LIVING WITH HOPE

In March 1999, a twenty-three-year-old man named

Steve Sawyer died of AIDS. Most of you wouldn't know the name, but he shared his story with over 100,000 college students. He was a hemophiliac, and in the 1980's he contracted the HIV virus through a blood transfusion. For years he was bitter. What could be more unfair? But he accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord in college, and when AIDS took over he realized he had only a short time to live. Steve wanted to tell as many as possible that, through Christ, he had found peace and ultimate victory. He said, "This is what God has given me to do; my calling was to have AIDS, and share the Gospel through AIDS."

Amazing! If you were suffering like him, could you say that?

It's the power of the Gospel to bring good out of bad situations.

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13

Hope is Living with Jesus Christ in our Heart, Soul and Mind.

Give Thanks

One of life's most common oversights is not taking time to say thanks. We get in such a rush that we often forget.

Years ago, ten men with the dreaded disease of leprosy saw Jesus. They were a long distance away, for leprosy was the most feared disease of that day. They were outcasts; people didn't want to touch them for fear of getting the disease. They were treated like many today who have AIDS.

These lepers cried out to Christ to have mercy on them, and He did. He healed them all. What a fantastic day that must have been!

Those ten guys got so excited that they all began to run and tell what had happened.

But one turned around and took time to worship and thank Jesus--just one. Jesus asked him, "Weren't there ten? Where are they?" Even God desires to hear thanks.

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Luke 17:17-19

This week, don't miss a great opportunity to take time to say thanks--to God for His blessings, to friends and loved ones, and to any who helped you along the way. (click on words)

Black Friday!

Just the mention of this phrase sends shivers down my spine. Retailers lick their chops in anticipation of the day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest, most lucrative shopping days of the year. Places like Walmart, K-Mart, Target etc. open early, like 4am early, offer extra incentives like door prizes and, last but not least, promote big discounts to lure customers through their doors. Outdoor stores like Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain and Cabelas are no different. Like most outdoorsmen I received the flyers from these places and drooled over all the gear bargains.

About 2000 years ago there was another Black Friday.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:44-46

This was day that Jesus made the deal for our lives. He gave himself over to be crucified for me and you. We have no capacity to appreciate the utterly horrific experience of having the sins of the world put upon the Lord Jesus as He hung, in excruciating pain, from that cross. The physical pain was immense. The spiritual one must have been even greater.

That shows us clearly how much God loves us.

So this Thanksgiving remember all that you are thankful for and hopefully you can say you are “Thankful that Jesus Christ is in your LIFE”!

Who is THE LOST?

Sharing the story of the Prodigal Son, I found many golden nuggets. Not only did Jesus share this story, but also the story of the Lost Sheep and the Lady with the Lost Coin...What I found with the discernment of a close friend, was that in the first two stories...Lost Sheep and Lost Coin where sought for. Searching high and low till found, but the lost son was not searched for. The father did not seek him, but he did see him from a long way off. Luke 15:20

This is the nugget, The Father did go out and plead for the one son that thought he was secure in his home. The son that had everything that the father had, he was so jealous that he would not celebrate with the family. To me this is a sad statement for many Christians.

Is this where you are with the Father? Is the Father going out daily and looking for you to come in and celebrate? Is He pleading with you?

Allow the sins in your heart to melt away, be part of the celebration with the Father in His house.

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Are you the Sharpest Tool in the Shed?

As we look at the world around us and the people in it, it is often difficult not to compare ourselves to others.

She is a great singer. I could never do that.

He is so much better than me at this and that..

What if I fail? What if I give my best, and it's still not good enough?

When David met Goliath, he was not worried that Goliath had a sword and he had only a sling. He knew who he was and what he could do, and he met this situation with what he did have. Whether David lived or died was inconsequential to him. He met his challenge head-on.

We may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but a hammer doesn't need to be sharp. Can a hammer saw? Can a saw hammer? Can either do their job if they're jealous of each other’s giftings and purpose?

In 1 Corinthians 12:14-31, Paul talks about the very same thing.

