Life at Living Hope By Pastor Todd Smith

Delight In The Lord Song of The Week- Prepare The Way

2012-02-13T07:43:00.000-05:00

Delight In The Lord Song of The Week- Power In The Blood

2012-02-07T11:06:00.000-05:00

Pure In Heart

2012-02-05T17:28:00.003-05:00

Being pure in heart is not just a status, it is a journey.

If it is just a status, if I had a bad week I lose my pure heart. I am not sure if I will get it back. It depends on how bad I messed up. So it can't be just a status.

It is the younger son, dirty, in a pigpen, knowing he has wasted everything his father gave him, saying I am going home.

It is the older son, setting on the front porch, mad at his younger brother, mad at his father for welcoming home his younger brother, hopefully saying enough of this pouting, I am going inside and enjoying the party.

It is walking with Jesus in the light. It is cleaning the dirty windows of our souls. It is confessing the things that need to be confessed and then continuing the journey.

Delight In The Lord Song of The Week- Love The Lord Your God

2012-01-30T08:26:00.001-05:00

Mercy Not Strained

2012-01-26T11:02:00.003-05:00

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God's
When mercy seasons justice.

-William Shakespeare

The Jesus Prayer

2012-01-26T09:59:00.002-05:00

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

That is a good prayer. It has been handed down for centuries from the church fathers, through the church.

Delight In The Lord Song of The Week-In Christ Alone

2012-01-23T07:52:00.002-05:00

We've a Story To Tell To The Nations

2012-01-19T10:41:00.000-05:00

We've a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.
Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright;
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

2. We've a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword.
(Refrain)

3. We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
hath sent us his Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love.
(Refrain)

4. We've a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow hath trod,
that all of the world's great peoples
might come to the truth of God,
might come to the truth of God.

Delight In The Lord Song of The Week- My Heart Will Trust In You

2012-01-17T08:42:00.001-05:00

I'm Blessed Brother

2012-01-13T13:56:00.003-05:00

Many times we as Christians when asked how we are doing we will say that we are "blessed". And that is true, but what does it mean?

Does it mean nothing is wrong in our life? No, I don't think so.

Does it mean we have a lot of money? Maybe, maybe not.

Does it mean we have a certain feeling? No, many times there is no feelings attached to it.

Jesus named the way we are blessed in his Constitution of the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount. In it's Bill of Rights, The Beatitudes, he listed why and how we are blessed. Matthew 5:1-12

So when someone asks you, "How are you?" If you are not very good at being spiritual, you can say I am blessed. If you are poor in spirit you know God's kingdom is for you, so you are truly blessed.

If you are mourning by calling out to God, to people who love you, and feeling the feelings of grief, you can say I am blessed. You will be comforted, and that is a blessing.

If you are not fighting to gain the world, if you are calm, if you delight in God, if you are not overcome with anger(you know, meek) than you can say you are blessed. You are going to be given the earth. And that's a pretty big prize.

There are 5 more ways that we can say we are blessed in Matthew 5:1-12.

So being blessed is more than a lack of problems, it's more than money, and it's more than a feeling. It defiantly should be more than a catch phrase.

So, "How are you?"

Nineveh

2012-01-11T13:57:00.003-05:00

Nineveh
A whale riding prophet brings the great city life.
A three day redemptive walk by the seaside.
You repent but not for long.
A prophet nicknamed comforter speaks upcoming doom.
You don't know your right hand from your left.
If allowed to keep going how much will you murder your own self?
You lie, then believe your own lies.
You love your lies.
What is truth?
Feed on the poor, trying to become fat.
No one weeps at your fall.
You did not weep when you were the cause of many to fall.
My, how the mighty have fallen.

SOAP- Nahum 3:1

2012-01-10T12:50:00.004-05:00

S- Nahum 3:1What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies! She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims.

O- Nahum one of the 12 minor prophets of Israel is a short, 3 chapter book, that is very challenging. Nahum writes about the sins of Nineveh, that at one time Nineveh had repented of during the time of Jonah, but are now going to be judged for them. Judgment is not easy to read about, but is even harder to go through. Nineveh was filled with lies, murder, and they used their wealth to victimize people. If our hearts are full of those dark sins, judgment will follow.

A- I must repent of my sins and receive the grace of God.

P - God forgive me/us of my/our debts, as we forgive my/our debtors.

SNK Baseball

2011-12-30T16:25:00.003-05:00

SNK Baseball

This game was awesome. I played it in high school. I talked with an old high school buddy, Dan, today, and I got to thinking about the fun we had playing this game. I always lost this game because another buddy, Jeremy, always made his players ridiculous. Enjoy

New Year Countdown Clock

2011-12-29T07:55:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T23:44:00.003-05:00

Advent Day 28- Christmas Eve Saturday

2011-12-24T09:20:00.003-05:00

Luke 2:1-20
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Advent Day 27- December 23, 2011 Friday

2011-12-23T15:42:00.003-05:00

John 1:14-18
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

-God is perfectly revealed in the life of Jesus.

-God is like Jesus. Don't say Jesus is like God, although that is true. Many people can be like God in certain areas. People can be like God when they are loving, truthful, kind, etc. But God is not like any person except Jesus.

-God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus. We have not always known this, but now we do.

Merry Christmas

Until We Do

2011-12-22T12:34:00.004-05:00

"Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen." Book of Common Prayer

-We don't need forgiveness, until we do.

-We don't need a Savior, until we do.

-We are pretty good, until we're not.

-We don't feel condemned, until we do.

-We don't deserve punishment, until we do.

-We like ourselves, until we don't.

-Thank God for our Savior Jesus Messiah and his grace for all those "until we do" moments.

