one church in my town) before they even opened the doors... to have a fancy building, send fancy cards to everyone's homes and they successfully divide "families" (churches) and they have a ready made family. They sure appear successful... but they are thieves and wolves! They have not started with a couple of sheep and nurtured them in an healthy environment to reproduce sheep, but they have crept in with perverse things, with flash and splendor to draw away from other churches to draw them unto themselves. According to the scripture I referenced above... these are wolves in sheep's clothing! And it does not have to happen on a grand scale. People do it all the time by speaking half truths and deception to those in the body of Christ, and appearing to be very spiritual, they will say, "I felt led to begin a new study" and they draw sheep away from the Body and unto themselves. Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Any time someone draws away from the Body, you are looking at a wolf in sheep's clothing. If it is above board and for the right purpose it will always add to the body, never take away!

Remember, a wolf does not usually come out and say, "I'm a wolf!" Yet, they will tell you who they are if you watch them over the long haul. A wolf will use people until they have had enough and then kick them to the curb, hurt them and leave them wounded. The true shepherd comes along and tends to the wounded sheep. Sadly, those that are prone to following wolves will usually go back and follow them over and over and over, because they come with enticing words and flattery that builds the sheep up and makes them feel good... until they are ready to kick them to the curb again. Yet, they will follow them again and again, allowing the wolf to mistreat them... because they like the sweet lies they speak to them for a season... and even a season of bliss seems worth it to those that are prone to follow the false shepherd.

There is only one way to recognize wolves... and that is by their fruit. The problem is that so many misunderstand what "fruit" is. You see, as I mentioned above, wolves enter the flock through deceptive means. Jesus spoke of those who do not enter in by the gate, but creep in over the fence. In other words, they are in stealth mode. They don't go to the pastor (shepherd) to begin a new study, class or whatever... they do it on the sly. A true shepherd hears the footsteps or sees the "tracks" of the wolf and he sounds the alarm, because the grazing sheep are unaware of the danger. Sometimes the wolf appears to be a brother or sister in Christ... and they often to appear to be a leader and lead many astray, because their ultimate goal is to draw the attention to themselves and cause others to be amazed at just how spiritual they are. This is why it is so important to examine the fruit. Not just one piece of fruit, but the whole... and not just one season, but in and out of season. The one who is in and out of church... up and down spiritually. The one who draws you near and then pushes you away. The one whose own life's fruit is a mess... theses are wolves. These TV preachers who are divorcing and remarrying while continuing to preach and teach the gospel... they are wolves. People giving spiritual advice while their own homes and families are in disarray are operating outside the Biblical guidelines for church leader and are wolves! Examine the fruit! If your "leader" has left behind them a trail of broken lives of those they have mentored or "discipled" you are looking at a wolf. The Bible tells us clearly that if a man cannot manage the affairs of his own house, then he is not fit to manage the house of God... and that includes small groups! These people's goals are NOT to help others... it is to feed their own lustful desires, to draw attention unto themselves and they really do not care what damage they do to the Body of Christ, so long and they feel good about themselves. Again, this is not the heart of the shepherd... this is the mark of a wolf in sheep's clothing. But there is a real problem with detecting wolves. Fruit is seasonal. It takes time for fruit to develop and be known. A tree buds in the spring, then it blossoms... and then fruit appears. And you often cannot tell the true value or nature of a fruit until late in the season, almost at harvest time. And this is why you must look at the big picture. Don't determine that because your shepherd hurt you that he is bad. Discipline hurts. But wolves will take advantage of times of discipline to draw away the sheep that is not focused on the big picture. Yes, it hurt today... but what is the fruit of that shepherd? What has been his or her track record? When you look at it this way... not just by mere numbers or appearances... but by the fruit... then you will know if you are following a true shepherd or a wolf.

When You Are Under Attack

2012-01-09T15:24:00.000-06:00

I had a conversation with a friend just a little while ago about handling yourself when people are attacking you viciously. As we talked, I was reminded of a devotional that I had some time back, and I came home and looked it up. This is specifically for my friend, but I hope it helps others as well.

Martin Niemoller, a former U-boat captain, was among those in Germany who spoke out against Hitler. Predictably, he was arrested and imprisoned. En route to face his accusers in court he was walking through an underground tunnel when he heard these words: 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.' Niemoller was shocked. There was nobody around who could have said them. Had God spoken to him audibly? In the end it didn't matter because God used His Word to strengthen and encourage one of His own. Apparently a Christian guard, who knew the acoustics inside the tunnel would allow somebody to whisper into the wall and be heard up ahead, had quoted the verse. Niemoller was acquitted but he was still imprisoned for another seven years. When the prosecutor asked, 'How can we imprison a man who's been acquitted?' Hitler replied, 'Because he's my personal prisoner!' Jesus said, '...when people...persecute you and falsely say...evil against you because of Me, rejoice...great is your reward in Heaven...' (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV) Charles Swindoll writes: 'When you're punished for doing the right thing, you've a "great cloud of witnesses" surrounding you (Hebrews 12:1)...faithful men and women who extended the Kingdom and made the world a better place...at great personal cost...Take courage...you fight for the winning side.' The Bible says: '...everyone who wants to live a godly life...will suffer...' (2 Timothy 3:12 NLT) The second that prison-cell door slammed shut, Niemoller joined a distinguished league of saints willing to endure hardship in this life in order to reign with Christ in the next one.

It's On... Again

2012-01-08T23:32:00.000-06:00

It's time to get serious about my weight again. I had been getting pretty lazy and careless about it and let my weight slip back up to just under 200 pounds going into this fall, which is at least 10 pounds heavier than my cardiologist wants me. Ideally, he wants me down to 175, but that just is not happening. I don't like the way I look when I'm that thin at all. But I told him I'd like to stay at about 185-190 and he was happy with that. As I said, I really was careless and eating the wrong stuff and not getting my exercise going into the fall... and then the sickness and blood loss hit me. At first I dropped with this, but then, I began to pack it on. Part of it was the fact that I felt so bad during the months of October - December that I found myself eating a lot of "comfort foods." Along with this prolonged sickness came a lot of depression. Coupled with this, I was just flat out weak. I was functioning missing 2 pints of blood, and I was weak and freezing all the time. So, I sat a lot. I slept a lot. I ate a lot. The long story short is that I'm WAY overweight, weighing more now than I did last April when I had the heart issues. I am feeling a lot better, but I am still far from my normal self. I'm still weak and very low on energy. But it has to begin now.
I'm declaring war on my own body. I need to lose, at a bare minimum, 22 pounds.
So, it's on. Time to push away from the comfort foods and get back to eating to live instead of living to eat. By April, I want my weight to be back in my target area.
So... here we go.

Small Is Not The Same As Bad

2012-01-07T10:56:00.000-06:00

Suffice it to say, that great things come from small beginnings. The mighty oak began as an acorn. The avalanche began as a single snow flake. Sometimes what we interpret as a bad thing is God doing his thing. Before Gideon could fight the Midianites, God whittled his army down from 32,000 to 300 who could listen and obey. Before a forest thrives, the fire must burn through and rid it of all that makes it appear full, but is actually choking out the life. No, small is not a bad thing. It just means God is getting ready to do His thing. This is not a time for the weak of faith or those who discourage easy, so as God does the pruning, ready yourself for the move of God that no man could ever duplicate.

Thinking Out Loud

2012-01-04T09:13:00.000-06:00

It amazes me the reasons people will give for abandoning things... especially their churches. You know, rough spots come. Things get tough for all of us. Things upset us. Things scare us. We did not get our way... and maybe we were treated badly...but is it so bad as to abandon where you've staked out ground and have awaited your harvest? I've listened to some people I know recently who attended a church where things went wrong and the church ended up closing. They now are attending a church where, by their own words, the church is dry and just about dead. When they were asked why they did not go to another church where they used to attend, they said that because the church that closed was of the same denomination, they will never go back to another church in that denomination. I'm sorry... that is just foolish. That would be like someone walking into a Pizza Hut and having a bad experience in that one restaurant, so they decide they will never eat at another Pizza Hut. A bit of an over-reaction there, don't you think? But this is what this family has done regarding where they attend church. They are suffering and are frustrated for it.

Similarly, I've had people tell me that they were leaving their church because someone in the church offended them. They said their pastors preaching and teaching has helped them to grow, but their feelings where hurt by someone else, so they are leaving. That leaves me scratching my head. Let me illustrate this in another way. We are visiting with my in-laws right now, and twice this week, I've been deeply offended by something that family members have said. How foolish would it be to walk in and tell my wife, "your family has offended me, and while I love you and the past 26 years have been wonderful, I'm leaving because your family member offended me." Pretty silly; right? But this is exactly why these folks want to divorce their church. I just preached a sermon where I talked about standing your ground, even if everyone else ran away and fighting for the ground where you have staked your ground, and planted seed. You can abandon your garden now... or you can fight for it and reap your harvest. Most will run in tough situations. People who understand the value of the harvest will fight for the promise that is theirs... their harvest. In the Bible, one man stayed when an entire city fled. He stood with his sword drawn and fought an entire army for the place where he had planted his seed. While everyone else ran... he stood alone... and and he defeated an entire army and reaped his harvest.

People need to ask themselves is this really so serious that I want a divorce? Am I ready to throw it all away over this? Is my anger or hurt feelings directed at the right place? If this was a marriage, would I divorce over something like this?
I just saw and re-posted something on Facebook this morning which triggered this blog. It said, "Don't do something permanently stupid just because you are temporarily upset." Good words right there!

Note to Myself

2011-12-27T22:46:00.000-06:00

Earlier today I found my Senior Memories Book and spent about an hour and a half reading it. It was interesting reading what the prices were in 1977 and other current events I had written there. It was fun... and sometimes sad, reading some things friends had written to me. There were notes from friends who have died, some from friends who had faded from memory, and some I still keep in contact with today. Reading my own thoughts was a kick. In some areas, I've not changed a bit. It other areas, I am radically different. I had to laugh at how many times I wrote about "being in love." I didn't have clue what love was even about at that time. As I read, I thought to myself, "you sound just like these kids today!" Maybe there is hope! As I read some of my private thoughts, I could not think but how sad some of my own commentary was. At 17 years old, I wrote in that book that I was hoping that the stomach pain I had was an ulcer, so that I'd be forced to cut down on my drinking. How sad is that? At 17, I knew I had a problem but did not have it within me to stop what was destroying my life. I'm glad that I was finally able to turn the corner and stop the boozing and drugs... but it makes me wonder how many of these young folks have a secret desire to quit... but can't deal with the pain that comes along with life changes. I did not even remember penning those words. Little did I know that I was leaving myself a note to help me almost 35 years later to deal with kids I come in contact with.

The Nation in the Grips of Chicago Politics

2011-12-26T11:29:00.001-06:00

As we get closer and closer to the 2012 election, it's
important to remember The Rules we play by. The
Rules are taken from the Chicago playbook of rules
where they are simply known as... Chicago Rules.
Chicago Rules are illustrated by the six photographs
below:

Rod Blagojevich is the former Illinois Governor who tried to sell
Obama's seat in Congress.

Obama was asked by the press if he had ever met Gov. Rod
Blagojevich. He replied: "I only saw Rod Blagojevich one time
... and that was in the stands and from a distance at a Chicago
Bears Football Game."
Of course, you can believe him - he's our President

The picture below? That's irrelevant.

Rod Blagojevich, Barack Obama, and Richard Daley during a rally in Chicago , April 16, 2007. (Photo Reuters) Note: Rahm Emanual has replaced Daley as Mayor! And Daley's brother has replaced Rahm as a chief adviser to the president. But you don't
need to know all this.

