Daily Devotion

Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

Prayer that God pays attention to begins with an attitude of dependence and humility!

The foundation of effective prayer is not your words or requests or expressions of praise. Rather, the foundation of prayer is a right heart-attitude toward God.
Yes, we should be confident when we pray; but that confidence is based on the character and promises of God, not on our own person.
It is humility and brokenness that God is looking for in those who pray to Him. He is "high and holy" but also so deeply compassionate that He pays attention to "the contrite and lowly of spirit".
Several times the Bible warns us that "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

God is saying to you today that if you want to grow strong in your prayer life, put your self-confidence away; throw your pride aside and come to Him with a sense of desperation and dependence.Then watch as God responds to you, reveals Himself to you, and acts on your behalf.

Comfort Wipe Commercial

So much to comment on, but I’ll just highlight 10 things and let you guys fill in the rest and add in your commentary:

1. (0:01) The video opens with someone yanking the TP on the roll. That dude is about to wipe with 22 squares of TP, which is a bit excessive. Not only that, but who scrunches when the TP is still on the roll?
2. (0:15) “The first improvement to toilet paper as we know it since the 1880s!” Really? Because I’m pretty sure in the 1880s they were still wiping themselves with tree bark and oak leaves. What about the invention of perforations? What about the invention of 2-ply and 3-ply? What about the invention of Charmin Toilet Quilts?
3. (0:18) “It extends your reach a full 18 inches.” I’m sorry, if you can’t reach your butt to wipe, maybe it’s time to spend your money on something other than a Comfort Wipe. Now, if you were born with stubby arms or a 3-foot deep butt, then I’m not talking to you, so please don’t be offended. Actually, I don’t know who I’m talking to. Let’s move on.
4. (0:23) “It’s as easy to use as a shower brush!” In fact, if you’ve ever wanted to rub fecal on yourself in the shower, now you can!
5. (0:32) “Think about it. Toilet paper is really archaic and disgusting” You know what, I did think about it and I disagree. Toilet paper is neither archaic nor disgusting. Pooping in a hole in the ground and using your left hand to wipe yourself is really archaic and disgusting. Toilet paper is fine. Not to mention that you’re still using toilet paper in this process. So really shouldn’t you be trying to convince me that holding soiled toilet paper in my hand is disgusting, and not the toilet paper itself?
6. (0:38) “That’s right! Never touch another dirty toilet tissue.” Instead, touch a piece a plastic that’s been between the butt cheeks of everyone in your house.
7. (0:40) “Being a big guy certainly has its advantages” Really? What exactly, are those advantages? I mean, nothing against big guys here, but I’d really like to see a separate video where Mr. Blue shirt unpacks that statement for us.
8. (0:50) “The comfort wipe allows you to maintain your dignity” That would be great, except for the fact that you lost every ounce of dignity you ever had when you decided to order the Comfort Wipe.  (and what accent is she using when she says the word ‘dignity’? Olde English? Rich Person?)
9. (1:10) Apparently you can tear your shoulder labrum from wiping your butt. How fast are these people wiping themselves that it’s requiring major reconstructive surgery?

10. (1:26) Mark my words, the Get-A-Grip will be responsible for multiple deaths by the end of the year. I’m not rejoicing in it, just giving you the facts.
Bonus. (1:35) “The entire $50 value for just $19.99″ Can we get some info on the independent organization who set a value on these time items at $50? I’d like them to come and appraise my house.
What do you think? Is this the personal hygiene product you’ve been dreaming of all your life?

I think the Snuggie officially changed the game for infomercials. No longer are they trying to convince you to buy a product. Now all they’re doing is trying to be ridiculous as possible in hopes that their commercial will go viral.

Well, congratulations Comfort Wipe. You win.

KO Punch deliverd by a BLind Dude

 I’ve always thought the story in John 9 was one of the better ones in the Bible, probably because the blind beggar who gets healed delivers 3 great lines back to back to back to the Pharisees.

First, the Pharisees corner this guy and ask him if he thinks Jesus is a sinner. His response was perfect: “Whether he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Second, they make him go over his story of how he was healed a second time. The ex-blind guy must have a good sense of humor because he says to them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Zingaaa! Dude is on a role now.