Mary Had a Baby

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Advent Day 26- December 22, 2011 Thursday

2011-12-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

John 1:10-13
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Merry Christmas Children of God

Handel's Messiah

2011-12-21T18:36:00.001-05:00

Advent Day 25- December 21, 2011 Wednesday

2011-12-21T09:47:00.003-05:00

John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 24- December 20, 2011 Tuesday

2011-12-20T07:14:00.003-05:00

Matthew 2:19-23
19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

-God became a baby. He was helpless. He had to be protected bu parents. That's a big part of the Christmas message.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 23-December 19, 2011 Monday

2011-12-19T13:06:00.004-05:00

Matthew 2:13-18
13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning.Rachel weeps for her children,refusing to be comforted,for they are dead.

-We need a Savior because we live in a world with too many Herods.

-Name a time when you knew God had protected you from one of your Herods.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 22- December 18, 2011 Sunday

2011-12-18T19:30:00.003-05:00

Matthew 2:1-12
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 21- December 17, 2011 Saturday

2011-12-17T11:40:00.002-05:00

Matthew 1:18-25 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’”24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

-Joesph was a good man. He thought he was done wrong by Mary, he thought was publicly disgraced. As bad as he was hurt, he still the did the right thing.

-Oh that we would always do what's right no matter the circumstances.

Merry Chrisrmas

Advent Day 20- December 16, 2011 Friday

2011-12-16T08:33:00.002-05:00

Matthew 1:1-16
1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David[a] and of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram.[b]
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
6 Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asa.[c]
8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.[d]
Jehoram was the father[e] of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amon.[f]
Amon was the father of Josiah.
11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin[g] and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).
12 After the Babylonian exile:
Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Akim.
Akim was the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan.
Matthan was the father of Jacob.
16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

-The Family tree of Jesus has liars in it.
-The Family tree of Jesus has someone who sold someone into slavery in it.
-The Family tree of Jesus has a prostitute in it.
-The Family tree of Jesus has a murderer in it.
-The Family tree of Jesus has many who worshiped idols in it.

-Jesus came to save sinners, like his family, and me, and you.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 19- December 15, 2011 Thursday

2011-12-15T07:33:00.003-05:00

Matthew 7:24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

-Life has storms, Stressmas can reveal them.

-Listening to Jesus is the solution to storms, Christmas can handle them.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 18-December 14, 2011 Wednesday

2011-12-14T09:17:00.003-05:00

Matthew 7:21-23 Message Version- Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

-Putting up Christmas lights, Christmas trees, even going to church on Christmas, does not get in you good with God.

-Although working for God should be done, it must be done from the right starting point. The starting point is knowing God through his son Jesus. Wanting our life to be like his. Well how does that come about? Well you see Advent Day 1-17 as a good foundation.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 17- December 13, 2011 Tuesday

2011-12-13T07:13:00.003-05:00

Matthew 7:15-20 15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

-Many people will bring a real tree in their home to celebrate Christmas. Depending on how long you have had it up, my guess is needles are being lost at a rapid rate. The tree looks beautiful with the lights and the ornaments, but truth is it is no longer a good tree. It will never produce any life, ever again.

-I look a people's actions more than what they say. Many people can talk a real good game, but I want to make sure their words are not beyond their actions. No one is perfect and I don't expect them to be. But no one should speak words that their actions do not backup. I can't hear you talking, you're actions are too loud.

-Jesus lived what he spoke. He empowers us to do the same.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 16- December 12, 2011 Monday

2011-12-12T13:19:00.003-05:00

Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

-Wow, the narrow gate that leads into God's kingdom comes right after the "Golden Rule." Maybe the "Narrow Gate" and the "Golden Rule" are connected. I think so.

-Advent- Jesus came to show us how to enter the kingdom of God by living out the "Golden Rule."

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 15- December 11, 2011 Sunday

2011-12-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

-Do all the rules apply to you. Well, if we get the "Golden Rule" right, many of the other rules would take care of themselves.

-If we get the "Golden Rule" correct we will have a rewarding Advent season

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 14- December 10, 2011 Saturday

2011-12-10T18:37:00.003-05:00

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

-Christmas and giving gifts go hand in hand.

-A good parent would not give a stone to their child instead of bread or a snake when they would ask for a fish to eat. Fish and bread were both parts of a child's daily meal during Jesus' time.

-Jesus is telling us if ask God and keep on asking he will supply our daily needs. He is better than a good parent, he is our Father. And His Son, Jesus, came during this advent season to show us we can ask our Father.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 13- December 9, 2011 Friday

2011-12-09T13:32:00.002-05:00

Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

-Christmas, Tis the season to see family, friends, coworkers, neighbors that you don't see that often.

-Christmas, Tis the season to notice specks in those same people's eyes.

-Jesus came so we can live like him during Christmas. Jesus did not come to judge. And believe me he could have, because we have Christmas trees in our eyes compared with him.

-So let me keep my pearls of wisdom if I know another person doesn't want my wisdom. Someone in my life will want my opinions, advice, thoughts, or experienced wisdom. And there are those that I will receive wisdom from as well.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 12- December 8, 2011 Thursday

2011-12-08T09:10:00.005-05:00

Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

-Many people celebrate Stressmus. We worry during this time of the year. Joy is robbed by busyness, shopping, cooking, family, and friends.

-Jesus came to help us stop that. So Jesus, help us not worry about tomorrow, we will be focused on this day.

Advent Day 11- December 7, 2011 Wednesday

2011-12-07T09:22:00.002-05:00

Matthew 6:19-24 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 10- December 6, 2011 Tuesday

2011-12-06T06:20:00.002-05:00

Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

-I love the Lord's Prayer. I pray it everyday, many days several times a day.

-Your kingdom "come". Advent means, coming. We pray everyday for God's kingdom to come here.

-So this Christmas, along with all that goes with it, presents, food, family, friends, parties. Let's make sure we pray God's kingdom would influence them all.

