tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82191044165562432722024-02-20T03:09:02.218-04:00Thoughts of a crazy Children's PastorPastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-69287843669759846372010-12-24T00:47:00.000-04:002010-12-24T00:47:29.814-04:00A Socially Correct Christmas Greeting!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: x-large;"></span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: green; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all;</span></span></b><br />
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<center><b><span style="color: green; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></b></center><center><b><span style="color: green; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Additionally,</span></span></b></center><b><span style="color: green; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2010, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed, color, or religious preferences of the wishes.<br />
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</span></span></b><div style="color: white; font-size: xx-large;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">(Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.)</span></b></div><div style="color: white; font-size: xx-large;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></b></div><b>Hopefully that didn't offend anyone... it's pretty neutral. I find it so funny when I turn on the T.V. and someone is saying "Happy Holidays!"... ok.. what holiday are you celebrating? Isn't it Christmas? "Oh no no we can't say christmas.. it will offend people" ... to be perfectly honest.. and I'm not trying to be mean.. but if saying the name of the holiday offends you... you should probably keep away from buying presents for everyone in your family because if you just are saying "happy holidays" I think you will be very very poor.. because when easter rolls around.. it will make for more presents.. Saint Patty's day... presents.. the first day of summer... presents... flag day... Oooooh well that is such a cool holiday.. lets set up a tree... and have lots presents and have a "holiday turkey". Here is a headline for the world... "Stop getting so offended with everything"</b><br />
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<b>So that is my little rant... I think people just need to get their heads screwed on right and realize the "holiday" that you are celebrating is the day that we choose to recognize when Jesus Christ came to earth to save all of our sinful butts from an eternity in hell. If you choose to follow Him or not.. is up to you.. but I definitely suggest that you do... your "holiday" will be much better!</b><br />
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<b>So let me start this over correctly...... wait for it.... wait for it...</b><br />
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<b>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b><br />
<b>Not Happy Holidays!</b><br />
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<b>Best wishes to you and yours :)</b><br />
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<b>-Pastor Matt</b>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-17537648851142813782010-12-02T19:02:00.001-04:002010-12-02T19:03:25.186-04:00The bible is boring?<div style="text-align: center;">Maybe you haven't heard but there is a really cool book out that is filled with sex, drinking, violence, fervid gore, death, curses, lust, and torture! It is so exciting.. you wouldn't be able to make it into a movie because it would be way too graphic for any age. But wait! That doesn't mean that you can't read it! It was actually a bunch of different books, all compiled into one huge book. It was written by a number of Christians believe it or not. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's called "The Bible"! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now before you sigh and click on the red X button on the top of your screen.. please just wait. Read the rest of what I have to say.. you may find it interesting. So many people say that the bible is boring, it's just so stuffy and old. But I would beg to differ.. you may think differently after I show you a few stories. So take a big breath, sit back with a blanket and read away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got the top 9 coolest stories of the bible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>#9. Exodus 2:11-12</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand."</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u>#8. II Kings 2:23-24</u></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys."</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>#7. Genesis 19:24-26</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(What a way to die haha)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>#6. Judges 3:16-23</u></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span>and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>#5. Numbers 16:23-24, 31-33</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>#4. Deuteronomy 25:11-12</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. <b>Show her no pity.</b>"</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>#3. 1 Kings 18:24, 38-40 </u> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>#2. Judges 15:15-16</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Then Samson said,</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> “With a ass’s jawbone</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> I have made asses of them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a ass’s jawbone</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I have killed a thousand men.”</div></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>#1. 1 Samuel 18:25-27</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b><br />
</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.........................</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Well I hope you weren't eating when you read that last one.. my body actually hurt when I read it. So many people say that the bible is so boring.. well I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. I think it is amazing.. much better than any book you can buy now. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Have a good one and remember if you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at igtmatt@gmail.com.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">--Pastor Matt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div></div>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-46344786792029641732010-11-13T21:26:00.000-04:002010-11-13T21:26:24.533-04:00The Loveliest of all was the Unicorn<div style="text-align: center;">The Irish Rovers were crazy, most always drunk yet brilliant song writers and musicians.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They wrote songs that almost everyone can recognize if they heard them but my favorite is one about </div><div style="text-align: center;">a very special animal. It's called "The unicorn song".... the chorus goes like this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"There was green alligators and long-necked geese </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees<br />
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born<br />
The loveliest of all was the unicorn."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now you may be wondering if I've slipped off my cracker completely or not. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Why would I want to blog about a Unicorn? I have an answer for you... they are so cool :) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I know they aren't real, but I think we can look at them from a neat perspective. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will explain this with a question. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you could choose to be one animal, what one would you choose to be?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every animal has a purpose. My beautifully perfect, amazing girlfriend Gabe has been</div><div style="text-align: center;">studying food webs lately. Now I don't really understand all of it but she</div><div style="text-align: center;">has told me that it goes like this for instance. Starfish eat mussels, if the starfish was extinct the mussel population would go crazy. So the starfish is a "Keystone Species", if it were to go away it would mess things up. Now you know what a starfish does.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">God has set up this beautiful universe in such an amazing way, if one "Keystone species" is gone, it will change everything. This is so much like all of us. We all have jobs to do in the Kingdom of God.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You may see someone who is a "Unicorn" in society. They have everything going for them, they have the cool looks, everyone looking at them, they stand out in a crowd, everyone wants to be like them. (I'll get back to these people in a second)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You may look at yourself as one of the "cats, rats or elephants". You aren't popular, you are </div><div style="text-align: center;">not the prettiest person, too big, too small, not the smartest one... and you know the rest of the names you call yourself. But God sees you differently, He sees you as His child. He has given you a job to do in His kingdom. You may not know what it is right so ask Him to show it to you. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You will be more effective then the Unicorns. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I'll come back to the unicorns.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sad thing about "Unicorn people" is they are all alone. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They may look like they have everything in order, but really they don't. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They are hurting on the inside, they don't know Christ most of the time and they eventually just drift away and nobody will notice they are gone. They have so much potential to work for God, but </div><div style="text-align: center;">they are so consumed with themselves that they can't work for someone else. They have to work for themselves, to make them look better. That is not the Lord's will.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">God is looking for everyone to come to their true calling. Each of you who are reading this are "Keystone Species", if one is missing.. none will be the same. You may be a "cat, rat or elephant" but </div><div style="text-align: center;">God has called you. Don't let the Unicorns tell you what you can do and not do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now you may be a unicorn who wants to come and change your ways.</div><div style="text-align: center;">God always gives second, third, 14,903,384,238,32 and infinite chances when we mess up. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to come to Him, He will welcome you with open arms and work on you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He will take you in, and make you into a Horse. Get rid of that horn that makes you feel better about your social standing. Become a dedicated horse who wants to work for God. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So why do you think there are no unicorns? I personally think it's so we can learn a lesson.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be set apart.. but be set apart for the right reason.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you have any questions please don't hesitate to write to me at igtmatt@gmail.com.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Pastor Matt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-61167098029136748682010-10-21T23:16:00.001-03:002010-10-21T23:20:30.454-03:00Gotta be somebody<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"So I'll be waiting for the real thing</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'll know it by the feeling</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: sienna; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The moment when we're meeting will play out like a scene</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Straight off the silver screen</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">So I'll be holding my own breath right up 'til the end</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Until that moment when I find the one that I'll spend forever with</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Someone to love with my life in their hands</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">There's gotta be somebody for me like that</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">-Nickelback "Gotta be somebody"</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Most of you have probably heard this song at one point in time whether it be on the bus, in school, your ipod, on the radio or just on youtube. A lot of you just grab onto your heart and look out and stare at the moon and dream "oh maybe someday that person will come and sweep me off of my feet". Admit it, everyone has a dream like that. Don't be ashamed.. you should look forward to being loved by someone of the opposite sex. It is a normal thing that God made possible by creating Eve for Adam. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Love is an amazing thing because like the song says "everyone wants to feel like someone cares". Knowing that someone, other than your family, loves you.. is something special. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">I used to go through life, much like many others, just looking to be loved by someone else. This has landed me in some bad situations, that I regret deeply. Getting to "date" someone, isn't hard for anyone. You can go up to someone and go out on a date like nothing, but is that really what you want? Maybe you can actually go the next stage and call them your "boyfriend or girlfriend"... I can hear it now... "Oh well I'm in love, we love each other, we will be married forever because we went to the next level and changed our facebook relationship status!!". Do you want to just go on a date with someone, or just go out with them or do you want to love someone and have something special? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Going back to me, I have gone out with some pretty weird people.. just to date them.. just to hopefully fill that hole. But from each situation I have left wishing I had that time back. I have landed myself into some pretty bad places and I could have ruined my life. But thank God, I didn't. I was with a girl, who cut herself because I wanted to leave her, because she was drinking, having sex with people and doing drugs and I found out that she obviously didn't love me.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(That's not a good relationship by the way)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">So how do you know that you are with someone who loves you... who doesn't just want to date... but actually loves you? Do you date them for a particular amount of time? Do you sleep with them? Do you live with them? Do you drink together? Are any of those options what you think is what true love is? If so.. get both hands.. put them over each ear.. really do this if you think that ok? Get both hands.. put them over each ear.. and then shake your head, because thats a bad idea.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">So what is love? If love was a baseball card, what would the stats be on the back? Well an ancient book written thousands of years ago.. called the bible says this... It's found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Love never fails</span>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So honestly I think that is a good idea on how to look at someone you "love". Do they match up to all of those things? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have been blessed to have my girlfriend Gabe in my life. I prayed her into my life. After I had decided I wasn't going to go out looking for a relationship, I started praying. You may roll your eyes and think that is a stupid idea. But really, the bible also says in Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." If you wait, and let God take care of your relationships, and live for Him.. He will give you what He thinks is right.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Back to Gabe. Don't get me wrong, just because God gave me a relationship, doesn't mean it's perfect. We still have disagreements. But that's because we are humans, but we do a very important thing... it is something you won't find in cosmo, or in the latest dating website... wanna hear it?... drumroll please... duh duh duh duh duh DUH!.... we forgive each other and move on. Wow.. it sounds simple.. sometimes it's not. But we make a conscious effort to move on and forgive each other. It's great. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I pray that Gabe is in my life forever, it feels unlike anything I have ever felt before. I plan on marrying her in the next few years. I love her so much and think she is amazing. But there is someone I love more than even Gabe.. *record scratches*.. I love God.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He is the one who made all of the good things in my life happen, the rest is my fault because I'm a sinner. We need to look to God, He created us, and He lets us live. You probably heard the old line by Bill Cosby "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out"... that is true with God. He breathed into us, and gave us life... He holds our next breath in His hands and He can just end it if He wants to. We need to love Him above anything or anyone else. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So here is a short check list of things to do and to ask yourself before getting in a relationship.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#1. Do they love God above anything else?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#2. Do they respect you?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#3. Are their morals good ones?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#4. Are they serious about a relationship?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#5. Pray and ask God what He thinks, then just wait and see what you feel?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So live your life in this way.. Love God, Love Others.... there we go.. simple eh? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you have any questions or just want someone to talk to about things... just drop me a line at igtmatt@gmail.com</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">-Pastor Matt</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div></span></span></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-12750146674196509942010-09-28T12:02:00.000-03:002010-09-28T12:02:14.759-03:00YouTube<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Oh YouTube.. how I love you.. not as much as my God, girlfriend or family.. but you still have a warm place in my heart. You bring out the funniest, weirdest, coolest and most random videos that I have ever seen, you even put on parts of the King of Queens! (haha that rhymed). </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">February 14th, 2005 was a day that changed the life of all computer nerds and people who love America's Funniest Home Video's. Because on that monumental day in history, all people with access to a computer could watch home videos as much as they want... for as long as they want... for free! YouTube was born.. and it is still going strong. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">But not all good things are great... YouTube has been used for bad as well.. people have added really bad stuff that you just don't need to see. Pornography, abuse, racism, slander, and blasphemy is all part of YouTube, luckily there is a report button and they are usually good at removing some bad stuff. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">So I was looking through YouTube and found this video... please watch it all the way through... it's pretty trippy..</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPdAkDAg8ys&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-8-HM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPdAkDAg8ys&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-8-HM</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Here is what she said.. in a slower way <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">so you can completely understa</span>nd it...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"To be a survivor in this Amazing Race with the need for speed you need God’s Grace and if you're desperate like housewives watching days of our lives, you can’t cope without hope and that is not on a soap. If your looking to Oprah or Dr. Phil you can shop non-stop or pop a pill, but the void won’t fill and the pain won’t kill until you love the one that hung on a hill. Kicking back in your lazy boy easy chair watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, nah your not gonna find it there. No American Idol or Council Tribal has the final answer that will satisfy ya. C.S.I. ain’t got a clue. S.V.U. don’t know what to do. Not the ER or those seen on a CD, TV, DVD or MP3 can save you and me. CNN has got no Good News here’s a headline you must choose. It’s not a simple life Paris Hilton, It’s treading on thin ice living in sin. You can be an apprentice for Donald Trump or eat Fear Factor fast food from a dump you can be a heavy hitter or wheel of fortune winner or a Fox news no spin spinner or flat sinner but you better check this life that your livin’ and make sure your sins are forgiven. I bet ya 50 cent, Elvis done come and went, and eventually every Black eyed pea, Gwen Stefani, P-Diddy and Britney. Every wanna-be on MTV with their Icy Bling, every Dixie Chick that Sings, they all gonna see the King of Kings. I don’t care if your J-Lo, Leno or Bono. One thing you gotta know. Some day your gonna die, Bro. Then where are you gonna go. Hey, I’m not talking some punk junk that is irrelevant. Like your Grandma’s church from way back when. It’s not some preacher feature on TBN that you need to be liking or listening. The real superstar is Jesus Christ. He’s the way, the Truth and the Life. One day He’s gonna split the sky. He is the brightest light and the Highest high and so what I came to say and what I’m telling you is don’t buy that stupid stuff they be selling ya it’s all designed to fill your head and waste your space until your dead here’s the bottom line in my rhyme. Give your life to God while there is still time."</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That whole thing was so cool I thought... but the last 10 words are the most important of all. "Give your life to God while there is still time". Just because you aren't 90 years old doesn't mean that your days are numbered. God has a time for everything just like it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8</span></span></span><br />
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<b><div align="JUSTIFY" style="display: inline !important;"><a href="" name="ec_3_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<b><div align="JUSTIFY" style="display: inline !important;"><a href="" name="ec_3_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:1</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: </span></span></div></b><br />
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</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:2</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up that which is planted;<br />
</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:3</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;<br />
</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:4</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;<br />
</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:5</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;<br />
</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:6</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to seek, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to cast away;<br />
</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:7</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;<br />
</span></span><a href="" name="ec_3_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3:8</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace. </span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">God created all and knows all, and He is a merciful God and loves everyone. But everyone will die eventually, whether it is sooner or later. So what you need to do is give your life over to God, and actually live for Him. "Well when I was little I said the sinners prayer so I'm safe whatever I do.".... yes and no.. You need to have your sins forgiven and start your life over. If you are a christian, tell others about God's love and be in the word.</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> If you have any questions about anything, just email me at igtmatt@gmail</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> -Pastor Matt</span></span></span></div></b></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-16564442384018966152010-09-18T20:37:00.000-03:002010-09-18T20:37:38.194-03:00When you're dead will your ears be itchy?You all probably know the old superstition that if your ears are itchy someone is talking about you. I think that's a bit far fetched but I'll go with it and write this blog.<br />
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Where my Dad is a Pastor I have had the opportunity to attend a lot of weddings, but even more funerals. There is no one wedding that is the same, they are all unique... same thing goes with funerals.<br />
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When you are planning your wedding you are concerned about what people are going to say about you, how the wedding went, how your dress or suit looked, how the food tasted, if you have a creepy 70's wedding singer dressed up with the baby blue frilly suit or not, etc. People can get so consumed with their weddings that they just have an awful time, instead of enjoying the process they are stressed out about money and silly little things. People need to slow down and enjoy themselves.<br />
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So many people are so consumed with the little things in life that don't matter, that they miss out on the good things. They get so stressed out that they can't enjoy themselves, and then all of a sudden they wake up and look, and they are old and their life is coming to the end.<br />
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I want you to do something before you move on...think to yourself, "Hey what are little things in my life, that won't matter in 5 years that I am getting stressed out about?" ... really.. do that right now. Did you do it? Ok :)<br />
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Some funerals that I have gone to have had hundreds of people attending, some have a handful. Like I said earlier, every funeral is unique. But as I am sitting there I look around and sometimes I see family crying, sometimes they just don't care. That is when my brain starts "What kind of life did this person live", "What legacy did they leave", "Are they even going to remember them in a years time".<br />
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We need to make sure we leave a legacy for people to remember us by, we may not have our own day on the calender like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but that doesn't mean we won't have a legacy. Nicole Nordeman penned a song a few years back called "Legacy" and the chorus goes like this...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I want to leave a legacy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How will they remember me?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To make a mark on things?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I want to leave an offering</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A child of mercy and grace who</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">blessed your name unapologetically</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And leave that kind of legacy</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi4nSrhRxo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi4nSrhRxo</a></span><br />
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What will your Legacy be? What will they say about you when you are gone? Will you get consumed by the little things in life or actually live your life for God and have fun? It's completely up to you but I have chosen to try to leave a positive legacy.<br />
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<i><b>James 4</b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>:14 says "</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone."</b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Life is short, you may not live to be 143 like you want to.. so live each day building up your legacy and hopefully when you are dead.. your ears will be itchy :)</span></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-86711496811068236152010-09-08T08:42:00.000-03:002010-09-08T09:39:54.882-03:00Jesus.. your new "What not to Wear" Fashion Expert<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:3-4)</span></span></i></b></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Ok ok ok...... ok.. This blog may get me on the bad side of some people who read my blog but it has to be said. Sometimes just because a piece of clothing is in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it! Yes, there is such a thing as "too" low cut, "too" tight, "too" small & "too" just plain old wrong. There is nothing wrong with dressing up or anything like that, but this verse is really meaning that we need to be more concerned with our insides rather than the outs.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I think so many times instead of just being ourselves, we are trying to fit in with the dudes, divas, movie stars and singers... so we will dress and act very inappropriately. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">"Whoa whoa whoa, wait Pastor Matt... you said dudes and divas... I thought you were just talking about girls??"</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Oh no, for a perfect (and funny) answer to this, I look to 2010's first internet</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">sensatio</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">n </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 12px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">General Larry Platt who sings...</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 12px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">"Pants on the Ground, </span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Lookin' like a fool</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">With your pants on the Ground</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">With the gold in your mouth</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Hat turned sideways</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> </span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 23px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Pants hit the ground"</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Guys can fall into the same trap of not dressing modestly. I'm sorry but honestly guys we shouldn't have to see your butt or boxers, wear a belt or pull them up. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Our bodies (guys & girls) are the temples of God and we need to remember that. We need to do all things, yes even dress, like Jesus was standing right there. I don't think that you should have to wear head to toe coverings so we don't see you, but I also don't think that we should see how little we can wear without being naked. You need to find a good in between.. nobody can tell you how to dress, except for your parents, but I think you should take the first step yourself. You will find that you will feel better about yourself, and you will have more self confidence. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b><i>"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (Taken from 1 Samuel 16:7)</i></b></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-size:small;">To God, there is a complete acceptance of people regardless of what they wear or what they look like, and He will love you no matter what. But I think the Lord would be pleased with you if you dressed like He was standing there. I think we would all laugh and be embarrassed if I decided to start dressing in clothes that were too tight and very revealing, because I'm the Youth Pastor. But the same should go for you, you are part of the Body of God. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-size:small;">Many people spend countless hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; we should all do more to develop our inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you ever need to talk about anything my email is <b>igtmatt@gmail.com<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">, gimme a shout!</span></b></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-size:small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-size:small;"> -Pastor Matt</span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><br /></p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-28072485259910230422010-09-06T17:18:00.001-03:002010-09-06T17:18:30.245-03:00Doug Heffernan & the Trinity<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">I love sitcoms. Just the good ones though! I usually watch them when I am relaxing on the couch, slowly turning into a vegetable. My Amazing Girlfriend Gabe has got me hooked on King of Queens. I came across a great conversation between Doug and a Rabbi in an episode. It’s about religion.