Rhom, the new Mayor of Chicago
You have to understand "the world according to Chicago."
Chicago is almost a completely different country when it comes to politics. Chicago even has a different set of morals and language.
There are three rules and a Prime Directive.

RULE #1. No matter what you see, hear, or do -- you don't know anybody & you know nothing!

RULE #2. If you capture something on tape or camera -- it reveals nothing!

RULE #3. If you know what everybody else in Chicago knows -- you still know nothing.

The PRIME DIRECTIVE ...No matter what the vote, Democrats win the election.
Now pay close attention!

It's very simple. Remember, you know nothing.

These two? They never met! Obama said they didn't..

These two? Who are they?
The guy on the left? He's Santa Claus. And the guy on the
right.... he's the Easter Bunny! That's all you need to know.
These two? Don't ask.

Remember Jimmy Hoffa? He knew too much. Where is he now?
Don't ask.

Do you understand? Don't look at these pictures!

Remember, you've already forgotten them.....

Do you understand? They don't know each other and they never met!

How is that possible?

BECAUSE OBAMA SAID SO! And - don't - you - fergit - it!

Now, what is it that you call some one who does not tell the truth?

Life, Because of Christmas.

2011-12-25T18:30:00.001-06:00

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.

I know... those of you who know me know that I often gripe about Christmas.

The sad truth is... I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas.

I love the lights and decorations.... but I hate it when it has gone overboard and it becomes gaudy.

I love the music... so long as that is not ALL I hear from Thanksgiving on!

I actually like going into the stores at Christmas time... but I get so tired and annoyed at the rudeness of people when they are shopping.

I love some of the Christmas shows on TV and at the movies...

But I hate when no talent writers rip off a story line from shows like A Christmas Carol or It's a Wonderful Life and re-write it in some cheesy, low-budget story just to put another show on TV.

While a lot of advertisements are grossly deplorable and the desperation to sell gets annoying, it still seems as if all of America and much of the western world finds a way to be brighter, be cheerier, be more generous than any other time of the year.

And the whole Christmas scene sure helps us pass through the darkest days on the calendar, those around the winter solstice.

But far more important to me than the flurry of exciting activities and decorations which lighten the season is the true meaning of Christmas... the Incarnation. “God with us!” God becoming human to live with us, walk . . ., sweat . . ., work . . ., attend worship . . ., deal with difficult people . . ., struggle with all the issues of humanity including physical suffering and death.

He knows firsthand what we go through!

Jesus also lived in a time when the world was upside down and governmental power was international in scope. Do you realize that Jesus' country was occupied during his lifetime? Rome ruled the known world and was occupying Israel and ruled with an iron fist. It was in the midst of this Roman occupation that Jesus taught that his nation was ordained by God to rule the world. Well, actually, that is NOT what he taught at all, but that is what most of the people THOUGHT he was teaching! You see, they thought he was going to rise up and overthrow the Roman government! What they could not understand was that Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world.

Somehow, it seems that we have forgotten that part of His message. Jesus taught many things as he walked this earth, but the key to his call to us is that we are to also to be God’s love incarnate. As Jesus came to live God’s love among us, so we are to do the same, live God’s love among everyone else.

We seem to get all messed up in this area... but the fact is, the judgment of God about our lives will be based on whether we displayed that love by whether we the hungry, welcomed the stranger,healed the sick,and visited those in prison. That's what the Bible says!

We hear man's judgment all the time and man's definition of what what God expects...

But just listen to what Jesus had to say about how we will be judged.

Mat 25:31-46

(31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

(32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

(34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

(35) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

(36) Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

(37) Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

(38) When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

(39) Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

(40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

(41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

(42) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

(43) I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

(44) Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

(45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

(46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

That “final exam” described here in the Book of Matthew takes us way beyond any belief system which we follow in our religious life.

True, radical believers and followers of Christ not only welcome the stranger, they feed the hungry and clothe the poor and care for the sick and imprisoned.

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16).

So, what then is faith? It seems that for many, faith is boiled down to their fear of ending up in Hell... so they choose Christ. But I submit to you that this is not faith at all. Faith cannot be built on FEAR. So many of the religious crowd base their faith on these fears...

Fear for our souls burning in Hell. Fear of the consequence of disobedience. Fear of being wrong.

No.... NO.... A thousand times NO!

As I preached last week, the Christmas message is all about FEAR NOT!

The angel told Mary, "Fear not!" The Angel told Joseph, "Do not be afraid." And the night of Jesus' birth, the angels told the shepherds, “Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy...”

Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear imprisons, cripples burdens and binds. Faith is far more simple than that.

It is trusting God.

There was a little girl named Annie who desperately wanted a pony.

For weeks, Annie prayed for a pony for Christmas. She did it each night before she went to bed. Even though the main focus of her prayers was to bless her parents, neighbors, friends, and even the strangers in her town, she slipped in her desire to get the pony. Her parents having only enough money to rent a small apartment for the three of them had no way to afford a pony or renting a place where it could be boarded. But they didn’t have the heart to challenge Annie’s earnestness and faith that she’d get the horse.

Finally Christmas morning came.

Annie gleefully jumped out of bed and ran into the living room to check out her presents. She found a doll buggy and a new doll under the tree.She put the doll in the buggy and went door to door on her floor in the apartment building, showing everyone what Santa had given her.

Her parents were stunned. Annie said nothing about there being no pony.

She was just full of joy to have the new toys. When she got back from her trip to the neighbors, they talked to her. “Annie, we’ve always told you that God answers your prayers. But he didn’t answer the one about your wanting a pony.”

“Oh but God did answer my prayer,” Annie said. “He just said 'No.'"

That’s faith.

Faith does not question, and still believes and rejoices, even when the answer is no.

The Gift is What's Within

2011-12-20T09:58:00.000-06:00

I've been fighting a bad cold for a week now and finally decided yesterday that I needed to just "shut down" and get some rest so that I could get over this thing. As a result, I've had time to catch up on a lot of "paperwork" and stuff that needed to be done for awhile, and now... being caught up, was organizing a lot of my stuff, especially my photography stuff that had been tossed aside "until later." As I was working on this I began to think about some of the people in my photographs. I want to try to be careful with how I say this, but some of the people who I once thought of as "beautiful" I just don't see them that way any longer. And then there are those that most of society would look at them and lump them into the "average" category when it comes to looks... but I've come to know them and they are some of the most beautiful people I know. Suffice it to say, looks can be deceiving. It's kind of like that wrapped present you see in the picture here. It looks really nice, doesn't it? But like all those other beautifully wrapped presents you see at the Mall or department store... they are empty, and have no value. There are a lot of people like that.

I remember when I was young and single, and thought of myself as a "ladies man." I was pretty bad at having girls I was "dating" in different cities and lying to them all about their being the only one. I used them and was often cruel. I had a very good friend who thought enough of me to do take a drastic step to try to reach me. For my birthday one year, she gave me a gift that was beautifully wrapped and had several pieces of my favorite chocolate tied to the bow. She told me that I could not open it until we were alone, so it was set aside until late that night and she asked me to drive her home. Siting in her drive way, she asked me to open it. As I began to open it, I remember my heart was pounding. Secretly, I had deep feelings for Linda and I was sure I was about to find out the same thing from her. As I pulled the ribbons from the package, she said to me, "Please don't ever forget that I did this for you because I love you." My heart raced as I pulled the paper off and then as I opened the box, I saw a baggie filled with dirt. I looked at her filled with confusion, and Linda said to me something like this, "You are a pretty package that leaves everyone attracted to you, but inside, you are dirt! I'm done chasing after you, and I hope you wake up one day." I'd love to tell you that it worked, but it didn't. I lost one of the dearest friends I ever had in my life that day, and we have never spoken since that night in her driveway. But the truth is, she was absolutely right. I never really understood what Linda was telling me... or maybe I refused to admit it, until years later. I was dirt. I was worse than that. All I knew back then was how to use people.

As I looked at my photos again today, I was suddenly reminded of that night in Linda's driveway. There are pictures in my portfolio of people who on the outside are just gorgeous. But I know these people... and they are ugly. They are mean spirited and filled with hatred. Knowing what I know about them, I don't even see the outside as beautiful any longer. I look at them and all I feel is sadness for them because they have no clue as to what true beauty is. A funny, but true story to bring this all together. When I was in junior high school, I recall one Christmas where all I really wanted was an air hockey table. I knew our family really could not afford one, so I was not expecting to get that. Christmas came and the family began opening gifts and there were many wonderful surprises there and I was happy. Finally, my sister said, "you still have one to open." There was a very small box wrapped in wrinkled paper with scribbles on a tag that I had assumed was just one of the "gifts" my little niece, Jami and wrapped and put under the tree. She was about 4 at the time and she had done several "gifts" this way. I took the paper off the box and it was a collapsed box that a deck of cards came in. I laughed and hugged her for the gift, but she said, "Open it." I looked inside the box, and there was a picture of an air hockey table, and a note that said it had been ordered and was on back order but should be in soon.

Sometimes, we find the greatest joy and beauty in packages that seem to be of insignificance. Packages lie. They don't always show you what is on the inside.

Remembering... and Ever So Thankful

2011-12-18T22:51:00.002-06:00

Tonight our family was in the van driving over to some friends house when a thought hit me. I said to them, "30 years ago today, I was sentenced and went to prison." Actually, I went to the county jail and stayed there until December 31, and was transferred to Menard Penitentiary on New Years Eve, 1981. Ironically, it was exactly one year and one day before when I had been arrested. That year in between was a whirlwind of events that in some ways I'd like to forget happened, but then again no. I was in trouble... serious trouble, and the likely end result was going to be prison. My life, at the age of 21 was unraveling and coming apart in pieces. I was an alcoholic and was addicted to drugs. My addictions and anger issues had led me down a path to where I had stolen from people I loved and who loved me. People who had been friends were avoiding me because frankly, I scared them with my insane behavior. I turned my back on family, cheated and stole from them, and basically had used people until very few really wanted to be around me anymore. When I was arrested, my bail was set at $300,000, and I spent almost a month in jail before family was able to bail me out. When I came home, the vast majority of my friends were no where to be found, except for the very closest ones, and even they were distant. I can't blame them. When I was first arrested, it was thought that I had brutally murdered an elderly woman. Although I was eventually cleared of the murder, no one knew what to believe at that point. Alone, unemployed, facing prison and strung out, I did not see any hope, and I tried to kill myself. When the first attempt failed, I tried again, and again. On my 22nd birthday, I took a massive overdose of pills, mixing all types of drugs so that nothing they could give me could counteract what I had done. I planned it out to be that day, because my birthday was on a Sunday, and I knew my entire family would be in church and there would be no one around to find me until it was too late. To this day, I cannot explain what happened next, but to say that God was watching over me. The last thing I remembered was downing several handfuls of pills with a Fifth of Southern Comfort, and then I remember my Brother in-law reaching into my car to shut the engine off. I somehow had driven to the church and was in the parking lot, getting ready to pull back out onto the highway, with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake and I was passed out. The tires were squealing and smoking and someone in the church heard the noise and when they saw me they went in and got him. I woke up a couple of days later in ICU with my oldest brother staring at me and saying, "we thought we lost you this time."