The Pharisees are ticked off by his last statement and say “We’re disciples of Moses. We don’t even know where this guy comes from (referring to Jesus)!” Seizing the opportunity, the beggar delivers the knockout punch saying, “This is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from and yet he opens my eyes…Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God he could do nothing.”
The Pharisees, upon getting completely punked, threw the guy out of the synagogue.

You read the story and you think, stupid Pharisees were so oblivious to the truth that was right in front of them. But I know there’s lots of times when I miss it too. I don’t see stuff that’s going on around me, I miss opportunities to help other people and show them love, and I often don’t even see the cynicism, anger, or selfishness in my own heart. May God open all of our eyes to those things today and every day.

Random Thoughts From The Bathroom

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?”

 We’ve got to be learning and growing, not afraid of the unknown, and not afraid of rejection or failure.
So when was the last time YOU did something for the first time? Think about it…

Daily Devotion

1 Corinthians 15:20-26

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

Jesus' victory over death assures us of our life after death!

Jesus' resurrection from the dead was "the first fruits" of those who'd be raised. That means that He was just the first of many. All those who belong to Him will be physically raised from the dead in the last days when He returns to earth.

So our spirit will still be alive and will be given a new body on that day. Until then, we'll be with the Lord in heaven, existing in a spiritual state and fellow shipping with Him. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."

Daily Devotion

Philippians 1:20-24

…according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Don't be afraid of death, because it is the doorway into a life that is "very much better", with Christ!
Do you hear the conflict in Paul's heart as he writes these words to the Philippians? Yes, he wants to go on living on earth so that he can build Christ's Kingdom here on earth in the hearts and lives of people. But at the same time, he knows that life "with Christ" is going to be so much better and he can't wait for that!

God is reminding you today that, as a Christian, life after death is something to be very excited about. Your enthusiastic confidence about that makes you radically different from the people around you. So let them see it!

Things that waste my Time.......

Here is a short list of the simple things in life that when added up waste HUGE amounts of my life.

1. Software updates - I hate starting up my computer only to have it tell me I have like 1,000 new updates. I then need to restart my computer as it takes at least 15 min to update everything.

2. Any and all lines at WalMart - Seriously this has to be the worst. First of all WalMart insist to be under staffed. They have like 100 registers with 15 of them open, which leads to a lifetime long line. The worst is when you have like three items to check out and they wont let you check them out in the electronics section so you have to stand there for three days to check out a tooth brush, your wife's monthly pads and some baby formula

3. Special orders at Taco Bell - This one Speaks for itself, Taco Bell refuses to hire anyone with a high I.Q. (did I mention that I worked at a Taco Bell when I was a teenager)

4. Going in to pay for gas when the credit card machine outside does not
work - This just upsets me!! Please get it fixed already!

5. The Bears 2009 season… all of it! - I love the Bears but last season is one I try not to think about!!

6. THE DMV - Just sitting there waiting for your number to be called! And after every number is read you look down like you don't know it's not your number just hoping that it magically changed when you were not looking.

7. Playing Monopoly with people who take their time - These players need to be blacklisted from the game. I created my own list of players and my wife Lily is at the top!!

8. Making the bed in the morning just to mess it up at night - This one is where Lily and I have a problem. She will not convert to my way of thinking. Please pray for God to open her eyes

9. Pre 90′s movies that showed ALL the credits before the actual movie - One word "Brutal"!! When you have to sit through 15 min of credits before the movie starts, that is just not right!!

10. Trick candles… really, what’s the point? - I never understood trick candy

More to come….......

or maybe I’ll keep you waiting anxiously for nothing.  That would be a waste of time.

Ampd Youth at Great America

We had such a great time

Daily Devotion

John 14:3-6

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

There is only one way to a wonderful eternity with God and that is through the person of Jesus Christ!

If there was any other way for a person to become acceptable to God, you can be sure God would have taken that other way. No one can ever measure the pain to the heart of God the Son to take on Himself the sin and guilt of the whole world, or the pain in the heart of God the Father as He turned away, for the first time in all eternity, from His dear Son because of the sin of the world.

 No, God wants you to know that if He could find no other way, then neither can you. But how He longs for you to take the way He has provided at such a great cost. He wants you to be with Him for all eternity.

