I am currently going through the book of Acts with my small group at church. This would be the second time I have gone through Acts with a group, but as with most books of scripture, they seem to take on a different theme or flavor each time you go through them. That's why it' s so important to continue reading through scripture.
Since it's the Spirit that interprets scripture to us, its not unreasonable to suppose that the scripture reveals different parts at different times,(but that's beside the point.)
This time going through Acts with a group of close knit fellow believers has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had with a church group in a long time.
As we went through chapter one here were some questions that we asked eachother, some food for thought we served up and some compelling arguments and points that some made. Some of these are no brainers, most are not that profound. But for me, many of these things were small points that I had never really stopped to consider or ponder.
1 Jesus didn't want his disciples to leave Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit, and therefore not begin preaching the gospel until they had received the Spirit. This is both encouraging and humbling. First because it shows the futility of trying to preach the Gospel without the power of the Holy Spirit. and it shows that we have an indwelling strength we can rely on in witnessing and ministering. Verse eight say the disciples would receive POWER! Bam! Holy power! to go and be witnesses in Jerusalem, Samaria and all the world,
(Note that the phrase"Bam!Holy Power!" is not in the bible)
2. Small piece of food for thought that I won't go into details about or give my opinion on.In verse 6 and 7, The disciples ask if Christ is going to restore the Kingdom to Israel at this time. Common thought is that Christ was never actually offering a physical kingdom to the Jews, That it was always a spiritual kingdom and the disciples and Jews just didn't get it. My question is, even after all they had seen and Christ rising from the dead and spending 40 days with them speaking things of the Kingdom of God, were they still so dense and caught up in tradition that they just didn't understand any of it? While that seems unlikely, even if it were the case, Christ doesn't respond by telling them they still don't understand. He simply says its not for them to know the times or seasons God has put in his own power. What does he mean? You figure it out. (Email me if you want to discuss it.)
3. The casting of lots has always fascinated and slightly amused me in the first chapter. The thing that sticks out to me is the fact that they never cast lots again in the book of Acts. That may not be significant other than the fact that after they received the Holy Spirit, they had no need for lots to determine Gods will. They had the indwelling spirit to guide them. Throughout the rest of Acts we see numerous times when the apostles were pressed by the spirit towards a certain path or action. Obviously before the gift of the spirit, they relied on casting lots for Gods decisions. The other things that comes to mind when I read this section is the story of Jonah and the sailors casting lots to determine who to cast off the boat, and also the story of Gideon putting out his fleece. I have heard people contemplate determining God's will for themselves through some type of "putting out the fleece".
I think it's important to realize that everything changed when God sent his Holy Spirit. His children no longer had to cast lots or put out fleece to know what god wanted. The Spirit moving a leading was the only indication they needed.
So, if you're looking for an application to take away from the first chapter of Acts. I would say the emphasis is on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to help with witnessing and for guidance in all areas. Something to ask yourself or others in your group or church is how to become more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to learn how the spirit presses us and strengthens us.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Two friends
I was trapped in sin and darkness,
I felt all hope was lost,
Till two friends came beside me,
And led me to the cross,
Him on the right, her on the left,
They pointed to the blood,
And told me of a grace,
That was a never ending flood,
They introduced me to the man,
Who paid for all my sins,
Who banished all my darkness,
And made me feel again,
These two dear friends stayed with me,
As I grew to understand,
The meaning of my life here,
They are both my biggest fans,
They always love and guide me,
And point me towards the truth,
I would not know my savior,
Mom and Dad,
If not for you,
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
A world without God
I love sci-fi. Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Superhero movies. All of them are fun and thrilling. Endless story lines and mind bending concepts are introduced through sci-fi movies.
But there's something else that always hits me after watching one of these movies or reading a book. Like any fiction the story is set in a world that the author has created, a world where they make the rules. Unfortunately, many authors and movie writers are not christians, so the world they create is a world without God.
Star Trek visits the idea of a reality that is beyond what we understand, a spiritual like reality. But it is discussed in a more evolutionary mindset.
Doctor Who has ventured into religious grounds several times with episodes wherein the villain is the God of a certain culture or race of people, or even the devil himself locked underground for centuries. In the end, the Doctor always makes these ideas seem small and meaningless as he (sometimes easily) defeats the entity that some thought all powerful.
Now I'm not saying that all shows need to be about God (although it would be nice) and I'm not saying that shows that are not christian based shows are always evil.
But the last few times I have finished watching a superhero flick or a dazzling space thriller, I am left at the end feeling depressed. I have submerged myself into this world being put before me and found it to be a world without God. From then on it consumes my thoughts leaves me thinking about whats beyond the story portrayed, about how the characters view life. Jean Luc Picard of Star Trek Next Generation often philosophizes about the existence of man and the need of man to explore and better himself. But what's after that, Jean Luc? In your world however dazzling and appealing now, it holds nothing after. No promise of rest or peace. Just nothing.
Ironically enough, it's the life I live thats to be envied. Because though, at this moment, crawling under houses to fix leaking water pipes may be less glamorous than exploring the far reaches of the galaxy, I know the man who created that galaxy. And I have his promise that I will one day fly through that galaxy by his side. And not just for a life time. But forever....
So
As exciting as Sci-Fi life is, it cannot compare to the life I now hold.
This all seems strange because I am arguing the meaning of life with a Sci-Fi Character.
But how much of our culture is consumed with Sci-Fi and fiction? How much are we enamored with the adventure and drama and how much of our thoughts do we give to dreaming about being involved in such drama? Sometimes it may be to a point where we are addicted to watching other people act out this drama. How often do we forget that we will have the greatest adventure of all times in a world that is to come. And how often do we forget all the meaning in this life when the Sci-Fi life that we look to with envy really holds.... Nothing.