The next few months were in and out of hospitals from drug overdoses and suicide attempts. Life continued that way until June 15 of that year. I had actually planned to kill myself that week. My family was gone for a week long church camp meeting, and I figured I was going to drink and do cocaine until I died. But God intervened again. Long story, and I won't go into it all right now, but a young lady who I had wanted to go out with, called and asked me out. The catch was, I had to go to church with her that night first, and she would go out with me after the service. I agreed and we sat in the very back row of this big auditorium, close to the door, so I could make may escape. I had smoked a couple of joints and popped a couple of Darvon before I got there, so I figured I could get through it. But that night, as the preacher spoke, it felt like there was no one in the huge auditorium but me and him. His words pierced my shell that I had wrapped myself in, and as I listened to him, literally squeezing the chair in front of me until my fingers were numb, I instantly sobered and I heard God speak so clearly to me, saying that this was the night I chose my eternal destiny. I literally ran to the altar and that night God saved my soul and called me to preach. Just a few days later I was miraculously delivered from alcohol and my addictions and I preached my first sermon just a few days after that. God radically transformed my life that summer. Still, I had a price to pay in mans eyes... and as we fast forward to December 18, 1981... I plead guilty in court and was sentenced to two six year terms in prison. That morning of December 18, 1981 I hugged my family... and walked off to prison, not knowing what awaited me, but knowing that I was not going alone. They took me to the same holding cell which I had been in the year before when I was arrested, and I knew this time I would not see home for a long time. But I was OK... there was a peace within. Little did I know that it was there in prison that God was going to train me for the ministry in which he would use me for the rest of my life.

So, tonight I look back. Yes, regretting the decisions and foolish living that took me to that place 30 years ago tonight... yet so ever thankful for a God who is full of love and mercy, who took the tattered fragments of my life and has built something that I never dreamed I could ever have. I shutter to even think about where I would be today if I had said no to God that Monday night in June. I'm just glad that He loved me so much that He never gave up on me.

It Gets So Hard to Trust Anymore

2011-12-15T12:37:00.000-06:00

I've always been the type to be too trusting. I get told that all the time, and in fact I am told frequently that I am stupid for being as trusting as I am. Maybe it is just trying to give people the benefit of the doubt... or maybe I am just too naive. I really don't know which it is, but I do generally trust people, until they give me a reason not to. Yes, I get burned... but as a result, I generally know who I can trust and where I am safe in confiding things that are of a sensitive nature. But man, it sure does sting when you find out that trust has been misplaced and someone just could not wait to run out and burn you! Live and learn. But it sure does hurt when you discover those who you thought had your back end up using your back to climb a little higher themselves. I happen to believe in the simple philosophy of what goes around comes around... or as we put it from a scriptural stand point, "you reap what you sow." Use someone, hurt someone... guess what's coming down your pike?

Why Is It So Hard to Admit Our Weaknesses?

2011-12-11T23:12:00.000-06:00

I noticed on my blog roll that there had been numerous hits to this particular blog this past week, literally from around the world, and after going back to revisit it myself, I thought I needed to re-post this one. Hope it helps someone.

10 November, 2005

Why Is It So Hard To Admit Our Weakness?

Those that know me well know that I was involved in a very serious car accident back when I was in college that has left me with a lot of back and neck trouble. One of the things most people do not know is that in that same accident the muscles and tendons in my right hand were torn as well. With therapy, I regained most of the use of that hand with only some cracking and popping in my wrist. The doctor and therapist told me back then that the real problem with this hand would come as I aged, with significant problems coming in about 15 years.
Well, that accident took place 17 years ago tomorrow, and their words bring loud and clear in my ears. I don't like to admit it, and I try hard to hide the complications, but the fact is I am losing the strength and my grip in my right hand. I struggle greatly to open a jar and sometimes cannot even get the cap off of a soda bottle without quite a struggle. My handshake is not as firm as it used to be, which is a sign of weakness or lack of concern to many people, so I am often even hesitant to shake hands. I have a hard time admitting it, but I am weak in that hand.
While I struggle with telling people this, I also am beginning to find it liberating to admit it, because hopefully I will not have to try so hard to compensate for this weakness in order to hide it.

Does anyone see a spiritual parallel?

I woke up at 4:05 this morning with my hand and back hurting so bad that I could not sleep. I got up for about an hour and finally lay back down. As I lay there, I kept thinking about how this accident has affected my life... and kind of had a pity party for a bit.
But then the thought hit me how there are so many people struggling with life because they cannot admit their weaknesses and/or short-comings.
They work long hours; put themselves deeper and deeper into debt trying to find that elusive "thing" that will bring fulfillment to their lives. But it somehow just never comes.
What they don't realize is that what is missing is Jesus. They refuse to admit that, because they perceive that need for Jesus to be a weakness, and they will never admit their weakness.

There are people I have met who arrogantly spout off that they don't need the crutch of religion. Yet their lives grow more and more miserable with every car, boat or home they buy. Many of these people scream out at the Christians as being intolerant and they want our "religion" banned. I believe that the real problem is that they resent that we can find happiness, contentment and joy in our lives without all the trappings they have, yet they remain miserable. They simply refuse to admit that they have a weakness.
But we all have the same weakness... and it is called sin. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It also tells us that we were created to have fellowship with God. Therein lays the problem with so many. They are miserable because they are failing in their created purpose. What is missing is not another new toy or more stuff; but a relationship with the God of creation through his son, Jesus.

Weakness? We all are born with the same weakness, regardless of the color of our skin, the country we are born in or our economic status. It is called sin, which separates us from God.
Trying to build your life without God is the real weakness. It is like trying to erect a building without first laying the cornerstone. You may erect a great looking building, and may look marvelous, but it is weak, and will never be right until that stone is put in its place.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is that cornerstone.
Your life without Jesus is just incomplete.

Posted by Darrell at Thursday, November 10, 2005

The Wisdom of Solomon

2011-12-09T09:16:00.000-06:00

I don't know where this came from or the author, but felt it was so worth posting.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: "Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together."

So the doctor said: "Ok and what do you want me to do?"

She said: "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this."

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: "I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too."

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms."

The lady was horrified and said: "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!"

"'I agree", the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution."

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

Waiting... It Serves a Purpose

2011-12-05T10:11:00.002-06:00

None of us really like waiting... especially for the promise of God to be fulfilled in our lives. We want it soon... now... well, actually, we want it yesterday. Waiting is tough. Sometimes we want to give up, thinking that we are wasting our time, or we need to help God out in the process by doing things of our own accord, justifying our actions by saying that we are doing this to help God out. The thing is, waiting means waiting. And just who do we think we are thinking that we can actually help God out? (Chew on that one a moment.) The problem is, we just don't like waiting. We are impatient, and we want things to happen on our time schedule. It's kind of like little girls playing make believe dress up and getting all adorned for their wedding. It is fun for a few moments... but at the end of the day, all the things we've put on and made up go back in the box... until it is time for us to mature enough for that wedding day. It's just pretend. Many times, we "play pretend" with the promises of God, trying to bring those promises about more quickly with our feeble efforts... but God's promises will come in His timing and not before. No matter what we do to "help them along." We make some really dumb mistakes in our lives and in our churches when we try to help God out. I watched Pastors leave churches, abandoning the promise, and justifying their action by saying that their leaving will help the church. That seldom is the answer. What it really is, is men and women of God who have grown weary and lost patience. They've forgotten who it was that gave the promise or vision and in their attempts to make it happen, they've exhausted themselves and become impatient.

In James 1:4, the Bible says, "Let patience have its perfect work..."
Notice the wording... "Let patience..." We have an active part here... we must allow it. By the same token... we can get in the way and mess it all up!

Like I said, "Nobody likes waiting." It's like children at Christmas time. My children are older now, and a couple of weeks ago, my son (now 21) had a night of confession... telling us things he and his sister had done growing up. (By the way... several "mysteries" of life were clarified in this!) He spoke of Christmas' past where he was so impatient that he often unwrapped the ends of the Christmas presents to see what was there awaiting him on Christmas morning, so that he'd know what he wanted to open first. He admitted that doing this took away from a lot of the joy on Christmas morning. Waiting is difficult. It is sometimes painful. It is nerve racking. I can cause us to give in to fear and doubt some times.
But it is necessary. It teaches us.

Perhaps, like me, you've found yourself asking God, "Why do I have to wait so long?" I won't hide the fact... since I've been here in Galesburg as pastor, I've asked this many times... and I've asked it a lot recently. I don't understand much of what is happening right now. I don't understand the lack of passion for serving God. I don't understand people who really have the attitude about church that they could "Take it or leave it." I don't get it when people come to church once or twice a month. I'm tired. Let's face it, I'm impatient!
But the last few days the Lord has been speaking to me and telling me that their are lessons to learn... and that many have given up on the vision causing us to back peddle several times to regroup... but that the promise is alive and will be fulfilled if we persevere.

So... I wait.

There is a song we sing at church that says:

I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

It's funny, because in the midst of my struggle with the whole waiting thing... today I open my email and my daily devotional this morning had the following to say about lessons learned while waiting:
(1) Waiting trains you. Time spent waiting can be time spent learning. And if you're learning, you're not losing. God will train you for battle because He's a good general. 'Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.' (Psalm 144:1 NIV)
(2) Waiting corrects you. The Psalmist wrote: 'Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word.' (Psalm 119:67 NKJV) Pain can be profitable. Adversity can lead to spiritual advancement if you're willing to glean from it. Pain forces you to look to God for answers, to lean on Him instead of others, to learn where you went astray, to hunger for His presence and His healing touch, to listen for His instructions and be sensitive to the changes He wants to bring about in your life. Yes, you can turn your pain into progress.
(3) Waiting reveals those around you. Motives are not easily discerned. Trust God but test people. That's Scriptural. '...the Lord your God led you...forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart...' (Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV) People can keep their intentions and motives covered for a long time, but waiting generally forces the truth to the surface.
(4) Waiting gives God time to solve the problem. He's a miracle-working God, so don't get ahead of Him and rob Him of the opportunity to demonstrate His power in your life.

Maybe We Are?

2011-12-02T09:46:00.002-06:00

So, unless you've been in a box or an uncharted island, you have witnessed the rises of Herman Cain and the destruction of the same. Herman has been around for a long time, briefly in the public spotlight at times, (such as when he single handily caused Hillary Clinton's health care plan to end in a train wreck) but for the most part, he has never been in the national spotlight. Folks in the Atlanta area knew of him because of his radio talk show. Tea Party crowds got to know him from his speaking at their rallies. But then came the GOP Presidential primaries and all of a sudden, people were asking "who is this man" as everyone got to know "9-9-9". Cain went from a relative unknown to a GOP front runner. Interestingly enough, the media never did give Cain his due. Even Fox News refused to acknowledge him as a front runner. When he was up in the polls by a couple of points over Mitt Romney, they still called Romney the front runner. I cannot tell you the number of times I would become enraged at the snub job that was done on Cain. When he did not go away and his poll numbers held or increased, they would be forced to acknowledge him, but all the time pointing out how other had risen in the polls, only to fall. It was painfully obvious that the powerful forces behind the media did not want Herman Cain to be the next President. Still, he held his own... until the attacks began.

We all witnessed how accusations of sexual harassment in the workplace began to surface. First one, then another, and then another. Finally one came out in a press conference that was just silly to watch. I mean, if you had been sexually harassed, would you need to read from a paper to tell about it? Would you giggle all the way through it? Would you get yourself a shyster attorney to stand with you as you went from press conference to press conference to talk shows? It was a smear job. Then another comes out, and then the two of them (and supposedly a third) announced they would be doing a joint press conference. Cain's poll numbers sank quicker than a rock in a pool... and suddenly the women disappeared... and no press conference ever came about. Their work was complete. Then, unexpectedly, Cain's numbers jumped again, and in the Rasmussen National Poll, he retook the lead. As if on cue, two days later, another woman comes to the forefront with accusations of a 13 year affair with Cain. Again, his poll number sank, and it appears America has forgotten all about 9-9-9 and Herman Cain, with his numbers dropping from 32% a week ago to just 8% in the newest poll.