Advent Day 9- December 9, 2011 Monday

2011-12-05T14:18:00.002-05:00

-Advent means "coming"

-Let's look back at Jesus' sermon on the Mount to know how we should live, empowered by his Holy Spirit, until Jesus comes again.

-What is God like? God is like Jesus. Well what is Jesus like? Jesus is like his sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

-We celebrate the Advent, the coming of Jesus, by giving gifts. Why not give an anonymous gift this year to someone in need.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 8- December 4, 2011 Sunday

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

-Advent means "coming"

-Let's look back at Jesus' sermon on the Mount to know how we should live, empowered by his Holy Spirit, until Jesus comes again.

-What is God like? God is like Jesus. Well what is Jesus like? Jesus is like his sermon on the Mount.

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye —causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

1. Jesus came to change our angry hearts. Vs. 21-26

2. Jesus came to change our lustful hearts. Vs. 27-30

3. Jesus came to change our selfish, uncaring towards others, hearts. Vs. 31-32

4. Jesus came to change our lying hearts. Vs. 33-37

5. Jesus came to change our get-even hearts. Vs. 38-42

6. Jesus came to change our "I hate those people" hearts. Vs. 43-48

Merry Christmas

Christmastime by Dubya.

2011-12-03T12:06:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 7- December 3, 2011 Saturday

2011-12-03T09:26:00.003-05:00

-Advent means "coming"

-Let's look back at Jesus' sermon on the Mount to know how we should live, empowered by his Holy Spirit, until Jesus comes again.

-What is God like? God is like Jesus. Well what is Jesus like? Jesus is like his sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:17-20
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

-Sometimes we separate the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New. But they are the same God, it is Jesus.

-Why do we have the Advent season? To remember why Jesus has come into the world. So, we remember the God who fully accomplished the purposes of the law. So now we live like him, through his power, for the Father's glory, and we accomplish the purpose of the law in his name. We are "doing what the Bible says" when we love, know, follow, and live like Jesus.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 6 December 2, 2011 Friday

2011-12-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

-Advent means "coming"

-Let's look back at Jesus' sermon on the Mount to know how we should live, empowered by his Holy Spirit, until Jesus comes again.

-What is God like? God is like Jesus. Well what is Jesus like? Jesus is like his sermon on the Mount.

Matt 5:13-16 13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

God give us grace to bring the taste of godliness to this world. God empower us to do good deeds in your name during this Advent season.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 5 December 1, 2011 Thursday

2011-12-01T08:56:00.004-05:00

-Advent means "coming"

-Let's look back at Jesus' sermon on the Mount to know how we should live, empowered by his Holy Spirit, until Jesus comes again.

-What is God like? God is like Jesus. Well what is Jesus like? Jesus is like his sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:1-12
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 4 Nov 30, 2011 Wednesday

2011-11-30T07:18:00.002-05:00

2 Peter 3:1-10 1 This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2 I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

-Advent means coming.

-We not only remember the birth of Jesus during Christmas, but look forward to the second coming.

-The Blessed Hope is "Jesus is coming", that should be our mindset. We got to many fake preachers with the "let's get out of here" mindset.

-The second coming of Jesus has become a good punchline for comedians, but I believe in the Day of the Lord. I am not afraid of it, I look forward to it. The Father is patience waiting for many to repent, but even so come quickly Lord Jesus.

Merry Christmas

Advent Day 3, Nov 29, 2011 Tuesday

2011-11-29T08:56:00.002-05:00

2 Peter 1:12-21
12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. 14 For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, 15 so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

-Remember Advent means "coming"

-Verse 16 Peter tells us the life of Jesus is not something fable writers made up. Peter and the other disciples saw the coming of Messiah, they heard the voice of God the Father claim that Jesus is the Son of God. Christianity is not founded on a set of beliefs, it is founded on a person, Jesus Messiah.

-Because the disciples experienced the coming of Jesus and heard the voice of the Father it gave them even greater confidence and the proper perspective on the writings of the prophets, what we call the Old Testament. Peter encourages believers to cling to Scripture, it is a light in dark times. Scripture is not just man's words, the Holy Spirit of God directed those words. Through them we see the dawning of the morning star. Jesus Messiah. He is alive, living in our hearts our very being for those that believe.

Merry Christmas.

Advent Day 2- Nov 28, 2011 Monday

2011-11-28T09:18:00.003-05:00

Matt 21:1-11
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Israel,‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,“Praise God for the Son of David!Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

-Remember Advent means coming

-Look your King is coming to you, He is humble.

-What is God like? God is like Jesus. Well what is Jesus like? He is humble?

-We misrepresent God as some strong armed military dictator, but He is not. God is humble. Does God win the victory? Does God defeat every enemy? Yes he does. But He does it His way, through humility. The God of the cross is victorious. The God of the cross is the King of kings, President of presidents.

-The day of the triumphal entry, the day if Jesus was going display "worldly" power, Jesus choose humility. That's our King.

Merry Christmas.

Advent Day 1- Nov 27, 2011 Sunday

2011-11-27T20:40:00.004-05:00

We start the Advent season of the church today. I am Pentecostal, Assembly of God, and my fellowship sometimes misses some of the beauty of Advent. But Advent is a sacred season of the church where we prepare our hearts for the coming of Messiah. Advent actually means, "coming". During this season we think back to the coming of Jesus as a baby, God incarnate, God in the flesh. We also look forward to the second coming of Jesus, the blessed hope. One of the ways we do this is by reflecting on Scripture about the first and second comings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Messiah. I will try and put a daily Advent Scripture up during this season to help us prepare our hearts as a church.

Luke 21:5-19
5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.