<br /><br />The three most popular religions are Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These three religions all have something in common. They all claim to have roots to Abraham. Abraham is a guy that we first meet in Genesis (it's the first book in the Bible). Generally speaking Jews and Christians both agree on who Abraham was and why he was important. Abraham was on a mission from God and the mission was continued through his son Isaac. This is where the Muslims disagree. They say that the mission was continued through his other son, Ishmael. Now, to the average Joe this argument seems pointless. Who cares!? Don’t these religions all worship the same God? Why can’t we just overlook the differences and simplify things a bit? Why not just admit that we all worship the same God? Is it true that right now we have three separate religions that all worship the same God and just disagree about a few details? The answer for this is a swift, simple, answer... I won't tell you the answer but the word starts with an "N" and ends with an "O".<br /><br />The Details<br /><br />Well some people don’t think that these three religions worship the same God. I think that there are many Jews, Christians and Muslims that think we all worship the same God. But each religion thinks that it is the one that God favors. You can be a Christian no matter what, As long as you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, He rose again three days later and is now in Heaven. We also need to believe that there is no possible way for us to get to heaven except for having a personal relationship with Jesus. But I'm a good person! I give money to poor people..... good works can't get you into heaven, it is only by believing in Jesus and having Him in your life. You can be a Jew and become a Christian and Muslims can become Christians, everyone can be. I think instead of worrying about what "title" we put over our door, we need to worry about our personal relationship with God and His Son Jesus.<br /><br />Surprisingly, Doug (the not-so-bright star of King of Queens) understands the distinction between Christianity and its rivals. Why don’t you take a look at the script and then I’ll explain the important distinction.<br /><br />Transcript from an episode<br /><br />Setting: In a car on the way to Arthur’s wedding. Deacon is driving. Doug and a Rabbi are in the back seat.<br /><br />Doug – I can’t believe you aren’t the one getting divorced.<br /><br />Deacon – Hey stop talking about divorce will you, you guys are gonna be fine. You always work these things out. She screams, you cry, two pizzas later you’re back to normal.<br /><br />Doug – This is different Deac, Okay? We had a commitment about our future and she just didn’t hold up her end. That’s not right, is it?<br /><br />Rabbi Feldman– Well I certainly understand why you’re upset, but I also know that God believes in forgiveness.<br /><br />Doug – Yeah. Is that just your God, or any God?<br /><br />Rabbi Feldman– Do you think you and I have different Gods?<br /><br />Doug – No! No, no, no, no… oh, I mean, yeah. Only cause my God is… Jesus. But, uh. But from what I understand my God is the Son of your God. So, I’m sure they’re on very good terms. They probably see each other all the time. You know holidays, family functions.<br /><br />Car screeches to a halt and Doug rams into the seat in front of him.<br /><br />Doug – Hey! What the (blank) was that for?<br /><br />Deacon – To shut you up.<br /><br />The Difference Doug Makes<br /><br />This bit between Doug and Rabbi Feldman is supposed to be funny. Those of you who are familiar with King of Queens probably read it with the appropriate tone of voice. Even though it’s funny it is also true. As Christians, we worship God and we believe in the Trinity (cool word). The Trinity is amazing, it's God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit... so God + Jesus + the Holy Spirit = God :) 1 + 1 + 1 = 1<br /><br />Doug mentions that Jesus is the Son of God. This is true. Jesus made it clear to his fellow Jews (yes that’s right, Jesus was a Jew) that if they did not follow Him then they were rejecting the Father. Well, let’s let Jesus speak for himself.<br /><br />“he who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me.” Luke 10:16<br /><br />Jesus says, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really knew Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”" John 14:5-7<br /><br />So we need to know Who we believe in, why we believe and then we need to tell others about it. In my sunday school class our key verse for last week was found in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature".. so hear it, believe it, and do it.<br /><br />So I encourage you to do that, if you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord, it's easy, if you would like to talk about getting to know Him or anything else that is on your mind and you just need an ear, gimme a shout. My email is igtmatt@gmail.com.<br /><br /><br /><br />---Pastor Matt<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Original concept from matcoke</span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-31768734894910454512010-09-04T12:05:00.000-03:002010-09-06T09:29:25.671-03:00How Cool Are You?<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span></span></span><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="530" border="0" style="text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bg="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:#ffffff;"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="520" border="0" style="text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">If I could write you a song to make you fall in love,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">I would already have you up under my arm.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">I used up all of my tricks, I hope that you like this,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">But you probably won't, you think you're cooler than me.</span></b></div></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Shh, see I got you all figured out,</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">You need every one's eyes just to feel seen.</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Behind your make up nobody knows who you even are,</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Who do you think that you are?</span></span></span></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">--Mike Posner</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"Cooler Than Me"</span></span></span></b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">How about you? Ever thought that you were cooler than someone else? </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">At some point in life I think we all have classified groups of people into the "way cool" crowd all the way down to the "LOOOOOSER!" who are just "Hideous freaks of nature" supposedly - right? And isn't it funny how we always compare up the cool chain, not down? We're always focused on the group that we want to move up to in order to further our popularity agenda, instead of down at the groups who apparently aren't worthy of our time and attention.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">And that's about the time that God looks down at us and is disgusted...</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Why? Because He made everyone the same, and when we are so obsessed with our popularity and fame, we become part of the evil that comes out of the "How cool am I? And how can I move up the chain?" mentality.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Did you know that the "who's cool and who's not" mentality started way long before Canada was even a nation? Over 2000 years ago in Jesus' day, the coolest crowd in his world was actually the religious teachers. They were given these great positions to help people, but instead they let it go their heads and they changed into spiritual bullies – and that earned them a seriously strong rebuke from Jesus:</span></span></span></b></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best-the sun to warm and the rain to nourish-to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.</span></span></span></b></em></p><p style="text-align: left;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you" </span></span></span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(Matthew 5:43-47).</span></span></span></b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Put simply, Jesus is saying that if you follow Him, you do not play favorites. You do not have an agenda to climb the popularity ladder, and you have permanently dropped out of the "I think I'm cooler than you" way of thinking.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">God is singing an unconditional love song to everyone on the planet, and the lyrics tell us that His affections have no exceptions, no exemptions, and no requirements.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">And if we claim to follow Jesus, the soundtrack of our lives should play the same song so loud that it can't be missed by those in our lives.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">In other words, Christians aren't cooler than anyone...</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">But oftentimes we think we are, don't we? The world needs to see Jesus in us, but instead we give them cheesy movies, confusing bumper stickers, televangelists, and judgmental attitudes.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Meanwhile God is asking - "Who do you think that you are???"</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Let's all take a lesson from Mike Posner in terms of it not being cool to think that we're cooler than others, but more importantly, let's remember Jesus' teaching to the cool crowd in His day to love everyone and treat everyone the same. Otherwise, the beautiful and life-changing message of the gospel could get lost in the impression that we are playing the same silly drama game as all the other people on earth.</span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">And when you truly show that kind of love, God's love for everyone comes shining through, and that makes people want to run to Him.</span></span></span></b></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." </span></span></span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">– The Apostle Paul</span></span></span></b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">What's it going to be for you?</span></span></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td height="10" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#d10000" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></td></tr><tr><td align="center" bg="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color:#d10000;"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="520" border="0" style="text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td height="10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td align="center" bg="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color:#ffffff;"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="520" border="0" style="text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color:#ffffff;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img height="90" alt="Accelerant" width="337" src="http://media.dare2share.org/sf/sf_layout_v3_accelerant.gif" /></span></span></b></td></tr><tr><td align="left" bg="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:#ffffff;"><p><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"</span></span></span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(Matthew 7:1-3).</span></span></span></b></p><p><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven </span></span></span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(Matthew 18:1-3).</span></span></span></b></p><p><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism </span></span></span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(James 2:1).</span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(resources from Dare2Share and Soulfuel)</span></span></span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-53830134560361982912010-08-04T08:05:00.000-03:002010-08-04T08:09:11.230-03:00Spiritual "Rehab"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no.'<br />Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know.<br />I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine,<br />He's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go.</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Has anybody ever tried to make you do something that you didn't want to do? It's definitely not fun - and it's definitely the way Amy Winehouse was feeling a while back when she was riding a huge wave of success in her professional life, but crashing and burning in her personal life. And, as with most people, she had friends and family who truly care for and love her. When you see a good friend or relative in a downward spiral, you tend to get very concerned, which is why Amy's circle of friends advised her to check into a rehabilitation center.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Obviously things have changed since she penned those words, because she went, Amy was in rehab - and evidently made great progress at beating the drug and alcohol temptations that threatened to take her down. Here's what her brother said:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Detox was tough, but she did it. She was as bright and vivacious as she had been before her demons took over. It (the night of the Grammys) was without a doubt the greatest night our family has enjoyed in a long, long time.</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">In my opinion, we all need a rehab of sorts. Of course, just like Amy - we don't want anyone to make us go. But when the people who love us give us straight up talk about the deadly and destructive paths we oftentimes walk down, it's time to listen.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">That's what Amy Winehouse did.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">That's what we need to do.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">So perhaps you're reading this, and you're thinking "Dude - I don't smoke crack cocaine and get drunk all the time. In fact, I don't do any of that stuff - so why would I need rehab?"</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Great point - and I agree, if that's you - you don't need a chemical detox - probably most of us don't. But... we ALL have another kind of poison coursing through our spiritual veins - and unfortunately, we are all addicted to this deadly venom.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It's called sin. It comes in all kinds of forms, but here's a list that might help you identify your particular toxins:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these (Galatians 5:19-21).</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">These are things that need to be taken as seriously as a drug or alcohol addiction, because left unchecked, they *will* kill you. Maybe not physical death, but for sure they will poison your life to the point where you are trapped in an emotional and spiritual death state that sucks out any hope of finding joy and meaning in life. They all stem from what the Bible calls 'the flesh' - which is really the source of all our problems.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">So what's 'rehab' for the flesh? Here's God's advice:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:24-25).</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Rehab for our sinful flesh isn't a place, it's a Person. If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives inside you. The power of God is at your disposal 24/7 to "crucify" the poisons and addictions that can and will destroy your life. Seek His help the next time you get the peer pressure to go to the wrong party, or feel the destructive feelings and temptations rising up inside you.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Nope, nobody can 'make you' check into spiritual rehab, but the Person who loves you most - Jesus Christ - pleads with you at this very moment to ask His help in defeating your poisonous flesh. Go to Him right now in prayer and begin the process of spiritual detox. Like Amy, I promise you will find the happiness you probably haven't enjoyed in a long, long time.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Through the power of Jesus Christ, we can defeat the deadly power of sin and conquer the addictions that threaten to destroy our lives.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It's easy for most to look at Amy Winehouse and feel strongly about her need for rehab - but how often do we take the same attitude with ourselves? Here's a critical verse from the Bible to reflect on this week:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 14:12)</em></p></blockquote><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Take some time this week and list out the sin 'addictions' that seem to cause you the most trouble. Is it lust? Pride? Anger? These are not 'personality problems' or simple mistakes - these are destructive poisons that will eventually ruin the amazing life God has planned for you.