Here's the thing... NOTHING has been proven! The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported this week that of the more than 70 text messages between Cain and his accuser, only 17 were sent by Cain, and ALL of them where in response to the repeated messages from her. The AJC asked this woman's attorney and he admitted that the text messages she had sent to him was trying to manipulate Cain to give her more money. When he refused, she came out with the accusations of an affair. So again... accusations, Cain's denial.... NO PROOF... but the man is effectively out of the race. Go figure. Rush Limbaugh, who has not been a fan of Herman Cain at all was forced to admit yesterday that it looks as if this has been a carefully orchestrated smear job to get him out of the race. What absolutely takes the cake is that Newt Gingrich, who we know has had affairs and left his wife while she was fighting cancer to be with his mistress... is now the poster boy of the GOP. HUH?
Today, an article in the Wall Street Journal speaks of Gingrich's past mistakes and says that with the mess America is in, no one cares about his infidelity or other mistakes... and the only focus is on if he has the answer for America.
So wait a minute... Cain is destroyed and out of the race because of accusations... with no admission or proof... yet Newt who has a track record of being a slime ball is given a pass because he has the answers?

I smell a rat.
I'm betting that once Cain is out of the race, the attacks on Newt will begin and one of two things will happen. If they cannot knock him down in the GOP race, in the National elections, Obama will go after him with a vengeance and Obama sweeps into office for a second term.

Herman Cain wrote a book entitled, "They Think You're Stupid."
Sadly, "THEY" appear to be right.
America is stupid and they've taken the bait.

The Separation of Church and State Myth

2011-11-29T21:53:00.002-06:00

I get blasted with this regularly, but much more so in recent weeks for my promoting Herman Cain for President, and my outspoken statements against our current President. Today, I literally had more than two dozen messages sent to me railing about how I was violating the "separation of Church and State" laws, with almost all of these messages hurling insults and profane statements about myself and my family. One has to wonder, do any of these people understand that they show their own ignorance of the Constitution and the Law of the Land? More so, do they comprehend that when they resort to insults and profanity, it just further proves they do not have an intelligent argument, so they resort to what they know. I'm convinced that people of low intelligence give that fact away by resorting to using profane language and insults because they cannot put together a sound defense of their position, so they try to bully their way through a conversation.

There is so much said about the separation of church and state in the times we live in. Even uninformed or clueless news anchors and talk show hosts will try to use this argument. However, there is absolutely nothing in the United States Constitution that uses this phrase, or anything remotely like it. What you will find is that the First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Uninformed people, or those who know the truth but want to twist it in an attempt to sway the opinion of others... usually those who hate religion, often twist the meaning of the first Amendment. They pervert this amendment, and will use it to say that the church should stay completely out of politics. But with a simple reading and the understanding of that of a third grader it is clear that the Amendment says nothing that restricts religion or the church from involvement government. Rather, it's intended purpose is to restrict “Congress” not the church. It also frees those who believe in their religion to exercise their religion as they see fit. It means that all Americans are free to worship however, whomever, whatever and whenever we want... and it also frees those who choose not to worship. It says that the government will not infringe upon our rights to exercise our religious beliefs, or unbelief's. That's it. End of story.

One of our founding fathers of our country, James Madison, expressed his understanding of the Amendment with this statement: “The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established.” He makes it perfectly clear that the Amendment is simply forbidding a national religion, but he also cautions that the Amendment shall not abridge anyone of his civil rights because he holds to a particular religious belief. We see many trying to hinder the civil rights of those with religious convictions. They cry foul when someone with deep conviction speaks his mind politically. This is what all these people have been trying to do to me. I've had people here in the town where I live tell me that a minister cannot speak on anything politically. In fact, last year I had a couple with whom I had been friends with for 28 years become so enraged that I would not remain silent politically, that they ended our friendship and we have not spoken in more than a year. People have been deceived and do not understand the law of the land.

There is another reference about government and religion found in Article VI, Section 3: “[No] religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” What this means, quite simply, is that anyone, no matter what they believe, can be a government official. This means an atheist can... as can a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, or one who practices any other religion. So, what is implied is that even a minister can sit in a public office. But if you notice, the moment someone in the clergy runs for office, or even the clergy’s spouse, people declare it wrong and claim there is a separation of church and state. The fact of the matter is that it is unconstitutional to try to restrict the clergy (or any other Christian) from influencing government. Guess what? Clergy are citizens too! Everyone, regardless of race, sexual preference or religion has a right to be involved in government. In fact, many of the founders of this nation had theological degrees. Why is it that we do not mind lawyers running for office, but not ministers? Who do you trust more? How far has our country fallen when they think clergy cannot be public officials!?

In and effort to control the church, the IRS set guidelines for what the clergy can or cannot do in order to maintain the church’s tax exempt status. Basically a pastor can do anything, including telling people how to vote on specific issues, except using the pulpit during the religious service to endorse a “person” for office. Understand, a minister can endorse anyone, including through the media or public speaking... but it must be done outside the pulpit during a religious service. He can hold a meeting in the church, for the purpose of a political rally, but it cannot be a part of the regular worship service.

I have always attempted to follow these guidelines, even though I personally think the guidelines are unconstitutional. There is a major law firm which protects religious liberties that is hoping the IRS tries to revoke a church of its tax exempt status if it endorses candidates. They are at the wings waiting for such a case so it can be brought before the US Supreme Court because they are confident that the Court will side with the rights of pastors to say or endorse whoever they want at any time. However, the IRS has been reluctant to take on such a case thus far. It is my opinion that they would prefer to allow fear to rule the pulpits than to once and for all remove the fear when the Supreme Courts rules in favor of religious liberties.

Christians... Pastors... do not be afraid to speak up and speak out for the truth. Will there be ramifications if you do? Yes, it is possible. But do not cave in to fear. We are not called to be cowards but to be fearless. May we all be bold and speak the truth in love to a society and a government that have lost its way.The next time someone says to you, "Separation of Church and State", ask them to show that to you in the Constitution and then educate them as to what the Constitution does say.

We need God in America again today!

Don't Take Your Health for Granted!

2011-11-22T12:19:00.000-06:00

By now, pretty well everyone knows the health issues I've had recently. Let's face it, it's been rough this whole year! The issues I've been facing for the last 4 or 5 weeks have just sucked the life right out of me, with very little energy, requiring me to work at a snails pace, and for short bursts at a time, resting and then going at it again. Even in the "good" spurts, it is anything but good. What I would give right now for just one day of feeling good!

Now, I'm not writing to whine or to try to make people feel sorry for me. No, I'm just not like that. I'm a realist. This is my fault, and no one shares the blame. Even this issue of the blood loss, it appears that it may be caused by the Effient, a drug that I've been taking since April because of my stent. I can sit and blame the Effient... but the reality is, if I had eaten right and exercised the way I should have, then I would not have been laying on a table with a clogged artery requiring a stent to be placed in me. Right?
I had a pretty bad night last night, with a lot of digestive issues and just not able to sleep. I'll admit, I got pretty "self-focused" and had myself a good pity party about 3:30 - 4:00 this morning. Then I shook myself and told myself, "You are not going there! No pity! You can beat this!" And I began thinking about what I just mentioned, that it is my own fault that I've been forced to take a drug that while designed to save my life, has the potential to take it. That's my fault, not the drug company's. I did this to myself. And I can reverse this. One step at a time, as I get the issue at hand dealt with, but then it is time for some real life changes. Not dropping 15 pounds and gaining 7 back... but a transformation where 25 pounds is gone forever. It's time to not just take a leisurely stroll when I want to enjoy the day... it is time to start a real exercise program where the fat and sagging muscles are dealt with, and my heart muscle is strengthened. It's time to change my eating habits and gain some discipline in that area of my life. I know... it will be difficult. I know my mind will make excuses... but it's time. I've taken life and my health for granted for too long. Now, when it is failing me... I'm ticked off... but I only have myself to blame.

My daughter is home from college and yesterday she went to see a friend who just had a baby. She posted a picture of her holding that baby... and I thought to myself, "Self, if you don't get your act together, you will never live to see your baby have babies of her own."
It's time for some changes.
I don't like it.
I'm not looking forward to it!
But it is time.

I wrote this, so that I just might give someone else a wake up call. Don't wait.
Don't take your health for granted. It can happen in the blink of an eye with no warning.
Last week I stood my the side of a man who has felt well until just a couple of weeks ago. He scheduled some tests which led to surgery... and the surgeon opened him up and simply closed him back and told him that he has less than a month to live.
You and I just don't know.
We can take that knowledge and live a carefree, thoughtless attitude like I pretty much did, until the year 2011 unleashed its fury on me. This year has been the roughest of my life, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
But as we wind out 2011, I am working out the plan...
Change is on it's way, as soon as the doctor gives me the OK to begin.

I hope you'll join me and that 2012 changes your life and mine for the better!

I Don't THINK So!

2011-11-21T21:37:00.000-06:00

Watch this video of what this woman discovered when she came out of the bathroom. She seems a little too calm if you ask me. I know the reaction in my house would have been different! lol

11/21 Health Update

2011-11-21T20:44:00.000-06:00

Everyone is calling and messaging again, which lets me know I've not done a good job at letting everyone know where I am health wise. Since my last update, I did in fact start losing blood again, quite heavily. When this happened, I realized that every time I started back on one of my heart meds, I began bleeding in about 3 days. So I began doing some research, and low and behold, I discovered that this medicine has had a lot of people report intestinal bleeding and many who developed cancer. The drug has only been out a couple of years, so the jury is still out on it. I also learned that it causes some people to have an elevated heart rate (something I had been having trouble with) and several other problems that I was periodically having. I decided that I was not taking this medicine any more... period. The problem is... this medication is to help prevent my blood from clotting in or around the stent that was placed near my heart last April. So, I went to my doctor and explained my situation. When I laid out the evidence of symptomatic problems I was having and then showed him the clinical studies online, he agreed that I could not go back on this med. He called my cardiologist and I will begin a new drug is just a couple of days to see if my body can tolerate this one. If I still have bleeding problems, then I will need to do a test where I swallow a camera and they can watch it go through my system to see if they can detect where the bleeding is coming from.

For now, I've not had any bleeding since the middle of last week, and I am feeling a bit stronger, although I have a bad cold. Still pretty tired, and have to stop to rest pretty regularly. It is frustrating me to no end. Also, my doctor advised me to stay away from hospitals, nursing homes and anyone who is sick, as my immune system is really low at this point. OK... remember... I'm sitting in the doctor's office... full of sick people, hacking and coughing as he tells me this. Too late! I'm just hoping this other medication will work and this ordeal will be over with as soon as my hemoglobin can build back up... which, I am told, will take 6-8 weeks.

Prayers are appreciated!!!

