Do you forget?

I do.

Do you sometimes forget how big our God is? Do you sometimes forget how powerful our God is? Do you sometimes fail to think upon how good our God is? Do you sometimes forget that we serve the same God today that parted the Red Sea? Do you sometimes just read through those stories with a casualness bred of familiarity?

Our God is totally, completely, incomprehensibly, and irrationally sovereign. He is so completely in control that it escapes our finite understanding.

And yet...and yet we have the audacity to so often look at Him and ask, "Are you sure God? Are you sure that this struggle/trial/test/hard time I'm experiencing is really best for me? Wouldn't it be better if my life was just...I don't know...better?"

God forgive us for our arrogance.

And ya know what? He will. He will forgive us.

God is good.

BIG gun

Dentist Visit

I just got back from my first visit to the dentist in over three years. They checked me out and gave me a "wow, you have wonderful teeth" diagnosis. I have a perfect bite, I've never had a cavity, I had room for my wisdom teeth to come in, and I still have my sealants from 7 or 8 years ago.

Life is good.

Spring

I like Spring. I like the rainstorms. I like having my windows open. I like the cool nights and the warming days. I like the fresh green grass. I like not having to run my furnace OR my air conditioner.

I need to go to Taylor and go fishing with Joe this spring.

True Story.

Despair?

Another thought provoking message from Bill Bright.

God is love . . . Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear (1 John 4:16, 18, NLT).

Dear friends:

The numbers are stunning.

Every hour and forty-five minutes another young person commits suicide; suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students and the third-leading cause of death among youth overall (ages 15-24); and teen/youth suicide rates have tripled since 1970.

What a terrible tragedy that so many young people would no longer consider life worth living!

But is it any wonder? In the past half century, God has been removed from our schools [and from our homes] and, in fact, in many instances students are being taught that there is no God, that there is no absolute truth, that there is no absolute morality, and that they evolved from the chance collision of primordial sea slime molecules.

In other words, they are taught that life has no meaning and thus no value. It is no wonder that many young people do not value life, in the streets, in the womb, or even their own.

No doubt drugs and the despair reflected in many of today's songs, books and movies, many of which are demonic, add to the emotional climate that prompts such self-destruction.

But there is another possible factor. When a group of teens who made the "Who's Who in High Schools" was asked what their greatest fear was, 80 percent answered, "The fear of failure."

In our culture, worship of the true God has been replaced by many by the worship of other gods, including the god of gold -- achievement and success. Great pressure has been put upon our young people to succeed in the competitive world of acquiring wealth and status. Competition is not bad, but overemphasis or obsession with it produces anxiety and fear. Not "measuring up" is seen as complete failure. Self-esteem is damaged, sometimes destroyed. For such victims, life seems painful and void of meaning.

This is all because of fear, which is one of Satan's chief devices to "steal and kill and destroy," which are his purposes according to John 10:10.

Such sobering facts remind me of a statement recorded in God's Word: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18, NIV).

Perfect love is a Person. Who is it? It is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Draw near to Him. Cast your care upon Him, because He cares for you. Receive His love and His peace today.

Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

Iraq

If you're like me, you've never heard a good explanation of why this issue in Iraq is such a difficult one to resolve. MSNBC has posted an excellent website outlining this. It's definitely worth your time to check it out.

Click Here

Spring Chicken & Rice

I love Spring.

My mom has this amazing chicken & rice recipe that Heidi and I are going to make tonight for supper. 1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup Instant Rice
1 cup milk
Stir while adding in cubed chicken in 9x13
smooth and sprinkle 1 packet of liptons dry onion soup
Cover with Aluminum Foil
Bake for 1 hr at 350I'm eagerly anticipating it.

Then I think we'll go for a walk and take advantage of the beautiful weather today.

I love Spring time.

Church Needs Committee

Great things are going to happen. The Lord is working. I'm excited!

Church Needs Committee: Update and Request for Recommendations

What we were asked to do. What we did. Where we are. What we now ask of you. Where we will go.