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">(Some resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)</p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-40178510010921487582010-07-05T23:23:00.000-03:002010-07-05T23:46:06.846-03:00Angels & Bambi<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Maybe you have all heard of the movie that Forest Gump stars in... oh.. oops.. the "stranded on a beach talking to a volley ball named wilson" man stars in.. or um.. hmm.. the homeless man who lives in a terminal of an airport... oh right.. his name is Tom Hanks. Well the movie is called "Angels & Demons".. I have never watched this movie.. and I don't plan on it but I just figured that I would combine the title with the beloved childhood favorite "Bambi".. to create a supermovie... "Angels & Bambi"!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This blog post will really have nothing to do with either movie except for the fact that I'll be talking about angels.. and .. deer :) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Tonight as I was driving back home with my girlfriend, Gabrielle. We were talking along about random stuff and then BAM! A deer jumped out and hit it's head into the car... (luckily she already had a dent on that side of her car).. we assume the deer was killed but the main thing was we weren't hurt.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">God created angels.. as well as humans, animals, plants.. etc. Now these angels aren't just little half naked things flying around with wings... or an annoying woman making her "man servant" cook for her while she talks about cream cheese. These are powerful angels that God sends out for different tasks.. well tonight we were protected by angels.. we couldn't see them.. but we could have been seriously hurt or killed. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Psalm 91:11 says </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 19, 32); line-height: 21px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go" </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">God sent His angels to protect us tonight and I just want to encourage whoever is on the other side of the computer, that you are not alone. You may feel like you are, you may not have a person in the world that cares about you.. but you have God.. and you can be sure that He loves you. He cares about you so much that He will send His angels to protect you... that's better than the prime minister's bodyguards. You may be thinking.. "well I don't see God protecting me".. well I have an answer for that... seriously sit down and think of all the things in this life that could be wrong with you.. and even then you will be able to see that you are protected.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 19, 32); line-height: 21px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 19, 32); line-height: 21px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So remember to always trust in God to protect you.. He won't let you down.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 19, 32); line-height: 21px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 19, 32); line-height: 21px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-87698443279584614442010-06-18T18:52:00.001-03:002010-06-18T18:57:56.978-03:00What if Jesus had never been born?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>"NO! Not the buttons! Not my gumdrop buttons!<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Alright then! Who's hiding them?<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Ok. I'll tell you. Do you know... the muffin man?<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>The muffin man?<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>The muffin man. Yes, I know the muffin man. W-who lives on Drewery Lane?<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Well, she's married to the muffin man.<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>The muffin man?<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>THE MUFFIN MAN! She's married to the muffin man..."</em></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I'm pretty sure if you saw the first <em>Shrek </em>movie, you'll remember this classic reference. That's because the first S<em>hrek </em>movie is a classic - as in something that seems to just get better with time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I don't know if you are a fan, but by all appearances this is the last installment of adventures in Far Far Away...so good, bad, or ugly, I'll probably watch it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Shrek Forever After </em>borrows heavily from another classic movie often seen at Christmas called <em>It's a Wonderful Life</em>. In that film, the main character is given the gift of seeing how life would have turned out if he had he never been born, it was pretty much a mess. In <em>Shrek's </em>case, the world is also pretty much a mess. Puss-n-Boots is fat and lazy, Fiona is kind of a gang member, and a creepy little dude named Rumpelstiltskin is on the throne instead of Sir Justin Timberlake with his strawberry lip gloss. (haha)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Well maybe that Rumpelstiltskin vs. Justin Timberlake part is sort of in sync, but overall the <em>Shrek </em>parallel world is a darker and crueler place to be, because Shrek is trying to be a hero on many levels. It's up to him to save his friends, restore his world and reclaim his one True Love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">This alternate reality stuff can really mess with your mind, but have you ever considered what the world would be like if Jesus had never been born? At first glance, you might shrug and think about a couple implications like the need for a different way to measure time and not having to go to church, but I would like to paint a deeper picture that should fill you with appreciation for the immeasurable gift given to us on that first Christmas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">If Jesus had never been born, the world would be a much more primitive place where women are slaves of free men, children are sacrificed to idols, and the concepts of charity and love are all but missing from society.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">If Jesus had never been born, education and science would look very different and much more primitive,* and most likely the United States of America and Canada would have just been an unrealized historical dream.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But worst of all, if Jesus had never been born, there would exist only one spiritual destination for our eternal souls; a dark and tormenting place where we would be eternally separated from God. Jesus Christ came to earth as a man to live a perfect life, die a horrible death, and rise from the grave so that the penalty for the world's sins would be paid in full...and eternal life made available to anyone who puts their faith in Him for salvation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Here's the way the Apostle Paul describes it:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ weren't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries </em>(1 Corinthians 15:16-20).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">In other words, a world without the birth, life, death, and resurrection from the dead is a world that is "always winter...never Christmas."**</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But we can happily wake up from that nightmare, because 2000 years ago in a dark and dirty cave near Bethlehem, the cry of a baby started a shockwave of change that is felt just as strongly today as ever. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and God with us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">So the question I have for you is...</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Has Jesus Christ entered into your world? If not, I can tell you that the darkness will remain and your destiny is not a pleasant picture by any stretch of the imagination.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">If He has, then how much have you let Him change your world? He is the single most influential figure in all of history, but is He the centerpiece of your soul?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Let Jesus Christ set off a chain reaction of change in your life. Let that chain reaction include living out THE Cause of Christ – making disciples who make disciples. Start by telling your friends the Good News about Jesus' free gift of salvation to those who trust in Him. I promise you'll have an amazing forever after!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">*<a href="http://suzyred.com/jesus.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); ">http://suzyred.com/jesus.html</a><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">** C.S. Lewis: Chronicles of Narnia</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)</span></span></p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-65918863462515301952010-06-17T10:27:00.000-03:002010-06-17T10:29:30.477-03:00Live like they're dying<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Did you hear the one about the three buddies who were talking about death and dying? One asked, "When you're in your casket and friends and family are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"<br /><br />The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time and a great family man."<br /><br />The second man says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."<br /><br />The last guy says, "I would like to hear them say...LOOK, HE'S MOVING!!!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Maybe you've also heard the song by Kris Allen called <em>Live Like We're Dying </em>. It's a powerful reminder to, well, live like we're dying.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">For example:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Yeah, we gotta start<br />Looking at the hands of the time we've been given<br />If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking<br />If every second counts on a clock that's ticking<br />Gotta live like we're dying.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to<br />Turn it all around or to throw it all away<br />We gotta tell them that we love them<br />While we got the chance to say<br />Gotta live like we're dying.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">In a serious way, I would like to remind you that life is fatal because no one gets out alive. The statistics on death are very impressive - 10 out of every 10 people living on earth will eventually die.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Unless Jesus comes back, of course, but since we can't control that, what we <strong>should </strong>control is how we approach each and every one of the 86,400 seconds that God grants us in a day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">In the song, Allen encourages us to tell people we love them and live with no regrets - which is good advice - but to truly live like you were dying involves much more than that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Ironically, to truly live like <strong><em>we're </em></strong>dying means that you should live like <strong><em>they're </em></strong>dying...</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Who are they? Everyone! They are your friends and your enemies, your family and the foreigners, your teachers and coaches and delivery people and cashiers where you shop.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">They are anyone and everyone that God puts in your path...and you need to remember that they are dying.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Not just physically, but spiritually as well. Everyone on the planet has a terminal spiritual disease called sin that has separated us from God. It not only destroys our lives now, but separates us from the God who made us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But the amazing news is that we carry the cure! We who have trusted in Jesus Christ know the most powerful message of salvation in the universe, because it has saved us from the penalty and power of sin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">The question is...what are you going to do with the cure? Let me challenge you with the words of someone who absolutely and totally lived like everyone around him was dying:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord </em>(Romans 6:23, NLT).</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes </em>(Romans 1:16, NLT).</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News! If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust </em>(1 Corinthians 9:16-17, NLT).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">And God has given you this sacred trust as well. So each day remember that you</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Only got 86,400 seconds in a day to<br />Turn it all around or to throw it all away<br />We gotta tell them that we love them<br />While we got the chance to say<br />Gotta live like we're dying.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Trust me, the best way to tell someone that you love them is to tell them about the Someone who loved them so much that He died on a cross to pay the penalty for their sin, and now offers the free gift of eternal life and love to anyone who believes. Living a life for THE Cause of Christ is a guaranteed life of no regrets.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">We gotta live like they're dying!</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Resources from Dare2Share and Soulfuel)</span></span></p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-55036678555220999242010-05-19T10:48:00.000-03:002010-05-19T10:50:23.087-03:00We are Iron Men....... and Women!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#d10000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-size:small;">Sometimes a movie just <em>knows </em>that it is off the chain in its total awesomeness...</span></span></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Enter <em>Iron Man 2 </em>- easily one of the most anticipated sequels of all time. I know I was ready for it during the closing credits of the first one, and now Tony Stark is way back and way badder than ever.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Yes, cool gadgets - sarcastic banter -megaexplosions and effects abound and create a Wal-Mart of eye candy, and just like the first time, I would just about give my right arm to suit up and dominate the evil dudes in Iron Man fashion.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Obviously that is not going to happen, but there is an armored suit available to Christians that in many ways provides the same protection and weaponry, one that lights up the spiritual world like Stark in a village full of terrorists. Here is the description of the conflict we face and the incredible "suit" you have hanging up in the closet of your soul:</span></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we </em></span><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.</em></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.</em></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere </em>(Ephesians 6:10-18).</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">The war that Paul describes here is not against earthly terrorists, communists, or anything that is flesh and blood. This conflict is in the spiritual arena - and it is definitely not for the weak or the wimpy. <strong>Every </strong>day the unseen forces of Satan and his army are arrayed against you. They are firing off the missiles of deception, discouragement, temptation, and opposition, so you'll give up the battle and your calling from the Captain of our Salvation: Jesus Christ.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But let me tell you as one who is stationed on the field of battle in Denver, Colorado, that suiting up and engaging the enemy is more exciting than any movie I've ever seen.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Don't believe me? Then I triple dog dare you to take your armor for a test run this week. And to make sure that you are properly fitted, let me walk you through the steps that Paul gave us:</span></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>First, put on the belt of truth </strong>- which means speaking/ living truthfully and with integrity.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>Next, position the breastplate of righteousness </strong>- which is living in obedience to God's will and Word because He has completely forgiven you.