Merry Christmas

Weaker Than We Think

2011-11-22T09:14:00.001-05:00

"O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." book of common prayer

We are weaker than we think. I can't over come the evil alone. I can't stay away from temptation on my on. The good news is God doesn't expect us to. God through his son Jesus helps us through prayer. So God I pray, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Jesus name, let it be so.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

2011-11-04T13:17:00.002-04:00

Jesus, Friend of Sinners- Lyrics by Casting Crowns

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah...
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

This Little Light of Mine-Addison Road

2011-11-03T11:01:00.003-04:00

This song was played at my daughter's school during a morning chapel service. I love to hear my little girl sing this song. I kinda like the song as well. So brave the dark and let your light shine.

Plus the singers name is Addison Road, that is an awesome name. Of a great location. Or the name of a Beatles album.

If We've Ever Needed You- Casting Crowns

2011-11-03T10:54:00.003-04:00

-For me this song deals with pride I have. I/we have not arrived. We look at others with a heart of compassion, knowing they need God as well.

Hold Me-Jamie Grace Featuring Toby Mac

2011-10-12T12:43:00.001-04:00

Be Not Silent

2011-09-29T21:06:00.002-04:00

Psalms 83:1 O God, do not remain silent

-Last night during our Wednesday night prayer service, Psalms 83 guided our time of prayer. God's Holy Spirit filled the service in a special way. Over every need that was presented we asked God to be not silent, but to speak into every situation.

-God visited us with the spiritual gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues. The message he spoke to us was, "I want to know more of you and I want you to know more of me."

-So God we ask that you continue to "Be Not Silent" and speak into our lives so we can no more of you. We will be silent before you so we can here your voice at times. At other times we will raise our voice, crying out to know you.

-Today I read Joshua chapter 6 and saw Israel marching around Jericho in silence and then when it was the right time they broke the silence and shouted the victory. Silence and timely speaking have rattled around in my soul since last night.

-God give us wisdom and show us when it is time to just listen and remain silent. To observe everything you are doing. Like when the army marched around Jericho in silence.

-God teach us when it is time to speak, the ways to speak, the tones to speak in. Like when the single was given, it was time for silence to be broken, the shout of victory was given, and the cursed enemy stronghold crashed down.

-But most of all, I ask that you be not silent. Speak and sometimes even shout the victory into our lives.

In Jesus name, let it be so.

5 Reminders When Crossing Rivers

2011-09-28T11:13:00.004-04:00

-Read Joshua Chapter 4

-Joshua 4:10 Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the LORD had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over

1. No matter how many bodies of water you cross, it is always a challenge. Whether it's the Red Sea or the Jordan River. Whether it's leading a group, nurturing your family, or dealing with a crisis, crossing rivers is always daunting.

2. God parts rivers we cross rivers. Do not try and reverse roles.

3. I usually will try and run really fast through a difficult challenge. But when God is holding back the river their is no rush.

4. When the challenge is hard it is easy to halfway do things. But when God is holding back the river I can be use due diligence and gather ever stone that I am suppose to. Slow down, do what's right, don't be panicked, trust God for the outcome.

5. God parts rivers to let those around us know He is powerful. God parts rivers so we will come to give Him the reverence He deserves.

You Have Never Been This Way Before

2011-09-27T22:46:00.005-04:00

-Read Joshua chapter 3

-The verses that stood out to me tonight were verses 3 and 4.
3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits[a] between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

1. You have never been this way before.

-I many times feel like I am going in a direction I have never been before.

-That is a little bit scarey, many times confusing, and worrisome.

-The good news is you are not bored at all, the bad news is you can't stop yourself from thinking about the uncertainty that lies ahead.

2. Follow the Lord.

-The people could not move until the ark moved, thus the focused presence of God moved.

-I am glad I don't have to make the first move.

-It is critical I read the Word daily.

-It is critical I have silence during the day in God's presence.

-It is critical I pray the prayers(spontaneous prayers, the Psalms, and even pray the prayers that are well written like from The Book of Common Prayer.)

-If I don't do what's critical when I have never been in that direction before, then I am moving ahead of the ark and the Jordan will not part.

3. Stay humble.

-Keep a distance between you and the ark, don't go near it.

-This is not easy, I like to be out front, I think most people do.

-I want to be seen leading the charge.

-God made Joshua great, I dare not try and make myself great.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

2011-09-19T09:17:00.000-04:00

Raising Amazing Kids Part 5

2011-09-07T11:36:00.003-04:00

I couldn't say all I wanted to say during our 4 part sermon series "Raising Amazing Kids" So here is a little extra.

4 ways to communicate with children.
1. Don’t feel like you have to say anything.
-Just hold them, be there, it can change moods
2. Don’t always say no or stop
-Look for a way to say your no more positively
-Say we will see
-Don’t say no we have to have lunch
-Say yes we will after lunch
-Look for times to say yes
3. Wave my magic wand.
-If I could wave my magic wand I would make a box of cheerios appear, unbreak the toy
-I would accommodate you if I could
4. Admit a task is difficult.
-Sympathetic.
-It’s tough to talk off your socks, sometimes it helps to pull down from the back instead of pulling the toes
-Geometry is hard, but I know you can do it, how can I help
-"Sometimes it helps" is a good phrase.

(The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin, pg 99 para 1-4)

Cheerleaders

2011-06-07T21:25:00.003-04:00

Something will change on the inside of you when you learn the art of cheering for someone else- Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Not an easy thing to do for the fallen man. We cheer for ourselves. We think we lift ourselves up by climbing over others. We climb the ladder by pushing others down. What if they get my spot? What if I am not noticed?

What if we were the biggest fans of others? How would that change our soul? How would it feel if envy faded away from our being?

God help us to let no unwholesome talk come from our mouths because we know it comes straight from the heart. Father help us only to say what build others up according to their need. Eph 4:29

Monica Likes This Song

2011-06-06T21:37:00.000-04:00

I Don't Have To Be Strong Enough

2011-06-03T11:29:00.002-04:00

11 Things Your Mother Would Never Say

2011-05-05T18:34:00.002-04:00

1. "How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?"