"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body" 1 Corinthians 12:15

We are all different. If the feet feel less than the hands, and the eyes are jealous of the ears, then we find ourselves impaired. We all have different strengths and weaknesses.

We have not learned to lose gracefully. We may think that losing is a bit of a s t r e t c h.

Why do we have to be the best? Why can't we just be ourselves? It's a freeing thought to finally realize we don't have to be the best. We only have to be our best.

This is a deep thought for a simple principle. Be free to be your best and free to do your job, not someone else's. God has made us as different parts with different strengths. Freedom comes in relishing in what He’s made us to do, while admiring what He has made others to be as well.

OUR MOTIVES MUST BE PURE

"When thine eye is single, thy whole body is also full of light" Luke 11:33

Have you seen much darkness lately? Perhaps this passage will point up the reason. Your eye has not been single. There has been some spiritual squint; and this has hindered you from discerning indications of God's will, which otherwise had been as clear as noonday.

We must be very careful in judging our motives, searching them as the the airline security guards search each passengers who enter the terminal. When by the grace of God we have been delivered from grosser forms of sin, we are still liable to the subtle working of self in our holiest and loveliest hours. It poisons our motives. It breathes decay on our fairest fruit-bearing. It whispers seductive flatteries into our pleased ears. It turns the spirit from its holy purpose, as the masses of iron on ocean steamers deflect the needle of the compass from the pole.

So long as there is some thought of personal advantage, some idea of acquiring the praise and commendation of men, some aim at self-aggrandisement, it will be simply impossible to find out God's purpose concerning us. The door must be resolutely shut against all these if we would hear the still small voice. All cross-lights must be excluded if we would see the Urim and Thummim stone brighten with God's "Yes," or darken with His "No."

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the single eye, and to inspire in your heart one aim alone: that which animated our Lord, and enabled Him to cry, as He reviewed His life, "I have glorified Thee on the earth." Let this be the watchword of our lives, "Glory to God in the highest."

"Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."Luke 11:3

KAYAKING WITH GOD

Kayaking has been part of our life and we have found that it can be relaxing, but also a way to see God’s creations. Last year we bought a tandem sea kayak. Being placed in one kayak, together we had to work through paddling in time and steering with the rudder. All couples need to try this for pre & post marriage counseling. Last month we discovered a streamlined racing kayak for a great price and decided this would be our next step in kayaking. Warned that it is very tippy and for sure made for racing, we where not discouraged, but took this as a challenge. Well, we found that the seller was very truthful, and our maiden voyage was a disaster. We had all our safety equipment on and then enter the kayak. Our very first attempt of paddling, cause us to throw our center of gravity off balance and over we went into the cool water.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. John 6:16-21

In our walks and paddling with GOD, especially as a couple we find that we have our individual life with GOD, but we also have a oneness as a couple with GOD. HE has an adventure for us if we are willing to take the challenge. HE will guide us in the rough water and in the calm water. We just need to take up the challenge to follow HIM where-ever HE leads us.

CARBON FOOTPRINT OF GOD

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed" Psalm 139:13-16

I watched a video this week, called God’s Chisel, talking about how God wants to take away those things that are not of him, to make us into his image. By the end of it, I had tears coming out of my eyes, because even though I read his word, and I realize that I am made, formed, and shaped into the image that God wants me to be.

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

I know that there are still situations that I deal with that I still have to let God deal with in my life, and make me into the man of God that He wants me to be. We are God’s Carbon Footprint, made into his image that He wants us to be and to look like. We are created to do great and mighty things for God regardless of who we are. God Loves you, and wants to make you more into the Carbon Footprint that He has for you.

‘I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well’ (Psalm 139:14).

CELEBRATION

My favorite parable is the story of the prodigal son. There's that wonderful scene when the wayward son finally comes to his senses and begins to walk home. And what does that father do? He runs and embraces him. And there's joy and celebration.

"Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing..." -Luke 15:23-25

I know that's a picture of celebration. These verses can talk to you in different ways, but it is talking to me about what it's like to come home when we confess our sins, and finally come back to the Lord. I think it's a beautiful picture of finally coming home to heaven, after the weariness and demands of this very difficult life and world. Then when we finally come home to heaven, our Heavenly Father is there. And He runs to embrace us! And He's full of joy! He's got those tears in His eyes, as only a Father can have when His son comes home! And the celebration begins, and it never, ever ends! Because heaven will be like coming home. It's like home is supposed to be.

So I ask you my friends, when your days in this life are done, will you be able to "Celebrate" in going home?

Are You Thirsty to be a Team Player?

Great football teams focus on the basics of blocking and tackling, over and over and over. Victorious living focuses on the basics as well. The number one basic discipline for victorious living is regular time alone with God.

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." - Isaiah 55:1-3

The prophet Isaiah says, "Ho, everyone who thirsts. Come to the waters." Ho, meaning whoa or slow down. We tend to be like a bunch of racehorses, charging out of the starting gates, rushing into the day without a thought for God. Ho! Slow down and thirst for God. Charging out to make money doesn't satisfy; it leaves your soul empty. God is the source of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Do you have a thirst for God? Ask for a thirst to know Him. Ask God to give you a desire and discipline to spend time with Him, talking and listening to Him through prayer and Bible study. This brings renewal and strength. Regular time alone with God is the first basic in victorious living.

Are you ready for Eternal Life

Burial can be a complex process for some. As Christians we waver on what is honoring to God in our death. The bible speaks of pagan rituals that burned their dead, it also speaks being thrown into the lake of fire (Matthew 18:7-9).

I posed the question concerning Cremation vs Burial and I believe most believe it is a personal thing. Some find cremation as bio friendly way to leave the planet for others.

Coming to Christ, I did not think about the reward of eternal life, but more so of forgiveness and the love of our Savior. The bible tell us about receiving eternal life (John 3:15-17).

What is eternal life?

Some would say it means living forever. While that is true Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God. Us knowing God is at His very heart. Jesus did not come to hand out rules and principles to live by or show us how to get to heaven. Nor was Jesus some great teacher. He came to give so much more. He came to restore something to us that was lost at the very beginning when man disobeyed God.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:1-3

So in this life, live for Jesus... not to just inherited the rewards, but to have a relationship that will be everlasting. This will honor GOD!

YOUR FIRST LOVE

To love God with all your heart means to love God with all of your feelings, with all of your emotions and with all your heart. People ask, "What's your first love?" What they're asking you is what is it that really gets your juices flowing? It could be a certain ideology, social cause, or politics. Perhaps it's a love for the theatre, movies, or music. Or It could be making money, physical fitness, or watching college football. You can be in love about a lot of things, but the number one love of your life should be your relationship with God.

Think about your relationship with God this way. When you first came to Christ there was no problem in loving God. You had a hunger for the word, to be in worship, and to tell others about Christ. You were excited about it and there was a very real love there! But then as time went by and life presented its many challenges and opportunities, it became easy for other things to become a higher priority. And if we're more in love about anything else than our relationship with God, our priorities are simply out of whack.

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelations 2: 2-7

Jesus reminds us that when you give your heart to God, you want to maintain in love Him with all your heart!

Courage

"Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."Joshua 10:25

It has always fascinated me to read and watch movies giving the accounts of the our Armed Forces hitting the beachheads. A day of overwhelming tragedy and innumerable acts of courage. Hearing the accounts of bravery performed on the beaches by those men who distinguished themselves fighting for freedom brings awe to all.

But acts of courage don't occur only on the battlefield. Courageous deeds happen unnoticed on playgrounds, in offices, and in homes every day as people stand up for what's right. Courage is understanding the consequences, and choosing to do the right thing anyway.

About 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus Christ, a man who had never sinned, chose to go to the cross for your sins and mine. It was the ultimate act of courage. And His sacrifice, like the men at Normandy, was done for you. When you finally recognize what His sacrifice means, I encourage you to choose to trust Him. He will then give you courage to face every day victoriously.

Success or Failure

"A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him."

What is your definition of success? Let me suggest this one: Success is the process of fulfilling your purpose in life and doing it well. In short, success is a by-product of a life well lived.