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>Don't forget the boots of readiness </strong>- which is a willingness to share the gospel message with anyone, anywhere, anytime.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>Raise up the shield of faith </strong>- which is hiding behind the promises of God when Satan sends a onslaught of lies and temptations your way.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>Protect your mind with the helmet of salvation </strong>- which is a constant remembrance that the penalty and power of sin is broken in your life , so don't believe the negative messages from the Devil that you are guilty and worthless.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><strong>Finally, be sure and draw the sword of the Spirit </strong>- which is God's Word. Along with prayer, this is your offensive weapon to strike the heart of the enemy with incredible force. So powerful in fact, that this is the result:</span></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ </em>(2 Corinthians 10:3-5).</span></p></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Picture an army of believers who are protected with the very armor of God and armed with His living Word. God uses this mighty force to stop spiritual terrorism and start a revolution for His Cause – making disciples who make disciples!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Some Resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)</span></span></p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-15286215145871098872010-04-15T20:37:00.000-03:002010-05-19T10:48:35.585-03:00I am an Alien!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="520" border="0"><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Do you believe in aliens? Surveys show that more and more folks are open to the idea that we are not alone in this ginormous universe...that lurking out there - or maybe even here - are beings that are definitely different in nature and not at home on this planet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Like Teletubbies - right? I mean, if Tinky Winky and Dipsy who annoyingly repeat the phrase "Bibberly cheese!" aren't aliens, I'm not sure what would qualify...</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Then there's the new Sci-Fi series that has a lot of people talking called <em>V </em>. The <em>V </em>stands for "visitor" - as in aliens who are "visiting" Earth, but it seems pretty clear that they are not here to chill out and try and figure out great mysteries like why so many humans get into arguments over Edward and Jacob.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">The visitors are on a mission to conquer the planet, and this just might be...</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">The end of humanity! Nooooooooo!!! (Cue the epic music.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Personally, I like being an alien. Not that its always easy, but having a "stranger in a strange land" mentality helps me get why life on planet Earth just seems so messed up at times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind - not yet anyway. I call myself an alien because that's what God calls Christians:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us </em>(1 Peter 1:10-12).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">The day that I trusted in Jesus Christ as my only hope of salvation, something incredible happened. I ceased being just a person and became a child God. I was freed from the chains of humanity that would have you believe that joy and contentment can come from anything in this world. My true citizenship and home is in heaven, so my life is now an alien journey on planet Earth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">On the show <em>V </em>, the aliens are there to distract, deceive, and ultimately destroy the native folks, and that is obviously why the Christian kind of "visitor" is on a completely different mission. Our task is to:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Live an exemplary life among the natives so that our actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives </em>(1 Peter 2:12, <em>The Message</em>).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Isn't that incredible? As believers in Jesus Christ, we get to show our "alien-ness" by loving the unloved, forgiving our offenders, and passing along the greatest message in all the universe:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died </em>(1 Corinthians 16:3-6).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">This gospel message is also alien, because it wasn't invented by any human mind. The gospel is from the mind of God and is the power of God. It is capable of transforming any guilt-ridden, hopeless life into unbelievable meaning, purpose, and value.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Are you feeling a bit alienated and alone at times? Unfortunately, that's a part of following Christ. To feel not at home and rejected by a culture that cares only about selfish personal happiness and limitless pleasure is natural when you dare 2 share a Christ-like life and the gospel message. But remember that no matter how dark and lonely the path, there is an amazing end to the journey - <em>then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">The end for us aliens is actually just the beginning! Jesus Christ is returning to gather all His followers, and there is going to be a homecoming party that is beyond your wildest imagination.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I'm sure you're familiar with the common alien phrase: "Take me to your leader."</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Well, fellow alien...let's turn that around and ask our friends and family this: "Would you like to meet my Leader?"</span></p></td></tr><tr><td height="10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td></tr></tbody></table></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-27876221217145315492010-04-05T14:42:00.000-03:002010-04-05T14:46:42.876-03:00You are a Letter from God<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Have you ever wanted to write a letter to God? If you sat down right now to compose a message to the Creator of the universe, what would you say?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I think most would go with the whole series of "why?" questions...why me God? Why did my parents divorce? Why am I depressed a lot? Why did you make me this way? Why are things turning out like this?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Valid questions to be sure - and also ones that God is not threatened or angered by. Life is sometimes plain and simple awful, and it is human nature to point our finger at the sky and blame the One in charge - right?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">That is certainly something this guy could have done, and no one would have blamed him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">This is a true story, this is a about real 8 year old boy who went from an easy going, soccer playing childhood to the darkest journey anyone could ever face when one simple word entered his world:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Cancer</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">In the process of his battle with this deadly disease, he had to quit his beloved sport, lose his hair and eyebrows, and face a daily battle with a reality that could crush the spirit of anyone on the planet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But he had an unshakeable relationship with God...a childlike faith that turned his pain and discouragement into a community transformation. That's why the letters he writes to God are not about the "why," or even about him. He writes to God about other people and their problems, and in turn becomes a living letter from God to everyone around him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">And now his story has the chance to transform - not hundreds - but literally millions of lives through the movie <em>Letters to God</em>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">I can't say if I would have the faith that he had when facing a giant of that size, but one thing I have in common with him is that I, too, am a living letter from God to the people around me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">And if you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, this statement is true about you:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts </em>(2 Corinthians 2:2-3).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">This truth formed the foundation of his outlook on life. He wrote pen and ink letters <strong>to</strong>God on behalf of others, and in turn God used him to be a beating heart letter <strong>from </strong>Jesus Christ. His deepest wish was that the sad, hurting, and broken people in his world would come to know God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">We've been granted an unbelievable opportunity - haven't we? Every day God is texting the world through our eyes, our words, our attitudes, and our actions. The ink from our hearts bleeds onto the paper of our world, painting a picture of Jesus Christ.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">So what kind of living letter are you? The answer to this question can be found in another question-</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">What kind of letters are you writing to God?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Your prayers are your letters, so if they are generally composed of complaints, questions, and self-focused requests, then that is the kind of God the people around you will see.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">How about we all start a new letter writing campaign? One that asks God to touch lives and heal the pain in our corner of the world. One that begs God for the salvation of our friends who don't know Him because they haven't trusted in Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Let me start this campaign with a letter from God that changed me to the core of my being:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>He was pierced for our rebellion,<br />crushed for our sins.<br />He was beaten so we could be whole.<br />He was whipped so we could be healed.<br />All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.<br />We have left God's paths to follow our own.<br />Yet the L ord laid on him<br />the sins of us all </em>(Isaiah 53:5-6).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Remember, the ink that God is using to write His message to the world through you was paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Don't waste this precious gift with selfish and self-centered prayers and living, rather make each day a magnificent composition to your Savior, then watch Him write His message of unconditional love and salvation to everyone around you!</span></p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-91863669634688628412010-03-17T22:11:00.000-03:002010-03-17T22:22:36.467-03:00The Only Audience that Matters<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Fame, fortune, talent, stardom - whether in life or death, few stars wield Michael Jackson's headline-grabbing power. Initially it was his groundbreaking talent that built a worldwide fan base. But over time, his bizarre behaviors and appearance took center stage in the tabloids and his alleged sex abuse and baby-dangling notoriety began to overshadow his music and moon walk... now his death.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Jackson's reputation never fully recovered from the 1993 child sexual abuse charges he faced. Realizing that, Jackson longed for a career-changing comeback. His final weeks were filled with rehearsals for his sold out comeback tour. But in the end, his comeback dream evaporated in the blink of an eye. Instead, the legendary King of Pop found himself facing an unexpected appearance before the only audience that matters...God Almighty: The King of the Universe.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">How do you rehearse for that?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Good question! In fact, it may be the most important question you ever ask and answer. And the Bible has some insights for us on the subject. Listen to what Jesus said about sudden death to a guy who was busy expending all his energy accumulating $$$ and the things it can buy:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"'</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God" </em>(Luke 12:13-21).</p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Who wants to be called a fool when it comes to what's important in life? So it might be wise to listen up to what Jesus is actually saying here. Here it is: You're a fool if you store up material things, but ignore God's offer of a rich relationship with Him.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So what does a rich relationship with God look like?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">According to Scripture, it starts with a restored relationship to God through Jesus' work on the cross. Jesus died to pay the price for the sin of all humankind and restore our relationship with a holy, perfect God. Accepting the free gift of salvation that God offers is the launching point for a deep, rich, personal relationship with the God of the Universe. But the Bible also tells us that God promises us many things when we seek His forgiveness for our sins and accept Jesus' gift of grace. Here are just a few:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">The gift of eternal life with God in heaven (1 John 5:13)</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">The right to become children of God, with 24/7 access to our Heavenly Father (1 John 3:12, Romans 8:38-39)</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">The ability to tap into God's strength and walk in His power (Acts 1:8, Philippians 4:13)</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">The responsibility to be God's ambassadors, representing Him in a lost and broken world and sharing His Good News with others (2 Corinthians 5:20).</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">If you were suddenly called to appear before the throne of God, would you be prepared? Contrary to what many people believe, God does not take your good deeds and weigh them against your bad deeds and give you a grade as an entrance exam when it comes to heaven. All the millions of dollars Michael Jackson raised and donated to charity during his lifetime, weighed against his bad deeds (which you can be sure God knows the full extent of...), will not be the thing that buys him an admission ticket to heaven. It's only by grace that any of us can receive God's gift of eternal life, not by good deeds. Listen to what Ephesians 2:8-9 says:</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Make sure you, your friends and your family are prepared for the only audience that matters - tell them about the good news of Christ!</p><img src="http://media.dare2share.org/images/flashpoint.png" width="432" height="85" alt="Flashpoint: Ignite into Action" id="sf_flashpoint" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -30px; margin-left: -75px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; " /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Car accident...Suicide...Heart attack... God has numbered our days. You never know when you or your friends may have a sudden audience with the King of the Universe. Are they prepared for the only audience that really matters? Are you? Store up for yourself a rich relationship with God and help your friends do the same.</p><img src="http://media.dare2share.org/images/accelerant.png" width="430" height="88" alt="Accelerant: Feed the Fire" id="sf_accelerant" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -30px; margin-left: -92px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; " /><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous (1 John 3:12).</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).</em></p></blockquote></span></span></span></div>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-26235467323920781692010-03-10T20:27:00.000-04:002010-03-10T20:35:48.682-04:00Why am I here?<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(56, 56, 56); line-height: 16px; font-family:helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Your attention please...this is a test. This is only a test. Had this been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed where to tune for further information.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Please answer (in your mind) the following question.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Why did God put you here on earth?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">I know this isn't something that crosses your mind that often, but it's important to consider how you would answer this. Why? Because in a huge way, the way you answer this question determines the way you live your life. Here's the most significant thing: there is a right and wrong answer to this question, and you are bombarded with the wrong answers every day.