How I'm Crazy like Mel Gibson

 

The whole thing made me wonder, “How does someone get to that point?” … How do you get to the point where you can tell someone that they don’t count and actually believe it?

Mel Gibson is absolutely nuts.
That’s the conclusion I came to after listening to the recorded phone calls of him acting like a monster while talking to the mother of one of his kids, Oksana Russianlastname.
If you haven’t heard the recordings, I’m not so sure you should go out of your way to find them. The Cliff Notes version is that Mel calls her every filthy name in the book, demands that he deserves sexual favors, tells her he owns her, uses racial slurs, threatens to burn down her house, tells her she deserved to be hit (there are allegations that he knocked 2 of her teeth out while she was holding their baby), and at one point screams “YOU DON’T COUNT!”
Like I said, absolutely nuts.

The short answer is: I don’t know. I don’t know about all the demons in Mel’s life. The substance abuse, the media scrutiny, the years and years of being coddled and treated like a star on a royal pedestal. It’s got to be hard not to think you’re the most important thing out there when people keep treating you like you are.
But there is one thing I think I do know. I think I know where it all starts. I think this type of behavior starts when we begin to think our needs are more important than the needs of other people.

The problem I have is that this is EXACTLY the way I’m wired. In fact, I think most of us are. When we wake up, the person we’re most concerned with is ourselves. That’s the default setting.
For me, it takes effort and intentionality to think about others’ needs. If I’m not careful, I can manipulate relationships to try and get the most out of them for myself. Instead of thinking “what can I do for my buddy?” or “How can I help my wife Lily have an amazing day today?”, I find myself angling for the best possible outcome for me. “How can they make my life easier and  make me feel better about me?”
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not malicious or psychopathic behavior like Mel Gibson was demonstrating. But it’s still unhealthy, and it’s in direct opposition to the advice God gives us in Phillipians 2, which says “…in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
So here’s the challenge I’m giving myself, and I’m giving you too if you’re up for it. Let’s be more intentional about how we treat others. From our closest loved ones to our weakest friendships, let’s call ourselves out on the selfish tendencies we wake up with every morning, and try to get better – little by little – at truly placing other’s needs above our own.
I’m not saying we’re all on the verge of lunacy, but I do think the mindset that started Mel on the path to Wackoland is the same mindset that can creep into our lives if we’re not careful.

So let’s be careful.

The next time you see a Mel Gibson headline or hear someone talking about how looney the guy is, let it be a reminder to you to treat others well.
Other people DO count. They count MORE than you, actually. So let’s start living like that.

Random Thoughts From the Bathroom

 Okay seriously Where in the world do all the Fruit Flies come from? I mean your kitchen can be spotless with all the windows closed and you leave some fruit out for a little while and all of the sudden you have like a million nats all over the place!!! What is up with that?! Where do all of them come from? I think they all just wait in hiding until you clean up everything just so they can come out fly around and piss you off. (Or maybe just me)  I always find myself swinging my arms around trying to kill them. I am sure I look like a doplick idiot swinging my arms at nothing!!

Random thought today:            "Where do Fruit Flies Hide"

Daily Devotion

John 14:1-2

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

The Lord Jesus is preparing your place in heaven!

What a fantastic confidence we have as believers in Jesus Christ. We have the expectation that after death is a fantastic way of life with God in heaven. If you have put your faith in Jesus as the Son of God, then have faith in His promise.
You have a place in God's house in heaven. How awesome it will be to be a part of the household of God, to have Him nearby at all times, to live in intimate fellowship with Him!
Think of those times when God has met you in a prayer time in an amazing way and you were overwhelmed with His presence and love for you. You felt His glory all around you. In heaven, what you felt for a moment in prayer on earth will be your ongoing, natural experience. You will delight in God's presence forever.

If you have a loved one who is already in heaven, God wants you to realize today that they are already overflowing with the best time in their lives. They are walking with God and more `at home' than they've ever been.

Daily Devotion

Luke 15:25-32

Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound".

But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, "Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him." And he said to him, "Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found."

You can be a committed Christian and still bring God grief if you ignore His greatest concern! This older brother worked hard for his father, and obeyed his commands, but totally ignored his father's deep burden to find his younger brother.

What's God saying to you?