2. "Yeah, I used to skip school a lot, too."

3. "Just leave all the lights on ... it makes the house look more cheery."

4. "Let me smell that shirt -- Yeah, it's good for another week."

5. "Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I'll be glad to feed and walk him every day."

6. "Well, if Ron's mama says it's okay, that's good enough for me."

7. "The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It's not like I'm running a prison around here."

8. "I don't have a tissue with me ... just use your sleeve."

9. "Don't bother wearing a jacket - the wind-chill is bound to improve."

10. "Honey you did not slam the screen door hard enough, put your back into it."

11. "Finish your ice cream, then you can have your vegetables."

The King's Way

2011-04-21T08:59:00.001-04:00

There is a road
That leads to peace that leads to life
But few will follow
We're at the crossroad
Which way will we go

6 Standards For Effective Preaching

2011-04-15T09:20:00.002-04:00

1. What one thing do I want people to walk out the door with?

2. Preach with passion (not necessarily loud), compassion, and anointing.

3. Keep it simple.

4. Ask questions to make people think.

5. Fall into the story.

6. Let the Scripture guide the sermon.

It's Friday, Friday, Friday, I Mean Sunday

2011-04-08T10:56:00.000-04:00

The Sleeping God

2011-03-28T09:43:00.004-04:00

Mark 4:35-40

The storm is raging
God is asleep
I am afraid
Maybe I should wake God up

The storm is crashing
God is asleep
I am panicked
Why doesn't God wake up?

The storm is screaming
God is asleep
I am terrified
That's it, I am waking God up.

Peace
Rebuked
What did I do wrong?

Oh, I did not realize
That sleeping God
Was never not in control of the storm

11 Qualities of Potential Leaders

2011-03-23T12:43:00.002-04:00

Look for these qualities when you are looking for leaders.

1. Concern/love for others
2. Not a complainer.
3. Teachable and open to suggestions.
4. Demonstrates the ability to lead through an excellence in following.
5. Reliability
6. Interest (in the system, the organization, people in the organization)
7. Character
8. Potential
9. Positive attitude
10. Confidence
11. People skills

Ask God to develop these qualities in you to make you a better leader. Go after these qualities personally to become a leader.

Thought of the Day-Optimists are nostalgic about the future.

2011-03-22T11:54:00.002-04:00

Optimists are nostalgic about the future.

Sometimes I daydream about some good time I had from years past. These thoughts will bring warm, good feelings to me.

What if we thought about the good things that are going to happen in the future instead of worrying about the future? Would this bring up the same feelings? What if I thought about a promise of God that I believe is going to happen? How would I feel? What if I was hopeful about tomorrow? How would I feel? How would you feel?

Just a thought

How to invite your neighbor to church

2011-03-21T21:38:00.000-04:00

Bumpin from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T10:51:00.002-04:00

9 Reasons to Join a Local Church

2011-02-12T16:54:00.002-05:00

Why become a member of the church?

Church membership:
1. is supported by Biblical evidence. Acts 2:41, Eph 5:25, Hebrews 10:25

2. is a person’s public commitment to a particular group of believers

3. allows church leaders to fulfill their task of shepherding those who have joined the church.

4. defines and builds the team that is ready to do the work of the church.

5. offers a support system when believers are tempted or struggling.

6. provides opportunities for spiritual growth under the guidance and accountability of other church members.

7. challenges believers to use their God given spiritual gifts alongside others God has placed in the church.

8. grants believers permission to offer input and direction for a local church body.

9. provides a family in a rapidly changing society.

I Danced With Cinderella

2011-02-08T21:40:00.004-05:00

This was played at a wedding that I attended this weekend. It tore me up. I love my daughter very much and I don't want to miss one dance.

I love you baby-o:from daddy-o

I encourage you to spend some time with your children, don't miss it.

5 Minute Countdown Prayer

2011-01-25T18:43:00.001-05:00

The other night I set the timer on my ipod for 5 minutes. For 5 minutes I did nothing but ask God to speak to me and form my soul. I didn't ask for anything. I didn't ask for a blessing. I didn't ask him to help us financially. I didn't ask him to help Living Hope. I just asked Him to speak to me, to form me.

I took out my notebook and wrote down any thoughts that came to mind.

If any action came to mind I wrote it down quickly, did not think about it, and went back to praying God speak to me and form me.

If someone came to mind, I quickly said God help them and immediately went back to praying God speak to me, God form me.

That 5 minutes went by quick. The church bells sounded on my ipod and I was not finished and God was not finished. So I set the timer again. That 5 minutes went by fast as well. So, I set it one more time.

It was a great time of prayer. It was an important time of prayer. I encourage everyone to give this a try.

What's Your Sign

2011-01-20T18:01:00.004-05:00

I am very proud the say I have never started a conversation with, "What's your sign?" The Internet and western world has been up in the air with the changing of the horoscope signs. My guess is lots of people are highly upset their horoscope sign changed from one sign to another.

My personal thoughts about horoscopes are they are fake at best and evil at worst.

I know several sweet ladies who put a lot of stock in horoscopes. Do I think they are evil, no. Do I think they are misguided, I do. Do I think relying on horoscopes could cause them some real problems, yes I do.

Isa 40:26 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

We should stop looking to the stars for direction and look to the one who created the stars for direction. Elohim(the eternal Creator God) has been around longer than the stars. Apparently astrologist have misplaced a couple of stars, but Yahweh has not.

Isa 40:31 31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Those who hope in the Lord will be guided through life not those who check their daily horoscopes.

I don't know my sign and I don't care to know my sign. I do know God and desire to know Him more.