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">If you don't know the right answer to this question, then I'm afraid you won't be able to get a clue even if you lived on clue island during clue mating season wearing clue musk...that's how critical this is! So let's take a look at the wrong answers that the world might be whispering-and what the Creator of life has to say about them:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">World: "I'm put on this earth to get as much pleasure and profit as possible."</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God: " But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. " (I Timothy 6:9) "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." (Luke 12:15)</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">World: "I'm put on this earth so I could be happy. I now have my 'get out of hell free' card, so I'm going to take life easy."</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!' But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?' Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." (Luke 12:16-21)</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">World: "I was put on this earth to live and let live. I have no right to offend people and/or tell them their belief system is wrong. I'm just going to chill out, find a comfortable job and group of friends. There is no way I'm going to 'rock the boat.'"</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God: Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Why did God put me here on earth? It really comes down to a simple point of view. Either you believe God put you here for you, or He put you here for Him. Living life with a trivial pursuit attitude of getting rich and famous is the worst choice you could make. Living life with the eternal pursuit attitude of earning riches in heaven and making God famous on earth is the best choice you could make.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So, care to change your original answer? I would highly recommend it, (if it was the wrong one) because not doing so may bring about an actual emergency in your life!</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">We are put on this earth to serve God and make Him famous, not serve ourselves and make ourselves famous.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">If you can get a hold of this truth, it will completely and radically change your life! There are basically only two types of people in the world: the self-servers and the God servers. The self-servers find out (sooner or later) that they have served themselves up a big dish of emptiness. The God servers discover what a really smart guy named Augustine said hundreds of years ago:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"You made us for yourself, and our hearts find no peace till they rest in you."</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Feel excited that you have found the only real source of true purpose and contentment: serving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Here's an idea that you could apply immediately. Each morning say a prayer something like this:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"Father, my life is yours-bought with the blood of Your Son Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit and use me, lead me, and guide me to accomplish Your will and advance Your Kingdom"</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Here's a great illustration about this truth:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; "><a href="http://www.everystudent.com/wires/greatest.html" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">http://www.everystudent.com/wires/greatest.html</a></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Here's a funny video about this truth:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; "><a href="http://www.sermonspice.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=592" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">http://www.sermonspice.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=592</a></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel</span></div></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-26023918954101831912010-02-27T13:40:00.000-04:002010-02-27T13:48:22.506-04:00The Christian Tetris Effect<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Have you ever stopped to consider the amazing power of Tetris? It was invented over 20 years ago, and since then has dominated the world. It was voted the second best video game in history, and it even has a medical condition named after it! I'm serious - it's called the "Tetris Effect," and I'm willing to bet that some of you reading this suffer from this cybersickness.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Basically, the "Tetris Effect" happens when after playing the game for an hour or so, you still have the taunting little images falling through the brainwaves in your head - so you keep playing a mental version of the game. Another way it shows up is when you are at a grocery store and you see some boxes that might fit together better to make a row. I even heard of folks who will gaze at a beautiful downtown skyline, and instead of admiring the glass and steel human achievement, are instead thinking about how the buildings might be turned in a Tetris like fashion for a better position.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The most recent sign of the Tetris Effect showed up on (of course) You Tube. Two wildly popular videos pay tribute to the game in very bizarre ways. The first video is a clip from a Japanese game show where contestants have a huge wall with a blank Tetris shape approaching them at a pretty good pace. The contestants have to get themselves into whatever shape is coming their way to fit through, otherwise they get bashed into a pool of water...or some liquid...ewww.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The other video is a '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0LtUX_6IXY" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">human Tetris</a>' that has groups of people in different colored shirts coming down church pews just like the real version of the game. The player rearranges the groups of people so they can make rows and disappear.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Again, cybersickness at it's best.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The video of the church Tetris, though, really got me thinking. I sometimes wonder if God is a Tetris fan? What I mean is - maybe He's looking down at all the folks in church who just come and sit, and He'd love to rearrange them so they could fit together and accomplish something. The reason I think this might be true is because in the Bible there is an important part of the Christian life called 'spiritual gifts'. Here's what it read says:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">wise counsel</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">clear understanding</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">simple trust</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">healing the sick</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">miraculous acts</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">proclamation</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">distinguishing between spirits</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">tongues</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">interpretation of tongues.</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Just like the different people in different colored shirts, every Christian is given a different special ability called a 'spiritual gift' from the Holy Spirit that we need to use at church and anywhere else we have an opportunity. When we don't use them, it's like a Tetris round where the pieces just fall where ever, and the game is over quickly.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So are you ready to pick up the 'Christian Tetris Effect'? Can you picture where you fit into your church or youth group with your spiritual gift? Here are some ideas for you:</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Do you like to serve? Then find a place to serve!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Are you a good listener and encourager? Then let people know you're available!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Do you enjoy helping get things organized? Then let your youth leader know! (Believe me, he or she will be very glad to get some help).</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The power of Tetris is great, but believe me, the power of learning where you fit in with your spiritual gifts and using them to help others is one of the greatest powers the universe has ever seen.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So are you ready to play?</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">When a person trusts in Christ as his/her only hope of salvation, the Holy Spirit gives them a unique ability called a spiritual gift that should be used to help fulfill God's plan for the church and the world.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">You should feel amazingly special and responsible. Amazingly special because God chose you to accomplish a mission on earth through your spiritual gift. Responsible because this is one of the main purposes to your life, and you will be judged on how well or not so well you used your gift.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">One of the best ways to have a discussion about spiritual gifts is to talk about how you would react in a specific situation. For example, if a server spills someone's meal all over the restaurant floor and a group of Christians are sitting nearby, each individual will react differently based on his/her spiritual gift. The gift of mercy responds by helping to clean up the mess, the gift of giving offers to pay for another meal, the gift of exhortation seeks to cheer up the server. The gift of administration delegates and organizes the whole matter to avoid confusion. The gift of teaching suggests some ways to make sure the spill doesn't happen again, etc. Your spiritual gift makes you sensitive to certain needs that others may not see. Another way to get educated and get help with discovering your spiritual gift is to complete a spiritual gifts inventory. Talk to your pastor, youth leader, parent, or a mature Christian adult about where to find one and how to interpret the results.</p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">(Some resources from Dare2Share & SoulFuel)</span></span></div></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-79119665104706878992010-02-11T15:17:00.000-04:002010-02-11T15:27:47.013-04:00Benjamin Button & You<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"My name is Benjamin Button, and I was born under unusual circumstances. While, everyone else was agin', I was gettin' younger... all alone."</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Can you <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">even </strong>imagine? Being born really old, living life backwards, and then progressively becoming younger. In other words, the day that would normally be your last is your first, and the day that is normally your first is your last.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Confused? Well, Benjamin Button isn't. In the film <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</em>, Brad Pitt's character is born as an extremely elderly person , and for almost three hours you'll see him go through a reverse aging process that will truly capture your imagination and make you wonder...what if?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">What if everyone was born old with a destiny to die at their 'youngest' moment?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">What if the 'older' I grew, the less people took me seriously?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">What if I literally watched my friends get older than me and eventually have to, feed me? Or change my diaper.... ew!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The interesting part about this movie is the clear message that whether you go forwards or backwards in age, the end result is the same every single time...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">We die. We expire. We 'pass on.'</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">And then what?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Statistics show that ten out of every ten people born on this earth will eventually have their life come to an end.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So have you given much thought to what's commonly known as the 'afterlife'?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</em> should be a wakeup call to all of us on the subject of life, death, and most importantly - what's next?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">At least that's the conclusion that an emergency room doctor named Maurice Rawlings came to. Not from a movie, but from eyewitness experience. According to his book <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Beyond Death's Door,</em> those who have near death experiences later speak of seeing light, lush green meadows, rows of smiling relatives and tremendous peace. But what he found after interviewing 300 people immediately after being brought back from the near death experience is that nearly <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">50% reported</strong> <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">lakes of fire and brimstone, devil-like figures and other sights hailing from the darkness of hell.</strong> He says they later changed their story because most people are simply ashamed to admit they may have had a glimpse of hell, they won't even admit it to their families.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Check out his conclusion:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"Just listening to these patients has changed my whole life. There's a life after death, and if I don't know where I'm going, it's not safe to die."</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The great news is that you can definitely know where you are going, so that it actually is 'safe to die.' Think about it, the only way we could know for sure about what's on the other side of death is to hear from someone who had been there and came back. But more than that, we need someone who can give us more than just images and descriptions - because we need to know how to avoid Hell at all costs.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Read this... its amazing:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life.</em><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?"</em> (John 11:25-26).</p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">How about you? Do you believe this? The key thing to remember is that this promise comes from the One who died and came back from the dead - and He makes it clear that death is really not the end...rather it is the beginning of your eternal and final destiny. In other words, like Benjamin Button, your last day on earth is really your first in eternity.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So are you ready to choose your afterlife? No one in his/her right mind would want to go to hell, and no one in his/her right mind wouldn't want to go to heaven. The good news is that making sure it is safe to die is one of the easiest things on earth. You don't deserve it, you can't earn it, so give up trying and simply put your faith and trust in Jesus' death and resurrection as your only hope of salvation. The moment you do that, your afterlife in heaven is secure. The bad news is that if you haven't done that, it is definitely not safe to die because...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Believe me, you don't want to go there. Believe Jesus, and you won't have to.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Only you can decide where you go when you die, your parents can't make your decision, your grandparents can't, your friends can't... only YOU can. Just because you sit in church every sunday doesn't mean you're a christian... its the same as you can't park your bike in a garage and then expect it to be a motorcycle. If you have any questions on "How to choose your eternity" drop me an email, I'd be glad to talk to you about it. My email is PastorMatt@gmx.com </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The reality of an afterlife should cause us to put our trust in Jesus Christ as our only hope of salvation</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">There are some things we should be afraid of - and one of them is a place of eternal judgment called hell. Remember, just because people don't believe in hell does not make it go away!