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Saturday, May 31, 2008

Life in the Fast Lane

Just want to give an update on life and the road less traveled that I'm on. God is awesome. His plan is perfect. In recent choices I have made my marriage has improved.
I told a few friends of the troubles I've had and the known weaknesses I have to battle. God revealed that my next step of change that leads me closer to Him is my marriage. This has been a long time coming and I believe He has been leading me to this time so that the change can and will happen. I knew the pain I would endure and the flight risk involved. I don't like pain in any form and the state of my marriage has deteriorated because of my avoidance of pain. I would choose to not do anything when a painful situation came up. I avoided the temporary pain but put a wedge between us as a couple. I evaluated the situation and realized how hard this next step was. I knew on my own the pain would be too much for me to bare. So my friends have been praying for me since the all alert.
I have been doing things I don't normally do and getting good results. Yes the pain has been there but the results are worth the pain. The prayers are working because the choices I'm making are right and easy to handle. I have been dealing with decisions I have made and decisions I have yet to make. I am letting God guide me but I know the battle is on. Just like the prayers that were lifted up for me earlier this year to bring me out of the pit I had fallen into, the prayers are making my mind clear and the way easy. I am winning the fight for my intimacy with God and my marriage. I know this is only the beginning and the days will get hard to handle, but I trust God and I will move on to the next stage of change.
I am learning things for the second time and some things for the first time. The more I say yes to His plans the more I grow and the more I am affective. It's about surrendering my ways and thinking to His way. Knowing I have help to get to the next stage is what keeps me optimistic. I can feel less stress, more confidence, and more hope. To my friends, Thank you. To my Lord, Praise Your Holy Name! It's all for Your glory.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Quote

Here is a quote from Adam Mogk spoken on the farewell speech video during graduation ceremony: "A picture may be worth a thousand words but the experience will leave you speechless."
I was blown away when I heard this!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Saying of the Day

I borrowed this from DaNella. Shh, don't tell her!



"For the wages of sin is death! QUIT before payday!"



The author is unknown so she borrowed it too!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Know Your Enemy

Here's another Lion and Lamb Publications' 'Microburst' by DaNella J. Auten. I have got to tell you, this little devotional is very good. Just like she applies these 'Microbursts' to her life, you get to use them in yours. I read this one and immediately saw the application to my life right now where God has me.
The title is 'Know Your Enemy':
"Cabbage palm trees grow stealthily. You think they are grass, so you mow them down and keep mowing the little fronds thinking you are just mowing grass. Then when the actual tree begins to stalk out, you have to mow around it and let it grow or excavate it.- Excavate: to dig a lot around an object in order to extract all of an object or objects.
The palm tree is like a little sin; you think it isn't a problem; it is so small, so you ignore it, but then it grows, and grows, and grows. Before long, it is an actual tree of sin growing deep within us. No longer just a tiny sin; now it has become so large that it will take a major life change for us to get rid of it. Satan knows how to fool us; he knows we would reject an outright sin, so he sends a sneaky sin instead.
Just as God is a personal God, satan is a personal satan; he adapts to us far too quickly. We need to be aware of our areas of weakness because that is where satan is going to attack us.
Romans 7:21 So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. (Amplified Bible)
This fits where I was, how I got there, and now what I need to do. Satan had me fooled for about two in a half years. I bought into his lies to ignore a problem in my marriage. (Ignore a problem it will go away, right?) The problem remained and it was so easy to just check out that it became a lifestyle. I ignored responsibilities and the Holy Spirit. Well I already told my turn around a while back. I knew things had to change and I was forcing the issue by begging God, going to a few friends for prayer, and doing every little thing I believed the Spirit was telling me. The turn around was quick. Within two weeks I was reconnected with God, walking upright, and seeing answers to prayer. It was and is amazing!!
Life goes on and God has new things that need changing in my life. I hadn't heard any specifics from God in a while. I met up with a new friend and we connected just like the first time we talked. God gave him a word to share with me that he was afraid to give because it was correction. God won. He gave it and it was so perfect and delivered in such a loving way that it didn't even seem corrective. I pondered that word all night and God just starting pouring out all kinds of stuff I needed to change in my marriage and for my marriage. I had ignored my wife's needs and concentrated on my own for so long that I was blind to my error. I had let satan win in my weakness and every attempt I made to change, he threw out his best to stop it. His attacks kept me in my lowly state and the way out was too high to climb out of. That 'cabbage palm tree' that looked so innocent was easier to ignore then deal with it. I let it grow and take root in my life until it needed a major life change to excavate it. That is my current position in life...uprooting that thing. I realize the difficult process and know there will be pain and heartache but it has to be done. I cannot prune it, stop watering it, chop it down (leaving a stump to grow back), or mow around it while not paying it any attention. I have to remove it totally. I know it is too hard to do in my own flesh. I already tried remember? I just don't like pain of any kind. That is why I put another all alert out to a few good Christians out there to hold me up in prayer. I can only get this 'tree'(sinful lifestyle) out of my soil (soul) through God and the prayers of the saints. I lie weak and humbled before God and all of you so I can be lifted up once again. God is so good. 16 years of marriage and we are still growing together. Our faith may waver but now we know our enemy and its not each other. Our attack will be against the real enemy and with the power in the prayers we say and have surrounding us, victory will be ours. Amen!! If you pray lift up my marriage and pray for motivation for me to stay on course and continue to seek Him.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Freedom of Speech