But there's something else that always hits me after watching one of these movies or reading a book. Like any fiction the story is set in a world that the author has created, a world where they make the rules. Unfortunately, many authors and movie writers are not christians, so the world they create is a world without God.
Star Trek visits the idea of a reality that is beyond what we understand, a spiritual like reality. But it is discussed in a more evolutionary mindset.
Doctor Who has ventured into religious grounds several times with episodes wherein the villain is the God of a certain culture or race of people, or even the devil himself locked underground for centuries. In the end, the Doctor always makes these ideas seem small and meaningless as he (sometimes easily) defeats the entity that some thought all powerful.
Now I'm not saying that all shows need to be about God (although it would be nice) and I'm not saying that shows that are not christian based shows are always evil.
But the last few times I have finished watching a superhero flick or a dazzling space thriller, I am left at the end feeling depressed. I have submerged myself into this world being put before me and found it to be a world without God. From then on it consumes my thoughts leaves me thinking about whats beyond the story portrayed, about how the characters view life. Jean Luc Picard of Star Trek Next Generation often philosophizes about the existence of man and the need of man to explore and better himself. But what's after that, Jean Luc? In your world however dazzling and appealing now, it holds nothing after. No promise of rest or peace. Just nothing.
Ironically enough, it's the life I live thats to be envied. Because though, at this moment, crawling under houses to fix leaking water pipes may be less glamorous than exploring the far reaches of the galaxy, I know the man who created that galaxy. And I have his promise that I will one day fly through that galaxy by his side. And not just for a life time. But forever....
So
As exciting as Sci-Fi life is, it cannot compare to the life I now hold.
This all seems strange because I am arguing the meaning of life with a Sci-Fi Character.
But how much of our culture is consumed with Sci-Fi and fiction? How much are we enamored with the adventure and drama and how much of our thoughts do we give to dreaming about being involved in such drama? Sometimes it may be to a point where we are addicted to watching other people act out this drama. How often do we forget that we will have the greatest adventure of all times in a world that is to come. And how often do we forget all the meaning in this life when the Sci-Fi life that we look to with envy really holds.... Nothing.
Friday, September 20, 2013
We can change the world!....Right?
When I was younger I was lit with a fire, A fire to change the world for Christ.
When I was younger I wanted to tell everyone on this planet about what he had done for me.
I could picture myself standing in front of crowds of people preaching, or starting a huge ministry that would reach thousands. I told the lord that this is what I wanted.
then I waited.
I was waiting for my ministry to start, For the time to come when Christ would use me in big ways.
And every day that I waited I passed by the people around me without even smiling at them.
I mean after all I didn't have time for them right? I had a world to change. I had a nation to bring back to Christ. And all the while those same people were passing me by every day.
Is it wrong to want to change the world? No. But the reality is that the worlds not going to change.
its a lie that the church can bring the world back to God, This world is a sinful nasty place and we haven't changed it, we are not changing it, and we will not change it.
BUT!
We can change people. Or rather we cant change them but we can introduce them to the man who can.
Instead of looking to change the world we can look to change those living in the world around us.
And when you change someone they go on to change someone else and then someone else.
Pretty soon with the small change that you have made, a big change is being made in a family, in a community, in a state, in a nation.
All big changes start with little changes.
When people raise the cry of changing the world I just smile. Christ is the only one who can change the world. And he WILL change the world when he brings his new kingdom down from the heavens above to the heavens here and rules with his bride over the nations. But until then, our job is to make as man people possible a part of that bride.
So don't seek to change a sinful world that God is going to destroy. Seek to change people so they will not be destroyed with the world.
When I was younger I wanted to tell everyone on this planet about what he had done for me.
I could picture myself standing in front of crowds of people preaching, or starting a huge ministry that would reach thousands. I told the lord that this is what I wanted.
then I waited.
I was waiting for my ministry to start, For the time to come when Christ would use me in big ways.
And every day that I waited I passed by the people around me without even smiling at them.
I mean after all I didn't have time for them right? I had a world to change. I had a nation to bring back to Christ. And all the while those same people were passing me by every day.
Is it wrong to want to change the world? No. But the reality is that the worlds not going to change.
its a lie that the church can bring the world back to God, This world is a sinful nasty place and we haven't changed it, we are not changing it, and we will not change it.
BUT!
We can change people. Or rather we cant change them but we can introduce them to the man who can.
Instead of looking to change the world we can look to change those living in the world around us.
And when you change someone they go on to change someone else and then someone else.
Pretty soon with the small change that you have made, a big change is being made in a family, in a community, in a state, in a nation.
All big changes start with little changes.
When people raise the cry of changing the world I just smile. Christ is the only one who can change the world. And he WILL change the world when he brings his new kingdom down from the heavens above to the heavens here and rules with his bride over the nations. But until then, our job is to make as man people possible a part of that bride.
So don't seek to change a sinful world that God is going to destroy. Seek to change people so they will not be destroyed with the world.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
In a better place - Part two
It was like stepping outside, but when he turned around he only saw more outdoors. Yet, James still had the distinct feeling that he had just stepped through a door into this place. He did not know where this place was, but that did not frighten him. If anything, the feeling he got from looking at the grass covered slopes around him gave him a feeling of....happiness. Intense happiness. More amazing was the fact that James did not feel pain any more. In all his short life he could not remember one time that the pain did not rack his small body. And now...nothing.
"Hello James, remember me?" Turning, James saw Donny walking towards him... looking taller, broader than James remembered him being.
"How did you get here?" James asked in a small voice.
"I live here!" Donny said in a loud voice; then quieter, "and now you do to."
"Is mommy coming here?"