Wasco High's Club 316's "See You At The Pole

 Do you ever feel alone on your campus? Do you sometimes feel you’re the only Christian around? Is it tough to reach out without standing out? But your heart is to reach your friends for Christ, so what do you do?

Well, what if you gathered with other Christians around the flagpole at your school on the morning of September 22 and laid this petition before God, "Father, may Your will be done on my campus as it is in heaven”?

What if all of you really meant that prayer? What if your youth pastor stood ready to help you make this a reality?

How would that change your school? 

How would that change the lives of your friends and fellow students?

See You at the Pole, the global day of student prayer, began in 1990 as a grass roots movement with ten students praying at their school. Twenty years later, millions pray on their campuses on the fourth Wednesday in September.  The date for this years movement is September 22, 2010.

See You at the Pole is simply a prayer rally where students meet at the school flagpole before school to lift up their friends, families, teachers, school, and nation to God. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led event.

 This year CLUB 3:16 is putting on a Rally on the evening of See You at the Pole Day at 6pm at the Wasco High School Flag Pole as well as the morning prayer. There will be a time of Worship, Prayer and a Life Challenging Message. CLUB 3:16 will also be providing free food as well as free drinks. Lets See You at the Pole at Wasco High School to kick-off the School Year and challenge yourself to truly make a difference this year. And take your place in history with millions of other students on this Global Day of Student Prayer.

Daily Devotion

Colossians 1:19-20

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

You can have a wonderful relationship with God!

This was not always true. There was a time in your life when you were alienated from God. Things were not good or right in your relationship with Him. You could do nothing to fix the relationship, because you had offended God far too deeply and because you had broken His moral laws many times.
But look at Jesus on the cross, struggling with excruciating pain, facing God the Father's anger and judgment. Find tears in your eyes as you see the pain both in His body and in His spirit. But allow joy to join your sadness as you see why He is suffering so terribly.
He is suffering for you! He is in pain because He is taking the judgment you deserve, facing God's anger at your sin. Why? Because He loves you and wants you to be able to come to God with the confidence that your sins are completely dealt with and forgiven.

Turn to the Lord Jesus right now and express what is in your heart to Him about what He has done for you.

Why What You Wear Matters

Clothing Matters

One concrete expression of dedicating one’s body for divine purposes is the clothing one wears. This seemingly mundane matter actually receives more attention in Scripture than one might expect; indeed, it is an important aspect of human embodiment.
When God created Adam and Eve, they were “naked and unashamed” (Gen. 2:25). Their fall into sin, however, introduced a sense of shame and led them to a futile attempt to solve their predicament (Gen. 3:7-11). In his mercy, God provided appropriate clothing to cover human nakedness (Gen. 3:21). Thus, clothing is a post-fall necessity to deal with sin and shame.

Embrace Your Gender

Though definitely a cultural matter and thus varying widely, the clothing of the body is addressed by certain principles in Scripture. The prohibition against cross-dressing—“a woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Duet. 22:5)—underscores the givenness of gender and rebukes anyone who refuses to embrace the gender with which they were created. Such rejection of their God-given maleness or femaleness is a heinous sin before their Creator.
Accordingly, clothes should reflect a man’s creation as a man and his acceptance of his maleness; similarly, they should reflect a woman’s creation as a woman and her acceptance of her femaleness.
Two passages directly address women’s clothing: Paul desires “that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire” (1 Tim. 2:9), and Peter commands: “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart” (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
Clearly, cultural perspectives are operative in these instructions (for example, there is nothing inherently wrong with braided hair, but this hairstyle communicates something evil in some cultures), but rather than overlooking these passages, Christians can learn from their principles.

5 Scriptural Principles For What You Wear

1. Understand that clothes communicate something about those who select and wear them. Christians should dress sensibly, being conscious of their selection in clothing.
2. Avoid clothes that draw attention to one’s status of wealth and privilege.
3. Dress modestly, not sensually, avoiding seductive clothes that draw attention to one’s sexuality.
4. Dress properly, using good judgment and avoiding clothes that associate the wearer with rebellion and evil.
5. Spend wisely and fittingly on clothes, guarding against purchasing so as to overtax one’s budget and considering what is appropriate in light of personal, family, church, and world needs.

Clearly, these principles apply as much to men as to women. Even the clothes Christians wear should confirm their profession of the gospel.