God is NOT Double Minded

2011-11-17T10:40:00.001-06:00

I don't even know where to begin with this one, other that to say that I get weary of hearing people blame God for their instability. Let's be clear, James tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. It is immaturity and a lack of solid foundation in a person's life that causes them to vary from week to week, even day to day with where they are and what they are to going to do. There is no focus, because the focus is on self, rather than on God and His Kingdom. When a person proclaims that they've heard from God and they are going after what God has laid upon their heart with reckless abandon... only to a few weeks later they are off that "word from God" to a new one, and pursuing something different, then I know that this person has not heard from God. And this happens with so many people with such regularity, that one would be forced to wonder if God has a clue what He is doing?
God is not double minded, nor does he waver. When God says, "This is the direction" then He means, "this is the direction." When God says "sit still" then He means "sit still." When God says "occupy" he means to occupy. I think part of the problem is, many have no idea what "occupy" means. We've been witness to the whole "Occupy" protests in this nation for weeks on end now, and these protests actually give a good insight to some of the problems we see in the church. The protesters have labeled themselves as the "Occupy" movement.... but do not understand the depth of the meaning of "Occupy."
To occupy means so much more than to sit and take up space, or to act with no accountability while waiting. Our job is called our occupation. It is what we do. In essence, it is who we are. When Jesus told us to occupy until he comes... he did not mean for us to sit idly by, blowing in the wind... it meant we are to carry on the Father's business! Let's be honest... few are doing this! And that, my friends, is the problem.
And yet another aspect of what leads to the instability and wavering is that so many want to reach the top rung of the ladder without working their way up. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of these, "you have to pay your dues" type people. God can and will elevate who he desires to. But the one He is going to elevate is the one whom has been faithful in the things put in their trust! But so many miss this, and they want to become a leader, before they have learned to follow! I believe the Word to be true in that we reap what we sow. If we sow instability, we will reap instability.

Over the years I have had literally dozens of people blow into the church, full of ideas and ready to lead... but they never want to follow, and when you don't place them immediately into places of leadership, they blow over to the next pasture. Guys do this when they pastor as well, jumping from church to church and wondering why they are not seeing results. They fail to understand that leadership is so much more about what you do day in and day out than what you say when you hold the microphone. People hear you... but more importantly, they watch you. What you say is completely negated if you do not walk out what you say with your mouth. They lose all confidence in the one who is big on talk but weak on follow through. Sadly, rather than this type person seeing that they are the problem, they will sit around and point fingers and accuse others of not being what they ought to be. The problem is that people will not follow someone until they know they are not going to quit on them. Until they see persistence and dedication in a person, they will not follow. Even John the Baptist wanted to know of Jesus, if he was the one or should they look for another. As a result, this type "leader" will bounce from place to place, idea to idea, and they will never be successful in any sense, nor find any peace within, until they deal with self, and learn the Biblical context of submission and following. One can never follow as long as they are looking at the next field.

Again... I am tired of hearing God blamed for "changing his mind." I'm tired of hearing God's people blamed for not wanting to follow someone who is unstable. It is not God who is wavering or double minded. That narrows the field quite a bit, doesn't it?

Health Update

2011-11-12T17:50:00.000-06:00

I've had a lot of phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages and emails, all asking how I am doing physically. I started trying to answer them all, but it is going to take forever, so I decided I'd write one blog on this and hopefully everyone will see it and it will answer most, if not all of the questions. If not, if you'll message me, I'll try to get back to you.

I did have my scopes done on Thursday, and they found nothing. No bleeding, no sign of where I have been bleeding. Nothing. It was explained that when they do the scopes, they do not go into the small intestine, so it is very possible the bleeding was occurring there. The good news is, it appears that the bleeding finally stopped earlier this week. We are just hoping it does not start up again. The bad news is, my hemoglobin is still pretty low, meaning my red blood cell count is low, which makes me low on oxygen. This leaves me very tired with little energy. It seems I have about 4 or 5 good hours in me per day right now, then I need a nap. I'm on medication to help make sure I don't start bleeding again, along with iron pills to try to boost my blood. A negative here is that I absolutely had to get back on my heart medication, which thins my blood and makes me much more prone to bleed easy. Kind of a catch 22. I'm just going to have to monitor it and if I show signs of bleeding again, get to the doctor.

As I said, my hemoglobin is low. For a man of my size, anything under 13 on the hemoglobin count is considered low. I was at 10.6 Thursday. My doctor says it will take 6-9 weeks to build my blood up again. I'm going to try to boost that quicker by making sure I eat the right foods, but I can only do so much and the rest is up to my body to respond. As long as I do respond and rebuild the red cell count, I should be just fine. If I do not start responding, then there is obviously something else going on in my body that destroys the red blood cells and we will have to run more tests. I'm just believing that we are not going to reach that place.

Thank you everyone for your love and concern. I will try to keep you posted.

Funny How Things Stick In Your Mind

2011-11-11T00:07:00.001-06:00

A few minutes ago I was on Facebook and and a friend who lives in the Eastern time zone posted something about the date, November 11... and when I read that date, I instantly recalled that the car accident that radically changed my life took place on November 11, 1988. It's not really something I want to remember... but like flipping a switch, as soon as I saw that date written on the screen, I not only recalled that this was the anniversary of the accident... I remembered every detail. Because of stupid kid who was out celebrating his 19th birthday by drinking himself into a stupor, I live each and every day of my life in pain. My migraine headaches began as a result of that accident. The damage in my right hand and wrist, my back troubles and neck troubles... all began on November 11, 1988. The reason the car is pictured is because that's what I was driving, except mine was silver and black. Ironically, just the day before the accident my wife and I had decided we were going to stop driving the Charger and put it away because they had decided to stop making them and ours was the final year of production. Sadly, the car was worthless after the accident.

I really do find it odd that your mind can put pieces of information together and re-tell the story so quickly with such subtle reminders.

My Two Pet Peeves in Worshp

2011-11-04T08:00:00.003-05:00

My Two Pet Peeves in Worship

by Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick has two pet peeves: Pastors who don't engage in worship, and worship musicians who don't engage with the Word.

I recently tweeted the following about a problem that exists in a lot of churches:
2 pet peeves: 1) Pastors who don’t engage in worship 2) Worship musicians who don’t engage with the Word.
It seemed to resonate with a lot of people, and I wanted to elaborate on it a little because I think these are two big roadblocks for taking your church to a whole new level in worship.

1) Pastors who don’t engage in worship.
Pastors, you’re the primary worship leaders at your churches. And that’s even if you don’t have a lick of musical talent and your voice would offend people if they heard it.
Your church is never going to go further in worship than you’re going to lead it.
And what you need to understand is that you set the tone not only with the Word but also by your example. Your worship before God is preaching a sermon on the greatness of God long before you ever open up your mouth to speak about God. And it’s a sermon people listen to and apply to their own worship. Immediately.
But this goes beyond your leadership. You will never graduate past your need to worship God. You’ve been called to preach, but you were created to worship.
There isn’t an advanced level of Christianity where you no longer have to engage with God in passionate praise.
So don’t let your mind become so occupied with what you’re called to do—preach—that you lose sight of what you have been created to do—worship.

2) Worship musicians who don’t engage with the Word.
This is ultimately an honor issue. Yes, honoring your pastor is part of it. He’s been preparing for this all week, and one of the best ways you can support him is by actively responding to the Word.
But really, this is about honoring the Word of God. Just like your pastor, before you’re a musician, you’re a worshiper. And there is no such thing as true worship divorced from God’s Word.
The Word gives us a God worth worshiping. A God worth leading others to worship. And the intensity of your own personal worship and your effectiveness in leading others in theirs is directly related to your engagement with it.

So whether you’re preaching or playing music this weekend, choose to fully engage. Pastors, put your notes down and worship the God you’ve been studying about all week. Worship musicians, catch your breath for a minute, and then pick up your Bible, a pen, and press into the God who is the source of your creativity and talent.

And then watch as the worship in your church is taken to a whole new level.

Is It the End of an Era?

2011-11-02T10:31:00.001-05:00

For the past 11 years, Cardinal nation (for that matter, all of the baseball world) has been treated to watching perhaps the best baseball player in history re-write the record books. Albert Pujols, from the time he came to the big leagues in only his second year of organized baseball has simply been amazing to watch. His numbers are so good that if he retired today, at the age of 31, he is a lock for the Hall of Fame. If he stays healthy, there is no telling what this guy is going to do. As a Cardinal's fan, I am hoping that the continues to do his thing wearing the birds on the bat across his chest. I'm hoping... but I'm not counting on it.

As of Sunday morning, Pujols, for the first time in his professional career is without a contract and is a free agent. The Cardinals have exclusive rights to talk contract with him right now... but the door will fly wide open when the clock strikes midnight tonight. Something tells me that what we are about to see will no doubt border on insanity. I would not be surprised to see numbers thrown at Pujols that will approach, if not even exceed $30,000,000 a year. Folks, that's just down right crazy! If you break that down to an average of 600 at bats per year, he would be earning $50,000 per at bat! Take it a step further, and say he gets 200 hits per season (something he has only done once in his career, so this is a flawed number) that averages out to paying Albert $150,000 for every hit he gets. Pretty nuts, wouldn't you agree? I think it is time that baseball owners and players alike come back to reality. Best in the game or not, no one is worth that kind of money. No one.

I really hope that when Spring training rolls around in February, we see Albert Pujols in a Cardinals uniform... but NOT if he demands that kind of money. That would literally tie up nearly one fourth of the entire Cardinals payroll for one player. If we can lock him in at a lower salary, awesome! Let's do it! But if the negotiations get higher than that, it's time to say thanks for the memories, shake hands and sign 3 to 4 other players and move on. It's sad... but this is reality.

Let Them Go!

2011-10-31T09:14:00.002-05:00

I was talking with good friend and co-laborer in the Lord a few days ago and we got to talking about people leaving the church. This morning I felt compelled to write about all this, with the hope it may help another pastor or even church members who are walking through a time like this. My friend asked me how I handled it and what I did to make up the tithe. (Hello? That comes from God... he will take care of the need!) In my years of pastoring, I have made the mistake way too many times about trying to get people to stay. I used to worry and stress over people leaving the church to the point it would make me physically sick. I told him about a time a few years ago when the Lord gave me a sermon to preach based from Acts 27 and the shipwreck which Paul was on. On the 14th day of the storm the soldiers had lowered the life boats and were ready to flee the ship when Paul said, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” Literally, within 24 hours of my preaching that message, I had the first family tell me they were leaving the church. Within 2 weeks, more than 40 left. To be honest, I stressed... I even thought about moving on to a new church, until I felt the Lord impress in me, "stay on the ship!" Just as they did in the Bible story, we went through a "wreck". Two-thirds of our financial base was gone within 3 weeks, and we struggled for the next 18 months... but we made it! Now looking back, for the vast majority of those who "left the ship" I see families that have been devastated by alcohol, affairs, divorce, and while it is not true of all who left, it is clearly obvious that spiritually and even in the physical, in a good portion of those who left, there has been tragedy in the families and it is clear that people's lives are but a shadow of what they once were in Christ. Absolutely, it altered the course of the church, delayed things... but we are still moving forward.

After that whole ordeal, God spoke to me clearly to never again try to persuade people to stay that want to walk away, and when they do leave, to not go after them. If they return, then welcome them, but as for me... I was to push forward and let those who desire to go where I am going follow, and those who want to walk away, let them walk away. I've stayed true to this ever since, even though it has been painful to see people you love walk away. It has been so hard to watch marriages end in divorce, men who once wholeheartedly served the Lord turn to the bottle and become but a casual church attender. I've watched families that served God fade away and children turn their back on God and live in open sin. Others who were once faithful in church now renounce the church and proclaim that they "serve God at home" while the fruit of their lives reveals something different.
Now please understand, as I want to be perfectly clear, that not everyone who left the church where I pastored is a "bad" person. There are many who genuinely felt led to go to other churches and ministries and they are very productive in the Kingdom of God. I believe that there are times for people to "move on" as the Lord leads... but if it is genuinely God directing that move, then the result would not be chaos and destruction. The fruit reveals the truth of the matter!