"Yes," said Donny. "You have to be patient, but right now I want you to see someone." As he spoke, Donny slowly outstretched his hand to point behind James. Slowly turning, James saw the feet first, feet with holes in them! The small boy had the feeling that there was something strange, yet wonderful about those feet with holes in them. As his eyes moved upward he saw the hands; holes in them as well. Then James looked up into the face, the face that was smiling back at him. It was a face so incredibly kind and so incredibly familiar that James immediately started running towards the man. The man bent down with open arms as James ran headlong into them, sending both boy and man flying backwards onto the grass, each one laughing loudly. The man pulled James close to his chest and whispered, "Welcome home James, I have waited a long time for you."
Smiling, James looked up and again and asked, "Will mommy and the rest of my family be coming?"
"Soon James,soon." the man replied. "But first come with me," he said, standing up and taking the boys small hand in his. "I have so much to show you."
"Hello James, remember me?" Turning, James saw Donny walking towards him... looking taller, broader than James remembered him being.
"How did you get here?" James asked in a small voice.
"I live here!" Donny said in a loud voice; then quieter, "and now you do to."
"Is mommy coming here?"
"Yes," said Donny. "You have to be patient, but right now I want you to see someone." As he spoke, Donny slowly outstretched his hand to point behind James. Slowly turning, James saw the feet first, feet with holes in them! The small boy had the feeling that there was something strange, yet wonderful about those feet with holes in them. As his eyes moved upward he saw the hands; holes in them as well. Then James looked up into the face, the face that was smiling back at him. It was a face so incredibly kind and so incredibly familiar that James immediately started running towards the man. The man bent down with open arms as James ran headlong into them, sending both boy and man flying backwards onto the grass, each one laughing loudly. The man pulled James close to his chest and whispered, "Welcome home James, I have waited a long time for you."
Smiling, James looked up and again and asked, "Will mommy and the rest of my family be coming?"
"Soon James,soon." the man replied. "But first come with me," he said, standing up and taking the boys small hand in his. "I have so much to show you."
Sunday, June 9, 2013
In a Better Place-Part one
She was losing him....That was the only thought running through Cindy's mind. After a year and a half of fighting the sickness, she was losing him. The hospital was empty on a Wednesday evening. Though the town had a small college, it was still very quiet during the summer months. Cindy turned as the door flew open and Donny rushed in. Cindy was glad to see the frumpy looking college kid, with his long hair and baggy clothes.
Looking at Donny, Cindy realized that she really didn't know where Donny was from. Or for that matter why he had stayed in town over the summer.
She only knew that this young man had brought much comfort to her in the last three months. Comfort because he had brought joy to James at the end of the small boys short life.
She began weeping again at the though of her six year old son lying on the operating table.
The Doctors had told her it was just a matter of time. As she wept she she felt Donny's hand on her shoulder. In a quiet voice he said, "He's in a much better place now Cindy. He cant feel the pain any more".
"Strange" Cindy thought, "that such a young person could somehow comfort her so much with just a touch".
She looked up into his face only to find herself staring at the blank wall opposite her. Looking around Cindy found she was alone in the waiting room.
The door from the next room opened right at that moment and Doctor Johnson stepped in. "I'm sorry Cindy," he said. "As we thought, it had progressed to far" The Doctor stepped across the room and took Cindy's hand. "I did all I could".
" I know...He's in a better place now".
Monday, May 21, 2012
Theology
I love to study theology. It's the best feeling in the world to pick out a topic to study and examine it from all different angles until you feel like you have a grasp on the different opinions and feel that you can form your own opinion on that topic. Then you can take that opinion and share and discuss it with others of the same or of different opinions.
A few months ago I started feeling like I was focused too much on theology. I felt like the reason I was studying was simply to be able to sound smart in discussions with other Christians.
I decided to stop focusing on theology so much and start focusing on prayer and simple reading.
That hasn't been working out to well.
Not studying deep into topics left me feeling like I didn't really want to read at all. I felt like the word wasn't getting to me because I was basically just skimming the surface. Now any bible reading is good. But for me personally I feel that I don't get as much out of it unless I study into a certain topic deeply.
My prayer suffered as well. It's hard to talk to a person that you don't spend time with every day. And it's hard to spend time with someone when your not taking the time to learn more about them. I wasn't learning anything new about Christ and my relationship with him and what I did know became fuzzy. It's hard to want to spend much time in prayer when things become fuzzy.
So...My conclusion is that (for me personally anyways) my relationship with Christ thrives when I am interested in studying his word. I just have to ask Jesus to keep my pride in check when I start feeling like I'm pretty smart.
A few months ago I started feeling like I was focused too much on theology. I felt like the reason I was studying was simply to be able to sound smart in discussions with other Christians.
I decided to stop focusing on theology so much and start focusing on prayer and simple reading.
That hasn't been working out to well.
Not studying deep into topics left me feeling like I didn't really want to read at all. I felt like the word wasn't getting to me because I was basically just skimming the surface. Now any bible reading is good. But for me personally I feel that I don't get as much out of it unless I study into a certain topic deeply.
My prayer suffered as well. It's hard to talk to a person that you don't spend time with every day. And it's hard to spend time with someone when your not taking the time to learn more about them. I wasn't learning anything new about Christ and my relationship with him and what I did know became fuzzy. It's hard to want to spend much time in prayer when things become fuzzy.
So...My conclusion is that (for me personally anyways) my relationship with Christ thrives when I am interested in studying his word. I just have to ask Jesus to keep my pride in check when I start feeling like I'm pretty smart.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Vlogs
Vlogs. Videos where random people look into a camera and talk entirely to long about things that nobody cares about.
That's right... I'm thinking about doing some of my own!
So here's the question. If I joined the millions of vloggers who try to find something new to talk about and a new way to share it all for an excuse to get their mugs in a video on the web...Would anyone care?
Probably not...
So I'm probably gonna do it!
That's right... I'm thinking about doing some of my own!
So here's the question. If I joined the millions of vloggers who try to find something new to talk about and a new way to share it all for an excuse to get their mugs in a video on the web...Would anyone care?