Deed of Ownership

2011-01-18T13:46:00.003-05:00

Let it be known by all those present that:

For good and righteous consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, as Todd Smith(created being), as Servant, hereby conveys and deeds to Adonai (Lord and Master God),: as Owner, the following described real property, all that the created being is in possession of: Said created being will remain steward of all real property for the glorification of said Adonai. Adonai in turn per se: will supply all acquired needs of created being and supply all strength to maintain said stewarded property.

Hereby on 18th day of January in the year 2011

___________________________________________________
(signature of the second part; i.e. created being)

____
Initial

How To Start A Church Service?

2011-01-16T20:06:00.002-05:00

This goes out to any person who has ever opened up their church's celebration service. It is not the easiest thing to do. People are coming in with all different mindsets. Some people are refreshed and ready to go. Some may not have slept well the night before and are tired. Some may have had an argument with their spouse before arriving at the church building. Others just saw a friend they have dying to talk to all week. So how do we get everyone focused on worshiping God in song?

A good way to start is by asking the congregation questions. Ask, are you glad to be together again to worship God? Make sure you are sincere and that you are truly glad as well before asking that question. Ask, are you ready to give God praise today? Ask, do you believe God is here today? Ask, do you believe Jesus deserves all our praise? Be creative in your questions. Ask questions that go along with the song choices for that morning or from that day's sermon.

The point is, worship is not a spectator sport. The congregation is not there to be entertained, they are there to praise God. Asking questions gets the congregation started in the involvement of worship. Whether they answer the questions out loud or to themselves the questions get the family of God focused on the worship of God.

Good of the week- laughing with your kids

2011-01-13T20:00:00.002-05:00

I was at a conference this week. The meetings were fine but what was really good was hanging out with my daughter at the swimming pool. I don't like swimming but I do like to hear my daughter laugh. She laughed when I came down the pitch black death casket water slide. She laughed when I held her up on the lily pad water obstacle course across the rope bridge.

My daughter and I laughed at Wendy's this week. We were sitting below the music speaker and an old 80's song was playing. I started singing the song and E picked up on the words quickly. We were both singing out a song by the Human League. We were having fun, Monica was embarrassed, and Elizabeth was laughing. She has a great laugh.

When did you last laugh with your kids? How about setting up something this week that will give you the opportunity to laugh.

Just For Laughs- Ceiling Fan Storm

2011-01-12T20:58:00.002-05:00

A married couple is sitting around a mom and pop restaurant enjoying their meal. It is kindof stuffy in the restaurant and another table asks a waiter if he could do something about it. The waiter springs into action to solve the problem of the stuffy restaurant. He looks all around and notices the ceiling fans, "Ahh Haa, problem solved," he thinks to himself. So he turns on the fans. Now there is a bigger problem, you see those ceiling fans had not been used or cleaned in quit some time. A huge dust storm begins to fall on every one's double cheeseburgers and house salads. Customers start covering their plates with their unused napkins. It almost, almost, made the food uneatable.

Moral of the story. Sometimes a little dust falls into our Dr. Peppers. Try, try not to let it ruin your day.

Thanks Brad for the story.

12 Ways to Help You Pray

2011-01-09T22:02:00.004-05:00

1. Better to pray for short periods of time often, than for long periods of time rarely.

2. Say your prayers out loud.

3. Pray the Scriptures.

4. Write out a daily prayer list.

5. Let people know that you prayed for them.

6. Keep a prayer journal.

7. Change locations for your prayer time.

8. Pray with someone.

9. Learn from someone who you think prays well.

10. Pray until you pray.

11. Pray in the Spirit. Rom 8:26-27

12. Always look for fresh ways to pray.

iPray sermon

Life is Full of Lumps

2011-01-06T12:47:00.003-05:00

As my wife was putting my daughters hair in a ponytail earlier this week, my daughter told her, "It has a lump." My wife in her straight forward brilliant way replied, "Life is full of lumps." She completed the ponytail and we walked my daughter to school. My daughter's hair looked good even with the lump(wish I could say the same).

"Life is full of lumps" has stuck with me this week. Life has lumps, unemployment lumps, doctor's reports lumps, deadline lumps, tiredness lumps, family lumps. But our life can still look good with the lumps.

Paul says in II Cor 12:7, Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Paul had a lump in his life.

In Verse 8 he says he pleaded 3 times for God to take it away

God's reply, Vs. 9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

So every time there is a lump, there is grace, which leads to God's power and not my own. I am no good at living under my own power anyway, lumps or not.

Practice

2011-01-02T20:58:00.005-05:00

-Matt 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

-I will specifically practice part of the Jesus life today, that's the only way to make my life strong.

-Jesus will help me practice part of his life today, he is a great teacher.

-I know I must practice a specific part of Jesus life everyday, you see I have not perfected any of them. But Jesus, the good teacher, will guide me on towards completeness.

-I will practice joy today, that is a main part of the Jesus life. He even faced the cross, joyfully. Although there are many parts of the Jesus life to choose from, peace, love, prayer, faith, giving, patience, grace, service, giving, gentleness, and on and on. I will practice another tomorrow.

-I will cover all of my actions today in a specific part of the Jesus life, joy. I will study, joyfully. Make phone calls, joyfully. Mail some letters, joyfully. I may get everything done, I may not. But joy will cover it all.

-I will practice the Jesus life in private in hope's of taking the Jesus life to the public. I want to show the world the love, joy, peace, faith, grace, etc of Jesus. I guess I better practice.

Practice sermon

2011 Good, Ehh, Bad

2010-12-31T23:42:00.006-05:00

2010 ended for some with things going really good, (you got the new car, the promotion everyone is healthy). For some it just ended (same old car, same pay, but at least you have your health). For others it ended like a nightmare (I know people who have lost their jobs, lost both parents to the grave, even faced the death of a child)

2011 will end the same way, some good, some ehh, some bad. I make no promises for 2011 except that Jesus said he would never leave us or forsake us, that he would be with us always.