In response to a rapidly changing world around us, a committee of seven brothers was commissioned to search the scriptures and answer the question, “What is the role of the church to meet needs?” Our search was a pleasant mix of work and fellowship as we explored primarily the gospels and Acts. Discoveries were rich, being reminded of Jesus’ intent focus to teach many and train a few. As we turned the corner from “exploration” to “application and recommendations,” we settled on the model found in Acts 2:42.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Regularly, we were confirmed with the belief that if we focus on those core activities of biblical teaching, biblical fellowship, and fervent prayer, then there would be ample strength and availability within the church to meet our own needs and also reach out into the community with the gospel of hope.

For two reasons, we now turn to the congregation with a request for input and recommendations: we want to include you in the process so once we are finished you can be informed and aligned with direction we will recommend, and secondly, we desire to hear your heart and know what the Lord will speak to us through you on these areas. So in each of the three topics, teaching God’s Word, biblical fellowship, and prayer, we would ask you to answer the question, “Is there a need in one of those areas?” If yes, that you would describe it and provide recommendations.

For the next two weeks, the committee will set up a box on the table in the fellowship area to deposit your thoughts. If easier for you, you can draft an email and send it to bro. Mark at ..........@hotmail.com. For each of the three areas, the committee will create biblical principles to evaluate and finalize recommendations to the church. Afterwards, all of you will be invited to volunteer in the implementation of these recommendations for which the Lord gives you a heart to serve. We thank you in advance in communicating the thoughts and recommendations that the Lord lays on your heart. Please deposit in provided box or email response by March 25th.

These three questions purposely have been left broad and somewhat undefined; we do not want to constrain the direction of your ideas. However, we would appreciate your taking time to consider your thoughts and filter them through a few questions:
· Is it biblical?
· Will it unify?
· Will it edify (build up and strengthen?), and
· Will it glorify God’s name?


1) Is there a need in the area of biblical teaching of God’s Word? Y/N
What is the need? _______________________________________________________________
What recommendation would you have for that need? _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________ References:_______________



2) Is there a need in the area of biblical fellowship? Y/N
What is the need? _______________________________________________________________
What recommendation would you have for that need? _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ References:_______________



3) Is there a need in the area of prayer? Y/N
What is the need? _______________________________________________________________ What recommendation would you have for that need? _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ References:_______________


Your name is optional: __________________________

If the Lord places thoughts and direction on your heart, please fill this out and deposit in the box located on the table in the fellowship area. If by email, send to .........@hotmail.com
We ask that this is done on or before March 25th.

*Yawn*

Not much is known about why we yawn or if it serves any useful function, and very little research has been done on the subject. However, there are several theories about why we yawn. Here are the three most common theories: The Physiological Theory -- Our bodies induce yawning to drawn in more oxygen or remove a build-up of carbon dioxide. This theory helps explain why we yawn in groups. Larger groups produce more carbon dioxide, which means our bodies would act to draw in more oxygen and get rid of the excess carbon dioxide. However, if our bodies make us yawn to drawn in needed oxygen, wouldn't we yawn during exercise? Robert Provine, a psychologist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a leading expert on yawning, has tested this theory. Giving people additional oxygen didn't decrease yawning and decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in a subject's environment also didn't prevent yawning.

The Evolution Theory -- Some think that yawning is something that began with our ancestors, who used yawning to show their teeth and intimidate others. An offshoot of this theory is the idea that yawning developed from early man as a signal for us to change activities.

The Boredom Theory -- In the dictionary, yawning is said to be caused by boredom, fatigue or drowsiness. Although we do tend to yawn when bored or tired, this theory doesn't explain why Olympic athletes yawn right before they compete in their event. It's doubtful that they are bored with the world watching them.The simple truth is that even though humans have been yawning for possibly as long as they have existed, we have no clue as to why we do it. *Taken from HowStuffWorks.com

--The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes during a rocking chair marathon. The record holder reported hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech and memory and concentration lapses. I think I'm beginning to experience some of those symptoms. :-)--It's impossible to tell if someone is really awake without close medical supervision. People can take cat naps with their eyes open without even being aware of it. I think I did this in class all the time, but lacking close medical supervision, I can't be sure.--The "natural alarm clock" which enables some people to wake up more or less when they want to is caused by a burst of the stress hormone adrenocorticotropin. Researchers say this reflects an unconscious anticipation of the stress of waking up. It's somehow comforting to know that research has confirmed that waking up is stressful.