Probably not...
So I'm probably gonna do it!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Halloween spirits
So I have noticed that there have been a large amount of terrible accidents and crimes this past month. More than usual, at least where I live. News reports of car accidents, shootings, suicides, freak accidents, all taking lives or seriously injuring someone, have filled the newspapers in my hometown. I wonder if it's just coincidence or...something else.
I think it's important to remember that we are always involved in spiritual warfare. And while demons and evil spirits might not have any more power during the month of October then any other month. I think people are more open to the supernatural around Halloween.
This might give the demons a little more of a hold on people and allow them to twist their minds even further to the breaking point.
We all need to remember to pray very hard for our friends family and and for the general safety of people everywhere.
And never forget that we are always fighting a spiritual battle.
I think it's important to remember that we are always involved in spiritual warfare. And while demons and evil spirits might not have any more power during the month of October then any other month. I think people are more open to the supernatural around Halloween.
This might give the demons a little more of a hold on people and allow them to twist their minds even further to the breaking point.
We all need to remember to pray very hard for our friends family and and for the general safety of people everywhere.
And never forget that we are always fighting a spiritual battle.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Music
So on my way home from town today ,where I had purchased a new battery for my car, I was listening to a mixed CD that I had burned earlier that week. I was amused at the thought of what other people would think if they heard my mix of music. Some might say I am diverse in my music choices. After thinking about it I decided to share a mix of the songs that i was listening to tonight.
The first song on the CD was the song Nocturne by the band Becoming the Archetype.
I don't listen to A whole lot of these guy but I really like this song
The second one was I'm Your's by none other than Jason Mraz.
This song is everywhere so i don't feel the need to post a link :P
The third song is one that I have seen shared alot on various social networks.
It's an amazing song so I understand why it has been passed around so much.
Moonlight by Steven Sharp Nelson
An amazing song because cello makes everything amazing :)
The third song was a country song that has been popular for a while. Watchin you by Rodney Atkins
A great song for dads!
The last song I went Gangsta! Blastin some Blazing Mic's by T-Bone.
This guy is an phenomenal rapper with a mouth that moves a million miles an hour.
So there you can see some of the different types of music I switch around to :)
Hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Ramblings
Once again I apologize for being a terrible blogger. My summer schedule has really been hectic.
I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop in downtown Shawnee OK right now trying to study (emphasis on the TRYING)
I just finished a classic turkey sandwich and am sitting here listening to the chatter of old college friends re-uniting after the summer, smelling the smell of good coffee and hearing a small group of local musicians warm up for some live music they are going to be playing here tonight. Life is good right now. I put in a good days work, got some stuff organized. for my business and as always I have run into a couple friends that I have been able to chat with.
Such is life in a small town :) Not to small to be boring mind you! But still small enough to where you will most likely run into someone you know. Even if you don't know someones name you still usually recognize each other and can stop and chat for a bit. You probably know each other by names such as "He's that short guy that works at that one restaurant" Or in my case "It's the window washin guy"
In these cases my mind go's back to old western novels I have read in the past. In those books the cowboys names were never important. What was important was how hard a man could work and that he kept his word. A far cry from what help up as important these days.
Course this is just my humble opinion.
Don't mind me....
I'm just rambling.
I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop in downtown Shawnee OK right now trying to study (emphasis on the TRYING)
I just finished a classic turkey sandwich and am sitting here listening to the chatter of old college friends re-uniting after the summer, smelling the smell of good coffee and hearing a small group of local musicians warm up for some live music they are going to be playing here tonight. Life is good right now. I put in a good days work, got some stuff organized. for my business and as always I have run into a couple friends that I have been able to chat with.
Such is life in a small town :) Not to small to be boring mind you! But still small enough to where you will most likely run into someone you know. Even if you don't know someones name you still usually recognize each other and can stop and chat for a bit. You probably know each other by names such as "He's that short guy that works at that one restaurant" Or in my case "It's the window washin guy"
In these cases my mind go's back to old western novels I have read in the past. In those books the cowboys names were never important. What was important was how hard a man could work and that he kept his word. A far cry from what help up as important these days.
Course this is just my humble opinion.
Don't mind me....
I'm just rambling.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Farm life (part 1) Farm fowl and their classes
So living on a farm you get the chance to watch animals quite often. When observing animals you notice things about them that you never did before. many of these things are quite funny. Here I will start a series of posts about my observation of the hilarious antics of the animals that inhabit our humble piece of real estate.
Farm fowl and their classes.
Here on the farm we have three main types of fowl. Guinea fowl. ducks, and chickens.
Now the chickens are kept in a pen while the ducks and guineas run free. It's pretty funny how they all stay in their groups and how the groups interact with one another. It's like they are broken up into different classes.
The chickens make up 80% of the population here on the farm, and are the main labor force. They work day in and day out laying eggs for our breakfast each morning and our baking throughout the week.
They are kinda dumb but they work hard and actually provide us with something. The rooster is the leader of the chickens (obviously) and we have had to replace our rooster several times. They seem to start out nice but then get mean with time. I have more than once had a rooster sink it's 1 1/2 inch spurs into my leg. Chickens are very curious and will examine any new thing that comes into their pen with much interest, pecking at it and uttering confused balks and squawks. Some mother hens are protective over their eggs. giving your hand a little "no no peck" as you gather their eggs. Others seem almost happy for you to take the eggs right from under them. I have learned to not feed the chickens with flip flops on. you will get your toes pecked.
The Ducks are like the aristocrats of the farm. They have a very superior attitude as the waddle around. They look down on the ducks and guineas and can easily show them who's boss if necessary.
There are six of them here on the farm and they all walk around in a single file line with their bills in the air acting like they own the place.