So everyday of 2011, good, ehh, or bad, he is with you. Praise him for the good. Seek him during the "ehh" for guidance. Rest with him during the bad. Cling to the good shepherd during the bad, you must know he is with you to fear no evil.

You have to work this out everyday in 2011 with fear and trembling. I don't know what 2011 holds, I guess I better just focus on tomorrow, which is part of 2011

Oops, just noticed it's after midnight, it's 2011. Everyone is healthy, thank you Jesus. Job situation in Michigan kindof ehh, so Jesus guide. My stepfather's health is bad, help him Jesus, minister to him, care for him, help me to do so. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Church Should Be So Implanted In The World

2010-12-30T22:53:00.002-05:00

Toy Story 3 and Jesus

2010-12-13T13:14:00.004-05:00

Hey parents a way to explain God and prayer from Toy Story 3.

Mrs. Potato Head has lost her eye somewhere in Andy's room. When her and all the toys are accidentally donated to the local daycare they do not know if they will be able to get back home to Andy before he leaves for college. They are trapped in the daycare and Andy is on the other side of town, how will they know if they are too late. It turns out Mrs. Potato Head if she covers the eye she is wearing can see through her lost eye which is under Andy's bed, and she can see exactly what Andy is doing and how much time they have to get back home.

Our prayers are that way. We can not see everything that's going on in our life both physically and spiritually. We can't always see our family and friends. We can't always see the solutions to our problems. But when we close our eyes in prayer, our God Jesus can and does see everywhere. He is the omniscience God, he is everywhere. I may be limited to one space in time, but my prayers in Jesus name are not.

Oh yeah, not only can Jesus see everywhere, omniscience, he has power to do something about what he sees, omnipotent, all-powerful.

Jimmy Valvano Speech

2010-12-07T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hello World-Lady Antebellum

2010-11-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

Daily Living God's Word-II Kings 19:14

2010-11-10T13:30:00.003-05:00

Scripture: II Kings 19:14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.

Observation: Life can be hard, even if you are a king like Hezekiah. Hezekiah was under attack from Assyria, who was stronger and more powerful. He did not know what to do and he took this threat on his life very seriously. He knew Assyria would destroy his nation. So Hezekiah took the written threat from Assyria and presented it before God. I can see him kneeling down in prayer and rolling out that death threat letter before God. He asks God to listen to the threats. He asks God to see the threats. He asks God to act upon these threats. Assyria had destroyed other nations, burning their gods. But Hezekiah said those other nation's gods were not real and could not fight back. He said God you are real, all powerful, and can fight back. God certainly did, 185,000 Assyrians were put to death by the angel of God and the Assyrian king was killed by his own sons.

Application: I will roll my problems out before God. If someone I care for is sick, I will take their picture unto my time of prayer. If it is financial, I will take a pay stub into my time of prayer. I will ask, believe, and wait to see what God can do.

Prayer: God as I think about my stepfather, Olin, being sick I bring him today before you. You are in control, not this sickness. I bring this to you. Listen, see, and act my Lord. In Jesus name, let it be so.

Hallelujah at Macy's

2010-11-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

Dad I am watching you

2010-10-28T13:00:00.001-04:00

Never Alone

2010-10-28T09:43:00.003-04:00

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
The glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Chorus: Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Your never alone

well
I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I'm not gonna promise that the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Sometimes you can't be happy, you just have to endure

2010-10-25T13:56:00.003-04:00

Romans 15:4 4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

I have a friend who is going through a great pain, and maybe you as you read this are going through a great pain. There is no way to be happy. The pain never leaves your mind and you ache inside. During those times there is only one answer, endure. It is not easy and I do not pretend to know everything there is about enduring, but it is the only way. Keep going, one day at a time. Clinging to those people that you love, clinging to those parts of life that you enjoy, and then you do it again the next day.

Let Scriptures do there work of encouraging you to endure. Let the Scriptures speak to you and pray for you. Let Godly, wise preachers and teachers speak the Scriptures to your soul. It will take time to restore your soul, even though your life will never be the same. You can endure, you can be encouraged, you can be restored.

I love you and I pray for you

Whole World In His Hand

2010-10-14T10:19:00.001-04:00

Isa 53:10 The will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Monica Smith-In Christ Alone

2010-10-10T19:34:00.002-04:00

In Christ Alone

A Wedding and a Funeral

2010-10-09T14:41:00.003-04:00

I went to bed last night knowing I would be getting ready this morning to go to a wedding, my wife had informed me earlier in the week. I am happy for the couple, they really like being around each other. They don't argue, they have fun, and they are very considerate of each other. Their wedding was really nice.

However, the day started off with tragic news. Monica came in and told me a friend of mine was in a car wreck, his 4 year old little girl was killed in the wreck. That's any parents worse nightmare. I can't imagine the pain. I covered my head with my pillow and started grieving.

So it was a up and down kinda day. I was at the wedding and very happy for the couple, but all the while grieving for my friend. God tells us to mourn with those that mourn and rejoice with those that rejoice. A song was sung during the wedding, "In Christ Alone." This song helps to mourn and rejoice. It talks about life's pains. It also speaks of our hope and joy.

Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

The Secret of Successful Confrontations.

2010-10-08T20:39:00.002-04:00

You know you don't like confrontation. Why can't we all just get along and not say and do things that tick others off? But it happens. So what do we do when there is a problem with someone that we need to confront?

My practice is found in John 1:14. God tells us that Jesus came into this world and made his dwelling among us. And "us" can be hard to get along with. It also says Jesus' attitude was full of grace and truth. So there is the secret to dealing with difficult people in difficult situations, grace and truth. Now Jesus is God and is never the one who could be in the wrong in a confrontation, but we can still learn from his attitude.