Daily Devotion

Colossians 1:16 

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

You have been created for Jesus Christ!

  Something that has been created and carefully crafted by someone belongs to that person who crafted it. He can use it in whatever place and whatever way he wants. When other people look at the thing and comment on how beautiful it is, they honor the person who made it.
In the same way, you have been created by Jesus Christ and FOR HIM. He is your reason for existing. He is the meaning of life! Your life is for Him.
This is not some gruesome purpose; it is not a meaningless existence. No, He does not want you to be His slave, but His friend, walking through life in step with Him and working with Him to accomplish His purposes in the lives of the people He has placed you with.
  It was not our right or privilege to walk with Jesus in this way. We used to be estranged from God. But God reached into our lives and drew us to Himself. He pursued our hearts. He suffered unbelievably to make a way for us to be able to fulfill our purpose in life: to live for Him and with Him.

Daily Devotion

Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God

Jesus reveals to us the beautiful character of God!

  The Apostle John tells us that "no man has seen God at any time." Then he says of Jesus, "He has explained Him" (John 1:18). The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus "is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3).
  Jesus does not show us the essential being of God. No one can see God, because God is spirit. What Jesus shows us is the essential character of God — what kind of person He is. And what we see of God in Jesus is so sublime. John puts it this way: "we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
God is saying to you today, to look at Jesus to understand what He is like.   Do you want to know if God cares? Look at Jesus, moved with compassion as He sees the multitudes. Do you want to know if God is really committed to you? See Jesus dying on the cross for you. Do you wonder how God feels about hypocrisy in your spiritual life? Look at Jesus' words to the Pharisees. Will God still accept you after major spiritual failure in your life? Look at Jesus on the beach, walking with Peter and restoring him.

Daily Devotion

John 8:24

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

 
  The Pharisees were always trying to catch Jesus off guard. Regardless of what Jesus was teaching, they would test Him. The Pharisees were the religious leaders and teachers of the day. They knew the Scriptures better than anyone and were always ready to tell others how to live by them. They were superior in their righteousness, or so they thought. They enjoyed their status, their power and the honor given to them by man. Jesus however, created problems for them in His teachings. The people wanted to hear more of what Jesus had to say. The Pharisees were threatened as they saw their power diminishing, as more and more people followed Jesus. How sad to realize that the very One whom they had been waiting for their whole lives was in their midst and they did not recognize Him!
  The people who denied Jesus would die in their sins because they refused to believe that He is the Son of God. When all is said and done, the verse above sums up the truth. If we do not believe in Jesus, we will die in our sins. Sadly, there are still Pharisees in our world today who think that by knowledge and good works they have the answers. There are those who can recite Scripture to justify any argument or prove any point and are always instructing others on how to live godly lives. Then, there are those who truly try hard to do what is right. They volunteer for ministry services, give freely to others in need and are kind-hearted to everyone. On the outside, both types look very godly and religious. But what about on the inside?
Jesus is not impressed with our "good" works. Our best intentions mean nothing in the kingdom of God. We are born of sin, live sinful lives and will die in our sins, unless we do one thing—believe in Jesus. It is not the kind of belief that acknowledges His existence or His role. James 2:18 tells us that, "even the demons believe and tremble." The word "believe" means to adhere to, rely on, trust in, and depend upon. Do you believe in Jesus Christ according to His definition of the word? Do you absolutely depend upon Him for your salvation? Do you know that there is nothing you can add to your salvation and that there is no good work that you can do for eternal security? The only requirement is faith. The only One who can cleanse us from our sins is Jesus Christ, and the only way we can be cleansed is by believing in Him alone. Today, you can know Him. Dear Lord, I want to know Your Son Jesus. I know that I am a sinner who cannot do enough good works to earn my salvation. I am lost without You. I want You to be my Lord and Savior forever more. 

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Missoni meets Converse

Don’t be confused – I’m not a fashion blogger.  Try as I might to appear fashionable and stylish (which fails ridiculously), the comfort of falling back on jeans and t-shirts is far too appealing.  Which is precisely why this collaboration between Missoni and Converse struck a chord with me.  The casual trustworthiness of Chuck Taylors paired with the sophistication and edge of Missoni.  I love each of these very much, but sadly, refuse to pay $200 for a pair of sneaks.  Any takers?