</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">If you have not trusted in Jesus as your only hope of salvation, please don't wait any longer. If you have, this week, take some time to evaluate your life in light of eternity. Will you have reward for serving Christ, or will the Judgment Seat of Christ make you wish you had lived more faithfully for Jesus?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">(some resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)</p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-14295221400863835602010-02-02T21:50:00.000-04:002010-02-02T22:02:39.500-04:00God is Txting U !!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">?4U...did you even think four or five years ago that text-o-mania would hit the world and change the way we communicate? From brb to bff to bbl to ttylo, there are enough abbreviations being bounced off satellites to fill the universe and then some.. imho anyway! Based on the stat I read that indicated an average of 1 BILLION text messages are sent every week - which means that every six weeks or so there are more text messages floating around than there are people on the planet!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Of course I'm not telling anything you didn't already know. In fact, I bet you're texting right now - aren't you? I know this because I can multi-task-text-with-my-eyes-closed as well. The scariest is when people are driving and texting at the same time. That's when the most common message is this:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">O no! I'm abt2 reck!</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So all this talking of texting got me thinking. What if you and I could send a message to God? What would you ask or say to Him? Would He answer, or would He just ROFL?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Personally, I don't think he would laugh at us for trying to chat. God is a person, and He is absolutely crazy in love with His creation. Think about a time when you got a text from someone you really like or love...you got back as soon as you could, right? Same with God. In fact, He has already sent us a 'text message' that has 774,746 words and would take you a few days to read out loud.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Of course I'm talking about the Bible, and because it's not exactly a short message, I'd like to take a moment and throw in my two cents on what I think would be common text questions people might send to God, and what He would say in return.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Dear God - do You love me?</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Iv</em>e<em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">nvr quit luv'n u & nvr will. xpct luv, luv, & more luv! (Jeremiah 31:3)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Dear God - will You ever leave me?</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Ill nvr leev</em>e <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">u or abandon u (Hebrews 13:5)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Dear God - do You care about my future?</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">4 IK the plnz I have 4 u,"sez the Lord." Theyre plnz 4 good not 4 dzastr, 2 give u a future & a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Dear God - I feel so guilty all the time - can You help?</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">If you confess ur sins 2 me, im faithful & just 2 4give ur sins & 2 cleanse u from all wickedness.</em> <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">(1 John 1:9)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Dear God - do You ever think about me?</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">My thoughts about u r rare and beautiful! u'll nevr comprehend em! U couldn't even bgin 2 count em - anymore than u could count the s& of the sea.</em> <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">(Psalm 139: 16-18)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Dear God - I'm worried and sometimes scared...can You help?</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Im leavin u w/ a gift- peace of mind & heart, & the peace I give is a gift 'da wrld can't give. So don't b troubled r afraid. (John 14:27)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">See what I mean? The God of the universe loves you more than you could possibly imagine, and the best part is that He is in complete charge of the universe and knows everything about you. He is always ready and willing to listen to your cries, answer your prayers, and cheer at your victories. He has a picture of you on the screen of His phone, and He waits with delight for the incredible moments when you look up to Him in faith with a message.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">The next time you text, remember the ultimate communication called the Bible, written by the hand of God Himself. I promise it will be d gr8st msg u evr read!</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God is a Person who longs to communicate with His children that he loves us, will never leave us, has a plan for us, has forgiven us, always thinks about us, and gives us peace in the midst of trouble.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">As one of God's children, feel unique, cherished, loved, and taken care of by the God of the universe!</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Write a response to some or all of the 'text messages' sent from God. Also, let other people know about the good news that God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them through Jesus Christ.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">(Some resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)</p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-11209443970190093742010-01-28T19:29:00.000-04:002010-01-28T19:37:07.197-04:00Hairy Rodents, Restaurants, and Judgment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Ever come across or played a game that involves "which is worse" scenarios? They're designed to get you thinking about what you consider to be the lesser of two evils, which in turn tells you something about yourself.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">For example - which is worse:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Full leg cast at senior prom</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Dental headgear for Senior Pictures</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">How about this one - which is worse:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Finding a hair in your hamburger</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Seeing a rat run across the floor of the restaurant</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Of course I've been to a few restaurants where both of these could happen within a few minutes of each other...but the point is what you choose reveals what grosses you out more between hairy food and hairy rodents.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Then there are a few that really get you thinking, like this one - which is worse:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Not telling someone you like them, but never knowing if he/she felt the same way</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Telling someone you like them and he/she publicly humiliates you</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">I think this dilemma is what originally created the whole note-passing-check-the-box thing, because if he/she checks the 'no' box, you could always go behind the school and rip it to shreds in total enraged privacy.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">I have one more for you, but this 'which is worse' scenario isn't a game, and it will tell you one of the most important things about yourself.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Ready?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Which is worse...</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Going through life believing in a Judgment Day</li><li style="margin-top: 0.2em; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 70px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-type: disc; background-position: initial initial; ">Going through life not believing (or not wanting to believe) in a Judgment Day</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Think about it. To some this is the ultimate 'which is worse', because if you believe in a day when we will have to stand before God and give an account for our lives, you probably don't live by the 'if it feels good, do it' philosophy. On the other hand, if you don't believe there's a Judgment Day, you run the huge risk of being wrong and ending up extremely ashamed for eternity because you weren't ready for it.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">A little worse dilemma than hairy hamburgers and hairy rodents, wouldn't you say?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">This is why I'm so glad that the word of God makes this <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">real</strong> easy for us. See if you agree:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"For we will all stand before God's judgment seat...so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12).</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Seems pretty clear to me that there's a thing called a judgment seat, mainly because the Bible teaches that there's a thing called a judgment seat. If you notice from the verses above, Paul uses the words 'us', and 'we'. The reason for this is the audience he writes to, which is comprised of Christians. So what that means is that this isn't a judgment about whether or not you're getting into heaven. That deal is already done (1 John 2:2), so what you're giving an account for is the way you lived your Christian life. In other words, what did you do with all the time, treasure, and talents that God gave you? Did you use them to love God and love others? Or did you waste them on your own pride, pleasure, and position? Remember these two questions, because one day you won't be just reading them...you'll be hearing them from the very lips of Jesus Christ.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So what happens to those who aren't Christians? The Bible gives plenty of warning about this as well:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Twice in this passage, John mentions the word 'judged' - as in 'to be judged'. And like our judgment, this one doesn't determine salvation either. That chance ended when 'the dead' became 'the dead', and now they have to answer for the hundreds or thousands or millions of times they said 'no' to God's free offer of salvation. Don't worry, <a href="http://www.dare2share.org/students/an-inhumane-god" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">no one will be caught by surprise on this day</a>, because in a flash people will remember how they insisted that Christ was not the way, the truth and the life. Here's the way C.S. Lewis put it:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Come to think of it, this is the bottom line to our Judgment Day scenarios. Believing in Judgment Day and living in light of it is a perfect way to say "Thy will be done." Not believing (or not wanting to believe) is the perfect way to end up before God as He points the way to hell saying "All right then, have it your way."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">And I can't imagine anything worse than that...can you?</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">There are two judgment days: one for believers and one for non-believers. The one for believers evaluates us on how faithfully we served Christ. The one for non-believers evaluates them on the relentlessness of their rejection of Christ. Neither one determines salvation.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">In the words of a great preacher named Erwin Lutzer, on judgment day there will be 'triumph and tears'. If you simply obey God and remain faithful to His calling, Judgment Day will be a time of unbelievable triumph. But if salvation is just a free ticket to heaven for you, you may want to rethink your strategy, because Judgment Day will be a time of inconsolable tears.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">I don't know if this is true, but what if the non-believers on Judgment Day were able to look over at you while you wait for heaven and they wait for hell? And what if, in that crowd, you caught the eyes of your friends who you sat by, played sports with, or simply talked to a lot? And in that moment you see their expressions...no words necessary...just tortured and questioning stares that scream "Why???? Why didn't you tell me this whole Christ thing was true???" I know for me, I want to do everything I can to keep from having this as even a possibility...how about you?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">(some resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)</p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-60873662003917563942010-01-21T22:21:00.000-04:002010-01-21T22:32:56.036-04:00Heart Attack on a Bun<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So by now you have probably heard about the latest development in <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">extreeeme</em> food items. Of course we already have drinks from convenience stores that are available in containers that would hold a small pond or lake...but wait - there's more! Now you can cruise over from the 7-11 with your 40+ ounce Slurpee to Burger King and add a <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">little</em> extra to your day with something they aptly named the Quad Stacker!</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 60px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; quotes: none; background-position: initial initial; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Definition:</strong> Quad Stacker (kwod stakker) - noun - informal<em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br />Four beef patties. Four slices of cheese. Sauce of unknown origin. 8 slices of bacon...whoa</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Yep...Burger King not only has the freakiest mascot on the planet, it also has the biggest in-your-face-I-hear-cows-protesting sandwich on earth as well. So I present to you, courtesy of the David Letterman show, the<strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "> Top Ten Questions To Ask Yourself Before Ordering The Burger King Quad Stacker.</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">10. "Are my papers in order?"<br />9. "Can I get it supersized?"<br />8. "Will I have time to run 298 miles to burn off the calories?"<br />7. "Could this have anything to do with why the rest of the world hates us?"<br />6. "Should I talk to my doctor about Lipitor?"<br />5. "Can I get it on a low-carb bun?"<br />4. "How come there isn't any sausage on this bad boy?"<br />3. "Why is Burger King making me sign a release form?"<br />2. "Should I wait til they come out with the 'Quint Stacker'?"<br />1. "Do I have my cardiologist on speed dial?"</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Exactly, because folks who put enough of those Quad Stackers down will also need to put in an order for a quad bypass at their local hospital.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So as I read about this potentially hazardous humungous hamburger of hamburgers, I began to think about what sort of things are out there that are potentially hazardous to our spiritual health. You know, like what is our culture serving up that could be clogging to the arteries of our soul? Well, probably many things, but I think one of the worst is the misinformation and disinformation going around about the God-Man who split the calendar and split the grave to prove who He said He is.</p><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Jesus Christ.</h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So I present to you, courtesy of my way-too-much-free-time brain, the <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Top Ten Myths about Jesus Christ </strong>(wait - there's more! I have the basic responses underneath each one!)</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">10. Jesus never really existed.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">We have literally thousands of copies of four <a href="http://www.probe.org/content/view/678/77/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">exceptionally reliable historical documents</a>(Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that testify to His very real existence, plus sources <a href="http://www.rationalchristianity.net/jesus_extrabib.html" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">outside of the Bible</a> that refer to Jesus as well. So yes... He exists!</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">9. Jesus' story is just a combination of a bunch of people's stories woven together.