Here's a topic I have been wanting to blog about. America land of the free and home of the brave. Unless you're politically incorrect! Freedom of speech, what does this mean? In the ENGLISH language it should mean we are free to say whatever we want. Of course there are exceptions like don't yell fire in a movie theater or no to your mom. However, the not so lite hearted subject I am talking about is Christians expressing their beliefs in a public forum. This has become the number one taboo in our school systems, government, and on the job. Why is it that the ku klux klan can demonstrate in the middle of down town under freedom of speech laws and have police protection?
Christians are just about crucified if they run for office. They get third degreed until they give up like that supreme court justice nominee by our President. Christians get fired from their jobs or have rules changed if they wear a hat with the name 'Jesus' on it. Since when? This country was founded for religious freedom and freedom of speech. You ever read any of the original documents written back then? God was consistently mentioned for the position He holds over this country. The Bible was a textbook in school!! Obviously, Jesus in a threat to the sinner's ego and conscience. Just as God calls us to hate sin, the sinner hates righteousness.
I am writing about a local lady that is a victim for expressing her God given right to free speech in an open forum on a local newspaper as a private citizen. Her name is Crystal Dixon. She was fired from her job for expressing her private opinion outside of work. She worked for the University of Toledo Graduate School. What a shame that she could not have her own opinion away from her position at work! She has started her own campaign to fight this. This story has made it on the Rush Limbaugh show, Washington Watch Radio (Family Research Council), and many Newspaper, radio, and tv medias. Her cause is one to watch. To go to her website click here. You can read all about her, read the article that caused all this, and you can even get her to speak at an event (she's an inspirational/motivational speaker). You can even help financially to fight this injustice. Give Crystal some prayers she needs help from above to take on this ungodly system. Crystal, you go girl! You got God on your side and plenty of Christians wanting to see you win!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Perfect Peace

I was visiting with my friend Tami yesterday and she told me about a dream she had that involved martyrdom. She had perfect peace both during the dream and when she woke up. This was uncharacteristic (16 letter word yea!) of her. Normally she would freak out, kind of like me:-)
Well, I have been dealing with insecurity lately and wrote a letter to me/God/nobody just to have a record of what my mind thinks. To find out if it's me or God or whatever. A few verses did cross my path but I didn't get any clear answers. That is until I read a great post from a fellow A/G'er Jenni Weiss. I will 'cut and paste' some of the significant stuff that is relevant to all of us.
'when you're down, don't expect the enemy to lend a hand up... he's going to try to kick you when you are down! Doubt, fear, anxiety, stress... can become fiery darts to the soul and seem to add insult to injury.

Even Job, like so many who face strong trails seemed to be riveted by confusion. The battle in the mind is where a lot of succumbing to the enemy begins and the devil loves to use it - especially when you are sick. The Word shows us his heart in this verse: "If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction..." Job 10:15

I know that the Word tells also in 1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace"!

We know that God is faithful through all and I am beginning to pray that the Lord will double his blessings upon our entire family because of what the enemy tried to do! I am praying for peace, divine wisdom, supernatural intervention, direction, discernment, and understanding.

We don't have to trust in anything... but GOD. He will make the rough places straight. We all need to stand on His Word today and declare... God is the author of peace and I accept peace into all situations, especially the ones I can't figure out on my own. We roll that burden and confusion over to Him and pick up His peace, soundness of mind, confidence, and victory. We don't have to understand everything in order to KNOW that God is able and will keep those in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him. We need to look to God and keep our focus there, not on the situations around us.'