When disrupted in any way they will scatter and run away with much quacking
and wing flapping. and will then regroup and complain to each other in indignant quacks and murmurs about the nerve of the animal or person who disrupted them. They recently started laying eggs quite consistently so we are hoping to hatch some ducklings in a few weeks.
The guineas are the wild yahoos of the group. Much like wild Indians or a tribe of African Nomads. Running around constantly picking fights amongst themselves and among the other fowl on the property. They try to fit in with the Chickens but usually end up fighting with them over food. When not in the pen with the chickens they are constantly chasing each other around the yard, running so fast and turning at such sharp angles that they look more like little feathery motorcycles flying around than birds. The only use that they serve (besides providing entertainment to anyone watching them run around) is to keep the tick and insect population down. And they do a very good job at this.
They are extremely dumb however and can't make up their minds as to weather they want to fight you or run away from you. They usually end up doing an awkward back and forth charge at your feet that does nothing but make them look silly.
The only time i have ever seen a guinea actually attack a human was when my mom tried to catch a baby guinea that had hatched and was following the mom around. At first it appeared that the guinea didn't even notice my mom. But as soon as she turned around and started walking towards the house with the little feathery blighter in her hands, the father of the chick took off landing in my mothers hair! It proceeded to do a little dance on my mothers head and make a terrible racket until my mom dropped the chick and threw the creature from her head. It then acted like nothing had happened and went on it's way.
So there you have it. The three types of fowl we have on the farm here. All living together. Yet very clear lines separate not only where they live and sleep, but also how they act and what they do for us on the farm.
I am hoping to do a Farm life post every few weeks or so along with my regular blog posts. Let me know if you think it's a good idea and would like to see more, or if it's boring and stupid and you would rather me not do any more farm posts. :)
God Bless.
Farm fowl and their classes.
Here on the farm we have three main types of fowl. Guinea fowl. ducks, and chickens.
Now the chickens are kept in a pen while the ducks and guineas run free. It's pretty funny how they all stay in their groups and how the groups interact with one another. It's like they are broken up into different classes.
The chickens make up 80% of the population here on the farm, and are the main labor force. They work day in and day out laying eggs for our breakfast each morning and our baking throughout the week.
They are kinda dumb but they work hard and actually provide us with something. The rooster is the leader of the chickens (obviously) and we have had to replace our rooster several times. They seem to start out nice but then get mean with time. I have more than once had a rooster sink it's 1 1/2 inch spurs into my leg. Chickens are very curious and will examine any new thing that comes into their pen with much interest, pecking at it and uttering confused balks and squawks. Some mother hens are protective over their eggs. giving your hand a little "no no peck" as you gather their eggs. Others seem almost happy for you to take the eggs right from under them. I have learned to not feed the chickens with flip flops on. you will get your toes pecked.The Ducks are like the aristocrats of the farm. They have a very superior attitude as the waddle around. They look down on the ducks and guineas and can easily show them who's boss if necessary.
There are six of them here on the farm and they all walk around in a single file line with their bills in the air acting like they own the place.
When disrupted in any way they will scatter and run away with much quacking
and wing flapping. and will then regroup and complain to each other in indignant quacks and murmurs about the nerve of the animal or person who disrupted them. They recently started laying eggs quite consistently so we are hoping to hatch some ducklings in a few weeks.The guineas are the wild yahoos of the group. Much like wild Indians or a tribe of African Nomads. Running around constantly picking fights amongst themselves and among the other fowl on the property. They try to fit in with the Chickens but usually end up fighting with them over food. When not in the pen with the chickens they are constantly chasing each other around the yard, running so fast and turning at such sharp angles that they look more like little feathery motorcycles flying around than birds. The only use that they serve (besides providing entertainment to anyone watching them run around) is to keep the tick and insect population down. And they do a very good job at this.
They are extremely dumb however and can't make up their minds as to weather they want to fight you or run away from you. They usually end up doing an awkward back and forth charge at your feet that does nothing but make them look silly.
The only time i have ever seen a guinea actually attack a human was when my mom tried to catch a baby guinea that had hatched and was following the mom around. At first it appeared that the guinea didn't even notice my mom. But as soon as she turned around and started walking towards the house with the little feathery blighter in her hands, the father of the chick took off landing in my mothers hair! It proceeded to do a little dance on my mothers head and make a terrible racket until my mom dropped the chick and threw the creature from her head. It then acted like nothing had happened and went on it's way.
So there you have it. The three types of fowl we have on the farm here. All living together. Yet very clear lines separate not only where they live and sleep, but also how they act and what they do for us on the farm.
I am hoping to do a Farm life post every few weeks or so along with my regular blog posts. Let me know if you think it's a good idea and would like to see more, or if it's boring and stupid and you would rather me not do any more farm posts. :)
God Bless.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews12:1-2
WOW! So much amazing stuff packed into those two little verses! Such a sense of freedom and joy can be gathered from those verses!
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews12:1-2
WOW! So much amazing stuff packed into those two little verses! Such a sense of freedom and joy can be gathered from those verses!
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
Don't let the cares of this life wear you down! We are saved by the blood of the lamb and will someday go to be with Jesus forever in a place with no more pain or sin. Can anything in this life be much to worry about with that in mind?
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Patience takes faith and builds faith. Start with a little faith and it keeps growing the longer your patience continues. And it all brings glory to God.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
Christ is the author of our faith. Faith is nothing without something to put that faith in. Faith in the blood of Christ is what saves us from our sins and as such he is the author of our faith.
Christ is the finisher of our faith. In him our salvation is completed! What peace we can feel knowing that our salvation is secure in Christ!
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
Hanging on a cross was the most shameful way to die, You were branded as a criminal and a sinner,
Anyone who was left hanging on a tree was accursed from God! Yet Christ endured it all for the joy of saving us from our sins and welcoming us as his bride into the church!