Daily Devotion

Luke 22:41-45

And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.

You will find the strength to face the most difficult trials of your life in prayer!

  Jesus could hardly endure even the thought of the cross. He knew the physical agony would be beyond comprehension. He was already feeling the emotional devastation as He thought about the coming break in His relationship with the Father. And the spiritual blackness to His heart of taking the sin of the world on Himself attacked His commitment to go to the cross.
  Where could He go to find strength for this struggle? He went to His knees. Spurgeon points out, "His great comfort was prayer and submission to the divine will." As long as you battle God's will for you, stress will remain. But when you can finally embrace God's will for you, there is peace.

Are you facing a trial in your life? Cry to God, and submit your life to His will.

7 Life Lessons from The Bachelorette

A While ago Lily and I sat down and watched the season premiere of The Bachelorette together.  Yes I said that, you didn't read wrong!! It was the first time we had seen it, and because the show is so amazing, I knew it would be the last!!!

Now that everyone’s going to live happily ever after,  I thought it would be a good idea to bring things full circle and share some Life Lessons I’ve learned from the viewing experience.
Life Lesson #1 – A good date must include a hot tub, and/or a helicopter ride.
Okay watching this and seeing a couple minuets after meeting for the first time jumping into a Hot Tub together! What?!! Since when did that become a first date thing? And when is that such an important factor in getting to know someone better?!!  And what’s up with the helicopter rides? Was this the helicopter industry’s last ditch effort to keep from going under? Instead of buying commercials, they paid off ABC to feature a copter ride in each show?
I’m still not convinced, though. I don’t think an expensive ride in a small, noisy cabin and sharing life experiences in a Hot Tube is doing it for me.
Life Lesson #2 – If you were given a nickname in college that related to the untimely release of certain fluids from your body, don’t introduce yourself to a prospective mate with that nickname.
Yes, someone did do that!!
And no, Shooter never had a chance at winning Ali’s heart LOL. In fact I am not sure anyone really won the heart on that show.
Life Lesson #3 – The best way to begin a program is to show 3 minutes worth of highlights from the upcoming program.
I can understand teasing a show that will air the next day or next week, but teasing a show before you show it? Hey ABC, are you that worried about viewers losing interest in the first 90 seconds that you have to show everything that’s about to happen?
Not only that, but they often tease the upcoming segment before going to commercial break. By the time a scene actually airs, I’ve already seen it 4 times. Once during the “coming this season” teaser, once during the “coming next week teaser”, once during the “coming up tonight teaser”, and once on the “coming up after the break” teaser. Thanks for ruining every great moment in the show you paranoid mongrels. This show I found out is torture!!
Life Lesson #4 – When you meet someone nicknamed “Rated R”, expect the worst.
Bachelor contestant Justin Rego put on a good show for a while, but in the end he was exposed as having 2 girlfriends at home in Toronto, one of which knew he had come on the show solely to become famous.
Perhaps Ali should have delved into the motives behind the “Rated R” nickname a bit more? I mean come on,  when you meet someone, and the first thing they do is rip open their shirt to reveal a t-shirt with their professional wrestling name on it, which happens to be ‘Rated R’, expect the worst. Seriously calling yourself Rated R is basically saying, “Hi, my name is Justin, but my friends call me ‘Nudity, Violence, and Explicit Language!

Life Lesson #6 – Have a funny line prepared in the event that you find yourself in a speedo on national television.
Jonathan the weatherman was not prepared, and as a result he blurted out, “You know, I don’t have, like, a huge *blppptt*“. Yes He did say that, what a nice pleasant show to sit down and watch with your family! (Not being Serious)
I’m predicting a cold front and lots of icy days ahead for Jonathan in the extended forecast.
Life Lesson #7 – All major life decisions should be preceded with a cocktail party in which one gets inebriated.
Ali tells us how this rose ceremony is the most difficult choice she’s ever had to make…while she’s holding her 3rd glass of champagne and giggling like she’s being tickled. Hey, I guess when you’re trying to find your soul mate, the one thing you need to have is impaired judgment. Who knew?
Come to think of it, it’s rare to ever see a scene on this show where someone isn’t drinking. They say alcohol is the lubricant of society, and I suppose it makes sense on a show like this where you’re asking people to speed up the normal dating process by a factor of 100.