After my conversation with my friend, he said he was doing some praying and searching needing further direction from the Lord, and he said he ran across this video which substantiated what I had told him last week. I wanted to share it here, because it is in fact, a good word!

People Can Get So Goofy

2011-10-30T20:25:00.000-05:00

Today while I was preaching on Overcoming the Grasshopper Mentality, I broke into a side note about tithing. There is one thing I have noticed over the years... if you want to absolutely KILL the atmosphere in a heartbeat... bring up tithing!
Seriously!

I've done this a long time now... and I know that whenever you start talking about money and obedience... people get GOOFY!

I mean, people will be all with you when you start talking about blessings...

They are in the hallelujah choir when you are talking about healing and deliverance...

They'll shout the house down when you start talking about casting out the devil...

And they'll drive half way across the state to hear someone prophecy...

But start talking about money and giving!

Well... "He's meddling now! Who does he think HE is?"

The talk begins, "All they want to do is talk about money at that church!"

They'll eat everything else in the Bible up... but when you get to money and giving... they'll challenge you with... "That's not New Testament!"

They'll argue if 10% comes before or after taxes.

Do I have to tithe on the $1000 I won at Bingo last week?

Come on... you know I'm telling the truth!

People get absolutely GOOFY when you start talking about money!

But isn't this tithe and offering thing in the same Bible as the other things they are so excited to shout about? As I said this morning... your giving reveals your heart.

And that's enough said about that.

The $100 Bill

2011-10-22T12:08:00.000-05:00

A simple explanation for a simple concept that most people find complicated...........

It is a slow day in the small Colorado town of Pumphandle and streets
are deserted.

Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody is living on
credit.

A tourist visiting the area drives through town, stops at the motel, and
lays a $100 bill on the desk saying he wants to inspect the rooms
upstairs to pick one for the night.

As soon as he walks upstairs, the motel owner grabs the bill and runs
next door to pay his debt to the butcher.

The butcher takes the $100 and runs down the street to retire his debt
to the pig farmer.

The pig farmer takes the $100 and heads off to pay his bill to his
supplier, the Co-op.

The guy at the Co-op takes the $100 and runs to pay his debt to the
local prostitute, who has also been facing hard times and has had to
offer her "services" on credit.

The hooker rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill with the hotel
owner.
The hotel proprietor then places the $100 back on the counter so the
traveler will not suspect anything.

At that moment the traveler comes down
the stairs, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, picks up the
$100 bill and leaves.

No one produced anything.

No one earned anything...

However, the whole town is now out of debt and now looks to the future
with a lot more optimism.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a "stimulus package" works.

Where Is the Outcry?

2011-10-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

I know I should no longer be surprised by the double-standards we see from the political left and those who adhere to a liberal philosophy, but the silence is deafening right now when it comes to the blind eye and deaf ear shown toward their view of the "Occupy" protests going on in New York, and many other cities across the United States. I won't even go into the stupidity that is displayed by the lack of direction of these protests right now. Instead, I want to look at what IS going on and the leftist media, politicians and people at large are simply ignoring it. I'm referring to the Anti-Semitic climate and speech that is being propagated in these rallies. I watch a video on Youtube in which the crowd was chanting anti-Israel jargon and carrying signs that read things such as, "The Jews control Wall Street." I watched another from the Chicago protest where a pro-Islamic speaker launched into a death to Israel, free Palestine rant as the crowd cheered him on. In another a group of Neo-Nazi's, in another there were jeers and cheers as attack after attack was made on the Jewish people. You don't have to take my word for it, go search Youtube for yourself. And in the midst of all this, the media is silent. Far worse... Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi and even President Obama himself... and now the Democratic party is trying to align themselves with this movement in an attempt to garner support and votes... and NOT ONE of them has denounced the Anti-Semitic tone of some of those involved in the protests. I can already hear it, the liberal crowd will begin saying, "Oh, that's not the voice of the protest; it's only a few on the fringe." First of all, it's not just a few. Look at the videos. But stop and think for a moment... if ONE, just ONE person from the Right says or does something or says something controversial, the media not only crucifies that person, but they will use their comments or actions to attack the entire GOP. You KNOW it's the truth!

So, where are they? Why the silence? Why is such a double standard allowed? Because the people allow it! People need to stand up, speak out and DEMAND that the truth be spoken! Those in the protests for what they deem to be the right reason, need to speak up and condemn the actions of the Anti-Semitic. They need to condemn the rants of idiots like Roseanne Barr who called for the beheading of those who would not give up their money and share it with others. They need to condemn the speech of those calling for a complete overthrow of the government and a communist revolution. But no... they cover their eyes and plug their ears and crawl into bed with this movement because they see a political advantage for themselves. It is time for America to scream until our voice is heard, because the vast majority of America is not seeing or hearing what is going on in New York or many other cities because the biased media has an agenda to get the POTUS re-elected.

Which One Are You?

2011-10-17T07:45:00.001-05:00

One day an ox said to a mule, 'Let's pretend to be sick.' The mule said, 'No, we need to get this work done.' The ox feigned illness, and the farmer brought him fresh hay.

When the mule came in from plowing, the ox asked how things went and the mule said, 'All right.' The ox asked, 'What did the farmer say about me?' The mule replied, 'Nothing.' The next day the ox pretended to be ill again. When the mule came home the ox asked, 'How did it go?' The mule said, 'All right.'

After a week of this, the ox asked, 'Did the farmer say anything about me today?'
The mule replied, 'Well, he said nothing to me personally, but I overheard him talking to his wife that you obviously were not capable or needed any more and he told her to call the butcher!'

Understand this: you were born to fulfill a divine purpose. When you don't, there are consequences, both here and in eternity.

What If There Is No Heaven?

2011-10-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was in a "discussion" with someone who was an atheist about my faith in Christ (It was actually more of this person raving loud and and long, not wanting to let me get a word in edgewise.) I've never understood why anyone thinks they are "winning" a debate just because they get loud and abusive with their language. It's as if by speaking 90 miles an hour and they hurl a ton of childish insults, somehow they think they are better. In my view, they just prove the fact of their lack of argument because they have nothing intelligent to add to the conversation, so they refuse to let you speak. For instance, when Geraldo Rivera went to Wall Street to broadcast from the protest, the protesters beat drums and chanted en masse, preventing him from broadcasting. How foolish. If they really had something to say, this was the perfect opportunity, as the #1 rated news network was there to broadcast their story. They proved they really have nothing to say, but rather used the bully effort that is so often used by those who are ignorant of the facts. I'm convinced that those who want to push their weight around, scream, curse, threaten and otherwise kept the opposition from speaking are actually operating from absolute fear because they know they don't have a leg to stand on factually, so they simply do all they can to prevent the other person(s) from speaking their mind.

Anyway... back to my story...
This atheist kept screaming about how ignorant I was to believe in a God and, as he put it, "a fairytale land in the sky" (with a few other words mixed in there which I will not repeat.) He kept challenging me with the question, (again leaving out his colorful language) "what if when you die, you rot in the grave and there is no life after death? What if there is no heaven? Then you've wasted your life?" I simply sat there at let him rant for the longest time without saying a word back, until he finally screamed to the crowd of on-lookers that had gathered to watch, "See, the preacher man has nothing to combat that with." I held up my hand to him and he finally stopped his tirade long enough to say, "What?" And I turned to the crowd and I said, "He has ranted without interruption, for several minutes now; do I deserve just 60 seconds to speak without him opening his mouth?" The crowd cheered and he turned beat red. I turned back to him and said these words (as best I remember them):
"You've ranted and raved about how I have wasted my life if there is no Heaven. My question to you is, 'How?' Before I found Jesus, my life was racked with pain and depression and suicide attempts. I was completely controlled by alcohol and drugs and I was living a life that sent me to prison for almost 3 years of my life. Since I found Jesus, I've been completely free from alcohol and drugs, I've not been suicidal, I actually have a life that I can be proud of and I am happy. You ask me, 'What if there is no Heaven?' I say, 'So what?' If I am wrong and there is no Heaven, who cares? My life is far better because of my faith in Christ, and if I am wrong and there is no Heaven, then I win because my life has been transformed and it's been worth it! But my question to you is, 'What if I am right? What if there is a Heaven... and therefore there is a Hell... What then?"

He began cursing me, until one of the crowd started yelling: "What if there is a Hell?" He was getting more and more agitated and screamed more and more profanities at me and the crowd... until a young woman walked closer to us and said, "If his life is better because of his faith, what do you care? Isn't he better off now? But answer his question, what if there is a heaven? What if there is a hell?" He screamed, "Then I guess I'll burn in Hell with the rest of you losers!" With that, he turned and literally ran off across the campus. The young woman said to me, "you've given me a lot to think about." And she turned and walked away.

I've been thinking about this now for almost 20 hours, and reflecting on how Christ had made a difference in my life. Let me say clearly, I have no doubt that Heaven and Hell are real. But what if? What if there were no Heaven or Hell? No consequence or no reward? How would that alter your life? For me, I don't believe it would change anything. I've tried it both ways... and this way is FAR better. I'm glad that there is a Heaven... but if there were not, it's been worth having the Lord in my life!

Missed Promises

2011-10-09T23:05:00.000-05:00

I've been sitting here thinking tonight about the promises of God and the way people view them. I've heard it sound countless times that if God said it, it would come to pass, and nothing can stop it. Do you really think that is true? Hear me out before you label me a heretic, because I believe that there is a crucial element that is left out of that line of thinking. Let me, at least partially, put your mind at rest. I am not saying that God is "wishy washy" or that ever goes back on his word or does not honor or fulfill his word. Still, I believe that many of the promises of God are never fulfilled. But the problem is not on God's end, it is on ours. The thing is, as you read through the Word of God, His promises are usually conditional. For example, in Deuteronomy 28 we read "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ² All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:" and the rest of the chapter spells out blessings for obedience and the curse for disobedience. I could list dozens of such conditions, and if you really need me to provide them for you, if you will leave me a comment or send me a message and I will be glad to do that for you.

Now, the point I'm trying to make is that we are given promise, both in the Word and by the Holy Spirit, of what God will do for us... if we obey the commands of God. And as I've been sitting here thinking about this, I was thinking of the many times I've had people say things like this to me: "I don't understand Pastor D... God promised me... I was believing and waiting, but He has failed me." I beg to differ with you, but my God NEVER fails. If a promise has not been fulfilled, then either, 1) It simply is not time yet, or 2) Someone had been walking in disobedience. God has good things... the best intended for us. But we choose the path we walk. For example, think about King Saul. He was anointed as King, and walked in the anointing of God. But he chose the wrong path later in his life and he missed out. How about Moses? For that matter, the whole of the tribe of Israel. God gave them a promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet, only two of the millions that were hearers of the promise ever became receivers... because they disobeyed. Yes, their children received, but only because they obeyed. This has had me thinking for more than an hour... 39 years spinning their wheels and wasting time, when they were right on the threshold of receiving the promise. God still blessed them, prospered them, provided for them, but they never received the fulfillment of promise because thy disobeyed.
I find myself wondering, how many of us are just like that? Right on the verge of the miraculous and spectacular of God... and we make the wrong choice, and thereby forfeit God's best for our lives.
That's something to think about.