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Bible says that Christ is the mediator between God and man. It also says that Christ is on the right hand of God interceding for OUR sins! He endured the cross! Being branded as a sinner and being accursed from his father, so you could be saved! But then he rose from the grave and rose to heaven! And is even now sitting on the right hand of God interceding for us. He's covered us with his perfect blood and as such we are nothing but holy in the eyes of God.
Praise Jesus Christ and to HIM be ALL the glory.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Total depravity
Recently my sister Hannah wrote a small report for school on total depravity.
I think it was very well done and that she made some excellent points.
I have posted a link to it below, let me know what you think!
Note: The first link I posted did not work...I posted a second like that hopefully will work.
https://docs.google.com/
I think it was very well done and that she made some excellent points.
I have posted a link to it below, let me know what you think!
Note: The first link I posted did not work...I posted a second like that hopefully will work.
https://docs.google.com/
Monday, February 28, 2011
Shallow Gospels
The Winter Jam tour spectacular! One of the largest annual Tour in Christian music. Featuring such names as Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Kutless, And many more.
Ten dollars at the door for ten artists.
This was the seventh Winter jam I have gone to and it was HUGE!
In Oklahoma city over 15 thousand people crowded into the Oklahoma city arena to watch the show. two years ago winter jam featured Skillet, Barlow Girl and Mercy Me and broke the record and became the largest concert ever in Oklahoma.
But as amazing and fun as the show was, there was one thing that I came away with that bothered me.
With that many people in one place and all eyes and ears focused on whoever was on the stage, why couldn't ANYone have given a straightforward gospel message!?
The speaker/preacher for the winter jam tour was a man named Tony Nolan. Tony has been on most of the Jam tours preaching and giving his testimony.
The basic jist of what he preached was this... No matter what sin you have done, no matter what your doing in your life right now, no matter what, God is still madly in love with you.
Is this true? Absolutely! But the problem was that they stopped right there!
They told people that God loves them and there is forgiveness for their sins. but they did not go on to tell people that if they do not turn to Christ and believe in his death on the cross,then they are going to hell when they die.
They did not mention faith all that much. and only mentioned the Cross and Christs death maybe once or twice that I can Remember.
people were not told that God wants to do more than just forgive you, he wants to change you into a new person! one that wants to follow him! Never was to concept of the old man being gone away and being a new creature in Christ talked about. Nor was Jesus taking our place on the Cross talked about. It was all just that God loves you even if your living in sin.
Maybe i am to cynical but I can just see someone almost feeling like God was ok with their sin because of what the preachers at Winter jam preached. Like sin is something that God doesn't really like, but he loves people so if we just repeat this little prayer that they say to us then everything will be alright. Then they don't really have Christ in their lives and they CANT change and turn away from Sin because that is impossible without Christ. So they show up next year and go through the same thing again.
It is really sad to me that A pastor with over 15 thousand men women and kids listening to them cant give a straightforward gospel message. It was convoluted and watered down. as if the people in the crowd are to dumb to understand anything deeper than A kids Sunday school teaching.
I have been to many concerts and I have only been to one where a straight forward gospel message was preached.
It was a small Sanctus Real concert at a college near where I live.
They didn't need a special Pastor or anything to give a message.
The lead singer of the band simply gave his testimony then proceeded to give a gospel message to the unsaved and a message of encouragement to the saved.
It was one of the most refreshing things to hear the Gospel preached like that, in such a straightforward way that people were not left guessing what they had to do to be saved.
Christians everywhere need to understand that the Gospel is something deeper than just "God loves you"
People need to understand that they are a sinner according to God laws.
They need to understand that because they are a sinner they are going to be punished by being sent to hell when they die.
And they need to understand that the only way to be saved is if you believe that Christ took that punishment
upon himself and offers his perfection in exchange for our sin.
That is something that is hardly preached in churches today.
I hope this makes sense.
I would love some feedback to...I would like to see what others think about this.
God Bless
Ten dollars at the door for ten artists.
This was the seventh Winter jam I have gone to and it was HUGE!
In Oklahoma city over 15 thousand people crowded into the Oklahoma city arena to watch the show. two years ago winter jam featured Skillet, Barlow Girl and Mercy Me and broke the record and became the largest concert ever in Oklahoma.
But as amazing and fun as the show was, there was one thing that I came away with that bothered me.
With that many people in one place and all eyes and ears focused on whoever was on the stage, why couldn't ANYone have given a straightforward gospel message!?
The speaker/preacher for the winter jam tour was a man named Tony Nolan. Tony has been on most of the Jam tours preaching and giving his testimony.
The basic jist of what he preached was this... No matter what sin you have done, no matter what your doing in your life right now, no matter what, God is still madly in love with you.
Is this true? Absolutely! But the problem was that they stopped right there!
They told people that God loves them and there is forgiveness for their sins. but they did not go on to tell people that if they do not turn to Christ and believe in his death on the cross,then they are going to hell when they die.
They did not mention faith all that much. and only mentioned the Cross and Christs death maybe once or twice that I can Remember.
people were not told that God wants to do more than just forgive you, he wants to change you into a new person! one that wants to follow him! Never was to concept of the old man being gone away and being a new creature in Christ talked about. Nor was Jesus taking our place on the Cross talked about. It was all just that God loves you even if your living in sin.
Maybe i am to cynical but I can just see someone almost feeling like God was ok with their sin because of what the preachers at Winter jam preached. Like sin is something that God doesn't really like, but he loves people so if we just repeat this little prayer that they say to us then everything will be alright. Then they don't really have Christ in their lives and they CANT change and turn away from Sin because that is impossible without Christ. So they show up next year and go through the same thing again.
It is really sad to me that A pastor with over 15 thousand men women and kids listening to them cant give a straightforward gospel message. It was convoluted and watered down. as if the people in the crowd are to dumb to understand anything deeper than A kids Sunday school teaching.