I would say the biggest and most important Life Lesson we can pull from this would be : The  World's view on entertainment and dating is completely distorted. And yet many people find themselves sitting down and watching this garbage. When Lily and I got done watching that one episode I felt like I needed a shower. How this show could be on their 6th season is besides me. We must not allow the world to influence how we see relationships and how we live our lives. Allow God's Word to direct you in all that you do!! And don't watch this horrible show!!

Daily Devotion

Luke 6:12

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

If Jesus felt the need for prayer, how much more do we need to make prayer a huge part of our lives!

  Jesus didn't need to confess sin, because He didn't have any sin; He didn't need to grow in His obedience or purity. And yet, operating as a man during His time on earth, He depended on God the Father and the Holy Spirit for His ministry. And He longed for the intimate fellowship He enjoyed with His Father.
  When Jesus prayed it was His pattern to always look for a place to be alone. This is so important. Satan makes sure to provide lots of phone calls or knocks on the door during times you have set aside for prayer. Get alone where you won't be disturbed, where you can truly focus on God. If you can get alone enough to pray aloud, that's even better. Praying aloud can help you focus on your conversation with God and maintain that focus and train of thought for longer. And being alone can help you avoid any sense of pride over your time in prayer that might develop if others see you praying.

Today, Jesus invites you to find a time and place where you can get alone with God as often as possible.

Daily Devotion

Luke 5:15-16

But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

  The busier we get in life, the more we need to get alone with God!
Jesus' ministry was growing which made His life busy. People with spiritual needs were gathering in large crowds to hear Him. Many people were getting right with God. It was a spiritual revival. At the same time many people with physical problems were coming to Him for healing. If Jesus had approached His ministry from a natural perspective, He would have thought, "My ministry is growing! I have to capitalize on this moment. I have to be there for people. It doesn't matter what I have to sacrifice personally, the gospel has to go out!"

  But what did Jesus do? He "would often slip away to the wilderness and pray". Let me say it again, the busier we get in life, the more we need to get alone with God. A busy life is a waste of energy unless it is the overflow of our own walk with the Lord. Even ministry into the lives of people who desperately need it is not more important than maintaining your own prayer life and calling on God for His work in and through you. 

 

Take time to "slip away" and recharge with God

Sunday School Answers....

Could it be that Satan wants to make things more complicated?  As I teach my  young children gospel truths, I’m reminded how those simple answers are what my soul desperately needs, as well.  "Sunday School answers" are sometimes the best answers. 

Sunday School Answers

A believer experiences an unexpected break-up, and a friend responds, “God works all things for good.”  Another Christian expresses struggles with his or her  family, and their friend answers, “Trust in the Lord.”  And the discouraged follower of Christ becomes frustrated.  They look at their Christian friend and say, “Well, I know that.  Give me something that helps.”  Or, more likely, the truths are never stated.  The basics are just assumed.  After all, people know the Sunday School answers, right?
Certainly we must fight against insensitivity. It’s often appropriate to hold a hand, give a hug, or simply sit in silence.  Most of us don’t want to be preached at in the midst of suffering.  But the basics are truly what we need.  Truth is what comforts us. 

The Simplicity of the Gospel

Jesus taught us that the kingdom belongs to children.  We are to receive him with the faith of a child (Luke 18:16-17).  What’s the answer to monsters under the bed?  God is in control.  How are we comforted when someone teases us at school?  He loves us, and that’s what counts.  What do we do if we find our friends talking behind our backs?  We reflect upon our joy in Christ.  Our need is not for better answers.  It’s for our hearts to embrace the right ones.  Gospel truths are not simplistic.  They are rich and deep.  But they’re simple.
I remember a skit, back in my college ministry days, where three Christians were competing in a game show.  One girl, trying to play the airhead, kept answering “Jesus,” with much enthusiasm, to every question.  Everyone laughed.  But maybe it was our Enemy who was truly laughing.  If he can get us to assume gospel truths, he’s won most of the battle.  If he can get us to mock God’s word, that’s success for him.  In our counseling, in our preaching, and in our evangelism, is “Jesus” our answer?  Are the promises of Scripture our comfort?  If not, we might just need to go back to Sunday School.
This fall at Grace Community Church here in Wasco, we are starting a new avenue of Sunday School. We are meeting as one. All families all ages together. We begin at 9:00am, come check it out and let's get back to the basics.