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Again, if the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are reliable and accurate, then they all point to the fact that Jesus was a real historical figure, not a "greatest hits" from other folks in His day.. so yes.. He exists!</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">8. Jesus never did miracles.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">People who claim this are ignoring a huge amount of the New Testament which outlines very specifically the 35 miracles Jesus performed. Remember, these miracles are written about by eye-witnesses. As well, His ability to draw large crowds was oftentimes the direct result of His ability to do things that (humanly speaking) were impossible. In other words: no miracles, no crowds...so how do you explain the crowds without miracles?... so yes... He exists! (getting old... I think not)</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">7. Jesus was just a good teacher.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">"Good teachers" don't go around <a href="http://www.probe.org/content/view/90/77/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">claiming to be God Himself</a> and the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2014:6;&version=31;" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">only way to heaven</a> when in fact they really aren't. We call those people liars and/or lunatics, which is what I would call Jesus if the <a href="http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">resurrection facts</a> didn't back up His claims. And they did back up His claims... so yes... He lives!</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">6. Jesus never claimed to be God.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Again, <a href="http://www.probe.org/content/view/90/77/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">He did</a>. A lot. So much in fact that the religious leaders of His day accused Him of blasphemy (the crime of claiming to be God) and tried to kill Him for it. So yes... He claimed to be God.. because He was!</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">5. Jesus isn't the only way to heaven.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Not according to Him. He said this in John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. <b>No one comes to the Father except through me</b>."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Not according to His disciples either. They said this about Jesus in Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in <b>no one else</b>, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">4. Jesus didn't come back from the dead.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">If He didn't, where's the body? What about the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:6;&version=51;" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">500 witnesses</a>? What about the disciples who died because they believed He did? He did come back from the dead and now He lives at the right hand of the Father waiting to come back for us!</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">3. Jesus was mostly just a nice guy.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Sure, there were times when He was 'nice', but if that's your whole picture of Christ, you need a bigger screen. He wasn't crucified for being 'nice'. He was killed because He claimed to be God and the only way to heaven...a revolutionary idea that still rubs people the wrong way. But its true.</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">2. Jesus never claimed He would come back.</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Actually He did. Several times... if you want proof.. email me at PastorMatt@gmx.com ... I'll be happy to show you.</p><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">1. Jesus only talked about love and forgiveness, never about hell and judgment</h4><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Again, actually He did. More than several times. In fact, Jesus talked about hell (or some form of it) three times more than heaven, in the bible. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">====================================================================================</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">So the next time you place an order in our culture for a Quad Stacker of music, movies, media, and facebook...remember the 10 greasy-cheesy myths about Jesus that are sure to clog your spiritual arteries and cause a faith attack. Believe me, you're better off ordering a dose of healthy truth about the Way, the Truth, and the Life from the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 110, 22); border-bottom-style: solid; line-height: 1.5em; background-position: initial initial; ">Book</a> He wrote!</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Head: What you need to know about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Jesus Christ is a real historical figure whose life, miracles, claims, and resurrection are backed up by reliable documents and traditions.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Feel confident that you are not a Christian simply because you've been raised that way, but because you have followed the evidence where it led you. Also, feel glad that the idea of a Savior and the hope of heaven is much more than just an idea...it's the truth.</p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Hands: What you need to do about this truth</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">What you should do about this truth is don't take my word for it. Go out and investigate it yourself. Take some time this week and check out the links I've provided for you. After all, we're talking about your eternal destiny here...something, I think, that is worth some of your time.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">(some resources from Dare2Share)</p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-246715558335514272010-01-14T22:47:00.001-04:002010-01-14T22:59:56.632-04:00Pocket Full of Sunshine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">So what songs get stuck in your head? You know, those tunes and jingles nicknamed ‘earworms' that blare through the speakers in your skull? You mentally chase them around like a greased pig, but you just can't hold on long enough to chuck them into the "annoying song abyss" where they belong.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">For example - The <em>Barney </em>theme song? (Barney is a dinosaur from our imagination…HA! Made you listen.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Then there are the classics - like Chili's <em>Baby Back Ribs </em>jingle ( <em>I want my baby back baby back </em>), <em>Who Let the Dogs Out </em>, <em>We Will Rock You </em>, <em>Whoomp, There It Is </em>- and -</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">If you've ever been to Disneyland, and you unsuspectingly wander into small world territory, <em>It's a Small World After All </em>will NEVER leave your head.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But I think there is a new earworm candidate that is *burning* up the charts like a pocketful of sunshine. Well, in fact, it is <em><a href="http://www.muvids.com/natasha_bedingfield_videos/pocket_full_of_sunshine.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); ">A Pocket Full of Sunshine</a>.</em> If you haven't heard it before just go onto YouTube and search it up... its pretty annoying!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">See? The earworm is here - <em>I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine, I got a love, and I know that it's all mine. Oh, oh oh oh</em>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But there's an interesting element to Natasha Bedingfield's popular tune that seems to connect with a ton of folks. Most of us have been yelled at one time or another... by a bully, teacher, sibling. But whoever it was they just felt like they had to SCREECH AT US LIKE THIS WHEN THEY WEREN'T HAPPY!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">But it was just enough frustration to make us want to run and hide somewhere safe.</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>Take me away, a secret place.<br />A sweet escape, take me away.<br />Take me away to better days.<br />Take me away, a hiding place.</em></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Did you know that God is actually called a ‘hiding place'? It's from Psalm 32:7:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.</em></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">This is a chorus from a song written thousands of years ago by a man named David. He penned these words soon after he had made some of the biggest mistakes of his life. Not minor goof ups, but major mess ups in the form of adultery, murder, and deception. His guilt was so heavy that he described it as ‘floodwaters' that threatened to drown him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">So he turned to God - and he found not only forgiveness - but also a shelter, a hiding place, and a strong tower.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">What about you? Where are you searching to find your hiding place? Some look for it in busyness. Almost as if texting on your cell phone, while listening to your iPod, while surfing on the internet will drown out the guilt and pain from the circumstances around you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">That might be a temporary shelter, but you know as well as I do that the voices of regret and an aching soul just patiently wait until you're lying on your bed without all the diversions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Others look for a hiding place in a relationship, and while friendships bring amazing elements to our lives, they can't truly protect you the way the living and eternal God of the universe can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">In fact, God is called a “Rock” dozens of times in the Bible - and by comparison there is no other true hiding place and shelter:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><em>No one is holy like the Lord !<br />There is no one besides you;<br />there is no Rock like our God. (</em>1 Samuel 2:2<em>).</em></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">So maybe you're feeling exposed to life and circumstances you can't control. There's a storm on the horizon of your life, and you sense a desperate need to get somewhere safe. If you've trusted in Christ as your only hope of salvation, you have a secure place waiting for you in your relationship with God.</span></p><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">He's all powerful.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">He knows everything.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">He loves you more than anyone.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">He will never leave you or forsake you.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">In short, He's a hiding place who can give you a pocket full of <strong><em>Son</em></strong><em>shine.</em></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">That's an earworm I don't mind having stuck in my head!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>Head: What you need to know about this truth</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">God is a hiding place for His children, a place for safety and security.</span></p><h3><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Heart: What you need to feel about this truth</span></h3><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Feeling insecure? Perhaps because you left the security of your heavenly Father. How amazing that at any time we can go home and find the protection we all need.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>Hands: What you need to do about this truth</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Think about the places you sometimes go to when you feel like hiding, and why God is the only true shelter from life's difficulties.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">So always remember that you can run to God when you feel like the whole world is falling on you. He is your Heavenly Father as well as your Best Friend. I hope you all have a great day!</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> --Pastor Matt</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Some Material is from Dare2Share)</span></span></p></span>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219104416556243272.post-9298452139190250912010-01-12T17:12:00.000-04:002010-01-12T17:14:17.992-04:00The FarmVille Of Your Soul<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">It started as just plain and simple “Farm Town”…and you already know what I’m talking about, right? Its popularity skyrocketed and now there are over 73 MILLION people *digging* this game, happily clicking their mouses on:<br /><br />FarmVille!<br /><br />If you don’t own a farm yet, you probably know at least a few folks who are completely addicted to their farm and trying to persuade you to be their “neighbor” so they don’t feel like alone.<br /><br />Of course the million dollar question in my mind is…<br /><br />Did Old MacDonald have a FarmVille? Ee - i - ee - i - no....<br /><br />I guess I get the attraction: anxiously awaiting your prized pumpkins to sprout in real time and passionately seeking out the golden chicken so you can shame your friends…but seriously, if you really want to work on a farm and make real money, maybe try a trip to Kansas or Iowa?<br /><br />Perhaps there is something else fascinating about planting a seed and seeing what happens - especially knowing that growth will equate with profit.<br /><br />Did you know that Jesus was a “farmer” too? Facebook wasn’t around in His day, but He still planted seeds:<br /><br />He went back to teaching by the sea. A crowd built up to such a great size that he had to get into an offshore boat, using the boat as a pulpit as the people pushed to the water's edge. He taught by using stories, many stories.<br /><br />“Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up, it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.<br /><br />"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"<br /><br />When they were off by themselves, those who were close to him, along with the Twelve, asked about the stories. He told them,<br /><br />"The farmer plants the Word. Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.<br /><br />"And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.<br /><br />"The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.<br /><br />"But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams" (Mark 4:1-12; 14-20).<br /><br />Interestingly enough, Jesus uses a FarmVille illustration for what impact the words of the Bible have on people. What He is saying is that everyone’s soul is just like a plot of soil, and when the good news about Jesus and His death on the cross enters their ears, that message is planted - and the result of the news on that person becomes evident in real time.<br /><br />Result One: The amazing idea that this person can be freed of guilt and sin and find eternal salvation by trusting Christ doesn’t even make it past the first day, because Satan uses doubt, fear, and lies to steal away the message.<br /><br />Result Two: This person trusts Christ and gets excited about serving Him, but the first time they are ridiculed or come to the realization that being a Christian is costly, the seed of the gospel withers away.<br /><br />Result Three: Being a Christian sounds like a great idea to this person, but soon the message that they can be free of their shallow, materialistic culture is choked out by the attractive weeds of media, music, and friends.<br /><br />Result Four: This person allows the message of Jesus to grow from the core of their soul. The rocky soil is broken up, the weeds are pulled, and life is never the same in their spiritual FarmVille.<br /><br />I bet if I asked you about your plot on FarmVille, you’d have an immediate answer. But let me ask you a more important question…how is your spiritual soil? Are you rife with plant life or dry as the Saharan desert? And imagine this - what if everyone was as excited and motivated to tell others about the gospel as they are about FarmVille? Ironic, isn’t it, that we want neighbors in a game, but we sometimes don’t care about the people who may or may not be our neighbors in heaven.<br /><br />So the next time you’re plantin’ and harvestin’ your crops, remember that there is a much more important activity going on. This one doesn’t get you coins, but it does “produce a harvest beyond wildest dreams."<br /><br />Get involved in the spreading the seed of the gospel in the lives of your friends. You will reap amazing rewards from the growth of those seeds!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">(Some material from Dare2Share and Soulfuel)</span></div>Pastor Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337511945612432556noreply@blogger.com0