I have been to many concerts and I have only been to one where a straight forward gospel message was preached.
It was a small Sanctus Real concert at a college near where I live.
They didn't need a special Pastor or anything to give a message.
The lead singer of the band simply gave his testimony then proceeded to give a gospel message to the unsaved and a message of encouragement to the saved.
It was one of the most refreshing things to hear the Gospel preached like that, in such a straightforward way that people were not left guessing what they had to do to be saved.
Christians everywhere need to understand that the Gospel is something deeper than just "God loves you"
People need to understand that they are a sinner according to God laws.
They need to understand that because they are a sinner they are going to be punished by being sent to hell when they die.
And they need to understand that the only way to be saved is if you believe that Christ took that punishment
upon himself and offers his perfection in exchange for our sin.
That is something that is hardly preached in churches today.
I hope this makes sense.
I would love some feedback to...I would like to see what others think about this.
God Bless
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A Tribute
This blog post is a tribute to one of Americas most recognized cartoon characters.
SNOOPY!!!!
Perhaps the most popular cartoon dog in history, Snoopy has been entertaining millions for years through comic strips, videos, holiday and greeting cards, and ......everything else.
If it can have a picture put on it, then snoopy's probably on one somewhere.
He has inspired many to be cool. I myself have taken the nickname Joe Cool for many media login names.
He is one of the most lovable animated characters in america.
Snoopy's awesome.
We love Snoopy.
Nuff said.
SNOOPY!!!!
Perhaps the most popular cartoon dog in history, Snoopy has been entertaining millions for years through comic strips, videos, holiday and greeting cards, and ......everything else.
If it can have a picture put on it, then snoopy's probably on one somewhere.
He is one of the most lovable animated characters in america.
Snoopy's awesome.
We love Snoopy.
Nuff said.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Blah?
So i have been seeing alot of friends lately that are feeling very... Blah about their lives right now.
Random posts from some that are...not really looking for a purpose for their lives, just really unsatisfied with where their lives are. Feeling very stagnant and like they just need to do something different.
Others however have really been struggling with what the purpose of their life is.
I myself have been feeling very restless and in need of....Something!
At first I attributed it to the fact that I had been snowed in for two weeks and hadn't been able to get out and about. But then I realized that the reason for the feeling (I believe) was because of a change that had occurred in me over the past few months.
A kind of awakening led me to realize that I wasn't letting god lead me like I had in the past.
I had become so focused on finishing school as quickly as I could (which wasn't very quickly at all really) that I had lost sight of a calling that I felt from God long before I started college.
Along with school I had become focused on myself and how I wasn't living up to the standards that I wish I could. I felt lazy and unable to get any motivation for anything. I kept going and telling myself that I was doing good because i wasn't quitting. But I still felt that ever present sense of failure.I kept thinking of other friends who made better money, had nicer cars, were getting married, were moving on with their lives while I felt like I was stuck in a place I would be for a long time.
Thankfully God woke me up.
The problem with those thoughts is that their all self centered. "I need to get more motivation, I need to get done with school quickly, I need to take the opportunity to witness to people and work for God."
I, I, I,.....
All self focused. And while those things are all good things it was still self centered thinking.
It should be " I need Christ to give me motivation, If it's what Christ wants I will get through school quickly, I need to let Christ use me in the way he wants to use me...not how I think i could be used".
It all came down to having faith in Christ and letting him lead me. And if things were getting in the way of letting him lead then those things needed to go (hence the break I am taking from school).
What I can say to my friends dealing with feelings that I was having is just this.
Christ has a purpose for every one of his children. The main thing he want's done on this earth is for us to all get really good jobs and make good money right? I don't think so.
The main thing that Christ wants us to do in this life is Love others and minister to those who need it.
I know many of my friends would gladly do anything that they felt God was calling them to.
I know most of my friends would gladly go to any foreign country and preach the Gospel...and that can be really hard to do.
But sometimes it's harder to have patience, Sometimes it's harder to try and see what God may be calling you to do where your at. I know this. If you cant do the little thing's that he calls you to right now. Or be a witness for him in the place that your at, he will not be able to send you out to do something big for him.
The main point is that your identity and who you are is in Christ. He has the plan for your life. But if you don't submit to him in every part of your life he will not be able to lead you to that plan. When your focused on yourself then you wont measure up to much. But when we focus on Christ then that is the ultimate standard to shoot for.
God bless.
Random posts from some that are...not really looking for a purpose for their lives, just really unsatisfied with where their lives are. Feeling very stagnant and like they just need to do something different.
Others however have really been struggling with what the purpose of their life is.
I myself have been feeling very restless and in need of....Something!
At first I attributed it to the fact that I had been snowed in for two weeks and hadn't been able to get out and about. But then I realized that the reason for the feeling (I believe) was because of a change that had occurred in me over the past few months.
A kind of awakening led me to realize that I wasn't letting god lead me like I had in the past.
I had become so focused on finishing school as quickly as I could (which wasn't very quickly at all really) that I had lost sight of a calling that I felt from God long before I started college.
Along with school I had become focused on myself and how I wasn't living up to the standards that I wish I could. I felt lazy and unable to get any motivation for anything. I kept going and telling myself that I was doing good because i wasn't quitting. But I still felt that ever present sense of failure.I kept thinking of other friends who made better money, had nicer cars, were getting married, were moving on with their lives while I felt like I was stuck in a place I would be for a long time.
Thankfully God woke me up.
The problem with those thoughts is that their all self centered. "I need to get more motivation, I need to get done with school quickly, I need to take the opportunity to witness to people and work for God."
I, I, I,.....
All self focused. And while those things are all good things it was still self centered thinking.
It should be " I need Christ to give me motivation, If it's what Christ wants I will get through school quickly, I need to let Christ use me in the way he wants to use me...not how I think i could be used".