Random Thoughts From The Bathroom

  Growing up back east my winters were filled with Snow Storms, Ice Storms and freezing rain!! Although snow can be fun for like 48 hrs, it does get really old. After living in Ca for almost 3 yrs now, I would have to say living in a cold environment is crazy!! So my random thought today is this......

Why would people willingly choose to live in a colder climate?

Daily Devotion

Mark 1:35-39

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Nothing is more important for my ministry in the future than my prayer in the present!

Read the verses that precede today's passage, and you'll see that the day before this morning of prayer in Jesus' life was filled with God at work. Jesus' teaching that day had a massive impact on the people in Capernaum, and then the evening was filled with miraculous healing. You might think Jesus would want to sleep in the next morning.
But He woke early and slipped out to pray. His mind was on the ministry he would have in other towns. It would be easy to think that since God worked so powerfully in Capernaum, the same would be true elsewhere. But Jesus knew that God's work through Him would match His prayer life. If God's work through you were to match your prayer life, would He be doing a lot or a little?

Daily Devotion

Psalm 32:3 NIV
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long

Suppression of emotions is a conscious denial of feelings. Those who suppress their emotions ignore their feelings and choose not to deal with them. Suppression is an unhealthy response to your emotions.
King David had something to say about the negative impact of suppressing his feelings in his relationship with God: "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. . . . Let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him" (Psalm 32:3, 6). David is not saying that God takes Himself out of our reach. When extraneous circumstances loom larger to you than God, it will not take long for your emotions to overcome you. When suppressed emotions build up within you like "mighty waters," you won't turn to God. Your emotions will be in control. It's important to open up to God while you can, because if you bottle up your feelings too long, it will disrupt the harmony of your relationship with Him.
David also commented on the impact of suppression on relationships with people: "I said, 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle, while the wicked are in my presence.' I was dumb and silent, I refrained every from good; and my sorrow grew worse" (Psalm 39:1, 2).
Don't cover over your emotions. Suppression isn't good for you, for others, or for your relationship with God. God knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and others can sense that something is wrong, because more is communicated non-verbally than verbally. When the verbal doesn't match the nonverbal, people believe the nonverbal. If we don't accurately express what we believe, people will believe our nonverbal messages about what we believe. Don't leave room for guesswork. Instead, "Speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:25).

Prayer: Lord, I want to live in honest agreement with You and others. Give me the grace to speak the truth in love.

Daily Devotion

Revelation 21:21-27
  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Our eternal future will be totally focused on God Himself!

In this life it's so easy to get distracted from God and to get focused on the temporary things of this world. But in that day God will be the focus and center of all life. The very light of heaven is the glory of God! In that day, how glad we'll be if we can look back and see that we put Him at the center of our lives in this life. And see all the work we did for Him and His Kingdom. What are you doing to share your faith? How have you been living for His Kingdom? Or are you too focused on your little world and becoming popular and having fun? Today make the decision to take a stand and live for God's Kingdom!!

Daily Devotion

First Thessalonians 5:18 commands us to be thankful in everything; it doesn't say be thankful for everything.  There is a distinct difference.  When things go wrong, we are to give thanks to God in the midst of the trouble.

Although all your worldly efforts and pursuits may fail and you're in the worse season of life, you must still praise God for all He has done.  You may not be able to praise God for your circumstances, but you can praise God that He is with you in those circumstances.

Job praised God even at the lowest point of his life. King Jehoshaphat was terrified of the approaching enemy.  Yet he commanded the people to praise God. God saved Israel. When you give thanks, you are in God's will.  He puts everything together in His time and His will. Let's give Him thanks everyday for the way He works in our lives. 

Scripture Reading: Ephesians  5:21-33  

Daily Devotion

Revelation 20:11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
If you will not accept God's forgiveness, you will face God's judgment!
How will your life stand up to the scrutiny of God when the books are opened, revealing your sinful deeds and thoughts and motives? It is a very scary thought, isn't it? Yet it is so much better to face the reality of my need for God and to turn to Him for forgiveness than to ignore it and come to the end of life facing such a terrible day of judgment.