You Are Not Alone

2011-10-08T22:36:00.000-05:00

This song just spoke and ministered to me tonight more that I could ever express and I just wanted to share it for someone else.

You are not alone!

Growing Pains

2011-10-05T12:05:00.000-05:00

It seems to me that most people want the blessings of God without going through the pain that is associated with growth. I remember when I was a kid, around the age of 9 or so, when I grew so rapidly that I would wake up screaming in agony as my legs were cramping. Family members told me these were "growth pains" and that they'd pass, but they would surely come again. I have now idea about the scientific basis for this, but it came to mind today when talking with someone who was going through some stuff... and I told them that if they want t grow in the Lord, they are going to experience some pain in trials, and that these are temporary, but a needful part of our walk with Christ. I told this person that there are two things that nobody wants to talk about, but they are needful in our walk with Christ. One is tribulation, that works for you, and the other is grace that enables us to make it through the valley which we are walking through.

Romans 5:3 says: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience."
That same verse in the NIV reads: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance."
Have you been praying for patience, or for God to help you to grow stronger in your walk of faith? If so, you'd better get ready for tribulation, for there's no other way to get it! Patience grows only in the soil of trial and adversity. The truth is, some of the people that you absolutely cannot stand right now are the very ones who God will use to bring about growth and maturity in you spiritually.

The Moabites were Israel's troublesome next-door neighbours who drove them crazy. But such people can also drive us closer to God! God said of them in Psalm 60:8 (NIV) "Moab is my washbasin." A washbasin is the place where you "wash out" all the crud and filth and junk that is in our garments... or in this case.. in us! So here's a question for you... "who's your washbasin? Who brings out the worst in you? Who drives you to your knees? Who stretches your faith? Who develops your character?

The problem is, we pray for certain things to happen our way in our time... but God has a process, and it is only as we get to know Him better that we begin to recognize this process at work in our lives.
Here's how it works: you ask God for strength and He allows you to go through struggles that develop you.
You ask Him for wisdom and you get to deal with messy situations that have no easy solutions.
You ask Him for success and He gives you ability to work and wisdom to produce.
You ask Him for favor and you get responsibility. (Which most of the time, we then want to run from.)
There's a work going on in you right now! You may not be fully aware of it, but without it you'll never be equipped or qualified to handle what God has in mind.

It's Not About You, or Me... It's About God

2011-10-01T20:51:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me the following in an email today and I wanted to share it. He said it was written by Ryan Whitley. I have no idea who Ryan Whitley is, but he makes a very good point.

While away on vacation I visited a handful of churches. I always enjoy being the anonymous guest of a church. I watch the pastor very closely. I also pay great attention to the people. In doing so, I try to learn from their unique perspective.

This year, my visits included some resort churches and a small church. Each worship experience was meaningful. I was particularly impressed with the pastoral skills of the three pastors. As an outsider, I noticed immediately these men sincerely loved their people.

During one visit I was reminded of a statement I read years ago, when a Christian leader said that Christians mistakenly think that church is about us.

Church really is not about us, it’s about God. Instead of looking for what you can get out of church, look for what you can put into church.

Worship is not about us, it’s about God. Worship isn’t about whether or not we like the music; worship is about God!

Troubles and trials are not about us, they are about God. They are sent to teach us things about God you could not learn any other way.

Marriage is not about us or our spouse, it’s about God. Neither is life about us, it, too, is about God.

Finally, this day is not about us, it’s about God. So look for Him in everything you do.

OK... But What If He's Right?

2011-09-29T21:01:00.000-05:00

The following article has made the internet circle now for 3 years, and has been falsely attributed to either David Kaiser or Dr. Timothy Wood, and I want to be clear that neither of them wrote this. It was in fact a comment left on someone's blog, and the author is known only as "TPS". I have no idea who TPS is but I have to say, he or she makes some pretty good points.

I hope you find the time to read this with an open mind. It's interesting. Please read it with the open mind rather than immediately breaking it down into left or right, but rather look at it from the neutral viewpoint of right or wrong. It's like the line below says, "what if he is right?"

Take the three minutes to read this. Maybe he is wrong, but what if he’s right?

I am a student of history. Professionally, I have written 15 books on history that have been published in six languages, and I have studied history all my life. I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus..

Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and how people react to it. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has been evolving for about ten to fifteen years. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two.

We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never pay back? Why?

We learned just days ago that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has "loaned" two trillion dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms. That is our money. Yours and mine. And that is three times the $700 billion we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought this was a government of "we the people," who loaned our powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not.

We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy... Why?

We have intentionally "dumbed down" our schools, ignored our history, and no longer teach our founding documents, why we are exceptional, and why we are worth preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not picketing, school boards continue to back mediocrity. Why?

We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (violently in California over a proposition that is so controversial that it simply wants marriage to remain defined as between one man and one woman. Did you ever think such a thing possible just a decade ago?) We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws that radically change our way of life, and then mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system into a banana republic. To what purpose?

Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt, as is Medicare and our entire government. Our education system is worse than a joke (I teach college and I know precisely what I am talking about) - the list is staggering in its length, breadth, and depth.. It is potentially 1929 x ten...And we are at war with an enemy we cannot even name for fear of offending people of the same religion, who, in turn, cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so.

And finally, we have elected a man that no one really knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let alone a town as big as Wasilla , Alaska .. All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling if not downright scary (Surely you have heard him speak about his idea to create and fund a mandatory civilian defense force stronger than our military for use inside our borders? No? Oh, of course. The media would never play that for you over and over and then demand he answer it. Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter and $150,000 wardrobe are more important.)

Mr. Obama's winning platform can be boiled down to one word: Change. Why?

I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now.

This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life. In my assessment, Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again.

And that is only the beginning..

As a serious student of history, I thought I would never come to experience what the ordinary, moral German must have felt in the mid-1930s In those times, the "savior" was a former smooth-talking rabble-rouser from the streets, about whom the average German knew next to nothing. What they should have known was that he was associated with groups that shouted, shoved, and pushed around people with whom they disagreed; he edged his way onto the political stage through great oratory. Conservative "losers" read it right now.

And there were the promises. Economic times were tough, people were losing jobs, and he was a great speaker. And he smiled and frowned and waved a lot. And people, even newspapers, were afraid to speak out for fear that his "brown shirts" would bully and beat them into submission. Which they did - regularly. And then, he was duly elected to office, while a full-throttled economic crisis bloomed at hand - the Great Depression. Slowly, but surely he seized the controls of government power, person by person, department by department, bureaucracy by bureaucracy. The children of German citizens were at first, encouraged to join a Youth Movement in his name where they were taught exactly what to think. Later, they were required to do so. No Jews of course.

How did he get people on his side? He did it by promising jobs to the jobless, money to the money-less, and rewards for the military-industrial complex. He did it by indoctrinating the children, advocating gun control, health care for all, better wages, better jobs, and promising to re-instill pride once again in the country, across Europe , and across the world. He did it with a compliant media - did you know that? And he did this all in the name of justice and .... . ... change. And the people surely got what they voted for.

If you think I am exaggerating, look it up. It's all there in the history books.

So read your history books. Many people of conscience objected in 1933 and were shouted down, called names, laughed at, and ridiculed. When Winston Churchill pointed out the obvious in the late 1930s while seated in the House of Lordsin England (he was not yet Prime Minister), he was booed into his seat and called a crazy troublemaker. He was right, though. And the world came to regret that he was not listened to.

Do not forget that Germany was the most educated, the most cultured country in Europe . It was full of music, art, museums, hospitals, laboratories, and universities. And yet, in less than six years (a shorter time span than just two terms of the U. S. presidency) it was rounding up its own citizens, killing others, abrogating its laws, turning children against parents, and neighbors against neighbors.. All with the best of intentions, of course.. The road to Hell is paved with them.

As a practical thinker, one not overly prone to emotional decisions, I have a choice: I can either believe what the objective pieces of evidence tell me (even if they make me cringe with disgust); I can believe what history is shouting to me from across the chasm of seven decades; or I can hope I am wrong by closing my eyes, having another latte, and ignoring what is transpiring around me..

I choose to believe the evidence. No doubt some people will scoff at me, others laugh, or think I am foolish, naive, or both. To some degree, perhaps I am. But I have never been afraid to look people in the eye and tell them exactly what I believe-and why I believe it.

I pray I am wrong. I do not think I am. Perhaps the only hope is our vote in the next elections.

A Short Lesson on Faith

2011-09-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

True faith takes God at His Word when the circumstances and everything around you seems to deny the truth of His promise. Our ability to endure to the end will depend upon our allowing the Holy Spirit to train us in developing this kind of faith.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Let’s look at some passages in Isaiah that I believe will help us strengthen our faith when we are feeling weak.

(Isa 8:12) Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

(Isa 8:13) Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him beyour dread.

(Isa 8:14) And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

(Isa 8:15) And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

BELIEVE that the Lord is your refuge, and OVERCOME worldly fear that threatens us in times of major crisis.

(Isa 40:29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

(Isa 40:30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

(Isa 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Understand that Spiritual strength comes from waiting on the Lord.

We don’t like waiting.

We often try to Help God Out, and we make things a mess.

(Isa 42:23) Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?

(Isa 42:24) Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

(Isa 42:25) Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

(Isa 43:1) But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

(Isa 43:2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

(Isa 43:3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

(Isa 43:4) Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

(Isa 43:5) Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

(Isa 43:6) I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

(Isa 43:7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

We have got to come to the place of absolute TRUST that God knows how to protect His people from the judgment and wrath that he pours out upon others.

(Isa 55:10) For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

(Isa 55:11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

CHOOSE TO BELIEVE that God’s Word is the most powerful force in the universe, and then ACT accordingly!

Is Facebook "FREE"?

2011-09-22T09:56:00.000-05:00

Unless you are living in the dark, you've seen or at least heard that Facebook has made some major changes to it's format this week, and it would appear that most of the FB users not only do not like the changes... they hate them. (Just as a side note: Facebook has announced that this is only the beginning, that there are more major changes coming over the next few days and weeks.) Most people are protesting with comments, pictures that protest or poke fun of the changes, or in extreme cases, by signing off of Facebook for good. Then there are those who actually LIKE the changes. (I don't get it, but some people actually like pain too.) But they are entitled to their opinion, so we are cool... until they start telling me that I have no right to my opinion. Hello? You can voice your opinion, but I cannot voice mine? Not where I come from.

What has truly amazed me is the people that keep making comments how those who don't like it need to just shut up because Facebook is a free service? My question to you is, "What planet are you living on?" No, you do not put in your credit card info and pay for the service, but (news flash) Mark Zuckerburg has become insanely wealthy from Facebook. Care to guess how? By selling your information! Everything you put into Facebook... everything, is sifted and gleaned for information that companies and corporations are willing pay top dollar for. Think those games you are playing are free? Think again comrade. Like leaches, they are sucking the information from your Facebook account and using it for profit. Facebook Free? I hardly think so! You and I and millions of other users are making people boatloads of money. I think that gives me the right to tell them what I like and don't like about Facebook. I promise you that if the people, in mass, signed off Facebook for just 48 hours, they would make drastic changes back and beg the users to come back... wooing them with Facebook credits and free games! Trust me, this is how capitalism works. You vote with your dollars... and folks, our "dollars" in this case is simply in being there using Facebook and allowing their computers to glean our information from our accounts.

No, Facebook is not free. We have paid dearly for the "privilege" to use it.

Snookered... revisited

2011-09-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

An online friend of mine from California sent me a message this morning suggesting that I re-post the following piece from almost 2 years ago. Good idea.