It all came down to having faith in Christ and letting him lead me. And if things were getting in the way of letting him lead then those things needed to go (hence the break I am taking from school).
What I can say to my friends dealing with feelings that I was having is just this.
Christ has a purpose for every one of his children. The main thing he want's done on this earth is for us to all get really good jobs and make good money right? I don't think so.
The main thing that Christ wants us to do in this life is Love others and minister to those who need it.
I know many of my friends would gladly do anything that they felt God was calling them to.
I know most of my friends would gladly go to any foreign country and preach the Gospel...and that can be really hard to do.
But sometimes it's harder to have patience, Sometimes it's harder to try and see what God may be calling you to do where your at. I know this. If you cant do the little thing's that he calls you to right now. Or be a witness for him in the place that your at, he will not be able to send you out to do something big for him.
The main point is that your identity and who you are is in Christ. He has the plan for your life. But if you don't submit to him in every part of your life he will not be able to lead you to that plan. When your focused on yourself then you wont measure up to much. But when we focus on Christ then that is the ultimate standard to shoot for.
God bless.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Friends
I must say that I love all of my friends!
Nothing builds me up spiritually like talking to good friends.
Listening to music with good friends makes the music that much better.
Playing games would be no fun if i didn't have friends to play them with.
What would be the point of writing a blog if I didn't have friends that would grit their teeth and be bored to death reading it.
I love my friends.
My good friends are always there if I need to talk about something.
They are always willing to give me advice.
Friends are there to have fun with.
You can get through thick and thin with a good friend.
What fun are sports without friends?
Friends rock!
If your reading this then your a friend!
You rock :)
God Bless!
Nothing builds me up spiritually like talking to good friends.
Listening to music with good friends makes the music that much better.
Playing games would be no fun if i didn't have friends to play them with.
What would be the point of writing a blog if I didn't have friends that would grit their teeth and be bored to death reading it.
I love my friends.
My good friends are always there if I need to talk about something.
They are always willing to give me advice.
Friends are there to have fun with.
You can get through thick and thin with a good friend.
What fun are sports without friends?
Friends rock!
If your reading this then your a friend!
You rock :)
God Bless!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Resting in Jesus
Not many people today understand what it means to rest in Jesus. Maybe we should define what rest is...Just so were sure to be on the same page here.
Have you ever had a really long day where nothing went right and you came home just feeling beat?
Days like that you want nothing more than to just come home and fall into bed and sleep!
Then you are resting! Just layin there doing absolutely nothing! Thats rest!
One of the first examples of resting in the Bible is when God rested on the seventh day after he had created the world. Was that rest just a break? No He was done! And Adam and Eve were able to enjoy the perfect work that God had done.
As an example of that God gave the Hebrews the sabbath. The sabbath was a day of rest once a week from work. The Hebrews were under a covenant of works at that time, The sabbath was given to provide rest from those works.
Then Christ came and he kept the entire law perfectly! Then he Died for our sins and rose again. Was he still under that law? No he had died! How can a law judge a dead man! The bible says the wages of sin is death, Sin is defined by the law, Christ took our sins then submitted himself to the punishment of the law....death!
So could he be punished for that sin again? NOPE! Already paid for.
So when we submit to Christ we are also submitting to that law. We say "I cant keep the law, Jesus is the only one who did and can, And since he is offering me the salvation that he earned by keeping the law perfectly I am going to submit to the law and die as Christ died and I will be raised again with him"
So now we are in Christ who fulfilled the law for us. We don't have to keep that law anymore! It's been fulfilled! So we simply rest in Christs finished work. What work? The work that he did on earth of keeping the law perfectly and then dying for us!
We no longer need a sabbath day to rest from work! We are resting everyday in Christ. HE is our sabbath.
People still have the idea that they have to do something to maintain their faith or that they need to keep the law and the ten commandments to please God! Christ already did that for you so that now you can look on from those things and focus on the better things he has for the people resting in him!
It is such a freeing Gospel! We don't have to do anything! Christ did it all! All we do is to put our faith in the fact that he kept the law perfectly and died for our sins.
Stop trying to do all this work! and just have faith!
God Bless!
One of the first examples of resting in the Bible is when God rested on the seventh day after he had created the world. Was that rest just a break? No He was done! And Adam and Eve were able to enjoy the perfect work that God had done.
As an example of that God gave the Hebrews the sabbath. The sabbath was a day of rest once a week from work. The Hebrews were under a covenant of works at that time, The sabbath was given to provide rest from those works.
Then Christ came and he kept the entire law perfectly! Then he Died for our sins and rose again. Was he still under that law? No he had died! How can a law judge a dead man! The bible says the wages of sin is death, Sin is defined by the law, Christ took our sins then submitted himself to the punishment of the law....death!
So could he be punished for that sin again? NOPE! Already paid for.
So when we submit to Christ we are also submitting to that law. We say "I cant keep the law, Jesus is the only one who did and can, And since he is offering me the salvation that he earned by keeping the law perfectly I am going to submit to the law and die as Christ died and I will be raised again with him"
So now we are in Christ who fulfilled the law for us. We don't have to keep that law anymore! It's been fulfilled! So we simply rest in Christs finished work. What work? The work that he did on earth of keeping the law perfectly and then dying for us!
We no longer need a sabbath day to rest from work! We are resting everyday in Christ. HE is our sabbath.
People still have the idea that they have to do something to maintain their faith or that they need to keep the law and the ten commandments to please God! Christ already did that for you so that now you can look on from those things and focus on the better things he has for the people resting in him!
It is such a freeing Gospel! We don't have to do anything! Christ did it all! All we do is to put our faith in the fact that he kept the law perfectly and died for our sins.
Stop trying to do all this work! and just have faith!
God Bless!
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