Grace means:
1. I want to work things out.
2. I want the best for the person and the situation.
3. I want to understand and listen to the person I am confronting.
4. I am not selfishly just wanting my own way.
5. I am willing to change.

Truth means:
1. I do not bury the things that I believe need to be said. They will not magically go away.
2. I think through what I want to say.
3. I watch my tone when speaking the truth.
4. I wait for the right time to say the right things in the right way.
5. Be ready to put boundaries or limitations on the situation maybe even the relationship. Example a relative is on drugs you eliminate giving them money fearing they will buy drugs.

Which one are you good at and which to you need to practice? To much grace and you are a pushover. To much truth and you become a legalistic, perfectionist.

Daily Thanksgiving

2010-09-30T10:13:00.008-04:00

I saw another pastor doing this so i thought I would give it a try. I will list from time to time the things that I am thankful for on a daily basis.

1. Jesus is Messiah and my savior.
2. Monica my wife she loves me.
3. Elizabeth my daughter is great.
4. Good mashed potatoes last night at Living Hope.
5. Playlist.com.
6. I am healthy.
7. Windows Messenger so I can talk with Monica all day.
8. Bob Sandler sending me a video that made me roll.
9. MASH
10. Sweet tea.
11. Our webpage www.livinghopeassembly.org
12. A good pharmacist
13. Going to Steak-n-Shake tonight.
14. Dr. Pepper
15. Gala Apples
16. A good deacons meeting
17. A daughter who quotes the word at me
18. Laughter
19. Logan's
20. My daughter's school
21. Sleeping in
22. Warm Home
23. Praying friends
24. Free pumpkin from a neighbor
25. Carving a pumpkin with my daughter
26. My small group "starting point"
27. Long distance calls
28. Health
29. Safe neighborhood
30. The chicken stew I made
31. Wednesday night prayer, praise, and preaching service
32. Employment
33. Watching musicals with my daughter
34. Paid for car repairs

One Thing I Do To Connect With God

2010-09-21T11:45:00.000-04:00

What is one thing you do to connect with God? I like to pray the Lord's prayer everyday, sometimes several times a day. It takes me a few seconds sometimes, few minutes other times, and sometimes I can pray that prayer for an hour.

What is one thing that you do that is helpful for you and you believe it would be helpful for others to do?

Jesus' Q Rating

2010-09-17T20:21:00.003-04:00

Q rating
a figure, based on opinion polls, intended to reflect how relatively popular and recognizable a given TV performer is with audiences.

In January 2010, The Q Scores Company took a poll of the general population and found that 24 percent of people thought of Lebron James in a positive light, compared to a 22 percent negative opinion. The average sports personality has a 15 percent positive score and a 24 percent negative score.But since “The Decision” show on July 8, things have gone seriously downhill for the NBA star.

LeBron’s Q Score today?

Now only 14 percent of the general population see him as a positive figure, a 41.6 percent drop, while 39 percent view him in a negative light, a 77 percent decline.
In fact, LeBron is now the sixth most disliked sports personality, according to The Q Score Company

I thought about this and wondered what Jesus' Q score would be.

Does many miracles in Capernaum- 16%
Preaches an offensive sermon in Nazareth- 12%
Heals the blind- 18%
Calls Peter, Satan- 13%
Raises Lazarus from the dead- 19%
Rides into Jerusalem and people want to crown him king- 30%
Is arrested by Rome and the crowd yells crucify him- 2%
Hung on a Roman cross- 0%

When Jesus' rating was the lowest that's when he saved the world.

Too Bad Lebron is no Jesus, although he too can follow Jesus. But be careful, if you really follow Jesus your Q rating will really drop.

Dustin Johnson chokes

2010-08-16T08:29:00.003-04:00

I called my cousin who is also a golf fan and told him Dustin Johnson is going to choke. I watched him melt down earlier this year and choke at the U.S. Open and I thought it was going to happen again today at the PGA Championship. Leading the PGA Championship by one stoke on the final hole is a lot of pressure for a golfer. He sliced his first shot into the crowd landing on sand. Second shot over the hole. Third shot was perfect leaving a makable putt for the win. He misses the putt, putting him in a three way tie and a playoff. At least I thought that is what happened. It turns out Dustin's second shot was illegal by the rules of golf and Dustin was penalized 2 strokes knocking him out of the playoffs. He so choked but in a way that was unimaginable and memorable.

Dustin Johnson is now one of my favorite golfers, that is if he can come back from this. He is now the underdog who is always messing up. You got to cheer for a guy who fails like that but keeps getting back up. I think we call it being human, redemption, mercy, grace.

Jesus had a follower named Simon Peter that was always getting penalized two strokes as a disciple. Jesus called him Satan one time when it looked like he was going to win. Jesus chewed him out for using his sword to try and start a revolution right when Peter thought he was going to win. Peter thought he was ready to win and lay down his life for Jesus right before his 3 stroke penalty of denying he even knew Jesus three times. Peter failed a lot, yet he was the one who preached the first sermon in the church and 3000 people became members on the first day.

So Dustin, I hope you get back up. It would be a great story.

Top 10 Things I loved About Our Father's Hands

2010-08-15T20:56:00.003-04:00

10. All the Living Hope volunteers worked really well together.

9. The giving attitude you had towards people you don't even know.

8. Seeing 70 different children playing on our campus.

7. The cotton candy.

6. The children of Living Hope helped Saturday with this ministry.

5. The games, bubbles, swing set, basketball, airplanes, parachute, etc, etc.

4. The hugs and smiles we received from thankful children.

3. The thank yous we received from thankful parents.

2. 70 backpacks full of school supplies were given to children.

1. The name of Jesus was lifted up.

Father's Hands

2010-08-08T14:12:00.000-04:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.