Can you guess how I'm feeling on this beautiful Monday morning? :-) Did you yawn while reading this post?

Eye Opening

Matthew 19:23-26
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

How rich are you?

Amusing

You know that song in our Hymns of Zion book that goes, "Meekness is the noblest virtue"? Well, when I was in college, my roommates and I changed that to "Patience is the noblest virtue"...'cause we needed LOTS OF IT. I think that may apply to this article.

Parents' Handbook for Raising Children.

Ask Calvin's Dad

Calvin's dad answering questions, quoted from various Calvin and Hobbes books by Bill Watterson.

Q. Why does the sun set?
A. It's because hot air rises. The sun's hot in the middle of the day, so it rises high in the sky. In the evening then, it cools down and sets.
Q. Why does it go from east to west?
A. Solar wind.

Q. Why does the sky turn red as the sun sets?
A. That's all the oxygen in the atmosphere catching fire.
Q. Where does the sun go when it sets?
A. The sun sets in the west. In Arizona actually, near Flagstaff. That's why the rocks there are so red.
Q. Don't the people get burned up?
A. No, the sun goes out as it sets. That's why it's dark at night.
Q. Doesn't the sun crush the whole state as it lands?
A. Ha ha, of course not. Hold a quarter up. See, the sun's just about the same size.
Q. I thought I read that the sun was really big.
A. You can't believe everything you read, I'm afraid.

Q. How come old photographs are always black and white? Didn't they have color film back then?
A. Sure they did. In fact, those old photographs are in color. It's just that the world was black and white then. The world didn't turn color until sometime in the 1930s, and it was pretty grainy color for a while, too.
Q. But then why are old paintings in color?! If the world was black and white, wouldn't artists have painted it that way?
A. Not necessarily. A lot of great artists were insane.
Q. But... But how could they have painted in color anyway? Wouldn't their paints have been shades of gray back then?
A. Of course, but they turned colors like everything else did in the '30s.
Q. So why didn't old black and white photos turn color too?
A. Because they were color pictures of black and white, remember?

Q. Dad, will you explain the theory of relativity to me? I don't understand why time goes slower at great speed.
A. It's because you keep changing time zones. See, if you fly to California, you gain three hours on a five-hour flight, right? So if you go at the speed of light, you gain more time, because it doesn't take as long to get there. Of course, the theory of relativity only works if you're going west.

Q. Why do my eyes shut when I sneeze?
A. If your lids weren't closed, the force of the explosion would blow your eyeballs out and stretch the optic nerve, so your eyes would flop around and you'd have to point them with your hands to see anything.

Q. How do bank machines work?
A. Well, let's say you want 25 dollars. You punch in the amount and behind the machine there's a guy with a printing press who makes the money and sticks it out this slot.
Q. Sort of like the guy who lives up in our garage and opens the door?
A. Exactly.

Q. What causes the wind?
A. Trees sneezing.

Q. Why does ice float?
A. Because it's cold. Ice wants to get warm, so it goes to the top of liquids to be nearer to the sun.
Q. Is that true?
A. Look it up and find out.
Q. I should just look up stuff in the first place.

Q. How come you know so much?
A. It's all in the book you get when you become a father.

The Goodness of God

Job 23:10-11
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

This is my "verse of the day" today. The first part really struck me. Some really good friends of mine recently lost their mother to breast cancer. God knows right where they're at in this very moment...and they will come forth as gold...pure gold.

God knows right where you're at in this moment, and if you're a Christian who can claim the promises of the Word of God, you too will come forth as gold.

If you can't point to a time in your life where you made the decision to be committed to Christ, I encourage you to click the "Now Try God" link on my sidebar. It's what we were created to do.

God is Good