I found this very appropriate and important for our battles and doldrums. We need to know what is real and where we stand. Peace plays such an important role in our decisions and thoughts. If we don't have peace, then we are not where we're suppose to be or thinking correctly. Perfect peace=perfect plan from a perfect God.

Friday, May 16, 2008

New Theology

I was reading a devotion and just fell in love with this new theology. My pastor is big on theology and is always saying something theologistically (wow that's a real word?). I don't know if he would adopt this but I'm seriously considering it! The book Microbursts! by DaNella J. Auten native of Alabama (she really says yall) and published by Lion and Lamb Publications is a devotional with one or two page titled devotions here is my favorite so far:
The title is...'Milkshake Theology'
When Que was in Bible College, I learned that adoption at any age can make an impact. Let me explain; an older couple, only 15-20 years older than us, Susan and Larry, "adopted" Quintin and I. Sure, I already had a wonderful mom and dad, but they were 500 miles away. Susan and Larry were nearby. They took us under their wings and simply loved us and lived for God in front of us. God used them and allowed us to learn from them.
Susan and Larry hit a few spiritual brick walls. It was at this time, while we watched them the closest, that they taught us an amazingly awesome trust principle. When something bad happens, you go out and get a milkshake to celebrate a chance to see how God's gonna fix this one.
Sure enough, without us fretting and worrying, God manages to solve our problems. Go figure.
Psalms 56:4
I praise the word of God. I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mere flesh and blood do to me?
How does this sound to you? Sounds like a winner to me! I may gain a few pounds but it's for God:-)
You can check out her blog on my list of blogs to the right or click here.

California Marriage Law: 4,618,673 to Four

I totally stole this from the Family Research Council-Action group. They are the legislative Action arm of Family Research Council which is a group that came out of Focus on the Family. I get emails everyday that show me things in government (usually) that affect or could effect families. I saw this ruling on tv yesterday and my stomach turned. The downgrade of America's morals is removing God from our country. When God takes His hand off of us what will happen? We already had Katrina, 9-11, and financial problems. How much more waking up do we need? Turn your eyes to Jesus, United States. Fight for what's right.
Anyways I know there will be ways to block this and I will post and email you on ways to stop it. They say 'As California goes, so goes the country'. This is why I see this as important to fight with everything we got. Here's the email I got and the eliquent details I would never be able to repeat on my own:
'After a brief period of judicial restraint, California voters watched in horror this afternoon as judicial activism returned with a vengeance in one of the most egregious rulings in American jurisprudence. It took just four activist judges to overturn the historical definition of marriage, not to mention the vote of more than four and a half million Californians, as the state supreme court issued a much-anticipated ruling on the question of same-sex "marriage." By a 4-3 margin, the justices struck down a law, adopted by 61 percent of voters in 2000, which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. By imposing same-sex "marriage" on voters, the California Supreme Court knowingly usurped the right of the people to effect change in public policy. This outcome is even more troubling than Massachusetts', in that California voters had already won the right to put a marriage protection amendment on the ballot in November. If the court cared at all about the democratic process, it would have stayed its decision until the people's voice was heard on the November amendment. Instead, these justices trampled on the legislature and created same-sex marriage by judicial fiat. This is nothing more than a judicial shotgun wedding that forces a redefinition of marriage on the people of California and potentially the rest of the nation. We trust that the voters of California will act in November to correct this exercise in judicial activism and to permanently enshrine the traditional definition of marriage in the state constitution. Clearly, this decision highlights the need for a federal amendment defining marriage in the U.S. Constitution. Only then will this campaign to shatter the family's foundation be ended once and for all.'- Written by Tony Perkins-FRC Action President
Here's the NY Times link. Arnold doesn't support the law change. Go terminator!!

The Message Bible:
Romans 1: 24-32 So God said, in effect, "If that's what you want, that's what you get." It wasn't long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes!
Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either—women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be men. Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men—all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it—emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches.
Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

We Are In This Thing Together

Christians are on a journey to Heaven. On the way we take pit stops to refuel and serve others needs as well. The one way I've found to stay on track is running this race with other Christians.
Ecclesiastes 4: 8- 12
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
"For whom am I toiling," he asked,
"and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.