Have You Been Snookered?

Haven't been feeling well, so this morning I've just been resting and watching TV. Found one of my favorite old shows on, "The Beverly Hillbillies" on. (After 44 years, this show still holds up.) Anyway, in this episode, Jed is feeling useless and decides to start doing handiman work for people free of charge, just so that he feels like he is useful and doing something. Mr. Drysdale decides that what Jed needs is a hobby, and he sets out trying to find something that Jed will enjoy doing. He shows him a ship in a bottle that it took Mr. Cushman 3 years to build. Jed see's this as wasting a ship and a bottle, not to mention a waste of 3 years. He presents him with the idea of stamp collecting and he thinks it's entirely too expensive to write letters at that price. Then he shows him a coin collection and a dime that the owner paid $12,000 for. Jed says, "Your friend got snookered!" Mr. Drysdale explains that the dime was very old, very rare and worth the price. Jed says, "If you put that dime into one of those candy machines, would it give you $12,000 worth of candy?" Drysdale tells him that it would only give a dimes worth. Jed tells him that he needs to go help his friend because he needs help because he got snookered.
As I'm watching this, the thought hit me how many people have been "snookered" in life. They have things that they value, even treasure and they've placed their trust in these things or activities.

I've often said that I think the idea of paying the prices that people pay for diamonds, pearls, so called "precious stones" and so on is just stupid. It's a rock! It's a piece of sand that got into a clam that was unwanted. The only reason a diamond is worth that much is because someone, somewhere decided they could charge that much for it. Tomorrow we could wake up to find that someone has decided diamonds are worthless and they would be. We could be told that now our money is worthless, and it would be. Don't think so? Hold on awhile and you will find out. I remember just a few years ago when Germany went to the Euro and those who had chosen to hold on to Marks found out that they were no longer of value. Just like that, it was not worth the price of the paper it was printed on.
Right now, people are being advised to buy gold. The price of gold has sky rocketed. But what will that gold buy you if gold is declared illegal to own once again? Having all the gold in the world would mean nothing if you could not trade it. People are putting their trust in gold, silver, diamonds, stock and bonds... and they are being snookered. No, I'm not saying that we should not prepare for the future financially, but I'm thinking of the big picture. What about the real future? What about eternity? The reality is that a man may be a billionaire and own houses and lands, jewels and gold, and still be absolutely without hope. They may be the most famous person in the world; someone whose face is known around the world... but if they are not known by Jesus, then they've been snookered!

Let me finish this with the words to one of my favorite old songs:
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Posted by Darrell at Friday, December 04, 2009

Time to Wake Up America!

2011-09-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

OK, this is going to sound weird, but just a few minutes ago I kind of drifted off in that half asleep, half awake place, and I had a dream or vision that that just shook me. I saw a globe, or maybe it was the earth, and I heard a voice cry out, "My judgment is swift!" As the voice spoke I saw an ax swing down upon the earth with the head of it striking from Tennessee, through the tip of Kentucky, and Illinois, near, but not on the Mississippi River. It hit with such force that it literally split the United States almost in half, with a tremendous canyon dividing the halves from just south of Davenport, Iowa to middle of Mississippi. The force of the ax hitting shook the entire nation, and shortly afterward, I saw California begin to shake and a huge portion of the State collapsed into the ocean. I saw massive amounts of people, probably millions of people swallowed up by the earth and water. I heard the voice again, "My judgment is swift and is coming soon!" And I awakened.

Maybe it was too many hot wings... but I know this much; this shook me.
This nation had better repent, or else judgment is coming.

Yeah, Preachers Are Just Lazy

2011-09-20T12:30:00.000-05:00

It's the same old thing. I cannot tell you the number of times I've been accused of being lazy, that I have a "cushy job", that all ministers are thieves, yada, yada, yada...

Over the years I've been in the ministry, this accusation (attack) has been leveled at me more times than I could begin to count. With the advent of Facebook it has increased greatly. People are always saying, "You are always on Facebook! When do you ever work?" The only way I could ever prove it would be to betray confidences, (which I WILL NOT do) and show people my private messages, but the fact is, you would not BELIEVE the amount of ministry takes place behind the scenes on Facebook! In that same vein, you would not believe the number of times people become irate at me because they messaged me on Facebook and I did not respond. One condemns because I'm online too much, while others condemn because I was not there enough! How does a guy win?

I just looked at my private messages on Facebook, and counting ONLY those that would be ministry related issues, I've had more than 70 messages sent to me since Sunday morning. Things varying from family problems, financial problems, spiritual questions, emotional distress, prayer requests, needing advice, Biblical questions... and this is just on Facebook private messages in less than 48 hours since church let out this week.

Lazy?

How about text messages? Another 37 messages since Sunday afternoon.

Phone calls... you don't even want to go there! Phone calls because they are upset with me (thus this blog entry!) Phone calls with their idea to help the church grow... (read, things that the pastor needs to do.) Complaints about what someone said, did or did not do. Fussing because the church was not clean enough (Hello? Clean it!!!) And then there are those who just want to touch base and chat.

And no one ever considers the administrative aspects of being a pastor. Already yesterday I met with one businessman pertaining to our church needs, looked into several things via internet for materials we needs and have set about trying to come up with a plan to raise the money to do it. I'm working on a deal to save money on having the church plowed this winter, and taking care of reports and insurance requirements.

I've TRIED to contact people who were missing from church this week. Problem is, when people are gone week after week and you get on the phone with them, they want you to tell them how everyone in the church is doing, what I preached about, how "this" hurts or "that", about the TV show they saw.... and somehow, in between this, I've found time to put in time studying and preparing for my Tuesday night study, my Wednesday night study and begun working on my sermon for Sunday. And it's just now noon on Tuesday.

Lazy? Sometimes I wish I could go back to a "regular" job!

And the part people forget... somehow I am supposed to be a husband and father somewhere in between all this.

Is it any wonder so many guys are leaving the ministry? I just read last week where 60% of those starting out in the ministry this year will leave the ministry in less than 5 years. It hardly seems worth it when not only are we literally taking years off our lives to do the work of ministry, but we are attacked on every hand while doing it.

Yeah... we're all just lazy.

Running the Rat Race

2011-09-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

Man, the rat race of life has been nuts recently. I know it gets that way for everyone at times, and I'm not whining... well, at least not too much. But right now, I miss my wife!
This week has been one that has pulled at both of us from every direction, and literally, except for sleeping in the same bed and a peck on the check while the other sleeps, we've simply not seen each other, for more than a couple of minutes for the entire week.

It began with my being very sick on Sunday. After church and lunch, I came home and was feeling so bad I laid down, something I rarely do. next thing I knew, it was 4 hours later. Libby was still doing school work, but went to bed shortly there after. Monday, they held her for meetings and she did not return home until almost 6:30. We had a quick bite to eat, but she was exhausted after putting in more than 12 hours. Tuesday, she was buried in school work to prepare for parent teacher conferences the next day, so I hardly saw her. Wednesday, she left house before six,(which is usual) and after her conferences, it was after 9:00 by the time she returned home. She came in and was in bed within a few minutes. Thursday, we passed each other on the Interstate as she drove home and I was driving to Peoria for a wedding rehearsal. We will do the same tonight as I go to the wedding. Early tomorrow morning she will leave for a Women's Conference... so in reality, the first time we will actually see and spend any time together will be Sunday morning as we go to the church for practice with the praise team at 8:30. It has actually been so bad this week that she really had no idea how sick I was this week until someone in the church told her that I had to cancel church Wednesday night. This is insane!
I told her on the phone yesterday on my way to Peoria that next week, we needed a date night. She agreed. The question is... when?!

(By the way, since you'll probably see this before I see you... I love you hon!)

G.P.S. Week 1- Where Are You?

2011-09-15T11:52:00.000-05:00

In the first week of the G.P.S. series, we saw how that after Adam and Eve had sinned, when God came walking in the garden, Adam and Eve hid themselves. God called out, "Where are you?" Not because He did not know where they were (He's God! He knew!) but because He wanted Adam and Eve to know where they where. They needed to recognize where the were and that they had a problem. We learned a basis universal truth; "You cannot solve a problem in your life, until you KNOW that there is a problem in your life.

The way a GPS works is that when you program your destination into the device, it plans a route and from there on, the focus is not on the destination, it is where you are at that precise moment. It tracks and makes sure that you are on the right road, going the right direction. And if you get off that path, the GPS begins to alert you and plot your course to get you back on the path. If you have been in a car with a GPS that is turned on, and you get off the designated road, it begins to speak to you, telling you, that you have made a wrong turn and it speaks directions as to how to get back on the right path. That is how God works in our lives, speaking to us through the Word (both written and spoken), through the Holy Spirit, and through others, telling us, to get back going the right direction, you need to turn around, revise your course, change directions.

Now it is totally up to us if we want to heed the instruction and direction of the GPS. We can go our own way, and it will keep reminding us from time to time, which way to go. But the GPS cannot make you go the right way, any more than God will make you make the right decisions in your life. That is all up to you, which is why I quoted Dr. Seuss in saying:

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
(from "Oh, The Places You'll Go)

God gives us all the direction, instruction and leading we need to not only make it to our "destination" (Heaven) but to enjoy this life and live it to the full along the way. But we must make the choice whether to follow his lead, or to go our own way.

The Beautiful Weirdness of Love

2011-09-14T09:58:00.000-05:00

“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ~ Theodor Seuss Geisel

I posted the above quote as my status on Facebook this morning, not knowing where it would take my thought process as the day moved forward. I posted it, simply because I have always had a great fondness of Theodor Geisel... Dr. Seuss to the literary world. I simply thought it was a pretty cool quote, nothing more. But within a few minutes my thoughts carried over to the (almost) 26 years I have been with my wife, Libby. Over the years, when talking about world events, local happenings, situations that have come up with people around us, one or the other of us have said something to the effect of, "what in the world is wrong with people?" I'm sure many others can relate to that statement of question. However, after many, many years of being together, I made a statement to Libby that we've often thrown back at one another ever since. The statement was this: "I've decided that it is not the world that is odd, it is us. We are not normal." It's the truth. We are not. We choose not to be. The world can go on at it's own pace, throwing all the rules away as they go; but we choose not to. We choose to live in a manner in which we offer respect, dignity, concern for others, compassion, preferring others while still respecting ourselves and our children.... I could go on, but the fact is, in the times we live in, this is not normal. We ARE the weird ones! That's OK... I found my weird partner, and I'm thankful to have my weird family and the love that we share. Just recently one of the teens in town told me that at a party, some of the girls were trashing other kids and one of them said of my kids, "they are both still virgins! Can you believe that? How weird is that?" And they all laughed. The one who told me this, said it with tears in her eyes and said, "I wish I could still boast of being a virgin." I'm thankful that my kids are "weird." I pray that they find their weird partners that Dr. Seuss spoke of in my quote above and they spend a lifetime of weirdness together.

The thing that brought all my thoughts together on this was when I read a note from a friend today that the former mayor of the town I lived in as a teenager had passed away. Bill was a really good man, who spent much of his life in selfless service to others. I had not seen Bill in many, many years. I decided to look up his obituary in my hometown paper. It was a lovely tribute written about him, but one thing jumped out at me. Bill had found his "weird partner" and married her on February 9, 1947. After 64 years of marriage, Lucy, his partner in weirdness died on August 19 of this year. When I read that, the thought hit me that for Bill, life was no longer enjoyable without his life-long partner in weird, so just 22 days later, Bill checked out too. I somehow love that.