Definition of failure is the lack of success.

I find so many are planning failure in life. We intentionally sabotage our life, by allowing the “ME” concept to take over rather than caring for others as you would want to be cared for.

Have you ever plotted on how to get even with someone. Maybe conspired a plan to blow them out of the water, when they least expected it. Knowing that it will cause problems that might lead to lifelong complications. Well, if you have or are doing this, then you are heading for FAILURE. Some might say they are on the receiving end of this and that they are just getting back for what is being done to them. A wise man told me once “You can control what you do, but you cannot control the action of others”. So do not be vindictive in your actions. God’s word tell us how to be SUCCESSFUL.

“Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

1 Chronicles 22:13

Success
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

CHANGE for Christians

Change has been a big word in the political realm. I believe as believers we should be changing daily. Change in the manner to seek God daily and understand that we need to change our attitude to follow Him.

If we would lead others in the manner Jesus did, we must continue becoming all that the Lord intends for us to be. This is an on-going growth/change process. It requires us to submit ourselves to His creative hand. He lovingly works on us to remove impurities. He molds us in His image. He carefully builds His unique design into our lives. He continues to craft us with diligence and purpose so that we might serve Him well and fulfill His plan.

"Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter: we are all the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8

Change just like the clay never getting hard, but being pliable and moldable for Jesus.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

What a fun game to play as a child. Rock crush scissors, paper covers rock, scissors cut paper. I think at time in our life we allow our emotions to run away from us just like this kid’s game. One moment we are even keel, then it just takes one wrong word, one wrong look, one wrong action and we grab for the rock to crush. I hope I am not the only one that deals with these out of control emotions at times. Wanting to cut with our scissors whatever gets in our way.

How do we get in check with our our anger?

Where do we fine peace?

Is there a way to control our attitude?

You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake? Or must the rocks be moved from their place?” Job 18:3-5

Job is a man that is put thru trials. We might say that God was playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with Job. Reading the book of Job, you can see that Job love the Lord and was a man of integrity and strong moral convictions. If anyone that has gone thru trails in life and should be angry with God, Job would be our man.

“If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,'” Job 9:26-28

The way to win the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors is to always focus on the main thing and that is God. God is the only one we can receive Peace in our life. Devote your Heart to the Lord all the time, in the good times and in the bad.

"Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him,

if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent” Job 11:12-14

Do you have "Freedom in Jesus"?

"All of my

ambitions,

hopes and plans,

I surrender these

into your hands.

For it's only in

your will that I am free"

-Robin Mark, All For Jesus

click on link

I wondered briefly if we could call freedom the absence of all responsibility, conflict or suffering. I think that's close, but I imagine that a life with no conflict of any kind would be shallow and insignificant and would prohibit any kind of spiritual development. Freedom has more to do with an absence of unfulfilled desires; never having something we want yet which for whatever reason, is always beyond our grasp.

One of the great lies of our age is that peace comes from fulfilling each and every desire at any cost, for we suppose that eventually we will fulfill that final desire and achieve the elusive freedom we so long for. Christians are by no means automatically exempt from this, and it can leave us wondering, "Where is the peace which Christ promised?"

The truth is that peace comes from eliminating our desires, not chasing after them. True freedom comes not from suppressing desires, but by being liberated from them.

What if we could pursue one single, desire which would forever quench all others?

Surrender yourself to Jesus completely. Stop worrying about everything in your life that you cannot control and simply focus on Jesus. Put Him above all else in your life. He will take care of you. I won't promise that you will not have suffering or pain, but I will promise that you will never have to worry about anything ever again because He will be in control. You can trust in His love for you and His ability to care for you. If you will do that, you will have greater peace than you have ever known. But, you have to let Him be in control - you have to let it all go and stop chasing after anything but Jesus."

We have to decide to lay down all other desires and take upon ourselves a single desire, which is an intimate relationship with Jesus. We must surrender to Him in every way, and we must do it daily. By doing this, all other desires disappear except the one which never disappoints, and that is when we become truly free.

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:29