These verses are typically used for marriage. However, I see them used for friendship as well. I have good friends that are there for me when I need them. I can count on them to tell me like it is and encourage me too. Without friends I would just pull away from everything and become a miserable person. We encourage one another, pick one another up, listen, pray with and for them, hear from God for them, have somebody to confide in when we need to, get away with, celebrate with, and cry with.

I met up with a new friend last night and we just spoke into each other's lives and prayed for one another. I am a blessed man. The Lord is helping me grow in Him and I'm ready!! I shared on my roller coaster life I live. High with God then down in the dumps. We met after a men's group that was good too. So God used both meetings to speak to my heart and tell me to serve Him all the more when it's not easy. I can't get complacent and take time off. I have to stay alert! I have also been getting this message through a few friends' blogs and emails.

Without friends that are honest and speak the truth with loving kindness, my life would be a virtual roller coaster or just a big valley. So everybody that blogs and I comment on it, emails me, or is a friend in person...thank you. You help me grow in God and win over that stinking devil!! I walk because of your assistance and the love of God. I hope I return the favor even more for you!!!

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.


Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Prayer With A Twist

I read Psalm 35 this morning (well the first 10 verses). It was David praying to God, asking Him to basically protect him from his enemies and take vengeance on them. There was one verse that stood out to me.
3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. *Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."*
He wants God to talk to his soul. I know I've read this before but I cannot recall ever reading 'Say to my soul'. Maybe I interpreted it differently. Your soul is different than spirit. The spirit is what I normally hear God with. I am sure it is the same for you. David, I believe, is asking God to tell his mind to get with it. Tell my mind 'it is ok' because you have and are saving me.
Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
David knew this wisdom. He was talking to his soul quite often in the Psalms:

  • 42:5-6 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

  • 42:11, 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

  • 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

  • 103:1,2 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

There are a lot more. David was trying to think kingdom-like. He wanted God's attitude so bad that when he was depressed or thinking wrong, he told his head what to think. 'Hey mind God is in charge and nothing is going to change that. Get thinking what He can do and not what I can't do.' He even went to God to have Him tell his head what to think. That is desperation and that is devotion. When everything we do to follow God still ain't working, tell Him to do what we can't do.
Are you needing your mind to think on heavenly things? Tell God to talk to your mind! Funny how every answer in life is go to God. He created us. He knows how to fix us. He is the answer to the question. #:-)

Thursday, May 1, 2008

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. As a nation we can come together spiritually and physically and touch God with our requests for change in the hearts of our leaders, family, and the lost. America is morally declining more and more each day and Christians compromise their values to stay 'culturally current'. We need revival. We need God to sweep across this nation and draw all people to Himself. We need (as Christians) to remain alert and discerning to the opportunities God creates all around us. The church needs to take the lead and not cower to political correctness or equal rights taking God out of the public places.


James 4: 13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.


Pride is this country's downfall. Pride deals in selfishness. When you are constantly looking out for number one (yourself) you lose. Things will always be harder and everybody seems out to get you. However when 'you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others' (Philipians 2: 4) things are always better. You lift each other up and you both win.

Ephesians 4:
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

God wants us to have unity in the body of Christ. Until the church works as one body our victory will be limited. Denominations can come together and work for what we believe in and make a difference that will change this country for the better. When we take the attitude of Christians as a whole instead of a Baptist versus Church of God versus Catholic, etc. we will move in one accord because we are on the same team. Jesus died for our sins. If you believe and confess Jesus as Lord you are in the team. Our enemy is darkness and all that comes with it, not each other.
Alright, off the soap box. I see the ways the devil is being effective and want a battle cry to come forth from the Kingdom of God. All I see and hear is a whimper. Yes there are churches that got it right, but these are the exception in an overall fight we are losing ground in.
Lets pray for:
  1. Unity in the body of Christ
  2. The pride in America to fall
  3. The church to regain control of this country putting God in His proper place
  4. The hearts of this country to turn to God
  5. Revival to wake Christians up to live for God and not this world
  6. The election
  7. There are many more prayers on your heart to pray for
In saying all this, I am not perfect and I let many of the faults I spoke of take control of my life. You know this if you've read this blog for more than a week. I take inventory of my life a lot more often now and notice or feel when something is not right. It may take time to fix it. However I don't just accept it as status quo. Hogwash! We need to change.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
If we don't change we can't hear God and have to depend on our strength and knowledge. I don't know about you but my average for doing it in my strength and knowledge is pretty bad.