Last night was a dream night. It was kind of like going to a bunch of different amusement parks. First an island adventure, then to the Middle East and then somewhere in Southeast Asia. Funny, I do not go to bed with those places on my mind for the most part. Occasionally before falling asleep I will pray for a place, but usually I am “programming” for answers, for encounters. So, going places and seeing people is not something I “look” for. Continue reading Remembering The Good Old Days-Overtaken!
Category Archives: Teaching
Live For 1,000 Years?
I woke up this morning and thought, “I will use the beginnings of what I sketched out for today” but for some reason the task of that thought process is daunting. I looked at it and felt my “energy” level too low to accomplish. Not sure why. Did not stay up very late. My dreams were “rough” but not abnormal. My dreams are still in “ponder” mode.
I thought maybe I would table the thoughts of the last week or so where I have posed some questions I felt needed to be asked of myself as well as perhaps by others, but reading a friend’s post brought a topic near and dear to my heart. So, I will jump off her thoughts. Continue reading Live For 1,000 Years?
The Big Hill…
When I was perhaps 3 or 4 years old, my parents bought me a pair of little skis. Perhaps not more than 18 inches long, I would climb up on the snow banks the plows had created. These were probably no more than 8 feet high, but they were icy and after many sit down starts, I was able to manage.
But then one day I eyed the roof our porch and naturally my imagination thought how amazing that would be to travel down. So, one afternoon, I got the ladder out of my dad’s garage and moved it over to the porch. A few close calls as the ladder rocked, but I was able to get up on the roof. Though, it wasn’t a steep pitch, it was more than enough to provide the ride of a life time. As I sailed off into the air, I was excited. Moments later as the wind was knocked out of me and I hurt so bad I could not breathe or cry.
As life rolls on that which is “big” in our eyes becomes smaller with age, maturity and experience. With each step we make our “mountains” smaller, bringing home the idea that we must press on. Continue reading The Big Hill…
A NOW God For A NOW Season
As things were moved around the basement, I was struck with the fact that it looked much like my old basement. A short while later I was in the middle of town and I was struck with how beautiful this old town had become. It was like I had just watched time lapse photography of the community coming together. I heard the words “Fantastic Friday” on a sound system some where. I walked around and admired the seemingly impossible beauty of the place. This scripture was on a sign at the road into this community. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Another sign said “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.” (Joel 2:25-26) Continue reading A NOW God For A NOW Season
Preparation Is Not A Four Letter Word
I realized yesterday that more people are interested in a “now” word or one that makes them excited than they are in the preparations necessary not only to “get” somewhere, but to stay somewhere. What value is fudging on an entry test or lying on job application only to get to the school or job and not be able to do the work?
For years we have talked about God coming to the unqualified rather than the qualified. I have heard the pithy statements like “God qualifies the unqualified”. I have listened to many sermons on the topic. I agree to a certain extent. I understand the power of grace that lifted us from a sinful cavern and set us upon a rock of salvation. I do. I really do. Continue reading Preparation Is Not A Four Letter Word
The Importance Of Character
One of the greatest hurts sustained in the body of the Christ is that time when someone falls or fails. When one hurts in the body we all hurt. 1 Corinthians 12:26
For some it is that moment when a “Judas” appeared in their life. A trusted person or persons let them down. Judas had a failing or a fall. (I am not talking about a fall from grace for that is simply a return to the law and leaving the understanding of grace.) It is the time where someone walks away or acts in a way that brings pain. Other times it is the recognition of a problem that causes so much pain. Continue reading The Importance Of Character
Which Way Do You Lean?
This past weekend I had the privilege to speak in our local fellowship, The Village Church. But whether I preached or not, I would not change the fact that I believe people can live better, freer and wiser in their lives just by changing their “dependency”. Their dependency? Yes. Where their dependency is on is where they receive advice, counsel and understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. Continue reading Which Way Do You Lean?
Jehovah Perazim Your Break Through
Today while I was preaching in my church family, I was reminded of the spirit of breakthrough. In the old testament there was the story about the breaker or the Lord of break through, Jehovah Perazim.
The scriptures are here in 2 Samuel 5:19-21
…19Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away.… Continue reading Jehovah Perazim Your Break Through
It Is Time To Use Your Words
When I first connected with God and gave my life over to Him I was pretty naïve about a lot of things. I believed a lot of things I no longer believe. Even today my belief in God is deepened, shaped and changed. To try to live like I always did no longer possible.
One of the things I heard was this. That while God was pure the impurity of the vessel added residue to the words that someone brought forth. You may know it as the “flesh” thing. Flesh tarnishes spirit thinking. Now, I do not believe that anymore and if you do have at it. (But before you send me the scathing epistles take some time to study the word “flesh”.) I was taught that when someone gives a word the “impurity” of them will get on it, leaving it “good but not God”. Continue reading It Is Time To Use Your Words
Flying In 2014 – Teaching At Village Church Podcast
Teaching in my home fellowship! You can download on iTunes here.
For notes on this teaching visit here.